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Preorder Google's TV Streamer at Amazon and the Google Store now

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:55

PREORDER: The Google TV Streamer is now available for preorder for $99.99 at Amazon and the Google Store before its September 24 release date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google TV Streamer $99.99 at Google
Available for preorder Pre-Order Here

Google just dropped a brand-new streaming device called the Google TV Streamer, and you can pre-order it now for just $99.99. This new tech is meant to replace Chromecast as Google's go-to streaming option and acts as a central hub for your Google Home and other Matter devices.

It uses Google's AI assistant, Gemini, to give you personalized entertainment recommendations based on your preferences and what you're already subscribed to. (So you don’t have to spend 15 minutes scrolling to figure out what to watch.) You can also check out detailed summaries and reviews before committing to a new show.

SEE ALSO: Chat GPT-4, Gemini Pro, MistralAI, and more join forces in this AI tool

With just a click or voice command, you can turn your TV into a digital photo frame, check your security cameras, or even control other smart devices in your home, like the thermostat and the lights. (Of course, you’ll need to have those devices set up and linked to your Google account ahead of time.)

The Google TV Streamer comes in two colors, Porcelain and Hazel, and it has a voice search feature to help you find it if it gets lodged between the couch cushions.

With Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR support, the Google TV Streamer is designed to give you an even better, more personalized viewing experience than other streamers. It also has 32GB of storage, so you won’t have to worry about deleting apps and downloads to make room for more.

Amazon deal of the day: Our favorite iPad for most people is back at a record-low $229

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:36

Check out the best Amazon deals on August 7:

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Apple iPad, 9th generation (WiFi, 64GB) $229 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth speaker $69.11 at Amazon (save $30.88) Get Deal BEST FITNESS DEAL TheraGun Prime $209 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Soundcore P30i noise-cancelling earbuds $29.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

If you don't feel like waiting until October for the next Prime event, we've rounded up a few of the best deals you can shop at the mega retailer right now. Honestly, the deals are pretty good for a random Wednesday in August, with devices from Apple, Therabody, and Anker running the show.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Aug. 7. And be sure to check back at our picks from Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 as well, since many of those are still live.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation (WiFi, 64GB) $229.00 at Amazon
$329.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The ninth generation iPad is not only the most affordable tablet from Apple (even at full price), but it's also our favorite tablet for most people. Hailing from 2021, it's obviously not the newest tech, but it's still an excellent value. It has all the specs most people are looking for in an iPad, including the A13 Bionic chip, a 10.2-inch Retina display, and up to 10 hours of battery life that'll help you power through basic tasks. When it's not on sale, it retails for $329 ($20 cheaper than the 10th generation iPad), but the current discount drops it down to just $229. That matches it record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth speaker $69.11 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.88 Get Deal

At 31% off, this hi-res, waterproof Bluetooth speaker with over 12 hours of battery life is practically a steal. The Motion+ packs customizable EQ controls, enhanced sound dispersion, Qualcomm aptX for lossless audio, BassUpTM technology, and an ultra-wide frequency range all in a compact package. It's regularly $100, but you can grab it for just $69.11 as of Aug. 7. That's its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Therabody TheraGun Prime $209.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $90.00 Get Deal

With four attachments and five speeds, the TheraGun Prime has the power to massage any area like a pro. And thanks to its patented triangular design, you can reach more of your body than other massage guns. It's regularly $299, but this back-to-school discount drops it down to just $209 for a limited time. That's 30% in savings and its lowest price this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore P30i noise-cancelling earbuds $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

If you're searching for noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank, the Soundcore P30is offer a whole lot of bang for your buck. They feature auto-adjusting or manual noise cancellation as well as transparency mode, up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case (or 30 with ANC turned on), and deep, punchy bass. The charging case also doubles as a phone stand for when you're on the go. Usually $50, you can pick up a pair on sale for just $29.99 as of Aug. 7. That's 40% in savings and the lowest price on record.

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

Legion Go Lite: Lenovo appears to accidentally leak new Steam Deck rival

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:30

Lenovo may have a new version of the Legion Go in the works.

As spotted by Reddit user methylmorphia, and further reported on by VideoCardz, Lenovo may have let slip that a smaller version (or two) of the Legion Go handheld gaming PC is coming soon. An FAQ section of the Legion Go page on Lenovo's website was updated at some point to reference a version of the device with a 7-inch display, two fans, and an HDMI port.

