Last month, a proven leaker revealed that Apple has tested the ability to connect four HomePods to an Apple TV 4K for surround sound, with the HomePods intended to be arranged in front-left, front-right, rear-left, and rear-right positions. Now further evidence of this functionality has surfaced ahead of an announcement from Apple.


First, the same leaker known as "pdfu" has uncovered additional code related to a four-HomePod surround sound system in the latest beta of audioOS, which is Apple's internal name for the HomePod's operating system. For example, on the third audioOS 27.2 beta, he said that "Siri can match a speaker to its surround system."

Second, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered that the third beta of macOS 27.2 contains two new SF Symbols depicting a group of four speakers in a room. While the HomePod is not mentioned in the names of the symbols, one of them appears to show a basic top-down view of HomePods, and the other mentions that the four speakers are part of a home theater setup. The timing of these symbols being added by Apple suggests they could be related to the rumored four-HomePod surround sound functionality.


Apple plans to unveil new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K models on Tuesday, October 13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, while he said that the full-sized HomePod will be updated "eventually." However, it is unclear if this surround-sound functionality will require new HomePods. The leaker "pdfu" previously said that Apple tested two different setups, including four second-generation HomePods, and two second-generation HomePods in front positions paired with two unreleased speakers in rear positions.

It is also unclear if any existing Apple TV 4K models will support four HomePods, or if the functionality will be limited to the upcoming model.

Currently, you can set two HomePod or HomePod mini speakers as the default audio output on all Apple TV 4K models for stereo sound.

With new HomePod and Apple TV models on the horizon, and all of the mounting evidence across Apple's software code and symbols, it seems likely that Apple will unveil this new functionality fairly soon, barring any last-minute issues.

In an electric car, the (enormous) battery is a major part of the price. If electric car prices are decreasing, battery costs must be decreasing, because it’s not like the cost of fabricating rubber, aluminum, glass, and steel into car shapes can decline that much,

In an electric car, the (enormous) battery is a major part of the price. If electric car prices are decreasing, battery costs must be decreasing, because it’s not like the cost of fabricating rubber, aluminum, glass, and steel into car shapes can decline that much, right?

On an electric scooter, though, the effect of battery price has to be even more dramatic because scooters are such lightweight, compact, and simple machines. They aren’t much more than a battery and an electric motor to begin with. Remember the Zappy electric scooter from twenty years ago?

What killed the electric scooter back then is the same thing that killed the electric car of year 2000: terrible lead-acid battery technology. It’s too heavy, it lacks power, it doesn’t have enough range, it takes too long to charge. These are all different ways of saying the same thing: the battery sucks. It wasn’t until Lithium Ion batteries matured that both the electric car and the electric scooter – and pretty much electric everything, if you think about it – became viable.

Thus, one way to see if Lithium Ion battery prices are indeed generally dropping independent of all other manufacturing concerns is to examine the cost of electric scooters over the last few years. Let’s consider one of the most popular models, the Xiaomi Mi M365:

This graph only shows roughly two years, from January 2018 to now; it looks like the original price for the Xiaomi M365 when it hit the US market in early 2017 was around $800. So the price of a popular, common electric scooter has halved in three years. Very good news indeed for electric vehicles of all types!

This dramatic drop in electric scooter price from 2016 to 2019 may not be surprising versus the parallel rise of the quasi-legal electric scooter smartphone app rental industry over roughly the same time period, in the form of Bird, Lime, Skip, Spin, Scoot, etc.

Early versions of Bird scooters were actual Xiaomi M365s, slightly modified for rental. Only by late 2018 had they migrated to custom built, ruggedized scooters optimized for the rental market. The rental industries have their own challenges, and ironically have started to pivot to monthly rentals rather than the classic 15 cents per minute.

Bird has experimented with its business model in recent months. In early March, the company altered its repair program in Los Angeles, which had relied on gig workers to fix broken scooters. It moved repairs in-house (though scooters are still charged each night by an army of gig workers). Later that month, the company introduced scooters with locks in some markets, in a bid to prevent theft and vandalism.

In April, it announced the launch of a more traditional rental program in San Francisco and Barcelona, in which users could pay $25 per month to rent a Xiaomi m365 from the company rather than paying per ride.

But this isn’t meant to be a blog entry about the viability of scooter rental company business models.

I want to tackle a more fundamental question: are electric scooters the future of transportation?

Even Uber, as screwed up of a company as they still are, knows cars are overkill for a lot of basic transportation needs:

We have plenty of scooters here at my house, and the family and I enjoy them greatly, but I have never actually ridden or owned an electric scooter. So I bought one. It is of course the popular, inexpensive, and well reviewed Xiaomi Mi M365.

Here’s a picture of my electric scooter inside my electric car. (I apologize that I didn’t have an electric bicycle to park next to it for maximum smugness, but you can bet your sweet electrons I’ll work on that next!)

The short version of my review is this electric scooter is incredibly fun, works great, and if you can get it for a price around $300, practically a no-brainer. I love it, my kids love it, and as long as you’re conceptually OK with the look, unlike Elon Musk, 🛴💨 then you’ll probably love it too.

I found a neat video covering the “one year later” experience of owning the scooter, and what you might eventually run into or want to tweak.

(The main thing to take away from this video is that flats super suck on tires this small, so be warned. I put Slime in my Mi’s tires out of an abundance of caution, but you could also go with solid tubeless tires – at the cost of some ride comfort – if you’re really worried.)

That’s not to say that the electric scooter experience is perfect. There are some challenges with electric scooters, starting with the biggest one: your local government has no idea how to regulate the darn things.

• Is this regulated like a bicycle? If not, why not?
• Are they allowed on the sidewalk?
• Do you have to ride them in the road, with cars… uh, depending on the speed limit?
• Do you need a driver’s license?
• Do you need a helmet?
• Are you even allowed to legally ride them in public at all outside of private property?

The answers also vary wildly depending on where you live, and with no consistency or apparent logic. Here are the current electric scooter laws in California, for what it’s worth, which require the rider to have a valid driver’s license (unlike electric bicycles) and also disallow them from sidewalks, both of which I feel are onerous and unnecessary restrictions.

One aspect of those laws I definitely agree with, however, is the 15 mile per hour speed restriction. That’s a plenty brisk top speed for a standing adult with no special safety equipment. Anything faster starts to get decidedly… uncomfortable. Consider this monster of a 1165KWh electric scooter, with dual motors and dual suspension that goes up to forty freakin’ miles per hour.

That… is… terrifying. Even the reviewer, in full motorcycle safety gear, wasn’t willing to push it all the way to 40 MPH. And I don’t blame him! But now that I’ve shown you the undisputed Honda Civic everyman budget model of electric scooter in the M365, hopefully this gives you a taste of the wider emerging diversity in these kinds of minimalistic electric vehicles. If you want a luxury electric scooter, an ultralight electric scooter, a rugged offroad electric scooter… all things are possible, for a price.

Another reason the M365 is available for so cheap is that is successor, the Xiaomi M365 Pro, was recently released, although it is not quite possible to obtain in the US at the moment.

Having ridden my M365 a fair bit, I can confirm all the Pro improvements are welcome, if incremental: bigger battery and disc brake, more power, better display, improved latch mechanism, etc.

None of those Pro improvements, however, are worth a 2× increase in price so I’d recommend sticking with the M365 for now because its value proposition is off the charts. Did I mention there’s a Bluetooth connection, and an app, and it is possible to hack the M365 firmware? Pretty cool how electric vehicles are inherently digital, isn’t it?

Here are a few other observations after riding my M365 around a fair bit:

• Please be respectful around pedestrians. Most of the sidewalks around here are not busy at all, but the pedestrians I encountered on the electric scooter were definitely more freaked out than I’ve seen before when using regular kick scooters (or skateboards) on the sidewalk, which did surprise me. An electric scooter has more heft to it, both physically at 26 pounds, and in the 15 mile per hour speed it can reach – but also mentally in terms of how it looks and how people approach it. I recommend slowing down to just above walking speed when encountering pedestrians, and if there is a bike lane available, I’d definitely recommend using that.
• Hills work great. The kryptonite of traditional kick scooters is hills, and I’m pleased to report that even with a cough sizable adult such as myself riding, I was able to sustain a respectable above-walking speed on most reasonable hills. Where I looked at a hill and thought “this probably should work,” it did. That’s impressive, considering this isn’t the upgraded Pro model with bigger battery and more powerful motor. On flats and downhills the performance is superb, as you’d expect. That said, if you are a really big or tall adult, or live in a particularly hilly area, wait for the Pro model or an equivalent.
• Portability is good, but borderline. At ~26 pounds, the electric scooter is reasonably portable, but it’s not something you a) could really get away with taking inside a restaurant / store with you to prevent theft or b) want to be carrying around on your person for any significant length of time. It’s not nearly as nimble or portable as a kick scooter, but that’s a high bar. You’ll need to carry a bike lock and think about how to lock your scooter on bike racks, which turned out to be… more geometrically challenging than I anticipated due to the small tires, disc brakes, and the engine in the front wheel. They need more obvious locking points on the chassis.

To be honest with you I’m still bitter about the whole Segway debacle. There was so much hype back in the day. That ridiculous thing was supposed to change the world. Instead, we got… Paul Blart Mall Cop.

A Segway was $5,000 at launch in 2001, which is a whopping $7,248 in inflation adjusted dollars. Here in 2019, cheap $200 to $300 electric scooters are basically the transformational technology the Segway was supposed to be, aren’t they? Are electric scooters the future of (most) transportation? I’m not sure, but I do like where we’re headed, even if it took us twenty years to get there.

Sony’s open-ear, clip-on earbuds are at their lowest price ever for October Prime Day.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The October Prime Day sale is officially here, and the best deals on headphones, fitness tech, and other essentials from premium brands are popping up all over Amazon. Right now, these Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds are down to $158 (originally $229.99), an all-time low according to price tracking tools.

Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds

$158.00 at Amazon

$229.99 Save $71.99

Get Deal

Get Deal

$158.00 at Amazon

$229.99 Save $71.99

One of the top Prime Day earbuds deals for people who dislike conventional in-ear buds, the Sony LinkBuds Clip gets praise in PCMag for crystal-clear audio and long-lasting battery life. With a lightweight clip-on design that sits outside the ear canal and lets you hear background noise like traffic or announcements, they’re a useful essential for errand runs, busy workdays, dog walks, and other settings where you don’t want total noise cancellation. An IPX4 rating can handle sweat and light rain, while multipoint pairing lets you stay connected to devices without constant re-pairing. 

The earbuds last up to 37 hours and offer nine hours of continuous use per charge, far more than the AirPods 4 with ANC, which last five hours with ANC off and four with it on. A three-minute charge provides around an hour of playback. The app makes the sound heavily customizable, and while sound quality is robust and impressive, it’s not quite as bass-forward as in-ear buds.

Though they can’t overcome the limitations most open-ear designs face, the Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds are a reliable, long-lasting option for settings where you need situational awareness.

October Prime Day FAQs

How does Prime Day work?

Prime Day lets Prime Members shop online for thousands of products with big discounts. It only lasts two days, so make sure you check out everything we know about the sale before it starts.

Is Prime Day only for Prime Members?

Yes, you will need to be a Prime Member to shop the exclusive sales during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. Prime membership starts at $14.99 per month.

What goes on sale on Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Setapp, CleanMyMac, and Eney take everyday Mac work off your hands without adding one more thing to manage.

The work you actually sat down to do rarely gets interrupted by something dramatic. It gets interrupted by housekeeping—a quick fix here, a quick lookup there, each one small enough to feel harmless and just long enough to break your focus.

This is true for freelancers, founders, designers, and developers. But it’s also true for work-from-home employees and busy people in general. And it’s not that any of these tasks are difficult (which almost makes them more annoying); it’s that each one takes just enough time and attention to pull you away from whatever you actually sat down to do. Little interruptions may not seem like much, but they add up to a surprising amount of time spent taking care of your Mac instead of letting your Mac take care of you.

MacPaw has spent 18 years building tools that take everyday work off Mac users' hands by noticing the small stuff you've stopped noticing, and quietly handling it for you. For anyone whose Mac doubles as an office, the files, apps, and projects add up—but the upkeep shouldn't have to.

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Here’s how MacPaw’s products help you save time and frustration while using your trusty Mac computer.

The cleanup you keep putting off

When storage starts disappearing, you can open folders one by one, sort through old downloads, track down duplicate files, and try to uncover large files that are eating up space and collecting dust. Or, you can make that maintenance somebody else's problem.

CleanMyMac keeps everyday care in one place, so maintenance takes less of your attention. If you work with video or like to keep many applications open at once, freeing up space can help your Mac work as intended. You’ll spend less time staring at the dreaded spinning color wheel and more time getting things done.

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The small, niche task that might already have a plug-and-play solution

Sometimes you just need an app for one specific task. Maybe you need to compress a video before sending it to a client. The job itself takes two minutes, but first you have to find an app, compare your options, figure out whether you trust it, download it, and possibly even pay for yet another subscription.

Setapp cuts out much of the scavenger hunt by giving you one trusted place to look for the right app, so a two-minute task doesn't start with 15 minutes of searching, comparing, and managing software. It also makes it easy to discover time-savers and cool tricks you didn't even realize were possible on a Mac.

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The thing you did once before, but can't remember how

Splitting a PDF or trimming the first few seconds from a video isn't complicated, but if you only do it occasionally, you might still end up digging through menus or Googling it all over again. Eney is MacPaw's on-device helper for handling straightforward tasks like these. Instead of relearning the process every time, ask Eney to take care of it on your Mac.

Go on, then—forget the steps. For straightforward tasks like these, Eney can handle them on your Mac.

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Your Mac should ask less of you

There's no shortage of software promising to make you more productive, but finding, installing, learning, and managing all those tools can become another job of its own. The next time a small Mac task pulls you away from what you meant to do, see how MacPaw can help.

And there's more on the way. MacPaw is currently developing its own on-device AI stack for the Mac — an AI runtime called Elix and a memory layer called Mnemos — designed to make its products smarter, keep more of the work and your data on your Mac, and understand what you need before you have to spell it out.

Your Mac should do more for you without giving you more to manage. Explore MacPaw to see how Setapp, CleanMyMac, Eney, and other tools take everyday work off your hands.

The dream is incomplete until we share it with our fellow Americans.

The following is drawn from a speech I delivered today at Cooper Union’s Great Hall in New York City, where I joined Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman to discuss the future of the American Dream:

What is the American Dream?

In 1931, at the height of the Great Depression, James Truslow Adams first defined the American Dream as

“[...] a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. [...] not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which [everyone] shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”

I wanted to know what these words meant to us today. I needed to know what parts of the American Dream we all still had in common. I had to make some sense of what was happening to our country. I’ve been writing on my blog since 2004, and on November 7th, I started writing the most difficult piece I have ever written.

I asked so many Americans to tell me what the American Dream personally meant to them, and I wrote it all down.

Later in November, I attended a theater performance of The Outsiders at my son’s public high school – an adaptation of the 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton. All I really knew was the famous “stay gold” line from the 1983 movie. But as I sat there in the audience among my neighbors, watching the complete story acted out in front of me by these teenagers, I slowly realized what “stay gold” meant: sharing the American Dream.

We cannot merely attain the Dream. The dream is incomplete until we share it with our fellow Americans. That act of sharing is the final realization of everything the dream stands for.

Thanks to S.E. Hinton, I finally had a name for my essay, “Stay Gold, America.” I published it on January 7th, with a Pledge to Share the American Dream.

In the first part of the Pledge, the short term, our family made eight 1 million dollar donations to the following nonprofit groups: Team Rubicon, Children’s Hunger Fund, PEN America, The Trevor Project, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, First Generation Investors, Global Refuge, and Planned Parenthood.

Beyond that, we made many additional one million dollar donations to reinforce our technical infrastructure in America – Wikipedia, The Internet Archive, The Common Crawl Foundation, Let’s Encrypt, pioneering independent internet journalism, and several other crucial open source software infrastructure projects that power much of the world today.

I encourage every American to contribute soon, however you can, to organizations you feel are effectively helping those most currently in need.

But short term fixes are not enough.

The Pledge To Share The American Dream requires a much more ambitious second act – deeper, long term changes that will take decades. Over the next five years, my family pledges half our remaining wealth to plant a seed toward foundational long term efforts ensuring that all Americans continue to have the same fair access to the American Dream.

Let me tell you about my own path to the American Dream. It was rocky. My parents were born into deep poverty in Mercer County, West Virginia, and Beaufort County, North Carolina. Our family eventually clawed our way to the bottom of the middle class in Virginia.

I won’t dwell on it, but every family has their own problems. We did not remain middle class for long. But through all this, my parents got the most important thing right: they loved me openly and unconditionally. That is everything. It’s the only reason I am standing here in front of you today.

With my family’s support, I managed to achieve a solid public education in Chesterfield County, Virginia, and had the incredible privilege of an affordable state education at the University of Virginia. This is a college uniquely rooted in the beliefs of one of the most prominent Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson. He was a living paradox. A man of profound ideals and yet flawed – trapped in the values of his time and place.

Still, he wrote “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” at the top of the Declaration of Independence. These words were, and still are, revolutionary. They define our fundamental shared American values, although we have not always lived up to them. The American Dream isn’t about us succeeding, alone, by ourselves, but about connecting with each other and succeeding together as Americans.

I’ve been concerned about wealth concentration in America ever since I watched a 2012 video by politizane illustrating just how extreme wealth concentration already was.

I had no idea how close we were to the American Gilded Age from the late 1800s. This period was given a name in the 1920s by historians referencing Mark Twain’s 1873 novel, The Gilded Age, A Tale of Today.

During this time, labor strikes often turned violent, with the Homestead Strike of 1892 resulting in deadly confrontations between workers and Pinkerton guards hired by factory owners. Rapid industrialization created hazardous working conditions in factories, mines, and railroads, where thousands died due to insufficient safety regulations and employers who prioritized profit over worker welfare.

In January 2025, while I was still writing “Stay Gold, America”, we entered the period of greatest wealth concentration in the entirety of American history. As of 2021, the top 1% of households controlled 32% of all wealth, while the bottom 50% only have 2.6%. It’s difficult to find more recent data, but wealth concentration has only intensified in the last four years.

We can no longer say “Gilded Age.”

We must now say “The First Gilded Age.”

Today, in our second Gilded Age, more and more people find their path to the American Dream blocked. When Americans face unaffordable education, lack of accessible healthcare, or lack affordable housing, they aren’t just disadvantaged – they’re trapped, often burdened by massive debt. They have no stable foundation to build their lives. They watch desperately, working as hard as they can, while life simply passes them by, without even the freedom to choose their own lives.

They don’t have time to build a career. They don’t have time to learn, to improve. They don’t get to start a business. They can’t choose where their kids will grow up, or whether to have children at all, because they can’t afford to. Here in the land of opportunity, the pursuit of happiness has become an endless task for too many.

We are denying people any real chance of achieving the dream that we promised them – that we promised the entire world – when we founded this nation. It is such a profound betrayal of everything we ever dreamed about. Without a stable foundation to build a life on, our fellow Americans cannot even pursue the American Dream, much less achieve it.

I ask you this: as an American, what is the purpose of a dream left unshared with so many for so long? What’s happening to our dream? Are we really willing to let go of our values so easily? We’re Americans. We fight for our values, the values embodied in our dream, the ones we founded this country on.

Why aren’t we sharing the American Dream?

Why aren’t we giving everyone a fair chance at Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness by providing them the fundamentals they need to get there?

The Dream worked for me, decades ago, and I deeply believe that the American Dream can still work for everyone – if we ensure every American has the same fair chance we did. The American Dream was never about a few people being extraordinarily wealthy. It’s about everyone having an equal chance to succeed and pursue their dreams – their own happiness. It belongs to them. I think we owe them at least that. I think we owe ourselves at least that.

What can we do about this? There are no easy answers. I can’t even pretend to have the answer, because there isn’t any one answer to give. Nothing worth doing is ever that simple. But I can tell you this: all the studies and all the data I’ve looked at have strongly pointed to one foundational thing we can do here in America over the next five years.

Natalie Foster, co-founder of the Economic Security Project, makes a powerful case for the idea that, with all this concentrated wealth, we can offer a Guaranteed Minimum Income in the poorest areas of this country – the areas of most need, where money goes the farthest – to unlock vast amounts of untapped American potential.

This isn’t a new idea. We’ve been doing this a while now in different forms, but we never called it Guaranteed Minimum Income.

In 1797, Thomas Paine proposed a retirement pension funded by estate taxes. It didn’t go anywhere, but it planted a seed. Much later we implemented the Social Security Act in 1935 . The economic chaos of the Great Depression coupled with the inability of private philanthropy to provide economic security inspired Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal government programs. The most popular and effective program to emerge from this era was Social Security, providing a guaranteed income for retirees. Before Social Security, half of seniors lived in poverty. Today only 10% of seniors live in poverty.

In his 1967 book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community, Martin Luther King Jr made the moral case for a form of UBI, Universal Basic Income. King believed that economic insecurity was at the root of all inequality. He stated that a guaranteed income — direct cash disbursements — was the simplest and best way to fight poverty.

In 1972, Congress established the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, providing direct cash assistance to low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals with little or no income. This cash can be used for food, housing, and medical expenses, the essentials for financial stability. As of January, 2025, over 7.3 million people receive SSI benefits.

In 1975, Congress passed the Tax Reduction Act, establishing the Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit benefits working-class parents with children, encouraging work by increasing the income of low-income workers. In 2023, it lifted about 6.4 million people out of poverty, including 3.4 million children. According to the Census Bureau, it is the second most effective anti-poverty tool after Social Security.

In 2019, directly inspired by King, mayor Michael Tubbs – at age 26, one of the youngest mayors in American history – launched the $3 million Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration. It provided 125 residents with $500 per month in unconditional cash payments for two years. The program found that recipients experienced improved financial stability, increased full-time employment, and enhanced well-being.

In my “Stay Gold, America” blog post, I referenced the Robert Frost “Stay Gold” poem and S.E. Hinton’s famous famous novel The Outsiders, urging us to retain our youthful ideals as we grow older. Ideals embodied in the American Dream.

Which brings us to another Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken. Our proposal to ensure access to the American Dream is to follow the path less travelled by: Guaranteed Minimum Income. GMI is a simpler, more practical, more scalable plan to directly address the root of economic insecurity with minimum bureaucracy.

We are partnering with GiveDirectly, who oversaw the most GMI studies in the United States, and OpenResearch, who just completed the largest, most detailed GMI study ever conducted in this country in 2023. We are working together to launch a new Guaranteed Minimum Income initiative in rural American communities.

Network effects within communities explain why equality of opportunity is so effective, and why a shared American Dream is the most powerful dream of all. The potential of the American Dream becomes vastly greater as more people have access to it, because they share it.

They share it with their families, their friends, and their neighbors. The groundbreaking, massive 2023 OpenResearch UBI study data showed that when you give money to the poorest among us, they consistently go out of their way to share that money with others in desperate need.

