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At Made on YouTube on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in New York, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced various new AI tools for creators on the platform.
SEE ALSO: YouTube to add tools to detect AI-generated faces and voicesThe AI tools aim to "support creators at every step of the journey" and range from AI-powered inspiration to AI video generators. Mohan emphasized AI's ability to further YouTube's mission of being "the best home for creators" and ensured creators that it will build on its "track record of responsibility." He added that 92 percent of creators already use AI tools. The new features will become available to creators in the coming months and by early 2025.
Johanna Voolich, YouTube's chief of product, told Mashable that the team prioritized the full creative lifecycle when building these products. Here's a breakdown of the tools that were announced.
VeoPerhaps the biggest announcement of the event was Veo, six-second AI-generated video clips designed for YouTube Shorts, the platform's TikTok competitor. It runs on Google's DeepMind technology and uses text prompts to produce clips.
Following a demonstration from Joe Ano, the creator and fashion designer behind Ella Emhoff's Democratic National Convention dress, where he used Veo to generate dresses in motion, Sarah Ali, senior director of product, side-stepped potential criticisms of the feature by saying, "[Veo] only works because of Joe's creative vision." Other demonstrations included an AI-generated video of a dog and sheep becoming friends.
Veo Shorts will be watermarked with SynthID ensuring AI-generated content clearly is labeled. "Over time, how people think of this may change, but right now, we want to have that level of transparency so people can make their own judgments about what they're watching," said Voolich.
Veo's announcement comes on the heels of other platforms launching AI-generated video abilities like OpenAI's Sora.
Inspiration tabYouTube wants to make the creative process easier and aims to do so with the Inspiration tab, an AI-generated hub that helps creators come up with video ideas, titles, thumbnails, and outlines. User comments will also be incorporated into the AI-idea inspiration. Users will not be able to opt out of their comments' inclusion. "The way YouTube works is based on contributions, the contributions from creators are their videos, but viewer's contributions are what they are watching and what they are commenting on. That's what makes the platform work," said Voolich.
Users are already involved in what Voolich calls the "invisible AI." "That's the AI we have been using forever at YouTube to build out our search and recommendation systems," she said. "That's what you see on your home feed and your up next. That's the user-focused AI."
Engaging with audiencesYouTube also announced the use of AI to help creators keep up with their audiences. The tool will highlight key commenters, show creators their "profile cards" and past comments, and provide AI-enhanced reply suggestions in the creator's voice.
It also announced another way to engage viewers, "Communities." Reminiscent of Substack's Chat, Communities allow creators to post directly to their audiences and viewers can post their own photos and text posts too.
Additionally, YouTube is launching "Hype," a way for viewers to support their favorite up-and-coming creators by suggesting that their videos be brought to a wider audience. The tool gamifies liking a creator and will only be available for videos posted in the last 7 days by a creator with 5,000 subscribers or less. Users will receive a limited number of Hypes a week, but the platform is exploring selling more hypes for a new revenue stream for creators.
Auto-DubbingUsing AI, YouTube is transforming automatically-generated captions into dubbing in different languages. A feature called "expressive speech" aims to make the dubbing as close to the original speech as possible by mimicking tone, pitch, and external noise. It will expand to 100,000s of creators in coming months.
In non-AI news, YouTube is expanding its rewards for livestreaming by launching a model similar to TikTok and Twitch of "gifts" given by viewers to creators. It will also allow creators to sort their videos into Seasons and Episodes as more people watch YouTube on television screens and YouTubers strive to win Emmy Awards.
Apple made history this month when a feature in the company's forthcoming AirPods Pro 2 was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as the first over-the-counter (OTC), clinical-grade hearing aid software. The Hearing Aid Feature, as Apple refers to the software, amplifies sound for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment (it also features a user-friendly hearing test).
Stigma over hearing loss — and old-school hearing aids — persists, even though over 30 million Americans suffer from some level of hearing loss. Can the new AirPods convince more people to get their hearing tested, boost their aural faculties, and lead better lives? Attorney Haben Girma, the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School and the author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, is optimistic about what the new AirPods — available this fall in many countries — can offer. Girma connected with Mashable about the AirPods' innovation and Big Tech's role in improving disabled lives.
SEE ALSO: I demoed the new AirPods Pro 2 hearing test — and here's how it went Mashable: As a disability advocate, are the hearing aid-assisted AirPods a game-changer?Haben Girma: The AirPods Pro 2 is a powerful new tool for people with hearing disabilities! The diversity within this community includes a variety of different types of hearing and life experiences. Extensive accessibility features throughout the Apple ecosystem means more people with combined hearing and other disabilities (visual disabilities, learning disabilities, mobility disabilities, and more) will have the ability to personally adjust their own hearing aids.
