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Elon Musk has certainly emerged victorious this past week, post-election.

However, Musk and his social media platform X are not exactly winning on the mobile app charts. X competitors Bluesky and Threads are surging in popularity on Apple's App Store in the week following the election.

SEE ALSO: Stephen King responds to rumor that Elon Musk kicked him off X

Bluesky appears to be the big winner, as many users have evidently decided to flee Musk's X — often pointing to his campaigning for Trump and using X as a campaign tool as the reason. Bluesky is now the number 1 free app in the App Store in the U.S. The X-alternative social media platform has also just surpassed 15 million users as approximately 100,000 people have signed up per day since the election.

Threads, which is tightly integrated with Instagram and owned by Mark Zuckerberg's Meta, is currently in second place on the App Store. Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, is in a distant 27th place on the charts. A significant number of X users are clearly looking for an alternative to the Musk-owned platform.

The App Store top charts rankings as of November 13, 2024. Credit: Apple

Musk's App Store interest

While Musk might not lose any sleep over this after winning significant influence with the incoming Trump administration, App Store rankings have been a bit of an obsession for the owner of X.

Musk has frequently boasted about X hitting #1 in the News category on the U.S. and international App Store charts since the election. It should be noted that X doesn't really have much broad competition in the News category, as most apps in that section belong to traditional media outlets publishers like the New York Times or Fox News. 

Aside from X and Reddit, most social media platforms categorize their iOS apps in the much more competitive Social Networking category. A first place ranking in that category translates to a first place ranking overall in the entire App Store, as Bluesky currently holds both distinctions. (For another example, Meta's WhatsApp iOS app is in third place in the Social Networking category and then in 8th place among the top charts.)

X, however, holds a first place ranking in the News category on the App Store, which only translates to 27th place overall. 

"I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more."

That's the apparently immortal line from Network, Paddy Chayefsky's acerbic Oscar-winning masterpiece from 1976. Deranged newsreader Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch in the movie, and Bryan Cranston in a theater version) urges his audience to scream it out of their windows, and his TV network capitalizes on the resulting outrage. Nearly 50 years later, Beale looks ever more the mad prophet — not just of the airwaves, but of social media.

Indeed, Beale's line might be the only unifying scream across both sides of the political gulf, one that opened ever wider online between the 2016 and 2024 U.S. presidential elections. We don't even agree on basic facts any more. What we do agree on is that we're mad as hell about the other side, and we're not going to take this nonsense from them one minute longer. Let's find someone being wrong on the internet and dunk on them!

SEE ALSO: X rival Bluesky sees more than 700,000 new users after the U.S. election

But in the wake of the 2024 election, it's time to quit, even as we steel ourselves for the actual IRL fights that lie ahead. Because here's the thing we forgot about being Howard Beale: It's the opposite of being politically effective. It can leave you sad as hell, not to mention frazzled and sick, and you shouldn't take it anymore.

The newsreader ended up as a conspiracy-addled cypher, his unfocused cri de coeur at used by a media conglomerate three times over. The network tore the guardrails of decency off Beale's newscast, turning it into a rant-fueled variety show in which Beale literally collapsed every night. It persuaded Beale to start spouting its owner's vision of inhuman capitalism. And in the end — well, no spoilers if you haven't seen it, but let's just say Beale's contract is terminated with extreme prejudice.

If we are to avoid becoming a world of a billion Howard Beales, then the first thing we have to do is stop the screaming — and the social media doomscrolling that goes with it. It's not just that every click and thumb-flick of your feed is being monetized by billionaires who have already padded their wealth significantly thanks to a highly divisive election.

It's that doomscrolling is paralyzing, and the one thing your causes need if they're going to be effective is for you to not be paralyzed.

How I stopped worrying and learned to leave social media

Towards the end of the first Trump administration, I delved into the history of self-care as a necessary political act. The TL;DR was this: Philosophers and activists from Socrates to Audre Lorde have been trying to tell us what self-care isn't (retreats, spas, champagne, Instagram glow-ups) and what it is (time that feeds the soul, which in turn makes you a better citizen, able to use your strength to help the underprivileged in any society).

But, as I realized sending that story to send to friends who were burned out or terrified by the 2024 election results, I hadn't exactly been take my own advice. Twitter was my social media outrage drug of choice, one I persuaded myself I needed for work even as I largely abandoned Facebook. The end result: I too had gotten mad as hell. Even in the wake of a billionaire buying it and turning it into X, an echo chamber that boosts hard-right voices including his own, even as I posted much less as a result, I persuaded myself of the importance of bearing witness to the craziness in all my spare moments.

Daily I enlarged my own echo chamber — one that had convinced itself that all the wrong voices on the other side were heading for a fall.

I quit Twitter (in common with Stephen King, I still call it that) on election night, in the same way one might quit a TV show that has gone on past its time. I could see the next few episodes with Cassandra-like clarity. Twitter/X would become a dunking machine. There would be a lot of recrimination in the echo chambers of the left, a lot of woulda coulda shoulda. Keyboard warriors and bots on the winning side would be emboldened; their victims would need defending.

Mad as hell, projecting wider fears on the smallest targets, everyone from every online constituency would be highly motivated to dunk on each other for the mildest offense. Nothing, not even the doomscrolling bot that gained many users in Musk's early days, can save us from the pointless time-suck of getting mad online, that distraction from the real work of grieving and moving on.

We're all Howard Beales now. Credit: Bettman via Getty Images

In the week since I quit cold turkey, I have felt the missing limb of Twitter less than I expected. Muscle memory made me tap the X icon on my phone a couple times, so I moved it to the back of my news folder; no performative deleting necessary. Maybe someone somewhere would have had a hollow laugh at the would-be tweet that bubbled up in my head post-election: this is like if the time traveler who changed the future by stepping on a butterfly went back and stomped on it again.

But is that really the best use of my time now, throwing nerdy political posts against the wall to see if they stick?

To my surprise, I haven't felt uninformed or disengaged. The news has come to my inbox anyway, thanks to a bunch of newsletters with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and a network of activated friends that transcends social media. I do not miss the endless dissection of each announcement from the incoming administration. My blood pressure, which hit new highs on November 5, has come down steadily ever since.

