Ukrainian drone strikes have knocked out two of five data centers belonging to the Russian tech giant Yandex. The damage has left Yandex, known as “Russia’s Google” because it operates the country’s most popular search engine, struggling to maintain its AI chatbot and other online services.
The Ukrainian drones struck Yandex data centers in the Sasovo and Kaluga regions of Russia on October 8 and October 9, according to Reuters. Those actions came as a direct response to a Russian drone strike campaign targeting Ukraine’s data centers, which has disrupted mobile phone and Internet services for thousands of Ukrainians since late September.
“We continue to respond to Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, and we’re doing so with high precision,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a post on X. “Another data center was hit as well—our symmetrical response.”
The Museo de Historia de la Computación in Spain has unveiled a 1:1 scale visual replica of the famous Cray-1 supercomputer from 1976. Instead of sourcing expensive, cutting-edge tech to run the system, the creative team powered the project with 30 2012-era Mac Minis. Developed over 18 months, the project serves as a 50th-anniversary tribute to the Cray-1 and Apple's founding.
Mac Minis from over a decade ago might not seem like the obvious first choice for building a cluster supercomputer, but when networked together, the developers can orchestrate the 64 active processing cores into a combined 1.3 teraflops of performance in their most recent tests. The museum reportedly achieved 1.5 teraflops previously using all 70 available cores, prior to one node going offline. Benchmarks were obtained using a custom matrix-multiplication Python script. Five PCs are quad-core i7s, and the remaining 25 are dual-core i5 models. Except for two units from 2014, the rest of the array dates to 2012.
The replica is a valuable tool for museum-goers to understand the shifts in computer architecture since 1976. The original Cray-1 used vector processing, applying a single instruction to multiple data elements simultaneously, whereas the replica distributes work across independent processors in a parallel cluster. The peak theoretical performance of the original Cray-1 was approximately 160 megaflops. What was originally a purpose-built research machine has been re-created with consumer hardware that's vastly more capable than the machine that inspired it.
PC shipments saw a steep drop of about 20 percent in Q3 2026, analysts reported this week.
The industry saw its “sharpest decline since “Q1 2023," Omdia said in an announcement toady. Global shipments of laptops, desktops, and workstations fell 21.2 percent year over year (YoY) to 58.1 million devices, the analyst said.
Desktop PC shipments (including desktop workstations) decreased 23.5 percent to 11.7 million units, and laptop shipments (including laptop workstations) declined 20.6 percent to 46.4 million, per Omdia.
The Debian Linux project has opened a call for community artwork submissions ahead of the release of the upcoming Forky (Debian 14). If you think you've got the artistic chops, your art could appear on the boot screens, login prompts, and desktop wallpapers of millions of users. The submission deadline is November 26.
Continuing Debian's community-driven ethos, the artwork submission process mirrors that of previous releases. The artwork must feel distinctively "Debian," integrate cleanly without the need for core software patching, and remain visually appealing for the long term.
Elise Couper's "Ceratopsian" theme was chosen as the winning default for Debian 13 Trixie. For anyone who might not be up on the latest from the Toy Story franchise, the release names echo character names from the animated films. Trixie was a triceratops introduced in Toy Story 3, hence the "Ceratopsian" wink in the winning submission. It makes sense that the next version of Debian continues this trend with Forky, a character introduced in the franchise's fourth entry. The Debian team cautions against overly busy designs that may cause user fatigue, but if anyone can successfully incorporate Forky's googly eyes into the design somehow, know that you'd at least win the contest for my Debian desktop wallpaper.
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Anker’s Nebula P1i Portable Projector is down to $299 from $399 on Amazon, taking $100 off a full HD projector with built-in streaming—it runs Google TV out of the box, so you can jump straight into apps like Netflix without plugging in a streaming stick, while Anker’s Smart Instant Setup automatically handles focus, keystone correction, and screen alignment to get the picture ready with minimal effort.
