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A new survey found that parents significantly underestimate their teen's use of generative artificial intelligence. The technology, popularized by the conversational platform ChatGPT, allows users to ask pretty much any question of an AI bot and receive a specific and detailed original response.
The survey, conducted this spring by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, polled 1,045 U.S. adult parents and their teens. Overall, 70 percent of the teens said they used generative AI.
Of the teens who said they'd used at least one platform, only 37 percent of their parents were aware of their use. Almost a quarter of parents whose child had used the technology didn't know it, and nearly 40 percent of the adult respondents whose teen had experimented with the tools weren't sure about their experience doing so.
SEE ALSO: AI apps can automate your home life, and it's more cool than scaryTeens with generative AI experience said they most commonly used platforms for homework help, to avoid being bored, and to translate something from one language to another. Many of the teens admitted to using generative AI for school assignments without the teacher's permission. Some teens created new content using someone else's voice or image, sometimes as a joke or to tease another person. While participants were asked about their experience with using AI to make explicit nonconsensual imagery, those findings will be included in a future report.
Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media, said that parents should start discussing the complexities of generative AI with their children so that they're prepared for what they might encounter.
"You've got to talk about it because your kids are already using it, even if you don't think they are," Lenhart said.
What your teen should know about generative AIWhile the technology may benefit teens in numerous ways, Lenhart noted that young users may not be aware of its potential for reproducing bias and sharing incorrect or misleading information, often known as hallucinations.
Teens also might not know when using generative AI tools is tantamount to cheating; or violates another person's privacy, when it's used to create imagery without their consent; or, understand that the large language models upon which generative AI platforms are built can have different training, tuning, and guardrails.
"These tools pull from the best and the worst of the internet and the best and worst of humanity, and that means that sometimes what they share with us is both wrong and awful," Lenhart said.
Parents may not know any of this important information if they've not read about or used generative AI, which is why it's helpful for adults to familiarize themselves with the technology as they start discussing it with their child, Lenhart added.
She recommends that parents test out platforms that use this technology. They may even already spend time on platforms or services that incorporate generative AI, without realizing it.
Google's Gemini search product, for example, currently produces generative responses to user inquiries. Meta's Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp communication tools have generative AI capabilities as well. Basic Meta AI prompts include "give me a personality quiz" and "how do I speed read?"
Teens on Snap likely know its generative chatbot My AI, which adults could experiment with and then discuss with their child, Lenhart said.
When engaging with teens about generative AI, parents can play with the technology together with or alongside their child. Lenhart cited asking it to write a silly poem, make up Halloween costume ideas, or plan a week of meals as examples. A parent could also watch their teen test a chatbot's knowledge of a topic they're passionate about and then discuss how to know whether the AI was wrong or right.
Whatever parents choose, Lenhart says to focus on finding ways to help teens identify how AI platforms do or don't work and have that conversation together.
Generative AI at schoolThe survey suggests those discussions aren't happening in the classroom, which Lenhart said is consequential.
Common Sense research shows that teens who do participate in complex conversations and lessons about the topic at school have a more nuanced understanding of generative AI's pros and cons. But the survey found that this isn't happening for over half of the young respondents.
Lenhart said it's important for teens to be told the rules for using generative AI when completing schoolwork, which may vary from teacher to teacher.
"Most adolescents don't want to cheat." - Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media"Most adolescents don't want to cheat," Lenhart said. "They want to use it in a way that is appropriate for learning, so tell them where that is so they can walk up to that line and not cross it."
And according to the survey, suspicion of cheating may disproportionately affect Black students. In the survey, Black teens were twice as likely as White and Latino teens to say that their teachers incorrectly flagged their schoolwork as the product of generative AI when it wasn't. Lenhart said this finding mimics historic inequities in school-based discipline for Black youth.
"AI tools are not exempt from the bias you probably already experience in your school," Lenhart said.
The issue illustrates why it's so important that adults, at school and home, are aware of the challenges that teens will face in the era of generative AI.
TL;DR: Grab a refurbished iPad Pro 12.9" 4th-Gen for $599.99 (reg. $1,299) and experience high-end performance and versatility at more than half off the usual price.
Looking for high-end performance without the hefty price tag? The refurbished 4th-generation Apple iPad Pro offers all the power you need for both work and play — but priced at $599.99, a fraction of the cost of a new one. With its thin design and stunning 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display, everything from streaming to sketching feels like a premium experience.
And let’s not forget, this model is from 2020, so you’re still getting fairly recent tech without the sticker shock. It's also been given an "A" refurbished rating, which means it's in near-mint conditions with minimal to no signs of use.
Powered by the A12Z Bionic chip, this iPad Pro handles demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and running multiple apps with ease. The 128GB of storage gives you plenty of space to keep your projects, apps, and files, making it a useful tool for creatives and professionals alike. Whether you’re editing 4K videos or diving into advanced productivity apps, this iPad is built to keep up.
With up to 10 hours of battery life, you can stay productive all day without needing to recharge. Plus, because it’s refurbished, you get all these high-end features for a fraction of the cost of a new device — and without sacrificing quality. Rigorously tested, it works like new and offers unbeatable value.
