- Help
- Google+
SAVE UP TO 51%: Beats headphones and speakers are on sale at Amazon. Shop the Beats Studio Pro headphones for $169.99, saving $180 for 51% off.
Best Beats Deals Best Beats deal Beats Studio Pro headphones $169.99 at Amazon (Save $180) Get Deal Best earbud deal Beats Studio Buds+ $129.99 at Amazon (Save $39.96) Get Deal Best speaker deal Beats Pill $126.99 at Amazon (Save $22.96) Get DealWe're still a month out from Black Friday, so it's a little too soon to call these early Black Friday deals. However, this week is bringing a bounty of deals across categories, including marked down MacBooks and tablets. On the headphone front, Beats are offering killer deals on their entire line-up.
Beats were Apple's first endeavor into the headphone market, and while AirPods have taken the lead in popularity, we're still big fans. The Beats Fit Pro are some of our favorite workout headphones and the Beats Studio Buds+ make for a great alternative to AirPods. And while those models are on sale, the best deal comes on the Beats Studio Pro headphones.
Best Beats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro headphones $169.99 at AmazonNoise-cancelling headphones are crucial when you need to block out noisy environments or people — we all have an office yapper. However, with models topping $200, $300, or $400, making the investment is not easy. That's why we always keep our eyes peeled for big markdowns and this week, it's all about the Beats Studio Pro.
Compatible with both Apple and Android systems, the Beats Studio Pro deliver fantastic sound and incredible battery life at 24 hours with ANC and 40 hours without. They're normally $349.99, but this week, you can find them down to $169.99. That's just four cents away from its lowest price ever. That gives you $180 off for 51% savings.
More Beats dealsBeats Solo 4 — $99.99 $199.95 (save $99.96)
Beats Studio Buds — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)
Beats Pill speaker — $126.99 $149.95 (save $22.96)
Beats Studio Buds+ — $129.99 $169.95 (save $39.96)
Beats Fit Pro — $159.99 $199.95 (save $39.96)
Mac Week is officially here, and Apple's kicked it off with an iMac announcement.
As of Oct. 28, the M4 Apple iMac is available for preorder, starting with 16GB of unified memory, 256GB of storage, and an 8-core CPU and GPU for $1,299. So far, you can pre-order the Apple desktop from the Apple's online store, but we'll be updating this post as it becomes available from more retailers. The computer officially launches on Friday, Nov. 8.
The 24-inch iMac doesn't come with major upgrades from the M3 iMac, which was released almost one year ago to the date, after no M2 iMac was released in 2022. However, there are three major differences: the M4 chip, new colorways, and Apple Intelligence features the brand has been teasing out since June. On that last point, Apple also announced today that some of these features are already live for folks with more recent iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but even more will become available in December.
SEE ALSO: Every Apple Mac announcement so farLike the M3 iMac, the M4 iMac supports up to 24GB of unified memory, 10-core GPU, and sports a 4.5K Retina display. As for how their speeds compare, Apple focused on the performance difference between the M4 and M1 chip (which was two generations back on the iMac). In its press release, Apple claims the M4 iMac is up to 1.7 times faster than the previous model — in the release for the M3 iMac last year, Apple wrote the "iMac with M3 is up to 2x faster than the prior generation with M1." While it's hard to glean how the two most recent models compare, one thing is clear: They're both faster than the M1 iMac.
M4 iMac users will also get a 12MP Center Stage camera, four USB-C ports, and the ability to connect up to two 6K external displays.
GET 10% OFF: Stretch your holiday budget further! As of Oct. 28, you can get 10% off when you spend $25 or more on a wide selection of toys. Shop for birthdays, holidays, or just because. This offer ends Oct. 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spend $25, get 10% off Get DealWhether you have a big family or just a few little ones to shop for this season, a discount or two can help stretch your holiday budget.
Right now, Amazon is offering a 10% discount on $25 or more toy purchases, making it a great time to stock up on gifts for the tikes in your life. All you have to do is add the toys to your cart, and the discount will be automatically applied once you've reached the $25 threshold.
SEE ALSO: The best gifts for teenage girls, according to teenage girlsWith a wide selection of toys for kids of all ages, Amazon has plenty of options to choose from. You'll find classic board games and puzzles, like Yahtzee Classic and Twister Jr. Splash, educational toys, stuffed animals, action figures, and more. There are also a ton of arts and crafts supplies on sale, including chalk sets, coloring books, and wood-building kits.