That convenience extends to the projector’s portability, too, with the Nebula P1i weighing just under five pounds, making it easy to move between rooms or take outdoors—although its lightweight design does mean that an accidental bump can shift the image, so a tripod is worth considering if you want a more stable setup. Connectivity is fairly straightforward, with an HDMI port, USB-A port, and headphone jack for hooking up external devices, but the built-in interface already covers most streaming needs.
As for picture and sound quality, the Nebula P1i delivers a decent viewing experience for its price, but there are a few limitations to keep in mind—it supports 4K input but projects at 1080p, producing fairly natural colors and a reasonably sharp picture, though the edges can appear softer when the projector is positioned at an angle. Brightness is another consideration, as the picture looks best in a dark room or at night, with daylight washing out much of the detail.
On the audio side, the fold-out speakers have enough volume for a small gathering and reproduce dialogue clearly, but they lack the depth to give movies a particularly immersive feel, so you may want to connect a Bluetooth speaker for better sound. There’s also no built-in battery, so it needs to stay plugged in, which takes away some of the flexibility you might expect from a portable projector.
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Amazon's October Prime Day sale has wrapped up, but the Sonos Arc Ultra is still selling for $899, down from its usual $1,099. PCMag named it the best soundbar of 2024 and gave it an “outstanding” review. $899 is still a lot to spend on a single soundbar, and anyone shopping on a tighter budget will find more affordable picks in our Fire TV soundbar roundup.
For those who can make room in their budget, the next thing to plan around is space, since the Arc Ultra measures a little over 46 inches across and weighs about 13 pounds, making it a natural match for a larger TV. Despite all that width, it keeps a low profile at just under three inches tall, so it can sit beneath most screens without blocking the picture, or you can wall-mount it if you would rather keep your TV stand clear. All that size makes room for a 9.1.4-channel layout (a big step up from the original Arc) that gives Dolby Atmos effects more space to spread around and above you. Sonos also added a new Sound Motion driver that it says doubles the original Arc's bass, giving action scenes real weight without a separate subwoofer, though you can still add a Sub 4 later for more rumble.
At the other end of the sound spectrum, voices and dialogue come through clearly even at low volumes, and a Speech Enhancement mode lifts them further. Trueplay tuning then adjusts the sound to your room, with a quick version on Android and iOS and a more detailed one for iPhone owners. The biggest drawback is connectivity, since the Arc Ultra has a single HDMI eARC port with no passthrough, which can leave you short on inputs for a console or streaming box, and no optical port. It also lacks DTS:X support, a letdown for some Blu-ray collectors, and voice control is limited to Alexa or Sonos' own assistant, though Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 make streaming music from your phone easy.
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Amazon’s October Prime Day event may be over, but the Bose SoundLink Max is still available for $279, down from its usual $399, keeping it at the lowest price we’ve seen so far, according to price trackers. Unlike many speakers in this price range, the SoundLink Max keeps things fairly simple, leaving out wifi, smart assistants, and speakerphone support. That lets Bose focus on what most people buy a portable Bluetooth speaker for in the first place: loud, well-balanced sound, long battery life, and a design that can handle being taken almost anywhere.
That practical approach carries over to the design—it has a steel frame that is wrapped in silicone for added durability (though the textured exterior tends to collect dust more easily than smoother finishes), and the woven carry handle makes it easy to grab before heading to the backyard, the beach, or a campsite. I also like that Bose uses physical buttons here instead of fussy touch controls. Inside, three front-facing drivers and dual passive radiators deliver a wide stereo sound with clear vocals and crisp instruments. According to this PCMag review, the mids and highs remain detailed even at higher volumes, though the deepest bass notes lose some impact when the speaker is pushed to its limits. Bose rates the battery life at up to 20 hours, and the IP67 rating means it can survive dust, rain, accidental splashes, and even a brief drop into water.