If you’re after a tablet that’s powerful, versatile, and still relatively new, this refurbished 2020 iPad Pro 12.9" 4th-Gen is on sale for 53% off at $599.99 for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro 12.9" 4th Gen (2020) 128GB Wi-Fi Space Gray (Refurbished) $599.99Although we're already heading into week three of the NFL season, we're still seeing some pretty solid deals on TVs of all shapes, sizes, and brands. And we're certainly not complaining.
If you still haven't upgraded your non-smart TV into this century, it's beyond time to get with the times. It doesn't need to cost a fortune, either. With Target's best TV deals this week, you can save up to 37% on a new model and start seeing the actual details of each football game. Not to mention, you can finally watch all the best shows and movies of 2024 (so far) the way they're meant to be viewed.
We've pulled the best TV deals we think are worth adding to your cart the week of Sept. 16 at Target to help you make your choice.
Best TV deal at Target Opens in a new window Credit: TCL Our pick: TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED 4K Google TV $319.99 at TargetTCL's Q6 series is a middle of the road QLED TV that can level up your viewing experience — whether you want to enhance the football season or queue up the best movies of 2024. It gets brighter than the Q5, supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, optimizes each scene via the AIPQ processor, and supports 120Hz VRR in Game Accelerator mode. It's also loaded with Motion Rate 240 motion smoothing technology and three HDMI ports, making it a pretty solid TV for gamers on a budget. It's on sale for just $319.99 at Target as of Sept. 16. That's a savings of nearly 30%. For what it's worth, it's also sitting at a similar discount at both Best Buy and Amazon at the time of writing.
Best budget TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Westinghouse Our pick: Westinghouse 50-inch 4K Roku TV $199.99 at TargetIf you're just looking for a solid 4K TV to stream your favorite shows and movies, this Westinghouse 50-inch Roku TV should do the trick for under $200. It may lack the bells and whistles of a fancy QLED model, but it will still offer a more than acceptable 4K viewing experience. And for most people, that's all you really need. The real benefit with this model is the convenience of built-in Roku TV, which brings you over 350 live channels for free, plus organizes all of your streaming apps for easy viewing. It's also loaded with four HDMI ports for streamlined connectivity.
Best splurge TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG Our pick: LG 65-inch C4 OLED evo 4K TV $1,696.99 at TargetFor those looking to bring the magic of cinema home and enjoy the best possible viewing experience, you'll want to go for a higher end model like LG's C4 OLED evo 4K TV. A newer version of our favorite TV for gaming, the C4 features an updated processor, upgraded software, a 144Hz maximum refresh rate (vs. the previous model's 120Hz), and an even brighter and more dynamic screen. Plus, with an almost invisible bezel and the ability to display paintings, photos, and other content of your choosing, it can blend seamlessly into your space when you're not watching. Usually a splurge at $2,699.99, it's on sale for just $1,696.99 at Target as of Sept. 16, which will save you 37%. Currently, Amazon is the only retailer matching this low price.
More TV deals at TargetWestinghouse 24-inch 720p Roku TV — $84.99 $109.99 (save $25)
VIZIO 32-inch D-Series FHD TV — $144.49 $169.99 (save $25.50)
LG 55-inch UT75 Series 4K TV — $379.99 $429.99 (save $50)
TCL 65-inch S5 4K Google TV – $379.99 $449.99 (save $70)
VIZIO 50-inch MQX 4K QLED TV — $499.99 $549.99 (save $50)
LG 55-inch QNED 4K TV — $749.99 $799.99 (save $50)
Samsung 65-inch Q60D QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $899.99 (save $100)
After a year and a half of Copilot, the generative AI tool is getting to a genuinely useful place. That literal and figurative place is in Microsoft Excel.
At the Microsoft 365 Copilot livestream on Monday, CEO Satya Nadella announced Copilot features for the OG spreadsheet program and other 365 apps like PowerPoint, a collaborative "canvas" called Copilot Pages, and customizable AI Agents.
While the livestream was mostly meant for Microsoft's enterprise customers and not for the casual viewer (it was hosted on LinkedIn, for Pete's sake), there were plenty of features and announcements for every Microsoft 365 user to appreciate.
We've rounded up the takeaways from the event that you need to know about.
SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Google I/O, including AI Agents, Ask Photos, and more New Copilot features in Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, and OneDriveAs mentioned above, Copilot for Excel is a noteworthy addition to the suite of capabilities. Copilot can help Excel users format data, help with common formulas like XLOOKUP and SUMIF, and visualize data in charts and pivot tables. It can also work with text, not just numbers, so users can search for keywords and phrases and analyze data accordingly. Copilot in Excel is live today.
Microsoft also shared that Copilot in Excel understands Python, so users who aren't familiar with the programming language can use Python without having any prior coding knowledge.
Copilot in Excel now knows Python. Credit: MicrosoftIn PowerPoint, Copilot can generate an outline of a presentation from a prompt by pulling in your data from 365 sources. Then it can slot information into individual slides and design a presentation — even pulling in brand pictures or DALL-E 3-based AI-generated images. Copilot's "Brand Narrative" feature in PowerPoint doesn't have a launch date, but it's coming soon, according to the announcement.