No matter what kind of gift you're looking for, odds are you can find it and save 10% in the process.
We're exactly one month out from Thanksgiving, which means Black Friday season is creeping up on us. Honestly, though, there's no need to wait to start ticking off your shopping list. Amazon has already started dropping prices on its own gadgets. Not to mention, Apple is delivering plenty of exciting discounts. We've rounded up a few of the best deals we could find today to help you kick off your shopping.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 28. If you don't see anything that catches your eye, stay tuned the rest of the week as we select new deals each day.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 11-inch iPad Air (M2, 128GB, WiFi) $499.00 at AmazonThe M2 iPad Air saw its first price drop before it even made its official debut back in May. It's seen multiple discounts since, including on Prime Day, but none have been as big as today's $100 discount. As of Oct. 28, you can grab the 11-inch M2 iPad Air with 128GB of storage and WiFi connectivity for just $499 instead of $599. It may not be a massive design change from the previous generation, but it's definitely a welcome upgrade. As Mashable's Kim Gedeon noted in her review, "The M2 chip brings sweet energy efficiency and a performance uptick."
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at AmazonNot only did Mashable reviewer Alex Perry give the Beats Studio Pro 4.5 out of 5 stars, but he also awarded them a Mashable Choice badge of honor. Between their rich, immersive sound, solid active noise cancellation, and tremendous battery life, "It's hard to find a pair of over-ear headphones with a better all-around experience than Beats Studio Pro," he writes. Typically these headphones would run you $349.99, but you can pick them up at Amazon as of Oct. 28 for only $169.99. That's over half off and just a few cents shy of their lowest price ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $124.99 at AmazonEssentially the brain to your smart home, the Echo Hub offers a full-featured control panel with instant access to all of your smart gadgets — lights, switches, cameras, thermostat, doorbell, etc. Rather than keeping the control center locked inside of someone's smartphone, anyone can play music, stream videos, ask Alexa questions, dim the lights, see who's at the door, or adjust the temperature all from one central location. With a limited-time on-page coupon, you can snag it for only $124.99 instead of $179.99. That's 31% in savings and matches its record-low price from Prime Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) $109.99 at AmazonDesigned for your 6- to 12-year-old, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro came out last year and was marketed as Amazon's "best kids tablet yet." It features a 10.1-inch 1080p full HD display, a lightweight design, 3GB of RAM, up to 13 hours of battery life, and is 25% faster than the previous generation. Plus, of course, it includes a durable case (with a built-in kickstand) that can stand up to all of your little one's adventures (and messes). As of Oct. 28, it's back down to just $109.99 from $189.99. That's a savings of 42% and matches its all-time low from October's Prime Day.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Last week, Apple promised a week of new Mac announcements in the near future. Well, the future is now, and Apple has unveiled a new Mac device and released Apple Intelligence.
Let's not waste any time. Here are all of the announcements Apple made this week.
SEE ALSO: Remember the legendary iMac G4? Apple's smart display might look just like it Apple Mac week: Every announcement madeApple isn't disappointing with its week of announcements. Here's what we know about so far.
Apple Intelligence is out now It's here. Credit: AppleHey, remember earlier this year when Apple announced its suite of AI features? Some of those are out now.
Apple confirmed on its Newsroom blog that the first wave of Apple Intelligence features are now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you have a device in one of those product families made within the last two years or so, you now have access to features like Rewrite and Proofread, which can help you craft the perfect email. Siri has also become more conversational, while a new Photos app feature lets you erase unwanted objects from the frame using AI.
Journalists should also take note because the Notes and Phone apps now allow users to "record, transcribe, and summarize audio," per Apple's blog post. If you want to make custom AI-powered emoji, though, you'll have to wait until the next batch of features drops.
A new M4-powered iMac Pink! Credit: AppleSurprise! There's a new iMac, starting at $1,299. It runs on Apple's latest in-house M4 chip, which Apple claims gives it big performance boosts over the M1 iMac. No word on how it compares to the M3 model, though. Regardless, Apple claims it's up to 1.7x faster than the M1 model. It also comes in seven colors: silver, blue, purple, pink, green, yellow, and orange.
Apple also updated the included peripherals, such as the keyboard and mouse, with USB-C ports. Here are some other noteworthy specs:
24-inch 4.5K display
12MP front camera
16GB starting RAM, up to 32GB
Four USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports
Apple Intelligence features
All of that sounds great, but the big selling point is obviously the pink model.