The companion Bose app adds a little extra flexibility without becoming a requirement. You can adjust bass, mids, and treble, switch between connected devices, and customize the shortcut button to launch Spotify or jump to the auxiliary input. Just don't expect dramatic changes from the equalizer; it is better suited for small tweaks than completely reshaping the speaker’s sound. Bose also does not include a shoulder strap in the box, which feels like an odd omission for a speaker this large. Even so, if you're looking for a rugged Bluetooth speaker that prioritizes sound quality over smart-home features, the SoundLink Max remains one of the stronger options in its class, especially at its current price.
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As Amazon’s October Prime Day winds down, you can still find the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar on sale for $844.99 (originally $1,099), its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. It replaces the Smart Ultra Soundbar in Bose’s lineup and sits at the center of the company’s newer Lifestyle Ultra family, with matching speaker and a subwoofer available if you eventually want to build out a larger system. On its own, though, this is a substantial soundbar at 43.3 inches wide and 14.3 pounds, though its 2.6-inch height keeps the profile relatively low.
Inside are nine drivers arranged in a 5.0.2 configuration, including a center tweeter for dialogue and two upward-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects, and the result is crisp, detailed audio with a convincing sense of space. That said, while the bass is solid, it doesn't quite keep pace with the rest of the sound, with this PCMag review recommending adding a subwoofer. Until then, Bose's app gives you plenty to work with, including a three-band EQ for nudging up the low end and separate level controls for the center, height, and surround channels, so you can bring voices forward or dial in the Atmos effect for your room.
Connectivity covers one HDMI eARC port, Ethernet, a subwoofer output, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.3, but there's no passthrough for a second HDMI device and no 3.5mm aux input. It also skips DTS entirely and can't pair with Bose headphones for private listening. Anyone already invested in Bose speakers or planning to build out a full system around it will get the most from this discount, while those wanting deeper bass without buying a subwoofer may be better served by the Sonos Arc Ultra, which is also on sale for $899, though it comes with the same single-HDMI, no-DTS limitations.
Let's Encrypt is continuing a push toward tighter security by reducing free SSL/TLS certificate lifetimes from 90 days to 64 days, starting February 10, 2027. For administrators already implementing modern ACME clients that support ARI (ACME Renewal Information), the change should be seamless. For those still relying on hardcoded renewal schedules or manual processes, February will be the deadline to update before certificates start expiring unexpectedly.
Starting on October 14, Let's Encrypt will begin testing the 64-day certificates, and interested users can opt in to test their setups before production goes live.
Prior to Let's Encrypt's launch in early 2016, certificates were often issued for as long as one to three years. The service started with 90-day certificates to force renewal automation that didn't previously exist. Shorter certificate validity periods limited vulnerabilities from private key thefts and encouraged accelerated HTTPS adoption across the web.
For the last 15 years, you've been able to buy a Fire tablet from Amazon. Which Fire tablet? It doesn't matter—like Kindles, they have been pretty much the same year to year. The company's new tablet lineup is a big change, though. Amazon has dropped the Fire branding in favor of Alexa, and the new Alexa Tablets are now Google-certified Android devices.
Throughout the history of Fire Tablets, Amazon downplayed its use of Android. They ran Android apps from the company's Appstore platform, but there was no Google integration with "Fire OS." However, Amazon shut down its app store last year. The new Alexa Tablets run full-fledged Google-y versions of Android with the Play Store and all the apps you'd expect. This contrasts sharply with Amazon's Fire Sticks, which have abandoned Android for the custom Linux-based Vega OS.
The Alexa Tablet lineup consists of three devices, all redesigned with unibody aluminum housings. The Alexa Tablet 8 starts at $230, and the Tablet 11 jumps to $330. They run on the budget MediaTek 8189 processor, but that's still an upgrade from the last-gen Fire tablets. Both devices have 16:10 display ratios that are better for watching video, but the flagship tablet is a little different.