Copilot's Brand Narrative tool does the heavy lifting of making a PowerPoint. Credit: MicrosoftCopilot was already used for summarizing meeting transcripts in Teams, but now it can also incorporate conversations happening in the chat. This feature will be available this month.
For Outlook, Copilot can prioritize important emails in your inbox and give summaries of what each email entails, and generate recommended responses. Sounds familiar? Apple recently announced a similar feature for its Mail app that uses Apple Intelligence to prioritize and summarize your inbox. Prioritizing your inbox will be available for public preview at the end of 2024.
Coming soon, Copilot can prioritize your emails in Outlook. Credit: MicrosoftWord also leverages Copilot's summarization and data gathering capabilities. With the Copilot sidebar, users can pull in work data from the emails, other 365 apps, and the web to generate drafts within your document. This is also now generally available.
Last but not least, the whole thing that makes it all possible is OneDrive, the cloud storage platform that stores all your work data — it's also getting an AI-powered facelift. On OneDrive, Copilot will help you find and sort through relevant files, and summarize them, so you don't have to click around looking for the file you need. This is rolling out now to OneDrive now and will be broadly available later this month.
Copilot Pages for collaborating on Copilot responsesWith Microsoft's new Copilot Pages tool, users can share Copilot responses with other team members, and collaborate on a project in a freestanding canvas within BizChat.
"You and your team can work collaboratively in a page with Copilot, seeing everyone’s work in real time and iterating with Copilot like a partner, adding more content from your data, files, and the web to your Page," the announcement said. It eliminates the need for independent research within Copilot by allowing other users to build upoon the initial Copilot response.
Copilot responsive become collaborative with a new Pages tool. Credit: MicrosoftCopilot Pages are available through BizChat starting today, and will roll out to the free Microsoft Copilot version in the coming weeks for users with a Microsoft Entra account.
Copilot Agents get general availabilityUnveiled last May, Copilot agents act as customizable AI-powered assistants for automating certain tasks. Similar to a Google feature called AI Teammates that was showcased at Google I/O, users can share internal knowledge and databases with agents and train to run certain tasks in the background. This could be creating an agent to onboard a new employee, or an agent that serves as a field service technician for troubleshooting on-site problems with machinery.
A customized Copilot agent can troubleshoot on-site issues. Credit: MicrosoftAs of today, agents are generally available. With this announcement, Microsoft has also launched an agent builder, a user-friendly tool which helps users easily build an agent without the need for prompt engineering know-how. Copilot agents will be available through BizChat and will roll out to customers in the coming weeks.
TL;DR: Get a 1-year Sam's Club membership with auto-renew for just $15 (reg. $50).
If you're tired of rising membership fees elsewhere, it's time to consider an affordable, all-in-one solution. For just $15 (regularly $50), you can become a Sam's Club member and unlock access to incredible savings, seasonal products, and an unmatched selection of quality items.
Whether you're shopping for groceries, home essentials, electronics, or holiday gifts, Sam’s Club is the place to be. And with auto-renew, you’ll never have to worry about losing access to the membership benefits you love.
Sam’s Club is more than just a place to shop—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Imagine a membership that not only helps save you money but also works hard to simplify your life and enhance your day-to-day experiences.
With Sam’s Club, you get access to a wide range of exclusive member perks that go beyond the shopping aisles. From travel discounts to prescription savings and member-only events, this membership offers more than just a cart full of great deals.
Planning a vacation? Sam’s Club members enjoy exclusive discounts on hotels, car rentals, and even live events. These savings make it easier to plan your next getaway, leaving more money in your pocket for the things that matter.
Need to fill a prescription? Sam’s Club also offers prescription savings, making it an essential part of your healthcare routine. And don’t forget the member-only events, where you get access to special deals and promotions that make your shopping experience even more rewarding.
By cutting down the time and money you spend on shopping, you’ll have more freedom to focus on the things that really matter, like spending time with family, enjoying your hobbies, or exploring new experiences.
Skip the rising prices at other stores and get a 1-year Sam's Club membership with auto-renew for just $15 (reg. $50).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club $15 for a Sam's Club 1-Year Club Membership with Auto-Renew $15.00Save 45%: For Sept. 16 only, you can grab refurbished AirPods Max from Best Buy for just $299.99. Compared to the headphones' full price of $549 brand new, you'll save $249.01.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple AirPods Max $299.99 at Best BuyApple unveiled new AirPods Max at its "Glowtime" event last week, but if you don't care all that much about USB-C charging or the new colorways, you can actually get essentially the same headphones for much cheaper.
Enter: Best Buy's deal of the day, which marks down refurbished AirPods Max in all available colorways to just $299.99. Typically, the retailer will offer these headphones refurbished for about $400, while new Maxes go for $549 at full price, and $394.99 at the absolute lowest price we've ever seen them. In other words, this is a really solid deal, and likely one of cheapest prices you can grab the AirPods Max for, but you'll want to act quick — the sale ends when the day is up.
SEE ALSO: Apple iOS 18 release date today: When you can download itIf you're hesitant on buying this 2020 model when the new AirPods Max just came out, we have to reiterate that we weren't exaggerating at the top of the article. The only differences with the "new" AirPods is that they have a USB-C charging port, and five new color ways. Performance-wise, they are the exact same headphones, with the same battery life, active noise cancellation, chipset, and design.
