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Grab Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $60 off at Best Buys Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 12:00

GET $60 OFF: As of April 15, Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are on sale for $189.99, down from $249.99, at the Best Buy Spring Sale. That's a savings of $60, or 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189.99 at Best Buy
$249.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Apple AirPods Pro 2 bring aspirational tech into your ears, with a wireless charging case, excellent sound, and active noise cancellation. You can't want much more from headphones — other than more affordability.

Best Buy's Spring Sale is on, and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 got their price slashed as part of the festivities. Get them on sale as of April 15 for $189.99, down from $249.99, and save $60, or 24%.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are down by $70 in Best Buy's Spring Sale

AirPods Pro 2 are for more than just music. Take calls right on your Bluetooth earbuds, eliminate noise, and mix the real world in. Transparency Mode allows the outside world into your audio mix, ensuring that you're not surprised by your boss calling your name or a passing ambulance.

Battery life is always a concern with Bluetooth headphones, but these get you six hours of play time with ANC enabled, plus 60 hours of charge from their included wireless case.

Headphones need to be able to withstand the elements. These are IP54-certified to resist dust, sweat, and rain. They can also be customized with included silicone tips to fit your ear size. Hearing protection and a hearing test are built right in, and these buds can actually double as hearing aids.

Grab the AirPods Pro 2 for less and start enjoying your headphones more.

Brand new vacuums will probably get more expensive soon, but refurbished Dysons are on sale

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:56

SAVE UP TO $200: As of April 15, Walmart has two great refurbished Dyson deals under $400: Save $70 and get the Dyson V8 Origin+ for $179.99 or save $200 and get the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean for $399.99

A new Dyson vacuum? In this economy?

Dysons are already on the expensive end for vacuums, and tariffs could cause Dyson price tags to spike any time now. Dyson has key manufacturing hubs in countries like Singapore, China, and Mexico — all of which are being hit tariff rates to varying (quite steep) degrees. While there's no official word yet from the brand itself, Dyson is likely one of the tech brands that'll need to raise prices.

A refurbished Dyson vacuum in this economy, however, could be doable — especially when they have an extra discount tacked onto the original refurb price. I'm actually seeing two stellar refurbished Dyson vacuum deals at Walmart, each appealing to slightly different budgets: Get a Dyson V8 Origin+ for $179.99 (regularly $249.99 refurbished or $329.99 brand new) or the Dyson V15 Detect Total Clean for $399.99 (regularly $599.99 refurbished or $749.99 brand new).

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

Whichever of these two Dysons is best for you simply depends on how intense your cleaning needs are at home — or, rather, how intense you are about cleaning.

The V8 is on the lower end of Dyson's suction spectrum, dishing out slightly more oomph than the V7 for up to 40 minutes on one charge. It'll totally suffice for single-person homes or other smaller spaces with light foot traffic.

The V15 Detect brings home Dyson's iconic green laser that highlights dust, hair, and tiny crumbs that don't always show up to the naked eye (but definitely show up on the bottom of your feet). I fell in love with the laser when I first got the Dyson V12 Detect Slim a few years ago, and it has literally changed my life as a cat mother of two. The laser is so good at pointing out dusty spots on hard floors that I actually use it to test the suction performance of all of the robot vacuums I test at home. And, compared to the V12 that I use, the V15 on sale at Walmart actually has stronger suction and a larger dust bin. Depending on the mode you select on the LCD screen, the V15 Detect can clean for up to an hour on one charge.

Trump Tariffs Could Raise iPhone Prices, But Affordable Options Remain

NYT Technology - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:47
Even if gadget prices surge, we have plenty of cheaper options, like buying last year’s phone model instead of the latest and greatest.

Amazon dropped the price on the Apple AirPods Max to under $500

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:36

SAVE $69.01: As of April 15, shop the Apple AirPods Max for $479.99, down from $549, at Amazon. You'll save $69.01 for 13% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $69.01 Get Deal

Apple's flagship over-the-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, have a fun, futuristic design and come in bright hues of blue, orange, and purple. Beyond looks, they're pretty good headphones, too (and very popular). With active noise cancellation and seamless iOS connectivity, they sound good and are user-friendly. Our main issue with the AirPods Max comes down to price.