SEE ALSO: Asus ROG Ally X review: 3 ways it beats the Steam Deck

The reason this is noteworthy is that the original Legion Go featured an 8.8-inch display, only one fan, and no HDMI port. Based on the limited information in the FAQ, it’s unclear what other differences the theoretical “Lite” version of the Legion Go might have. However, notably, the original model featured Nintendo Switch-like detachable controllers, raising a key question about the smaller model: does it include these detachable controllers? Battery life, which was one of the more unimpressive aspects of the original Legion Go, is also a big question mark.

Still, more options in the burgeoning handheld gaming PC market can only be a good thing for consumers. Between the Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally X, Steam Deck OLED, and the upcoming MSI Claw, a market category that didn't really exist until 2022 is now suddenly full of choices.

Is Tinder's new AI photo feature safe?

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:23

Earlier this summer, Tinder announced Photo Selector, an AI tool to help pick out the best pictures for your dating app profile. But privacy experts warn that there may be risks associated with the tool.

Photo Selector works by taking a photo of yourself for facial recognition and allowing Tinder to see your photo roll. If you consent to this feature, Tinder gets access to your biometric data (unique physical characteristics in the selfie), and access to your on-device photos. What happens next?

SEE ALSO: Beware of AI tools being advertised on Facebook. They could be malware in disguise. Tinder's use of biometric (and other) data

The good news is, there are some privacy positives about this feature. One, as Tinder explains in its Photo Selector FAQ, is that the feature works on-device. This means that it doesn't take your photos to an external or cloud drive.

As for your biometric data, Tinder states in the FAQ that, "Tinder doesn't collect, store, access or otherwise receive any biometrics generated from your selfie video, profile photo, or photos on your camera roll. Instead, everything takes place entirely on your device, and all biometric data used as part of this feature is deleted from your device once you exit the feature."

Tinder also doesn't collect (store) all the photos on your roll. Rather, it only collects photos that you choose to put on your profile.

Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), told Mashable that the deletion of biometric data after use does mitigate risks associated with sharing this data. Still, dating app users — and people online in general — should always be cautious when sharing sensitive data like this, Mir said.

"You only have one face," they continued. "You don't want your face print to wind up in a server permanently and [be] used against you in another context." 

Sharing biometrics is currently an opt-in, consent-driven feature at Tinder. The EFF fights for strong privacy protections like this in the private business sector: The ability for consumers to choose to opt-in, that the collection of this data is limited for its intended purpose, and that users can withdraw at any time. (EFF also fights for government use to be fully banned.)

Mir questioned whether Tinder collected metadata or telemetry data, as it wasn't clear in its Privacy Policy. Metadata is "data about the data" — like how many photos are on someone's camera roll — while telemetry data is that of the processes of the app and how it runs. 

A Tinder spokesperson told Mashable that it doesn't collect telemetry data on users using the Photo Selector tool. In terms of metadata, the app collects "limited analytics data." An example the spokesperson gave was that Tinder collects data about how long the tool took to suggest photos, and how many photos were recommended. 

Another general risk Mir identified was the normalization of sharing biometrics. They advised people to avoid sharing biometrics, which would mean avoiding using this feature (and Tinder photo verification using a video selfie). 

What about the Photo Selector AI?

Field chief privacy officer at privacy tech platform Transcend — and former head of privacy at Tinder — Ron De Jesus said it was notable that Tinder didn't mention whether it trained its Photo Selector AI on user photos in its FAQ.

"There's no mention of how user personal data might be used to enhance or train that AI that's supporting the Photo Selector tool," De Jesus told Mashable. 

In the age of AI, there are concerns that big tech companies like Meta may utilize customer data to train AI models, thus producing generative content based on what humans have put online.

Tinder's spokesperson told Mashable that user photos are not used to train Photo Selector or the algorithms that power it, and that photos are recommended based on Tinder's proprietary algorithms.

This is also good news, especially in the dating app space. Singles share a wealth of their personal data when they use these apps, and sometimes their data is at risk — like when Bumble, Hinge, and other apps had to patch a location vulnerability. Ultimately, dating apps have a great responsibility because of the amount and type of sensitive data they hold, De Jesus said. It seems that, at present, Tinder is mitigating these risks.

Get Amazon devices like the Kindle Paperwhite and the Fire TV up to 40% off

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 11:23

SAVE UP TO 40%: As of August 7, Amazon devices are discounted by as much as 40% so you can save big on items like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or a Kindle Paperwhite for kids. Check out our top picks below.

Best Amazon device deals during the week of August 7 Best overall deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best back-to-school deal Kindle Paperwhite Kids essentials bundle $167.97 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series $159.99 at Amazon for Prime members with code PRIME40 (save $90) Get Deal

Not only does Amazon serve as our one-click online retailer for buying pretty much anything, they also make some solid electronic devices. The Fire TV Stick has been a staple for many of us, and it's hard to beat the incredible Kindle Paperwhite when it comes to e-readers.