Usually, we don't recommend these headphones because their cost-to-feature ratio isn't competitive with other noise-cancelling over-ear headphones on the market. We don't like that they come without an audio jack or a case, and that their battery life is middling for headphones that cost over half of a thousand dollars. However, at $300, these cons are much more stomachable, and the value much more present.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024Plus, Best Buy states its Geek Squad certified refurbished products are repaired to a "like-new" state, and can still be returned within its standard 15-day window.
UP TO 25% OFF: As of Sept. 16, Target is offering 25% (or more) off select floor care items. Shop Bissel, Shark, and more.
Our top picks: Best Shark deal Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) $129.99 at Target (save $70 ) Get Deal Best Bissell deal Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) $199.99 at Target (save $30) Get Deal Best Bissell deal Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) $199.99 at Target (save $80) Get DealWith Amazon’s Prime Day on the horizon, other retailers are dropping prices on popular items, like vacuums, small tech, and other gadgets — things that people usually flock to Amazon to buy during the bi-annual shopping event.
Right now, Target’s offering discounts on tons of cleaning and household essentials, including vacuums, mops, spot cleaners, and more. If you can’t wait for Prime Day or want to avoid the chaos, Target might be the place to shop.
Here are our top picks from the sale:
Best Shark deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Our pick: Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) $129.99 at TargetThe Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum (HV301) is on sale for $129.99 at Target. That’s a 35% discount or $70 off the usual price.
This lightweight corded stick vacuum works on carpets and hard floors and can convert into a hand vacuum for above-floor cleaning. It comes with a crevice tool, upholstery tool, and dusting brush, and the swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and into tight spaces.
More Shark dealsShark Professional Steam Pocket Mop (S3601) — $87.99 $109.99 (save $22)
Shark Steam and Scrub All-in-One Scrubbing and Sanitizing Hard Floor Steam Mop (S7001TGT) — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)
Shark Navigator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum (LA401) — $229.99 $299.99 (save $70)
Shark Matrix Robot Vacuum (RV2310) — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)
The Bissell CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vacuum (1785) is a wet and dry vacuum that vacuums and mops the floor at the same time. It’s safe on tile, hardwood, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, pressed wood, area rugs, and more. Plus, the two-tank technology keeps the cleaning solution separate from the dirty water, so you’re not double-dipping.
It’s on sale for $199.99 at Target, a 13% discount or $30 off the original price.
More Bissell dealsBissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner — $99.99 $123.99 (save $24)
Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Corded (3925) — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)
Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vaccum (2306) — $219.99 $269.99 (save $50)
We don’t talk about Hoover vacuums enough. This brand has been around for years, yet Dyson and Shark seem to get all the buzz.
The Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine and Upright Shampooer (FH52000) is designed to give your carpets a deep clean without the hassle of using a heavy, bulky machine (or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service).
There’s no solution measuring or mixing required — the machine automatically dispenses the right amount of cleaning solution and then sucks up the dirty water as you push and pull the machine across the floor. If you have pets, kids, or just a lot of foot traffic in your home, this carpet cleaner is a worthy investment at the sale price of $199.99 (29% off the usual $279.99 price tag).
More Hoover dealsHoover CleanSlate Portable Carpet and Upholstery Spot Cleaner (FH14000) — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)
Hoover ONEPWR Emerge Cordless Stick Vacuum (BH53605V) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)
Big Tech's data hunger is even worse for the environment than its main players let on, according to a new investigation by the Guardian. The all-out push for AI (and the necessary processing energy it demands) is only exacerbating the demand.
SEE ALSO: How much is AI hurting the planet? Big tech won't tell us.The new report analyzed real (or location-based) emissions from Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple's company-owned data centers, finding that their total reported emissions are likely more than 7 times (or 662 percent) higher than current reports. The disparity, according to the Guardian, can be attributed to what experts call "creative accounting" of emissions via renewable energy certificates (Recs). Purchased Recs allow companies to offset some of its electricity consumption to renewable energy-generated electricity (basically "cancelling out" its emissions). But these renewable energy sources are often not actually consumed by the company's perpetrating facilities or even those nearby.
Rather than a true estimate of emissions in a specific area, companies are using "market-based" emission figures skewed by Recs. Meta's 2022 location-based carbon dioxide emissions, for example, are 19,000 times higher than its official data center figures. The report also contends that it's "almost impossible" to assess if companies are including third-party emissions in estimates of data centers' environmental impact.
Amazon was notably left out of the 600 percent figure, but for good reason — the company is exponentially more of a polluter than any of the other companies, with Apple, the second-largest emitter, offloading less than half of Amazon's emissions. Amazon, aided by Meta, is also behind an industry push to keep Recs in the emissions accounting process. Google and Microsoft, on the other hand, have or are planning to phase out Recs from their reporting figures.
Globally, AI's environmental impact is still being negotiated, especially as AI outpaces typical cloud-based applications in energy consumption. Google recently revealed that its total greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 48 percent between 2019 and 2023, with the majority of the increase pegged to AI investments beginning in 2022. X CEO Elon Musk recently came under fire for the operation of his Tennessee-based xAI data center (powering the generative AI chatbot Grok), which has allegedly been more than dozen gas-powered turbines without environmental permits. Environmental groups denounced the company for violation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s smog standards.