The power of opportunity is not in what it can do for one person, but how it connects and strengthens bonds between people. When you empower a couple, you allow them to build a family. When you empower families, you allow them to build a community. When you guarantee fundamentals, you’re providing a foundation for those connections to grow and thrive. This is the incredible power and value of community. That is what we are investing in – each other.

A system where there are no guarantees creates conflict. It creates inequality. A massive concentration of wealth in so few hands weakens connections between us and prevents new ones. America began as a place of connection. Millions of us came together to build this nation, not individually, but together. Equality is connection, and connection is more valuable than any product any company will ever sell you.

Why focus on rural communities? There are consistently higher poverty rates in rural counties, with fewer job opportunities, lower wages, and worse access to healthcare and education. It’s not a new problem, either — places like Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, and American Indian reservations have been stuck in poverty for decades, with some counties like Oglala Lakota, SD (55.8%) and McDowell, WV (37.6%) hitting extreme levels. Meanwhile, urban counties rarely see numbers that high. The data from the US Census and USDA Economic Research Service make it clear: if you’re poor in America, being rural makes it even harder to escape.

Rural areas also offer smaller populations, which is helpful because we need to start small with lots of tightly controlled studies that we can carefully scale and improve on for larger areas. We hope to build a large body of scientific data showing that GMI really does improve the lives, and the communities, of our fellow Americans.

The initial plan is to target a few counties that I have a personal connection to, and are still currently in poverty, decades later:

• My father was born in Mercer County, West Virginia, where the collapse of coal mining left good people struggling to survive. Their living and their way of life is now all but gone, and good jobs are hard to find.
• My mother’s birthplace, Beaufort County, North Carolina, has been hit just as hard, with farming and factory jobs disappearing and families left wondering what’s next.
• Our third county is yet to be decided, but will be a community also facing the same systemic, generational obstacles to economic stability and achieving the American Dream.

We will work with existing local groups to coordinate GMI studies where community members choose to enroll. We will conduct outreach and and provide mentorship to these opt-in study participants. It will be teamwork between Americans.

We hope Veterans will play a crucial role in our effort. We plan to work with local communities and veteran-serving organizations to engage veterans to support and execute our GMI programs – the same veterans who served our country with distinction, returning home with exceptional leadership skills and a deep commitment to their communities. Their involvement ensures these programs reflect core American values of self-reliance and community service to fellow Americans.

We’ll also partner with established community organizations — churches, civic groups, community colleges, local businesses. These partnerships help integrate our GMI studies with existing support systems, rather than creating new ones.

GiveDirectly and OpenResearch will build on their existing body of work, gathering extensive data from these refined studies. We’ll measure employment, entrepreneurship, education, health, and community engagement. We’ll conduct regular interviews with participants to understand their experience. How is this working for you? How can we make it better? You tell us. How can we make it better together?

Economic security isn’t only about individual well-being – it’s the bedrock of democracy. When people aren’t constantly worried about feeding themselves, feeding their family, having decent healthcare, having a place to live… we have given them room to breathe. We have given them freedom. The freedom to raise their children, the freedom to start businesses, the freedom to choose where they work, the freedom to volunteer... the freedom to vote.

This isn’t about ideology or government. It’s about us, as Americans, working together to invest in our future – possibly the greatest unlocking of human potential in our entire history. I do not say these things lightly. I’ve seen it work. I’ve looked at all the existing study data. A little bit of money is incredibly transformational for people in poverty – the people who need it the most – the people who cannot live up to their potential because they’re so busy simply trying to survive. Imagine what they could do if we gave them just a little breathing room.

GMI is a long term investment in the future of what America should be, the way we wrote it down in the Declaration of Independence, perhaps incompletely – but our democracy was always meant to be malleable, to change, to adapt, and improve.

I’d like to conclude by mentioning Aaron Swartz. He was a precocious teenage programmer much like myself. Aaron helped develop RSS web feeds, co-founded Reddit, and worked with Creative Commons to create flexible copyright licenses for the common good. He used technology to make information universally accessible to everyone.

Aaron created a system to download public domain court documents from PACER, a government database that charged fees for accessing what he believed should be freely available public information. A few years later, while visiting MIT under their open campus policy and as a research fellow at Harvard, he used MIT’s network to download millions of academic articles from JSTOR, another fee-charging online academic journal repository, intending to make this knowledge freely accessible. Since taxpayers had funded much of this research, why shouldn’t that knowledge be freely available to everyone?

What Aaron saw as an act of academic freedom and information equality, authorities viewed as a crime—he was arrested in January 2011 and charged with multiple felonies for what many considered to be nothing more than accessing knowledge that should have been freely available to the public in the first place.

Despite JSTOR declining to pursue charges and MIT eventually calling for leniency, federal prosecutors aggressively pursued felony charges against Aaron with up to 35 years in prison. Facing overwhelming legal pressure and the prospect of being labeled a felon, Aaron took his own life at 26. This sparked widespread criticism of prosecutorial overreach and prompted discussions about open access to information. Deservedly so. Eight days later, in this very hall, there was a standing room only memorial service praising Aaron for his commitment to the public good.

Aaron pursued what was right for we, the people. He chose to build the public good despite knowing there would be risks. He chose to be an activist. I think we should all choose to be activists, to be brave, to stand up for our defining American principles.

There are two things I ask of you today.

1. Visit givedirectly.org/rural-us where we’ll be documenting our journey and findings from the initial three GMI rural county studies. Let’s find out together how guaranteed minimum income can transform American lives.
2. Talk about Guaranteed Minimum Income in your communities. Meet with your state and local officials. Share the existing study data. Share outcomes. Ask them about conducting GMI studies like ours in your area. We tell ourselves stories about why some people succeed and others don’t. Challenge those stories. Economic security is not charity. It is an investment in vast untapped American potential in the poorest areas of this country.

My family is committing 50 million dollars to this endeavor, but imagine if we had even more to share. Imagine how much more we could do, if we build this together, starting today. Decades from now, people will look back and wonder why it took us so long to share our dream of a better, richer, and fuller life with our fellow Americans.

I hope you join us on this grand experiment to share our American Dream. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance at what was promised when we founded this nation: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of The American Dream.

Standing on the cusp of a new era powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the aviation sector is a monument to human ingenuity and mechanical expertise. For more than a century, autopilots have been an essential component of aviation. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is radically changing these systems, turning them from simple aids for flight stabilityContinue reading "Soaring to the Future: A Comprehensive Analysis of Artificial Intelligence in Aviation"

Standing on the cusp of a new era powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the aviation sector is a monument to human ingenuity and mechanical expertise. For more than a century, autopilots have been an essential component of aviation. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is radically changing these systems, turning them from simple aids for flight stability into sophisticated, intelligent co-pilots that may eventually usher in an era of autonomous flying. AI has a significant impact on many facets of aviation operations, including design, production, air traffic control, and passenger experience, but it is not limited to the cockpit.

The Power Under the Wings: Revealing AI’s Workings

The ability of computer systems to replicate human cognitive processes like pattern recognition, decision-making, and learning from large datasets is the essence of artificial intelligence (AI). These sophisticated computers take on tasks that have historically required human participation by utilizing complex algorithms and enormous processing capacity. The potential for AI technology to optimize and completely transform every aspect of aviation operations is only growing as it develops.
Particularly influential in the aviation industry are two of AI’s main subfields:

Machine Learning (ML): ML algorithms are remarkably good at learning from data without the need for explicit programming. Many uses of machine learning (ML) exist in the aviation industry, such as:

• Predictive Flight Delay Mitigation: In order to predict possible delays with remarkable precision, machine learning (ML) algorithms can examine previous data pertaining to weather patterns, mechanical anomalies, and air traffic control (ATC) procedures. This enables airlines to best use resources, reduce passenger inconvenience, and make preemptive schedule adjustments.
• Air Traffic Management (ATM) Optimization: Advanced machine learning algorithms are capable of analyzing real-time air traffic data to generate flight paths that are optimized, lessen airspace congestion, and guarantee the safe and effective passage of aircraft.
• Highly customized travel recommendations can be provided by airlines by using machine learning to examine enormous amounts of passenger data and booking patterns. Increased client loyalty and satisfaction may result from this data-driven strategy.

Deep Learning (DL): Modeled after the human brain, deep learning is a more sophisticated subfield of machine learning. Massive amounts of complex data are easily processed by DL, which makes it perfect for the following applications:

• Predictive Maintenance: By analyzing sensor data from airplanes, deep learning algorithms may identify anomalies and anticipate possible maintenance problems before they become expensive breakdowns. This proactive strategy reduces operational disruptions and guarantees the fleet’s continuous airworthiness.
• Improved Aviation Safety: Deep learning is able to locate patterns and trends in enormous flight data sets that may be linked to aviation mishaps. Airlines can use this information to put specific safety measures in place and drastically lower their accident rates.

Artificial Intelligence in Operation: Coordinating a Smooth Flight Path

Artificial Intelligence has a noticeable impact on many aspects of the aviation ecosystem, including design, production, flight operations, and passenger experience. Here’s a closer look at the particular uses:

• Design and Manufacturing of Aircraft: AI-driven design software can optimize aircraft structures for increased strength, lighter weight, and better fuel economy. Furthermore, repetitive processes in manufacturing can be automated by AI-powered robots, improving accuracy and efficiency.
• AI-assisted flight planning software can optimize flight paths for greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and faster travel times. This is known as intelligent flight operations. AI-powered autopilot systems can also manage standard flight operations, freeing up pilots to concentrate on crucial decision-making in emergency situations.
• Streamlined Airport Operations: By maximizing taxiway usage, gate distribution, and baggage handling, AI can simplify ground operations at airports. This decreases departure times, eases traffic, and improves the quality of the customer experience overall.
• Tailored Traveler Experience: AI-driven chatbots can offer immediate customer support, respond to inquiries on flights, and help with reservation modifications. AI may also customize in-flight entertainment options and provide destination recommendations based on historical traveller preferences, therefore making flying more enjoyable for passengers.

Artificial Intelligence-Powered Sky: A Future Perspective

Though the application of AI in aviation is still in its infancy, the potential for change is enormous. We may anticipate seeing even more ground-breaking applications of AI technology emerge as it continues to advance at an exponential rate, including:

• The ultimate goal of artificial intelligence (AI) in aviation is the construction of fully autonomous passenger aircraft, however this goal is not expected to materialize anytime soon. This would revolutionize air travel by lowering operating costs, boosting productivity, and maybe opening up air travel to a larger group of people.

• Next-Generation Air Traffic Management: By reducing delays and greatly expanding the airspace’s capacity, sophisticated AI systems might control air traffic with previously unheard-of efficiency.

Hyper-Personalized In-Flight Experiences: Artificial intelligence has the potential to further customize the in-flight experience by adjusting everything from lighting and cabin temperature to available food and beverages and specific passenger preferences.

These developments portend safer, more efficient, and far more customized air travel in the future. But despite the obvious advantages, there are some important questions raised by the growing use of AI in aviation:

• Ethical Concerns: Aviation AI development and application must follow the strictest ethical guidelines. It is important to give serious consideration to issues like algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the possibility of employment displacement in the aviation sector.
• The regulatory landscape must change in tandem with AI technology to guarantee its ethical and safe application in the aviation sector. Establishing public trust and confidence in AI-driven aviation systems requires well-defined policies and supervision procedures.
• Human-Machine Collaboration: Although AI has amazing potential, human knowledge will always be valuable in the aviation industry. Instead than trying to completely replace human decision-making, the goal should be to create a collaborative atmosphere where AI can support it.

Finally, AI has the potential to completely transform the aviation sector and bring in a new era of unheard-of efficiency, safety, and customisation. We can make sure that the skies of the future are safer, more enjoyable, and not only more accessible for everyone by using AI safely and ethically.

There are a lot of early laptop sales out there, but only some of them are worth your time.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

There's good news and bad news when it comes to laptop deals ahead of Amazon's October Prime Day sale. The good news: You'll find no shortage of discounts on these devices right now. The bad news? Most of those deals aren't worth your time. While you might see some massive price cuts on laptops, either the brand isn't reputable, or the machine is actually pretty old. Sure, it may technically be 40% off the original price, but that doesn't mean much when the original retail price is from five years ago.

As such, I've been searching for deals that are actually worth your money; even on sale, a laptop is a big purchase, so I don't want you to buy something that will fail you shortly after it arrives. Here's what I've found so far, including some smaller discounts on MacBooks and significant savings on specific MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. There are also some good deals on Windows laptops, for basic users and gamers alike.

M5 MacBook Air (13-inch)

If you're in the market for a new MacBook Air, you can save quite a bit by buying through Amazon. Let's start with the 13-inch model. Right now, Amazon is taking $200 off all its storage and RAM variants, but for most people, the base 16GB RAM/512GB SSD will be plenty. That means a laptop that retails for $1,299 now only costs $1,099. If you've been thinking about picking up a new MacBook, I personally think this is the way to go.

Apple MacBook Air M5 13.6" Laptop (16GB/512GB, Midnight)

$1,099.00 at Amazon

$1,299.00 Save $200.00

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$1,099.00 at Amazon

$1,299.00 Save $200.00

M5 MacBook Air (15-inch)

While Apple wants you to spend $1,499 on the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air, Amazon will take $200 off that price. That's also true if you opt for the model with 24GB RAM, but the 15-inch MacBook Air's base model will be plenty of computer for most people. With it, you get Apple's M5 chip, a 15.3-inch display, 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM.

M5 MacBook Air (15-inch)

$1,299.00 at Amazon

$1,499.00 Save $200.00

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$1,299.00 at Amazon

$1,499.00 Save $200.00

M5 MacBook Pro

If you're looking for a more "premium" MacBook without spending upwards of than $2,000, the M5 MacBook Pro might be the move. It uses the same M5 chip as the MacBook Air, but comes with the hardware perks of the Pro line, including a 14.2-inch mini-LED display, built-in fans, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. It offers the best of both MacBook worlds, but at a better price than the Pros: Right now, Amazon will sell you one with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $1,839, $160 off the retail price of $1,999.

M5 MacBook Pro (14-inch)

$1,599.00 at Best Buy

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Get Deal

$1,599.00 at Best Buy

M5 Pro MacBook Pro

If you need more power, you'll find great deals on Apple's Pro MacBooks as well. The cheapest option right now is the M5 Pro with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which Amazon currently sells for $2,299, but you'll find other M5 Pro models have been discounted. That includes the upgraded M5 Pro with an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, which Amazon is selling for $2,699, or $500 off its retail price. If you're looking for a larger display, the 16-inch model is currently $2,749, or $250 off, while the upgraded model with 48GB of RAM, an 18-core CPU, and a 20-core GPU is $300 off at $3,299.

M5 Pro MacBook Pro (14-inch)

$2,299.99 at Amazon

$2,499.00 Save $199.01

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$2,299.99 at Amazon

$2,499.00 Save $199.01

M5 Max MacBook Pro

If you want the best Apple has to offer, there's M5 Max. These laptops are anything but cheap, even with their pre-October Prime Day discounts, but if you're already looking at these models, any deal will be appreciated. This 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro, with 36GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, is 15% off at $3,499, down $600. That's the best deal in this category. Looking at the larger models, this 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro is $3,899, down $500, for 36GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. If you upgrade to the 48GB RAM model, which adds two extra GPU cores to the mix, you'll spend $4,499, also $500 off the list price.

M5 Max MacBook Pro (14-inch)

$3,499.00 at Amazon

$4,099.00 Save $600.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$3,499.00 at Amazon

$4,099.00 Save $600.00

HP OmniBook Ultra 14

CNET's favorite overall Windows laptop, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14, is currently $500 off—at least, if you buy it through HP. You'll need to apply the discount code "PREMIUM500" at checkout, but it brings the price down from $1,819.99 to $1,319.99. That said, you can choose one of the more powerful configurations and still take $500 off, but this cheapest option comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 356H chip, 16GB of RAM, a 512BGB SSD, and a 14-inch 3K OLED display.

HP OmniBook Ultra 14

$1,319.99 at HP

$1,819.99 Save $500.00

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$1,319.99 at HP

$1,819.99 Save $500.00

Dell 15.6-inch Touchscreen Laptop

If you need a Windows laptop with a large screen that can churn through basic tasks like email, web browsing, and office work, this option from Dell might be worth your time. This machine comes with a 15.6-inch 1080p display with 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an Intel 13th Generation Core i5 chip. Its retail price of $849.99 is a bit steep for what you get, but right now, Best Buy has the laptop $380 off. For $479.99, this is a great choice for most computing needs—though if you know you'll have more demanding work, this likely isn't the machine for you.

Dell 15.6-inch Touchscreen Laptop

$479.99 at Best Buy

$849.99 Save $370.00

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$479.99 at Best Buy

$849.99 Save $370.00

Gigabyte Gaming A18

This gaming laptop from Gigabyte is a great pickup. In fact, it's PCMag's choice for the best midrange gaming laptop of 2026. The outlet praises the performance you get for the money, especially with an 18-inch display at 165Hz. It even ekes out some solid battery life, though you typically get the most out of a gaming laptop when it's plugged into power. While this Gigabyte laptop retails for $2,099.99, Amazon currently has it for 13% off that price, or a $263.01 discount.

Gigabyte Gaming A18

$1,836.99 at Amazon

$2,099.99 Save $263.00

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Get Deal

$1,836.99 at Amazon

$2,099.99 Save $263.00

Acer Swift Go 16 AI

The Acer Swift Go 16 AI has a mouthful of a name, but that doesn't mean it's not a great laptop. This is Wirecutter's favorite big Windows laptop, with a sharp 16-inch 1200p OLED touchscreen display, an Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 3 2026 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. This machine typically retails for a solid $999.99, but Best Buy currently has it $100 off. If you need a larger Windows laptop with more power than the Dell listed above, this is a great choice for $899.

Acer Swift Go 16 AI

$999.99 at Best Buy

Get Deal

Get Deal

$999.99 at Best Buy

October Prime Day FAQ

When is Prime Day in October?

Amazon Prime Day is an annual event held in June or July. Amazon's October Prime Day event, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is a two-day sale that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What goes on sale during October Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Is Prime Day once a year?

Prime Day happens every summer. Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) happens every October. Amazon's Big Spring Sale happens every spring.

Client Anandam Hospitals Sector Healthcare / Super Speciality Hospital Services Website Design, Website Development, UI/UX Design, SEO-Optimised Pages, Speciality Pages, Doctor Profiles, Appointment Booking Client Anandam Hospitals Sector Healthcare / Super Speciality Hospital Services Website Design, Website Development, UI/UX Design, SEO-Optimised Pages, Speciality Pages, Doctor Profiles, Appointment Booking About the Client Anandam Hospitals is a…

The post Anandam Hospitals Website Development: Building a Premium Digital Experience appeared first on Pixel Studios.

The post Anandam Hospitals Website Development: Building a Premium Digital Experience appeared first on Pixel Studios.

Find great deals on Amazon products, the GoPro LIT Hero, OLED TVs, TCL tablets, and more.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

As Lifehacker's deals writer, I'm always looking for the best bargains on TVs, speakers, laptops, and other tech. Now that it's Friday, I've gathered together this week's sales highlights, all of which I've vetted using my favorite price-tracking tools to make sure they are actually good deals.

This week, you can find bargains on Amazon products thanks to the early October Prime Day sale, and good discounts on the GoPro LIT Hero, OLED TVs, TCL tablets, and more.

Like-New Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB)

$319.99 at Amazon

$404.99 Save $85.00

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$319.99 at Amazon

$404.99 Save $85.00

Kindle Kids

$122.99 at Amazon

$179.99 Save $57.00

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$122.99 at Amazon

$179.99 Save $57.00

Eero Max 7 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi Router (2-Pack)

$799.99 at Amazon

$1,149.99 Save $350.00

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$799.99 at Amazon

$1,149.99 Save $350.00

Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera With Sync Module Core (Black)

$39.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $60.00

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$39.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $60.00

GoPro LIT HERO Lightweight Compact Waterproof Action Camera

$179.99 at Amazon

$269.99 Save $90.00

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$179.99 at Amazon

$269.99 Save $90.00

Ultimate Ears MINIROLL Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

$49.99 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $30.00

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$49.99 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $30.00

TCL Nxtpaper 14 256GB 14.3" Tablet With Pen and Case (Gray)

$349.98 at Amazon

$469.99 Save $120.01

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$349.98 at Amazon

$469.99 Save $120.01

Amazon Fire HD 10 10.1" Tablet (4GB RAM, 32GB, Black)

$72.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $82.00

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$72.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $82.00

Samsung 65-Inch Class S90H Series

$1,497.99 at Amazon

$1,897.99 Save $400.00

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Get Deal

$1,497.99 at Amazon

$1,897.99 Save $400.00

Acer Predator Gaming Monitor

$349.99 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $200.00

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$349.99 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $200.00

SEE 7 MORE

A refurbished Kindle Scribe is 21% off

The refurbished Kindle Scribe is discounted right now, making it a great opportunity to get one for much less than it normally costs. The 64GB model is down to $319.99 right now, and since a brand-new unit costs $449.99, the savings are significant. The smaller configurations are discounted too.

The Kindle Kids is 32% off

A Kindle Kids edition is 32% off, down to $122.99 (originally $179.99). This is the lowest price since Amazon recently hiked prices on basically the entire Kindle lineup. The e-reader encourages learning with features like the Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise (it displays definitions directly above difficult words as you read), works within the Amazon ecosystem, and comes with a year-long subscription to Kindle Kids+ and a protective case in a bunch of colorful, unique styles. (Note that this sale is for the 2024 version of the device, not the new one Amazon announced this week.)

The Amazon Eero Max 7 Mesh 2-Pack is $350 off

Good wifi is a vital part of any modern home, and you'll struggle to beat the Eero Max 7 mesh system for reaching all corners of your property with the fastest possible speeds. If your home has a complicated layout or thick walls, and you've struggled to get a good signal in the past, give the Max 7 a go (it worked great for me). It's down to $1,189.99, a $350 drop from the original $1,699.99.

A Blink floodlight camera for $40

The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is down to $39.99 on Amazon, a sizable discount from its $99.99 list price. This motion-activated floodlight doesn't require wiring, making it an easy way to cover a backyard, a driveway, a side yard, or whichever corner of your property never seems to get enough light. For more information, check out this PCMag review.

The GoPro Lit Hero is $65 off

The GoPro Lit Hero is down to $204.75 from its $270 launch price, the lowest price recorded. It records up to 4K at 60fps, captures 12MP photos, and is waterproof down to 16 feet without needing extra housing. Startup speeds are fast, autofocus works reliably, and the battery lasts around 90 minutes of continuous shooting (the battery is sealed and cannot be swapped out mid-day). The built-in LED light is also brighter than expected for a camera this small, although it feels more useful underwater or during emergencies than for everyday clips.

This clip-on Ultimate Ears speaker is $42

The Ultimate Ears Miniroll is down to $41.99 (originally $79.99), the lowest it has sold for so far. It’s a small, flat, puck-shaped Bluetooth speaker that weighs just over half a pound, with a removable rubber strap you can attach to a backpack, bike handlebar, or shower caddy. Despite its size, the Miniroll can get surprisingly loud—which PCMag confirms in its review—and at moderate volume, it has enough sound for a kitchen or backyard without sounding thin. As for its battery life, you get about 12 hours of playback before it needs a charge over USB-C, while its IP67 rating protects it from dust and a brief dunk in water.