Shorn of the endless scroll, I spent more time in the real world. My modest donation to an organization that funds education for girls around the world will, in the long run, make more of a difference than Ray Bradbury reference tweets.

Bluesky has seen a massive uptick in adoption post-election. My account is ready to go; depending on how 2025 plays out, perhaps I'll join the Twitter refugees there. But not before my self-care regimen has become more soulful: more deep reading, less surface tweeting, all the better to meet the needs of a future filled with storm clouds. When society takes a dystopian turn, as I also discovered in the first Trump administration, dystopian novels provide effective frames for those who wish to change it. To quote the title of an excellent 2024 nonfiction book on the subject of psychological warfare: Stories are Weapons.

Which brings us back to the Howard Beale story we've been telling ourselves for five decades, but need to quit now. With a little tweaking, the fictional newsman's rant — which helped yield our 21st century world — can lead us to a better one:

I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. There's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do and there's no end to it. We sit in the house and slowly the world we're living in — on our phones — is getting smaller. I don't want you to protest, I don't want you to riot, I don't want you to write to your Congressman because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about depression, and the fact that people don't understand inflation, and the Russians, and the criminal now entering the White House.

All I know is that first, you've got to stop getting mad. You've got to say "I'm a human being, goddammit! My life has value!" Turn off your social media right now, turn it off. Feel your grief inside and declare: "I'm as sad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

Do you love your wife? Have you commissioned a statue of her? Have you recorded an acoustic version of the breakthrough crunk song playing on your first date? Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has.

"'Get Low' was playing when I first met Priscilla at a college party, so every year we listen to it on our dating anniversary. This year I worked with @tpain on our own version of this lyrical masterpiece. Sound on for the track and also available on Spotify. Love you P ❤️" Zuckerberg wrote on Instagram along with a carousel of photos of him and his wife, Priscilla, and pictures of him and T-Pain in the studio, presumably working on the track.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg commissioned a statue of his wife, Priscilla Chan, and the internet kinda likes it View this post on Instagram

He posted a few videos of her reacting to the acoustic song on his Instagram story, in which she mostly just laughs. In a video Priscilla posted on her Instagram Story, Mark asks, "Is that the most romantic thing I've done or what?"

"It's so romantic," she says. "Twenty-one years later I can't get quite as low, but it brings back a lot of fun memories."

You can even listen to the song on Spotify. (It's listed under Zuck and T-Pain's duo moniker, Z-Pain.)

Zuckerberg has many flaws but his public admiration of his wife is not one of them. It feels so nice to see a tech giant like their partner that it almost doesn't matter if it's a PR strategy or not.

Does he love his wife so loudly because he loves his wife or because it makes him look good to the public? We will probably never really know. The man is worth $200 billion. If he wanted to, he could have forced a reunion of Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz to preform a private rendition of the song. But he chose to make this single public.

SAVE $200: As of Nov. 13, the M2 iPad Air with 512GB and WiFi is down to just $899 at Amazon. That's 18% in savings and its lowest price to date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M2, 512GB, WiFi) $899.00 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

There's really no point in sitting around and waiting for Black Friday to score a good great deal on an iPad. On this random Wednesday in November, we're already seeing a record-low price on the 13-inch M2 iPad Air.

Released earlier this year, the M2 iPad Air has seen many discounts over the last six months — including on Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days. But none have been as impressive as today's $200 discount. As of Nov. 13, you can grab the 13-inch M2 iPad Air with 512GB of storage and WiFi connectivity for just $899 instead of $1,099. That's an 18% discount and the lowest price on record by around $100. There's just one catch: The discount is only available on the purple model.

Aesthetically, not much changed between the 2022 iPad Air and the 2024 iPad Air, but internally the M2 chip gives it an impressive upgrade. As Mashable's Kim Gedeon noted in her review, "The M2 chip brings sweet energy efficiency and a performance uptick." Its zippy performance allows it to keep up with the big dogs, including some of our favorite laptops — like the Asus Zenbook Duo. Not to mention, its battery life lasted three hours longer than expected when we tested it (13 hours versus the promised 10).

It's not going to blow you away as much as the iPad Pro, but it's not meant to. It's also much easier on your wallet. If you don't mind the color purple, snag it on sale for just $899 while the deal sticks around.

Everyone online is "crashing out" all of a sudden.

Well, not literally — though, plenty of people actually are crashing out. But, for one reason or another, the term "crash out" or "crashing out" is everywhere this week.

For the unfamiliar, crashing out boils down to losing it. As Urban Dictionary puts it, to crash out is to "get really mad or upset; lose all your self-control." It can also mean that you're almost willingly entering a situation — or acting a certain way — that will prove harmful in the long term.

If you've been online lately, you've likely seen people talking about crashing out. Go on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, and you'll see recent, super-viral posts using the term crash out.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Go on TikTok and it's even more prominent. Every fifth post, it seems people are talking about crashing out in one form or another.

There are viral crash out posts about heartbreak.

Or for teaching negative people in your life a lesson.

Or teachers not knowing why their kids are saying it.

To be clear: This is not some new phrase.Younger folks, especially, have been using the term for quite some time. But, at least to my eye, it's ramped up in the past few weeks.

Why might that be? Well, for one, there's quite a lot to crash out about these days. While young voters did swing toward President-elect Donald Trump in 2024, the majority of voters under 30 still voted for Vice President Kamala Harris. Those young Harris voters, women especially, might be feeling like it's a time for crashing out.

SEE ALSO: From yap to pookie, 2024's most viral internet slang defined

This is also the time of year when seasonal depression might hit — the days just got shorter — and, for whatever reason, it's also a common time of year for breakups. Nothing seems to inspire a "crash out" more than a bad breakup.

But, in general, the internet these days seems to really latch onto words and phrases. And it might just be "crash out's" time. Back in August, when the entire internet was very demure, I wrote about TikTok's propensity for shaping language.