This article will be updated as more announcements come in.
Save $249.01: As of Oct. 28, you can save 22% on the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. That brings the laptop down to $849.99, instead of the usual $1,099 you'd shell out.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849.99 at AmazonWe may be about to get some brand new MacBooks, but if you love scoring a great deal, looking to the year-old models is never a bad idea.
As of Oct. 28, the same Monday that Apple's SVP of Marketing Greg Joswiak teased the start of "an exciting week of announcements," Amazon dropped the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) to $849.99, putting it just 99 cents away from its lowest price ever. You'll have to clip the on-page coupon, and the deal is only available on the space gray and midnight models, but you're also saving over 20% on a MacBook that dropped seven months ago.
SEE ALSO: Best cheap laptops for 2024: Every model under $1,000 that we've tested and lovedMashable recommends the M3 Air as the best MacBook for most people, because it comes in a lightweight frame, isn't quite as much of an investment as the Pro, but still gives you plenty of processing power for everyday tasks, like browsing the web, writing, and having upwards of 15 tabs open. The M3 Air in particular allows you to connect up to two external displays, as long as the laptop itself is closed, making it a solid option for a work-from-home machine.
If you're looking for an even cheaper MacBook, you can also check out the M2 MacBook Air, which, thanks to an on-page coupon, is also on sale for its lowest price ever at $699.99.
Google is working on a AI tool that could take over your computer with a simple command. According to The Information, the tool, dubbed internally as Project Jarvis, can browse the internet and perform tasks like purchasing products and booking flights on its Chrome browser.
The tool reportedly works by taking screenshots of a computer screen and "interpreting the shots before taking actions like clicking on a button or typing into a text field," much like Microsoft's controversial Recall feature, although that is used for storing and retrieving a user's computer behavior.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI's AGI readiness team has been dissolvedA better comparison of Jarvis's capabilities is the analysis feature Anthropic launched last week for its Claude large language model (LLM), which can write and run JavaScript code. However, unlike Claude, which is tailored to programmers for operating software applications, Jarvis is reportedly browser-based, which one could imagine being marketed towards a more mainstream audience for shopping, booking flights, and various productivity tasks.
Enhancing productivity and automating certain mundane tasks is the direction Google has taken many of its AI products in search of killer use cases. Google has AI features for Workspace apps like summarizing and writing text in Gmail and Docs, but the competition has been fierce. Google has lagged behind OpenAI, which recently launched a purported reasoning model called o1 that might soon evolve to have more autonomous web-browsing capabilities.
According to the report, Project Jarvis might launch in December with the release of the latest version of its Gemini LLM.
SAVE UP TO 54%: This week, shop major savings on tablets at Amazon. Find deals like the Apple iPad 9th generation for $199.99, saving $129.01 for 39% off or the Amazon Fire 7 Kids for just $59.99, knocking $70 off the price for 54% savings.
Best tablet deals Best tablet deal Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13 chip, 64GB, Wi-Fi) $199.99 at Amazon (Save $129.01) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet $59.99 at Amazon (Save $70) Get Deal Best Samsung tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus $169.99 at Amazon (Save $50) Get DealWith Black Friday around the corner, we're hunting down the early deals to make the holiday shopping season a little bit easier. Whether you plan on shopping in-person or online, it never hurts to browse to find the best early deals.
Tablets are having a moment this week, with deals on Amazon Fire tablets, Apple iPads, and Samsung tablets all coming in real hot. Tablets are up to 39% off, and you can find deals under not just $200, but under $100, too. Here are all the best tablet deals this week.
Best tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13 chip, 64GB, Wi-Fi) $199.99 at AmazonApple iPads have become the go-to tablet, and for good reason. Even older models, like the 9th Generation iPad, are still zippy thanks to the A13 chips that power them. Compatible with the first generation of Apple Pencil, you can use the tablet for work and play as you can illustrate, read, stream, and navigate the internet all from this 10.2-inch tablet. Plus, it's the first iPad to dip under $200. Find it now for 39% off, saving $129.01.
More iPad dealsApple iPad Mini (A15 chip, 64GB, WiFi) — $349.99 $499 (save $149.01)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2 chip, 128GB, WiFi + Cellular) — $649.99 $749 (save $99.01)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01)
Amazon is taking us by surprise with some stellar deals on Fire tablets. The deals are back down to their lowest price ever, including on the Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet. This tablet is loaded with parental controls that prevents ad-free content and limits screen time. Plus, if it breaks within two years of purchase, Amazon replaces it completely free.