A paper-like TCL tablet for $120 off

TCL's NXTPAPER 14 Android tablet, which has a massive matte screen with different viewing modes for reading, streaming video, and writing, is $349.98 (originally $469.99) after a 26% discount. With a 14.3-inch display, the NXTPAPER 14 might not be as portable as other tablets on the market, but the screen itself is the biggest perk. The matte display has a paper-like feel and three different viewing modes: You can switch from black-and-white Ink Paper Mode to Color Paper Mode (a must for comics) to full color (for streaming video or using other full-motion apps) with the push of a button.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet is 50% off

The Fire HD 10 might not be winning any tech awards, but it's an amazing value, offering a good balance of performance and affordability for anyone who wants a tablet to stream movies and TV, play casual games, browse the web, and read or listen to music and podcasts. Right now, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is 50% off, bringing its price down to a record low of $72.99.

A premium OLED TV with a $1,000 discount

If you're looking for a premium model, Samsung’s 65-inch S90H OLED TV is down to $1,697.99 from $2,697.99 at launch, saving you $1,000. The sale price is easier to justify when you consider that this is a new 2026 model. If the 65-inch model does not suit your space, Samsung also sells the S90H in 42-, 48-, 55-, 77-, and 83-inch versions, and those sizes are discounted as well.

An Acer OLED gaming monitor for 43% off

The Acer Predator X27U is a premium gaming monitor that gets most things right—the 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time make fast shooters and racing games feel incredibly smooth, especially if you are coming from a standard 144Hz LCD panel. Motion blur is minimal, and its FreeSync Premium compatibility helps reduce tearing without much setup hassle. The 1440p resolution also feels like a good balance for most people. You get sharper visuals than 1080p without needing the kind of graphics card power that 4K gaming still demands. Plus, its stand adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, which sounds minor until you spend eight hours staring at a screen positioned slightly wrong. At $314.99 (originally $549.99), this is an incredible deal for a gaming monitor.  

Det finns något tidlöst över en riktigt bra shoot 'em up. Hyperwired försöker fånga den klassiska arkadkänslan genom att kasta spelaren rakt ut i rymden där fiendesvärmar, projektiler och snabba beslut står i fokus. Uppdraget är enkelt: navigera genom banorna och besegra motståndet.

Rymdskeppet släpar på ett litet "jack" mitt i kaoset på skärmen. Målet är att överleva och koppla upp kabeln i utspridda terminaler för att låsa upp vägen till nästa etapp. Hyperwired vägrar hålla spelaren i handen. Handlingen startar direkt och kräver egen mekanisk förståelse. Det tog exempelvis en bra stund innan jag insåg att de små skeppen på skärmen går att samla på för att bygga upp en stridande armé vid min sida. Den typen av fynd känns befriande i en tid där många spel förklarar varje detalj med långa instruktioner och ständiga hjälprutor.

Spelet tar innebörden "Feeling Jacked" till en helt ny nivå

Trots att spelet tar omkring en timme att spela igenom från start till slut lyckas Hyperwired hålla intresset uppe. Banorna presenteras inte i linjär ordning utan slumpas mellan spelomgångarna, vilket gör varje genomspelning unik. Miljöerna varierar betydligt mer än förväntat, vilket hindrar spelet från att kännas enformigt innan eftertexterna rullar. Fienderna består av flygande farkoster, kanoner och enstaka utomjordiska tusenfotingar. Antalet fiendetyper är begränsat, men motståndet känns ändå förvånansvärt varierat.

Mellan banorna väljs de uppgraderingar som formar resten av spelomgången. Högre hastighet, kraftfullare missiler och andra förbättringar ger en tydlig progression. Systemet är enkelt och skapar en personlig twist där spelaren avgör skeppets utveckling.

Valen är inte enormt många, men de gör att ingen spelomgång blir den andra lik i kombination med de slumpmässigt utvalda banorna. Nya skepp med unika egenskaper låses upp under spelets gång. Vissa är snabbare medan andra har mer hälsa (HP). Hyperwired briljerar inte med djupa rollspelsmekaniker, det lyckas ge tillräckligt med frihet för att skapa ett ägarskap över spelstilen. Små detaljer gör spelet mer genomtänkt än vad den enkla presentationen först antyder.

Den största besvikelsen är ljudbilden. Efter fjärde banan började jag fundera på om någon glömt resten av soundtracket på en annan rymdstation. I en genre där högt tempo och omspelbarhet är avgörande hade ett större musikaliskt utbud höjt helhetsintrycket. Speciellt under den första timmens introduktion blir den repetitiva musiken utmattande för det psykiska välbefinnandet.

Antingen skjuter du allt eller flyr du från allt.

Vapenuppsättningen hade också mått bättre om den hade en större variation. Tre centrala mätare styr hela spelupplevelsen: livsmätaren, ammunitionsmätaren och energimätaren. Liv och ammunition kräver ständigt fokus under striderna, medan energimätaren främst används för att bogsera de insamlade småskeppen. Grundutbudet av färdigheter med möjligheten att kasta förödande bomber och sakta ner tiden är välkomna verktyg i kampen genom banorna.

Uppgraderingarna efter avklarade banor gör visserligen skeppet starkare, själva striderna förändras aldrig särskilt mycket mekaniskt. Efter en stund har spelet visat det mesta av sin arsenal, vilket gör att utvecklingen tappar sin lyskraft.

Den visuella läsbarheten brister stundtals. När skärmen fylls av fiender, projektiler, explosioner, uppgraderingar och egna följeskepp blir det svårt att urskilja händelserna. Intensiteten är uppskattad, men vissa sekvenser blir mer röriga än utmanande. Ibland hängde inte spelet med pågrund av allt som ägde rum på skärmen och jag fann mig själv frågandes om jag hade tryckt på slowmotion eller om det var lagg.

Samtidigt fungerar Hyperwired oerhört bra tack vare kärnmekaniken. Kombinationen av att rensa banor från fiender, leta upp terminalerna och välja skeppets utveckling ger spelet en egen identitet bland andra shoot 'em ups. Det uppfinner inte genren på nytt, Hyperwired sätter istället en tydlig egen prägel.

Kaoset kan dyka upp när du minst anar det i Hyperwired.

Hyperwired når aldrig genrens absoluta toppar, men står stadigt på egna ben. Den korta speltiden hindrar konceptet från att bli uttjatat. Spelet kommer inte att skriva om historieböckerna, det vet exakt vad det vill vara. Hyperwired behöver inte mer än en timme för att påminna om varför denna genre fortfarande är omöjlig att tröttna på.

The Irish are hoping to woo some of the €170 billion sitting in low-interest deposit accounts into riskier investments with higher returns.

DUBLIN — Ireland will create a new national savings system to spur tax-free investments in stocks and bonds, the government announced Tuesday as the centerpiece of its next tax-cutting budget.

The measure is designed to woo at least some of the more than €170 billion currently resting in Irish savers’ bank accounts, most of which is earning paltry rates of interest, into riskier investments with much higher potential returns.

The move represents Ireland’s national riposte to pressure from several other European Union countries to boost consumer investment in stocks and bonds on a union-wide basis. Ireland is among the EU members resistant to creating a proposed “Savings and Investments Union” regulated from Brussels, not Dublin.

Presenting his 2027 budget, Finance Minister Simon Harris told lawmakers that residents would be able to open Irish Investment Accounts starting in July. He said individuals could use those accounts to invest in stocks, bonds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), many of which are listed on the Dublin stock exchange, via a list of state-approved banks and brokers.

The first €50,000 in each account would not be taxed, while any balances above that would be charged 1% on the excess amount, he said. This means a fund valued at €100,000, for example, would face an annual tax liability of €500.

Under the plan, most investors would take a few years to grow their accounts to the €50,000 threshold. Annual contributions to each account would be capped at €12,000, Harris said, underscoring the center-right government’s aim to spur investment by middle-class savers, not the wealthy.

This approach, he said, “strikes a balance between encouraging small-scale investment, while ensuring that those with greater means continue to make a fair contribution.”

Investment firms offered a muted welcome, noting that Harris’ regime retained significant disincentives.

“Today was the government’s chance to get Ireland investing, and it has missed it,” said Michael Healy, chief executive of online trading and investment platform IG Consumer.

Healy dismissed Ireland’s plans as “fundamentally flawed,” as they will tax all balances above €50,000, regardless of whether they have recorded any gains that year. “Someone could face a tax bill even when their investments have fallen in value — effectively paying tax on losses,” he said.

With a 13 billion year head start on evolution, why haven’t any other forms of life in the universe contacted us by now?

(Arrival is a fantastic movie. Watch it, but don’t stop there – read the Story of Your Life novella it was based on

With a 13 billion year head start on evolution, why haven’t any other forms of life in the universe contacted us by now?

(Arrival is a fantastic movie. Watch it, but don’t stop there – read the Story of Your Life novella it was based on for so much additional nuance.)

This is called the Fermi paradox:

The Fermi Paradox is a contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations, such as in the Drake equation, and lack of any evidence for such civilizations.

• There are billions of stars in the galaxy that are similar to the Sun, including many billions of years older than Earth.
• With high probability, some of these stars will have Earth-like planets, and if the Earth is typical, some might develop intelligent life.
• Some of these civilizations might develop interstellar travel, a step the Earth is investigating now.
• Even at the slow pace of currently envisioned interstellar travel, the Milky Way galaxy could be completely traversed in about a million years.

According to this line of thinking, the Earth should have already been visited by extraterrestrial aliens. In an informal conversation, Fermi noted no convincing evidence of this, nor any signs of alien intelligence anywhere in the observable universe, leading him to ask, “Where is everybody?”

To me, this is a compelling argument, in the same way that the lack of evidence of any time travellers is:

Many have argued that the absence of time travelers from the future demonstrates that such technology will never be developed, suggesting that it is impossible. This is analogous to the Fermi paradox related to the absence of evidence of extraterrestrial life. As the absence of extraterrestrial visitors does not categorically prove they do not exist, so the absence of time travelers fails to prove time travel is physically impossible; it might be that time travel is physically possible but is never developed or is cautiously used. Carl Sagan once suggested the possibility that time travelers could be here but are disguising their existence or are not recognized as time travelers.

It seems, to me at least, clear evidence that time travel is not possible, given the enormous amount of time behind us. Something, somewhere, would certainly have invented it by now... right?

So if not, what happened? The Great Filter maybe?

The Great Filter theory says that at some point from pre-life to Type III intelligence, there’s a wall that all or nearly all attempts at life hit. There’s some stage in that long evolutionary process that is extremely unlikely or impossible for life to get beyond. That stage is The Great Filter.

I liked Wait But Why’s take on this a lot, which covers three main filter possibilities:

1. Life is extraordinarily rare, almost impossible

2. We are not a rare form of life, but near the first to evolve

3. Almost no life makes it to this point

Those are three Great Filter possibilities, but the question remains: why are we so alone in the observable universe? I grant you that what we can observe is appallingly tiny given the unimaginable scale of the universe, so “what we can observe” may not be enough by many orders of magnitude.

I encourage you to read the entire article, it’s full of great ideas explained well, including many other Great Filter possibilities. Mostly I wanted to share my personal theory of why we haven’t encountered alien life by now. Like computers themselves, things don’t get larger. They get smaller. And faster. And so does intelligent life.

Why build planet-size anything when the real action is in the small things? Small spaces, small units of time, everything gets smaller.

Large is inefficient and unnecessary. Look at the history of computers: from giant to tiny and tinier. From slow to fast and faster. Personally, I have a feeling really advanced life eventually does away with all physical stuff that slows you down as soon as they can, and enters the infinite spaces between:

This is, of course, a variant on the Fermi paradox: We don’t see clues to widespread, large-scale engineering, and consequently we must conclude that we’re alone. But the possibly flawed assumption here is when we say that highly visible construction projects are an inevitable outcome of intelligence. It could be that it’s the engineering of the small, rather than the large, that is inevitable. This follows from the laws of inertia (smaller machines are faster, and require less energy to function) as well as the speed of light (small computers have faster internal communication). It may be – and this is, of course, speculation – that advanced societies are building small technology and have little incentive or need to rearrange the stars in their neighborhoods, for instance. They may prefer to build nanobots instead.

– Seth Shostak

Seth delivers an excellent TED talk on this topic as well:

If we can barely see far in the universe as is, there’s no way we could possibly see into the infinite space and time between.

That is of course just my opinion, but we’ll see... eventually.

I feel more relaxed just thinking about this deal.

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As a marathon runner, I take my recovery seriously. After trying out dozens of different products over the years, I've found what actually matters when shopping for massage guns and recovery tools. It's not hyperbole to say that massage guns have changed my life as an athlete—and TheraBody is a brand name I swear by.

During Amazon's October Prime Day sale, I've been keeping my eye on all the best fitness-related deals, and right now, the Theragun Therabody Prime (6th Generation) is too good to resist. It's just $199.99, down from an original price of $329.99.

TheraGun Therabody Prime 6th Gen Deep Tissue Massage Gun | Navy

$199.99 at Amazon

$329.99 Save $130.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$199.99 at Amazon

$329.99 Save $130.00

TheraBody's signature triangular grip design is a fan favorite for good reason, as it allows for comfortable handling during long massage sessions. As far as Theragun options go, this is the pick for anyone looking for power and durability. Plus, its quiet operation makes it suitable for use in shared spaces without disturbing others. The battery life extends up to 120 minutes on a single charge, ensuring you won't be interrupted mid-session, right when you need it most.

If you're looking for other options, there are more Theragun deals in Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale:

• Theragun Mini Plus:  $239.99 (originally $279.99)

• Theragun Prime: $199.99 (originally $159.99)

• Theragun Sense: $229.99 (originally $299.99)

• Theragun Mini 3: $169.99 (originally $219.99)

• Theragun Relief: $119.99 (originally $159.99)

Apple's newest smartwatch already has a discount for October Prime Day.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

You don't expect to see Apple's latest and greatest products on sale, especially not weeks after their initial release. While there are plenty of discounts on Apple products this October Prime Day, including on some Apple Watches, I certainly wouldn't have predicted that Apple's latest flagship would get a price cut. And yet, here we are. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399. But during October Prime Day, Apple has the watch $50 off. With the discount, it now starts at $349, a fantastic price for a watch with all of Apple's latest wearable perks.

Apple Watch Series 12

Buy One Apple Watch, and Get a Second Apple Watch $300 off at T-Mobile

Get Deal

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Buy One Apple Watch, and Get a Second Apple Watch $300 off at T-Mobile

The Apple Watch Series 12 comes with Apple's newest wearable processor, the S11 chip. This processor is what powers things like Siri AI and Apple Intelligence, as well as the new "Audio Intelligence," which can give you a text recap of the last 15 seconds of an in-person conversation—a feature that has generated a bit of controversy. It also comes with a new heart rate sensor, which can notably check your pulse every five seconds, or 20 times a minute. This model supports up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, and its Ceramic Shield 2 display should prevent more scratches and cracks than past Apple Watches in this category. Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki thinks the Series 12 is worth the upgrade at its original MSRP, so this is a bit of a no-brainer if you were already interested.

The only caveat here is that the Series 12 isn't the only Apple Watch discount worth considering this October Prime Day. While the Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn't on sale, the Apple Watch SE 3 is. This isn't a "new" watch, per se, but it is Apple's best watch for most people. You don't get any of the above perks of the Series 12, but you do get the capable S10 chip, Apple's standard heart rate monitor, sleep and exercise tracking, and the ability to send and receive texts. There's a host of fitness and health crossover here, and if you opt for the cellular model, you'll connect to the same 5G network as the cellular Series 12. While $349 is a great starting price for the Series 12, the SE 3 currently starts at $199 for October Prime Day. That's a tough price to beat.

Prime Big Deal Days is in full swing, and we've already begun tracking the best Apple discounts during Amazon's big fall event. This year, there are notable markdowns across Apple's Mac lineup, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and brand new Mac mini and Mac Studio.

MacBook Air

Mac Mini and Mac Studio

MacBook Pro

You can buy an Apple Watch SE for as little as $199 right now.

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Last month, Apple released two new smartwatches: the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. These wearables offer brand-new features like a heart rate monitor that takes your pulse every five seconds; "Audio Intelligence," that can display a transcript of the last 15 seconds of an in-person conversation; and Apple's new S11 chip, its fastest wearable processor yet.

Despite all these perks, neither the Series 12 nor the Ultra 4 is the best Apple Watch for most people. That title goes to the Apple Watch SE 3, which is currently as cheap as $199 for October Prime Day.

Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm)

$199.00 at Walmart

$249.00 Save $50.00

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$199.00 at Walmart

$249.00 Save $50.00

The Apple Watch SE 3 doesn't have Apple's latest and greatest features, nor does it have its biggest and best display. It doesn't have to: The SE 3 comes with all the features and options most people expect from an Apple Watch. It is available in two sizes, 44mm or 40mm, both with Always-On OLED displays and brightness up to 1,000 nits. The SE 3 has a heart rate monitor and can track both workouts and your sleep. It supports the Vitals app, which can report on heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration. It can track menstruation cycles and predict both period windows and ovulation estimates.

While it doesn't support Audio Intelligence, it does support Apple Intelligence—including the company's new Siri AI assistant. If the AI-powered Siri is important to you, you'll be able to use it with the SE 3 and your AI-capable iPhone. This watch also supports Emergency SOS, as well as fall and crash detection. That means your watch can call emergency services on your behalf if you become unresponsive after a fall or a collision. If you take the SE 3 swimming, you can dive as deep as 50m before you should worry about water resistance.

This watch doesn't have Apple's newest S11 chip, but it does come with last year's S10 chip, which should be plenty powerful for running watchOS for the foreseeable future. It gets up to 18 hours of screen-on time, and up to 32 hours when in Low Power Mode. You can fast charge the watch up to 80% in 45 minutes with the right charger, or get eight hours of use in as little as 15 minutes of charging.

Really, some of the bigger misses here won't matter to most people. The SE 3 doesn't have an ECG monitor, nor can it detect your blood oxygen levels or send you hypertension alerts. Its screen isn't as bright as the one on the Series 12 (2,000 nits) or Ultra 4 (3,000 nits), nor does it have Emergency SOS via satellite. It doesn't support Precision Finding for iPhone, nor does it have as long a battery life as Apple's other watches (24 hours on the Series 12, and 50 hours on the Ultra 4). But for everything save battery life, most users likely aren't going to be swayed, especially when you consider the price difference

Speaking of which, the SE 3 starts at $199 right now for the 40mm option. If you want the 44m option, you'll spend an extra $30, or $229. This watch also comes in a cellular option, which can connect to 5G speeds when available. The 40mm cellular option is currently $279 on Amazon, while the 44mm model is $279.

Yesterday we reported that Apple tripled the number of iCloud Mail aliases users can create, from three to nine. But it turns out that's not the only email-related limit Apple has raised. The company has also bumped the number of iCloud Custom Domains users can set up with iCloud+, from three to 10.

If you subscribe to iCloud+, you can use a domain name you already own for your iCloud Mail address. So instead of name@icloud.com, your address can be anything@yourdomain.com. You can also buy a new domain when setting up the feature. The increased number of custom domains allowed was spotted in Apple's support documentation by X account pdfu.

The Trump administration just launched a chatbot for government-related questions.

AI is virtually everywhere in 2026; that now includes U.S. government websites. On Tuesday, the Trump administration launched "America.gov," a new website that uses AI to answer questions about the government. While the experience currently feels like ChatGPT running U.S. government-themed instructions, the plan is for America.gov to eventually let you take action as well.

What is America.gov?

America.gov "combines" the nearly 30,000 websites under the umbrella of the U.S. government into one set of sources. Rather than invite you to browse those tens of thousands of pages to answer your questions, that dataset serves as the basis for the site's proprietary chatbot. You ask the chatbot a question about the U.S. government, and the AI sifts through those websites to generate an answer. It's like ChatGPT, but if the model only had access to U.S. government websites and sources.

You could ask the site how to replace your Social Security card, renew your passport, or register to vote in your state. You could ask for information on changing your address with the USPS, when Medicare open enrollment dates are, or upload a PDF of a government form for assistance. The site says any personal information will be automatically removed, though the privacy policy clarifies that it "will make a best-effort attempt in your browser to remove any private details using Rampart (an open-source classifier system to detect some types of PII, such as Social Security Numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, and credit card numbers)."

The website currently supports three languages—English, Spanish, and French—as well as voice commands, if you prefer speaking to your chatbots rather than typing to them. You don't need an account to use it, nor is there a fee or subscription, and there are no ads.

What America.gov might be able to do in the future

In its current form, America.gov is a simple chatbot. But the site has bold claims for future features. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to let users apply for and renew their passports directly through the site, including a dynamic progress tracker to keep tabs on your documents. Other future abilities could include enrolling in Medicare or finding a job with the federal government.

But as with all claims, take these with a grain of salt. The government says these features are coming in early 2027, but this is a tall order for such a project. A single website that lets you complete complex government processes with the simplicity of a chatbot sounds great, but it would need to be accurate and reliable for all possible tasks and functions. It would certainly take significant proof of security and dependability for me to trust such a program with renewing my passport or helping me enroll in health care.

America.gov is full of ironies

It's impossible to discuss America.gov without acknowledging the administration that is spearheading the project. One would assume that an AI-powered government website developed by this administration would be biased towards Trump and his many falsehoods. And yet, the tool is astoundingly neutral, to the point where I can only imagine how frustrated Trump would be by some of these answers.

The first question many tested America.gov with was "Who won the 2020 election?" Donald Trump famously and frequently says that the election was stolen from him, but his new website plainly states that Joseph R. Biden Jr. won. The bot does sometimes tie the answer to the electoral count, stating that Biden won 306 votes to Trump's 232, but I was surprised to see "Joseph R. Biden Jr. won the 2020 presidential election under the official Electoral College count" as an answer on this site.

The site will also tell you that Donald Trump was president when diesel prices hit their highest historic price ($6.529 per gallon as of Sept. 21, 2026.), and that prices are high, in part, due to "military action" affecting the Staight of Hormuz. It will also say that grocery prices were higher in August than they were a year ago, which contradicts Trump's claims that prices have come down under his term.

Of course, Trump-influenced information that appears on official government sites will appear here. Ask it what the body of water that abuts Texas is called, and it will say the Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico. Ask it what lake borders Toronto, Canada, and the bot will say Lake America, formerly Lake Ontario. In both cases, it will refer to the executive orders that changed those names.

Typically, I'd be worried about an AI tool hallucinating its answers and providing incorrect information to users. That's still a concern here, of course. But by creating a chatbot that only pulls information from official government sources, Trump has inadvertently created an official government fact-checker. And unless Trump starts injecting these sites with the same falsehoods he tells in interviews and on Truth Social, America.gov may be a reasonably reliable source of information.