I wrote at the time:

"Think of it this way: in your group of friends — especially during high school or college — you probably had buzzwords and shorthand that only your group understood. You spent so much time together that you developed an internal language. TikTok’s influence on our word usage is similar, only now the friend group is essentially everyone with an internet connection."

Right now, that collective group is latching onto crashing out. The phrase, though not new, is a trend of sorts. As Mashable's Elena Cavender has covered, the internet cycles through this slang with relative rapidity. So right now we're all crashing out — but that likely won't last.

Google’s Gemini AI might be on the verge of a major upgrade, bringing conversational capabilities directly to your files, photos, and recordings — similar to what we’ve seen from OpenAI's ChatGPT.

SEE ALSO: Google Gemini app may be coming to iPhone soon — here's what we know

Gemini is Google’s latest answer to multimodal AI, letting users upload various media types — images, audio, and video — for analysis and interaction. And like ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode, Gemini comes with a feature called Gemini Live, designed to make AI interactions feel more natural and human through voice-based chats.

According to Android Authority, a recent teardown of an unreleased beta version of the Google app revealed code suggesting that Gemini Live could soon "talk about attachments" uploaded by users. While the team wasn’t able to activate the feature, the code hints at an experience that may allow users to ask questions and get insights directly related to their files.

Although there's no official release date for this feature, Google's recent soft launch of a standalone Gemini app for iPhone users — spotted in the Philippines — signals a ramp-up in their AI offerings.

SAVE UP TO 50%: Espresso machines are on sale at Amazon and Target this week from top brands like De'Longhi, Nespresso, and more.

Espresso machine deals to shop today Best overall espresso machine deal De'Longhi Magnifica Start espresso and coffee machine $499.95 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal Best espresso machine deal under $100 Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ $99 at Amazon (save $30.95) Get Deal Best modern aesthetic espresso machine deal Café Bellissimo semi-automatic espresso machine $449 at Target (save $130) Get Deal

For some of us, coffee is the reason we get out of bed in the morning. It's a bright way to start the day that feels like a warm, comforting hug, especially in the depths of dark winter mornings. These days, we have tons of options when it comes to making a morning cup of coffee. There's the unfussy French press or a standard drip machine, but some prefer a creamy latte or a spicy mocha.

If you prefer something more akin to a coffee-house drink, it might be worth the investment to own your own espresso machine. While some espresso machines come with a hefty price, they often save money in the long run since they help curtail swinging by the drive-thru for a quick latte on the go.

If you're ready to dive into making coffee-house drinks at home, winter is a great time to hone in on your skills. These espresso machines will help get you there, and they're on sale during the week of Nov. 13.

Best overall espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Start espresso and coffee machine $499.95 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $500.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If your ideal morning coffee only takes the touch of a button, check out the features on the De'Longhi Magnifica Start espresso and coffee machine. With a built-in burr grinder, the Magnifica Start can brew up your perfect espresso, cappuccino, or latte macchiato from the one-touch display panel. The machine's 13 grind settings mean you can decide on the best grind each morning and take advantage of the machine's LatteCrema frothing system that's designed to make smooth foam, even with milk alternatives.

Best espresso machine deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ $99.00 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $30.95 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a coffee-house quality drink at home but don't want to spend hundreds on an espresso machine, check out the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+. With Amazon's sale price, you can grab the Mint, Red, or White versions of the coffee maker for just $99, marked down from the typical price of $129.95.

The Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ brews up coffee in five size options, ranging from 5 to 12 ounces, as well as single or double, iced or hot. Nespresso also designed this machine with a small footprint, measuring a bit over 10 inches tall and about 9 inches wide, which means it could be great if you have a smaller kitchen. The Nespresso machine takes just 30 seconds to warm up, so it's also ideal if you tend to be grabbing coffee in a rush.

Best modern-aesthetic espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Café Café Bellissimo semi-automatic espresso machine $449.00 at Target
$579.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With a matte white finish and copper accents, the Café Bellissimo semi-automatic espresso machine is a great addition if you're looking for kitchen countertop appliances that look modern. While excelling in looks, it also packs a punch when it comes to performance. The Café Bellissimo has everything needed to make espresso drinks at home, including a built-in conical burr grinder and milk frother. The steam wand's 180-degree rotation makes it easy to use while creating your perfect milk foam while you also select either a single or double shot of espresso.

Preheating the machine takes under 80 seconds and there's a large capacity water reservoir which means you won't have to refill it often. Plus, the machine's auto-shut off kicks in after 20 minutes, so you'll never need to sit in the office and wonder if you need to call a neighbor to go turn it off.

SAVE $40: As of Nov. 13, get an Amazon Fire TV Cube at Amazon for $99.99, down from its usual price of $139.99. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube $99.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal

The holidays are on their way, and for many of us, that means some well-deserved time off. And even if you're still working through them, you probably have some downtime here and there. Why not fill it with your favorite shows and movies and get some real binge-watching in? You can do that now with an Amazon streaming device at a great price, thanks to this pre-Black Friday deal on one of our favorites.

As of Nov. 13, get the Amazon Fire TV Cube for $99.99, which is $40 off its normal price of $139.99. That's a discount of 29%, and the newest model of this particular streaming device.

SEE ALSO: Save over $1,000 on TCL’s massive 98-inch QLED 4K TV

The Fire TV Cube is Amazon's fastest streaming player, and it includes an octa-core processor. The retail giant claims that makes it twice as powerful as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and it comes with built-in Alexa support so all you need to do is call out what you want to watch and search for it. It's also compatible as a smart home hub, if you need it: it can control your TV itself, soundbar, and other audio equipment like a receiver.

You can stream from just about any service on the Fire TV Cube, and it supports 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos. With WiFi 6 capability, you'll get it all lightning fast, too. Plus, it's a cube-shaped box that's easy to tuck away somewhere inconspicuous; it's bigger than a streaming stick, but small enough that it won't get in the way.

Grab the cube while it's on sale ahead of Black Friday.