For $549, they're one of the more expensive pairs of noise-cancelling headphones on the market, topping both Bose and Sony in price, which is why we're always looking for deals. Luckily, as of April 15, you can find the Apple AirPods Max on sale for just $479.99 at Best Buy. That's a savings of $69.01, for 13% off.

SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort headphones just hit their lowest price of the year

A few weeks ago we spotted the Apple AirPods Max on sale at Best Buy for $479.99. Amazon finally matched the price today. This deal comes at a good time: a recent upgrade just provided the AirPods Max with lossless audio, preventing delay in audio when wearing the headphones.

Shop this deal on Apple AirPods Max at Amazon and save $69.01.

Get the Amazon Echo Hub for under $130 and stay connected to your smart home

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:31

SAVE $50: The Amazon Echo Hub is on sale for $129.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $179.99. That's a 28% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Smart home devices are some of the most convenient upgrades we've seen in tech in the last decade. From video doorbells to smart lighting, our homes have never been better connected. If you've outfitted your house with smart devices, there's a single panel to control them all and it happens to be on sale today at Amazon.

As of April 15, the Amazon Echo Hub is on sale for $129.99, marked down from the standard price of $179.99. That's a savings of $50 from a 28% discount. This sale price also comes within $5 of the lowest we've ever seen Amazon offer.

If you've jumped on the smart home bandwagon, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many control panels you need to access. There's one for the thermostat, the video doorbell, the security system, the lights in the bedroom, the ceiling fan in the dining room, and the smart plug in the living room. Instead of dealing with all of those separately, the Amazon Echo Hub conveniently combines them all into one eight-inch display.

Amazon considers the Echo Hub to be a central control panel for your smart home devices, and it's compatible with thousands of gadgets. It easily mounts to a wall in your home and gives you access to controls you'll use everyday like turning the air conditioning on and viewing who's at the door. You can play music directly from the Echo Hub or connect it to another smart speaker.

The Amazon Echo Hub also allows you to see calendars, reminders, and make lists. Plus, it comes packed with Alexa's help who can order groceries for you, keep track of a timer, or remind you to schedule that doctor's appointment.

If you could use some simplifying when it comes to smart devices, today's sale price on the Echo Hub means this is a great time to upgrade. One central control hub will streamline your favorite devices.

MacBook Pro deal alert: Get $400 off at Best Buys Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:22

SAVE $400 : As of April 15, the Apple MacBook Pro laptop (M3, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is on sale for $1,299.00, down from $1,699. That saves you $400, or 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro (M3, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299 at Best Buy
$1,699 Save $400 Get Deal

The MacBook Pro is full of processing power and appeal. Famed for their proficiency with visual processing, video, and sound, these laptops appeal to creators, students, and professionals — especially when they're on sale.

As of April 15, the Apple MacBook Pro (M3, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is on sale for $1,299, down from $1,699, at Best Buy's Spring Sale. That's $400 off for a savings of 24%.

SEE ALSO: Slash $500 off the M3 Apple iMac desktop at Best Buy's Spring Sale

This MacBook Pro is loaded with an M3 chip. It might be behind the newest M4 chip, but the M3 is still powerful enough to blaze through most activities (and multitasking) you'll throw at it. With a 1TB SSD, this laptop has a huge memory bank for creative projects, games, data sets, movies, music, and more.

With the Pro, you can expect smooth processing and excellent graphics. Solid microphones and a 1080P webcam ensure you've got the capabilities you need for interaction, while three Thunderbolt ports enable you to plug in external SSDs or instruments without slowing down. Beyond hardware, software like GarageBand makes it simple to create.

Get it for its components, its powerful processing, or its 1000 Nit 3024 x 1964 screen: this MacBook Pro deal is loaded.

