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The newest AirPods Pro just hit their lowest price ever — plus more of the best deals to shop today

2023-03-19 06:16:02 author:dointy.com
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The newest AirPods Pro just hit their lowest price ever — plus more of the best deals to shop today

We've rounded up all of the best deals on Nov. 21 — here are our top picks:

The newest AirPods Pro just hit their lowest price ever — plus more of the best deals to shop today(图1)

  • BEST APPLE DEAL: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)(Opens in a new tab)$199.99 $249.99 (save $49.01)

  • BEST TV DEAL: TCL 55-inch Class 5-Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV(Opens in a new tab)$199.99 $429.99 (save $230)

  • BEST AMAZON DEVICE DEAL: Echo Dot (3rd Gen) 2-Pack(Opens in a new tab)$14.99 $79.98 (save $64.99 with code FREEDOT22)


Buckle up, y'all — it's officially Black Friday week.

Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are gearing up for the craziest week of deals yet, with the latter debuting its third and final Deals for Days event at 7 p.m. ET (12 p.m. ET for Walmart+ members) on Nov. 21. The big box retailer leaked a sneak peek of the event last week, but you can head over to the site(Opens in a new tab) to see the full list of deals included in the sale.

Amazon also dropped its official Black Friday device deals and they're even cheaper than they were during last month's Prime Day 2 sale. Brand-new Amazon devices like the Echo Dot (5th Gen)(Opens in a new tab) and Fire 7 tablet(Opens in a new tab) are up to 50% off for the first time, while older devices have reached new all-time lows.

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We've rounded up all of the best deals we could find on Nov. 21 from big brands like Apple, Amazon, and Dyson, and sorted them into popular product categories like smart TVs, wireless earbuds, and streaming devices. Happy shopping!

Note: Deals marked with a ⏰ are part of Walmart's third Deals for Days event(Opens in a new tab). They won't officially go live until 7 p.m. ET (12 p.m. ET for Walmart+ members). You can unlock early access by signing up for a Walmart+ account.

Best Apple deal

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Credit: Apple
Our Pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
$199.99 at Best Buy (save $49.01)
(opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

Why we like it

While not a massive overhaul, the updated second-generation AirPods Pro are still very good earbuds. As Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder wrote in his review, "They sound great and the noise cancelation is stellar, but if you already have the original AirPods Pro, the new ones are not an essential upgrade." They were just released in September, so we haven't seen a ton of big discounts on these babies yet. In fact, this is the lowest price(Opens in a new tab) we've seen to date — a great time to snag them if you're in the market for AirPods Pro. The buds are the same price at Amazon and Best Buy, but the latter throws in three free months of Apple TV+, plus four free months of Apple Music and Apple News+.

More Apple deals

  • Apple TV HD 32GB (2nd Generation)(Opens in a new tab)$59 $149.99 (save $90.99)

  • Apple AirTag 4 Pack(Opens in a new tab)$74.99 $99 (save $24.01)

  • Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)(Opens in a new tab)$79 $159 (save $80)⏰

  • Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm)(Opens in a new tab)$149 $279 (save $130)⏰

  • 2021 Apple 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 64GB)(Opens in a new tab)$269.99 $329 (save $59.01)

  • 2022 Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi, 128GB)(Opens in a new tab)$999 $1,099 (save $100)

  • 2020 Apple 27-inch iMac (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$1,199.99 $1,799 (save $599.01)

  • 2021 Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$1,999.99 $2,499 (save $499.01)

  • 2021 Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (Apple M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$2,199.99 $2,699 (save $499.01)

Best Smart TV deal

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Credit: TCL
Our Pick: TCL 55-inch Class 5-Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
$199.99 at Best Buy (save $230)
(opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

Why we like it

Just $200 for a 55-inch QLED Smart TV? That's practically unheard of. This TCL 55-inch Class 5-Series Smart Google TV is one of the best TV deals we've seen yet this season. It boasts superior 4K Ultra HD, quantum dot technology for greater accuracy and color volume, hands-free voice control, smart 4K upscaling, and more premium features at a cost that won't break the bank. It also comes with FuboTV free for 30 days and Apple TV+ free for three months.

More Smart TV and home theater deals

  • TCL 2.1-ch S522W Home Theater Sound Bar(Opens in a new tab)$59 $79.99 (save $20.99)⏰

  • Hisense 40-inch Class A4G Series LED Full HD Smart Vidaa TV(Opens in a new tab) — $99.99 $249.99 (save $150)

  • HP FHD Projector with Roku Express Streamer and 84-inch projection screen(Opens in a new tab)$137 $199 (save $62)⏰

  • VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar(Opens in a new tab)$148 $199.99 (save $51.99)

  • Insignia 42-inch Class F20 Series Smart Full HD 1080p Fire TV(Opens in a new tab)$169.99 $269.99 (save $100)

  • TCL 65-inch 4-Series 4K TV(Opens in a new tab) $228

  • LG 55-inch Class UP7050 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV(Opens in a new tab)$298 $398 (save $100)

  • Samsung 58-inch TU7000 4K TV(Opens in a new tab) — $377.99 $599.99 (save $222)

  • Samsung 85-inch Q60B QLED TV(Opens in a new tab)$1,597.99 $2,299.99 (save $702)

Best Amazon device deal

(Opens in a new tab)
Credit: Amazon
Our Pick: Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) 2-Pack (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
$14.99 at Amazon (save $64.99 with code FREEDOT22)
(opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

Why we like it

Amazon is practically giving away Echo Dots (3rd Gen) for free. Not only is the speaker itself at its lowest price ever at $14.99, but when you enter the code FREEDOT22 at checkout, you can also add a second smart speaker to your cart. That means you'll get two Echo Dots for just $14.99 — a $65 discount — and can create a stereo sound experience in your home. Or, of course, you can keep one and gift the other to someone on your list this holiday season. The 2018 Echo Dot may not have the most advanced sound on the market, but former Mashable tech editor Pete Pachal found that it "turns its entry-level Alexa product from a merely passable audio experience into something much more pleasing to the ear."

More Amazon device deals

  • Fire TV Stick Lite(Opens in a new tab)$14.99 $29.99 (save $15)

  • Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)(Opens in a new tab)$19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

  • Fire TV Stick 4K(Opens in a new tab)$24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

  • Echo Dot (5th Gen)(Opens in a new tab)$24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

  • Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021 release)(Opens in a new tab)$34.99 $84.99 (save $50)

  • Fire TV Stick 4K Max(Opens in a new tab)$34.99 $54.99 (save $20)

  • Fire 7 Tablet(Opens in a new tab)$39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

  • Echo Show 5 Kids (2nd Gen)(Opens in a new tab)$39.99 $94.99 (save $55)

  • Echo Dot (5th Gen) with clock(Opens in a new tab)$39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

  • Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021 release) with Blink Mini(Opens in a new tab)$49.99 $119.98 (save $69.99)

  • Echo (4th Gen)(Opens in a new tab)$49.99 $99.99 (save $50)

  • Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) Kids with Echo Glow(Opens in a new tab)$50.99 $124.98 (save $73.99)

  • Fire HD 8 Tablet(Opens in a new tab)$54.99 $99.99 (save $45)

  • Ring Video Doorbell(Opens in a new tab)$59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

  • Fire TV Cube(Opens in a new tab)$59.99 $119.99 (save $60)

  • Blink Floodlight Camera(Opens in a new tab)$64.98 $129.98 (save $65)

  • Fire HD 8 Plus Tablet (Opens in a new tab)$64.99 $119.99 (save $55)

  • Ring Video Doorbell with Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)(Opens in a new tab)$69.99 $184.98 (save $114.99)

  • Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen, 2021 release) (Opens in a new tab)— $69.99 $129.99 (save $60)

  • Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet (Opens in a new tab)$79.99 $149.99 (save $70)

  • Fire HD 8 Kids Pro Tablet(Opens in a new tab)$79.99 $149.99 (save $70)

  • Ring Spotlight Cam Plus(Opens in a new tab)$139.99 $199.99 (save $60)

  • Echo Show 15(Opens in a new tab) — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

  • Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV(Opens in a new tab)$229.99 $369.99 (save $140)

  • Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV(Opens in a new tab)$249.99 $469.99 (save $220)

  • Amazon Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV(Opens in a new tab) — $299.99 $519.99 (save $220)

Computer, tablet, and monitor deals

  • HP 11.6-inch Chromebook (AMD A4, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC)(Opens in a new tab)$79 $98 (save $19)

  • Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) 8-inch Tablet (MediaTek Helio P22T, 3GB RAM, 32GB eMCP)(Opens in a new tab)$79 $119 (save $40)

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7-inch Tablet (WiFi, 32GB)(Opens in a new tab)$99.99 $159.99 (save $60)

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5-inch Tablet (WiFi, 32GB)(Opens in a new tab) — $139 $199 (save $60)

  • HP 14-inch Touch Chromebook (Intel Celeron N4120, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC)(Opens in a new tab)$179 $299 (save $120)

  • Lenovo 10.1-inch IdeaPad Duet Chromebook Touch 2-in-1 Tablet (MediaTek P60T, 4G RAM, 128G eMCP4x)(Opens in a new tab)$189 $299 (save $110)

  • LG 32-inch UltraGear QHD (2560x1440)165Hz HDR 10 Monitor with FreeSync(Opens in a new tab)$200 $399 (save $199)

  • MSI GF63 Thin 11SC-693 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i5, 8GB Memory, 256GB NVMe SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$499 $599 (save $100)

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 8 2-in-1 (Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$899.99 $1,349.99 (save $450)

Headphone and speaker deals

  • Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation)(Opens in a new tab)$18 $49 (save $31)

  • JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker(Opens in a new tab)$59 $99 (save $40)

  • Google Pixel Buds A-Series(Opens in a new tab)$64 $99 (save $35)

  • Samsung Galaxy Buds Live(Opens in a new tab) $69 $169.99 (save $100.99)

  • Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones(Opens in a new tab) $79 $199.95 (save $120.95)⏰

  • Google Pixel Buds Pro(Opens in a new tab)$149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

  • Klipsch Reference Series 5-1/4-inch Passive 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers(Opens in a new tab)$199.98 $399.98 (save $200)

Home deals

Kitchen deals

  • Instant Pot Duo (6-Quart)(Opens in a new tab)$50 $99.99 (save $49.99)

  • Instant Pot Duo Plus (6-Quart)(Opens in a new tab)$79.95 $149.95 (save $70)

  • Ninja Foodi 4-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer (8-Quart)(Opens in a new tab)$99 $199.99 (save $100.99)

  • Ninja Supra Kitchen System 72-ounce Blender and Food Processor(Opens in a new tab) — $99 $149 (save $50)

  • Chefman Barista Pro Espresso Machine(Opens in a new tab) $99 $139 (save $40)⏰

  • Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven (6-Quart)(Opens in a new tab)$99.95 $169.99 (save $70.04)

  • Ninja OL501 Foodi XL 14-in-1 Pressure Cooker (6.5-Quart)(Opens in a new tab) — $109.99 $279.99 (save $170)⏰

  • Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Machines(Opens in a new tab)starting at $118.30 (save up to 30%)

  • Instant Omni Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo (19-Quart)(Opens in a new tab)$129.95 $199.99 (save $70.94)

  • Ninja OL601 Foodi XL 14-in-1 Pressure Cooker (8-Quart)(Opens in a new tab)$149.99 $32

  • Vitamix 6500 Blender(Opens in a new tab)$399 $599.99 (save $200.99)⏰

Floor care deals

  • Hoover MAXLife PowerDrive Swivel XL Bagless Upright Vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$59 $119 (save 60)

  • Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$98 $199 (save $101)