The Garmin Enduro 4 promises up to 320 hours of battery while still offering the health and fitness tracking features of the Fenix 9 Pro.

Client VGN Homes Sector Real Estate / Residential Development Services Real Estate Branding, Social Media Marketing, Creative Production, Digital Marketing Client Rakki Interiors Sector Interior Design / Modular Furniture / Turnkey Execution Services Website Design, Website Development, UI/UX Design, Service Pages, Project Pages About the Client Rakki Interiors is a premium interior execution company founded…

The post Building a Premium Digital Presence for Rakki Interiors: A Complete Website Development Case Study appeared first on Pixel Studios.

Client

VGN Homes

Sector

Real Estate / Residential Development

Services

Real Estate Branding, Social Media Marketing, Creative Production, Digital Marketing

Client

Rakki Interiors

Sector

Interior Design / Modular Furniture / Turnkey Execution

Services

Website Design, Website Development, UI/UX Design, Service Pages, Project Pages

About the Client

Rakki Interiors is a premium interior execution company founded in 2011 in Shenoy Nagar, Chennai, with its main manufacturing unit in Red Hills.

• Backed by Rakki Modular for manufacturing and Raakavi Build Mart for raw materials, giving the company full control over quality, timelines, and delivery
• Services spanning turnkey interiors, modular furniture, renovation and rework, space planning, and 3D visualisation
• Serves homeowners, businesses, builders, architects, interior designers, contractors, and channel partners
• Projects across residential and commercial segments with a client base built on precision, reliability, and on-time delivery
• A structured, multi-division company built for scale across B2C and B2B interior requirements in Chennai

The Challenge

Rakki Interiors had strong execution credentials, a growing project portfolio, and a multi-division business structure. But its digital presence did not reflect the scale, quality, or breadth of what the company offered.

• No professional website that communicated the full range of services and project capabilities
• No separate pages for individual services, making it impossible for visitors to evaluate specific offerings
• Residential and commercial projects were not showcased in a structured, portfolio-style format
• The company's three-division structure — Rakki Interiors, Rakki Modular, and Raakavi Build Mart — was not being communicated as a credibility differentiator
• Potential clients including architects, builders, and corporate developers had no digital touchpoint that matched the professional standard of Rakki Interiors' work
• The brand needed a website design that could serve multiple audience types simultaneously: homeowners, commercial clients, B2B partners, and job seekers

The Strategy: A Structured, Multi-Page Website Built for Conversion and Credibility

Pixel Studios developed and delivered a complete website development project for Rakki Interiors covering 20 pages across service, project, and brand sections, built on WordPress with Elementor and designed from scratch to reflect the brand’s premium positioning.

1. UI/UX Design and Brand Alignment

• Designed a clean, refined visual language aligned to Rakki Interiors' premium interior execution positioning
• Homepage built around a full-screen video hero communicating the brand's craftsmanship and spatial sensibility immediately on landing
• Typography, colour system, and layout structured to feel high-end without being inaccessible, matching the brand's dual audience of homeowners and B2B commercial clients
• Mobile-first architecture with fast load performance and responsive layouts across all 20 pages
• WhatsApp chat integration for immediate lead capture without relying solely on form submissions

2. Dedicated Service Pages

• Built individual service pages for each of Rakki Interiors' core offerings:

• Turnkey Interiors — complete end-to-end interior execution from planning to handover
• Modular Furniture — custom kitchen, wardrobe, workstation, and storage solutions backed by Rakki Modular
• Renovation and Rework — structured approach to space refresh and reimagining existing interiors
• Space Planning and 3D Visualisation — pre-execution planning and visual communication for clients
• Supporting Capabilities — covering flooring, ceiling, lighting, wall decor, curtains, and full scope execution

• Each service page was structured with a clear description, scope of work, and enquiry CTA, giving each audience segment a direct path from service discovery to consultation request

3. Residential and Commercial Project Pages

• Built separate project portfolio sections for residential and commercial work, giving each category its own dedicated page structure
• Residential Projects page showcasing completed homes with photography, space type, and project scope
• Commercial Projects page covering office, retail, and builder-segment projects with brand-aligned presentation
• Project pages structured to build credibility with both homeowners evaluating Rakki Interiors for their home and commercial clients assessing execution capability at scale

4. About, Gallery, Career, and Contact Pages

• About Us page communicating Rakki Interiors' founding story, three-division structure, manufacturing strength, and values in a format that built institutional credibility
• Gallery page with a curated visual portfolio across residential and commercial project photography, structured for browsing and inspiration
• Career page communicating Rakki Interiors' work culture and open roles to attract skilled interior execution talent
• Contact Us page with multiple contact options, office location, WhatsApp integration, and an enquiry form with event-type segmentation

5. Technical Build and Performance

• Built on WordPress with Elementor for a fully manageable, scalable backend the Rakki Interiors team can update independently
• SEO-ready page structure with clean URLs, optimised meta tags, schema markup for local business, and fast page load performance
• Integrated Google Tag Manager for analytics and conversion tracking across all enquiry forms and CTA interactions
• Secure hosting configuration with SSL and spam protection across all contact and enquiry forms

Results

Metric	Result
Total Pages Delivered	20 pages across service, project, and brand sections
Service Pages	Individual pages for every core service offering
Project Sections	Separate residential and commercial portfolio pages
Device Optimisation	Fully responsive across desktop, tablet, and mobile
Backend	Client-manageable WordPress and Elementor build
Lead Capture	Multi-channel enquiry via form, WhatsApp, and direct call
Brand Consistency	Unified visual identity across all 20 pages

Conclusion

Rakki Interiors entered this engagement as a premium interior execution company with no digital presence to match its project quality. It emerged with a 20-page website design that communicates every dimension of the brand — from individual services and completed projects to manufacturing strength and career opportunities — in a format that works for homeowners, commercial developers, and B2B partners simultaneously.

For interior design companies, architecture firms, and construction businesses looking to build a website development that converts visitors into consultations, the model is clear: structure the site around your audience types, give every service its own page, and let the project portfolio do the selling.

Ready to build a website that reflects the quality of your work? Let’s talk.

Lets discuss ideas to propel your brand online

Reach us at 080 6919 3462

(or)

Enquire Now

The post Building a Premium Digital Presence for Rakki Interiors: A Complete Website Development Case Study appeared first on Pixel Studios.

It’s my honor to announce that John Carmack and I have initiated a friendly bet of $10,000* to the 501(c)(3) charity of the winner’s choice:

By January 1st, 2030, completely autonomous self-driving cars meeting SAE J3016 level 5 will be commercially

It’s my honor to announce that John Carmack and I have initiated a friendly bet of $10,000* to the 501(c)(3) charity of the winner’s choice:

By January 1st, 2030, completely autonomous self-driving cars meeting SAE J3016 level 5 will be commercially available for passenger use in major cities.

I am betting against, and John is betting for.

By “completely autonomous,” per the SAE level 5 definition, we mean the vehicle performs all driving tasks under all conditions – except in the case of natural disasters or emergencies. A human passenger enters the vehicle and selects a destination. Zero human attention or interaction is required during the journey.

By “major cities” we mean any of the top 10 most populous cities in the United States of America.

To be clear, I am betting against because I think everyone is underestimating how difficult fully autonomous driving really is. I am by no means against self driving vehicles in any way! I’d much rather spend my time in a vehicle reading, watching videos, or talking to my family and friends… anything, really, instead of driving. I also think fully autonomous vehicles are a fascinating, incredibly challenging computer science problem, and I want everyone reading this to take it as just that, a challenge. Prove me wrong! Make it happen by 2030, and I’ll be popping champagne along with you and everyone else!

(My take on VR is far more pessimistic. VR just… isn’t going to happen, in any “changing the world” form, in our lifetimes. This is a subject for a different blog post, but I think AR and projection will do much more for us, far sooner.)

I’d like to thank John for suggesting this friendly wager as a fun way to generate STEM publicity. He is, and always will be, one of my biggest heroes. Go read Masters of Doom if you haven’t, already!

And while I have you, we’re still looking for code contributions in our project to update the most famous programming book of the BASIC era. Proceeds from that project will also go to charity. 😎

*We may adjust the amount up or down to adjust for inflation as mutually agreed upon in 2030, so the money has the desired impact.

Get this dual brush stick vacuum with accessories for 44% off.

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Pet hair tends to gather in inconvenient and less conspicuous places—along baseboards, under furniture, and on upholstery—which can make dragging out a full-size upright vacuum feel like more trouble than the mess warrants. The cordless Bissell PowerClean DualBrush is designed for these routine cleanups, and it is currently on sale for $199.99 (originally $359.99). That is a $160 savings.

Beyond pet-related messes, the PowerClean can also pick up crumbs, dust, tracked-in dirt, and other debris that accumulates between more thorough cleaning sessions. Because it converts from a standard stick vacuum into a handheld model and works with several attachments, you can move from cleaning floors to tackling furniture, stairs, and narrow spaces without reaching for a different machine. That versatility carries over to the way it cleans: Two self-cleaning brush rolls handle everything from scattered pet food to finer particles like fur and dust, while Bissell’s AutoAdapt system increases the suction when it detects a dirtier spot, allowing you to continue across the room without repeatedly stopping to manually change modes.

The headlights on the floorhead add another practical touch, helping expose pale fur on rugs and fine dust on hard floors as you move around the room. That said, while Bissell says the battery can last up to 50 minutes, that estimate applies only when the detachable handheld vacuum is running in its lowest-power mode—and using stronger suction or the motorized floorhead will reduce that runtime. The 0.4-liter dust cup is another limitation, particularly in homes with several shedding pets, where it may need to be emptied during a longer cleaning session.

These small compromises aside, the PowerClean will suit anyone who needs a cordless vacuum that can cover floors, stairs, furniture, and pet beds without requiring much setup or a full-size machine, especially at its current $160 discount.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

Morning Edition is heading to Maine, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan to hear what voters say is shaping their choices ahead of the midterm elections.

Morning Edition is heading to Maine, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan to hear what voters say is shaping their choices ahead of the midterm elections.

(Image credit: Tom Brenner)

Unlike most other fungal infections, Cladophialophora bantiana seems to prefer going after the brain.

In today’s hyper-connected, risk-laden digital landscape, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) plays an indispensable role in protecting an organization’s most valuable resource: its data. This dynamic leadership role requires a unique blend of technical acumen, strategic insight, and leadership, positioning the CISO as the foundational guard of the enterprise’s digital defense. As threats growContinue reading "The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): The Digital Sentinel of Modern Enterprises "

In today’s hyper-connected, risk-laden digital landscape, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) plays an indispensable role in protecting an organization’s most valuable resource: its data. This dynamic leadership role requires a unique blend of technical acumen, strategic insight, and leadership, positioning the CISO as the foundational guard of the enterprise’s digital defense. As threats grow more sophisticated and data’s value soars, the CISO’s role has expanded, integrating cybersecurity into the very heart of business strategy and resilience.

This article delves into the critical responsibilities of the CISO, the skills that define exceptional candidates, and why modern enterprises cannot afford to overlook this crucial leadership position.

Why CISOs Are Vital in the Digital Age: Managing the Expanding Threat Landscape

The march of digitization has transformed business operations, enabling unprecedented connectivity, data insights, and operational efficiencies. Yet this interconnection introduces complex cybersecurity threats, with increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals seeking vulnerabilities that could compromise data and disrupt business. Amid these challenges, the CISO assumes multiple roles to safeguard the organization’s digital assets:

1. Architecting a Comprehensive Security Framework

A CISO’s primary responsibility is to develop and implement a holistic information security program. This program functions as a strategic roadmap, detailing everything from risk assessments to vulnerability management and enforcing robust security controls. By prioritizing risk management, the CISO ensures that security measures align with the organization’s objectives, safeguarding data while allowing the business to operate without disruption.

2. Leading Incident Response and Cyber Resilience

A well-prepared organization is one that anticipates attacks and has effective response protocols. The CISO is tasked with establishing a detailed incident response plan that outlines how to identify, contain, and mitigate security breaches. Additionally, they foster a security-conscious culture within the workforce, empowering employees with the knowledge to detect and report potential threats.

3. Navigating Complex Regulatory Landscapes

As data privacy regulations proliferate worldwide, organizations face mounting pressures to stay compliant with stringent cybersecurity laws. CISOs take on the responsibility of ensuring the organization adheres to relevant legal standards—such as GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA—to minimize legal and reputational risks. This compliance is more than legal due diligence; it protects the organization’s brand and builds trust with customers and stakeholders.

4. Promoting Secure Innovation

CISOs balance innovation and security, enabling businesses to adopt new technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and IoT without compromising data protection. As custodians of digital safety, CISOs act as advisors, guiding secure adoption of transformative technologies while proactively identifying and mitigating risks associated with each.

5. Building and Leading a Cyber-Resilient Team

A skilled team of cybersecurity specialists forms the backbone of the CISO’s efforts. Beyond hiring, the CISO is responsible for fostering a team environment that encourages proactive security practices, continuous learning, and adaptability. This collaborative culture helps the organization identify vulnerabilities and improve its cybersecurity posture over time.

Essential Qualities of a World-Class CISO

Becoming a CISO requires an intricate blend of technical skills and leadership qualities, often honed through years of experience and continuous learning. The following traits define an outstanding CISO:

1. Deep Technical Knowledge

A CISO must possess a strong understanding of core cybersecurity principles, including cryptography, network security, and application security. This expertise enables them to establish comprehensive strategies that protect the organization’s digital infrastructure.

2. Strategic Business Alignment

Exceptional CISOs bridge the gap between technical measures and business objectives, aligning cybersecurity strategies with organizational goals. This ability to translate complex cybersecurity concepts into actionable business strategies is essential for achieving executive buy-in and maintaining security as a strategic business advantage.

3. Leadership and Communication Skills

In their role, CISOs often need to explain cybersecurity risks and initiatives to diverse audiences, from technical teams to executives and board members. Strong communication skills, coupled with an adaptable approach, are key to effectively conveying the importance of cybersecurity across the organization.

4. Financial Acumen

An effective CISO understands the financial implications of security decisions. They balance robust protections with responsible budget management, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to the organization’s most pressing security needs while maximizing return on security investments.

5. Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills

The digital landscape is constantly shifting, and so are cybersecurity threats. A successful CISO can navigate these changes with agility, employing creative problem-solving skills to address emerging threats and leverage new technologies to the organization’s advantage.

In addition to these skills, certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) validate a CISO’s expertise and commitment to the field.

The Value of a CISO: Why Every Organization Needs a Cybersecurity Champion

As the digital ecosystem continues to evolve, the need for a dedicated cybersecurity leader is more apparent than ever. Here are several compelling reasons why investing in a CISO is a strategic imperative:

1. Fortifying the Organization’s Digital Fortress

A proactive CISO ensures the protection of an organization’s data, intellectual property, and customer information. Their security strategies minimize the risk of data breaches, which can cause severe reputational and financial damage.

2. Navigating Regulatory Compliance Confidently

By staying ahead of regulatory requirements, CISOs ensure the organization meets data protection mandates, reducing the risk of fines and reputational fallout from non-compliance. This foresight fosters customer trust and positions the organization as a responsible steward of sensitive information.

3. Building a Security-Conscious Culture

Through training and awareness programs, CISOs instill a culture of vigilance, equipping employees to recognize and respond to cybersecurity threats. This security-conscious culture serves as the organization’s first line of defense, reducing vulnerability to human-centered attacks like phishing.

4. Optimizing Cybersecurity Investments

CISOs are skilled at managing the cybersecurity budget, ensuring that funds are strategically allocated to the areas of highest risk. Their insights help organizations achieve robust security within budget constraints, maximizing the return on investment for cybersecurity efforts.

5. Championing Secure Innovation

By establishing strong security frameworks, CISOs empower the organization to adopt emerging technologies safely. This proactive approach allows the organization to capitalize on opportunities, such as digital transformation and cloud adoption, without sacrificing security.

6. Ensuring Resilience in Times of Crisis

In the event of a cyberattack, the CISO’s leadership is crucial for coordinating the organization’s response, mitigating disruption, and ensuring swift recovery. This role is instrumental in maintaining business continuity and minimizing operational downtime during security incidents.

Beyond Today: Building Tomorrow’s Cybersecurity Leaders

The role of the CISO is ever-evolving, and the demands of cybersecurity leadership require continuous education, collaboration, and adaptability. Aspiring and current CISOs benefit from several resources and practices:

1. Lifelong Learning

Cybersecurity is a fast-evolving field. CISOs can stay current on emerging threats and trends through industry certifications, conferences, and continuous education programs. Regularly updating skills is essential to maintaining a forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity.

2. Engaging in Industry Collaboration

Cybersecurity is most effective when tackled collectively. By joining industry associations such as the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) or (ISC)², CISOs can connect with peers, share threat intelligence, and participate in collaborative efforts to anticipate and counteract cyber threats.

3. Fostering a Collaborative Security Ecosystem

Building strong alliances within the organization and across the industry enables CISOs to gather diverse perspectives, improving the effectiveness of security initiatives. Collaborating with cross-functional teams encourages a unified, resilient approach to cybersecurity challenges.

The Future of the CISO Role in a Rapidly Digitalizing World

The role of the CISO continues to expand in scope and significance as cyber threats intensify and digital transformation accelerates. For organizations of all sizes, investing in a skilled, forward-looking CISO is essential to building resilience, protecting data, and fostering an innovation-ready environment. The CISO’s work extends far beyond technical cybersecurity skills; it’s a strategic role that supports business continuity, customer trust, and sustainable growth.

In conclusion, the CISO of today is more than a cybersecurity guardian; they are the enterprise’s trusted partner in navigating the complexities of the digital age. Organizations that prioritize and empower their CISOs position themselves to thrive, not just survive, in an increasingly interconnected world. As businesses continue to embrace the possibilities of the digital era, the CISO will remain at the forefront, guiding the enterprise’s journey with resilience, insight, and an unwavering commitment to security.

The ubiquitous e-readers are better than ever, yet still basically the same—but the accessories are more interesting.

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When Amazon raised the prices of most of its Kindle devices last month—some by more than 30%—it looked like a reaction to the ongoing RAM crisis, but it may have also have been a bit of clever timing: Today, the company has announced a near-total overhaul of its line of e-readers, which are now thinner, lighter, faster, and more thoughtfully designed than ever, and as we've all already absorbed the price hike, there's no bitter pill to swallow alongside the news.

Certainly, the new Kindles are lovely devices: The entire lineup, from the $150 entry-level Kindle to the $319 Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, now features a new flush-front design. An upgraded standard Kindle and the pricier Signature Editions now have an aluminium back, giving them a premium feel and allowing for a new line of magnetic accessories.

Yesterday, Amazon invited Lifehacker and a number of other tech sites to its headquarters to check out the new lineup, and while I can say that these are easily the prettiest Kindles ever—available in a number of trendy new colors—they are also still mostly just Kindles: improved, to be sure, but not really new. That's why I'm more excited by the accompanying lineup of accessories, including a case with integrated physical buttons and, at long last, a Bluetooth page-turner remote.

The standard Kindle now feels more premium

Amazon Kindle 16GB

$149.99 at Amazon

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$149.99 at Amazon

Amazon Kids Kindle 16GB

$179.99 at Amazon

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$179.99 at Amazon

Amazon Kindle 32GB Aluminium Design

$189.99 at Amazon

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As before, the revamped Kindles are being sold in a few different variations, some (much) pricier than others. The "cheapest" is the standard 16GB Kindle, priced at $149.99 with lock screen ads and $169.99 without ads, which retains the same basic features as the previous model, including a six-inch, 300ppi touchscreen and an adjustable front light, but in the revamped, flush-front design and a bunch of snazzy new colors, from a bluish "Alpine Sky" to a lavender "Ube." (Kevin Keith, vice president in charge of Kindle, said the company was shocked at the response to the matcha-colored Kindle it released a few years ago—it represented more than 50% of device sales—so it's unsurprising to see Amazon doubling down.)

For the first time, there is also a premium version of the standard Kindle with 32GB of storage and an aluminium back, also in the same range of colors (including a refined-looking metallic graphite). This version is priced at $189.99 without lock screen ads, which means you're paying $20 more for double the storage, which isn't too bad in 2026.

The more premium feel and Amazon's boasting of lighter (around 140g) and thinner (6.8mm) builds and better performance—including "30% faster book opening"—aside, the new Kindles aren't that much different than the old ones, not that I'm complaining: Nearly 20 years after it was first introduced, the Kindle remains the gold standard of e-readers in many ways. Though I'm a fan of competing devices in different sizes or with open Android operating systems, on a hardware level, Amazon is still on top.

The redesigned Kindles (which are also available in Kindle Kids versions that include a one-year warranty, a free subscription to Kindle Kids+, and a colorful protective case for $179.99) can be ordered today for immediate shipping.

The new Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft Signature Editions are totally metal

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB

$199.99 at Amazon

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$199.99 at Amazon

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition 32GB

$249.99 at Amazon

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$249.99 at Amazon

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB

$289.99 at Amazon

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$289.99 at Amazon

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition 32GB

$319.99 at Amazon

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The aluminium design of the upgraded Kindle has been carried over to the pricier versions of the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft. The former is once again being sold in a textured plastic design with lock screen ads and 16GB of storage for $199.99, or an aluminium-backed "Signature Edition," minus ads and with 32GB of storage, for $249.99—though only the latter is available in the new Seaglass Green color.

The Kindle Colorsoft is likewise available in two versions: For $289.99, the standard Colorsoft offers 16GB of storage and the new flush-front plastic design. If you want the aluminium back, you'll need to spring for the $319.99 Signature Edition, which also has 32GB of storage and is available in a deep reddish "Fig" color. On the plus side, all versions of the Colorsoft are sold without lock screen ads.

Here's the bad news: You'll have to wait if you want one of the new Paperwhites or Colorsofts. The devices are available for preorder now and will ship Oct. 28. (There are Kindle Kids options for these devices, too.)

The accessories actually offer something new (or new again)

As noted, as nice as they are, the redesigned Kindles still look and feel a lot like the old ones, especially once you're immersed in a book. But the accessories the company also unveiled today actually offer something new, or at least bring back something old.

Amazon Kindle Page-Turn Cover

$79.99 at Amazon

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Amazon Kindle Click Bluetooth Remote

$34.99 at Amazon

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The Page-Turn Cover turns your Paperwhite into an Oasis

Credit: Joel Cunningham

While it has been years since Amazon sold a Kindle with physical page-turn buttons (RIP to the beloved Kindle Oasis), there's a new case option for the aluminium-backed Signature Editions of the Paperwhite and Colorsoft that Amazon is calling the Page-Turn Cover. This case magnetically attaches to those devices, connecting to the pogo pins on the back, and adds two page-turn buttons to one side of the device. Like magic, and without adding much in the way of weight, the Page-Turn Cover makes it feel like your Kindle has real buttons again.

It's an elegant solution to a niche problem—Amazon reports that only around 5% of readers are passionate about physical buttons, so this way, everyone can be happy...provided paying an extra $80 for a case for your $250+ e-reader doesn't make you too unhappy. The Page-Turn Cover (available in different colors that match the new devices) will also ship Oct. 28.