Prior to the "AI boom," data centers made up around 1-1.5 percent of global electricity consumption, according to the International Energy Agency, but it is expected to double by 2026.
Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, deleted a post referencing assassinations of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris early Monday morning.
“And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala 🤔,” Musk wrote.
Credit: X / Mashable ScreenshotMusk's now-deleted X post quoted another X user who commented about what the FBI said "appeared to be an attempted assassination” on former President Donald Trump on Sunday. This would mark the second assassination attempt on Trump after a gunman opened fire at one of his rallies over the summer.
Musk was roundly criticized for his post. Some X users questioned why Musk still has security clearance, a privilege provided to him as CEO of SpaceX.
In follow up posts, Musk initially defended his comment.
"No one has even tried to do so is the point I’m making and no one will," Musk said.
Musk eventually deleted the post. He now claims that the post was a "joke."
Tweet may have been deleted"Well, one lesson I’ve learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on 𝕏," Musk posted after deleting his assassination post.
Tweet may have been deleted"Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text," he continued.
Over the years, Musk has increasingly become seeped into right-wing politics and far right conspiracy theories. He announced his open support for former President Donald Trump after the assassination attempt in July.
While Musk has deleted his own post, he has continued to spread conspiracy theories about the reported Trump assassination attempt. Early Monday morning, after taking his post down, Musk boosted another far right-wing account that questioned why other recent presidents had not experienced assassination attempts.
With October Prime Day on the horizon, Amazon has unleashed a few deals to get us excited. These aren't considered early Prime Day deals quite yet, but they are almost as good as what we'll likely see on the big day(s). Brands like Garmin, Apple, Sony, and Amazon itself are seeing big price drops on Monday, Sept. 16 and we've rounded up a few standouts for you to shop.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to check back throughout the week. We'll be selecting new deals each day.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin epix (gen 2) smartwatch $499.99 at AmazonThe Garmin epix (Gen 2) smartwatch is built for fitness fanatics. It goes beyond just tracking your heart rate and caloric burn; it tracks pulse oxygen levels, stress, body battery, respiration, recovery time, real-time stamina, running pace, heart rate variability, and much more. You can even follow along with animated workouts or take advantage of personalized Garmin training plans for your next race right from your wrist. And like any good smartwatch, you can also stay connected through smart notifications, download music, breeze through checkout lines with contactless payments (through participating providers), and get a snapshot of your day. Unlike the poor battery life of the Apple Watch, this thing will last up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode. As of Sept. 16, it's down to $499.99 at Amazon — that's 44% in savings and a record-low price it's only hit once before.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $144.99 at AmazonNew to the Echo family, the Amazon Echo Hub is essentially the brain to your smart home. It's a full-featured control panel that offers instant access to all of your other smart devices — lights, cameras, switches, doorbells, thermostat, etc. Rather than keeping control locked inside someone's phone, anyone can play music, stream videos, ask Alexa questions, dim the lights, adjust the temperature, or see who's at the door in one central place. It's typically $179.99, but for the second time since its release, it's down to just $144.99 — that's 20% in savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XE200 Bluetooth speaker $68.00 at AmazonWhile we haven't tested the Sony SRS-XE200 yet for ourselves, we're big fans of Sony's other speakers and headphones. This lightweight Bluetooth speaker includes two x-balanced speakers, a line shape diffuser, and dual passive radiators, meaning it packs quite the punch in a portable package. It will last you up to 16 hours on a single charge, can quick-charge to give you another 70 minutes of playtime in 10 minutes, and offers personalized sound control in the app. The gray option is on sale for just $68 as of Sept. 16 at Amazon — that's 48% in savings and its lowest price on record by 99 cents.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th gen (64GB, WiFi) $199.00 at AmazonAs a proud owner of the ninth generation Apple iPad, my biggest complaint is that I bought it while it was on sale for $224. It's now back down to its record-low price of $199 for anyone who wants to avoid feeling such regret. While it's not the newest iPad around (it debuted in 2021), it's still our favorite tablet for most people. It features the A13 Bionic chip, a 10.2-inch Retina display, and up to 10 hours of battery life that's more than enough to power through basic tasks. I'm regularly surprised by how solid the battery life is. And for less than $200, you really can't go wrong.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) $104.99 at AmazonIn the words of our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis), "The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8 remains the best Alexa smart display for most homes thanks to software-based audio enhancements and other subtle upgrades." Released in 2023, the newest Echo Show 8 improves on its predecessor's features, adding a centered 13MP front camera for clearer calls, a dynamic interface that adjusts based on your distance to the device, and spatial audio for more enjoyable listening. Snag it for $104.99 and save 30% as of Sept. 16.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
TikTok is set to begin its fight against a possible ban in the United States. The social media company will have a crucial day in court on Monday, Sept. 16.
A federal appeals court will hear arguments about the law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would essentially ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, doesn't sell the platform. TikTok will have about 15 minutes to make an oral argument, which "could well be the most significant of TikTok's U.S. existence," CNN noted.