Do you believe the Air Pods could help those with profound hearing loss, as opposed to only those experiencing age-related hearing loss?The goal is to give people choices. The more communication tools available to us, the more likely it is that every single person will find their right fit. When I think of past visits to hearing aid clinics, the memories bring back the stress and frustration that many other deaf and hard of hearing people experienced. Apple has eliminated some of the emotional, administrative, and time-based barriers that cause people to delay exploring their hearing. The portability and friendliness of the iPhone and AirPods Pro 2 makes it easier for more people to learn about their hearing at a comfortable time and place, try on hearing aids, and then go to a hearing professional—if they choose. How exciting to have these choices at our fingertips!
Haben Girma has thoughts on the new Air Pods' hearing aid feature. Credit: Darius Bashar Could this help normalize the use of assistive tech among the general public?Many people already use AirPods for hearing assistance, without realizing they are doing so. Many people assume disability tech must be ugly, but disability tech can be absolutely delightful! Disability tech is all around us, from the touchscreen to audiobooks. Disabled people spark innovation, and over time those developments travel into the mainstream. Future people will be surprised to learn listening devices didn’t always have hearing aid capabilities. Apple is leading the way in showing how disability innovations move tech forward for all of us.
Could there be a danger in removing the physician's role in providing these devices?Medical professionals still have a role to play, and many people may find themselves booking that appointment after taking Apple’s hearing test.
SEE ALSO: I demoed the new AirPods Pro 2 hearing test — and here's how it went Anything else you would like to see from tech companies like Apple in regards to making disabled lives better?Disabled people are innovators, developing powerful solutions. I’m hopeful Apple and other tech companies will increase hiring of disabled engineers, designers, AI researchers, and others.
Does the FDA approval make you feel more confident in the hearing aids' practicality?I can’t predict whether these hearing aids will help my very rare type of deafness, but I am excited to try them out!
LinkedIn has been training generative AI with user data — a quiet change the public noticed on Wednesday.
Users of the professional social networking platform owned by Microsoft were the first to notice a new option pop up in their data privacy settings called "Data for Generative AI Improvement."
SEE ALSO: How to turn off Google AI OverviewsThe setting options come with an explanation saying that this feature gives "LinkedIn and its affiliates" permission to "use your personal data and content you create on LinkedIn to train generative AI models that create content."
The setting is turned on by default.
In addition, as 404 Media discovered in its initial report, LinkedIn appears to have launched its AI training without updating its terms of service to inform users.
Don't want LinkedIn and other third-parties using your LinkedIn data to train their generative AI to create content using your posts? Here's how to turn it off.
How to turn off LinkedIn's AI trainingLogin to your LinkedIn account.
Click your profile image on the header menu and select Settings & Privacy in the dropdown menu.
Credit: Mashable screenshotChoose Data privacy on the left hand side menu.
Credit: Mashable screenshotSelect the Data for Generative AI Improvement option at the very bottom of the How LinkedIn uses your data section.
Credit: Mashable screenshotToggle the "Use my data for training content creation AI models" switch off.
Credit: Mashable screenshotThanks to the EU's strong data privacy laws, LinkedIn is not using EU users' data for its AI training.
"We are initially making this setting available to members whose profile location is outside of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland," reads a statement posted on the company's AI training FAQ page. "If you live in these regions, we and our affiliates will not use your personal data or content on LinkedIn to train or fine-tune generative AI models for content creation without further notice."
SAVE $40: As of Sept. 18, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo with Auto-iQ is down to just $109.99 at Target. That's 27% in savings and cheaper than at competing retailers.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Professional Plus Blender DUO with Auto-iQ $109.99 at TargetAs we transition from frozen margarita season to soup season, you might want to check and see if your blender is up to par. If you could use an upgrade, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo is on sale at Target just in the nick of time.
As of Sept. 18, you can grab the Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo with Auto-iQ for just $109.99 at Target. That's $40 or 27% off the usual cost. That's also cheaper than you'll find it at competing retailers. In comparison, it's $129.99 at Amazon and the Ninja direct website, and $132.99 at Best Buy. Walmart has a similar deal for $109, but it comes with one less single-serve cup.
The Professional Plus Duo features a 1,400-watt motor, which puts it in the high-performance blender range. That means its powerful enough to handle heavy-duty tasks, like crushing ice, liquefying fruits and veggies, and blending fibrous greens. It's not the most powerful blender in Ninja's lineup, but it can hang with the big dogs. It also features three speeds, four manual programs, and two auto-iQ programs.
It's dubbed the "Duo" model because it works double duty. It can blend directly in the 72-ounce pitcher or into one of the two included single-serve cups. That way you can take your blended-up smoothies on the go in only one step.
Prepare yourself for the ultimate soup season without breaking the bank by snagging this deal at Target while it's still around.
Google is expanding efforts to properly label AI-generated content, updating its in-house "About This Image" tool with a global standard for detecting the origins of an AI-edited image.
The new label was formulated as part of Google's work with the global Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). Members of the C2PA have committed to developing and adopting a standardized AI certification and detection process, enabled by a verification technology known as "Content Credentials." Not all C2PA members, which include Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI, have implemented the authentication standards, however.