Finally, the Kindle supports a Bluetooth remote

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Physical page-turn buttons need not be attached to your device, because for the first time, the entire lineup of Kindles from 2024 or later now supports a Bluetooth remote for turning pages at the click of a button instead of a tap on the screen (competing e-readers have supported similar remotes for years, but Amazon has blocked that functionality until now).

The idea behind these things is to give you the ability to read your book without actually holding the Kindle in your hands, whether because you have a mobility issue that makes that difficult, or because you're on a treadmill or keeping cozy under the covers. Called the Kindle Click, the remote is priced at $34.99 and will ship in November.

A charging dock to pair with your new remote

Finally, Amazon is also launching a new charging dock that will prop up your Paperwhite or Colorsoft vertically, providing a more hands-free reading experience, particularly when paired with the Click. The dock isn't up for preorder yet, but it will cost $59.99.

You can't go wrong with these versatile PowerBlocks.

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Amazon's October Prime Day sale is here, and I've been tracking the best fitness deals—and deals on adjustable dumbbells in particular. I love recommending adjustable dumbbells as a way to save time, money, and precious floorspace when you're trying to strength train at home.

Where buying individual pairs of dumbbells in five-pound increments up to 80 pounds would cost well over $1,500 (and take up your entire home gym), adjustable dumbbells deliver the same versatility for a fraction of that price. Right now, my favorite set, the PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells, is $339.99, down from its usual $399.99 price tag. That's a solid $60 savings.

PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair, 5-50lb)

$339.99 at Amazon

$399.99 Save $60.00

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You'd be hard-pressed to find a "best home dumbbells" list without these PowerBlocks near the top. The futuristic cubic look is stylish, but more importantly, it's a seriously economical, space-saving design—which is the whole point of going adjustable over a traditional rack of individual weights. The weights have flat edges so you can hold them on end on your lap, and unlike a lot of adjustable models, they're compact enough that they won’t bump into each other on shoulder or chest presses. The only real drawback is the frame design: You have to place your hand inside the dumbbell's structure to grip it, which can be awkward, especially if you’re wearing a large watch.

These dumbbells also come in 70-pound and 90-pound versions. If you go with one of the smaller sets, you can also buy expansion sets later to upgrade to the larger versions. The full 90-pound set is also on sale right now, down to $738.65 from an original $869. And if you're not yet sold on adjustable dumbbells as a concept, this 150-pound set of traditional dumbbells is also discounted—down to $149.99 from $189.99.

Save on video doorbells, smart locks, floodlight cameras, and complete security systems

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Smart home security gets expensive quickly, especially once you start adding cameras at every entrance and subscriptions on top of the hardware. October Prime Day can take some of the sting out of that initial cost, but the sale ends today, making this your last chance to save. I'm spotlighting deals ranging from a $15.99 indoor camera to complete systems that cover most of a house—and I’ve flagged where local storage, wiring, or a paid plan could increase what you spend later.

These outdoor home security cameras are significantly discounted

Blink Outdoor 2K+

$30.99 at Amazon

$89.99 Save $59.00

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$30.99 at Amazon

$89.99 Save $59.00

Blink Solaris 2K+

$48.99 at Amazon

$129.99 Save $81.00

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$48.99 at Amazon

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Eufy SoloCam S340

$119.82 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $80.17

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$119.82 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $80.17

Tapo MagCam 2K+

$54.99 at Amazon

$89.99 Save $35.00

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$54.99 at Amazon

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Google Nest Cam Outdoor (Wired, 2nd Gen)

$149.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $50.00

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$199.99 Save $50.00

Reolink Altas PT Ultra

$175.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $44.00

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$175.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $44.00

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• Blink Outdoor 2K+: At $30.99, down from $89.99, Blink’s latest flagship is the outdoor camera to buy when you want to spend as little as possible without drilling holes for a power cable. It records in 2K and runs on replaceable batteries, though Blink keeps person and vehicle detection behind its subscription. Blink’s new solar-powered Solaris 2K+ is also discounted for anyone who would rather not keep changing batteries.

• Eufy SoloCam S340: At $119.99, down from $199.99, the eufy SoloCam S340 is a strong pick for anyone tired of security cameras that turn basic features into a monthly bill. It stores footage locally on 8GB of built-in eMMC storage and uses on-device artificial intelligence to distinguish between faces, people, and vehicles. Plus, it’s solar-powered, has an IP65 weather resistance, and a 135-degree field of view, making it well-suited to watching over a yard or driveway.

• Tapo MagCam 2K+: A PCMag Editors’ Choice, the Tapo MagCam 2K+ is down to $54.99 from $89.99. You can read the full review here, but the highlights are its wire-free setup and support for local storage—handy when you would rather buy a memory card than commit to another monthly subscription.

• Google Nest Cam Outdoor: Not an official Prime deal, but Google’s second-generation wired outdoor camera is down to $149.99 from $199.99, and is the natural pick for a Google Home household that wants sharper 2K footage without adding another security app to the rotation (though you’ll need a nearby outlet). You can read PCMag’s full review here, where it earned an “excellent” rating.

• Reolink Altas PT Ultra: At $175.99, down from $219.99, this PCMag Editors’ Choice is another subscription-free heavy hitter that's discounted right now, if not on an official Prime Day deal. It records in 4K, can pan nearly all the way around, and starts saving footage (locally via a microSD card up to 512GB) before motion is fully detected, which helps with fast-moving cars.

These video doorbells are up to 60% off

Eufy Video Doorbell E340 Kit

$139.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $80.00

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with Sync Module Core

Blink 2nd Gen Video Doorbell

$59.99 at Amazon

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$59.99 at Amazon

Arlo Video Doorbell with Chime

$47.49 at Amazon

$69.99 Save $22.50

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• Eufy Video Doorbell E340 Kit: At $139.99, down from $219.99, the E340 is a strong choice for anyone whose front step sees a steady stream of deliveries. Most doorbell cameras show a visitor’s face but miss the package sitting beneath them; Eufy solves that with a second downward-facing camera. It also supports local storage, so you do not need another monthly subscription just to keep your recordings.

• Blink Video Doorbell With Sync Module Core: At $35.99, down from $79.99, Blink’s doorbell is the clear budget pick, especially if you already own other Blink cameras. The included Sync Module simplifies setup, and its replaceable batteries can last longer than the rechargeable packs used by many competitors. The catch is that the Sync Module Core does not store footage locally, so saving recordings requires a Blink subscription.

• Arlo Video Doorbell 2K with Chime 2: At $47.49, down from $69.99, this bundle gets one small but useful detail right: it includes an indoor chime, so you do not need your phone nearby every time someone rings the bell. But while its wide view can capture both a visitor and whatever they have left on the ground, Arlo reserves most of its smarter alerts and cloud recording for subscribers.

These smart locks are up to 44% off

Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Deadbolt

$170.98 at Amazon

$259.99 Save $89.01

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$170.98 at Amazon

$259.99 Save $89.01

Eufy Smart Lock C220

$94.97 at Amazon

$169.99 Save $75.02

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$94.97 at Amazon

$169.99 Save $75.02

Eufy FamiLock S3 Max

$279.99 at Amazon

$399.99 Save $120.00

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$279.99 at Amazon

$399.99 Save $120.00

Philips Smart Lock with Handle and Deadbolt

$104.48 at Amazon

$169.99 Save $65.51

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Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Smart Lock

$149.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $50.00

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$149.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $50.00

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• Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Deadbolt: Marked down 40% to $170.98 (from $299.99) for the brass color, this deadbolt keypad includes a bunch of nice features, including a fingerprint scanner, backup keyed entry, and a plug-in wifi bridge that extends your lock's battery life. The companion app lets you unlock the door from your phone and monitor who comes and goes with unique access codes, making it a great choice for rental units. Other colors are discounted too, but not as much.

• Eufy Smart Lock C220: Down to $94.97 from $169.99, the C220 is useful when your hands are full and digging for keys is the last thing you want to do. You can unlock it with a fingerprint, passcode, app, or physical key, and its built-in wifi means there is no extra bridge to buy. For something fancier, the palm-scanning Eufy FamiLock S3 Max is also discounted to $279.99 from $399.99.

• Philips Smart Lock with Handle and Deadbolt: Down to $104.48 from $169.99, this Philips set replaces both the deadbolt and handle, so your door does not end up looking like a patchwork of old and new hardware. And with multiple options, you can unlock it just about however you prefer: with a fingerprint, code, app, voice command, or regular key.

• Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Smart Lock: Down to $129.99 from $179.99, this is a particularly good fit for Apple Home users, though it also works with Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. PCMag named it the best smart lock of 2024; you can read the full review here.

This smart home security system is 41% off

SimpliSafe 10-Piece Wireless Home Security System

$224.99 at Amazon

$379.78 Save $154.79

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$224.99 at Amazon

$379.78 Save $154.79

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• SimpliSafe Home Security System: SimpliSafe’s 10-piece wireless kit is selling for $224.99, reduced from $373.50, and is the easiest option here for securing several rooms without piecing everything together yourself. It includes indoor and outdoor cameras, plus sensors for doors and movement. Setup is do-it-yourself, though some app features and professional monitoring require a paid plan.

These indoor home security cameras are up to 60% off

Blink Mini 2K+

$15.99 at Amazon

$39.99 Save $24.00

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$15.99 at Amazon

$39.99 Save $24.00

Eufy Wired Cam C31

$39.98 at Amazon

$59.99 Save $20.01

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$39.98 at Amazon

$59.99 Save $20.01

Arlo Essential Wired 2K Indoor Camera

$19.99 at Amazon

$39.99 Save $20.00

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$19.99 at Amazon

$39.99 Save $20.00

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• Blink Mini 2K+: The newest Blink compact indoor camera steps up to 2K resolution—a noticeable upgrade over the previous 1080p Mini. It plugs into a standard outlet, connects directly to wifi (no Sync Module needed), and delivers person detection, two-way audio, and color night vision for $15.99, down from $39.99.) right now.

• Eufy Wired Cam C31: Selling for $39.98 instead of its usual $59.99, the C31 is useful when one fixed camera angle is not enough. It can pan, tilt, and follow movement around the room, which makes it a better fit for checking on pets or children. It also supports local storage and continuous recording, so you are not forced into a subscription just to review earlier footage.

• Arlo Essential Indoor 2K: The Arlo Essential Indoor 2K is down to $19.49 from $39.99, and its physical privacy shutter gives it an advantage over competing indoor cameras. The shutter actually blocks the lens when you are home, rather than asking you to trust a setting in an app. Add 2K video and color night vision, and it becomes a practical option for a hallway, nursery, or pet area.

These floodlight cameras are up to 70% off

Blink Wired Floodlight Camera

$29.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $70.00

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$29.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $70.00

Eufy Floodlight Camera E340

$149.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $70.00

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$149.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $70.00

Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera

$89.99 at Amazon

$109.64 Save $19.65

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$89.99 at Amazon

$109.64 Save $19.65

Arlo Pro 3 Wireless Floodlight Camera

$105.44 at Amazon

$249.99 Save $144.55

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$105.44 at Amazon

$249.99 Save $144.55

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• Blink Wired Floodlight Camera: Blink’s wired floodlight camera is just $29.99 during Prime Day—which is a whopping 70% off its $99.99 regular price, making it one of the steepest percentage discounts in the entire sale. It gives you 2600 lumens of light, a camera, and a siren, though its video tops out at 1080p and you will need existing wiring for setup.

• Eufy Floodlight Camera E340: The E340 inherits the 360° pan-and-tilt design from the company’s flagship S330, offering auto-tracking with a 3K dual-camera setup and 24/7 continuous color recording. Hardwired for unlimited power, IP65 weatherproofed, and—crucially—no subscription required for local recording, this is a strong pick for driveways or backyards, especially now that it’s down to $149.99 from $219.99.

• Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera: For spots where running a wire is impractical, Reolink's solar-powered floodlight camera makes for a great wire-free alternative, at $89.99 (down from $109.99). Solar charging means no outlet needed, and the integrated floodlight plus siren creates an active deterrent on top of video recording. Color night vision, AI motion detection, and local storage round out a strong feature set without a subscription fee.

• Arlo Wireless Floodlight Camera: Arlo’s Pro 3 wireless floodlight camera has dropped to $105.44 from $249.99, making it a good option when you want strong outdoor lighting without calling an electrician. Its battery-powered design gives you more freedom over placement, though Arlo keeps cloud recordings and several smarter alerts behind a subscription.

Hard to believe that I’ve had the same PC case since 2011, and my last serious upgrade was in 2015. I guess that’s yet another sign that the PC is over, because PC upgrades have gotten really boring. It took 5 years for me to muster

Hard to believe that I’ve had the same PC case since 2011, and my last serious upgrade was in 2015. I guess that’s yet another sign that the PC is over, because PC upgrades have gotten really boring. It took 5 years for me to muster up the initiative to get my system fully upgraded! 🥱

I’ve been slogging away at this for quite some time now. My PC build blog entry series spans 13 glorious years:

• Building a PC, Part VIII: Iterating (2015)
• Building a PC, Part VII: Rebooting (2011)
• Building a PC, Part VI: Rebuilding (2009)
• Building a PC, Part V: Upgrading (2008)
• Building a PC, Part IV: Now It’s Your Turn (2007)
• Building a PC, Part III: Overclocking (2007)
• Building a PC, Part II: Burn in (2007)
• Building a PC, Part I: Minimal boot (2007)

The future of PCs may not necessarily be more speed (though there is some of that, if you read on), but in smaller builds. For this iteration, my go-to cases are the Dan A4 SFX...

And the Streacom DA2...

The attraction here is maximum power in minimum size. Note that each of these cases are just large enough to fit...

• a standard mini-ITX system
• SFX power supply
• full sized GPU
• reasonable CPU cooler

...though the DA2 offers substantially more room for cooling the CPU and adding fans.

I’m not sure you can physically build a smaller standard mini-ITX system than the DAN A4 SFX, at least not without custom parts!

DAN A4-SFX
200mm × 115mm × 317mm = 7.3 liters

Silverstone RVZ02 / ML08
380mm × 87mm × 370mm = 12.2 liters

nCase M1
240mm × 160mm × 328 mm = 12.6 liters

Streacom DA2
180mm × 286mm × 340mm = 17.5 liters

(For comparison with The Golden Age of x86 Gaming consoles, a PS4 Pro occupies 5.3 liters and an Xbox One S 4.3 liters. About 50% more volume for considerably more than 2× the power isn’t a bad deal!)

I chose the Streacom DA2 as my personal build, because after experimenting heavily with the DAN A4 SFX, I realized you need more room to deal with extremely powerful CPUs and GPUs in this form factor, and I wanted a truly powerful system:

• Intel i9-9900KS (8 core, 16 thread, 5.0 GHz) CPU
• Samsung 970 PRO 1TB / Samsung 970 EVO 2TB / Samsung 860 QVO 4TB SATA
• 64GB DDR4-3000
• Cryorig H7 cooler (exact fit)
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GPU

Compared to my old 2015-2017 system, a slightly overclocked i7-7700k, that at least gives me 2× the cores (and faster cores, both in clock rate and IPC), 2× the memory, and 2× the M.2 slots (two versus one).

The DA2 is a clever case though less perfect than the A4-SFX. What’s neat about it is the hybrid open-air design (on the top and bottom) plus the versatile horizontal and vertical bracket system interior. Per the manual (PDF):

Check out all the bracket mounting options. Incredibly versatile, and easy to manipulate with the captured nut and bolt design:

Note that you can (and really should) pop out the top and bottom acrylic pieces with the mesh dust net.

I had dramatically better temperatures after I did this, and it also made the build easier since the case can fully “breathe” through the top and bottom. You’ll note that the front of the DA2 is totally solid, no air holes, so you do need that extra airflow.

I only have a few criticisms of this Streacom DA2 case:

• The side panels are tool free, which is excellent, but the pressure fit makes them fairly difficult to remove. Feels like this could be tweaked?
• (Don’t even think about using a full sized ATX power supply. In theory it is supported, but the build becomes so much more difficult. Use a SFX power supply, which you’d expect to do for a mini-ITX build anyway.)
• My primary complaint is that the power extension cable gets in the way. I had to remove it and re-attach it during my build. They should custom route the power cable upwards so it blocks less stuff.
• Less of a criticism and more of an observation: if your build uses a powerful GPU and CPU, you’ll need two case fans. There’s mounting points for a 92mm fan in the rear, and the bracket system makes it easy to mount a 140mm fan blowing inward. You will definitely need both fans!

Here’s the configuration I recommend, open on both the top and bottom for maximum airflow, with three fans total:

If you are a water cooling kind of person – I am definitely not, I experienced one too many traumatic cooling fluid leaks in the early 2000s – then you will use that 140mm space for the radiator.

I have definitely burn-in tested this machine, as I do all systems I build, and it passed with flying colors. But to be honest, if you expect to be under full CPU and GPU loads for extended periods of time you might need to switch to water cooling due to the space constraints. (Or pick slightly less powerful components.)

If you haven’t built a PC system recently, it’s easier than it has ever been. Heck by the time you install the M.2 drives, memory, CPU, and cooler on the motherboard you’re almost done, these days!

There are a lot of interesting compact mini-itx builds out there. Perhaps that’s the primary innovation in PC building for 2020 and beyond – packing all that power into less than 20 liters of space!

Read a Spanish translation of this article here.

Prime Big Deal Days has begun today on Amazon, and if you're shopping for iPads this season there are quite a few notable sales available for select tablets. This includes $100 off nearly every iPad Air and iPad mini, plus $50 off the entry-level iPad.

M4 iPad Air

11-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $649.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $749.00 ($100 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Cellular - $899.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Cellular - $1,399.00 ($100 off)

13-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,449.00 ($100 off)

iPad Mini 7

iPad

The release of iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence marks another milestone in Apple’s mission to provide more intuitive, secure, and personalized user experiences. Touted as one of the most advanced updates to date, this version introduces several AI-powered features and enhanced security measures. But is iOS 18.1 ready for mainstream adoption, or should you holdContinue reading "Should You Upgrade to iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence? A Deep Dive into Apple’s Latest Innovation"

The release of iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence marks another milestone in Apple’s mission to provide more intuitive, secure, and personalized user experiences. Touted as one of the most advanced updates to date, this version introduces several AI-powered features and enhanced security measures. But is iOS 18.1 ready for mainstream adoption, or should you hold off? Below, we’ll explore what this upgrade offers and whether it’s worth the switch.

iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence: Who Can Access It?

Apple’s iOS 18.1 update is compatible with any iPhone that supports iOS 18, starting with the iPhone XS and later models. However, Apple Intelligence—the most talked-about feature—is exclusive to a limited selection of newer devices: the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

To install iOS 18.1, simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your device. Make sure you have adequate battery life or are plugged into a power source, as the download and installation process may take some time.

Unpacking Apple Intelligence: A Step Toward Smarter Devices

Apple Intelligence brings powerful, AI-driven improvements to several core functions. Here’s a look at the standout features:

1. Enhanced Text Suggestions and Personalization Apple Intelligence elevates your texting experience by analyzing the context and tone of your conversations, learning your personal vocabulary and phrasing over time. With natural language processing at its core, it suggests words and phrases that feel more intuitive and tailored to your style. This goes beyond basic predictive text, aiming to make every interaction smoother and more personalized.
2. AI-Powered Photography Tools iOS 18.1 includes groundbreaking photography tools that make editing photos effortless. A notable example is the ability to remove unwanted objects from photos—perfect for eliminating photobombers with a simple tap. Powered by Apple’s AI-driven image analysis, this tool seamlessly erases objects without sacrificing quality, enabling professional-grade edits without third-party applications.
3. Call Recording and Transcription One of the most anticipated features in iOS 18.1 is native call recording with real-time transcription. With privacy in mind, the system announces to all parties that the call is being recorded, ensuring transparency. This feature is especially useful for professionals needing to reference past conversations or anyone wanting an accurate record without the hassle of third-party recording apps.

Security Enhancements: Protecting Users in a Complex Digital Landscape

Apple has also doubled down on security in iOS 18.1, addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing protections against potential exploits.

1. WebKit Security Fixes Apple’s WebKit, the browser engine that powers Safari and other mobile applications, has been a target for potential exploits. iOS 18.1 mitigates these risks by patching known vulnerabilities, reducing the chances of unauthorized access through WebKit-dependent applications and reinforcing security for all internet activity on your device.
2. Kernel Exploits Apple has reinforced iOS’s kernel—the system’s core—to protect against known vulnerabilities. Kernel patches in iOS 18.1 prevent unauthorized access to core system functions, offering peace of mind for users concerned about privacy and data integrity.

User Reactions to iOS 18.1: Mixed Reviews on Apple Intelligence

As with any major update, user experiences with iOS 18.1 vary widely. Here’s a closer look at the most common points of feedback.

1. The Apple Intelligence Waitlist Accessing Apple Intelligence isn’t instant; users must join a waitlist, with wait times ranging from a few minutes to several hours. Apple’s servers face high demand due to the Private Cloud Compute required to run Apple Intelligence. While the waitlist is manageable, some users are frustrated by the delay, especially early adopters eager to test the new features.
2. Battery Drain Issues A recurring complaint with iOS updates is battery drain, and iOS 18.1 is no exception. Users report accelerated battery depletion, particularly when actively using Apple Intelligence. This is likely due to the initial indexing of files and other setup processes associated with new updates. However, reports suggest that the drain is more pronounced with Apple Intelligence-enabled features, which may require further optimization in future updates.
3. Bugs and Glitches iOS 18.1 has its share of bugs, including occasional app freezes, minor connectivity issues, and rare instances of unexpected resets. While these issues are not widespread, they could affect daily usability. Apple is likely to release incremental updates to resolve these issues in the coming weeks, which may improve stability for hesitant users.

Performance on Older Devices: A Smooth Experience with Some Limitations

While Apple Intelligence is limited to newer iPhone models, iOS 18.1 still performs well on older devices. Users with iPhones as early as the XS report smooth performance without the sluggishness sometimes associated with major updates. However, the absence of Apple Intelligence features might make the update feel less substantial on these models.

Apple Intelligence vs. Google Assistant and Siri: A New Era of AI

The integration of Apple Intelligence in iOS raises comparisons to Google Assistant and Siri. Unlike Google Assistant, which acts as a centralized AI hub, Apple Intelligence integrates into specific iOS functions, enhancing text messaging, image editing, and other core functionalities without needing an overarching AI interface. This approach offers a more seamless, privacy-centric experience compared to Google’s AI, which may collect more user data to drive its functionality.

By focusing on intuitive, context-aware assistance rather than an omnipresent voice assistant, Apple Intelligence feels like a background enhancement rather than a standalone feature. Meanwhile, Siri continues to handle voice-based commands, while Apple Intelligence focuses on refining text suggestions and visual elements—creating a blend of discreet, context-sensitive AI.