  • eufy Clean by Anker RoboVac G32 Pro Robot Vacuum(Opens in a new tab) $119 $299 (save $180)

  • Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$144 $259 (save $115)

  • iRobot Roomba 676 Robot Vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$174 $269 (save $95)

  • Shark AI VACMOP(Opens in a new tab)$188 $479.99 (save $291.99)⏰

  • Shark EZ Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Base(Opens in a new tab)$258 $449 (save $191)

  • iRobot Roomba i1+ (1552) Wi-Fi Connected Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$288 $529.99 (save $241.99)

  • eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid Robot Vacuum and Mop(Opens in a new tab)$319.99 $649.99 (save $330)

  • Dyson V10 Absolute Cordless Vacuum(Opens in a new tab) $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

  • Dyson V15 Detect Vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$649.99 $749.99 (save $100)

Streaming device and subscription deals

  • Four months of Amazon Music Unlimited(Opens in a new tab)free with select purchases at Best Buy (save $39.96)

  • One year of Grubhub+(Opens in a new tab)free for Prime members $119.88 (save $119.88)

  • First month of Xbox Game Pass(Opens in a new tab)$1 $14.99 (save $13.99)

  • Four months of Audible Premium Plus(Opens in a new tab)$5.95/month $14.95/month (save $36)

  • Paramount+ Essential(Opens in a new tab)free with Walmart+ membership ($12.95/month or $98/year)

  • Chromecast with Google TV (HD) Streaming Device(Opens in a new tab)$18 $29.99 (save $11.99)

  • Roku Streaming Stick 4K Streaming Device(Opens in a new tab)$24.98 $49 (save $24.02)

  • Roku Ultra LT Streaming Device 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision(Opens in a new tab)$30 $80 (save $50)

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  • Tinder launches apocalyptic Swipe Night experience in the UK and around the world

    Tinder launches apocalyptic Swipe Night experience in the UK and around the world

    Trying to find love as the world ends? What a concept!

    (图1)

    That premise is central to Tinder's interactive Swipe Night event, which launches in the UK and Brazil, Sweden, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Australia, Indonesia, India, and Korea on Sept. 12 at 10am.

    If you're unfamiliar with Swipe Night, then here's a lil catch up: Swipe Night is a first-person choose-your-own-adventure style event where Tinder users can swipe at key moments to determine the direction of the story within the app. Swiping doesn't just affect how the story ends — it also has a bearing on who users match with and what they end up chatting about.

    As for the storyline, well, it couldn't be more pertinent to the times we're living in. Swipe Night tells the story of a group of friends during the last few hours before an asteroid hits Earth. Why yes, it's the apocalypse! Tinder users play the main protagonist and as the plot unfurls, they face practical decisions and moral quandaries that ultimately decide who they end up matching with.

    Tinder launched Swipe Night in the U.S. back in late 2019, but had to cancel its global launch of Swipe Night in March 2020 specifically citing the apocalyptic theme and the coronavirus pandemic. "Tinder was excited to bring this innovation to Australian members, but given the series’ apocalyptic theme, and because we are sensitive to the current events our members are experiencing, we felt it would be difficult to launch it in the right spirit," the company's PR firm told Mashable in March.

    Although the pandemic is still very much ongoing(Opens in a new tab), Tinder has decided to launch now anyway.

    SEE ALSO: We've entered the breakup phase of lockdown romances

    "While the global health crisis continues, we believe Swipe Night can bring a welcome change of pace to our members around the world," said Jim Lanzone, CEO of Tinder, in a statement. "We’re committed to driving innovation on Tinder that creates more ways to bring our members together, entertain them, and help them meet and get to know new people."

    Speed is of the essence in Swipe Night. Users only have seven seconds to make each decision. So, this is not a game for the indecisive at heart. After you've made each life-altering choice, your decision will be added to your Tinder profile, the purpose of which, per a Tinder statement, is to facilitate "post-apocalyptic banter making it easier for new matches to go beyond the dreaded 'hey, how’s it going?' intro message." To be fair, apocalyptic banter isn't all too different to our usual dating app convos.

    There's no denying that dating is a bit of a mess right now, but it looks like many of us have been undeterred from opening up the apps and chatting away. According to Tinder data, 52 percent more messages were sent globally when stay at home orders went into effect around the world. And swipe volume also increased by 39 percent among members under the age of 25.

    As we head into cuffing season (whether we want to or not), Swipe Night will take place over three weekends in September, starting on Sept 12. If you want to have a go, you can do so from 10 a.m. on Sept. 12 until 23:59 on Sept. 13. You can also participate on Sept. 19 and 20 and Sept. 26 and 27. starting from 10 a.m. on the Saturday until 23:59 on the Sunday.

    Tinder got some big names involved in the production of Swipe Night. The production was directed by Karena Evans, who directs Drake's music videos, and written by Nicole Delaney, story editor of Netflix's Big Mouth.

    Happy swiping!

    Related Video: How to go on a virtual date during the coronavirus pandemic

  • Reeses new Snack Cakes are a high-quality comfort snack

    Reeses new Snack Cakes are a high-quality comfort snack

    Let's be real: Not even a new Reese's product can salvage this disaster of a year. But sinking your teeth into the brand's latest chocolaty, peanut butter-filled concoction can undoubtedly bring you a few delicious moments of comfort.

    (图1)

    Reese's Snack Cakes, the newest addition to the beloved Reese's candy family, are here to put another fresh spin on the classic peanut butter cup. The tasty treats are small slabs of soft baked chocolate cake topped with Reese's signature peanut butter creme and coated with smooth milk chocolate. And honestly? They're pretty damn good.

    A Snack Cake package includes two familiar-looking candy bars — each about 3.5 inches long — but once you bite into the chocolate blocks you'll see the beautiful layers of peanut butter and cake that make the product so unique.

    The gorgeous guts of a Snack Cake. Credit: nicole gallucci/mashable

    The Snack Cakes don't hit stores until December, but Reese's sent us a few packages for review purposes. So we decided to break the novel snacking experience down for you.

    The anatomy of a Snack Cake

    If you're a fan of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate cake, I don't see why you wouldn't love Reese's Snack Cakes. The structure is different from a cup, but the flavors remain the same. The only major difference is that you now have an added cushiony bite of cake mixed in.

    To be clear, the flavor of the cake isn't the star of the show here. It doesn't have an overwhelmingly rich, chocolate taste or anything. Rather it's the cake's consistency that brings something new to your snacking experience. After chewing and swallowing a Snack Cake, the taste of chocolate and peanut butter — not cake — linger in your mouth, just like it would with a normal Reese's product. But while you're chowing down, the chewiness of the cake makes for a more decadent, savory journey.

    Though they're extremely dense, Snack Cakes are soft and delicate. You won't have to chomp into the bars or break through any hard chocolate shell to enjoy them. The outer layer of milk chocolate is super thin, the cake is squishy, and the peanut butter is a bit creamier than that in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

    The three layers — chocolate, peanut butter, and cake — complement each other nicely, but the Snack Cake packs a slightly more mild flavor punch than a cup does. And for those wondering, the Snack Cakes taste great cold. I obviously put one in the fridge to check.

    Snack cake fresh from the fridge cut in half (L,) room temp Snack Cake cut in half (R) Credit: nicole gallucci/mashable

    Snack Cakes for breakfast?

    One of the first things that was made clear about these Snack Cakes is that Reese's is — for some strange reason — marketing them to the tired, confused, emotionally vulnerable people of this world as a breakfast food.

    Because the world feels "upside down" at the moment, the people at Reese's figured why not just go ahead and eat dessert in the morning? So they made Snack Cakes and called them "a first-of-its-kind mid-morning cake treat."

    "We wanted to create the perfect treat for Reese's fans to satisfy that mid-morning sweet tooth," Mike Orr, Snacks brand manager said in a statement. "We know that sometimes you just don't want to wait until lunch — that's how Reese's Snack Cakes were born!"

    Here's the thing: I'm all for eating Reese's Snack Cakes in the morning. But they're in no way a breakfast food.

    They essentially added chocolate cake to a regular Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, right? So wouldn't it technically be better to just eat a cup (milk chocolate + peanut butter) instead of a Snack Cake (milk chocolate + peanut butter + cake) for breakfast?

    Anyway, just as I believe it's never too early to eat lunch, I think it's fine to eat dessert before noon. So if you want a Snack Cake — or any other Reese's product — before lunch, go ahead. But you can definitely snack on these bad boys later in the day, too.

    I'm not sure I'll ever like a new Reese's product more than the original cup (or the superior seasonal candies,) but if you're a true Reese's fan you obviously need to give Snack Cakes a try.

  • I tried out the ghd rise Volumising Hot Brush on long, thick hair. Heres how it fared.

    I tried out the ghd rise Volumising Hot Brush on long, thick hair. Heres how it fared.

    I can't remember the last time I styled my hair before leaving the house. Thinking about this ritual from a bygone era makes me nostalgic (remember going out?).

    (图1)

    So, when I got the opportunity to review the ghd rise Volumising Hot Brush, it took me right back to the days of straightening my hair before a night out. What I'd conveniently forgotten, of course, is just how laborious the entire process is.

    If you're not familiar, ghd has just launched a new hot styling brush(Opens in a new tab) that claims to be kind to your hair while providing all-day-long volume. Number one on the list of features is something ghd calls "ultra-zone with predictive technology." Now, what that string of words appears to mean is that an infinity sensor ensures the styling temperature of 185° is maintained across the entire 32-millimetre barrel of the brush. That basically means you'll end up with consistent results when styling your locks. The product takes 25 seconds to heat up, meaning you can get styling straight away. And it also has a 2.7-metre swivel cord, which makes it easier to move and hold the brush when you're using it. If you're the type of person who worries about leaving your straighteners turned on, this product automatically switches off after 30 minutes.

    The ghd rise Volumising Hot Brush had a lot of hype around its release — YouTuber Zoella tried the product out on Instagram before hordes of influencers and YouTubers rushed to get their hands on one, leaving a trail of YouTube reviews and tutorials in their wake. You might have noticed that hot styling brushes and blow-dry brushes are having a real moment. Gone are the days of straightening your hair to within an inch of its life, these days it's all about the DIY blowout look. The question is: Did this particular hot brush live up to a) its hype and b) its £169 ($189) price tag?

    SEE ALSO: An ode to BaByliss Straight and Shine, the iconic 2000s straighteners

    In order to answer that question, I needed to try this hot brush out on my hair to really put it through its paces. I have long hair and lots of it. I also have tatty, knotty hair with the odd bit of frizz thrown in just to make my life even more fun. Because my tresses are quite, err, difficult to tame, I tend to do as little as possible with them. Particularly during summer months when I give my hair a holiday from the blowdryer and let it dry au naturel. Because of all these myriad factors, I usually find styling my hair with any tool pretty damn annoying and time-consuming.

    The before shot! My hair just after blowdrying it. Credit: rachel thompson / mashable

    The first time I tried the hot brush, I got just about everything wrong. What I will say is this is a product that takes some technique. So, if you're buying the product ahead of a big event, I'd get some practice in beforehand. I ended up watching a load of YouTube(Opens in a new tab) tutorials(Opens in a new tab) to get to grips with some of the different styles you can achieve. From ghd's own tutorials, it looks like there are three main looks(Opens in a new tab) you can create with the brush: root volume, full-bodied volume, and volume curls.

    I ended up trying out a mix of volume curls and full-bodied volume, based on the tutorial below. I'll be honest, I never really got the hang of the root volume technique and I feel like it might be better suited to much shorter hair.