Google is taking the first step among key players, integrating the C2PA's new 2.1 standard into products like Google Search and eventually Google Ads (the "About This Image" prompt is found by clicking on the three vertical dots located above a photo uncovered in a search). This standard includes an official "Trust List" of devices and technology that can help vet the origin of a photo or video through its metadata. "For example, if the data shows an image was taken by a specific camera model, the trust list helps validate that this piece of information is accurate," Laurie Richardson, Google vice president of trust and safety, told the Verge. "Our goal is to ramp this up over time and use C2PA signals to inform how we enforce key policies."
SEE ALSO: Sam Altman steps down as head of OpenAI's safety groupAfter joining the C2PA in May, TikTok became the first video platform to implement the C2PA's Content Credentials, including an automatic labeling system to read a video's metadata and flag as AI. With the launch of Content Credentials for Google platforms, YouTube is set to follow in its footsteps.
Google has been vocal about widespread AI labeling and regulation, especially in its efforts to curb the spread of misinformation. In 2023, Google launched SynthID, its own digital watermarking tool designed to help detect and track AI-generated content made using Google DeepMind's text-to-image generator, Imagen. It introduced (limited) AI labeling mandates for YouTube videos earlier this year, and has committed to addressing AI-generated deepfake content in Google Search.
The company joined the C2PA steering committee in February, a group that includes other major industry players and even news organizations, like the BBC.
SAVE $70: The Marshall Major IV headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $79.99, down from the list price of $149.99. That's a 47% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Major IV headphones $79.99 at AmazonThere's a particular heart-sinking feel when you take off for the day only to realize your headphones have exactly zero charge left. If you encounter this problem regularly, Amazon has a special deal in store for you today.
As of Sept. 18, the Marshall Major IV headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $79.99, down from the typical price of $149.99. That's a 47% discount, or a savings of $70. This sale price also beats the last major sale we saw on this model back in June.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024It's not a secret that sometimes marketing claims aren't entirely true. But in this case, Marshall is telling it like it is. The brand claims the Major IV headphones get 80+ hours of wireless battery life, so Mashable Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard put them to the test. In her review of the headphones, she explains she got a whopping 106 hours and 48 minutes of playtime before the Marshall Major IV headphones ran out of juice.
Allard was also impressed by the well-balanced sound profile that came from the Marshall headphones. However, it's worth noting these don't come with noise cancellation, which many of us have come to rely on for getting some serenity in our modern world. But if you don't care about ANC, the Marshall Major IV could be a hit.
If your headphones always seem to be dead even though you recall just charging them, the Marshall Major IV could fix that issue for good. Thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, you can grab the headphones for a huge 47% discount.
The best pet tech deals at Amazon as of Sept. 18:
Our top picks: Best automatic pet feeder deal Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder $38.39 at Amazon (save $9.60) Get Deal Best water dispenser deal RIZZARI Automatic Pet Waterer $17.99 at Amazon (save $8) Get Deal Best de-shedding tool deal Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Rake $9.49 at Amazon (save $0.50) Get DealI have two beagles, and they’re my world. I’m always looking for stuff they do and don’t need (it’s a shame we can’t claim our pets as dependents), so I’m pretty well-versed in pet tech.
This week, I found deals on automatic feeders, water fountains, and de-shedding tools that are actually worth adding to your cart. Save up to 50% off:
Best automatic feeder deal Opens in a new window Credit: Voluas Our pick: Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder $38.39 at AmazonIf you’re gone for long hours during the day or have a fur baby with special dietary needs, an automatic feeder could make your job as a pet parent a little easier.
The Voluas Automatic Pet Feeder is an affordable auto feeder ($38.39 at Amazon) listed for cats and dogs. It features a 10-second voice recorder so you can call your pet to meal time, and has a built-in desiccant to keep kibble fresh.
While my beagles would probably try to tear this thing apart, it might be a good option for cats or smaller dogs like Jack Russells or Dachshunds. Or, you know, a dog that behaves.
More automatic feeder dealsBEMOONY Automatic Pet Feeder — $20.48 $33.99 (save $13.51)
PETLIBRO Automatic Pet Feeder — $49.99 $89.99 (save $40)
Pawsync Automatic Pet Feeder — $50 $99.99 (save $49.99)
Okay, this isn’t a fancy water fountain (you can see deals on those below), but it is a functional gravity-fed water dispenser that’ll keep your pet hydrated throughout the day. I spend what seems like half the day refilling my dogs' water bowls, so an auto dispenser is a total time-saver.
The RIZZARI Automatic Pet Waterer comes in multiple sizes with or without a filter. At just $17.99 for the 3 liter version (with filter), it's an affordable and easy way to make sure your pets always have access to fresh water. It’s also heavy enough that they can't tip it over.
Note that you will need to replace the filter every so often. Because this thing has multiple nooks and crannies, you’ll also need to clean it thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth or algae buildup.