Should You Upgrade? The Verdict on iOS 18.1

If you have a device that supports Apple Intelligence, upgrading to iOS 18.1 is an opportunity to access new, AI-enhanced features that could transform your daily interactions. Here are the main considerations:

• Security Improvements: With iOS 18.1’s added security measures, users benefit from the latest patches addressing potential vulnerabilities, including those in WebKit and the iOS kernel. This is particularly valuable for anyone concerned with mobile security and online privacy.
• Call Recording and Transcription: iOS 18.1 offers built-in call recording with transcription—a game-changer for professionals and casual users alike who need a reliable and transparent recording solution.
• Apple Intelligence: For those with iPhone 15 or 16 series devices, the AI-driven improvements to texting, photography, and other core functionalities add a new layer of personalization and convenience.

However, if your device doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, the update may feel less impactful. In addition, those wary of potential battery issues or minor glitches might consider waiting until Apple releases further refinements in subsequent patches.

Software Outsourcing and Mobile Application Trends in Apple’s AI Push

This leap in iOS’s capabilities reflects broader trends in software outsourcing and the development of mobile applications. Apple’s new AI features highlight the growing demand for smarter, more integrated mobile applications that adapt to user behavior and enhance security. Outsourcing software development has played a significant role in meeting this demand, allowing companies to leverage specialized talent for advanced applications that might not be feasible in-house.

In an increasingly digital world, companies are recognizing that software outsourcing enables the creation of mobile applications with AI capabilities, such as natural language processing, image analysis, and voice recognition, at a faster rate and often at a lower cost than in-house development. The Apple Intelligence update is a powerful example of this trend, showcasing how tailored AI functionalities are reshaping mobile applications to become more personalized and responsive.

Final Thoughts: A Strategic Move Toward the Future

iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence marks a meaningful step forward in Apple’s ongoing commitment to user-centric design, privacy, and AI integration. By embedding intelligent capabilities directly into iOS’s core functions, Apple not only enriches the user experience but also sets a standard for other tech companies to follow.

For users with compatible devices, this update offers a compelling blend of personalization, productivity, and security. Yet, as with any major update, the decision to upgrade should consider your device’s compatibility and any personal reservations about potential bugs or battery drain.

In summary, iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence is a sophisticated update that balances innovation with practicality, security, and privacy. Whether you’re an early adopter or a cautious upgrader, Apple’s latest release reflects an era where mobile applications and software outsourcing converge to deliver smarter, safer, and more personalized experiences to users worldwide.

The Gitryin Nexus 140W charging station is available for $89.99 during its early-access period.

Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Gitryin has opened pre-orders for Nexus, a 140W desktop charging station with four retractable USB-C cables built directly into the unit, giving you a way to charge several devices without keeping a collection of loose cables stretched across your desk. A fifth USB-C port takes your own cable, and you also get three adapters that cover Lightning, Micro-USB, and USB-A devices like older earbuds or an aging e-reader. The whole setup is currently available for $89.99 as part of an early-access offer running through Oct. 14, before the price increases to $109.99 on Oct. 15. From then through Nov. 30, you can use the code NexusPR10 to take $10 off orders of $100 or more, effectively bringing the Nexus down to $99.99, with units expected to begin shipping Nov. 15.

As useful as having five charging connections may be, the Nexus’s 140W of power is shared—a single compatible device can draw up to the full 140W, while connecting two devices divides the available power to as much as 65W apiece. With three devices plugged in, the split becomes 100W, 18W, and 18W, and filling all five connections gives you up to 65W from the primary connection and 18W from each of the other four. Gitryin’s testing at the full 140W output saw a 16-inch MacBook Pro reach 50% in 25 minutes and a full charge in one hour and 31 minutes, though actual speeds will vary depending on your device, battery level, and charging conditions.

That combination of laptop-level power and support for several smaller devices makes the Nexus particularly suited to a desk or nightstand where most of your charging happens in one place, and the retractable cables help keep that setup from becoming cluttered—each one extends up to 31.5 inches and locks at multiple lengths, while the 30.2-ounce weighted base and non-slip strips help keep the station planted as you pull a cable out. The tradeoff is portability: At roughly 4.3 by 3.5 by 4.5 inches and nearly two pounds, it’s much better suited to staying on a desk or nightstand than traveling with you.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

Det första jag gjorde i {Hell Let Loose: Vietnam} var inte att skjuta någon. Det var att felsöka. Inloggningen mot Epic Online Services vägrade gå igenom, och när den till slut gick igenom kraschade spelet direkt efteråt, gång på gång, utan möjlighet att tacka nej till kontokopplingen. Vägen in blev att rensa spelets lokala mappar och logga in i ett senare skede. Därefter visade det sig att min handkontroll var osynlig för spelet, och att lösningen på det i sin tur utlöste exakt samma krasch. Antingen kan du logga in, eller så kan du använda din kontroll.

Under allt det där finns ett av de mest spännande skjutspelen på länge. Djungeln är tät, öppen mark är i praktiken en dödsdom och eldstriderna avgörs på tiondelar. Hälsan är låg nog att den som öppnar eld först oftast också vinner, och eftersom ingenting avslöjar din position förrän du skjuter blir positionering viktigare än reflexer. Man kryper, man lyssnar, man håller andan för att stabilisera siktet den sista biten. Gunplayet är rakt och behagligt utan överdrivet vapensvaj, rekylen går att läsa, och lutningsfunktionen är användbar i nästan varje strid.

Ljudbilden är kanske spelets starkaste kort. Den är inte bara läcker utan användbar, för riktningen till en fiende går att uppfatta intuitivt, och det är avgörande i en miljö där i stort sett allt kan gömma sig i vegetationen. Desto märkligare blir kontrasten mot spelets eget röstchatt, som i närområdeskanalen låter som två personer i varsin plåtburk. Utvecklarna har erkänt problemet och uppger att robotljudet är åtgärdat i lednings- och squadkanalen, medan felet i närområdeskanalen fortfarande är olöst och ligger hos leverantören av rösttjänsten.

Vegetationen är spelets bästa gömställe. Ditt eget gränssnitt är dess bästa konkurrent.

Jag hittade min roll direkt. Som sjukvårdare ställs man hela tiden inför valet att dra en fallen kamrat i skydd eller ta risken att återuppliva honom där han ligger, och det lilla taktiska beslutet blir aldrig tråkigt. Kommunikationen är byggd kring tre kanaler: närområde, den egna squaden och ledningsgruppen. De används, och de används med en entusiasm som pendlar mellan filmisk och fullständigt löjlig. Många rollspelar sin sida, de överdrivna dödsscenerna medan man väntar på sjukvårdaren har blivit ett stående skämt, och den som sitter med handkontroll får dessutom jobba lite extra eftersom kanalen ligger kvar på närområde tills man aktivt byter.

Spelet blommar ut på riktigt först när någon leder. Min bästa session började med att vi försökte bygga artilleri, upptäckte att det krävde förnödenheter, och därför blev tvungna att prata med vår commander. Plötsligt var vi en del av matchen. Jag hamnade som spotter, rapporterade stridsvagnar och fiendegrupper uppåt, fick tillbaka att laget hade för få spawnpunkter, och ägnade tio minuter åt att koordinera droppzoner och bygga garnisoner. Det är den bästa sortens {Starship Troopers}-känsla: jag gjorde min del.

Problemet är att den upplevelsen kräver att någon annan gör sin. Utan en aktiv commander förvandlas Hell Let Loose: Vietnam till en springsimulator där femtio personer rör sig osynkat över en enorm karta och dör i ett nafs. Lägg till att squadmedlemmar sällan bygger spawnpunkter nära objektiven, och du får långa transportsträckor som slutar med att du dör på en bråkdels sekund och får springa igen.

En del av friktionen är avsiktlig, en del är bara ofärdig. Att man inte kan springa igenom sina lagkamrater är ett medvetet designval, men att fastna i varandra i en trång gång är ändå irriterande. Värre är rörelsen över hinder, för alldeles för ofta klättrar gubben inte upp där han borde, fastnar bakom en bambustam eller vägrar krypa igenom en glipa som ser rejält tilltagen ut.

Gör tutorialen. Inte för din egen skull, utan för de nittionio andra på servern.

Fordonen är den svagaste delen. Stridsvagnarna är byggda för en besättning på tre, och vi provade dem två, vilket är vårt eget fel. Men att ratta tornet med tangentbordet ger ingen känsla för fordonet över huvud taget, musen är i praktiken avstängd, tornet tar en evighet på sig att komma runt, och ett femtiotons fordon stoppas av ett träd. Helikoptrarna är om möjligt värre. Pitch ligger på tangentbordet, höjden på ytterligare tangenter, det finns någon form av autohovring och gir på musknapparna, och resultatet är blockigt på ett sätt som inte påminner om flygning. Att växla till handkontroll för just det momentet, som i andra samtida krigsspel, gick inte. Det de flesta vill ha är två spakar, gas och gir till vänster och blicken till höger, och allt annat känns fel. Förvänta dig alltså inga snygga helikopterklipp på Youtube, utan linjära transporter och garanterad död så fort piloten är ny.

Helikoptern flygs med pitch på W och S, höjd på mellanslag och autonivellering på shift, och känns precis så blockig som det låter. Stridsvagnen är inte roligare, bara långsammare.

Och så gränssnittet. I ett spel där hela vinsten ligger i att kunna söka av varje buske efter en rörelse lägger spelet ett lager av blå ikoner, namn och mätare rakt över det man försöker titta på. Har du tio lagkamrater i siktlinjen är vyn i praktiken täckt, och fienden kan mycket väl stå mellan dem. Objektivmarkörerna tar dessutom stor visuell plats och blockerar precis det område du behöver läsa av. Det går möjligen att tona ner i inställningarna, men i standardläget motarbetar gränssnittet spelets egen kärnmekanik.

Sedan har vi det som den här recensionen egentligen handlar om. Crossplay fungerar rent tekniskt, min bror på PS5 och jag på PC kan slåss på samma server. Allt runt omkring fungerar inte. Vi kunde inte hitta varandra via vänlistan utan att koppla ihop våra Epic-konton, alltså just den koppling som kraschade spelet för mig. Röstchatten fungerar först när man är inne i matchen, inte i lag- och rollvalet, så första försöket slutade med att vi hamnade i motsatta lag. Man placeras inte heller automatiskt i samma lag eller squad som den man kom dit med, utan får lösa det manuellt medan matchen redan rullar. Någon matchmaking finns inte, utan man scrollar i en serverlista och letar efter något med låg ping som inte är fullt, ofta långt under de hundra spelare lägena är byggda för. Vi löste kommunikationen med Discord, tills det visade sig att min bror inte kunde köra Discord och spelets eget röstchatt samtidigt. Han fick välja: prata med mig, eller prata med laget.

Prestandan skiljer sig dessutom kraftigt mellan plattformarna. På min PC med RTX 5080, Ryzen 7 9800X3D och 1440p-skärm flyter det på utmärkt när jag optimerat för bildfrekvens och sikt, medan PS5-versionen är däremot en röra där föremål klipper in i vyn och bilden hackar rejält. Vår sista session avslutades med att hela servern låste sig, alla stod fast i sin senaste animation, och sedan kraschade alltihop.

Utvecklarna jobbar, det ska sägas. En första hotfix rättade bland annat ljudbortfall på PS5 och serverkrascher, och den 20 augusti kom en uppdatering med över femhundra rättningar som rör stabilitet, banor, fordon, gränssnitt och vapen, med ytterligare en patch utlovad inom en vecka. Jag har inte kunnat utvärdera den fullt ut inför den här texten. Men betyget handlar inte om enskilda buggar, utan om att helheten inte är färdig. Ett spel som säljs på att man ska spela tillsammans måste klara av att låta två bröder på varsin plattform hamna i samma lag utan att någon av dem först felsöker i en timme. Det finns en sjua eller åtta i den här djungeln när stabiliteten, röstchatten, gränssnittet och konsolprestandan sitter. Just nu är det en femma, och rådet är att vänta innan du ger dig ut i Vietnams djungler.

This is the latest award show to be picked up by a streamer.

Apple today announced that the all-new "Crossy Road" spinoff game "Crossy Road Rush" will be launching exclusively on Apple Arcade on Thursday, November 5.

Crossy Road Rush has players "swerve, jump, and smash their way across an island obstacle course packed with quick-fire challenges and hazards at every turn," according to Apple. Also coming to Apple Arcade on November 5 are existing App Store games KAMI 2 and Food Stylist.

October Prime Day smart home deals are live, including the Echo Dot at $39.99 and the Roomba 705X at $699.99.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Amazon's October Prime Day 2026 sale has officially begun, and discounts on smart home devices are live, across just about every corner of the category, from $13 smart plugs and sub-$30 security cameras to robot vacuums with hundreds of dollars knocked off their usual prices. Whether you're looking to add a 2K/4K camera to the backyard, swap your deadbolt for a smart lock, automate a few appliances, or finally hand floor-cleaning duties over to a robot, these are the October Prime Day smart home deals worth knowing about.

A lot of these are sitting at their lowest prices on record (according to price trackers), and the range is wide enough that you could outfit a whole house for the cost of one premium robot vacuum. For more on the October Prime Day sale, you can browse more deals and sale announcements on our Prime Day Deals page.

These outdoor security cameras are up to 70% off

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• Blink’s Wired Floodlight Camera is $29.99, down from $99.99—a 70% discount on a camera that pairs motion-triggered floodlights with 1080p video, though it needs existing wiring, according to this PCMag review.

• Ring Spotlight Cam Plus is $79.99 (regularly $149.99). Also at a record low, this is the battery model, so placement is flexible, with its built-in spotlight giving you color footage at night.

• For wireless options, the Eufy Security SoloCam S340 is $119.99, down from $199.99—it’s more expensive upfront, but Eufy stores footage locally, so there's no subscription bill afterward, and the solar panel means you may never charge it by hand. PCMag gave it an “excellent” rating, with its review offering a closer look at how those features perform in practice. 

• If you need multiple cameras, a two-pack of the Arlo Essential Wired Outdoor Camera is $59 (originally $69), its lowest price yet, which works out to just under $30 per camera. Each records in 2K and has motorized 360-degree pan and 180-degree tilt for wider coverage, though you'll need an outlet near each mounting spot, notes this PCMag review.

• For even more coverage, the Tapo MagCam C460 three-pack is $199.99, down from $399.99, cutting the usual price in half. That works out to about $67 per 4K camera.

These indoor security cameras start at just $16

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• Blink Mini 2K+ is $15.99 (was $39.99). The cheapest thing on this list by a distance, and at its lowest price ever. Fine for keeping an eye on a pet or a back door, though cloud storage requires a Blink subscription.

• The Ring Indoor Cam is $24.99, down from $49.99. It comes with a manual privacy shutter for when you don't want a camera watching your living space; this PCMag review goes into more detail. For only $5 more, the newer Ring Indoor Cam Plus is $29.99 (was $59.98) and bumps the resolution from 1080p to 2K. PCMag gave this model an “excellent” rating in its review. Both cameras are at their lowest prices yet.

• The Eufy Security Indoor Camera E30 steps up to a 4K sensor with 360-degree pan-and-tilt and automatic tracking that follows movement around a room. It is currently $52.24, down from $69.99. 

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$37.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $62.00

Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) with Chime

$47.49 at Amazon

$69.99 Save $22.50

Get Deal

Get Deal

$47.49 at Amazon

$69.99 Save $22.50

Ecobee Smart Video Doorbell

$109.99 at Amazon

$159.99 Save $50.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$109.99 at Amazon

$159.99 Save $50.00

Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 Kit with Chime

$139.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $80.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$139.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $80.00

Ring Wired Doorbell Pro with Chime

$169.99 at Amazon

$284.98 Save $114.99

Get Deal

Get Deal

$169.99 at Amazon

$284.98 Save $114.99

SEE 3 MORE

• Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ with Chime is $44.99 (was $109.98). A record low on a 2K doorbell bundled with the chime you'd otherwise buy separately, and the wire-free installation makes it renter-friendly. For more on its performance, check out this PCMag review.

• At an even lower $37.99, the Chamberlain myQ Video Doorbell is down from $99.99. You can read more about it in PCMag's review.

• Moving up slightly in price, the Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) with Chime is $47.99 (was $69.99). Its square aspect ratio gives you a head-to-toe view of visitors while also showing packages left on the doorstep, an advantage PCMag highlights in its “excellent” review.

• If you're already using other Ecobee devices, the Ecobee Smart Video Doorbell is $119.99 (was $159.99) and slots neatly into the same ecosystem. It also integrates with Apple Home, something you won't find on every doorbell in this price range. PCMag's review has more on how it works.

• The Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 Kit with Chime is $139.99 (was $219.99) and uses dual cameras: a front-facing one for visitors and a downward-facing one for packages left at your door. It also supports local storage, so you can use it without a subscription. PCMag gave it an “excellent” review.

• At the top end of this group, the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (3rd Gen) with Chime is $169.99 (was $284.98). It uses radar-based motion detection for more precise alerts, helping filter out things like passing cars. PCMag gave it an “excellent” review.

These smart locks are up to 44% off

Eufy Smart Lock C220

$94.97 at Amazon

$169.99 Save $75.02

Get Deal

Get Deal

$94.97 at Amazon

$169.99 Save $75.02

Eufy C220 Smart Lock with Door Lever

$129.98 at Amazon

$189.99 Save $60.01

Get Deal

Get Deal

$129.98 at Amazon

$189.99 Save $60.01

Eufy FamiLock E34 with Palm Vein Recognition

$195.99 at Amazon

$279.99 Save $84.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$195.99 at Amazon

$279.99 Save $84.00

Eufy Security Video Smart Lock E330

$189.98 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $110.01

Get Deal

Get Deal

$189.98 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $110.01

Philips Wi-Fi Smart Door Lock

$104.47 at Amazon

$142.49 Save $38.02

Get Deal

Get Deal

$104.47 at Amazon

$142.49 Save $38.02

Philips WiFi Keypad Door Lock with Handle

$109.99 at Amazon

$179.99 Save $70.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$109.99 at Amazon

$179.99 Save $70.00

Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock

$108.53 at Amazon

$149.99 Save $41.46

Get Deal

Get Deal

$108.53 at Amazon

$149.99 Save $41.46

myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock

$142.50 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $57.49

Get Deal

Get Deal

$142.50 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $57.49

SEE 5 MORE

• Eufy has four locks discounted, and they climb steadily in both price and ambition—the Smart Lock C220 at $94.97, down from $169.99, is the entry point and reads a fingerprint in well under a second. The Smart Lock Front Door Lever Set at $129.98, down from $189.99, replaces the handle as well as the deadbolt and is weather-rated for exposed doors, while the FamiLock E34 at $195.99, down from $279.99, swaps fingerprints for palm vein recognition, handy for when your hands are wet or cold. And at the top sits the Video Smart Lock E330 at $189.98, down from $299.99, combining a video doorbell into the deadbolt itself with local storage support.

• The Philips Wi-Fi Smart Door Lock is $104.47 (was $142.49), its lowest price yet, and has a touchscreen keypad that lets you hand out temporary access codes to a cleaner, dog walker, or guest. For essentially the same price, the Philips Wi-Fi Keypad Door Lock with Handle at $104.48 (was $179.99) includes both the deadbolt and matching handle, making it the better fit if you want to replace the entire lock assembly in one go.

• Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock is $108.53 (was $149.99), with fingerprint, keypad, and app entry, plus a rechargeable battery that needs a USB-C top-up once or twice a year instead of fresh AAs.

• If you'd prefer to combine several front-door devices into one, the myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock with 2K HDR Video Doorbell Camera is $142.50, down from $199.99.

Discounted robot vacuum and mops from Roborock, Eufy, Ecovacs, and more

iRobot Roomba 415X Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo

$398.99 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $401.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$398.99 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $401.00

iRobot Roomba 505X

$469.99 at Amazon

$999.99 Save $530.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$469.99 at Amazon

$999.99 Save $530.00

iRobot Roomba 705X

$699.99 at Amazon

$1,399.99 Save $700.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$699.99 at Amazon

$1,399.99 Save $700.00

Roborock Robot Vacuum Mop with LiDAR

$199.99 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $100.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$199.99 at Amazon

$299.99 Save $100.00

Roborock Qrevo S Pro

$384.99 at Amazon

$699.99 Save $315.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$384.99 at Amazon

$699.99 Save $315.00

Roborock Qrevo Edge 3 Pro

$984.99 at Amazon

$1,499.99 Save $515.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$984.99 at Amazon

$1,499.99 Save $515.00

Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum

$229.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $220.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$229.99 at Amazon

$449.99 Save $220.00

Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo

$399.99 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $150.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$399.99 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $150.00

SEE 5 MORE

• iRobot has five Roombas discounted, all at record lows—the Roomba 415X is $398.99, down from $799.99, with self-emptying, self-cleaning, and obstacle avoidance that steers reliably around cables and shoes. The Roomba 505 and Roomba 505X are both $469.99, down from $999.99, sitting a tier above on navigation and mopping. The Roomba Plus 415 is $499.99, down from $599.99, while the Roomba 705X rounds out the group at $699.99, down from $1,399.99, adding an extending mop arm that reaches into corners other models skim past.

• Roborock's five span the widest range of anything here—the Robot Vacuum Mop with LiDAR at $199.99, down from $299.99, packs 10,000Pa of suction and LiDAR mapping into a machine you still empty yourself, while the Qrevo S Pro at $384.99, down from $699.99, adds mop lifting for carpets and a dock that washes and dries. It is also the most well-rounded midrange pick here. Moving up, the Qrevo Edge 2 at $784.99, down from $1,299.99, and the Qrevo Edge 3 Pro at $984.99, down from $1,499.99, both use extending side brushes and mops for proper corner coverage, with the Edge 3 Pro adding stronger suction for houses mixing carpet and hard floors.

• Shark's four are the value end of the category—the AI Ultra Robot Vacuum at $249.99, down from $599, gets you a self-emptying base for a fraction of what most cost, and the Matrix Plus at $229.99, down from $449.99, adds mopping and a cleaning pattern that goes over the same patch repeatedly. The Stratos and PowerDetect are both $399.99, down from $549.99, with the former offering an odor-neutralizing base that counts in a home with pets and the latter ramping suction automatically when it detects carpet or heavier debris.

Eufy Omni C20

$339.98 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $210.01

Get Deal

Get Deal

$339.98 at Amazon

$549.99 Save $210.01

Eufy E25 HydroJet System

$569.96 at Amazon

$999.99 Save $430.03

Get Deal

Get Deal

$569.96 at Amazon

$999.99 Save $430.03

Ecovacs Deebot T90 Pro Omni

$499.00 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $300.99

Get Deal

Get Deal

$499.00 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $300.99

SEE 0 MORE

• Eufy's three cover the budget-to-premium span—the Omni C20 at $319.98, down from $549.99, is the cheapest route here to a dock that washes mop pads as well as emptying the bin, while the E25 at $569.98, down from $999.99, is a $400 cut on a machine whose dock runs noticeably quieter than most when emptying. At the top of Eufy's lineup here, the Omni S2 is $1,279.99 (was $1,599.99). It's still a significant investment despite the $200 discount, but you're getting Eufy's more advanced cleaning and automation features in one machine.