It's down to $59.99 ahead of Black Friday — its lowest price ever. That saves you $70 for 54% off.
More Amazon Fire tablet dealsAmazon Fire HD 10 tablet — $74.99 $139.99 (save $65)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet — $109.99 $189.99 (save $80)
Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet — $139.99 $229.99 (save $90)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)
Google Pixel tablet — $319 $399 (save $80)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE — $326.53 $449.99 (save $123.46)
Disclaimer: Since this is a review-in-progress, the final score is subject to change.
It’s been 12 excruciating, miserable years, but BioWare has finally made a pretty good video game again.
And if “pretty good” is all Dragon Age: The Veilguard is, then so be it. This is not a generational RPG on the same level as Baldur’s Gate 3, nor does it reach the modern BioWare heights of Mass Effect 2. But after 30 hours, I’ve settled into a largely positive rhythm with Veilguard, thanks to its mostly strong (if a little cloying) character writing, best-in-the-series combat, and a focused, dense game design philosophy that prioritizes quality over quantity in side quests.
Ah crap, I accidentally let out some evil gods Whoops! You don't look very nice. Credit: BioWare/SteamI played 80 hours of Dragon Age: Inquisition when it came out in 2014 and came away not really understanding or caring about its big twist at the end, which directly sets up this new adventure. Veilguard does a substantially better job of establishing stakes and getting you to care in the first two minutes after hitting “new game.”
That twist was that one of Inquisition’s central party members, Solas, is actually an ancient elven god with an arcane plan to perform a magic ritual that may or may not destroy the world. Veilguard’s prologue sees new protagonist Rook (who can be anyone you want them to be thanks to a remarkable character creator) trying to stop Solas from doing all of that.
Of course, things go awry, a couple of eldritch nightmare gods are unleashed upon the world, and it’s up to Rook and a group of six or seven diverse heroes to stop them. It may not be as strong as Mass Effect 2 killing the protagonist in a spaceship explosion 10 minutes into the game, but it’s an effective enough intro that gets players into the action relatively quickly.
Group therapy in the magical dimension I like the party in this game! Credit: BioWare/SteamThe A-plot in Veilguard is a perfectly adequate excuse to travel from place to place, removing nasty blight infestations and solving a variety of other problems for a variety of people. Of course, this is a BioWare game, so the real meat is in the characters, and Veilguard’s commitment to its party is one of its best qualities.
Like any other game from the studio, going to a hub area (in this case, a magical lighthouse that doesn’t exist in the tangible world) and talking your homies through their personal problems is a core part of the gameplay loop. Your mileage will certainly vary depending on your disposition, but I think this is a damn solid BioWare party.
SEE ALSO: Watch 'Baldur's Gate 3' speedrunner beat game in 4 minutes 15 secondsUnfortunately, it takes a while to see it that way. The first few hours of Veilguard are dominated by characters who, for lack of a better term, are very millennial-coded. The dwarven archer Harding, for instance, has a little bit too much of that Joss Whedon-esque snark in her dialogue that plagued Mass Effect: Andromeda. Her personal story does eventually pick up and go to some neat places, but you have to do a little digging to get there.
Later additions to the cast start out in a better spot and only improve from there. I’m particularly partial to Lucanis, a hot assassin who is possessed by an asshole demon that only he can see and hear, but pretty much everyone is worth keeping around. Others include a cynical, hard-boiled magic detective, a quirky middle-aged necromancer with an intense fear of death, and a dragon hunter with a personal journey that’s sure to resonate with a lot of players.
Having deep, personal chats with these people is easily one of Veilguard’s highlights, but it’s not without some minor problems. The total number of dialogue choices you’ll have in a given conversation is pretty low (to be fair, BioWare’s been on this path since Mass Effect 3) and conflict resolution can occasionally be a little too convenient.
To explain, I’ll just echo what a friend said to me: Everyone in this game talks like they’ve been in therapy. They’re all generally careful not to say things that could be taken the wrong way and everyone has a degree of self-awareness about their own issues that I certainly didn’t until after about five years of professional help.
At times, especially early in the game, this can make some interactions feel unnaturally easy to work through. To BioWare’s credit, though, there are at least a couple scenes of tense interpersonal strife between party members later in the game, so again, good things come to those who wait.