Amazon deal of the day: The Kindle Scribe is back down to its Big Spring Sale price

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:20
Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of April 15: OUR TOP PICK Kinde Scribe (32GB) $339.99 (save $80) Get Deal BEST APPLE DEAL Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal BEST GIFT CARD DEAL Instacart $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Amazon Echo Pop $29.99 (save $10 + get free WiZ smart bulb) Get Deal

Tariffs or no tariffs, Amazon is loaded with deals on tech this week that you won't want to miss. Whether you're in the market for an upgrade or you've had your eyes on some top-notch devices, we recommend snagging these discounts while you can.

Here are a few of our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on April 15. If none of these are catching your eye, be sure to check out our selections from yesterday, April 14. Many of those deals are still live, including nearly 30% off the Amazon Echo Hub.

Our top pick: Kindle Scribe Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Scribe (32GB) $339.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $80 Get Deal

The 2024 Kindle Scribe is the largest in the brand's lineup and the only model that allows you to take notes on the screen with an included stylus. Otherwise, it's largely the same as any other Kindle (not that that's a bad thing). Mashable's e-reader expert, Sam Mangino, says it's great "if you're an avid annotator and want a distraction-free e-reader." However, ultimately she concludes that its performance doesn't match up to its outrageous $400 price tag. The only time she recommends buying the Scribe is when it's on sale — like right now. The model with 32GB of storage is down to $339.99 instead of $419.99, making it a much more palatable purchase. That's nearly 20% in savings and matches its price from the Big Spring Sale.

Read our full review of the 2024 Kindle Scribe.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $69.01 Get Deal

Sure, Apple's AirPods Max are powerful and stylish, but they're also extremely overpriced. We do recommend them for Apple loyalists, although we wish they had longer battery life (or a headphone jack) and a better carrying case. It's definitely easier to look past our qualms, however, when they're on sale. As of April 15, you can get the newer USB-C model for just $479.99 instead of $549. That's 13% or $69 in savings.

Read our full review of the AirPods Max.

Instacart $100 gift card Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart Instacart $100 gift card $85 at Amazon
$100 Save $15 Get Deal

Groceries are so dang expensive that any little bit helps. If you're an Instacart user, you can get $100 worth of groceries for only $85 with this gift card deal at Amazon as of April 15. Or, if you're feeling generous, you could also gift it to someone in need at checkout. Just act fast if you want to score the $15 discount — as a Lightning deal, it'll be gone before you know it.

Bose QuietComfort headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120 Get Deal

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are some of the best headphones we've ever tested, but their less expensive sibling — the Bose QuietComfort — are pretty great too. They still check all the right boxes: impressive noise cancellation, comfortable fit, rich audio, and affordability. As our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) put it in their review, "they absolutely won't disappoint if you want to save a bit of money." Choose from several color options and snag a pair on sale for only $229 at Amazon as of April 15. That's 34% in savings.

Amazon Echo Pop Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop $29.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.00 + get free WiZ smart bulb Get Deal

Want to add Alexa to your home without spending an arm and a leg? The Echo Pop is your best bet — especially when it's on sale. Essentially an Echo Dot lite, the Pop is designed for "people who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant." It's a budget-friendly speaker that sounds great and adds a fun pop of color to your home. Not to mention, as of April 15, it'll only cost you $29.99 and comes with a free WiZ smart bulb.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

4chan is down, reportedly hacked as of April 15

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:09

4chan, the controversial imageboard where users can anonymously post anything and everything, is experiencing downtime as of this morning. Thousands of visitors reported outages on Tuesday, according to DownDetector. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis owns both Mashable and Down Detector.)

The current speculation among users is that 4chan was hacked by an attacker taking advantage of an exploit in an outdated version of PHP that the site still ran on, but we have not been able to verify these rumors.