    Before you even start using the brush, my advice is to make sure your hair is 100 percent bone dry — no moist bits at all. ghd stipulates in its product info that the brush is designed for use on dry hair only and, take it from me, they definitely mean that. I thought I'd dried my hair pretty thoroughly, but must have left the odd bit of dampish hair. When I tried to use the brush (and its 185ºC heat) on my precious locks, it made a kind of crackling sound and emitted a decent bit of steam. Never a good sign, let's face it!

    So, if you have quite knotty hair, then I'd pay attention to this part. I managed to get my hair completely stuck in the bristles, prompting me to freak out and frantically turn off the whole brush so I could avoid a Jo March in Little Women hair-burning incident. The air turned blue in my flat, I can assure you.

    Two things: 1. Make sure you've properly brushed your hair — make sure you've got every single knot out of there. 2. When you are twisting a strand of hair around the barrel, try and keep it neat, and don't wind it round and round willy-nilly.

    Don't worry, it's not stuck. Credit: rachel thompson / mashable

    Even though I watched a fair few tutorials, I learned best through trial and error while sitting in front of a mirror. If you're using the brush to create curls, small or thin sections work better. This is a bit annoying if you've got a lot of hair, as it makes the process really arduous, but I definitely didn't style every single strand on my head — I would have been there all day. The end result is loose, beachy waves rather than tightly defined curls.

    First few attempts at curls. Credit: rachel thompson / mashable

    Personally, I think the most effective technique is the second style shown in the ghd tutorial video(Opens in a new tab): full-bodied volume. Use a comb or brush to find your parting, then select a wide section length-wise from your parting. You're essentially focussing on the width of your section and NOT the thickness. If you grab too much hair, it won't style as well. Hold the strand upright and taught and curl the brush under the end of the strand, curling in a downwards motion towards the root.

    So, what do I think of the ghd rise hot brush?

    Once I'd got the hang of it, this was pretty straightforward. Because of my hair type, I did find the entire process of styling it quite long and a bit of a faff. But I really loved the way my hair looked once I'd finished — it was smooth with soft curls that didn't look over-styled or too defined. I'm not a professional, so the finish isn't exactly perfect as you can likely tell from the photo. As mentioned before, I couldn't quite get the hang of root volume strokes — this could be because the product might not be suited to long, heavy hair.

    You definitely notice the consistent barrel temperature, particularly when using the brush for curls. And the swivel cord is actually really helpful when you're styling a particularly awkward section.

    The finished look. Credit: rachel thompson / mashable

    I love a good blow out, but can't always justify the spend, so this is a good product for anyone with a blowout habit that's looking to save money long-term. I do feel that £169 is a little steep for any hair-styling device, but if you knew you would use it frequently, then it could be an investment.

    If you're thinking about using this brush on a hot or humid day, don't. I was sweating profusely by the time I finished doing my hair and I was so hot, it was unbearable to have my hair around my face.

    This isn't an everyday-use type of brush. But if I had a hot date lined up, or an event I wanted to get spruced up for, then I'd be cracking this out for sure.

  • Ace is the first book of its kind. Here’s why anyone, asexual or not, should read it.

    Ace is the first book of its kind. Here’s why anyone, asexual or not, should read it.

    In case my job title of "sex and relationships reporter" isn't a clue, I'm a sexual person. Since coming of age, I've thought about sex, watched sex (either pornographic or simulated in mainstream media), talked about sex, written about sex — and, as you can assume, had sex.

    (图1)

    I can't say whether my interest in sex is more or less than the "average" person — whatever average even is — but I do know for certain that I'm allosexual. An allosexual is someone who experiences sexual attraction and is the counterpart to an asexual, someone who does not experience sexual attraction.

    While I've known about asexuality for awhile, I only learned of the term "allosexual" from the new book Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex(Opens in a new tab) by journalist Angela Chen, out Sept. 15.

    In Ace, Chen doesn't just describe allo and asexuality. She explores the nuances of desire and passion and how we as a society have created a hierarchy of love, where romance is considered superior to friendship. Chen examines how our culture isn't just one of compulsory heterosexuality — the assumption and enforcement of straightness — but one of compulsory sexuality at its core, the assumption that everyone wants sex whether straight or not. What's more is that she frames asexuality through an intersectional lens, pointing out the ways the ace movement has been whitewashed and dismissive of disabled people.

    Ace is an illuminating look into the asexuality spectrum that I'd recommend to anyone, allo or ace. It's a read that won't just teach you about asexuality, but it will also position you to ask your own questions of desire and love and passion.

    Read my interview with Chen below.

    Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex Credit: beacon press
    Angela Chen, author of 'Ace' Credit: Sylvie Rosokoff

    Mashable: What inspired you to write Ace?

    Chen: I wrote this book because I had started to identify as asexual and because asexuality is so misunderstood, it's one of those things that you have to go searching for to understand. If you're straight, you don't have to search to discover what heterosexuality is. Asexuality is very much hidden.

    When I started to think about identity and what it meant about my life, I couldn't find much about asexuality. Everything I found was either in an academic anthology — which is great, but not that accessible — or it was on Tumblr, which is also great but not mainstream. It was a subculture and by definition, not that available.

    I'm also a journalist. I was a journalist before I identified as asexual, so [this] felt like something I could do because I knew how to report and had connections. It just felt important to me because learning about asexuality really clarified so many things in my life personally. Also, when I was talking to my friends who are asexual and I would tell them what I learned, it seemed interesting and important to them, too. It helped them think about their own lives and their own relationships and what desire felt for them versus romance versus sex, and I want everyone to have those conversations.

    I really don't think that the ace lens is only valuable if you happen to be asexual — just like if you're straight, there's so much value in learning about queerness. I wanted to make that more accessible.

    I completely agree. I've had friend breakups from years ago that I still think about and beat myself up for it. I wasn't dating this person, why am I still upset about this? The chapter in Ace on romantic and platonic love was really helpful to see that platonic love is legitimate love and the hierarchy [that romantic love is superior] is fictional.

    Absolutely. Last night I was watching the new NXIVM documentary(Opens in a new tab). Have you watched?

    I haven't.

    In the second episode, one of the first people to leave the sex cult talks about how she reached out to someone who also left and she said something like, "I reached out to her because I didn't know intellectually what I was looking at, I knew how I felt." When I was watching this, I felt like that's such a good metaphor for the experience of learning any kind of new lens. You know how you felt — you have these confusing feelings that don't make sense. And then once you have intellectual grounding, all of a sudden your life makes so much more sense, or your feelings make so much more sense. I think that's really powerful.

    That does make a lot of sense. Going back to what you said about Tumblr, the site was definitely like that for me, too. People on Tumblr would describe what I was feeling as a bisexual person. Do you think that's still the case for Tumblr as a source of learning, or do you think the internet has moved on? I looked at the asexual tag on TikTok today and there's over 200 million views. For teens today, what resources do they have?

    Tumblr, TikTok, the internet remains a huge resource. There was a study where a huge portion of people first learned about asexuality on Tumblr(Opens in a new tab), and I think that continues. But it's a bit of a double-edged sword. You learn so much on Tumblr and TikTok and Twitter and because of that, asexuality is often considered to be this kind of "internet orientation" in the same way that everything that teen girls do is seen as stupid. Everything that has a huge following on various corners of the internet is seen and dismissed as something just for young people and not worthy of the mainstream. That's part of what I wanted to do with the book — there's so much more about asexuality than in my book, but I hope that asexuality will reach people who are not in these places.

    I think that there's a lot of ageism issues with that. The average age of someone who's asexual is quite young, and even after we published excerpts of my book(Opens in a new tab) a few months ago, people who are older — in their 30s — reaching out to me saying, "I thought I understood what asexuality was but I didn't really and this really spoke to me... I didn't feel connected to the culture." The internet culture of asexuality is very specific and if you're not a part of it, you just don't vibe with it. I think asexuality can be so much broader than that; the thoughts don't have to be connected to an aesthetic or a vibe.

    While I was reading Ace, I felt a sort of kinship [as a bisexual]. In the broader LGBTQ community, I sometimes feel like I don't belong. With terms like gold star [lesbians(Opens in a new tab) or asexual], there's a certain wanting of being an archetypal example of what you "should" be. As the queer community is essentially counterculture, being counterculture to the counterculture is a weird place to be in. What are your thoughts on this? Is education like your book the answer to, say, a gay person not wanting to date someone who's bisexual, or someone who's aromantic [has no interest or desire for romance]?

    You're right, there's so much gatekeeping in so many ways. Even in the queer community, I think there's a lot of misconceptions and questions about whether aces should be part of the queer community.

    I don't have an easy answer. People will sometimes say to ace people, "What kinds of discrimination have you suffered? It's so easy being ace." There's these misconceptions about what the ace experience means from people who are allosexual and some other people who may be queer but not asexual. In the end, I think there's a lack of understanding about specific experiences.

    In the book, you talk about your own personal history. Partway through, you mention not wanting to be honest about some of your experiences. How did it feel to share these details about your self-discovery in such a radically honest way?

    It made me confront the extent to which I've internalized many forms of acephobia. Like I write in the book, intellectually and morally I believe everything I write, that being asexual is in no way inferior and all of that. But as I was writing the book there were parts of me that were defensive — and of course that's part of my personality, some of which has nothing to do with my identity whatsoever.

    I'd write parts of this and would feel myself wanting to be like, "Oh but you know, I'm not a prude. I like 'WAP'!" I wanted to prove myself before anyone could dismiss me because of what I thought they believe about what it meant to be asexual. So it really showed me the extent to which I struggled to not be defensive, the extent to which I struggled to prove how 'down' I am, so ironically the extent to which I actually believed all of those things emotionally. I didn't, and I don't, intellectually.

    Asexuality explained book Credit: bob al-greene / mashable

    Several asexual people you spoke with were also members of the kink community. From what I gleaned, there's a lot of emphasis on consent in kink, and there's intimacy in kink. Why do you think some asexual people may be drawn to the kink community?

    One reason is because, for them, it's just interesting. Obviously for some people, kink can be sexual. I'm not saying kink is inherently non-sexual, but I don't think it has to be. People have said they like the dynamics of it, they like the feeling of interesting sensations, the same way some people like the sensation of wearing velvet. It doesn't have to be sexual. They like the emotional dynamics of it even if it's not sexually gratifying to them. There are so many parts of kink that, while they can be sexual, it doesn't have to be for them.

    The other reason many people have said is because they do think that the norms in kink often make it safer for them because there's better consent practices — which is not to say kink is perfect, every person in every culture can improve. But what people have said specifically is that it's encouraged to negotiate beforehand. If you're doing a scene together you're supposed to talk about what's okay and what's not. One woman I spoke to said something like, "I can say, 'I don't care if you get hard, I don't care if you get wet, I'm not going to do anything about it.'" And she felt like she could say that in the kink context. It was okay, it was encouraged, whereas she said that she felt less safe in the vanilla context because it was considered kind of libido-killing to negotiate these things. She would feel like if she stopped them, then it wouldn't be okay and she'd feel pressure. The norms [in kink] felt safer and better for her, even though I think many people have this erroneous assumption that kink is a dangerous place.

    What advice would you give someone questioning whether they're asexual or aromantic or both?

    The first thing I would say is that it's okay to question. There's so much pressure on aces to be different, like we're encouraged to question too much. We're encouraged to be like, "Oh, I'm not actually ace. I'm just shy, I just haven't found the right person." That's not what I'm saying. But I do think in general questioning is good because all of us change and all of us have different experiences. Don't feel bad for questioning, even though you don't have to question if you feel you already know who you are.