GET A $15 CREDIT: Get a $15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on home goods at Amazon today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cascade / Hefty Spend $50 on home goods and get a $15 Amazon credit Get Deal

It feels extra nice when you get a little back for shopping the essentials you need at home. Take advantage of a credit-back deal on home goods like soap and paper towels at Amazon today and save yourself a few bucks.

As of Nov. 13, get a $15 credit when you spend $50 on home goods at Amazon today. That’s like getting a 30% for shopping for home goods you already need. Here’s how to take advantage of the deal.

SEE ALSO: Just announced: Amazon finally dropped its Black Friday sale dates

You can shop home goods from toilet paper to trash bags to dishwasher pods with this deal. But here are a couple stipulations to keep in mind: First, read the fine print, and you’ll see that the $15 credit is only applied when you buy items sold directly by Amazon. It also doesn’t include classes of items like digital purchases. Second, the credit doesn’t appear when you order. Instead, the credit will apply to your account 30 days after the item ships. You’ll get an email then, informing you how to take advantage of your credit.

You’ll need to wait to secure and use your credit, however, you’ll be able to apply the credit to a later order one month out from shipping. You also can’t combine this pre-Black Friday sale credit offer with others, so look out for what you’re buying to make sure it qualifies. You’ll want to use your credit soon after you get it, as it will expire in mid-March.

Luckily, Amazon presents a ton of useful home products to shop that will qualify for the credit. Shop today and get $15 back on your first $50 purchase.

No one is coming out stronger from the 2024 Presidential election than X owner and billionaire Elon Musk. And that success is not just due to the potentially lucrative federal contracts he's set to snag or the legal protections Musk's ventures are taking on from his Republican alignment — he's gaining political power, too.

Announced by president-elect Donald Trump on Nov. 12, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy — the pharmaceutical mogul and former Republican presidential hopeful — have been picked to lead a brand new agency tasked with "large scale structural reform" of the federal government. It'll be known as the "Department of Government Efficiency." (Yes, that's right, "DOGE.")

SEE ALSO: Why Elon Musk is the real winner of the 2024 US Presidential election

Trump likened the new venture to a modern Manhattan Project — the secret U.S. program that developed the atomic bomb, devastating Japanese civilian populations and changing warfare and international politics from WWII on. Under the new administration, DOGE appears to be a downsizing weapon in the war against "corruption" in the administrative state, helmed by what Ramaswamy and Musk call "a band of small-government revolutionaries."

But what exactly will this meme-mandated agency do under the new administration, and what will a more "efficient" government under Musk look like?

What will the 'Department of Government Efficiency' do?

Though its name suggests otherwise, the "Department of Government Efficiency" isn't a department at all, but rather a commission or advisory body consulting with the president on spending and regulations. While Congress retains oversight of large budgetary actions, advisory groups like DOGE can advise members under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and both Trump and Musk have said the agency would have the power to make some cuts.

Musk also claimed the agency would retain a publicly accessible scoreboard of its cuts, open for feedback, and a leaderboard of "most insanely dumb spending" of tax dollars. "The entertainment value will be epic," he said.

Tweet may have been deleted

DOGE's streamlining plans, helmed by the private sector, aren't a new concept for the federal government, nor is the notion of outside advisors aiding in the implementation of a president's vision, including Trump's "Save America" plan, unprecedented. The executive branch's current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with managing and coordinating the president's policy, budget, and regulatory objectives. Trump's picks, however, have been pegged to bring an "entrepreneurial approach" to government at an unprecedented scale, working alongside the OMB to make the government "smaller," according to the president-elect.

In Trump's words, this involves "dismantling government bureaucracy, slashing excess regulations, cutting wasteful expenditures, and restructuring federal agencies." In the announcement, the president-elect said the DOGE's work would last through July 4, 2026. Ramaswamy has said the pseudo-department's first task will be "crowdsourcing examples of government waste, fraud, and abuse" from Americans at large.

The department's announcement has been met with a mix of support and derision from both parties. "I’m a Democrat for Government Efficiency," posted Democratic Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips, in support of the announcement. Ramaswamy responded: "Welcome aboard to Americans for Government Efficiency!" Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren was more critical, swiping at the fact that DOGE will have two executives leading it. “The Office of Government Efficiency is off to a great start with split leadership: two people to do the work of one person,” Warren said. “Yeah, this seems REALLY efficient.”

What is on the 'DOGE' chopping block?

The agency continues the regulatory shedding that became a beacon of Trump's previous presidential term, which targeted federal safety regulations, climate policy, and even space exploration. Boosted by Musk and Ramaswamy's own gusto for "streamlining" workforces (aka laying people off), most recently modeled under Musk's takeover of X/Twitter, the conservative shrinking is set to begin again.

Slashing of federal agencies

During his first term, Trump tried and failed to downsize more than a dozen federal agencies. Past comments from both Musk and Ramaswamy show an eagerness to carry on his mission and hit agencies first. Musk has previously said he would like to cut the number of agencies down from 400 to a striking 99.

Ramaswamy has previously alluded to the dismantling of the FBI, the the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service; and, to mass outcry, the Department of Education. He's also said he would limit the power of the Federal Reserve.

A major part of the Trump campaign's goals, Musk has also publicly posted about eliminating the Department of Education, which he says isn't "great value for money."

Budget cuts and federal employee layoffs

The Trump administration has made a big show of supporting federal spending cuts, with Musk adding to the budget austerity cries with claims that he would help trim the federal spending by $2 trillion. Musk has since reposted several X threads positing examples of "ridiculous" spending, which include several public health campaigns and federal science grants.

In his own presidential campaign, Ramaswamy promised to cut 75 percent of the civilian federal workforce — or 1.7 million jobs — in order to diminish federal spending and trim waste.

Clearing of federal regulations

DOGE's leaders have both spoken out about loosening the chokehold of federal regulations within the last 24 hours.

"The world is suffering slow strangulation by overregulation. Every year, the noose tightens a little more. We finally have a mandate to delete the mountain of choking regulations that do not serve the greater good," said Musk in a recent X post.

Ramaswamy cited several U.S. Supreme Court decisions in a claim that "eliminating bureaucratic regulations isn’t a mere policy preference. It’s a legal mandate."