If one of your tasks this week is to upgrade some tired tech in your home before back to school hits, Amazon has some serious discounts on several devices this week. Here are some of our favorite deals to grab this week.

But before we start, it's worth mentioning that some sale prices are exclusive for Amazon Prime members. To score those deals, you'll need to be signed up and logged into your Prime account, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually. Prime membership comes with some pretty great perks like access to Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping on countless items, and access to exclusive sales.

Best overall smart tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't yet have a streaming stick that can support 4K, you might be dealing with sluggish loading times. Thankfully, today's deal on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K solves that problem with snappy loading times and support for WiFi 6. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K also comes with an Alexa-enabled remote, which means you can ask Alexa to start playing your favorite show or tune into a specific channel. The remote also has four pre-programmed app buttons so you can quickly tune into your favorite streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video.

Best back-to-school deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Kindle Paperwhite Kids essentials bundle $167.97 at Amazon
$202.97 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Now that we're well into August, all eyes are on the back-to-school season. Send students off with a great e-reader by snagging the Kindle Paperwhite Kids Essentials bundle. Today's sale price of $167.97 gives you the Kindle Paperwhite Kids device with 16GB of storage space, a kid's cover, power adapter, and a screen protector. The bundle sale price knocks $35 off the price of buying these items separately.

The Kindle Paperwhite has long been the front-runner of e-books, with a screen that's designed to look like you're reading pages of a physical book. The device has a 6.8-inch screen with a glare-free design, so kids can take the reader with them to the park on a sunny day.

Amazon also added in some parental reassurance by making the Kindle Paperwhite Kids waterproof. Plus, it comes with a two-year worry-free warranty that covers accidental damage. And to make this deal even better, you also get a free year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+ which is packed with ad-free books and games for kids.

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series $159.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $90.00 Exclusive Prime member price Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon Prime members are in for a special TV deal this week. Your membership grants you eligibility to score the 40-inch Amazon Fire TV 2-Series TV for just $159.99 which means you'll get a 36% discount off the list price of $249.99. This is just $10 away from the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

If you're not a Prime member, don't worry. You can still score a discounted price of $189.99 for a 24% discount.

The 40-inch 2-Series offers 1080p HD resolution for crisp picture quality. It also comes with a Fire TV Alexa voice remote, so you can ask Alexa to replay your favorite episode or change the channel. The deal also includes TV legs should you want to set it on an entertainment center instead of mounting it to the wall.

To make this deal even better, Amazon tossed in six months of free access to MGM+ so you'll be able to stream your favorites from Hollywood.

One thing to note is that this TV doesn't support 4K resolution. If you're prioritizing getting a 4K TV, check out the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series, which is also discounted for Prime members.

More Amazon devices on sale this week:

This week's best Ninja deals: Air fryers, blenders, and more

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 10:58

Check out the best Ninja deals this week and make mealtime a snap.

Our top picks: Best air fryer deal Ninja 4-QT Air Fryer (AF101) $89.99 at Amazon (save $40 ) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja 72-oz Professional Blender (BL610) $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker (PB051SG) $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

If you’re on the hunt for new kitchen gear, Ninja’s the brand to watch this week. We’re seeing deals on everything from air fryers to blenders, and even some specialty appliances that can help streamline your meal prep and make your mornings easier.

SEE ALSO: All the best kitchen gadgets we’ve tested and loved

Here are some of our top picks for the best Ninja deals available right now:

Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja 4-QT Air Fryer (AF101) $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4 QT) is a compact air fryer that can roast, reheat, dehydrate, and air fry with little to no oil — making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying. It takes three minutes to preheat and has a temperature range of 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also dishwasher safe (the basket, crisper plate, and multi-layer rack), making cleanup easy.

More Ninja air fryer dealsBest blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja 72-oz Professional Blender (BL610) $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja 72-oz Professional Blender (BL610) can crush ice, blend frozen ingredients, and purée fresh produce in seconds. It has a 64-ounce max liquid capacity and a 1000-watt motor, so you can make just about anything, from smoothies and milkshakes to sauces and dips.

More Ninja blender dealsBest coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Our pick: Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker (PB051SG) $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker (PB051SG) is basically Ninja’s version of the Keurig, except it’s a little bit fancier. It can brew both coffee pods and ground coffee, and it has a built-in, fold-away milk frother so you can add a creamy topping to your morning brew. The reservoir holds 56 ounces of water, so you won't have to refill it as often. And, it has several brew sizes to choose from: 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce pod brew or 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, or 24-ounce grounds brew.