In ad to be shown before The Social Reckoning, Ian Russell will say ‘too little has changed’ since death of Molly, 14
Molly Russell’s father will tell UK cinemagoers that “Instagram helped kill my daughter” in an advert to be shown before screenings of a new film about Mark Zuckerberg’s social media empire.
In the 30-second ad before The Social Reckoning, released on Friday, Ian Russell says “too little has changed” since the death of his 14-year-old daughter, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful content on Instagram.
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October Prime Day is over, but you can still grab this great bargain. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+, a well-reviewed tablet at a solid price. Amazon is currently selling it for $229.99, $70 off the list price of $299.99.
The Galaxy Tab A11+ has an 11-inch display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. This model has 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage. While that's not a particularly large SSD, the specs should be enough for most tasks, whether that's browsing, streaming, gaming, or getting some work done. The Galaxy Tab A11+ comes with a 5 MP front camera for video calls, and a big enough battery to last through a long flight. If you do find yourself needing more RAM or storage, the 256GB model with 8GB of memory isn't currently discounted: You can get it for $379.99.
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It's hard to believe you can get an HDTV released in 2026 for under $100, but you can. This Roku 32-Inch Select Series Smart TV is still on sale for $99.99—40% off the list price of $179.99—even after the October Prime Day sale has ended. There's no telling how much longer the discount will last, so act quickly if you missed your shot at other Prime Day TV deals.
It's 1080p, so not the highest resolution, but if you need a smaller set for the bedroom or kitchen, it will more than do the job for less than the cost of dinner and a movie for two. Because it's a Roku TV, it's designed around streaming apps, with a simple-to-navigate Home Screen and an uncluttered remote control that includes voice control. It even comes preloaded (yay?) with a ton of free TV options too, if you don't want to subscribe to anything.
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The JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx headphones are still on sale for an excellent price: They list for $449, but you can pick them up on Amazon for $179.99 after the October Prime Day sale. That's 60% off for a pair of my personal favorite over-ear headphones. You can read my own testimonial here or read our full review.
These headphones are designed for travel, so they pack up into a tight space, and the sound quality is excellent. Before I got these, I usually took flights with cheap earbuds. Never again. Even long flights are almost enjoyable when you can cancel the sound of the engine.
They come with a Smart Tx Audio Transmitter, a separate module that acts as a universal audio bridge. It plugs into 3.5mm headphone jacks and other audio sources and improves the sound quality, wirelessly beaming audio from anywhere—airplane in-flight entertainment systems, that jack on the stair machine at the gym, older TVs, PCs, etc.—right to your headphones. It's also a wireless, touchscreen remote control. Very, very slick—especially at 60% off.
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October Prime Day 2026 is over, but there are still some great deals on Bluetooth speakers. If you want great sound on a budget, I went through all the under-$50 offerings to pull out the best, focusing on trusted names like Anker and Sony.
Anker's Soundcore Select 4 Go is 31% off
If you need music in the shower or by the pool, the Soundcore Select 4 Go is so waterproof it floats. It plays music for 20 hours on a single charge and supports wireless pairing, so you can hook it up with another compatible speaker for stereo sound. Despite its small size, this speaker delivers strong playback.
Sony's SRS-XB100 wireless Bluetooth speaker is 34% off
Sony's SRS-XB100 pushes right against the $50 maximum. It offers Sony's Sound Diffusion Processor for audio that punches above its weight, and 16 hours of playback per charge. You can take it to the beach, too; it's IP67 rated, so it's both dustproof and waterproof.
RadioShack's Vintage AM FM radio and Bluetooth player is 8% off
The sound quality you'll get from this speaker probably doesn't measure up to brands like JBL and Sony, but their speakers aren't also AM and FM radios, and they don't say "RadioShack" on the front, nor do they have a retractable antenna. This retro-styled speaker looks like a 1970s portable radio, but it's a Bluetooth speaker that can also play audio from USB cards.