• Ecovacs rounds out the category with two steep cuts—the Deebot T90 Pro Omni is $499, down from $799.99, taking $300 off a machine built with long hair and pet fur in mind, thanks to a brush design that resists tangling. For something more premium, the Deebot X12 Omnicyclone is $799, down from $1,499.99, a $700 discount on a model whose bagless dock means no replacement bags to keep buying.

Amazon's Echo smart speakers and displays are on sale starting at $39.99

Amazon Echo Dot

$39.99 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $40.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$39.99 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $40.00

Amazon Echo Spot

$54.99 at Amazon

$109.99 Save $55.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$54.99 at Amazon

$109.99 Save $55.00

Amazon Echo Dot Max

$79.99 at Amazon

$119.99 Save $40.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$79.99 at Amazon

$119.99 Save $40.00

Amazon Echo Studio

$179.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $40.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$179.99 at Amazon

$219.99 Save $40.00

Amazon Echo Show 5

$59.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $40.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$59.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $40.00

Amazon Echo Show 8

$124.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $75.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$124.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $75.00

Amazon Echo Show 11

$149.99 at Amazon

$249.99 Save $100.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$149.99 at Amazon

$249.99 Save $100.00

Amazon Echo Show 15

$249.99 at Amazon

$349.99 Save $100.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$249.99 at Amazon

$349.99 Save $100.00

Amazon Echo Show 21

$349.99 at Amazon

$499.99 Save $150.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$349.99 at Amazon

$499.99 Save $150.00

SEE 6 MORE

October Prime Day discounts have brought Amazon's entire Echo smart-speaker lineup down in price, starting with the Echo Dot at $39.99, down from $79.99, still the easiest way to add voice control to a spare room, and the Echo Spot at $54.99, down from $109.99, which adds a small display that makes it a better bedside clock. The Echo Dot Max at $79.99, down from $119.99, has enough low end to work as a real kitchen music speaker, and the Echo Studio at $179.99, down from $219.99 and its lowest price yet, is the only Echo genuinely built for listening instead of just asking about the weather. All of these support the AI assistant Alexa+.

The Echo Show displays are discounted across the range too, and they scale by where you plan to put them—the Echo Show 5 at $59.99, down from $99.99, is nightstand-sized, while the Echo Show 8 at $124.99, down from $199.99, reaches the point where recipes and video calls become readable from across a counter. The Echo Show 11 at $149.99, down from $249.99, splits the difference, and the wall-mounted Echo Show 15 at $249.99, down from $349.99, is built to serve as a family calendar and note board. The Echo Show 21 at $349.99, down from $499.99, is large enough to double as a small kitchen TV. All of these support the AI assistant Alexa+.

Save up to $35 on these smart thermostats

Amazon Smart Thermostat

$56.99 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $23.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$56.99 at Amazon

$79.99 Save $23.00

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced

$164.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $35.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$164.99 at Amazon

$199.99 Save $35.00

SEE -1 MORE

• Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is $56.99 (was $79.99), and is the cheapest way to get scheduling and remote control, though it has no built-in display worth speaking of and leans on the app.

• Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is $164.99 (was $199.99), with support for remote room sensors, so the temperature reflects where people actually are instead of the hallway.

These smart plugs and power strips start at under $13

Amazon Smart Plug

$12.98 at Amazon

$24.99 Save $12.01

Get Deal

Get Deal

$12.98 at Amazon

$24.99 Save $12.01

Kasa KP303 Smart Plug Power Strip

$24.98 at Amazon

$29.99 Save $5.01

Get Deal

Get Deal

$24.98 at Amazon

$29.99 Save $5.01

Eightree 5GHz Smart Plug (4-Pack)

$33.99 at Amazon

$39.99 Save $6.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$33.99 at Amazon

$39.99 Save $6.00

Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip

$39.99 at Amazon

$49.99 Save $10.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$39.99 at Amazon

$49.99 Save $10.00

SEE 1 MORE

• Amazon Smart Plug is $12.98 (was $24.99). A record low, and the simplest way to put a lamp or coffee maker on a schedule.

• Kasa’s Smart Plug Power Strip KP303 is $24.98 (was $29.98), and it gives you three independently controlled outlets plus surge protection, useful behind a TV stand.

• Eightree 5GHz Smart Plug (4-Pack) is $33.99 (was $39.99). Four plugs for the price of one Hue, with energy monitoring and 5GHz support that many cheap plugs lack.

• Tapo’s Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip is $39.99 (was $49.99), and with Matter support, it works across Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home instead of locking you into any one ecosystem.

Amazon October Prime Day FAQs

When is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day (actually called "Prime Big Deal Days") begins Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. This is one of three major Amazon sales throughout the year, and it happens every year during October.

How do October Prime Day deals work?

Prime Day sales, include Prime Big Deal Days, let Prime Members shop online for thousands of products with big discounts. It only lasts two days, so make sure you check out everything we know about the sale.

What goes on sale during October Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

140 milliards d’euros d’économies net sur 5 ans, une règle d’or budgétaire, le retour de la somme des dépenses publiques sous les 50% du PIB… Marine Le Pen a voulu faire la démonstration de son sérieux et de sa crédibilité en matière de gestion des finances publiques en présentant sa “trajectoire financière” lors d’une conférence […]

140 milliards d’euros d’économies net sur 5 ans, une règle d’or budgétaire, le retour de la somme des dépenses publiques sous les 50% du PIB… Marine Le Pen a voulu faire la démonstration de son sérieux et de sa crédibilité en matière de gestion des finances publiques en présentant sa “trajectoire financière” lors d’une conférence de presse. Est-ce un virage pour le RN ? Qu’a-t-elle concrètement annoncé ? L’exercice ne pourrait-il pas se retourner contre elle ? Anthony Lattier en discute avec Sarah Paillou, co-autrice de la newsletter Playbook Paris de POLITICO, et Jason Wiels, responsable de la newsletter Paris Influence.
Des questions ? Des commentaires ? Ecrivez-nous sur Whatsapp au +32 494 07 69 41.

Apple is working with LG Electronics on smart home accessories that will integrate with the upcoming home hub and other Apple home products, reports Bloomberg.


LG is making a wired video doorbell, thermostat, smart deadbolt lock, temperature sensor, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera, and floodlight camera, according to documents LG submitted to the Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions. Apple is not mentioned in the filings, and LG asked the FCC to keep details confidential. The devices will be built and branded by LG, though Bloomberg says Apple helped develop them.

This arrangement with so-called second-party suppliers gives Apple a way to quickly expand its ecosystem without shouldering the full cost and complexity of producing and supporting a wide range of accessories. Apple can also help shape the products' design, tailor their features and oversee engineering while keeping the work largely under wraps.

Should you get Amazon Prime? Let's do the math on that $139 annual fee.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7, and as usual, we'll be keeping you updated on all the best deals leading up to and throughout the mega-sale. In order to take advantage of all the discounts Prime Day has to offer, you'll need to be a Prime member. But is the cost of that membership going to be worth it for you?

Millions of Amazon Prime users currently pay $14.99 per month or $139 per year for their memberships—though other plans cost less if you qualify. For example, the Amazon Prime Student program allows young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 to get all of the Prime perks for half the cost—$7.49 per month or $69 annually.

For frequent Amazon shoppers, Prime can quickly pay for itself—mostly thanks to the free shipping perk. But how does the math shake out if you aren't regularly ordering from Amazon? Is it worth signing up if you only shop during Prime Day events? If you’re on the fence about signing up for (or renewing) your Prime membership, here’s how to judge whether or not the benefits outweigh the $139 cost.

The benefits of Amazon Prime

Here are the main perks of Amazon Prime that make it worth the cost for so many users.

• Free two-day shipping on millions of items: This is the main draw of Prime. If you shop frequently on Amazon and want quick free delivery, the shipping perks alone may make Prime worthwhile. Prime members also get free same-day delivery on over 3 million items in eligible areas. The ultra-fast (and morally suspect) shipping usually costs $9.99 per order for non-members, though you can choose lower-cost or free shipping options if you're willing to place larger orders and wait longer to receive them.

• Access to Prime Video: Prime includes unlimited streaming of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals. If you ask me, the content library isn’t as robust as Netflix or Hulu, but this is still an added value.

• Other Prime benefits: You also get Amazon Music for streaming songs, Prime Reading for ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks; Prime gaming, free photo storage, and occasional exclusive discounts/deals.

• Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card: Cardholders get 5% back on Amazon/Whole Foods purchases. Prime members who use this card extensively can earn rewards that offset the annual fee.

• Number of users: Prime benefits can be shared with other members of your household. The more users, the more value per person.

Is an Amazon Prime account worth it?

Let's say you don't care about Prime Video, Amazon Music, or free e-books, and just want to know if you'll save money you would otherwise be spending on shipping.

For non-Prime members, Amazon requires a minimum order of $35 to qualify for free shipping on eligible items. The average shipping costs for non-members aren't publicly listed, and can vary by item and shipping speed, typically ranging from $5 to $10.

For our purposes, I messed around on my non-shared, non-Prime Amazon account to find an average shipping cost of around $6 per order (assuming the order total fell below the $35 threshold, of course). Of course, shipping costs will vary depending on the item and how quickly you want it, but let’s compare the cost to the appeal of Prime’s two-day shipping option. So, we have the cost of individual online orders (around six bucks) compared to the free delivery that comes with an $139 annual fee. This means the costs you’d save on shipping alone make Prime worth the cost as long as you place more than two dozen orders in a year.

In other words: The $139 annual fee pays for itself as long as you order from Amazon Prime at least twice a month.

Of course, this conclusion is strictly in terms of shipping costs. How it stacks up ethically is between you and the person in the mirror.

And then there's this important caveat: You can still get free shipping from Amazon without a Prime membership, provided your order has $35 or more of eligible items. However, this won't grant you Prime shipping speed—your order will typically take five to eight days to be delivered. But you can place fewer, larger orders and wait a little longer, and still never pay for shipping.

What about Prime Day?

Also worth considering is how much of that membership cost you'll be able to recoup via exclusive Prime Day offers. During the sale, some items will be heavily discounted only for Prime members—but whether the Prime Day price is really a "deal" will vary greatly based on the item you're buying. Some of those "big discounts" aren't any greater than what the item typically sells for. The Prime Day price can even be higher than other sale prices throughout the year. That's why it's important to make sure what you're ordering is something you planned to buy anyway—and that the sale price is actually a true bargain—before you order.

The bottom line

The cost of a Prime membership is a solid value for anyone using Amazon 23 times per year or more—especially if you're also watching shows on Prime Video or purchasing something that is deeply discounted for Prime Day. But if you only shop on Amazon a few times a year and don't take advantage of Prime Day offers or the other benefits, then that $139 annual fee isn't necessarily paying for itself.

Of course, if you are interested in Prime Day bargains, you can always sign up right before the start of the sale and then cancel your membership after Prime day is over—but Amazon doesn't always make it easy on you. For more information about deals and discounts, keep an eye on all of Lifehacker’s Amazon Prime Day coverage.

When is Prime Day in October?

October Prime Day is a two-day event that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What goes on sale on Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Is Prime Day once a year?

Prime Day happens every summer. Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) happens every October. Big Spring Sale happens every spring.

High school students in France are fighting for more resources in schools. Some of the protests have turned violent, but it's not clear whether students or the police are to blame.

High school students in France are fighting for more resources in schools. Some of the protests have turned violent, but it's not clear whether students or the police are to blame.

Here are the best deals on power banks, portable chargers, and battery packs.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

It's October Prime Day, and there are some pretty great sales that are live. Flashy TVs and gaming laptops usually hog the Prime Day glory, but don't sleep on tech like power banks and battery chargers. The products listed below will ensure you don't run out of charge halfway through the day or wait too long while your gear charges.

This Belkin 25K power bank is 20% off

This is a solid power bank from Belkin, a well-known company, at a good price, featuring an integrated USB-C cable, 158W output, and enough juice to charge an iPhone 17 Pro 3 times and a MacBook Pro 14 once. It can charge up to three devices at a time and includes a USB-A port for versatility. It's great for traveling—small enough to slip in your pocket and compliant with TSA safety standards.

Belkin Portable Charger 25K, Power Bank with Integrated USB C Cable, 158W - Fast Charging Laptop Portable Battery Pack for MacBook Pro 14, iPhone 17 Series, iPad Pro, Galaxy S26, & More - Black

$79.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $20.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$79.99 at Amazon

$99.99 Save $20.00

This EcoFlow Rapid Pro power bank is 38% off

This EF Ecoflow is so powerful, it's nearly illegal: the 27,650mAh (99.54Wh), is pushing the limits of what the TSA will let you carry onto a commercial flight. EcoFlow's Rapid Pro has a 140W USB-C cable built directly into the unit and a 3.9-inch LCD smart display that pairs with an app to show you real-time telemetry on your wattage and battery life.

EF ECOFLOW Rapid Pro Power Bank (27650mAh, 300W, 140W Built-in Cable), 4-Port Portable Charger w/ 140W Output, Up to 320W Recharge, Compatible with iPhone Series, Samsung, Laptop and More

$109.00 at Amazon

$175.99 Save $66.99

Get Deal

Get Deal

$109.00 at Amazon

$175.99 Save $66.99

This ZZI portable charger power bank is 39% off

ZZI Portable Charger Power Bank 60000mAh, 22.5W PD Fast-Charge Battery Pack

$31.99 at Amazon

$48.99 Save $17.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$31.99 at Amazon

$48.99 Save $17.00

This ZZI Power Bank is way cheap—$30, down from $48.99—and can charge five devices at once. It juices an iPhone 15 to 60% in 30 minutes, has a display to track power, and weighs only 15.5 oz, so you can take it along to the zoo or wax museum.

This Podoru MagSafe power bank is just $16.99

podoru for MagSafe Power Bank 5000mAh, Ultra-Slim Magnetic Portable Charger

$16.99 at Amazon

$21.99 Save $5.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$16.99 at Amazon

$21.99 Save $5.00

This Podoru charger has over 12,000 Amazon reviews and a rating of 4.2 stars. It's less than $20 for Prime Day, features a 5000mAh battery, and sticks on the back of your phone with a powerful magnet. Plus, it's slim enough to easily fit in the pocket of your skinniest jeans, and comes in a bunch of different colors.

Power Bank Prime Deals FAQ

What is the difference between MagSafe wireless power banks and standard portable chargers?

MagSafe power banks snap directly onto the back of compatible iPhones and compatible magnetic cases for wireless, cable-free charging. They are generally portable but charge slower (usually 7.5W–15W) and generate more heat. Standard chargers require a cable, but charge a greater variety of devices and generally offer faster charging speeds.

Are these power bank deals likely to sell out?

Power bank deals during shopping events like October Prime Day can sell out quickly, especially items from popular brands with big discounts. Limited-time "lightning deals" can sell out in hours, whereas most standard discounts last through the duration of the sales event. But high-demand items sometimes go on back order if the initial stock sells out before the event ends.

What size power bank is allowed on an airplane?

TSA and FAA guidelines restrict power banks to a maximum capacity of 100Wh. All of the power banks listed here are compatible with TSA and FAA guidelines for commercial flights.

How do October Prime Day deals work?

Prime Day sales, including Prime Big Deal Days, let Prime Members shop online for thousands of products with big discounts. It only lasts two days, so make sure you check out everything we know about the sale.

What goes on sale during October Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

The newest iPad, the TCL Nxtpaper, Fire Tablets, and more are discounted right now.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

October Prime Day is here, meaning you can shop for some pretty great deals right now. I've searched Amazon for the best deals on tablets and vetted them with price tracking tools. While only one of the best tablets of 2026 made it onto the list below, all of these devices are great deals at their current prices.

Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025)

$399.00 at Amazon

$449.00 Save $50.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$399.00 at Amazon

$449.00 Save $50.00

Amazon Kindle Scribe 16GB 10.2" eReader & Notebook (Like-New Condition, Black)

$284.99 at Amazon

$359.99 Save $75.00

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$284.99 at Amazon

$359.99 Save $75.00

TCL Nxtpaper 14 256GB 14.3" Tablet With Pen and Case (Gray)

$349.98 at Amazon

$469.99 Save $120.01

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$349.98 at Amazon

$469.99 Save $120.01

XTEINK X4 Classic Pocket eReader, Ultra-Light 68g & 4.9mm Thin, Space Black

$69.99 at Amazon

$89.00 Save $19.01

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$69.99 at Amazon

$89.00 Save $19.01

Amazon Fire HD 10 10.1" Tablet (4GB RAM, 32GB, Black)

$72.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $82.00

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$72.99 at Amazon

$154.99 Save $82.00

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The iPad 11th-Gen is $427 right now

iPads were one of the many tech products that went up in price dramatically in 2026 due to ongoing RAM crisis, so it's nice to see this model get a discount, even if it's not that big. Right now, the iPad 11-inch with the A16 chip is $427 (originally $449). This is the 128 GB version, which is one of the most affordable iPads. It supports the Apple Pencil, is bright and colorful, and is considered the best tablet for most people.

A like- new Kindle Scribe is nearly half the price of a new one

Kindle Scribes are expensive—the 64GB can run for nearly half a grand—but you can get a "like-new" 64GB version for $319.99 right now. The 16GB version is $284.99, but the upgrade in storage is worth the $35 difference. It's unlikely you'll find a better deal on s like-new Scribe during this sale.

The TCL NXTPAPER 14 is $120 off

TCL started venturing into tablets in 2020, and their latest tablet, the NXTPAPER 14, came out this year. Right now, it's at its lowest price ever: $349.98 (originally $469.99). This tablet has a 14.3-inch matte screen with different viewing modes for reading, streaming video, and writing. While it's not the most portable due to the size, its design makes it versatile, and perfect for people who want a tablet that can do a bit of everything.

The Xteink X4 Classic pocket e-reader is just $76

Pocket readers seem to be gaining popularity lately, with more companies making new models of these hyper-small reading tablets. The Xteink X4 Classic is particularly small: At just four inches (about the size of a credit card), you can fit comfortably into almost any pocket. This is the second generation of the device, which came out in early September, and it's incredibly affordable: At $75.99 (originally $89), it's around half the price of the entry-level Kindle.

The Fire HD 10 tablet is 53% off

Right now, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is more affordable than ever: It's currently 53% off, bringing its price down to a record low of $72.99. (Note that this deal is for the version of the device with lock-screen ads.) While this tablet won't win any awards for offering the latest and best specs, it's an incredible value for the price, and it can probably handle all the basic tasks you'd ask of a tablet.

FAQ for October Prime Day

When is Prime Day in October?

Amazon Prime Day is an annual event held in June or July. Amazon's October Prime Day event, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is a two-day sale that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What goes on sale during October Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Is Prime Day once a year?

Prime Day happens every summer. Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) happens every October. Amazon's Big Spring Sale happens every spring.

Sébastien Lecornu vowed to offer a “political response” to French students' concerns after being accused of reacting to protests with force alone.

PARIS — French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has defended police handling of student protests following incidents that left one schoolboy with a severed hand and another blind in one eye.

“What triggers police action is the occurrence of urban violence,” Lecornu said in parliament Tuesday. “Can accidents happen? The answer is yes,” he added. Lecornu rejected the label “police brutality,” which he said implies that officers had been instructed to use force.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s center-right government is under growing pressure over high school protests across the country. As Lecornu spoke Tuesday, demonstrators from several French unions and teachers’ organizations gathered, along with high school and university students. Representatives of France’s left-wing parties were also present.

Some 86,000 joined marches outside Paris in the morning, according to the interior ministry. The capital’s demonstration was expected to draw a larger crowd in the afternoon.

The protesters demand more funding and better working conditions in high schools. The movement began in working-class Paris suburbs and has since spread nationwide, becoming a political issue as the campaign for next year’s presidential election heats up.

“I hope we can provide a political response to a very real anxiety among high school students,” Lecornu conceded.

On Monday, a 15-year-old boy in northern France had his hand blown apart by a grenade. The local prosecutor said he could not “say for certain whether the student picked up the grenade or whether it was thrown at him.”

In Tours, a 16-year-old lost an eye after being struck by a projectile that the prosecutor said may have been a sub-lethal riot police weapon.

Boris Vallaud, leader of the center-left Socialist group in parliament, said his lawmakers would introduce legislation addressing the use of sub-lethal weapons, which can cause irreversible harm, during high school protests.

Anker power banks, headphones, and power stations are up to 40% off right now.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Anker has really made a name for itself outside of their batteries, expanding to headphones, speakers, projectors, and other tech products. Their power stations are still one of the most recognized in the industry, but their other products are climbing up their respective ladders as well. There are many Anker products on sale right now during the October Prime Day sale, and I've rounded up the best power banks, headphones, and power stations I could find. I'll keep updating this list as more Anker products are discounted throughout the sale.

The best Anker power station deals during the October Prime Day sale

The best deal on a power station is the Anker SOLIX S2000, which is 43% off right now, landing at $679.99 (originally $1,199). I own an Anker power station that is slightly bigger than this one, and I can vouch for their quality and practicality. The S200 is great for anyone who lives in a house that is prone to losing power during a storm or anyone looking for a compact but powerful portable power station they can take to a backyard or camping. It can power an average fridge for 35 hours, according to Anker, which gives you an idea of how powerful the S200 is. The best time to buy a power bank is when they're massively discounted, not when the food in your fridge is spoiling from a power outage.

Anker SOLIX S2000 1500W Solar Portable Power Station

$679.99 at Amazon

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$679.99 at Amazon

Other Anker power station deals

• Anker Solix C300 DC Portable Power Station $199.99 (originally $249.99)

• Anker Solix C200 Power Station with 60W Solar Panel $229.99 (originally $259.99)

• Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station $899.99 (originally $1,499)

The best power bank deals during the October Prime Day sale

There is something about having a charging station for all of your devices that gives me a sense of peace. Maybe it's practicality or organization, but I love it. The Anker Qi2.2 Foldable MagSafe Charger can do that for your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds all at once. It also props your phone up as a stand. Right now, it's $119.99 (originally $149.99), after a 20% discount.

Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station, MagSafe Charger Stand Compatible, Qi2.2 25W Certified Palm-Sized Foldable Charger for iPhone 17/16, Apple Watch, AirPods (Non-Battery, Adapter Included)

$94.74 at Amazon

$149.99 Save $55.25

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$94.74 at Amazon

$149.99 Save $55.25

Other power bank deals

• Anker 167.5W Max 3-Port Ultra-Compact USB C Fast Charging Car Charger $37.79 (originally $53.99)

• Anker 100W Max USB C Charger, 3-Port GaN Phone Charger with Smart Display $59.99 (originally $69.99)

• Anker 313 Qi-Certified 10W Max Wireless Charger Stand $19.99 (originally $25.49)

• Anker Prime Charging Station, 200W 6-Port GaN Desktop Charger $69.99 (originally $79.99)

The best Anker headphone deals during the October Prime Day sale

The world might have you convinced that you need to spend upwards of $100 to get good headphones, but the Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones break that notion with a $39.99 (originally $69.99) pair. These headphones have most of the features you'd expect from a flagship headphone, like ANC, High-Res audio, long battery life of up to 40 hours with ANC on, and an incredible app. You really don't need to spend big to get good headphones in 2026.