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Musk, owner of transportation companies Tesla and SpaceX, has previously taken issue with the regulatory power of the Federal Aviation Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ramaswamy, founder of pharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences, called the Food and Drug Administration's "regulations hypocritical, harmful, and unconstitutional."

SAVE UP TO $25 OFF: As of Nov. 13, Prime members can get a discount on select gift cards. Shop gift cards for Xbox, PlayStation, Roblox, and more.

Our top picks: Best deal overall $250 PlayStation Store gift card $225 (save $25) Get Deal Best runner-up deal $50 Xbox gift card $45 (save $5) Get Deal Best budget deal Roblox 2,200 Robux gift card $22.50 (save $2.50) Get Deal

The holidays are fast approaching, which means it's time to start thinking about gifts for friends and family. This year, your Amazon Prime membership could help you stretch your budget while checking off your gift list.

SEE ALSO: Walmart is dropping Black Friday deals all month long, because the calendar means nothing anymore

Right now, you can save up to $25 on select gift cards, including from brands like PlayStation, Xbox, and Roblox. This deal is only available on digital gift cards, and most are game store credits that can be used toward digital purchases. (These gift cards are great for gamers and people who don’t want to enter their personal payment information online).

Here are the best gift card deals we could find at Amazon:

Best gift card deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation $250 PlayStation Store gift card $225.00 at Amazon
$250.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Prime members can snag a $250 PlayStation Store gift card for $225 at Amazon. That’s a $25 discount on a gift card that can be used to buy games, add-ons, PlayStation Plus, and more.

Once you make the purchase, the code and instructions will be available in your Games and Software Library and via email.

Best runner-up gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox $50 Xbox gift card $45.00 at Amazon
$50.00 Save $5.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If your giftee is an Xbox fan, Prime members can get a $50 Xbox gift card for $45. That’s only a $5 discount, but something is better than nothing, right? The card can be used to purchase games, add-ons, and more.

Like the PlayStation gift card, you'll receive the digital code and instructions via email and in your account after purchase.

Best budget gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roblux Roblox 2,200 Robux gift card $22.50 at Amazon
$25.00 Save $2.50 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want to get a gift card for less than $25, Prime members can get the Roblox 2,200 Robux gift card for just $22.50. That’s a 10% discount on the regular $25 price.

“Robux” are basically in-game currency that can be used to purchase digital items within the Roblox game. This card cannot be used for a Roblox Premium purchase.

Save up to $400 on 2-in-1 laptops on sale ahead of Black Friday.

Early Black Friday 2-in-1 laptop deals Best 2-in-1 laptop deal HP OmniBook Ultra Flip (Intel Core Ultra 7, Intel Arc Graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best 2-in-1 Chromebook deal Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $529.99 (save $170) Get Deal

The countdown to Black Friday is well underway, and so are the early deals. That's right, the holiday shopping event has basically already started (unofficially, of course), so it's time to start scouring every retailer you can to find the best discounts possible. Fortunately, we're here to do all that hard work for you.

SEE ALSO: Pick up a new keyboard at a nice discount ahead of Black Friday 2024

If you're hoping to pick up some new tech, you've come to the right place. Take a look at our favorite 2-in-1 laptop deals below. Be sure to keep visiting this page as Black Friday nears, though, because we'll be updating it as new deals go live.

If you're looking for other tech items on sale, we've also been building comprehensive deals guides for laptops in general, tablets, headphones, TVs, fitness trackers, and plenty more.

Best 2-in-1 laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook Ultra Flip (Intel Core Ultra 7, Intel Arc Graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199.99 at Best Buy
$1,599.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip is a fully kitted out 2-in-1 laptop, complete with Copilot+ support, a 2.8K OLED display, three free months of PC Game Pass, and plenty more perks. If you want to go straight for a high-end convertible laptop, this is one of the best deals we've found so far — get one for $1,199.99 at Best Buy leading up to Black Friday, which is $400 off the original price.

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $529.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a more budget-level 2-in-1, you'll probably want to look into getting a Chromebook. This one from Acer is equipped with some pretty decent specs, as well as Google's Chromebook Plus features. Even better, this laptop comes bundled with a convenient carrying case. Pick one up ahead of Black Friday at Best Buy and score $170 off the original price, just $529.99.

More 2-in-1 laptop deals

• Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook (Snapdragon 7CG2, Qualcomm Adreno 618, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $219 $379 (save $160)

• Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook Laptop (Intel Pentium Silver N6000, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $328.99 $479 (save $150.01)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook (Snapdragon 7CG2, Qualcomm Adreno 618, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $369 $499 (save $130)

• HP 14 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $399 $629 (save $230)

• Dell Inspiron 14 (AMD Ryzen 5, AMD Radeon Graphics, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $479.99 $729.99 (save $250)

• Lenovo Yoga 7i (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, Intel Graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $699.99 $1,049.99 (save $350)

• MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo A12M (Intel Core i7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $799.99 $1,299.99 (save $500)

• Asus ProArt PX13 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,449.99 $1,699.99 (save $250)

• HP Spectre 16 (Intel Core Ultra 7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599.99 $2,199.99 (save $600)

• Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, Intel Graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,699.99 $1,999.99 (save $300)

A former Air National Guard member will serve prison time because of his activities in a gaming-focused chat app.

Jack Teixeira, who previously served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for pilfering classified documents from the Department of Defense and sharing them to a Discord server, per NBC News.

The sentence was slightly less than the roughly 17 years the U.S. attorney's office wanted, but the judge noted that Teixeira had specifically been trained in the proper handling of secret documents, so he still got 15 years.

SEE ALSO: How to use Discord on PS5

The length of the sentence also has to do with Teixeira pleading guilty to six charges of willfully disseminating national defense information under the Espionage Act. The leaks, which were shared on Discord over the course of about a year between 2022 and 2023, allegedly included information about providing aid to Ukraine, among other things.

No matter how wild and weird your friend group's Discord server is, it probably will never live up to that.