4chan hasn't changed much since Christopher Poole, aka "moot," founded it in 2003. The imageboard has evolved over the years from a user base consisting of Anonymous hacktivists to fringe far-right wingers. Poole sold 4chan to Hiroyuki Nishimura, the owner of competing Japanese imageboard 2channel, in 2015 after taking a job with Google. Since then, according to users, it appears very little has been done to upgrade the site's tech. 

Users are trading rumors that the site's source code and database were leaked. If any data is leaked, the most sensitive data would likely belong to 4chan's volunteer moderators and could consist of their login credentials and chat logs. (Again, we haven't been able to independently verify these rumors.) We'll update this story if we learn any concrete information, but for now, we can only confirm that the 4chan outage is ongoing.

On social media, users have latched onto the alleged last post they reportedly saw before the site went down: An image of Jack Black from A Minecraft Movie accompanied by the words "CHICKEN JOCKEY."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Whip up your favorite beverages with $110 off the Ninja Slushi at Woot

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:03

SAVE $110: As of April 15, get the Ninja Slushi (Factory Reconditioned) for $239.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's a discount of 35%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Ninja Slushi (Factory Reconditioned) $239.99 at Woot
$349.99 Save $110 Get Deal

Summer is slowly creeping up. The weather is getting warmer, and that means you'll want some easy ways to cool off without spending money. One great way to do that is by sipping on a delicious slushie or other frozen beverage. But they can be expensive to grab on a regular basis, so why not make your own at home? Appliances like the Ninja Slushi can help you do just that, especially when it's available at a deep discount.

As of April 15, get the Ninja Slushi (Factory Reconditioned) for $239.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's a discount of 35%. This model has been reconditioned by Woot and comes with a 90-day Woot warranty.

The Ninja Slushi can make a wide variety of delicious drinks with the press of a button. It uses RapidChill Technology to spin a cooling cylinder and freeze liquid, so you don't need any ice to make refreshing drinks, including wine, coffee, soda, milk, shakes, and much more.

It comes with five presets to help you create the perfect frozen drink for you, with a simple pouring spout so you can serve straight from the machine, as well as easy temperature control to make thicker or thinner drinks based on your preferences. Plus, it makes your frozen treats quietly thanks to its near-silent compressor that can keep your drinks at the correct temperature for up to 12 hours.

This is the perfect way to enjoy all your favorite drinks without paying too much cash every time you're ready for a shake or something, so be sure to grab yours while it's still available.

Watch: Meet The Ugly Stepsisters Dr. Esthétique, beauty guru for aspiring princesses

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 11:00

Ready for a gnarly fairytale, full of body horror, dark humor, and sibling rivalry? The Ugly Stepsister will give you all that and more. And the video above gives you a bone-crunching preview.

Written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, this critically heralded horror movie takes the Cinderella story you thought you knew, and gives it a bloody fresh spin by focusing on the maligned ugly stepsister. Sure, Elvira (Lea Myren) dreams of being swept up in the arms of the kingdom's handsome prince. But to catch the eye of this eligible bachelor, her ruthless mother (Ane Dahl Torp) believes she needs the help of Dr. Esthétique (Adam Lundgren), a medieval cosmetic surgeon whose methods are, well, the stuff of nightmares.

SEE ALSO: 'The Ugly Stepsister' trailer has big 'The Substance' vibes

The clip above offers some of the horrid lengths poor Elvira will go to achieve her happily-ever-after. But the cheeky tone of this faux commercial for Dr. Esthétique gives a sense of the wicked sense of humor at play in The Ugly Stepsister.

As I cheered in my review out of the film's Sundance premiere, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment and aesthetically nostalgic."

See for yourself when The Ugly Stepsister opens in theaters on April 18.

Bose QuietComfort headphones just hit their lowest price of the year

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:54

SAVE $120: As of April 15, shop the Bose QuietComfort headphones for just $229. That saves you $120 for 34% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120 Get Deal

Bose is an audio leader for good reason. Their products deliver professional sound at a consumer-friendly price. Their collection of products is limited, rather than dozens of models, they keep it simple with five greats pairs of headphones and earbuds, plus a few soundbars to bring your home audio to the next level. Among Bose's headphones is the QuietComfort collection, which comes at two different price points. The Ultra headphones and earbuds fall at the higher end of the price point, while the standard QuietComfort offer a more affordable alternative.