Veilguard feels like a response to Inquisition’s problems Minrathous is a good example of a zone that has a lot to do, but isn't very big at all. Credit: BioWare/SteamIn the minds of many, Dragon Age: Inquisition was the last good BioWare game. I am not one of those people because it was nakedly trying to chase Skyrim with nearly 100 hours of bloated, boring side content that got in the way of solid character work. The combat was also terrible, which has generally been the case in Dragon Age games.
Good news! Veilguard goes out of its way to make sure neither of those problems are present here. This isn’t a short game (I expect my finished save to come in at around 45-50 hours), but it’s one that feels intentional and focused in its design, which makes the pacing breezy and engaging after the opening chapter or two.
Inquisition’s open-world ambitions have been replaced by a series of comparatively small but incredibly dense “exploration areas,” which can feature everything from random enemy encounters to optional quests, hidden areas full of treasure, and puzzles to solve. Most fascinating is the inclusion of Metroid-style progress checks in the form of character abilities. Each party member has a specific environmental puzzle-solving power that only unlocks after they join the party, so you’re encouraged to go back to old areas and explore them further after the first sojourn into them.
While the level design doesn’t come close to Dark Souls qualitatively, the philosophy is there. These exploration areas fold in and around each other with lots of optional shortcuts to open and secrets to find. Going off the beaten path is almost always rewarding in some way, as you’re usually given high quality gear with genuinely useful bonus effects for doing so.
Stanced up. Credit: BioWare/SteamNone of this is revolutionary, of course, but it crucially gives you things to do between fights that are actually kind of fun most of the time. It doesn’t hurt that Inquisition’s bloated gear crafting system is gone, in favor of a new system in which the total amount of gear in the game is pretty small, but you gradually unlock interesting upgrades for each piece over time.
And while the last Dragon Age overflowed with side quests that typically felt like time-wasting drudgery, Veilguard’s optional missions almost always feature some kind of bespoke elements (like unique areas or even enemies in some cases) that make them feel more robust. Most impressive is that disparate side quests in one area can actually converge into one level-specific storyline, so pursuing everything so far has been fulfilling.
Companion-specific quests also return and have been fleshed out from previous BioWare efforts. Each party member has their own personal storyline that gradually develops over the course of the entire game. Sometimes they’ll ask you to walk-and-talk with them in the woods and other times they’ll ask you to do a totally unique and optional dungeon with them, but every companion activity progresses whatever that character’s arc happens to be.
It’s a compelling reason to keep returning to the hub and talking to people as often as possible. While most of the side quests follow a familiar “run to the objective marker and do whatever it says” rhythm, they at least feel like they exist for a reason other than padding out an hour count. That’s really all I ask. Plus, it’s just nice to take a walk and chat with a friend.
Who doesn’t love fighting? Ordering your buddies around works as well as ever. Credit: BioWare/SteamDragon Age is a lot of things to a lot of people. For most of my friends, it’s a dating sim that has an RPG in it. That stuff is cool, for sure, but if you happen to like crunchy, satisfying action RPG combat, Veilguard has that for days.
It doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of tactical depth a la Baldur’s Gate 3, but it’s a frenetic, skillful power fantasy at its best. Fights often require situational awareness of large arenas full of enemies casting ranged magic at you while some variety of giant brute tries to kick your ass up close. Darting around the place while awesome-looking spell effects pop off every few seconds makes for really fun encounters most of the time.
A straightforwardly good class and upgrade system helps seal the deal. You’ll choose from one of three main classes (warrior, rogue, and mage) at character creation, but each class has a large skill tree that can take you towards one of three specializations. I went with a mage and worked towards the “spellblade” specialization, which involves teleporting around the battlefield while casting lightning magic at baddies and using a dagger to create magic explosions around them. It’s incredibly fun.
Mass Effect: Andromeda may be the most embarrassing game in BioWare’s catalog, but it did introduce the primer/detonator system that helps make Veilguard’s combat sing. The way this works is that combat abilities with negative status effects attached to them can act as “primers,” while other abilities can “detonate” them to create a big kaboom that can do all sorts of things to enemies depending on how you spec out your party.
Putting together a successful three-person party is all about synergizing characters who can prime with other characters who can detonate, as no character can do both on their own. The only bummer here for me is that commanding your homies to prime and detonate is about as far as the tactical depth goes on the default difficulty. You can also command allies to attack specific targets, but otherwise you’re left to focus on your own survival during fights.
Veilguard doesn't have Andromeda problemsReal quick, I'd like to shout out Veilguard's general sense of polish that didn't really exist in the last couple of BioWare games.