More water dispenser dealsVeken Pet Fountain — $17.99 $26.99 (save $9)
PetSafe Seaside Stainless Cat & Dog Fountain — $30.96 $36.45 (save $5.49)
PETLIBRO App Monitoring Water Fountain — $62.99 $89.99 (save $27)
If you have a floof, your floor has probably seen better days. My girls are short-haired and still get hair everywhere — in the bed, on the couch, in my food (somehow??). With a pet grooming rake, like the Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Rake, you can cut down on cleanup time and reduce hairballs.
This dual-sided tool is designed to demat and de-shed dogs and cats with long coats. (It’s not for short-haired animals.) It has 17 teeth for de-shedding and nine teeth for de-matting.
More pet hair tool dealsDakPets Deshedding Tool — $12.97 $16 (save $3.03)
Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover and Reusable Lint Roller — $24.99 $27.99 (save $3)
oneisall Pet Grooming Vacuum Brush — $67.99 $79.99 (save $12)
If you're sending a "View Once" message, photo, or video through WhatsApp, don't be so sure that the receiver can't view it again.
Security researchers with crypto wallet ZenGo recently discovered a bug that allowed WhatsApp users to view "View Once" messages as many times as they liked.
SEE ALSO: Meta updates WhatsApp and Messenger third-party chats in EuropeIn response, WhatsApp patched the issue. But, ZenGo researchers then discovered another exploit in WhatsApp's fix that once again allowed them to access these messages that had supposedly disappeared.
WhatsApp View Once exploitWhatsApp launched its View Once feature in 2021. View Once allows users to send texts, photos, and videos that disappear after the recipient initially accesses them.
Furthermore, to ensure the ephemeral nature of these messages, WhatsApp disables screenshots from being used in the app on View Once messages through iOS and Android. In addition, WhatsApp limits View Once messages to the mobile apps only.
However, in a post last week, ZenGo Security Research Manager Tal Be'ery detailed an exploit that allowed his team to access View Once messages over and over again.
Basically, as Be'ery explains, the View Once messages are only restricted from view in the mobile apps after being viewed. The media continues to exist on WhatsApp's servers. If a user can find the URL for the media file, they can access the message or media file that was supposed to have disappeared.
Be’ery went through the official channels with WhatsApp's parent company Meta and reported the exploit through their bug bounty program on August 26. It was too late though. Be'ery soon found that the bug was already in the wild, as a Chrome extension popped up allowing users to access their already-viewed View Once messages through WhatsApp's web app. ZenGo went public with the exploit and published their report last week on Sept. 9.
Meta's fix and exploit #2It appears the issue has been taken seriously by Meta, at least after Be’ery went public with the exploit. Meta appears to have released a fix for the WhasApp View Once bug on Sept. 12.
According to a new report by Be'ery, Meta's patch "changes the way View Once media messages are saved to the application’s databases and redact some of the information that enables the media viewing."
The fix appears to have broken the previously mentioned "View Once Photos Bypass" Chrome extension as well.
Tweet may have been deletedBut, the fix is "still not enough," according to Be'ery and can be exploited with a workaround. In fact, as Be'ery discovered, the creator of the View Once bypass Chrome extension published an update saying that they've already discovered a new exploit in order to once again access View Once media.
Be'ery also published a video showing how View Once messages are still accessible.
Mashable reached out to Meta regarding the issue and will update this post when we hear back.
According to The Register, sources familiar with the issue claim that the fix was only meant to be a temporary one as Meta works to completely restructure how View Once messages are handled.
SAVE $35: As of Sep. 18, get the Google Pixel Buds A-Series for $64 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount and the lowest price we've seen.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel Buds A-Series $64.00 at AmazonApple may have just debuted its newest set of earbuds with the AirPods 4, but what if you don't use iOS devices or just want something a little more affordable? Good news: there are plenty of headphones and earbuds out there, and you can get a great pair for far less than you'd pay for new AirPods. And if you're interested primarily in seeing what the competition has going on, you'd be best served by getting in on a pair of earbuds from Google, which you can snap up right now for a great price.
As of September 18, you can get a pair of Google Pixel Buds A-Series for just $64. That's $35 off their normal price of $99, and a discount of 35%. The Dark Olive and Clearly White colorways are discounted, but Charcoal is a dollar more at $64.99. The Sea colorway is not currently included in the sale.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Save $30 on our favorite Roku streaming deviceThese mid-range earbuds are a bit older as far as Google tech goes. But if you like the kind of look Google imbues in its tablets and earbuds, there's plenty to love here. They'd also work well as a companion for your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8a. They come with three ear tip sizes to better fit your ear and boast up to five hours of listening time — that's 24 hours if you use the charging case.
These buds also include adaptive sound tech to adjust the volume based on your surroundings, as well as the option to find them if you misplace them. Plus, you can use the earbuds themselves to control your music, get directions, have notifications read to you, and more using Google Assistant.
If you don't want to pay over $70 for a pair of earbuds or just want to try something new, this is a nice discount. And it's always good to have a backup should your go-to pair go missing.