Soundcore by Anker Q20i Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Over-Ear Bluetooth, 40H Long ANC Playtime, Hi-Res Audio, Big Bass, Customize via an App, Transparency Mode (White)

$39.99 at Amazon

$69.99 Save $30.00

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$39.99 at Amazon

$69.99 Save $30.00

Other Anker headphone deals

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds $20.99 (originally $39.99)

• Soundcore P40i by Anker Noise Cancelling Earbuds $44.99 (originally $59.99)

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Noise Cancelling Earbuds $79.99 (originally $99.99)

• Soundcore AeroClip by Anker Open Ear Earbuds $105.99 (originally $169.99)

• Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special Earbuds $168.99 (originally $229.99)

Amazon October Prime Day FAQs

How long is Prime Day?

October Prime Day is a two-day event that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What time does Prime Day start?

October Prime Day starts Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. PT / 3:00 a.m. ET.

Is Prime Day once a year?

Prime Day happens every summer. Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) happens every October. Big Spring Sale happens every spring.

Is Anker a reliable brand?

Yes, Anker is one of the best brands when it comes to batteries and power banks. They've also been making great projectors and headphones over the last few years.

Do Anker's Prime Day discounts apply to all their product lines, or just select items?

Unfortunately, not all Anker products are on sale. However, there are many Anker products on sale, and you can find them all on the Amazon landing page.

A Christmas present to the Altman haters.

From a $430 Roku to Samsung’s flagship OLED, this year's Prime Day TV deals cover every budget.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

October Prime Day 2026 deals are live, and 65-inch TVs are where the cuts have landed hardest, with sets from Samsung, Hisense, Sony, LG, TCL, Roku, Toshiba, and Amazon all marked down and several sitting at their lowest prices on record, according to price trackers. The range runs from budget QLEDs under $500 to OLED panels and art-display TVs built to look like framed artwork when they're off-duty. For more on the October Prime Day sale, you can browse more deals and sale announcements on our Prime Day Deals page.

These Samsung TVs are up to $200 off

Samsung 65-inch S90H TV

$1,497.99 at Amazon

$1,897.99 Save $400.00

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$1,497.99 at Amazon

$1,897.99 Save $400.00

Samsung 65-inch S85H TV

$1,397.99 at Amazon

$1,597.99 Save $200.00

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$1,397.99 at Amazon

$1,597.99 Save $200.00

Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro

$1,797.99 at Amazon

$1,897.99 Save $100.00

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$1,797.99 at Amazon

$1,897.99 Save $100.00

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Samsung has three 65-inch sets discounted right now—the S90H, at $1,497.99 down from $1,897.99, is the one to reach for if picture quality and gaming both matter to you, since its OLED panel handles dark scenes without the grey wash you get from backlit sets, the glare reduction keeps it watchable in a room with afternoon sun, and variable refresh rates up to 165Hz cover anything a current console or PC can throw at it.

The S85H is the more affordable OLED option at $1,297.99 (down from $1,597.99) and its lowest price yet, giving up some brightness and processing compared with the S90H while keeping the per-pixel lighting that makes an OLED worth it in the first place. The Frame Pro is the outlier here at $1,597.99, down from $1,797.99, and because it's more than either OLED on this list, choosing it on picture quality alone doesn't hold up—a point PCMag's review makes as well. What you're paying for is the matte finish and art-mode design, which earn their keep if what you want is a screen that can pass for a framed piece of art.

These Hisense TVs are up to 53% off

Hisense 65-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED TV

$647.99 at Amazon

$1,099.99 Save $452.00

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$647.99 at Amazon

$1,099.99 Save $452.00

Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas TV

$1,197.99 at Amazon

$1,999.99 Save $802.00

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$1,197.99 at Amazon

$1,999.99 Save $802.00

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Hisense covers the budget-to-midrange spread here, with the 65-inch U6 Pro at $647.99 (was $1,099.99)—a steep cut on the entry-level mini-LED, which combines strong contrast, a matte anti-reflective coating to keep glare down, and a 144Hz refresh rate for gaming. PCMag’s review has more on how this TV performs. At the other end is the 65S7SG Canvas TV, Hisense's take on the art-display TV, with an anti-glare matte screen and art mode while landing under nearly $850 under The Frame Pro.

Some great October Prime Day deals on TCL TVs

TCL 65-inch QM6K TV

$698.00 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $101.99

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$698.00 at Amazon

$799.99 Save $101.99

TCL 65-inch QM64L TV

$619.99 at Amazon

$699.99 Save $80.00

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$619.99 at Amazon

$699.99 Save $80.00

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TCL has two 65-inch mini-LED TVs on sale, with a $78 difference between them. The 2025 QM6K is $647.99 (down from $799.99)—and PCMag gave it an “excellent” rating for its strong contrast, accurate colors, and low input lag, though the review found its brightness less impressive. Still, its local dimming helps produce deeper blacks than you’d typically get from a standard LED TV. The 65QM64L sits a step below at $649.99, down from $699.99, trading away some of the QM6K's dimming zones in exchange for being the cheapest way into mini-LED on this list.

More TVs on sale for October Prime Day

Sony 65-inch Bravia 6

$1,298.00 at Amazon

$1,999.99 Save $701.99

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$1,298.00 at Amazon

$1,999.99 Save $701.99

Amazon Ember 65-inch QLED Series TV

$709.99 at Amazon

$849.99 Save $140.00

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$709.99 at Amazon

$849.99 Save $140.00

Roku 65-Inch Plus Series Smart TV

$429.99 at Amazon

$649.99 Save $220.00

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$429.99 at Amazon

$649.99 Save $220.00

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Sony’s 65-inch Bravia 6 OLED is $1,298, down from $1,999. The brand’s processing is still one of the best in the business at cleaning up older or lower-quality sources, which counts for a lot if your viewing skews toward cable, catalogue films, or anything that wasn't mastered yesterday. Amazon’s 65-inch Ember QLED is $709.99, down from $849.99—with Fire TV and Alexa built in, it’s an easy fit for a home that already uses Echo speakers and voice commands to control other devices.

Finally, Roku's 65-inch Plus Series TV is down to $429.99 from $649.99, making it the cheapest way on this roundup to get a large screen with Roku’s streaming interface built in. It also has a QLED panel and full-array local dimming, though its 60Hz refresh rate makes it better suited to streaming and casual gaming than to getting the most out of a newer console.

October Prime Day FAQs

When is Prime Day in October?

October Prime Day is a two-day event that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What happens on Amazon Prime Day?

On Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, Amazon will have a big online sale for Prime Members with many products going for their lowest price of the year.

What goes on sale on Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

These deals can help you expand your DIY tool set and tackle all your fall DIY projects.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

If you have some fall DIY chores to tackle, a good set of cordless tools is a must. But you might have noticed that the price of tools has gone up, and getting through your to-do list on a budget might be tough. October Prime Day often spurs competitors to offer their own deals, and Home Depot has marked down some of its tools by up to 50% during its own fall sale. Here are some of the best deals available right now.

Best deals on cordless tool sets at Home Depot

A cordless tool set can be a good way to save money as you begin to build a DIY tool kit. If you plan to do repairs, like replacing a fence board or fixing railings, or for DIY woodworking projects, a set of cordless tools is a game changer.

The Milwaukee 8-tool 18-volt cordless tool set is on sale for $649, 50% off its regular price. The set comes with a drill, an impact driver, a ⅜-inch impact wrench, a reciprocating saw, an angle grinder, an oscillating multitool, a circular saw, a work light, two 4-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag.

Best deals on powered ratchets and impact wrenches at Home Depot

Powered ratchets and impact wrenches are useful for driving nuts for vehicle maintenance or maintenance on home appliances. They can help break a stubborn bolt that’s seized up, as well. Here are some of the best deals on powered ratchets and wrenches.

The Ryobi ½-inch 18-volt impact wrench set is on sale for $159, 41% off its usual price. This tool comes with an 18-volt and a 4-amp-hour battery.

The Milwaukee 12-volt, ⅜-inch powered ratchet is on sale for $199, 57% off its typical price. This tool comes with two 12-volt, 5-amp-hour batteries and a charger. A powered ratchet is good for getting at bolts in tight spaces because you don’t need space to rotate the handle in order to turn the socket.

The Milwaukee 18-volt ½-inch impact wrench is on sale for $299, 35% off its regular price. This is a tool-only deal, so you’ll need a Milwaukee 18-volt battery and charger to use it.

Best deals on cutting and shaping tools at Home Depot

From trim to deck boards, every DIY upgrade or repair can be made simpler with the right saws and trimming tools. Cutting custom shapes to install molding around outlets or adding a built-in shelf to your closet requires that your materials be cut to fit. Here are some of the best deals on cutting and shaping tools.

The Milwaukee 18-volt sawzall kit is on sale for $199, 45% off its usual price. The set comes with the reciprocating saw, an 18-volt, 5-amp-hour battery, and a charger.

The DeWalt 20-volt oscillating multitool set is on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. This set comes with the multitool, two starter blades, a 1.5-amp-hour battery, and a charger.

The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless router set is on sale for $229, 41% off its usual price. This tool comes with a 5-amp-hour battery, but not a charger, so you’ll need a Milwaukee 18-volt battery charger to use it.

The Milwaukee 18-volt 6 ½-inch circular saw is on sale for $229, 41% off its regular price. This tool comes with a 5-amp-hour battery, but not a charger, so you’ll need a Milwaukee 18-volt battery charger to use it.

Best deals on batteries and chargers at Home Depot

Batteries can be the most expensive part of a cordless tool set, and having enough batteries to keep a fresh one on the charger so you don’t have to wait to swap batteries is a big time-saver. Here are some of the best deals on batteries and chargers.

The Milwaukee 18-volt FORGE battery starter set is on sale for $279, 36% off its typical price. The set comes with a 5-amp-hour battery, an 8-amp-hour battery, and a charger.

The DeWalt 20-volt XR battery starter set is on sale for $199, 50% off its regular price. The set comes with an 8-amp-hour battery, a 4-amp-hour battery, and a charger.

A two-pack of DeWalt 20-volt MAX 6-amp-hour batteries is on sale for $179, 36% off its usual price.

October Prime Day FAQs

When is Prime Day in October?

October Prime Day is a two-day event that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What happens on Amazon Prime Day?

On Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, Amazon will have a big online sale for Prime Members with many products going for their lowest price of the year.

What goes on sale on Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

You can save hundreds right now on brands like Peloton, Bowflex, and Theragun.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Amazon's October Prime Day event is here for all your home gym needs. Below are my favorite fitness deals from Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale so far. I'll keep updating this article until the sales event officially ends on Oct. 7.

The best October Prime Day deals on cardio equipment

• The NordicTrack T Series is a foldable treadmill, normally $799, currently on sale for $616. For cardio, your options get trickier in an apartment setting or a home without a ton of extra space, but foldable equipment like this is a nice solution.

• The Peloton Cross-Training Tread is $2,295, down from an original price of $3,295, meaning it's 18% off. The Tread has speed and incline settings like any other treadmill (with an incline that goes up to 12%) but also gets Peloton's streaming content, where instructors lead classes from their own treadmill. (There is also a Tread+ with a 15% incline, but it's not part of the sale.)

• The Peloton Cross-Training Bike is $1,295, down from $1,695. The Cross-Training Bike+ is on an even steeper discount: $1,795, down from $2,695. It's only $100 more than the regular price for the non-plus version of the Bike. That's an excellent deal.

• This Sunny Health treadmill is $569.86, normally $899.99. This treadmill comes fully assembled, goes up to 10 mph and a 15% incline, and folds up for storage.

• This YOSUDA PRO magnetic exercise bike is $263.99, normally $329.99. With magnetic resistance, you can count on the bike to be quiet enough for a home gym setup.

• This Viamotion walking pad is on sale for $94.05, down from $114.99. Small enough to go under your desk and easy to store, this walking pad has a modest 4% incline at speeds up to 3.8 miles per hour.

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

$616.00 at Amazon

$799.00 Save $183.00

Get Deal

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$616.00 at Amazon

$799.00 Save $183.00

The best October Prime Day deals on adjustable weights

• Bowflex Results Series 552 dumbbells are $328.99 for a pair, normally $429.99. These can adjust from 5 to 52 pounds.

• MouldBody adjustable dumbbells are $212.99 for a pair, normally $329.99. These each adjust from 6 to 50 pounds.

• These UNNMIIY adjustable dumbbells are $151.98 for the 90-pound set, normally $259.99. These can adjust from 2 to 45 pounds per dumbbell, and they have a 5-in-1 design so you can use them as dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, and even push-up stands.

• These FEIERDUN adjustable dumbbells are $239.99 for the 110-pound set, normally $349.99. These have my favorite type of adjustment mechanism: a one-hand rotating dial.

• This cast-iron kettlebell from REP (a brand I love) is $97.74 for the 24-kilogram weight (around 53 pounds).

• This cast-iron adjustable kettlebell is $45.59, normally $59.99. This kettlebell starts with a 15-pound weighted handle with four non-weighted removable spacer disks, a five-pound bottom plate, and a center pin to support additional weight plates up to 50 pounds.

UNNMIIY Adjustable Dumbbell set,20/30/45/70/90lbs Free Weight(90LBS)

$151.98 at Amazon

$259.99 Save $108.01

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$151.98 at Amazon

$259.99 Save $108.01

The best October Prime Day deals on home gym staples and accessories

• The Nighthawk adjustable bench (REP's newest) is $382, normally $449.99. It has a wider back pad for heavy pressing, and if you've got dumbbells, a bench is a natural next step to level up your home gym.

• These resistance bands are $17.08, normally $24.99. A solid pair of resistance bands like these is the perfect addition to home gyms, travel workouts, or hotel rooms.

• This 12-pound weighted vest from Zelus is $36.99, normally $49.99. Other weights are available for various prices, most discounted.

• This 5-in-1 foam roller set is $32.99, normally $39.95. You'll get a muscle roller stick, foam roller, resistance band, massage ball, and storage bag.

• The Therabody Prime 6th Gen Deep Tissue Massage Gun is $199.99, normally $329.99. As a marathon runner, it's no hyperbole to say that massage guns utterly transformed my post-workout routine, and TheraBody is a brand name I swear by.

TheraGun Therabody Prime 6th Gen Deep Tissue Massage Gun | Navy

$199.99 at Amazon

$329.99 Save $130.00

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$199.99 at Amazon

$329.99 Save $130.00

October Prime Day FAQ

When is Prime Day in October?

Amazon Prime Day is an annual event held in June or July. Amazon's October Prime Day event, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is a two-day sale that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What goes on sale during October Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Is Prime Day once a year?

Prime Day happens every summer. Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) happens every October. Amazon's Big Spring Sale happens every spring.

Is Amazon Prime Day worth it?

Yes, we’ve done the math, and it’s worth it for most people.

Upgrade your tool kit and check off everything on your fall DIY to-do list.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

A quality set of cordless power tools can be a game-changer for any DIY home tool kit. If you have some fall projects to take care of, now is the time to prepare for them: Amazon's October Prime Day event, Prime Big Deal Days, is here, and you can find great deals on cordless power tools. Here are the best I found.

The best October Prime Day deals on drills and drivers

A cordless drill and driver are the cornerstone of a tool set. They allow you to drill holes and drive fasteners like screws and nuts with ease, making any job much less stressful, from hanging a picture to fixing a fence or putting together flat-pack furniture.

DeWalt 20-volt MAX drill and driver set

The DeWalt 20-volt MAX drill and driver set is on sale for $179, 25% off its regular price. This set comes with a drill, an impact driver, two 20-volt, 1.5-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a good beginner set because aside from bits, it's ready to use.

DeWalt 20-volt cordless drill set

The DeWalt 20-volt cordless drill set is on sale for $125, 30% off its typical price. The set comes with a drill, a 20-volt, 2-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This is a good standalone tool for basic home maintenance because it can be used to drill any hole and drive any fastener (with the right bits).

DeWalt 20-volt impact driver

The DeWalt 20-volt impact driver is on sale for $127.99, 25% off its usual price. This is a tool-only deal, so while it’s a good addition to your DeWalt set if you want to add an impact driver to your kit, you’ll need a 20-volt DeWalt battery and charger to use it.

The best October Prime Day deals on sanders and finishers

Finishing off your work and getting it ready for paint is one of the final steps for a DIY project. A cordless sander can save a lot of time, and carving and shaping tools can too. Here are the best Prime Big Deal Days finds on cordless finishing tools.

DeWalt 20-volt cordless sheet sander

The DeWalt 20-volt cordless sheet sander is on sale for $119.99, 33% off its typical price. This type of sander can be used to remove old paint (provided you know for certain that it isn’t lead-based), prep surfaces for painting, and smooth out rough lumber. This is a tool-only deal, so you’ll need a DeWalt 20-volt battery and charger to use it.

Dremel cordless rotary tool kit

The Dremel cordless rotary tool kit is on sale for $79. 21% off its regular price. This kit comes with a rotary tool, a 12-volt battery, a charger, three sanding drums, a sanding bit, a cutoff bit, a cutoff disc, and a tool case.

The best October Prime Day deals on cordless nailers

As batteries get lighter and more efficient, cordless nailers and staplers have become more practical. If you have DIY projects that involve putting up trim or other woodworking, a cordless nailer will be clutch.

DeWalt 20-volt, 16GA finish nail gun

The DeWalt 20-volt, 16GA finish nail gun is on sale for $369, 43% off its usual price. This is another tool-only deal, so you’ll need a DeWalt 20-volt battery, too. You can use this type of nailer for installing millwork like box frame molding or crown molding.

Makita 18-volt 16GA finish nail gun

The Makita 18-volt 16GA finish nail gun is on sale for $297.30, 51% off its regular price. You can use this nailer to install thicker trim like baseboards, or for shooting through deeper parts of crown molding. This is a tool-only deal, so you’ll need a Makita 18-volt battery and charger to make use of it.

FAQ for October Prime Day

When is Prime Day in October?

Amazon Prime Day is an annual event held in June or July. Amazon's October Prime Day event, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is a two-day sale that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.

What goes on sale during October Prime Day?

Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.

Is Prime Day once a year?

Prime Day happens every summer. Prime Big Deal Days (or October Prime Day) happens every October. Amazon's Big Spring Sale happens every spring.

The arrest is the seventh in connection to the investigation into a security incident at the airbase, which led to the U.S. withdrawing B-1 bombers.

LONDON — A seventh man has been arrested as part of an investigation into the suspected terror plot around the RAF Fairford airbase, Britain’s Counter Terrorism Policing said on Tuesday.

The statement said that a 22-year-old British man was arrested on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

This is the seventh arrest in the live investigation into events surrounding a suspected terror plot near the RAF Fairford airbase, which has been used by the United States to conduct defensive strikes against Iran.

Five British men were arrested on Sunday, 27 September, on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act, after police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase. No improvised explosive devices were found in the vehicles, but investigators recovered a quantity of petrol.

On Thursday, Counter Terrorism Policing arrested a 25-year-old British-Iranian man for the same offense as part of investigations. All six men were later released on bail.

On Sunday, the Pentagon confirmed that the U.S. had withdrawn all B-1 bombers from the airbase. The following day, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that the United States had known of a “threat” which led them to move the bombers.

Counter-terror police — supported by the MI5 intelligence service — are currently investigating “possible foreign state involvement” as part of their enquiries.

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the government believes “Iran to have played a part” in the incident.

The campaign is led in part by India's "Cockroach" youth movement, which previously forced the education minister to resign.

The campaign is led in part by India's "Cockroach" youth movement, which previously forced the education minister to resign.

(Image credit: Rafiq Maqbool)

If you use Opera to surf the web, you need to know these hacks.

The Opera you're using today is obviously a very different browser from the one it was decades ago. Perhaps the most significant change is that it's now a Chromium-based browser, which means you can install Chrome extensions to fill any features you may be missing. That said, the browser still retains its core philosophy of shipping useful integrated features—even if those options aren't always obvious. From bypassing unskippable YouTube ads to using a built-in volume booster for every tab, here are the best Opera hacks you should know about:

Use "Early Bird" to try experimental features before release

If you live on the bleeding edge of tech, you can use Opera's "Early Bird" to try all kinds of experimental features. To do so, click the three-line menu in Opera's toolbar, scroll to the bottom, then select Go to full browser settings. Now, enable Early Bird, go through the list of features on the page, and enable the ones you wish to try. At the time of writing, these features include Browser Connector, which connects the browser to ChatGPT or Claude, and Sharing Point, which adds a button to share an Opera download link with your contacts. Note that these features can change or be removed at any time.

Use the sidebar to replace social media and chat apps on your computer

Opera has a sidebar that lets you install "apps" within your browser. It supports ChatGPT, Gemini, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Translate, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Bluesky, music streaming services, and a few more apps. These services are pinned to the left pane, and function as their corresponding apps do. You can think of these as pinned tabs in your browser, which are all neatly stacked in the left pane. I've used the sidebar to run Apple Music, a few messenger apps, and Gmail, which is easier to track than the same services in different apps.

Of course, the sidebar versions of these services may not always have all the features that proper desktop apps do (e.g., music downloads on Spotify), but the overall implementation is quite good. Sidebar apps appear in a floating window in Opera, and you can pin that window to the screen if you wish to. You can configure the Opera sidebar by clicking the three-dots button in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Use Split Screen mode for multitasking between tabs

You can open two tabs side by side in Opera for improved multitasking. To start, right-click an inactive tab in the tab bar and select Create split screen. This will place that tab, as well as the active tab, in a split-screen view. I find this helpful for research: For example, you can open a lecture in the main tab, and a search engine, AI service, or a notes app in the second tab. In split-screen view, you can continue reading or watching content on the main tab, while using the secondary tab to quickly look up information or to take notes.

Use "Video Skip" to zip past unskippable ads

Credit: Pranay Parab

Opera supports bypassing unskippable video ads on various sites, including YouTube. When you watch a video in Opera, and an ad starts playing, you'll see a tiny forward button at the top of the video. When you click it, the browser will instantly take you to the end of the ad, though you may still have to press YouTube's "Skip" button. If you're on the ad-free tier of your streaming services, you can stop the Video Skip button from appearing on videos by going to Opera settings > Video. From here, disable Show Video Skip button on all supported videos.

Make PiP windows translucent to multitask while watching videos

I often watch videos in picture-in-picture (PiP) mode when I'm browsing the web or working, but I get annoyed when I have to keep moving the window around to avoid obscuring text on my screen. Opera has a useful feature to sidestep this issue: It lets you adjust the opacity of PiP windows, and you can make them translucent enough to avoid disturbing your workflow. To enable this for all PiP videos, go to Opera settings > Video, and enable Make pop out transparent. If you'd rather do this manually for each video, start playing the video, then click the pop-out button at the top of the video to send it to PiP mode. Finally, click the Transparency button in the top-left corner of the PiP mode video.

Disable unwanted AI features to streamline your browser