By that, I mean that I've encountered only minor visual bugs in my 30 hours of gameplay, and absolutely nothing in the realm of glitches that impede gameplay or progress. The worst thing that happened to me was that my character's hair disappeared after a cutscene, but it came back when I rebooted the game. Compared to Andromeda, which was infamously busted at launch, Veilguard is a massive step up.
Similarly, performance is not a problem, at least on PlayStation 5. It's got quality and performance modes like any other game, and they work as you'd expect. Quality mode targets and, as far as I could tell, hits 30 frames per second, while performance mode actually does an excellent job of consistently running at 60FPS. On top of that, it's just a handsome-looking game all around, with expressive lighting and cool environment design to go along with high quality character models.
Is Dragon Age: The Veilguard worth getting?I am here to tell you that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a solidly good RPG. Its character work is admirable, as are its exploration philosophy and combat acumen. Taken strictly on its merits, this is a fine game that I think will make Dragon Age fans happy.
The problem is that it’s hard to take this game strictly on its merits during a particularly active and vibrant time in the RPG genre. I don’t think Veilguard is as good as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth or Metaphor: ReFantazio, not to mention Baldur's Gate 3, which by most accounts is a generational role-playing experience.
But what I would say specifically to people who want to compare and contrast Veilguard to Baldur’s Gate 3 is: don’t. One of them was developed with seemingly consistent leadership and a coherent creative vision to go along with fan feedback via an extended early access period, while the other was made under the Electronic Arts umbrella and faced numerous public development challenges over the course of several years.
That Veilguard exists at all is something of a miracle, and that it’s the first good BioWare game in more than a decade feels nearly impossible. It may not be a new standard-bearer for the genre, but merely being pretty good feels like something of a triumph.
For more Mashable game reviews, check out our OpenCritic page.
GET $30 OFF: As of Oct. 28, you can get up to 43% off Madden NFL 25 at Amazon. Buy it for $39.99 now.
Opens in a new window Credit: Electronic Arts Our pick: Madden NFL 25 (PS5) $39.99 at AmazonIf you’re into football and have some free time on your hands, Amazon has some pretty good deals on EA Sports games right now, including College Football 25, Madden NFL 24, and Madden NFL 25.
As of Oct. 28, you can score $30 off Madden 25, bringing the price down to $39.99. This is a sweet deal on a game that came out this spring. Even if you’re not a huge football fan, this game is worth checking out at least once. (It’s available to PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC gamers.)
SEE ALSO: So your NFL team stinks: The 2025 NFL Draft online resources you need to survive“The gameplay in this year’s Madden is a more refined experience, a culmination of previous work by EA Orlando within the Frostbite Engine,” Mashable’s General Assignments Editor, Chance Townsend, writes in his review. “When stacked against the recently released College Football 25, which emphasizes fast and flashy gameplay, Madden 25 adopts a more cerebral, methodical pace that captures the essence of the pro game,” adding, “It genuinely feels like EA Orlando has perfected their use of the Frostbite engine’s animations.”
GET 50% OFF: Walmart+ is just $49 for an annual membership! This 50% off deal lasts through Dec. 2, 2024.
Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ Annual Membership $49.00 at WalmartIf you’re looking for even more ways to save money this holiday season, you may want to consider signing up for Walmart+.
Through Dec. 2, 2024, new, expired, monthly, and current Walmart+ trial members can sign up for an annual Walmart+ membership for just $49 — half the regular annual membership fee.
SEE ALSO: Walmart's multi-part Black Friday plans involve new surprise deals and extra early access for membersWith Walmart+, you can get early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping and delivery, gas discounts, and more. Whether you’re a frequent Walmart shopper or want to take advantage of the savings before holiday shopping kicks into high gear, this limited-time offer is definitely worth checking out.
Here’s a closer look at what Walmart+ has to offer and how the half-off annual membership deal works.
Walmart+ perksEarly access to deals: As a Walmart+ member, you get early access to online Black Friday deals (starting Nov. 11 at noon ET). Scoop up the best savings before they sell out!
Free delivery from your store: Get same-day delivery on groceries and more with Walmart+.
Free shipping with no order minimum: With Walmart+, you can enjoy free shipping on every order — no more worrying about minimum purchase amounts.
Fuel discounts: Save up to $0.10 per gallon at over 13,000 stations worldwide.
Other Walmart+ benefits include free online pet care through Pawp, 25% off at Burger King (plus a free Whopper with any purchase every three months), a free Paramount+ subscription, free tire repairs through Walmart Auto Care Centers nationwide, and more.