SAVE $50: The new black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular) is on sale for paid members of the My Best Buy program starting at $749 (typically $799). Meanwhile, non-members can get it for $779.99 at Amazon. It's set for release on Sept. 20.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular) with black titanium case $749.00 at Best BuyThe Apple Watch Ultra 2 will stun in a slick new satin black colorway this Friday, and Best Buy is offering a sizable preorder discount for certain someones.
As of Sept. 18, paid members of the My Best Buy program (Plus and Total tiers) can knock $50 off the price of the upcoming black titanium Ultra 2. The premium wearable starts at $749 (normally $799) with a trail loop, an alpine loop, or an ocean band, and it's upgradable with a titanium Milanese loop for $100 more. All styles come with free trials of both Apple Fitness+ and Apple Music.
If you aren't a paid My Best Buy member and don't plan on becoming one, know that Amazon had the black titanium Ultra 2 listed for $779.99 at the time of writing — a $19.01 savings that isn't paywalled. Choose from a black trail loop or a dark green alpine loop.
Moreover, if you're not committed to that new black titanium case color, a natural titanium Ultra 2 with a black/blue trail loop was on sale at Amazon for the all-time low of $689 (or $110 off).
SEE ALSO: Best Buy's fall deals schedule includes major October Prime Day competitionOriginally released last fall, the Ultra 2 is plugged as "the ultimate sports watch." It's powered by a speedy S9 chip that supports features like Double Tap gestures and on-device Siri. It comes with cellular connectivity, not just WiFi, and it can last up to 72 hours per charge on Low Power Mode. It also sports the brightest display you can get on an Apple Watch — a nice-to-have for outdoor use. (It's even more intense than the display on the Series 10, Apple's latest flagship wearable.)
With this week's release of watchOS 11, the Ultra 2 brings support for new health and fitness features like sleep apnea notifications, customizable Activity rings, and two new apps: Vitals and Tides. The former provides an overview of the user's overnight health metrics, while Tides is meant to keep surfers, swimmers, and divers abreast of changing tidal conditions.
For those interested in upgrading to a paid My Best Buy membership, the Plus tier's annual fee gets nullified by this Ultra 2 discount. (It unlocks free two-day shipping, extended return windows, and exclusive discounts for $49.99/year.) A My Best Buy Total plan is a bigger investment, tacking on 24/7 tech support, a repair discount, and free protection plans — including Apple Care+ — for $179.99/year.
A paid My Best Buy membership will pay off in an even bigger way in the coming weeks during Best Buy's fall savings events, which includes a Member Exclusive Sale for the Plus and Total crew in late September. It's a good time to sign up if you plan on purchasing more tech ahead of the holidays.
The iPhone 16 Plus is going to give you the best bang for your buck.
Don't get me wrong, though.
After testing all four iPhone 16 devices, it’s no surprise the iPhone 16 Pro Max stood out as the best of the entire lineup. After all, it lasted more than 25 hours on a single charge, according to our in-house battery life test. Its runtime, alone, makes it a top pick among the new iPhone 16 devices.
iPhone 16 Plus in "Pink" Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is almost as expensive as your monthly rent, setting you back at least $1,200.
So the question is, what's the next best phone in the iPhone 16 family? The iPhone 16 Plus.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Battery life so epic, you'll ghost your charger iPhone 16 Plus has the best bang for your buckUnlike the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Plus didn't smash our battery life record — but it's still pretty power efficient. The iPhone 16 Plus' runtime revealed that it has the second-best battery life of the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Plus, it has the third-best battery life of any phone Mashable has ever tested.
Here are the current rankings:
iPhone 16 Pro Max - 25 hours and 17 minutes
Google Pixel 9 - 19 hours and 20 minutes
iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 18 hours and 50 minutes
iPhone 16 Pro - 18 hours and 17 minutes
The iPhone 16 Plus has a starting price of $899. While the $799 entry-level iPhone 16 is the cheapest model you can get, you'll lose out on more than two hours of battery life. It lasts a little more than 16 hours on a charge. This isn't half bad, but its competitor, Pixel 9, lasts almost three hours longer.
Aside from battery life, let me give you four more reasons to consider the iPhone 16 Plus.
The iPhone 16 Plus also comes with the new Camera Control button, which is set to become the new Visual Intelligence key later this year. (Visual Intelligence will let you point at any object with your camera, and AI will kick in to give you information about the subject.) Plus, it has a tougher screen with a second-generation Ceramic Shield display. It has upgraded cameras, particularly improved zoom quality. Finally, the iPhone 16 supports Apple Intelligence, the company's new suite of AI.
To conclude, the iPhone 16 Pro Max would be the best buy, but the best value purchase is the iPhone 16 Plus. (Take it from me as someone who reviewed them all.)