As of April 15, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are down from their usual $349. Now you can find them at Amazon for $229, saving you $120 for 34% off.

Bose QuietComfort headphones offer excellent noise cancellation and audio quality. Like the name implies, they're extremely comfortable, with plush ear cups to cover your ears for all-day wear. On a single charge, they can go for about 24 hours, letting you wear them for a full day without needing to find a charger. The main difference between these headphones and the Ultra models is the immersive audio feature. While the QuietComfort don't have immersive audio, you won't miss it thanks to its full, well-rounded sound.

Shop the Bose QuietComfort headphones now for $229 and save $120.

LGs brand-new C5 OLED TV already has a discount

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:36

SAVE $200: As of April 15, the 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch versions of the LG C5 OLED TV released in March are $200 off at Best Buy. Prices range from $1,799.99 to $3,499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 55-inch C5 OLED 4K TV $1,799.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $200 Get Deal

TV enthusiasts were likely anticipating the coming of the LG C5 OLED TV mere weeks after the C4 dropped in 2024. The official release date of the C5, March 11, 2025, is now in the rearview — but if you've managed to hold out on buying it thus far, you can save $200 on it now.

That's the discount tacked onto three sizes of the LG C5 OLED at Best Buy as of April 15. The 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch versions of the LG C5 OLED TV are $200 off at Best Buy. Prices range from $1,799.99 to $3,499.99.

Because all sizes have the same dollar amount off, the smaller, least-expensive model, the 55-inch, naturally has the best discount, percentage-wise, at 10%. The savings aren't huge by any means, but on a brand-new CES release, $200 isn't half bad — consider it a free soundbar. Free delivery is included.

SEE ALSO: 'The Last of Us' Season 1 Recap: Everything you need to remember before watching season 2

Overwhelmingly positive reviews of the C5 have already begun to trickle in, with our sister site CNET summing it up well: "The LG C5 is a top choice among 2025 TVs." Compared to last year's C4, which is still one of the best TVs you can buy, the C5 is brighter with enhanced color accuracy and vibrancy. As always with LG's premium OLEDs, uniformity with colors and blacks stays solid from just about any viewing angle, sans clouding that's often an issue with LEDs or even some QLEDs. Interactive control glow-ups for the C5 include the introduction of AI capabilities, plus a fully redesigned Magic Remote.

For the fifth year in a row now, the LG C-*insert number here* is one of the best OLED gaming TVs one could buy without completely blowing your budget. (Check the prices on the C5's sibling, the G5 that's how you blow your budget.) Aside from the stark details that pop particularly well in dark rooms, the C5 also sports four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 144Hz gaming.

Amazon sold out of these $179 Sony XM5 earbuds, but you can still buy them

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:33

SAVE $120: As of April 15, get the Sony WF-1000XM5S Wireless Earbuds for $179.99 at Target, down from their normal price of $299.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target Sony WF-1000XM5S Wireless Earbuds $179.99 at Target
$299.99 Save $120 Get Deal

If you're looking for a great pair of earbuds, you have options. Apple's AirPods come with a range of excellent options, and there's a lot to love about what Bose has to offer. But don't count Sony out, especially the pair the company itself has boasted are their best wireless buds. You can get them for a great price right now thanks to a deal at Target, but you'll want to act fast.

As of April 15, get the Sony WF-1000XM5S Wireless Earbuds for $179.99 at Target, down from their normal price of $299.99. That's $120 off and a discount of 43%. This price currently applies to the Black, Silver, and Smoky Pink colorways. While the buds are available at Amazon right now, only refurbished stock is available.