SAVE UP TO $500: Ahead of Black Friday, shop big markdowns on soundbars at Amazon and Best Buy. Shop the Samsung HW-Q850D/ZA Soundbar for $599.99, saving $500 for 45% off.

Best soundbar deals Best soundbar deal Samsung HW-Q850D/ZA Soundbar $599.99 (Save $500) Get Deal Best budget soundbar deal Insignia 2.0 Mini Soundbar $34.99 (Save $15) Get Deal Roku Streambar SE $79.99 (Save $20) Get Deal Best Bose Speaker Bose Smart Soundbar $399 (Save $100) Get Deal

Getting ready for the holiday season means pulling out the string lights, stocking the pantry full of cozy treats, and turning on the latest Hallmark movie marathon. A key part of that set-up is your home entertainment system. If you're looking to make some upgrades, it might pay to start shopping ahead of Black Friday.

The big post-Thanksgiving day event falls at the very end of this month, so if you're getting antsy about your holiday shopping, the good news is, the deals are already here. If you want to watch every moment of the Macy's Day Parade in perfect detail, TVs are already on sale as part of the early Black Friday rush. If you want to hear it too, that's where a soundbar comes in.

The early Black Friday deals on soundbars are abundant. Amazon and Best Buy have major discounts, up to 50% off on soundbars from Samsung, Bose, LG, Sony, and more. Here are the best deals to shop.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is already going hard with QLED TV deals ahead of Black Friday Best soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-Q850D/ZA soundbar $599.99 at Best Buy
$1,099.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want not just a soundbar, but a fully decked out home entertainment system, the Samsung HW-Q850D/ZA is the solution. Not only do you get a wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar, but this deal also includes rear speakers to get true surround sound.

Normally $1,099.99, ahead of Black Friday, you can get it for just $599.99. That takes 45% off to give you $500 in savings.

Best budget soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 2.0 Mini soundbar $34.99 at Best Buy
$49.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not into spending $100, or even $50, you can still find a soundbar. The Insignia 2.0 Mini soundbar is a great candidate if you're on a budget. For just $34.99, it's a compact sound system that's 20 inches in length. It's Bluetooth-enabled, but can also connect with an AUX or USB cord. It comes with three audio modes, standard, theater, or news, to elevate your home entertainment no matter what you're watching.

During Best Buy's early Black Friday sale, you can find the Insignia 2.0 Mini soundbar for $34.99. That saves you $15 for 30% off.

Best streaming soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streambar SE $79.99 at Best Buy
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Roku Streambar SE gives you one of the greatest gifts in this age of modern technology: two devices in one. This soundbar also doubles as a Roku streaming device, giving you access to all your favorite streaming services. Plus, it features a system to automatically adjust the volume so voices are clearer. Even better: it lowers the volume during commercials.

It's down to $79.99 ahead of Black Friday for $20 off and 20% savings.

Best Bose soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart soundbar $399.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Bose recently revamped its smart speaker so you can get the newest version on sale. It includes Dolby Atmos sound in addition to an A.I. Dialogue assistant to balance voices and surround sound for perfect clarity. It connects via Bluetooth, which also allows you to play cast music and videos from your phone to the TV, all through the soundbar.

Grab the Bose smart soundbar during early Black Friday sales for just $399, saving $100. That knocks 20% off its original price of $499.

More soundbar deals

• Hisense HS205G Soundbar — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)

• TCL S45H S Class Soundbar — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• TCL S4BH S Class — $79.99 $149.99 (save $70)

• Samsung HW-C400/ZA C Series Soundbar — $89.99 $119.99 (save $30)

• Hisense HS2100 Soundbar — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

• Samsung HW-C445/ZA B Series Soundbar — $119.99 $279.99 (save $160)

• Samsung HW-S50B S Series Soundbar — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• JBL Cinema SB170 Soundbar — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• LG S60T Soundbar — $176.99 $249.99 (save $73)

• Samsung B63C Soundbar — $177.99 $247.99 (save $70)

• LG S40TR Soundbar — $196.99 $249.99 (save $53)

• Sony HT-S400 Soundbar — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• LG SQC4R Soundbar — $199.99 $399.99 (save $200)

• Hisense AX3125H Soundbar — $219.99 $249.99 (save $30)

• Samsung HW-B650/ZA Soundbar — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170)

• Sony HTX8500 Soundbar — $248 $299.99 (save $51.99)

• Samsung Music Frame — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• LG S70TR Soundbar — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• JBL 5.1 Channel Soundbar — $299.99 $599.99 (save $300)

• Samsung S700D Soundbar — $327.99 $497.99 (save $170)

• Samsung HW-Q600C Q Series Soundbar — $329.99 $599.99 (save $270)

• Sony HT-A3000 Soundbar — $428 $599.99 (save $171.99)

• TCL Q85H Q Class Soundbar — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)

• Samsung HW-QS730D Q Series Soundbar — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)

• Sony Bravia Theater Bar — $648 $849.99 (save $201.99)

• LG S95TR Soundbar — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)

SAVE UP TO 49%: Lego sets like Minecraft The Sword Outpost and Lego Creator Expert Winter Village Fire Station are on sale at Walmart’s early Black Friday sale.

Best Lego early Black Friday deals at Walmart: Best Lego gift set Lego Minecraft The Sword Outpost Building Set $30.00 (Save 33%) Get Deal Best Lego set for adults Lego Technic Bugatti Bolide Race Car Model Building Set $25.00 (Save 37%) Get Deal Best Lego Creator deal Lego Creator Expert Winter Village Fire Station $179.99 (Save 23%) Get Deal Best Lego deal for kids Lego Friends Autumn’s Horse Stable Building Set $30.00 (Save 49%) Get Deal

Lego is a cross-generational classic. With original sets and franchise features, the Lego universe is full to the brim with snappable fun.

There’s no better time to add to a Lego collection than during Walmart’s early Black Friday sale. Whether you’re shopping for a Minecraft-obsessed kid, or you’re an engineer with a taste for Technics, Lego has kits available with the right level of complexity — and price.