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Plus $899.99 at AppleSAVE $30: The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $99.99, down from the list price of $129.99. That's a 23% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 $99.99 at AmazonDriving and owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility, not to mention anxiety when you have to park your car somewhere you can't see it. But thanks to today's deal on a dash cam at Amazon, you can have peace of mind at a discounted price.
As of Sept. 18, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, marked down from the standard price of $129.99. That's a $30 savings or a 23% discount. It also matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Save $30 on our favorite Roku streaming deviceMeasuring in at a similar size to your car keys, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is a mountable dash camera that you can discretely place behind the rearview mirror.
Not only is the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 a less obvious dash cam compared to some models, the Garmin still comes with great features. It'll automatically record and save video of incidents near the car with a 140-degree lens in 1080p resolution. Recognizing English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Swedish, you can use voice control to start/stop recording, save video, or take still photos. Your saved videos automatically upload over a WiFi connection, so you can view and share them any time you'd like.
With power and a WiFi connection, you can access the camera remotely on your smartphone to get a live view of your parked car. The Parking Guard feature also sends you an alert if it detects anything that impacts your parked car.
If you often worry about your car while it's out of sight, or you've always wanted the ability to record an incident, today is a great time to grab the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. You'll get a 23% discount and greater peace of mind.
We've still got a few weeks before Amazon's official October Prime Day, but that doesn't mean there aren't deals to shop. As of Sept. 18, we're seeing pretty impressive price drops on products from top brands like Roku, Beats, iRobot Roomba, Garmin, and TP-Link. And we've rounded up the best ones worth adding to your cart below.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to take a peek at our picks from Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Many of those are still live — including a record-low price on the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra $69.99 at AmazonThe Roku Ultra, our favorite Roku streaming device, is the cheapest it's been all year (and just $3 away from its record-low price). The premium streaming device has a quad-core processor that offers smooth HD, 4K, and HDR streaming on a zippy interface. It's more powerful than the Roku Express 4K Plus and comes with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, a microSD slot for storing and streaming external media, an Ethernet port, and the Roku Voice Remote Pro with customizable shortcut keys. It's regularly $100, but you can grab it for only $69.99 as of Sept. 18. That's 30% in savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam $69.99 at AmazonBoost your home security without breaking the bank with the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam. It offers 2K video and a year-long battery life for only $69.99 on sale. That's 42% in savings and matches its lowest price on record — just be sure to select the on-page coupon to get the full discount. We haven't had a chance to test out this security camera ourselves, but our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) did and awarded it an outstanding rating and coveted Editor's Choice award. "It's an excellent value for a battery-powered camera that offers color night vision, built-in spotlights, local and cloud storage options, free intelligent alerts, voice control, and many other features," the review states.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon"The Instinct is ideal for serious navigators, ultra-athletes, and solo trekkers who spend a lot of time outside and in rugged conditions," Mashable's review states of the original Garmin Instinct smartwatch. The second generation of the already great watch is even more powerful. Not only does it offer detailed health monitoring and smart notifications like any good smartwatch, but it also packs a three-axis compass and barometric altimeter for highly intricate tracking and navigation, plenty of built-in sports apps, and an unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (thanks to solar charging). As of Sept. 18, it's also back down to its record-low price of $299.99 at Amazon. That's $100 in savings and a pretty impressive deal on a smartwatch that's just as tough as you.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at AmazonWant a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank? The Beats Studio Buds are back on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's 34% off their usual cost in white, black, or red. Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out in 2021, claiming they "put entry-level AirPods to shame." They're equipped with decent active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and a 24-hour battery life with the charging case. They're no longer the latest or greatest Beats buds, but they still hold up in 2024.
Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO $299.99 at AmazonDon't have the budget to hire a professional cleaner? Start smaller by grabbing this Roomba i3+ EVO on sale for just $299.99. That's $250 cheaper than usual and on par with its lowest price to date. The i3+ EVO is our top pick for a budget Roomba (with a software upgrade), thanks to its self-emptying abilities, smart mapping, and more powerful suction power over the cheaper 600 series. You can basically set it and forget it for 60 days, as it will dump all the dirt it picks up into its base.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE $10: As of September 18, save $10 when you spend $50 on eligible Starbucks coffee at Amazon for National Coffee Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $10 off $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee Get DealThere's a holiday for just about everything these days, and coffee is no exception. National Coffee Day, a celebration of all things java, is September 29, and Starbucks is getting in on the fun. But instead of requiring you to go in-store to take advantage of its deals, Starbucks is serving up a special promotion at Amazon that you can take advantage of ahead of the holiday itself.
As of September 18, when you buy $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee-at-home products at Amazon, you can get $10 back. That includes Starbucks K-Cup packs, Pike Place Medium Roast ground coffee, Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia coffee packets, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate, and several other flavors you can choose from the Starbucks Coffee At-Home Amazon page. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout as long as supplies last.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Official dates, the competition, and moreThere's a wide variety of Starbucks coffee to choose from that's eligible for the deal. Some of Starbucks' newest fall flavors — like Pumpkin Spice, Smoked Butterscotch, and Fall Blend K-Cups — are up for grabs, as are half-caff and iced coffee blends.