    Give yourself a sense of space. I think it takes people a lot of time to understand this kind of lesser-known orientation and what it might be, and what integrating in the identity might mean for them. One thing that's interesting about ace identity is that everyone always says very specifically: Only you can decide if you're ace. I can't "diagnose" you as asexual and people will often say if this doesn't work for you — if identifying as asexual is harmful for you — then maybe you don't have to do it. I think giving yourself that kind of space is important.

    People have reached out [after reading excerpts] and they'll say things like, "I feel so conflicted. In some ways, thinking about identifying as ace makes me feel so free. In other ways, it just makes me feel kind of bad about myself." And that's okay, too. Most of us have been conditioned to think of asexuality as something inferior — it's okay if you maybe have that reaction. Give yourself the time and the space that you need. You don't have to commit to anything right now.

    What broader hopes do you have for Ace?

    Many aces know a lot of the basic stuff, but I think it's rare for them to see actual narratives of other ace people. And of course, just because you're ace doesn't mean you necessarily know what it might mean to be an ace person of color if you're white, or to be disabled. There's many intersections and I hope that's illuminating.

    I also really hope it makes people just question and think about themselves as they're reading it, regardless of whether they're ace or not. Some people who've read galleys said, "You know, as I was reading this I started thinking, how do I define desire? Where am I on this ace/allo spectrum? Are there relationships that I thought were platonic but they were romantic but not sexual?" These are questions that people can all think about, especially questions regarding consent which I think is super important.

    I hope that regardless of whatever someone's orientation might be, that they read this and apply it to themselves. Hopefully they can open up and think about the way we combine sex and desire and love and romance. A lot of times, they're all very separate things.

    Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex(Opens in a new tab) is out Sept. 15.

    This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

  • Knife block sanitizes utensils with UV light and a dryer for the high-tech home cook

    Knife block sanitizes utensils with UV light and a dryer for the high-tech home cook

    It’s a safe assumption that we’re all a bit more careful about cleanliness and hygiene best practices, you know, considering the deadly, ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It makes sense people would want to keep their knives and kitchen gear cleaner than usual.

    (图1)

    Personally, I was once largely unconcerned with germs and getting sick. Crowded trains, eating food I dropped on the floor, grungy dive bars — hell, even flu season as a concept — none of it worried me. Nowadays, like most of us, I’m masked up, stocked with hand sanitizer, and generally avoiding being around too many people at once, if I can help it.

    The Hookee Knifeguard is an auto-sanitizer(Opens in a new tab) for knives and flatware that launched on IndieGogo in August. Now, to be clear, I am not suggesting the Hookee is a product aimed at combating COVID-19 — in fact, it’s relatively unlikely a knife(Opens in a new tab), inside your own home, would give you the virus. But rather, it’s a product aimed at borderline excessive cleanliness in a world focused on that.

    I tested a Hookee Knife Guard out and it’s neat, although I’m not entirely sure it’s something I’d buy for my own home. Here’s how Hookee says the product works: You take a dirty knife or piece of flatware, wash it with soap/water (per usual), then simply slide it the Hookee Knife Guard. From there, the Knife Guard, sensing the wet utensils, will spring to life and thoroughly sanitize the flatware with UV light then dry it completely with temperatures up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a relatively quick and painless process. There's no learning curve at all.

    And, at least from appearances, the product works. I really only used it for knives or big serving utensils. Small flatware I instead plopped in the dishwasher like usual. After dropping a knife in, the Hookee would hum to life and soon enough a blue-ish light would glow out of the top. Of course, I had no real way of knowing the Knife Guard had killed 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria like it claims. But in theory, it should work.

    As Mashable wrote in March, UV light — if applied correctly — can be effective at fighting off bacteria, basically breaking down the DNA of harmful material to stop it from spreading. I called up an expert, Dr. Jeffrey Laskin(Opens in a new tab), a professor of environmental occupational health at the School of Public Health at Rutgers University, to talk about the Hookee Knife Guard.

    In short: Laskin told me that, yes, if the product works as described, it should help sterilize knives and other utensils. He added, however, that it seems like it might be a pretty specific product, since a simple wash-and-dry usually does the trick.

    “It's a very niche thing because there aren't a whole lot of people that are super hyper about seriously sterilizing their kitchen utensils, outside of putting in the washing machine,” Dr. Laskin said. “And probably you kill a lot of bacteria if you wash it by hand and just stuck it out and air dried it, because bacteria don't like to be in the air. But I appreciate the fact that there are going to be people who want to buy something like [this].”

    For what it’s worth, Dr. Laskin also cautioned against looking right at the UV light, saying it can sometimes be bad for your eyes.

    I can picture there being buyers for the Hookee Knife Guard. Lots of folks are squeamish about handling raw meat, especially. If you wanted further peace of mind after chopping up raw chicken, for instance, it might be nice to slide your washed knife into a Hookee Knife Guard. It would be a nice safeguard against bacteria you might’ve missed with the sponge. Also sponges have been proven to be kind of gross, at times serving as a breeding ground for some types of bacteria(Opens in a new tab).

    My Hookee Knife Guard, sanitizing away. Credit: Tim Marcin / mashable

    Most knives get hand-washed anyway — it’s a quick process — and the Hookee is a simple way to stash it after a wash and it dries the utensil thoroughly to prevent any rust.

    The Hookee looks decent on a counter as well. The model I tested was white with gray slats for placing utensils. It wasn't particularly beautiful or anything, but it wouldn’t look out of place in any modern kitchen. All-in-all it's a decent way to store knives while also cleaning them.

    The Hookee Knife Guard hasn’t fully rolled out yet, but you can secure the delivery of one with an $84 purchase on Indiegogo(Opens in a new tab) or Kickstarter(Opens in a new tab). The site promises shipping by November.

    Now, for the $84 question: Would I recommend buying one? I’m not sure. I probably wouldn’t buy it. That’s not because I disliked the product, per se, but rather that I’ve been cooking for years and never had any issues with my cleaning procedures. I’m very careful while cooking and never cross-contaminate, but $84 still feels like reach on the Hookee Knife Guard for me. But if it gives you peace of mind, hell, I’m not judging anyone who’d spring on it.

  • Chris Evans styles out this whole situation with a tweet to make Captain America proud

    Chris Evans styles out this whole situation with a tweet to make Captain America proud

    If you've been anywhere near the internet over the past couple of days, you've probably heard the news about Chris Evans' Instagram mishap.

    (图1)

    Well, now the man himself has acknowledged it — and his response is surely one that his superhero alter-ego Captain America would firmly approve of.

    On Monday night, the Marvel star took to Twitter to post the following:

    Simple, but undeniably effective. Sometimes all you need is a face-palm emoji, a shruggy emoji, and a clear call to action for your 6.1 million followers.

    SEE ALSO: 'Knives Out' is the perfect movie to get into the autumn spirit

    As Nov. 3 — Election Day in the U.S. — draws closer, more and more celebrities like Michelle Obama(Opens in a new tab) have been encouraging people to turn out and vote. Evans recently set up his own political website aimed at informing voters on different politicians' viewpoints and stances, so it makes sense that he'd want to encourage as much participation as possible.

    At the time of writing, his tweet has well over 100,000 retweets. It's also prompted responses from a number of Evans' famous pals.

    Well played, Chris.

  • John Boyega sends powerful message after quitting brand over racist ad

    John Boyega sends powerful message after quitting brand over racist ad

    John Boyega has taken a powerful stand after British fragrance company Jo Malone cut him out of a version of an advertisement he directed and starred in.

    (图1)

    The Star Wars actor has since stepped down from his role as global ambassador for the brand, calling the incident "not something I can condone."

    Boyega came up with the concept for the ad, a short film titled "A London Gent," which showed him hanging out with friends and family in Peckham, London, where he grew up.

    The advert that was broadcast in China, however, was completely reshot and instead featured Chinese actor Liu Haoran(Opens in a new tab). The format and concept of the ad remained largely the same, but any reference to Boyega was erased. Crucially, the Chinese version of the advert did not feature any Black people — a decision that smacks of racism while also stripping the short film of its original personal significance.

    Jo Malone London issued an apology after news of the reshot advert broke. "We deeply apologize for what, on our end, was a mistake in the local execution of the John Boyega campaign," the brand said(Opens in a new tab) in a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter. "John is a tremendous artist with great personal vision and direction. The concept for the film was based on John’s personal experiences and should not have been replicated." Jo Malone, the founder of the company, also issued a statement(Opens in a new tab) saying she has had nothing to do with the brand since 2006, after selling the company to Estée Lauder in 1999.

    SEE ALSO: John Boyega has some strong words about his Star Wars experience

    Boyega subsequently announced his decision to step down as the perfume and candle brand's global ambassador. "Their decision to replace my campaign in China by using my concepts and substituting a local brand ambassador for me, without either my consent or prior notice, was wrong," he wrote on Twitter. "The film celebrated my personal story– showcasing my hometown, including my friends and featuring my family."

    He added that the company's behaviour towards him is not something he can condone.

    True to form, Boyega finished his statement by stating he doesn't have "time for nonsense".

    Following Boyega's announcement, Jo Malone London tweeted that it respects his decision and that the company "wish him all the best."

    Again, I think the word you're looking for is "sorry."

    Related Video: Want to donate to help the Black Lives Matter movement? Here's how.

  • Why smart home gyms could be here to stay

    Why smart home gyms could be here to stay

    Mashable's series Tech in 2025 explores how the challenges of today will dramatically change the near future. 

    (图1)


    Annika Kapur used to go to the gym five or six days a week.

    Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. Stuck at home, she started using Tempo Studio. The nearly $2,000 fitness machine features a 42-inch display, room for 16 weight plates, and a 3D sensor that gives users feedback on their form.

    "For the first month, I felt like, 'Wow, I never need to go to the gym again,'" Kapur said.

    Not into lifting weights? Former gym rats can buy smart rowers, boxing gloves, mirrors, kettlebells, and even vertical climbing machines(Opens in a new tab). And, of course, there is Peloton, which just released a new exercise bike and treadmill and saw sales increase by 172 percent(Opens in a new tab) over the last fiscal quarter.

    View this post on Instagram
    (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

    Meanwhile, gyms and other fitness studios are struggling. Since the pandemic began, both 24 Hour Fitness(Opens in a new tab) and Gold's Gym(Opens in a new tab) filed for bankruptcy protections, and YogaWorks(Opens in a new tab) permanently closed its New York City locations. And those are large chains, which are typically better prepared to ride out a pandemic than a small, independent studio.

    Some people are scared to go to the gym — and for good reason. Wiping down fitness equipment with disinfectant isn't enough to protect people.

    "I would be more worried about how long microscopic respiratory particles linger in the air," said Henry F. Raymond, associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

    Raymond suggests looking for a gym that takes health precautions. That could include crowd limits and spacing machines at least 6 feet apart.

    Still, some people won't be comfortable working out indoors until a vaccine becomes available. And that provides an opportunity for tech companies.

    The future of working out

    In past decades, consumers may have bought treadmills and exercise bikes only to watch them become places to hang laundry. Why should this new generation of devices be any different?

    First of all, users can regularly download and stream new content. They can analyze their performance over time. And they can get recommendations from AI and human trainers.

    "That makes it a lot more appealing and engaging for end users," said Jonathan Collins, smart home research director at tech market advisory firm ABI Research. "It's something they will use, rather a piece of equipment that just sits in the corner."

    Kapur, a mother of two in San Anselmo, California, loved Tempo's interactive challenges and leaderboards, which let her compare her accomplishments with others users.

    "When I first bought the machine, I was using it for probably an hour and a half a day," she said. "I would happily stand in front of it for ages and try like three or four classes."