We named these earbuds our favorite pair from Sony, praising them for their "amazing audio quality" and excellent noise cancellation as well as their useful touch controls. You can count on them to block out all the frustrating daily noise you deal with, with tuning that you can tweak for an experience that makes sense for you.

Of course, they sound great when it comes to listening to your favorite music or podcasts, too. You also get a long-lasting battery, with up to 8 hours of listening time and 24 hours with their included charging case. Quick charging nets you an hour of listening time with 3 hours on the charger.

Their customizable equalizer also makes them a dream for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, with plenty of EQ options to tune them to your liking.

If you're ready to grab a new pair of earbuds, definitely snag these before they're back up at their normal price.

Slash $500 off the M3 Apple iMac desktop at Best Buys Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:21

GET $500 OFF: As of April 15, the Apple iMac desktop (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale for $1,099.00, down from $1,599. That's a savings of $500, or 31% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iMac desktop (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Best Buy
$1,599 Save $500 Get Deal

Your desktop computer needs to perform well for all of your work and play and look great, too. Enter the Apple iMac, a powerhouse that comes with the still-powerful M3 chip for a lot less than the newest models. And it's on sale for almost a third off today.

Currently, the Apple iMac desktop (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale for $1,099.00, down from $1,599, at the Best Buy Spring Sale. That's $500, or 31%, off.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are down by $70 in Best Buy's Spring Sale

An exceptional 4K screen dominates the "All-in-One" body of the iMac desktop. Apple screens are known for their color accuracy, rich detail, and more. Available in colors from green to tangerine, the desktop, keyboard, and mouse match, creating a pleasant aesthetic in your computer room.

Unlike lots of Windows computers, the iMac commits to a true gestalt ethos and doesn't skimp on components like webcams and lightning ports. It has three microphones and a precise 1080p camera, so you'll be loud and clear in meetings.

Whether you're recommitting to a graphic design practice or editing podcasts, this laptop is chock-full of widely useful features and tech components.

Are Fortnite servers down? Everything we know about the April 15 outage.

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:09

Fortnite experienced a hiccup on Tuesday morning, but everything is fine. Players will be back to their Sabrina Carpenter-inspired shenanigans soon.

If you're in the U.S. and wanted to get some early-morning battle royale rounds in before work on Tuesday, you're out of luck. Down Detector indicated widespread Fortnite outages starting around 6 a.m. ET and lasting until around 9 a.m. ET at the latest. That's a pretty long time for one of the most popular video games in the world to be out of commission, and it came at an unusual time of day, so it's reasonable for players to wonder what's up.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: How to play 'Fortnite' on iPhone

So, why is Fortnite down?

Luckily, there's an answer. Developer Epic Games posted on X that there would be some scheduled downtime starting at 6 a.m. ET to push a hotfix (a kind of update that doesn't require users to download a patch). In other words, the downtime on Tuesday morning was just Epic taking some time to address a problem in the game, which should be fixed by the time you're reading this. Everything should be fine now.

Disclaimer: Down Detector and Mashable are both owned by Ziff Davis.

Hurry to snag a $100 Instacart gift card for just $85 at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 09:33

SAVE $15: Get a $100 Instacart gift card at Amazon for just $85. That's a 15% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instcart $100 Instacart gift card $85 at Amazon
$100 Save $15 Get Deal

Saving money on life's essentials is something everyone can get excited about. If you order groceries online for delivery or pickup, there's a great deal in store at Amazon, but you'll need to act fast. As of April 15, a $100 Instacart gift card is discounted to just $85 at Amazon. That's a saving of $15.

Since this is a "lightning deal", it could sell out at any time. So jump on this one quickly.

SEE ALSO: Groceries are expensive — take up to 20% off during the Amazon Spring Grocery Sale

Instacart is truly a one-stop online shop for all of life's necessities. The company is linked up with over 85,000 stores across the country which gives you access to groceries, pet supplies, pharmacies, and more. You could schedule a morning delivery from Costco, Spouts, or Kroger to restock the fridge and get an afternoon delivery from Sephora, Lowe's, or the Vitamin Shoppe.