It looks like certain flavors are already going out of stock, however, so you may want to go ahead and grab the ones you're interested in sipping on this fall while you still can.
GET $100 OFF: As of Sept. 18, the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer with two complimentary attachments is $299.99 on the Dyson website, $100 off the sticker price. That's 25% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer $299.99 at DysonIf you’ve been dying to own at least one Dyson hair care tool, now might be your chance to do it for under $300 (*gasp*).
As of Sept. 18, you can get the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer (black/nickel) for $299.99 on Dyson’s website. That’s $100 off the sticker price, and it’s a pretty good deal, considering it comes with two complimentary attachments (the flyaway attachment and the gentle air attachment) worth $79.98.
SEE ALSO: Is the Dyson Supersonic still worth it?This hair dryer is built to protect your hair from extreme heat damage while delivering a salon-worthy blowout. According to the site, you can increase smoothness by 75 percent with this thing compared to regular hair dryers. It also features three speed settings, four heat settings, and a cold air shot for locking in your 'do. This model is no longer available at Amazon or Best Buy, so your best bet is to snag it straight from Dyson before the sale ends.
If you’d rather have the Supersonic hair dryer in blue/blush (aka the pretty one), Dyson has a refurbished model for $229.99, so it's $120 off. It also comes with five attachments, including a diffuser and styling concentrator.
Not to be outdone by Huawei, Samsung is reportedly making an absurdly large smartphone with a new form factor.
According to a scoop by the Korean outlet The Elec (via Sammobile), Samsung is developing a smartphone with a rollable screen with the intent of launching in 2025. The phone would have a 12.4-inch display when unrolled, making it absolutely massive by smartphone standards, even bigger than the 10.2-inch tri-fold Huawei Mate XT that took the internet by storm recently.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: What are the differences?Of course, while the Mate XT is a tri-fold phone that looks a little more like a traditional foldable (such as the ones Samsung makes), Samsung's rumored new device would theoretically roll and unroll like a piece of parchment. Except, you know, it's also a phone. Without seeing even renders of how the device would look, it's hard to speculate on exactly how it would work.
At least this potentially gives us something to look forward to in 2025.
Get Ninja kitchen appliances up to 35% off at Amazon as of Sept. 18. Here are some of our top choices:
Best Ninja deals at Amazon Best Ninja deal overall Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo $129.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best air fryer for small kitchens Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quarts) $89.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get DealSomehow, we're all way too busy. We tell ourselves that next week or next month will be calmer, but it never seems to pan out that way. If you find you're short on time when it comes to preparing meals, Ninja makes some great kitchen appliances that can help.
Thanks to this week's sale prices at Amazon, you can grab kitchen and cooking upgrades for up to 35% off, including air fryers, coffee makers, blenders, and more.
If you're looking for fast and easy meal prep, Ninja some great solutions — plus they make some of the most affordable and feature-laden kitchen appliances around. The brand also focuses on using dishwasher-safe materials, which can help immensely with cleaning up.
Below are the best Ninja deals at Amazon as of Sept. 18:
Best Ninja deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo $129.99 at AmazonWith 11 cooking functions, the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo can be a massive help in the kitchen. Amazon's sale price bring the countertop appliance down to just $129.99, which is a 35% discount off the usual price of $199.99.
With the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo, you can pressure-cook, steam, slow cook, sear, air crisp, bake, broil, sous vide, dehydrate, keep warm, and make yogurt. Those are 11 reasons why the Ninja could make preparing meals much easier. The 6.5-quart capacity can accommodate a five-pound chicken or a six-pound roast. You'll also get a useful recipe book to use as inspiration to get started.
Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker $79.99 at AmazonA versatile single-serve coffee maker can be perfect for busy homes where the coffee fans aren't all enjoying a cup at the same time, meaning that someone ends up drinking old, burned coffee from the pot. Instead, the single-serve Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker allows you to enjoy a single cup from either a K-Cup pod or ground coffee. There's also a built-in milk frother wand, so you can quickly whip up a latte, mocha, or cappuccino at home.
The Ninja coffee maker also allows you to choose your brew strength or select an over-ice function. The adjustable cup tray means you can brew into a mug or a travel cup, measuring up to eight inches tall.
Best air fryer for small kitchens Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quart) $89.99 at AmazonAir fryers can be a great solution if you have a smaller kitchen that's short on space. The four-quart Ninja AF101 Air Fryer measures about 11 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 8.5 inches deep, which makes it a nice size for small counter space. But the four-quart size can still cook up to two pounds of fries.
It also doesn't lack in features with options to air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. Overall, the air fryer has a temperature range between 100 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the basket and crisper plate are easy to clean in the dishwasher.
More Ninja deals at AmazonNinja Blast Portable Blender — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)
Ninja NeverStick Pro Belgian Waffle Maker — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)
Ninja Thirsti Drink System — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)
Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)
GET UP TO 40% OFF: As of Sept. 18, you can get up to 40% off camping gear at REI. Shop tents, outdoor stoves, and more.