    SEE ALSO: Unboxing the Series 6 Apple Watch

    New classes and workouts keep users engaged, and their subscription money flowing. After dropping around $2,000, Tempo owners are expected to spend an additional $39 a month for a membership, which gives them access to live and on-demand classes and the company's AI trainer. Peloton's all-access membership also costs $39 a month. Mirror charges the same amount.

    Those monthly fees add up — but they're comparable to gym membership fees, which, in large cities, can exceed $100 a month.

    There are cheaper options out there. Apple's new Fitness+, for instance, costs $9.99 a month, and "only" requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or above. And plenty of fitness apps require no equipment at all.

    If COVID-19 doesn't relent (and there are plenty of reasons to believe it'll stick around for a while), it's easy to see how smart fitness equipment sales might grow.

    And there plenty of ways the technology might develop. Collins suggested that future fitness equipment might be better integrated with other smart home devices. Imagine an exercise bike communicating with Nest and lowering the temperature when someone is in the middle of an intense workout. Or a smart mirror adjusting a smart speaker to blare the perfect tunes for a virtual HIIT class.

    Obviously, people who live in small city apartments (hello!) don't have the room to build an entire smart home gym. But in the suburbs, they can be set up in a garage or spare bedroom.

    That doesn't mean gyms and yoga studios are doomed. Human beings are social creatures. For many people, going to CrossFit is as much about making friends as it is getting jacked. And here's the problem with virtual trainers: You can pause them and walk away.

    "After a while, I realized like, I think I need somebody staring at me, because I'm cheating now," Kapur said. She'd pause the workout and look at her phone. Or maybe not squat as deeply as she would if classmates or a real-life instructor was watching. So her plan now is to return to the gym, but keep the Tempo Studio and use it about three times per week.

    The market for smart stationary bikes, treadmills, and other devices looks bright. But even the most advanced algorithm can't match the motivational power of a judgmental friend.

  • Joe Bidens new ad spotlights a Donald Trump promise we all hope he keeps

    Joe Bidens new ad spotlights a Donald Trump promise we all hope he keeps

    You've got to hand it to Joe Biden: His new 10-second ad makes good use of every last moment.

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    The Democratic nominee doesn't really even say a word. He simply put up a video of Donald Trump speaking at a rally on Twitter and let the president's statement speak for itself.

    "If I lose to [Joe Biden] I don't know what I'm gonna do," Trump says in the quick clip. "I will never speak to you again. You'll never see me again."

    The short ad then cuts to a picture of a grinning Biden. "I'm Joe Biden and I approve this message," Biden says.

    It's a quite simple and very effective message.

    Trump made the comments about Biden at a Fayetteville, North Carolina rally(Opens in a new tab) on Saturday. The Republican president was claiming a senator once told him Biden was the dumbest person in the Senate. That led Trump to segue into a claim that he felt Biden was the worst candidate in history, and thus, if he lost to him, he'd simply have to go away.

    The November election is now just 44 days away.

  • Adapting to change makes GoCo nimble and able to succeed

    Adapting to change makes GoCo nimble and able to succeed

    Over the past few months, companies across Canada have had to adapt to new ways of doing business. When you’re operating from several different locations or supporting WFH and remote teams, a reliable and secure network is one of your most essential tools. In this evolving environment, GoCo(Opens in a new tab) provides managed network services that enable your company to thrive, regardless of size or location. The company’s own ability to adapt to major changes in the global work environment makes GoCo(Opens in a new tab) an expert in bringing solutions to your business.

    (图1)

    Agility in a shifting workplace

    Even in a pre-pandemic world, teleworking was an exciting and growing trend, enabling employees to stay productive in new ways. In 2019, a Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada reported that 85 percent of jobs in finance and insurance(Opens in a new tab), 85 percent in educational services, and 84 percent in professional, scientific, and technical services could be performed remotely.

    While the precedent was certainly there, a study released this past summer found nearly one-third(Opens in a new tab), or 32.6 percent, of businesses reported 10 percent or more of their workforce was teleworking or working remotely. Now, as the potential for teleworking continues to expand, many business owners, managers, and IT professionals simply don’t have the bandwidth to operate multi-location networks.

    To navigate a growing demand for remote work, GoCo(Opens in a new tab) provides managed network services, such as SD-WAN, secure VPNs, and MPLS, among other solutions, to keep your business running smoothly and securely. Working with GoCo(Opens in a new tab) frees up your time so you can focus on day-to-day benchmarks, strategizing, and supporting your teams.

    Moving forward with confidence

    Founded on a mission to shake up the industry and meet growing needs, GoCo(Opens in a new tab) has championed affordable and agile business solutions for Canadian organisations. As an innovative managed service provider (MSP), they’ve brought together the strengths and expertise of six founding companies: BroadConnect, Netrium, Radiant, bluArc, Ubity, and Infra-solutions. That has allowed for problem-solving abilities both nimble and authoritative.

    With six offices across Canada and more than 300 employees, GoCo(Opens in a new tab) has been at the forefront of disrupting business communications technology through scalable solutions with speed. To meet current demands for greater mobility, their managed SD-WAN solutions simplify branch networks, optimize app performance, work efficiently in the cloud, and save money.

    Some of the biggest benefits of SD-WAN (software defined-wide area network) are ease of use and flexibility. This growing technology doesn’t require specialized hardware or networking devices and can also route traffic to flow more cost effectively.

    A nimble way to connect and collaborate

    Right now, SD-WAN provides a path away from expensive legacy connections and the limitations of traditional WAN technologies. The issue of keeping info moving seamlessly was important before the pandemic and now with a surge in remote work, it has only come into sharper focus.

    For the way businesses are working in the real world of the moment and beyond, GoCo(Opens in a new tab)’s managed network services can help remote offices and teams of all sizes navigate SD-WAN, from handling different types of traffic to prioritising critical applications, such as voice.

    With the goal of transforming your business, GoCo(Opens in a new tab) takes an end-to-end approach. They work with companies who have been careful watchdogs of business communications innovation for more than two decades.

    From international law firms to beloved Canadian coffee brands, they have collaborated with more than 4,500 Canadian businesses and 25,000 websites to develop customized managed network and voice solutions. Looking forward, GoCo(Opens in a new tab)'s goal is to make sure local Canadian businesses and their teams can keep working no matter where they are or what they do.

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  • Raisins have the internet divided, thanks to a viral TikTok video

    Raisins have the internet divided, thanks to a viral TikTok video

    Mac and cheese, the beloved cheesy pasta dish, has some pretty standard ingredients: spiral pasta, milk, cheddar, and...raisins?

    (图1)

    That last one is an unlikely addition, which is probably why the internet is currently losing it over a viral TikTok recipe. TikTokker @TexyKitchen1(Opens in a new tab) has reached over 7.7 million views on a 34-second video of a mac and cheese dish(Opens in a new tab) she made for her husband. Atop the cheese, she sprinkled on some raisins, which has resulted in some pretty strong reactions across Twitter and TikTok.

    SEE ALSO: Don't do this: 10 of the worst crimes against mac and cheese

    The chef's hundreds of other videos have accumulated over 1.7 million followers on TikTok and over 150,000 followers on Instagram(Opens in a new tab), so she's still winning in the cooking community of social media.

    But the raisins are contentious. Comments on her video include "you lost me at raisins," and "I had a smile on my face until the raisins came in." Hardly one commenter approved of the ingredient, and I scrolled for a while. Then there's Twitter, where the video was also trending for a hot minute.

    To be fair, this isn't the first time such a recipe has caused internet debate. Last year, Drake's 34th birthday menu went viral(Opens in a new tab) after it included mac and cheese(Opens in a new tab) with sundried tomatoes, capers, parsley, and — you guessed it — raisins. Cue the tweets, recipes trials, and generally energetic internet discourse airing many a grievance.

    Basically, people are really intense when it comes to raisins. Pick a side, we guess? Or just make your own mac and cheese with or without them?

  • 13 best tweets of the week, including Skittles, a spooky aunt, and Werner Herzog

    13 best tweets of the week, including Skittles, a spooky aunt, and Werner Herzog

    We all deserve a good laugh right now, what with the ongoing pandemic and the constant the political shitshow.

    (图1)

    What better way to catch a few laughs than some good tweets? We've been collecting our favorite tweets for, well, countless weeks now because hey, a little humor never hurt in the end-times.

    So here they are, 13 of our favorite tweets.

    1. Not me though

    2. Even the best laid plans

    3. "...the fact that he is now in full beast mode suggests to me he's not doing cheap reps."

    4. "Sir, you can't be sus in here."

    5. Some people just want to watch the world burn

    6. SpOo0oky aunt

    7. This answer is just...it's a ride

    8. What could go wrong?

    9. I accept, and agree with, the results of this vote

    10. Obligatory dril tweet

    11. Drone, innnit

    12. Aggressive computers

    13. And finally, I could use this

  • Homemade air fryer pizza rolls are so good its embarrassing

    Homemade air fryer pizza rolls are so good its embarrassing

    Sometimes you just want trash food. I love a fancy, composed dish as much as the next person, but sometimes you just want junk to shovel into your mouth. There's nothing wrong with that.

    (图1)

    And is there any better junk than a pizza roll? Probably not. It's melty cheese, and pizza sauce, and a crispy exterior. That is impossible to mess up. Even so, this viral TikTok recipe(Opens in a new tab) from @arimonika(Opens in a new tab) is exceptionally tasty. With the simple addition of a wonton wrapper, it elevates the humble pizza roll into something extra crispy and fun. Here's what you need to know to make the recipe.

    Ingredients

    • wonton wrappers

    • jarred pizza/pasta sauce

    • shredded mozzarella cheese

    • pepperoni

    Directions

    1. Lay a wonton wrapper down on a cutting board.

    2. Place about a teaspoon of sauce, a pinch of cheese, and a couple of pepperoni at the center of the wrapper. Be sure to not overfill your wonton. Leave enough space to fold it over.

    3. Using your finger or food-safe brush, paint the edges of the wonton with water.

    4. Fold the wonton in half making a triangle that completely encapsulates the filling.

    5. Pinch the edges of the wonton to seal it tightly.

    6. Air fry at 400 degrees for nine minutes. Enjoy!

    The details

    Here's the big mistake you need to avoid: Do NOT overfill your wonton. I did that with a couple of my pizza rolls, leaving my fold and pinch wanting, which resulted in a pizza roll unraveling in the air fryer. Don't get greedy. Only fill your wonton to a level you feel comfortable pinching together.

    Otherwise, this is the perfect cheap eat. Sure, it's junk-ish food. But for a few bucks at the grocery store you have practically limitless pizza rolls that are simple to make and probably tastier than the frozen variety. The whole idea of the recipe from @arimonika — which has racked up 4.5 million views — was to make a tasty, cheap snack for college kids. It definitely succeeds in that regard.

    Here's how mine looked, all done in the air fryer.

    Crunch + cheesy = not bad. Credit: Mashable

    Not bad, right? Sure, my wonton pinching could use some work. And yes, some of the corners got charred. But the exterior was crispy and the interior was gooey and tasted like, well, average pizza. But average pizza is great! Especially in crunchy bite form.

    Now there is an issue any time you air fry a wonton wrapper. Sans hot oil, it won't get that addictive, bubbly, flaky crust. The deep fryer simply creates a different product than the air fryer. But that doesn't mean the air fryer product isn't good. It's just not quite as good as less healthy, more messy deep fryer. I ran into the same issue when making egg rolls in the air fryer. There's a price to pay for the convenience of the air fryer.

    But still, the verdict? I'd definitely recommend making this recipe. It's kind of embarrassing how much I enjoyed the little wonton pizza rolls. It's unsophisticated but it's cheesy, gooey, and delicious. Sometimes that's just what you need.