This Amazon deal is on a physical Instacart gift card, that will likely come with overnight shipping, depending on your location. You'll be able to redeem it in the Instacart app or through the website. The physical gift card also makes this deal a great option for an upcoming birthday present, Easter basket stuffer, Mother's Day gift, or graduation present.

While we all wonder what tariffs will do the price of tech, grab some reassurance that your next grocery order will include some savings by snagging this $15 discount on an Instacart gift card. Nothing tastes sweeter than free groceries.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are down by $70 in Best Buys Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 07:36

SAVE $70: As of April 15, Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are on sale for $479.99 at Best Buy. That's 13% off their list price of $549.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Best Buy
$549.99 Save $70 Get Deal

If you've been looking to get new headphones or earbuds, there are quite a few deals available right now that are worth checking out. Best Buy in particular has plenty of offers as part of its Spring Sale, including discounts on Apple devices. If you've been saving up to splash out on high-end headphones, the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) have received a $70 price drop that's worth jumping on.

The Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are currently marked down to $479.99 from their list price of $549.99. This deal applies to a variety of color options as well, so you can save on the midnight headphones, starlight, blue, orange, and purple. On top of that, your purchase also comes with Apple Fitness+ for free for three months if you're a new subscriber and up to three months of Apple Music for free if you're a new or returning subscriber.

SEE ALSO: My favorite iPad is $80 off at Walmart

Whether you love to listen to the latest albums from your favorite artists or enjoy getting lost in a thrilling audiobook, the AirPods Max offer excellent audio quality thanks to the H1 chip. This is further improved with Active Noise Cancelation, which will absorb you in what you're listening to without the outside world interrupting. And for those moments when you need to be a bit more aware of what's going on around you, Transparency mode keeps you tuned in to your surroundings without totally sacrificing the sounds you're listening to.

The AirPods Max also feature Personalized Spatial Audio that 'surrounds' you in sound to create a more immersive experience while you're listening. They're a real treat for the ears, and if you're looking to treat yourself to new headphones, this deal on the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) at Best Buy is worth taking advantage of.

There are a few more Apple deals at Best Buy that are worth a look right now. You can also save on the AirPods Pro 2 if you're looking for earbuds instead, and the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2) is on sale at the moment as well.

The JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker is on sale for $80 off at Best Buy

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 06:47

SAVE $80: As of April 15, the JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker is on sale for $299.99 at Best Buy. That's 21% off its list price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $299.99 at Best Buy
$379.99 Save $80 Get Deal

Spring Sales are still going strong over at Best Buy, as the retailer has quite a few items on offer right now that are worth checking out. If you've been on the hunt for a portable speaker to join you on any outdoor excursions you have planned for this year, there are quite a few discounted right now, including an $80 discount on the JBL Xtreme 4.

This discount has dropped the price of the JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker from $379.99 to $299.99. This speaker will bring you powerful sound and up to 24 hours of battery life, so you can keep the music going for longer while you're out and about. It also features a very durable design that's great for the outdoors.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best Bluetooth speakers, tested

The JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker is waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating, so no matter if you're going on a camping trip or want to play some music on the beach this speaker can handle the elements. It even comes with a shoulder strap which makes carrying it around to different locations much easier. If you've been looking for a reliable portable speaker that's easy to travel with and still gives you big sound, the JBL Xtreme 4 is worth a look.

Don't miss out on $80 off the JBL Xtreme 4 right now at Best Buy.

If you prefer to listen to music on your own, there are some great headphone and earbud deals that are worth checking out right now, too. Also at Best Buy, the AirPods Pro 2 have received a $60 discount, and at Amazon, the Soundcore AeroFit headphones are 62% off at the moment.