Here are some of the best Lego deals available at Walmart as of Nov. 13:

Best Lego gift set Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Minecraft The Sword Outpost Building Set $30.00 at Walmart
$44.99 Save $14.99 Get Deal

If you're shopping for a youngster buzzing over the Ender Dragon or you’re a Minecraft veteran yourself, then the Lego Minecraft The Sword Outpost Set is the perfect gift. With 427 pieces, this set is simple enough for a kid and comes with recognizable Minecraft characters like a skeleton archer, creeper, and pig. Get it now and save 33%.

Best Lego set for adults Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Technic Bugatti Bolide Race Car Model Building Set $25.00 at Walmart
$39.99 Save $14.99 Get Deal

Lego Technics make Legos fun for adults, too. This Bugatti Bolide Race Car Model Building Set builds a Bugatti supercar with classic snap-together technic design. With 905 pieces, it’s a good challenge for kids 9 and up or for adults. With a steering system and W16 engine, it’s an exploration into the basics of car design. Take advantage of this deal to save 37%.

Best Lego Creator deal Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Creator Expert Winter Village Fire Station $179.99 at Walmart
$234.95 Save $54.96 Get Deal

Bring on the complexity! The Lego Creator Expert Winter Village Fire Station sets a full winter scene. This 1,166-piece set comes with a classic village fire station, adorned with garlands and a flag. A statue dominates an outdoor fountain, while villagers sit on a park bench nearby, watching firefighters put a star on the Christmas tree.

If you’re into large display pieces, then this Lego set is a great holiday challenge that you’ll want to display yearly. Additionally, it’s the type of set that creators will want to take apart and reconfigure a million different ways. Get this deal and save 23%, or $54.96.

Best Lego deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Friends Autumn’s Horse Stable Building Set $30.00 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $29.99 Get Deal

A heartwarming scene, the Lego Friends Autumn’s Horse Stable Building Set creates a cute barnyard scene. Right now, it’s available for 49% off. Built in fall foliage tones, the stable has space for two horses. Both a horse-drawn carriage and a riding set are included, with two riders.

A new leak from an unexpected source suggests Apple might be releasing iOS 18.2 on Dec. 9.

Apple Intelligence is the tentpole of the latest iPhone software update. But Apple has been slow to release some of the flagship AI-powered features that come with iOS 18 like ChatGPT integration and the new and improved Siri. So far, iOS 18.1 has brought us some Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools, audio transcriptions in Notes, and the Clean Up tool in Photos. But the splashier features, like Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration with Siri are expected with the next update, iOS 18.2.

Some Apple Intelligence features are available for early testing

We have a preview of iOS 18.2 through the developer beta, which is currently live. But now we might have the exact date of the public release.

This report comes from MacRumors, which connected the dots based on a notice from British mobile carrier EE. The carrier told customers that its "shared number service on MacBooks and iPads" would be discontinued on Dec. 9, meaning Wi-Fi calling from Macs and iPhones won't be supported.

MacRumors dug into the iOS 18.2 developer beta and found specific carrier settings for EE, which removes the "Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices" toggle under the WiFi Calling section.

Since the iOS 18.2 developer beta mentioned EE carrier settings, and EE mentioned those settings in conjunction with Dec. 9, it's reasonable to infer that the public release of iOS 18.2 might be that date. Very good sleuthing indeed.

Unfortunately, this predicted release date clashes with another from the reliable Mark Gurman at Bloomberg.

Tweet may have been deleted

Gurman's sources say the iOS 18.2 public release will be a week earlier, the week of Dec. 2. Either way, we won't have to wait long to find out.

SAVE $30: As of Nov. 13, get an Xbox wireless controller in three colorways for $34.99, down from $64.99, at QVC when you use promo code HOLIDAY30. That's a discount of 49%.

Opens in a new window Credit: QVC Xbox wireless controller (Velocity Green) $34.99 at QVC
$64.99 Save $30.00 Use code HOLIDAY30 Get Deal

If you spend a lot of time gaming, there's one accessory you can never have too many of: controllers. There are tons of reasons why you might need more than one (or even two), including controller drift, new color releases, and general griminess. And maybe you're starting to feel a little badly about giving all your guests the third-party controller that's just a little worse to play with than the official option. Whatever the case may be, you can snag a new Xbox controller today for a great price thanks to this early Black Friday deal.

As of Nov. 13, you can get an Xbox wireless controller in Velocity Green from QVC for $34.99 when you use promo code HOLIDAY30. That's a discount of $30, or 49% off. Keep in mind that you will need to be a new QVC customer to be eligible for this deal, and you will need to make an account, even if you plan on shopping as a guest. You will need to enter your payment details before you're able to enter the promo code, which can be used on the final page before submitting your order.

SEE ALSO: Score $320 off a curved gaming monitor in Walmart's early Black Friday sale

The Velocity Green color is a fun, bright option (and a great way to keep brat summer alive) that gives the original white and black options a run for their money. It's a standard yet versatile controller that you can use with all Xbox consoles, from the Series X to the Xbox One and Windows devices as well. It even makes a great Steam controller. It also has a hybrid D-pad with textured grip and a Share button built-in so you can take screenshots and send or share them with others.

Grab one or a few to have on offer if something happens to the one you have; you can always keep one on reserve and charging while you game with another.

After spending several weeks in the shadows while the other big retailers duked it out for the early Black Friday announcement spotlight, Amazon finally announced dates for its end-of-November schedule on Nov. 13: Amazon's Black Friday event will start on Thursday, Nov. 21, and run through (Cyber) Monday, Dec. 2, with new deals dropping every day.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is already going hard with QLED TV deals ahead of Black Friday

As a refresher, actual Black Friday is on Nov. 29 in 2024. That two-week window for Black Friday shopping seems more than adequate until you remember that Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have been in their Black Friday bag since October, announcing their Black Friday calendars before Halloween and hosting early events on and off throughout November. Isn't it so casual and normal that a Black Friday event kicking off an entire week before Thanksgiving would still be considered late?

It's possible that Amazon chilled a little longer than the other retailers because it needed some extra time to regroup after October Prime Day, which happened barely a month ago. (Not that Amazon's ever been one to take a breather if there's money to be made.)