  • Air fryer peanut butter and jelly roll-up recipe from viral TikTok is a tasty snack for kids

    Air fryer peanut butter and jelly roll-up recipe from viral TikTok is a tasty snack for kids

    (图1)


    The air fryer, in my humble — but well-informed — opinion, is best-used as tool to reach two distinct ends: perfectly roasting foods and providing convenience. That in mind, I feel a viral recipe for an air-fried PB&J roll-ups is neither convenient nor perfectly roasted. But it is fun and could be a great activity and snack for kids, especially picky eaters.

    The PB&J roll-up recipe — which is exactly what it sounds like — provides nothing beyond novelty. You can just make a normal sandwich. However, the recipe from @arimonika on TikTok(Opens in a new tab) racked up some 6 million views, which is nothing to sneeze at. People must like it, or at least be intrigued.

    Here's what you need to know about making air fryer PB&J rollups.

    Ingredients

    • 1 slice of bread

    • Peanut butter

    • Jelly

    • Melted butter or spray oil

    SEE ALSO: The best air fryers for making crispy food faster than the oven

    Directions

    1. Cut off the crusts of the bread

    2. Roll the bread flat

    3. On one end of the flattened bread — the shorter side — spread a thick line of peanut butter

    4. Plop some jelly on top of the peanut butter

    5. Starting with the PB&J side, roll the bread into a tube shape

    6. Once rolled, pinch the open end of the roll-up to seal it

    7. Cover the roll-up with melted butter or spray

    8. Air fry at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until golden brown

    The details

    OK, first things first: @arimonika didn't exactly give the most detailed instructions, so I had to fill in the blanks to remake their creation. There was no cooking time or temp. There was a mystery ingredient that I eventually surmised was butter. Thankfully it's not a difficult recipe. Here's what their final result looked like.

    Not difficult. Pretty tasty. But not worth it. Credit: Screenshots: TikTok / @arimonika

    Cutting off crusts is simple. (Remember how I said this is a recipe for a picky child.) Rolling the bread is easy. Plopping down PB&J is a breeze. The rolling up? Well the rolling up takes some doing, but it's not difficult, really.

    If you're the sort of person who has...recreational interests...rolling up a PB&J might feel familiar. As you roll the bread, you want to make sure you tuck edges inward to keep the sandwich components in place. My closing pinches were awful, likely because I overstuffed the roll-ups but frankly it didn't matter much. Once you butter (or spray) and air fry, the roll-ups harden and became simple to eat.

    Flat bread but not flatbread. It's the bread that I rolled out. Credit: Mashable

    Once in the air fryer, a few minutes later I had a decent looking roll-up. Granted, @arimonika's result had a more golden brown hue than mine, which I attribute to the use of real butter instead of spray. Still, my end product was a toasty, hot PB&J roll-up. It was relatively tasty — had that whole salty, sweet thing going — not earth-shatteringly good. After all, the upper bounds of a PB&J can only reach limited heights.

    Not exactly golden brown, but not having real butter on-hand will do that. Credit: Mashable

    But that doesn't mean the roll-ups were worthwhile. Think about it. There is nothing — nothing — different about this than a regular old sandwich. You could just spread some PB&J on bread, toss it in the air fryer, and achieve the same result while skipping four of the eight steps listed above. In fact, that will likely result in a better product because more of the bread will be exposed to the heat and, thus, become crispier.

    I'd argue it's hard for a PB&J to be bad. I'd also argue it's difficult for a PB&J to be amazing . A PB&J is the ultimate in convenience. It's sweet, salty, and filling in zero time. I think heating it up with crispy bread and melty peanut butter is worth the effort.

    I also think rolling it up is a waste of time. Unless you've got a little kid you need to keep quiet and it's all they want. In that instance, roll away.

    More on Foodtok

    • The 7 TikTok recipes of 2021 that actually deserved the hype

    • $1 air fryer breakfast tacos are easy to make and so delicious

    • A recipe for air-fried oranges went viral. We can confirm it's gross.

    • Air-fried cheese is delicious because crispy cheese is amazing

    • The viral TikTok air fryer recipe for homemade hot pockets is delicious

    • The viral parchment paper liner hack for air fryers is a waste of time

    • Viral TikTok recipe for an air fryer grilled cheese makes a perfect cheese pull

    • Air fryer recipe for smashed Brussels sprouts gives you the crispy veggies of your dreams

  • Todays top deals include the M1 Pro MacBook Pro, Bartesian cocktail machine, and a magnetic rower

    Todays top deals include the M1 Pro MacBook Pro, Bartesian cocktail machine, and a magnetic rower

    We've rounded up the best deals we could find on March 7 — here are some of our top picks:

    • BEST TECH DEAL: MacBook Pro 14-inch laptop (M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$1,599 $1,999 (save $400)

    • BEST HOME DEAL: Bartesian Premium cocktail and margarita machine(Opens in a new tab)$299.99 $369.99 (save $70)

    • BEST FITNESS DEAL: Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rowing machine with extended slide rail(Opens in a new tab)$192.49 $399 (save $206.51)


    While it's sort of a dry season as far as major sales go, we're still seeing plenty of impressive discounts on March 7 — particularly if you're looking for tech and home deals. The M1 Pro MacBook Pro, for example, is back at its all-time low pricing. Meanwhile, some of Mashable's favorite products, like the Bartesian cocktail machine and the Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rowing machine, are seeing pretty major price drops. In other words, despite it being a random Tuesday in March, it's a great day to shop and save.

    There are plenty of deals to go around, and we've done you the honor of rounding up all the best ones. Scroll to check out the top deals of the day for March 7.

    Best tech deal

    (Opens in a new tab)
    Credit: Apple
    Our pick: MacBook Pro 14-inch laptop (M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
    $1,599 at Best Buy (save $400)
    (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

    Why we like it

    Well-suited for power-heavy tasks like photo and video editing, the 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro is a "glorious beast of a machine," as Mashable's Joseph Volpe put it. Although casual users will love working on it, it's built specifically with creatives in mind. The base model with 512GB of built-in storage is currently back at its lowest price ever — $1,599 ($400 off) — at Best Buy as of March 7. And if you want more storage or a bigger screen, every other configuration of the M1 Pro(Opens in a new tab) is also on sale for $400 off or more.

    More tech deals

    Laptop, tablet, and monitor deals

    • Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (2022 release)(Opens in a new tab)$59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

    • Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet (2022 release)(Opens in a new tab) — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)

    • Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet(Opens in a new tab)$99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

    • Sceptre 24.5-inch curved gaming monitor(Opens in a new tab)$149.97 $199.97 (save $50)

    • (图1)

      Sceptre 29-inch IPS UltraWide monitor(Opens in a new tab)$149.97 $209.97 (save $60)

    • ASUS 11.60-inch Vivobook L210 laptop (Intel Celeron N4020, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC)(Opens in a new tab)$199.99 $249.99 (save $50) + one year of Office 365 Personal

    • Apple 2023 Mac Mini (M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$557 $599 (save $42)

    • HP 23.8-inch All-in-One PC with FHD micro-edge touchscreen display, (AMD Ryzen 5, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD)(Opens in a new tab)$699.99 $870 (save $170.01)

    Audio deals

    • Echo Dot (3rd gen, 2018 release)(Opens in a new tab)$19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

    • JBL Vibe 100 TWS true wireless earbuds(Opens in a new tab)$29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

    • JBL Vibe 200TWS true wireless earbuds(Opens in a new tab)$29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

    • Echo Dot (3rd gen) and Sengled Smart A19 LED 60W bulb(Opens in a new tab)$29.99 $54.98 (save $25)

    • Sony SRSXB33 wireless waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker(Opens in a new tab) $79 $178 (save $99)

    • Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro noise canceling earbuds(Opens in a new tab)$84.99 $169.99 (save $85)

    • Sony SRS-XE200 X-Series portable Bluetooth speaker(Opens in a new tab)$93.94 $129.99 (save $36.05) + 4 free months of Amazon Music Unlimited

    • Beats Solo3 wireless headphones(Opens in a new tab)$130.01 $199.95 (save $69.94)

    • Beats Fit Pro true wireless noise-canceling earbuds (new color options)(Opens in a new tab)$159.95 $199.95 (save $40)

    • Beats Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds(Opens in a new tab)$179.95 $249.95 (save $70)

    • JBL Xtreme 2 portable Bluetooth speaker(Opens in a new tab)$179.99 $349.99 (save $170)

    • Samsung MX-ST40B sound tower(Opens in a new tab)$184.95 $497.99 (save $313.04)

    • Beats Studio3 wireless noise-canceling headphones(Opens in a new tab)$217.43 $349.95 (save $132.52)

    • Bose SoundLink Revolve+ (Series II) portable Bluetooth speaker(Opens in a new tab)$229 $329 (save $100)

    • JBL PartyBox portable Bluetooth party speaker(Opens in a new tab)$229.95 $349.95 (save $120)

    • JBL BAR5.0 5-channel multibeam soundbar(Opens in a new tab)$229.95 $399.95 (save $170)

    • Sony SRS-XG300 X-Series portable Bluetooth party speaker(Opens in a new tab)$245 $349.99 (save $104.99) + 4 free months of Amazon Music Unlimited

    • JBL Boombox 2 portable Bluetooth speaker(Opens in a new tab)$299.95 $449.95 (save $150)

    • Bose portable smart speaker(Opens in a new tab) $319 $399 (save $80)

    More tech deals

    • Tile Mate (2022) Bluetooth tracker(Opens in a new tab)$19.99 $24.99 (save $5)

    • Fire TV Stick 4K(Opens in a new tab)$24.99 $49.99 (save $25 with code UP4K23)

    • Tile Pro (2022) Bluetooth tracker(Opens in a new tab)$27.99 $34.99 (save $7)

    • Fire TV Stick 4K Max(Opens in a new tab)$34.99 $54.99 (save $20)

    • Fire TV Cube(Opens in a new tab)$124.99 $139.99 (save $15)

    • Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular, 45mm)(Opens in a new tab)$459 $529 (save $70)

    Best home deal

    (Opens in a new tab)
    Credit: Bartesian
    Our pick: Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
    $299.99 at Amazon (save $70)
    (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

    Why we like it

    While it's not quite at its lowest price to date, the Bartesian premium cocktail and margarita machine is sitting at its lowest price since Black Friday. So, naturally, we couldn't pass it up. The original model (and more expensive sibling of the Bartesian Duet, which our bartending reviewer was hella impressed by) whips up premium mixologist-crafted and approved cocktails at the touch of a button. It's like the Keurig of cocktails. Just store your base spirits in the reservoirs, insert a cocktail capsule, select the strength, and press mix. Voila! A perfectly mixed cocktail ready for happy hour. Originally $369.99, you can save $70 as of March 7 and snag it for $299.99.