That's because the whole process is on a pretty tight timeline. A decision in TikTok v. Garland is likely by December, though the potential for more appeals remains.
SEE ALSO: Here's how the TikTok ban will likely play out in the courtsThe government's argument centers on the notion that U.S. citizens are put at risk because it is possible that the Chinese government could compel ByteDance to hand over their data. As The Verge reported in a detailed breakdown of the case, a good portion of the government's case centers on dozens of redacted classified materials—meaning only the government and the panel of judges have seen the apparent evidence. Much of the most seemingly compelling information in the case has been redacted from the public.
There's a bit of irony there, considering the entire case centers on freedom of speech. TikTok, meanwhile, has argued that it doesn't have precise info on users, and U.S. data is stored in the U.S.
The court case centers on whether a potential threat from a foreign nation negates some 170 million U.S. citizens' right to use a platform of expression.
ByteDance must sell by Jan. 19, so you can expect some movement on the case in the months to come.
GET $40 OFF: As of Sept 16, you can score a pair of Apple AirPods (3rd gen) for just $129.99. That's a $40 discount and only $10 away from the all-time lowest price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods (3rd gen) $129.99 at AmazonI hate to admit it, but I’ve become dependent on my devices. My AirPods, MacBook, and iPhone are practically extensions of my body at this point.
Whether you’re chronically online (like me) or you need a new pair of earbuds without spending a fortune, the Apple AirPods (3rd gen) have dropped to their second-lowest price ever.
SEE ALSO: AirPods 4 review: I flew 3,319 miles on a plane with active noise cancellation, but was it good?As of Sept. 16, you can get the Apple AirPods (3rd gen) wireless buds for just $129.99 at Amazon and Target. That’s $10 away from the lowest price they've ever hit, which happened during July’s Prime Day sale, according to CamelCamelCamel. (Best Buy has them at $139.99 — My Best Buy Plus members can get an additional $7 off, but that’s still not as good a deal.)
The third-generation AirPods are sweat- and water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating. They feature spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, so the soundstage moves with your head for a better experience when you’re on the move or working out. You can get up to six hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the Lightning Charging Case (included).
GET 30%+ OFF: As of Sept 16, you can score 30% (or more) off an Amazon Echo device. Shop Echo Show and Dot models for less.
Our top picks: Best Echo Show deal Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023 release) $104.99 at Amazon (save $45 ) Get Deal Best Echo deal Echo (4th gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb $64.99 at Amazon (save $54.99 ) Get Deal Best Echo Dot deal Echo Dot (5th gen, 2022 release) Kids $39.99 at Amazon (save $20 ) Get DealPrime Day ~fall edition~ is just around the corner, and with it comes hundreds of deals on everything from home appliances to electronics.
While the annual sales event isn’t until October, Amazon’s already gifting us some sweet deals on Echo devices. (Whether or not these deals will be even better come Prime Day isn’t a question we can answer, but it might be a good idea to take advantage of them now, just in case.)
Here are some of the best Echo device deals you can snag right now:
Best Echo Show deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023 release) $104.99 at AmazonThe Echo Show 10 is one of our favorite Echo devices, but it’s usually pretty pricey at $249.99. But you can get the Echo Show 8 (3rd gen, 2023 release) for just $104.99, down from $149.99.
The Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) has an eight-inch screen, so you can video chat with friends and family, watch videos, stream your favorite shows, and view your security cameras right on the display. It’s compatible with Zigbeen Matter and Thread smart home devices, so you can control your compatible lights, locks, and other gadgets without springing for an extra hub.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8 (2nd gen): Which one should you buy on Prime Day?You can also set it to auto-rotate through your photos (like a live picture frame), see the weather and news, add things to your to-do list with a button, or just ask Alexa.
Best Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo (4th gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb $64.99 at AmazonYou can snag an Echo (4th gen) with Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle for $64.99. That’s a great price for the Echo and around $48 less than buying the devices separately.
The Echo (4th gen) is an entry-level smart speaker that lasts for years (I’ve had mine forever). You can play music, listen to podcasts, set reminders, control smart home devices, and more. Plus, with this deal, you’ll also get a smart bulb that you can control with your voice or through the Alexa app.
Best Echo Dot deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Dot (5th gen, 2022 release) Kids $39.99 at AmazonThe Echo Dot (5th gen, 2022 release) Kids is on sale for $39.99, down from $59.99. Yes, this device is specifically for children, but it's a great value and a super cute addition to any smart home setup.
The Echo Dot Kids has the same capabilities as the regular Echo Dot, but it’s clad in fun, kid-friendly designs and has parental controls to filter explicit content. You’ll also get one year of Amazon Kids+, which unlocks tons of age-appropriate content, games, and Alexa skills.
If you have kids in the house, this Echo Dot deal is a no-brainer.
"When will Apple tackle smell cancellation?" was all I could think of while testing the AirPods 4 on a flight from San Jose, Calif. to Atlanta. Unfortunately, I dealt with a flatulent neighbor who kept letting one rip.
Phew!
But while my nostrils were fighting for their life on a Boeing 737, my ears had a different experience: a blissful, quiet ride during an eight-hour trip from California to New York (with a malodorous connecting flight to Atlanta between the journey).