What will be on sale at Amazon for Black Friday?

This limbo period between Prime Day and the start of the sale on Nov. 21 doesn't mean there are no good deals at Amazon right now. Actually, the Prime Day that just happened provides some good intel on what record-low pricing we might see return (or be beaten) come the start of Amazon's Black Friday sale: MacBooks and the iPad Mini come to mind.

We're already seeing early robot vacuum deals, Fire tablet deals, headphone deals, and more live at Amazon in early November, including a handful of prices that match or beat record-low sale prices we saw in October for Prime Big Deal Days. In the press release, Amazon specifically mentioned these upcoming savings:

• Up to 55% off Echos, the 50-inch 4 Series Fire TV and 55-inch Omni QLED Fire TV, and Kindles

• Up to 50% off robot vacuums from iRobot, Roborock, and Shark

• Up to 45% off laptops from HP, Lenovo, and Acer

• Up to 45% off kitchen appliances from Cuisinart, Nutribullet, and KitchenAid

• Up to 40% off Dyson vacuums and air purifiers and up to 20% off Dyson hair care

The list goes on, but it's your expected heavy hitters. Check out our coverage from October Prime Day for more details on the brands and categories Amazon likes to focus on during big sale events.

What's the difference between Prime Day and Black Friday?

While much of the same stuff goes on sale for both events, the main difference between Prime Day and Black Friday is that you don't need to be a Prime member to access most of Amazon's Black Friday deals. (We can't promise that some discounts won't be under Prime lock, but the chances are much, much lower when the sale event isn't one Amazon made up for itself.) In fact, many Amazon purchases over a certain amount can still qualify for free few-day shipping — so if you can manage to not be such a last-minute shopper, you don't necessarily need to pay $14.99 per month for November and December just to get free shipping.

SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Which retail giant has the best deals?

Toy deals and TV deals are two categories likely to pop off a little harder at Amazon for Black Friday than they did for Prime Day. Amazon will still prioritize its own Fire TVs, of course, but it's much more likely to throw other, more premium TV deals (like Samsung's The Frame) into the mix. Amazon did drop tons of record-low Lego deals during Prime Day, so expect those to make a return. Other toys in the spotlight (as mentioned by the press release) include up to 50% off Disney, Marvel, American Girl, Hot Wheels, Barbie, Fisher-Price, and Star Wars.

And remember: Prime Day might officially be Amazon's thing, but Black Friday is every store's thing. A lot of good deals at Amazon might exist (or be better) at another retailer, and other stores might have better deals selections in categories where Amazon has slim pickings.

Pro tip: Don't forget to check Amazon price history before buying

To confirm whether a deal at Amazon is "good" or not, you can paste the listing URL into Amazon price history tracker Camelcamelcamel to see how low that item's price has dropped in the past.

Cross-checking price history on Camelcamelcamel or the product's MSRP listed on that brand's official website is a smart habit to get into — Amazon has a habit of inflating some list prices to make discounts look much steeper than they are. Speaking of shopping cautiously at Amazon, all of our same tips about avoiding products sold or shipped by third-party sellers still apply (especially on big tech investments like laptops and TVs).

Did a fun event involving cute dogs turn into a pump-and-dump scheme?

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Nov. 13: OUR TOP PICK Samsung Galaxy Buds FE $59.17 (save $40.82) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Fitbit Sense 2 $179.95 (save $70) Get Deal BEST GAMING DEAL $250 PlayStation Store Gift Card $225 (save $25) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $21.99 (save $28) Get Deal

Black Friday at Amazon technically doesn't start until Nov. 21, but in typical Amazon fashion, there are already plenty of deals worth grabbing. If you want to start your holiday shopping and save some money, you don't need to wait around. We've rounded up a few of our favorite deals on top brands — like Samsung, Fitbit, and Amazon's own devices — on Nov. 13 to help you kick things off.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Don't see anything that sparks your interest? Check out our picks from yesterday, Nov. 12. Many of those are still live, including a record-low price on the Apple AirTags four-pack.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds FE $59.17 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.82 Get Deal

The very good Samsung Galaxy Buds FE just keep getting cheaper. Earlier this month they dropped down to just $59.99 from $99.99. As of Nov. 13, however, they've hit a new low price by a few cents. Snag a pair for just $59.17 at Amazon and save 41%. "The sound quality from the Galaxy Buds FE is unmatched for earbuds at this price range," Mashable reporter RJ Andersen wrote in her review of the Samsung buds, adding that even Apple users should consider them. They also offer excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and solid battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $179.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Fitbit's most advanced smartwatch, the Sense 2 does all the things you'd want a smartwatch to. It tracks things like sleep, altitude changes, bloody oxygen levels, ECG, skin temperature, and more. It has over 40 built-in exercise modes to keep up with your training or workout routine, whether you're a runner, skier, cyclist, paddleboarder, or anything in between. It also lets you take calls, use Google Maps, tap-to-pay, receive emails, and other alerts. It's regularly $249.95, but as of Nov. 13, it's on sale for just $179.95. That's 28% in savings and matches its Prime Day price.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation $250 PlayStation Store Gift Card $225.00 at Amazon
$250.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

Whether you're looking for a gift for a gamer in your life or want to take advantage of a discount at the PlayStation Store yourself, this $250 gift card will go a long way. And as of Nov. 13, you'll save $25 if you're a Prime member. It can be redeemed for anything on the PlayStation Store, including games, add-ons, PlayStation Plus, and more. After your purchase, the digital code with redemption instructions will be sent to your email and be available on your Games and Software Library on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $21.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $28.00 Get Deal

For only $4 more than the typical Fire TV Stick, you can get the Fire TV Stick 4K, which does everything a little bit better. The 4K version offers supports for cinematic 4K Ultra HD, as well as support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and WiFi 6. Not to mention, it now lets you play Xbox games without a console. Snag it on sale for just $21.99 as of Nov. 13 at Amazon. That's 56% in savings and its lowest price on record.

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