    Kitchen deals

    • Hamilton Beach smoothie blender(Opens in a new tab) $22.96 $45 (save $22.04)

    • Chefman precision control gooseneck rapid boil kettle(Opens in a new tab)$39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

    • Chefman cordless hand mixer(Opens in a new tab)$39.99 $79.99 (save $40)

    • Dash Aircrisp Pro compact air fryer(Opens in a new tab)$49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

    • Chefman digital air fryer (5-quart)(Opens in a new tab)$64.99 $99.99 (save $35)

    • FoodSaver compact vacuum sealer machine(Opens in a new tab)$69.99 $94.99 (save $25)

    • Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 air fryer oven (4-quart)(Opens in a new tab)$89.99 $129.99 (save $40)

    • Cuisinart CFP22GMPC 11-cup food processor(Opens in a new tab)$99.99 $199.99 (save $100)

    • Ninja AF150AMZ Air Fryer XL (5.5-quart)(Opens in a new tab)$119.99 $159.99 (save $40)

    • Ninja BL770AMZ Mega Kitchen System(Opens in a new tab)$119.99 $199.99 (save $80)

    • Vitamix One blender(Opens in a new tab)$149.95 $249.95 (save $100)

    • Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 air fryer and electric pressure cooker(Opens in a new tab)$152.18 $199.99 (save $47.81)

    • Iceman countertop ice maker(Opens in a new tab)$299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

    • Breville Barista Pro espresso machine(Opens in a new tab)$679.95 $849.95 (save $170)

    • Breville Barista Express Impress espresso machine(Opens in a new tab)$719.95 $899.95 (save $180)

    Floor care deals

    • Shark S3501 steam pocket mop(Opens in a new tab)$59.99 $89.99 (save $30)

    • Shark HV370 Rocket Pro corded stick vacuum(Opens in a new tab) — $118.99 $149 (save $30.01)

    • Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Slim robot vacuum cleaner(Opens in a new tab)$139.79 $229.99 (save $90.20)

    • Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 15C MAX robot vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

    • iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$179 $274.99 (save $95.99)

    • Dyson V7 Advanced cordless vacuum cleaner(Opens in a new tab) $229.99 $399.99 (save $170)

    • iRobot Braava Jet M6 (6110) ultimate robot mop(Opens in a new tab)$299 $449.99 (save $150.99)

    • Ecovacs Deebot N8 Pro+ robot vacuum and mop(Opens in a new tab)$399.99 $699.99 (save $300)

    • Roborock S7 robot vacuum and mop(Opens in a new tab)$429.99 $649.99 (save $220 with on-page coupon)

    • Roborock Q5+ robot vacuum(Opens in a new tab) — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200 with on-page coupon)

    • Dyson V12 Detect Slim cordless vacuum(Opens in a new tab)$519.99 $649.99 (save $130)

    • Roborock S7 MaxV robot vacuum and sonic mop(Opens in a new tab)$539.99 $859.99 (save $320)

    • Ecovacs Deebot X1 Turbo robot vacuum and mop(Opens in a new tab)$799.99 $1,349.99 (save $550)

    • iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ self-emptying robot vacuum and mop(Opens in a new tab)$849 $1,099.99 (save $250.99)

    • iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) robot vacuum and Braava Jet m6 (6112) robot mop bundle(Opens in a new tab)$949 $1,599.99 (save $650.99)

    • Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni robot vacuum and mop(Opens in a new tab) — $952.69 $1,549.99 (save $597.30)

    More home deals

    • ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro smart lock(Opens in a new tab)$126.65 $219 (save $92.35)

    • Eufy Security eufyCam 2C Pro 2-camera kit(Opens in a new tab)$199.99 $319.99 (save $120)

    • Eufy Security S330 video smart lock(Opens in a new tab)$297.49 $349.99 (save $52.50)

    • Eufy Security eufyCam 3 4-camera kit(Opens in a new tab)$679.99 $799.99 (save $120)

    Best fitness deal

    (Opens in a new tab)
    Credit: Sunny Health & Fitness
    Our pick: Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic rowing machine with extended slide rail (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)
    $192.49 at Amazon (save $206.51)
    (opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab)

    Why we like it

    Sitting at its lowest price in over a year, the classic magnetic rowing machine from Sunny Health & Fitness is a fun, yet challenging way to get in shape at home. With an extended slide rail, it can accommodate rowers of nearly any size, while the built-in transportation wheels make it extremely portable to suit any space. Choose from eight levels of magnetic resistance to challenge yourself through your fitness journey — and keep up with your stats on the large LCD screen. Over half off at Amazon as of March 7, you can scoop up one of our top picks for a rowing machine for only $192.49.

    More health and fitness deals

    • Halo Rise bedside sleep tracker(Opens in a new tab)$99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

    • LifePro Waver vibration plate exercise machine(Opens in a new tab)$159.79 $269.99 (save $110.20)

    • Sunny Health & Fitness Evo-Fit cardio recumbent bike(Opens in a new tab)$426.89 $548.90 (save $122.01)

    • Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge 500 water rowing machine(Opens in a new tab) — $435.99 $649.99 (save $214 with on-page coupon)

    • Bowflex VeloCore 16 IC indoor exercise bike(Opens in a new tab)$799.99 $1,799 (save $999.01)

    Outdoor and camping deals

    • Anker Portable Charger 2000mAh USB-C power bank(Opens in a new tab)$47.98 $59.99 (save $12.01)

    • Coleman Classic propane gas camping stove (2-burner)(Opens in a new tab)$48 $74.99 (save $26.99)

    • Ozark Trail 2-in-1 portable propane camping stove (2-burner)(Opens in a new tab)$62.25 $79 (save $16.75)

    • Ooni Karu 12 multi-fuel outdoor pizza oven(Opens in a new tab)$299 $399 (save $100)

    Streaming, subscription, and software deals

    • Apple TV+(Opens in a new tab)free $6.99/month (save $20.97) for three months

    • Apple Music(Opens in a new tab) free $10.99/month (save $43.96) for four months

    • Dashpass(Opens in a new tab)free for Roku users $9.99.month (save $59.94) for six months

    • Grubhub+(Opens in a new tab) — free for Amazon Prime members $9.99/month (save $119.88) for one year

    • SiriusXM(Opens in a new tab)free $9.99/month (save $39.96) for four months

    • Sling TV(Opens in a new tab)$20/month $40/month (save $20) for your first month

    • YouTube TV(Opens in a new tab)$54.99/month $64.99/month (save $30) for your first three months

  • Your cute pet camera may hide a troubling secret

    Your cute pet camera may hide a troubling secret

    Privacy Please is an ongoing series exploring the ways privacy is violated in the modern world, and what can be done about it.

    (图1)


    The secret life of pets is a thing of the past. And, if they're not careful, the secret life of pet owners will follow suit.

    The pet accessory business is a booming one, predicted(Opens in a new tab) to reach $46 billion by 2026. A growing part of that market is dog and cat cameras(Opens in a new tab): remotely accessible webcams designed to monitor, and sometimes interact with, pets left at home. Think of pet cams as baby monitors, but for furry friends.

    But as with so many internet-of-things devices, pet cameras come with their own privacy and security risks.

    SEE ALSO: 8 of the best dog toys for some epic playtime with your pup

    Pet cameras, after all, are by their very nature meant to be placed inside of the home. According to Matthew Guariglia(Opens in a new tab), a policy analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, that should give potential owners pause.

    "Think about what video and audio that device would capture in a day, and think about what is the worst case scenario if somebody else got their hands on it," he said. "If it starts changing your life, if you start feeling like you don't have privacy in your own home and you're leaving your living room to have certain conversations, that's a problem."

    "Think about what video and audio that device would capture in a day..."

    One popular pet camera manufacturer, Petcube, bills its products(Opens in a new tab) as the "best home cameras designed for pet parents" — offering owners the ability to speak to, and dispense treats for, homebound canines and kittens. "Watch your pet live with a sharp 1080p HD video, night vision," promises the Petcube Bites 2 Lite(Opens in a new tab). "Get full room coverage with 160° view. For details, see up close with 8x digital zoom."

    The technology lets users zoom in on cute things like a dog napping at the foot of a bed. But it also opens up some concerning possibilities.

    "These devices have a lot of scary implications for survivors of domestic violence and stalking," explained Guariglia. "If you break up with a significant other and they retain access to a microphone and camera inside your house, be mindful and change your information."

    Tap to toss. Credit: screenshot: Petcube

    Indeed, while Guariglia spends his professional time considering the privacy implications of new technologies and laws, you don't need to be an expert to understand the potential negative consequences of an internet-connected home camera in the wrong hands. That's because, unfortunately, there are plenty of real-world examples.

    In January of 2021, a former ADT employee pleaded guilty to watching customers have sex through their home security cameras. He was able to do this for years, without being caught.

    SEE ALSO: How to blur your house on Google Street View (and why you should)

    Makers of pet cameras do invest in privacy and security, although to different degrees. Andrey Klen, Petcube's co-founder and CMO, explained over email some of the steps his company takes to secure customers' video feeds.

    "Engineers are following the vulnerability reports and new versions of the software components used in our products, and they are updated regularly," he wrote. "Petcube is also performing planned security audits by the independent third-party company with extensive expertise in the domain. Generally we do our best to protect our users security and privacy and constantly look for ways to improve these practices."

    Likewise, when reached for comment, the makers of Pawbo(Opens in a new tab) replied that their video is encrypted.

    To be clear, that these companies are thinking about customer security and privacy is a good thing and should be celebrated. It does not, however, mean there's no cause for concern.

    Oh, hi there. Credit: screenshot: pawbo

    Amazon, which owns Ring, has financial resources to invest in security that dwarf many of its competitors. And yet, even Ring customers have had their share of privacy scares. In 2020, the company was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging Ring failed to take basic security precautions. That followed a series of hacks wherein creeps gained access to families' Ring cameras, and in at least one case reportedly used that access to yell racial slurs(Opens in a new tab) at an 8-year-old child.

    The threat isn't only an external one. The same year, Ring admitted that its employees had tried to watch customers' video feeds.

    Whether or not employees can access customers' pet cams is an important question, and Guariglia explained that it's not out of the realm of possibility.

    "If your footage is sitting unencrypted on a cloud controlled by a company, theoretically and in many instances practically, the companies have been able to access that historic footage and could maybe even be able to open up a livestream view."

    Petcube's Klen assured Mashable that his company take precautions to prevent this very thing.

    "There's no way for a Petcube employee to get any data without a user consent, it is protected by a unique token, hosted on a server with restricted access."

    But when it comes to explaining what steps companies take to protect their customers' privacy, not all pet cam manufacturers are created equal.

    We asked Furbo(Opens in a new tab), which sells interactive dog cameras for $169, what precautions it takes to ensure Furbo employees do not access customer videos. We received no response.

    Good doggie. Credit: Furbo

    It's worth emphasizing that people do find real value in being able to remotely check up on their pets.

    Afton Moss co-owns the San Francisco dog training and care business Wild Wolves(Opens in a new tab), and uses a Furbo(Opens in a new tab) to keep eyes on her Golden Lab Viago (yes, named after that Viago). Over the phone, she explained that the remotely accessible camera gives her peace of mind when she's away from home.

    "I like it because I get alerts for when Viago, or any of the dogs I am watching, are barking," she explained. "I can look in whenever I want, and I can also talk to [Viago via the built-in speaker]."

    When asked if she had any privacy concerns related to having a pet camera in her home, she spoke more of the reassurance the camera provided her and the added safety it meant for her dog.

    "I don't think about [the camera], and I know maybe I should but it's not something that bothers me that much," she noted.

    Like with most modern technology, pet cameras come with a set of tradeoffs: In this case, added security in exchange for the potential of reduced privacy. Being aware of those tradeoffs means pet cam owners can better protect themselves against possible harms — harms that are not theoretical.

    Because even if a pet cam manufacturer does everything right and protects a customer's account in all the right ways, things can still go wrong. Take, for instance, the threat of credential stuffing. It's a practice that involves hackers trying combinations of passwords and email addresses from data breaches in the hopes that a victim reused a password. This rather prosaic attack takes on a particularly nasty color when, instead of Dunkin' loyalty points, hackers score access to live video from inside people's homes.

    Then there's the data collected by the manufacturers themselves. Even if employees aren't improperly accessing video feeds, metadata is incredibly revealing, and powerful(Opens in a new tab), stuff.

    "You wouldn't normally check up on your pet through a camera if you were in the house," observed Guariglia. "So, just by knowing when you're logging in and when you're checking in, one could theoretically figure out when you're home and when you're not home."