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableFor the first time ever, the entry-level AirPods have active noise cancellation (ANC). Apple unveiled the new AirPods 4 on Sept. 9 at the "Glowtime" event where the Cupertino-based tech giant debuted the new line with two variants: one with ANC and one without ANC.
During my flight from San Jose to New York, with a (stinky) layover flight to Atlanta, I tested the new AirPods 4 with ANC. How did they fare with loud PA announcements, noisy chit-chat, and the biggest challenge of them all, plane engine noise? Let's find out.
AirPods 4 price and specsAs mentioned, you can choose between two AirPods 4 variants.
Holding the AirPods 4 with ANC Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThere's AirPods 4 without ANC, which costs $129.
And then you have AirPods 4 with ANC, which will set you back $179.
Both can do the following, thanks, in part, to the H2 chip:
Personalized Spatial Audio (a personalized profile for the best customized listening experience)
Siri interactions (nod your head "no," for example, to reject a phone call after Siri announcement)
Voice Isolation (your voice sounds clearer on calls)
Up to 5 hours of listening time (as claimed by Apple)
However, what sets the $179 AirPods 4 apart from the cheaper option is, of course, active noise cancellation.
They also feature Transparency Mode (lets you hear the environment around you), Conversation Awareness (detects when you're speaking and adjusts audio settings accordingly), and Adaptive Audio (auto adjusts between Transparency Mode and ANC depending on your environment).
The AirPods 4 with ANC can charge with an Apple Watch charger; plus, they have wireless Qi charging support. Finally, the ANC-capable AirPods 4's charging case has FindMy support as well as Precision Finding (which means your iPhone can direct you to your AirPods 4 by telling you how many feet you are from it.)
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable AirPods 4 with ANC $179.99 at AmazonThe AirPods 4 are available for pre-order now and will start shipping on Sept. 20.
AirPods 4 designI have a pair of AirPods Pro, and while I adore how they sound, they love to fall out of my ears. Not everyone has this issue, though. Just some of us. And for those who fall into that category, Apple has given us some acknowledgement.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe new AirPods 4, whether you purchase one with ANC or without, are designed to fit most people. Apple boasted that it analyzed the ears of many users. There are, indeed, "common" ear shapes, as well as canals that are more atypical and out-of-the-ordinary. I definitely fall into the latter category, so I thought, "If there's anyone who can test the AirPods 4's new 'one-size-fits-most' design, it's me!"
As it turned out, the AirPods 4 fit really, really well. When I popped them into my ears, I didn't feel the need to lodge them in tightly so they don't take a tumble (like my AirPods Pro). Wearing them on two planes, they remained snug. I even ran on the treadmill with them for an hour — they never fell out.
However, after wearing the AirPods 4 for nearly eight hours straight on a plane, I sensed some faint aching. To be clear, they're not painful whatsoever — just a mild discomfort. Where exactly? I had to look this up, but it’s called the "Crus of Helix," which is where the top part of the earbuds rests against my ear.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableFortunately, that subtle sensitivity, which only occured in my left ear, disappeared in a few minutes.
Again, this is likely just a "me" thing — I have an abnormal ear shape.
Signature lookThe AirPods 4 still have a signature design language with longer stems (compared to the AirPods Pro lineup). In contrast to my AirPods Pro, the AirPods 4's earbuds appear to be slightly taller and wider.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MsshableThe AirPods 4 also still sport that all-white trademark style, but I love a good dark blue or rich black body, so maybe one day — perhaps AirPods 5 — we'll see more color options for the popular earbuds.
Force sensorThe AirPods 4 also continue to feature the force sensor located on the stem. I used it to swap between ANC and Transparency Mode during my flights seamlessly.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableWhen I heard the faint sound of a PA system, I'd press on the sensor to turn on Transparency Mode. When I wanted total immersion, I'd press the stem again to turn on ANC. (You can also swap between modes on your iPhone via the Control Center.)
Plus, you can double-press the stem to play the next track — and triple-press the stem to play a previous track (among other controls).
AirPods 4 active noise cancellationAs mentioned at the outset, with the ANC-enabled AirPods 4, I flew from San Jose, Calif. to Atlanta before hopping on another NYC-bound flight.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI spent nearly eight hours with the AirPods 4 in my ears. As I hinted in my hands-on review, the AirPods 4 sounded like honey to my ears — and even more so when ANC was on. While I was at the airport, sounds of coo-ing babies, loud conversations, and rolling luggage were significantly reduced, allowing me to sink deeper into some of my favorite Apple Music playlists.
It was as if the AirPods 4 erased the cacophonous world around me, allowing me to sit in a quiet, empty void, with nothing but myself, my earbuds, and Sabrina Carpenter. "Me Espresso" already sounds darn good, but on the AirPods 4, it sounds immaculate.
Did I hear the airplane engine?No headphones are going to completely get rid of engine noise. For example, when I compared the AirPods Max and Sony XM5s, two high-priced over-ear headphones, even they had some external noise leak through the devices. (But the AirPods Max did a better job at handling ANC.)
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, the AirPods 4 did, in fact, significantly reduce the drone of the airplane engine. I noticed the ANC eliminated the high-pitched whine of the plane, creating a much more pleasant listening experience. However, it didn't completely get rid of the lower, rumbling sounds of the engine — it was still faintly noticeable.