Score $100 off the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2) right now at Best Buy

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 05:57

SAVE $100: As of April 15, the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $699 at Best Buy. That's 12% off its list price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch Apple iPad Air M2 $699 at Best Buy
$799 Save $100 Get Deal

If you missed out on the best deals in Amazon's Spring Sale, Best Buy has delivered its own Spring Sale for shoppers to save. There has been some very nice tech deals included in this sale, including on Apple devices. One of our favorite deals is on the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB), which has received a $100 discount.

This has dropped the price of the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) from $799 to $699. You'll also get some fun free trials with your purchase as well, including Apple Fitness+ for three months if you're a new subscriber, up to three months of Apple Music if you're a new or returning subscriber, Apple Arcade for up to three months if you're a new or returning subscriber, and Apple TV+ for two months if you're a new or qualified returning subscriber. The latter is especially nice to enjoy all of the great shows that have dropped on Apple TV+ lately.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Air M3 review: The smallest of upgrades

With a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, this iPad Air boasts a bright, clear screen that'll make any image really pop. Performance-wise, the M2 chip will keep things moving quickly and smoothly. In our review, Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon had praise for the latter, saying, "Aside from a new 13-inch size and relocated webcam, there aren't many changes design-wise, but the M2 chip brings sweet energy efficiency and a performance uptick."

We also consider this iPad to be the best option for most people in our roundup of the best iPads, considering what a great value it is for the performance you're getting. Mashable's Samantha Mangino said in that roundup, "In our Geekbench 6 tests, it scored on par with the M2 MacBook Air, offering a high-performance experience at a fraction of the cost."

If you've had your eye on an iPad, this deal on the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) at Best Buy is worth taking advantage of while it's still available.

It isn't the only Apple deal floating around right now, though. Also at Best Buy you can save on the AirPods Pro 2 and over at Walmart, the 10th gen iPad has received a very nice $80 discount.

I added these AI rope lights to my wall for $45, and my office looks like a streaming setup

Mashable - Tue, 04/15/2025 - 05:54

SAVE $14.99: As of April 15, Lepro N1 AI Smart RGB Rope Lights are available for $44.99 at Amazon. That’s 25% off their regular price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lepro Lepro N1 AI Smart RGB Rope Lights $45 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $14.99 Get Deal

I stuck a 10-foot strand of Lepro N1 AI Smart Rope Lights on my wall and now my room looks like I should be live streaming my thoughts on the rumored Oblivion Remake. The 9.84-foot version is down to $44.99 on Amazon right now, thanks to a $15 coupon off the usual $59.99 list price. That’s a decent drop for lighting that manages to be both smart and slightly dramatic.

What makes these different from the usual sticky RGB strips is the AI baked into them. Lepro's LightGPM setup uses some machine learning magic to generate lighting based on your mood or activity. You can tell it how you're feeling or just snap a selfie in the app, and it responds with up to 10 lighting effects tailored to that emotional state. I can’t say my rope lights understand me, but they’re definitely trying.

SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse combo

There’s full music sync too, which means the lights pulse along with whatever you're playing. It works better than I expected. I threw on a playlist and the lights reacted like they were vibing harder than me. Voice commands work through the Lepro+ app and it’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant if you're not into shouting at your phone.

  • Price: $44.99 $59.99

  • Retailer: Amazon

  • Length: 9.84 feet

  • Color range: RGB, full segment control

  • Voice control: Via Lepro+ app, Alexa, and Google Assistant

  • App features: Mood-based AI lighting, DIY shape control, scheduling, group device control

  • Music sync: LightBeats audio-reactive color effects

  • Power: Corded electric

  • Indoor use: Yes

  • Connectivity: WiFi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth

  • Setup: Adhesive-backed, bendable strip with shape customization

It also lets you get creative with the layout. The strip is flexible, color-segmented, and supports DIY shapes, which I may have overestimated my design skills with. It still looks cool, even if my attempt at a lightning bolt ended up looking like a confused number two.

Control-wise, the app lets you manage brightness, colors, timers, and grouped devices, all over WiFi or Bluetooth. It’s reliable, doesn’t lag, and doesn’t require another hub.

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