Our top picks: Best outdoor stove deal Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove $74.93 at REI (save $50.02 ) Get Deal Best tent deal North Face Wawona 4 Tent $279.93 at REI (save $120.07) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch $169.99 at REI (save $30.01 ) Get DealDepending on where you live, you may already feel a chill in the air and have the itch to enjoy the great outdoors before it gets too cold to do so without bundling up like the Michelin Man.
Fall is on its way, and REI has just the thing to get you excited about crisp mornings, toasty campfires, and stargazing under a clear night sky — 40% off camping gear, stoves, outdoor tech, and more.
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Ears Epicboom review: Should you take this $350 speaker on your next camping trip?Whether you’re an occasional camper looking for a quality tent to hunker down in on your next weekend getaway, or you’re a pro who’s ready for an upgrade, this sale has a little bit of something for everyone.
Here are our top picks to help you make the most of your time outdoors:
Best outdoor stove deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka Our pick: Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove $74.93 at REIWatching Outlast gave me a new appreciation for kitchen appliances. If you plan on making anything more complicated than s’mores over a campfire, you might want to consider getting an outdoor camp stove.
The Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove is 40% off and has everything you need to make a proper meal. It has 10,000 BTUs, a push-button ignition (so literally anyone can use this thing), and a stainless steel drip tray for a quick and easy cleanup. It’s also compact, portable (only 10 pounds), and durable.
Best tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: The North Face Our pick: The North Face Wawona 4 Tent $279.93 at REIUnless you have a camper or RV, a quality tent should probably be the first thing on your list when gearing up for a camping trip.
The North Face Wawona 4 Tent is spacious enough to fit four people, but compact enough to fit nicely into a stuff sack when not in use. It has two doors, a double-wall construction (which you’ll appreciate if it rains or gets windy), a large vestibule to store gear or set up a makeshift living room, and color-coded poles for easy set-up.
Best smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Our pick: Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch $169.99 at REICamping isn’t the only way to enjoy nature. You can also go for a run or a hike and reap the same benefits. If you want to track your activity (whether for fitness or just curiosity), a smartwatch can help you do that.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch isn’t the most advanced watch on the market, but it does have hundreds of reviews and a two-week battery life (without GPS mode; 20 hours with). The PacePro feature gives you real-time, adaptive pace guidance to help you hit your goals, and the heart monitor can track your training and recovery.
We ditched flip phones for sleek smart devices and swapped CRTs for crystal-clear widescreen displays a long time ago. So why are we still dealing with dust clouds and messy emptying when we vacuum? Many of us continue to lug around clunky vacuums that make a mess or kick up a coughing fit whenever we clean.
Lightweight cordless vacuum cleaners have been around for a while, and they’ve only grown more capable with time. The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty system is worth a serious look as a machine that combines powerful suction with practical features, tackling messes and keeping things orderly.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Cordless PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Vacuum $449.99 at Shark®If you're sick of running your old vacuum past the same spot, the first thing to know about the PowerDetect Clean & Empty is that it’s strong. Measured by universal testing standards, this happens to be Shark’s most powerful cordless suction out.
Most vacuum nozzle designs block airflow, causing them to push larger debris along their kitchen floors, chasing it around only to clean it on a forward stroke. The redesigned nozzle on this gadget features "gills" that pull in debris on hard floors, allowing it to clean in every direction — no more chasing debris around the kitchen floor.
There are brains to go with that brawn, too. Intelligent onboard tech can sense different surfaces and adjust to grab debris that often goes hidden, and a dual brush design can manage all kinds of surfaces: wood, rugs, and everything in between. No more busting out the broom when your vacuum can’t handle half your space: Floordetect can read the surface it's on and adjust power to deliver just the right amount of suction needed.
It’s practicalWhile strong and tech-infused is all well and good, any new cleaning regimen has to fit into your lifestyle. It’s easy to say your current vac is fine, but consider what an upgrade can do to make cleaning less laborious.
After a long cleaning session and other chores, it’s easy to forget or skip recharging and emptying your vacuum. The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect makes it easier by having a charging dock that also empties the vacuum into a 2-liter chamber. This means you're done dealing with a messy container or bag — just a vacuum ready to go.
And it's flexible, tooThere’s also the MultiFLEX® technology that lets the vacuum bend without losing power. This way, suction stays steady while you maneuver around corners and underneath the furniture. That flexibility also comes in handy when the job is done — it folds up for easy storage. There’s even an odor-controlling feature on the Auto Empty dock so that no unpleasant smells can escape.
If we're being honest, nobody is in love with their vacuum. But with superior suction, self-emptying ability, floor-sensing powers, and flexibility, this new vacuum from Shark is worth a look if you’re tired of cleaning after you've cleaned.
The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty system is available at www.SharkClean.com for $499.
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