    And what does the camera's privacy policy allow? While each company's terms of service vary, according to the Furbo privacy policy(Opens in a new tab), the answer can be quite a lot.

    "When you set up the Furbo Dog Camera, we collect any audio, video or pictures you create, upload, save or share through our Services (the 'Content')," it reads in part. "We may also collect video and audit information of individuals when they pass in front of the camera or speak when the Furbo Dog Camera is on."

    In addition, the Furbo privacy policy says the company collects customers' geolocation data and info about their social media profiles (among many other seemingly unnecessary details). In 2020, Mozilla found(Opens in a new tab) that Furbo may use customers' videos to test artificial intelligence algorithms.

    SEE ALSO: Why you need a secret phone number (and how to get one)

    "It's always important to read the terms of service despite how painful it is," advised Guariglia. "One of the worst case scenarios in my mind is you saying in front of your dog feeder and dog camera, 'Oh we really have to book that flight to Chicago,' and suddenly you're seeing targeted ads for a flight to Chicago."

    Pet cameras are advertised as a way to keep constant tabs on cuddly family members, so reassurance is always just a button push away. Before purchasing or using one, it's worth considering if that reassurance comes at the cost of your privacy.

    Explore related content:

    • The best automatic cat feeders to keep your pet fed while you're away

    • The best stick, upright, and robot vacuums for pet hair

    • 7 best cat toys to delight your pet for hours

  • Heres some Met Gala Gilded Glamor fashion. Also, America is imploding.

    Heres some Met Gala Gilded Glamor fashion. Also, America is imploding.

    Well, the 2022 Met Gala happened. Other things happened too(Opens in a new tab), but for now let's distract ourselves with flamboyant pageantry before we plunge back into the brokenness of American society.

    (图1)

    This year's Met Gala theme was Gilded Glamor and White Tie, referring to the United States' Gilded Age. Stretching from around 1870 to 1900, the Gilded Age was a time of rapid economic growth, industrialization, and extravagant displays of wealth(Opens in a new tab) — as well as increasing wealth inequality and rampant poverty. Though the Met Gala theme was intended to follow the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion, some have pointed out that it's also rather fitting for the America of today(Opens in a new tab).

    Setting aside uncomfortable mirrors to society, you'd think Gilded Glamor would be a pretty simple theme to follow. Yet, as has become Met Gala tradition, the internet judged many of this years' designers and attendees not quite extravagant enough for the occasion. Among the disappointing outfits were Hoyeon Jung's cutout mini by Louis Vuitton, Emma Stone's white feathered dress by Louis Vuitton, and Phoebe Dynevor's transparent black gown by Louis Vuitton.

    We're sensing a theme here, and it isn't Gilded Glamor.

    Riz Ahmed was also understated by Met Gala standards, showing up in a navy blue Prada jacket. However, the actor gets a special pass because not only did Ahmed nail the theme, he put his own creative, socially-conscious spin on it with an outfit inspired by the Gilded Age's working class immigrants.

    It's proof that you can still fit a Met Gala theme even if you aren't ready to spend the evening bedazzled up to your eyeballs.

    Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue

    That isn't to say there weren't some spectacular outfits. Dove Cameron made her Met Gala debut in a Iris van Herpen dress that Twitter users likened to the boning in a Victorian dress(Opens in a new tab), while Cardi B dripped in gold chains from Versace. Met Gala co-chair Blake Lively also stole the show with a transforming Versace gown, her sweeping turquoise and copper skirt reminiscent of rust on the Statue of Liberty.

    Credit: Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images
    Credit: Cindy Ord / MG22 / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue
    Credit: Kevin Mazur / MG22 / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue

    Another outfit that caught people's eyes was Fredrik Robertsson's silver Iris van Herpen jumpsuit, which looked as though it had a bunch of fish bones stuck to it. It was certainly ostentatious enough for a Met Gala, though this effort was largely overshadowed by people mistaking him for Jared Leto(Opens in a new tab). Leto later turned up in a Gucci suit, dressed and styled identically to the designer's creative director Alessandro Michele.

    Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue

    Of course, the dress code wasn't mandatory for those working at the Met Gala rather than walking it — but that didn't stop some from making the most of the occasion. Telemundo reporter Genesis Camilas(Opens in a new tab) showed up more than one star in a dazzling gold dress(Opens in a new tab) by Lucia Rodriguez(Opens in a new tab), which had many people asking who she was(Opens in a new tab).

    Meanwhile, Vail the golden retriever kept it classically stylish, sporting a simple black lead as she carried out her duty of ensuring the event's safety.

    Credit: Cindy Ord / MG22 / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue

    However, the prize for most on-the-nose delivery of Met Gala's Gilded Glamor theme went to a surprise entry: The U.S. Supreme Court. While various celebrities were showcasing designer clothes on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Politico reported that the Supreme Court may strike down Roe v. Wade(Opens in a new tab), according to a leaked draft majority opinion.

    Roe v. Wade was a landmark Supreme Court decision made in 1973, and it currently protects the right to get an abortion. If struck down, it will have severe implications for the future of reproductive healthcare and abortion access in the U.S.

    Unsurprisingly, seeing celebrities flaunt their wealth while ordinary people's rights are being jeopardized put a much more dystopian lens on this year's Met Gala.

  • Where to get free coffee on National Coffee Day

    Where to get free coffee on National Coffee Day

    The only thing better than coffee in the morning? Free coffee in the morning, or anytime in the day.

    (图1)

    This Thursday, Sept. 29, is National Coffee Day, a very real holiday we all had marked on our calendars for months. (Be honest.) Well, anyway, there are some places offering free or reduced-price cups of joe on this most sacred of holidays. Here's what you need to know.

    Caribou Coffee

    Caribou is offering $3 medium drinks for the holiday.

    Dunkin'

    The massive chain is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase for any Dunkin' loyalty members.

    La Colombe

    The premium coffee brand is offering an (almost) BOGO deal for online purchases now through October 1. Buy one bag of coffee, get another for half off.

    Smoothie King

    Smoothing King is offering a free smoothie with any coffee smoothie purchase.

    Tim Hortons

    Tim Hortons' U.S. locations are offering 25-cent coffees for the holiday. Now that's a pretty good deal, but you have to order through the app or website.

    Krispy Kreme

    The doughnut chain is offering a free coffee, no purchase necessary and no qualifiers. They probably know that once you smell their doughnuts you're going to buy something anyway.

    Panera Bread

    The national chain is offering a deal for those who need it most: parents and caregivers. Panera is offering a free coffee for any parent or caregiver on National Coffee Day.

    Peet's

    Peet's is offering a free drip coffee with any purchase for the holiday.

    Wawa

    The convenience chain close to my mid-Atlantic-raised heart is offering a free coffee for rewards members.

  • Air-fried Oreos from viral TikTok is a truly unnecessary, unappetizing mess

    Air-fried Oreos from viral TikTok is a truly unnecessary, unappetizing mess

    (图1)


    Not everything needs to be a Thing. Less can be more.

    What I'm saying is, you can just eat a normal, tasty Oreo instead of dousing it pancake batter and then air frying it. Oreos are delicious.

    I tested out a viral TikTok(Opens in a new tab) recipe, posted by the user @hasaneats (Opens in a new tab)on TikTok, that promised air-fried Oreos in just three minutes. It's racked up 7.7 million views, so you'd think it was decent. You'd be thinking incorrectly.

    SEE ALSO: The best air fryers for making crispy food faster than the oven

    It's not that the recipe was the grossest thing I've ever eaten. It's that it took a perfectly good thing — an Oreo — and made it less tasty, more expensive, and far more complicated. But hey, here's how to make it, if you want to make the same mistake that I did.


    Ingredients

    • Oreo(s)

    • Boxed pancake mix

    • Milk

    Directions

    1. Pour pancake mix into a mixing bowl.

    2. Add milk to the pancake mix until you have a very thick batter. The TikTok from @hasaneats did not have specific measurements, but roughly a quarter cup of milk should be more than enough. The batter should be far thicker than you'd like for pancakes.

    3. Dip the Oreo(s) into the batter, covering fully.

    4. Air fry at 390 degrees for three minutes.

    Sometimes less is more. Credit: Screenshots: TikTok / @hasaneats

    The details

    I don't know what to tell you. It's an overcooked pancake covering a melty Oreo. Clearly, the intended goal is the carnival-style, deep-fried Oreo that people crave. This is not that.

    But a few words of advice. If you do decide to make this recipe, make the batter thicker than you think you need. My batter felt incredibly thick but was still runny enough that it actually dripped a tiny bit off the Oreo and cooked around the holes in the grate of my air fryer. That made the Oreos super annoying to remove from the air fryer once they were finished cooking.

    Here's how my Oreos looked as they went into the air fryer.

    The batter seemed thick enough here, but it was not. Credit: Mashable

    Otherwise this recipe is really easy. There's not much to it. Here's how my final product looked.

    Not great. Credit: Mashable

    Here is the interior of an Oreo after a bite.

    Why not just eat an Oreo? Credit: Mashable

    Again, this wasn't gross, like certain other things I've consumed for Mashable. The melty Oreo portion of bite was actually half pleasant. The problem was the melty Oreo was covered in poorly cooked pancake.

    Now, the Oreos could have used less time in the air fryer. And the original TikTok from @hasaneats also topped the air-fried cookies with powdered sugar, which I did not end up doing. But I don't think less cook time or more sugar would fix this recipe. It's fundamentally flawed.

    The beauty of an Oreo is that it pairs the crisp, chocolate cookie with an airy, fatty cream center. The pancake batter adds a dense shell to the Oreo and there simply isn't enough cream — even in the Double Stuffs I bought to balance that out. It's just doing too much, and making a mess, for no reason at all.

    Just eat a normal Oreo instead and save yourself the dishes.

  • Reddit recap shows AITA is as popular as ever

    Reddit recap shows AITA is as popular as ever

    The annual Reddit Recap dropped Thursday morning and the year went...well...kind of how you'd expect.

    For instance, the subreddit r/ukraine(Opens in a new tab) exploded in popularity, up 76,000 percent according to Reddit, sparked by Russia's invasion of the country and the ensuing war. It racked up 1.8 billion views. But the most viewed subreddit was an old stalwart: r/AmITheAsshole(Opens in a new tab), colloquially know as AITA. It's the place Redditors go to share stories and ask who the asshole is in that situation.

    The subreddit r/place(Opens in a new tab) was a rising star this year. If you're not familiar, r/place is a project from Josh Wardle(Opens in a new tab) (yes, the creator of Wordle) where users are able to place a single pixel on a blank, digital canvas. Each pixel is on a timer, so it cannot be spammed endlessly, meaning groups of people work together to create art on that canvas by claiming space. The final result is typically a beautiful, strange mashup. Despite being a four-day event, r/place was the 16th most viewed subreddit this year.

    The final product of the r/place canvas in 2022. Credit: Reddit

    This year, Reddit Recap comes with a personalized experience. Kind of like Spotify Wrapped but, you know, Reddit. Users will be shown stats on how long they spent on Reddit, content they engaged with, and communities they spent time in. Users will also be given what Reddit calls a recap "experience" which shows them if they are Team Cat or Dog, their most upvoted comment, avatar outfit changes, r/places tiles placed, and communities the user might want to join. They'll also be ranked as either Rare, Epic, or Legendary based on their Karma points.  

    Credit: Reddit
    Credit: Reddit

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    So if you've ever wondered how much time do I really spend on Reddit, well, this year's recap is perfect for you. Log in and check out exactly how you spent the year on Reddit.