How to sign up for Walmart+To get the discount on the Walmart+ annual membership, you'll need to be a new member or have an expired or monthly Walmart+ subscription.
Here's how to sign up:
Go to walmart.com/plus
Click “Claim offer now.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your Walmart+ annual membership signup.
Remember, this deal is only good through Dec. 2, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
SAVE $20: As of Oct. 28, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max has dropped to $39.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 33% from its $59.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.99 at AmazonThere are a wide variety of streaming devices to choose from, but if you're looking for a smooth, high-quality option for your TV setup, Amazon's 4K Max Fire TV Stick can deliver. And better yet, it's currently available with a nice discount on Amazon. Normally retailing for $59.99, it's down to just $39.99 for a limited time. That's a 33% discount on list price.
This Fire TV Stick usually pops up on sale during both Prime Days and Black Friday, so it's nice to see a limited-time deal appear at a point between the two sale events. It's worth the investment, as it offers smooth 4K streaming with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos. Compared to its standard 4K counterpart, it also offers double the storage capacity at 16GB with WiFi 6E support.
SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, rankedAlongside the vast library of streaming services to choose from, you can also utilize Xbox Game Pass with this device. With an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership you can access Game Pass's massive library via cloud gaming to play through a wide variety of different games. It's a device that's sure to keep you busy from all of your favorite sources of entertainment.
As listed on Amazon's page, this is a limited-time deal, so if you've had the Amazon 4K Max Fire TV Stick on your radar now's a great time to grab it at Amazon. If you happen to miss out on this deal, though, don't worry, Black Friday is right around the corner and this deal is sure to pop up again during that sale event.
Are some of your Instagram videos lower quality than others? There's a reason for that.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri recently spoke about video quality in an AMA, confirming that Instagram video quality is dependant, in part, on views.
SEE ALSO: Why Instagram carousels sometimes start on the second slide"If something isn't watched for a long time because the vast majority of views are in the beginning, we will move to a lower quality video," said Mosseri. "And if it's watched again a lot we will re-render at a higher quality video."
Mosseri went on to say that if someone is watching on a slower internet connection, that will also result in videos being rendered in lower quality. "The goal is to show people the highest quality content that we can."
Instagram's video quality works at an aggregate, rather than an individual, level, Mosseri confirmed in a later post on Threads.
"We bias to higher quality (more CPU intensive encoding and more expensive storage for bigger files) for creators who drive more views. It’s not a binary threshold, but rather a sliding scale."
SAVE $220: As of Oct. 28, the pumpkin carving kit from imarku has dropped from $239.99 to $19.99, with the help of a 50% off coupon you can clip alongside its already massive 83% discount. That a $220 discount, making for some spectacularly spooky savings.
Opens in a new window Credit: imarku imarku Halloween Pumpkin Carving Kit $19.99 at AmazonHalloween is coming up, and if you're still hoping to carve some pumpkins for outdoor decorations, Amazon has a limited-time deal that's worth checking out. Right now, you can pick up a pumpkin carving kit from imarku for just $19.99, $220 off its list price of $239.99. That's a discount of over 90% in total, after clipping the 50% off coupon, and a fantastic deal for a set that comes with basically everything you need to get started.
This set features 10 carving knives of various shapes and sizes, 25 stencils to work with, and comes packaged in a very cute orange case with a carved pumpkin on the front. The case is helpful for carrying around all of the equipment with you, in the event of any Halloween parties, but it's the tools that really shine from this set.
SEE ALSO: Select Halloween decorations at the Home Depot are 50% off, including the 12-foot skeleton's friends and accessoriesEach one has a unique shape to help with any detailing, large or small, you want to achieve while carving. This is incredibly helpful as you can make some really fun and creative designs with your pumpkin that normal knives don't really allow for. Not to mention, with having so many tools in this pack, it works great with a group of people.
Currently, this carving set sits with a 5-star rating on Amazon. That's a very positive reception for a set like this, with many people praising the case and how well all of the tools work. If you're looking for a last-minute solution for your pumpkin carving needs, this limited-time deal is absolutely worth checking out at Amazon.