More Ninja coffee maker deals

9 things to pack for your epic summer road trip

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 10:52

Summer is all about packing up the car, rolling down the windows, and hitting the open road. Whether you’re beach-bound, mountain-bound, or just in it for the roadside diners, there’s something so liberating about claiming vacay days and driving out of town. 

Until you realize that the bike rack you bought doesn’t fit on your car. Or that your air mattress has a hole in it. 

Fret not, road-trippers. We’ve rounded up a quick checklist of Walmart essentials to ensure that your adventures go off without a hitch.

5 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 predictions

Mashable - Wed, 08/07/2024 - 10:42

House of the Dragon Season 2 is over, and the long wait for Season 3 — which will reportedly be going into production early next year — begins.

But with so many cliffhangers at the end of that abrupt finale, where do we go from here? What can we expect to see next?

From some more dragon claiming to a big naval battle, here are our predictions for House of the Dragon Season 3.

SEE ALSO: How 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is different from George R.R. Martin's 'Fire and Blood' 1. Rhaena will claim her dragon. It's been a long road through the Vale. Credit: Theo Whiteman / HBO

After spending the entirety of the Season 2 finale hiking cross-country, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) finally found the wild dragon that's been snacking on sheep in the the Vale. We didn't see what happened next, but it's pretty obvious where this one will go in Season 3, isn't it? Poor old Rhaena has put the work in to find this dragon, so we're guessing next season will open with yet another scaly recruit for Team Black.

2. We'll finally get the Battle of the Gullet. Be ready, Lord Corlys. Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

This one isn't really a prediction, because showrunner Ryan Condal himself has confirmed it. Talking about the show in a post-finale press conference, Condal confirmed that the Battle of the Gullet will take place in Season 3. "That event will happen very shortly in terms of the storytelling of House of the Dragon," Condal said, implying it'll be one of the earlier episodes next season.

This battle revolves around the stretch of water that's been blockaded by Team Black throughout Season 2, leading to the shortage of food in King's Landing. The Gullet essentially covers the opening of Blackwater Bay, and it's where Lord Corlys (Steve Toussaint) and his son Alyn (Abubaker Salim) are rowing to in the final montage. They'll be coming up against Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) and his new Triarchy friends when they get there.

3. We'll get to meet Alicent's third son, Daeron. There's another! Credit: Theo Whiteman / HBO

As we learned back in episode 6, Alicent's (Olivia Cooke's) third son Daeron is everything his brothers aren't (not a complete psychopath, in other words). And now his dragon has taken to wing, too! The Hightowers of Oldtown haven't featured much in the show so far — excepting Alicent's brother Gwayne (Freddie Fox) — but it seems likely that Daeron will be a new character introduced in the show's third season. Who else is going to fight back those pesky Beesburys and rescue poor old Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) from his jail cell? Not Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), because he's allegedly heading off to Harrenhal. Which brings us to our next point...

4. There's be some sort of Riverlands battle — but maybe not the big one. Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

There's got to be some kind of battle in the Riverlands, hasn't there? At this point it seems inevitable. Aemond is planning to head there on his dragon Vhagar to join Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Daemon (Matt Smith) has amassed an army at Harrenhal, and other various factions are marching off to join them both as we speak.

You could be forgiven for thinking that this will be the clash between Daemon and Aemond the show is building towards — the God's Eye moment prophesised by Helaena (Phia Saban) and possibly glimpsed in Daemon's weirwood tree vision — but we're not so sure about that. In the previously mentioned press conference, Condal described the Battle of the Gullet as "maybe the second-most-anticipated" action event in Fire and Blood. If we're going to assume God's Eye is the first, then surely we won't get both of these battles in Season 3? It seems more likely that some kind of smaller skirmish will take place in the Riverlands in Season 3, but the God's Eye battle won't happen until Season 4.

5. Rhaenyra and Alicent's plan will go wrong. Credit: Liam Daniel/HBO

At the end of Season 2, Alicent comes to Rhaenyra with a shocking proposal: Once Aemond leaves for Harrenhal, she'll let Rhaenyra enter King's Landing to claim the Iron Throne — and even let her kill her eldest son, Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Crney), as a means of ending the war. Obviously it's not going to be that simple though, is it? For one, Aegon is no longer in King's Landing — he's en route to Essos with Larys (Matthew Needham), who had the foresight to see things were about to go south quickly. Our bet? Either Alicent will cancel the arrangement when she realises Aegon is gone, or Rhaenyra will arrive and think she's been tricked. Maybe if she does enter King's Landing, though, Aemond will be forced to divert his attention away from Harrenhal and concentrate on winning back Westeros' capitol?

House of the Dragon Season 2 is now streaming on Max.

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