It reduced it, yes, but it didn't eliminate it completely, which is, again, par for the course for ANC. Overall, the AirPods 4 did a great job at dampening the sound of the plane as it ripped through the air at more than 500 miles per hour.
ANC is a rarity in open-ear designsPeople may underestimate how unusual it is to get ANC support in an open-ear design like the AirPods 4. As I mentioned in my hands-on, unlike the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 do not feature silicon tips. As such, it doesn't have a tight seal stuffed in your ears to support ANC technology in blocking external sounds.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHowever, Apple boasted that it was able to accomplish this engineering challenge by using upgraded microphones (the same ones found on the AirPods Pro 2), the H2 processor, and cutting-edge computational audio.
AirPods 4 sound qualityYou know what's funny? I tested the AirPods 4 on both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. On the former, songs like "Me Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter and "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish sounded great, but there's a clear absence of multi-dimensional audio.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableOn the iPhone 15 Pro Max, these songs sounded phenomenal. It's likely due to the AirPods 4's incredible Personalized Spatial Audio feature, which also comes with dynamic head tracking. It gave the music expansive, enveloping vibes that felt as if the music was twirling all around me.
Listening to "Me Espresso," the deep bass was steady and comforting while the higher notes felt light — almost as if I was floating. This song, with ANC in the mix, felt like I was sinking into a plush bean-bag chair where the world disappeared around me and I could immerse myself into a colorful, well-balanced soundscape.
Eilish's voice sounded haunting and ethereal on the AirPods 4. The earbuds perfectly captured the slow, pulsing, heartbeat-like rhythm.
AirPods 4 battery lifeApple says that the AirPods 4 are rated for up to five hours of battery life on a single charge (four hours with ANC), but what was battery life like during my own experience?
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableTo test it, on a Friday, I popped my AirPods 4 in at 1:30 p.m. when it was juiced up to 100%. I listened to music, with ANC on, throughout the whole experience, barely giving my AirPods 4 a break. At times, I spoke to my mom, dad, and fiancé. By around 6:42 p.m., it died.
That being said, Apple was nearly spot on with its four-to-five hour rating. The AirPods 4 lasted 5 hours and 12 minutes.
Of course, with the charging case, you'll be able to squeeze out more time. (Apple says up to 30 hours.)
AirPods 4 call qualityI called two people to test the AirPods 4's call quality.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable(After several people told me that I sound like I'm in a "hole" while using my Sony XM4's, I couldn't wait to test the AirPods 4 to see if it delivered a better experience.)
As it turned out, whether I spoke with my mom or partner, both reported that I sounded crisp and clear on the AirPods 4, thanks, in part, to the AirPods 4 Voice Isolation feature.
This perk is designed to enhance your voice and remove unwanted background voice — and it worked well as I walked through the busy streets of Manhattan.
AirPods 4 charging caseI am totally digging the AirPods 4 charging case. Apple condensed the size and made it significantly smaller and more compact. My AirPods Pro were already pretty portable, but the AirPods 4 takes up even less space, which is always welcome while traveling.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableI would often stick the case inside the seatback pocket in front of me on the plane, but it's so tiny, it would often disappear into the abyss.
By the way, at one point, I did manage to misplace my AirPods. But luckily for me, I was able to use FindMy. The earbuds emitted some beeps, allowing me to find them with ease.
As mentioned, the AirPods 4's charging case supports Qi charging. You can use your Apple Watch's charging cable to charge it, too.
Keep in mind, though, that to pair your AirPods 4 with your device, you'll need to double tap the indicator light until it turns white. In other words, there's no more back button. There's a hidden functionality within the LED indicator that lets you initiate paring mode. To launch a reset, you'll need to double tap three times.
Plus, for what it's worth, the AirPods 4 charging case is now dust, sweat, and water resistant with an IP54 rating. So it can tolerate some splashes of water and dust, but you may want to keep it away from the pool and sand.
AirPods 4 Siri interactionsAvailable on iOS 18 for iPhone, as well as iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11 (if you're pairing the AirPods 4 with a supported iPad, MacBook, or Apple Watch, respectively), the new earbuds have a new perk called Siri Interactions.
AirPods 4 Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableHow does it work? Siri will ask you questions that will require your confirmation, and you can "reply" without even uttering a sound by shaking your head yes or no.
You can use Siri Interactions to accept and reject calls, and dismiss or answer messages/notifications.
Are AirPods 4 worth it?Absolutely. I love them so much, they have replaced my AirPods Pro as my new daily driver earbuds. Again, fit was one of my concerns with my AirPods Pro, but now, I don't have that issue with the new one-size-fits-most design on the AirPods 4.
The active noise cancellation is elite, allowing me to immerse myself into the honeyed soundwaves that emanate from the AirPods 4. The AirPods 4 are, without a doubt, the best in-ear earbuds I've ever tested in a long while. They're definitely getting a place in our best headphones for noise cancellation list.
Apple has a handle on ANC, but if it can drop a lil' somethin' somethin' for smell cancellation, my traveling survival kit will be complete.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable AirPods 4 $179.99
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