SAVE OVER $200: As of Oct. 28, the Lenovo Legion Go has dropped to its lowest-ever price. You can score it at Amazon for $499, saving you 29% on its $699.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Legion Go $499.00There are so many different handheld gaming devices to choose from right now, all with some pretty hefty price tags. But every once in a while a deal comes around that's worth checking out, especially if you've been on the hunt for your own portable gaming PC. Right now, Amazon has a great deal on the Lenovo Legion Go. It's currently available for $499, saving you over $200 on its $699.99 list price.
That's a discount of 29% and marks its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. This model comes with 512GB of storage, 16GB of RAM, an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme GPU, and AMD Radeon graphics so you can enjoy crisp, clear quality from your favorite games while on the go. On top of that, it also features a large 8.8-inch display to take in all of your favorite titles.
We had plenty of positive things to say about the Lenovo Legion Go back when it was released, too. In our review, we said that the "Legion Go can whet your appetite with its gigantic, buttery smooth display, detachable controllers, and more than adequate horsepower for running games new, old, indie, and AAA." It's the kind of device that if "you want to get a foot into the PC gaming door without committing to a way more expensive laptop or desktop PC, the Legion Go can be an ideal choice for you."
We also favored it over its competitor, the Steam Deck. In our breakdown of Steam Deck vs. Lenovo Legion Go, we came to the conclusion that the "Legion Go has a bigger and better display, more impressive internal specs, detachable controllers, and requires much less effort to play games from a variety of online storefronts. Steam Deck is a fantastic device, no doubt, but Legion Go is better in all the ways that matter if you're really serious about PC gaming."
It's true that this is a device for those who are serious about PC gaming. The price tag can still be intimidating even with a discount like this, so it's worth the investment if you've been on the lookout for a portable gaming device that can keep up with you and your favorite games. Deals like this one don't last long though, so if it has caught your eye, it's worth picking it up at Amazon before it's gone.
The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.
But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.
And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.
Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 28 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Monday, October 28, 2024:
AcrossPackers hall of famerThe answer is Favre.
The answer is Ateat.
The answer is Thicc.
The answer is Stole.
The answer is WeMet.
The answer is Fredo.
The answer is Fatter.
The answer is AtHome.
The answer is Veiled.
The answer is RaceTo.
The answer is Etc.
The answer is SWR.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintRough, deep voice.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 28 Hurdle Word 1 answerGRUFF
Hurdle Word 2 hintOnions have many of these.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 28 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerLAYER
Hurdle Word 3 hintExonerating whereabouts.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 28 Hurdle Word 3 answerALIBI
Hurdle Word 4 hintA wild plan. The Muppets had a great one.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 28 Hurdle Word 4 answerCAPER
Final Hurdle hintA rounded swelling of an otherwise flat area.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerBULGE
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, October 28, 2024:
Across[I'm SHOCKED!]The answer is Gasp.
The answer is In Other.
The answer is Stone.
The answer is Henna.
The answer is Deer.
The answer is Gosh.
The answer is In Atted.
The answer is Shone.
The answer is Penne.
The answer is Rear.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
SAVE $145: As of Oct. 28, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (128GB) is on sale for $304.99 at Amazon. That's a solid 32% off its usual $449.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung (Amazon) / Mashable Composite Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE $304.99 at AmazonHave you been waiting to upgrade to a fun and functional tablet? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is your perfect match, especially with this bargain from Amazon. Part of Samsung's 2024 lineup, this tablet is set up for multitasking, gaming, streaming, and more.
With its massive 10.9-inch display, dual speakers, and crisp 2304 x 1440 resolution, it's a personal cinema in your hands, no ticket required. The included S Pen also makes doodling, note-taking, and markup a doddle. The pressure sensitivity and form factor make for a fantastic pack-in accessory.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. Oura Ring: What are the differences?The S9 FE has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, so it's built to survive spills, sandy beaches, and wherever your adventures take you. Powered by the Exynos chipset, it can handle everything from heavy-duty apps to endless scrolling without the dreaded lag.
S9 FE sports up to 18 hours of battery life, so you can confidently leave the charger behind for a full day out. If you need to top it up during a solid streaming binge, Samsung's super-fast charging means you can carry on without this tablet giving up.
This deal covers the 128GB version in gray, giving you ample storage. If you need more, you can expand it up to 1TB with a microSD card, offering extra room in your bag without the added weight. There's a really cool "Circle to Search" function that allows you to snap a pic of a friend's shoes and circle them with your S-Pen so you can find them online, for example.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is available in various colors: Gray, Lavender ($499), Mint ($497), and Silver ($599.99). Still, this tablet's Grey 128GB model is availabel with the best deal. Snap one while you can, people.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...