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If you’re looking for a last-minute October Prime Day deal on budget noise-canceling earbuds that still deliver big sound, the JBL Tune Buds are currently seeing a massive 67% discount. They’re down to $32.95 (originally $99.95), giving you most of the features you likely want from your everyday earbuds, at a record-low price.
Battery life is one of the biggest selling points of the JBL Tune Buds. They last up to 48 hours—12 hours on a single charge, with an additional 36 hours from the charging case, when ANC is off. A 15-minute quick charge delivers up to four extra hours of playback, although it’s worth noting that the case doesn’t support wireless charging. They also have an IP54 rating, making them somewhat resistant to dust and water.
According to PCMag, they offer modest active noise cancellation, which is still a steal at the current price. The earbuds also come with built-in Alexa and an accompanying app that lets you further customize the sound and switch between modes such as ANC, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru. The sound is bright and bass-heavy thanks to JBL’s bass-forward Pure Bass tuning, but you can adjust it with the in-app EQ if it’s not to your liking.
While they don’t have all the bells and whistles of pricier noise-canceling earbuds, the features you get at this price make them easy to love. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to more expensive models that you can use for workouts, commuting, travel, and more, this last-minute JBL Tune Buds October Prime Day deal is worth grabbing while it lasts.
October Prime Day is Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. It happens every year during October.
When does Prime Day end?
October Prime Day ends on Oct. 7 in 2026. It’s a two-day online sale.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
October Prime Day is the fall version of Prime Day, which is the biggest sale Amazon hosts during the spring, summer, and fall. You can find deals on many categories during the sale, including tech, tools, appliances, apparel, and more.
In its first live event in two years, Microsoft today announced its newest Surface laptop, outlined a host of changes coming to Windows 11, and shared a vision of how local-AI and agentic workflows could reshape personal computing for those in the dev community as well as home enthusiasts.
Surface Laptop Ultra
Originally teased in May 2026, the new Surface Laptop Ultra will be Microsoft's first offering to take advantage of the new Nvidia RTX Spark SoC (system on a chip). The device has a starting price of $2,599 and comes in various SoC and memory configurations, with either a 5120-core or 6144-core Blackwell GPU and up to 128GB of LPDDR5x unified memory. It will begin shipping on October 16 and is available for preorder now.
While the new Ultra is clearly focused on the developer crowd, graphical performance was highlighted during the presentation to show off just how capable the laptop can be. By leaning on unified memory allocation rather than the physical VRAM limits of a traditional GPU, the laptop can assign its resources to handle modern gaming tasks as well as local AI development and deployment. The new Gears of War: E-Day was shown running on the system, meaning that even without a traditional gaming GPU, AAA titles are on the table.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Amazon collects data about you based on what you buy. And now, you can get a direct look at what the company has concluded from all that activity.
Amazon's "About You" page, currently in beta after launching this May, uses data from customers' activity to generate details about them in categories like Product Preferences, Interests & Hobbies, and Home & Family. Amazon uses those details to personalize the shopping experience. Here's how to navigate and personalize your "About You" page in your Amazon account.
What Amazon thinks it knows about you
The results can be oddly specific. My editor-in-chief, Jordan Calhoun, shared his page, which includes these entries:
"Likely has 2 adults"
"Owns a PlayStation 5 console"
"Prioritizes plant-based meat alternatives over traditional options"
"Subscribes to multiple streaming services continually"
"Owns a large dog"
"Likely has a cat"
Full disclosure: I try to never use Amazon personally. I pretty much exclusively use it to round up deals for you, my dear reader. That being said, here's what Amazon thinks it knows about me: "Values durable travel gear," "prefers athletic and casual clothing styles," "practices yoga regularly," and "listens to music frequently."
What counts as data
In its Privacy Notice, Amazon lists every activity that provides user data to the company. That includes the obvious, like searching for items and placing orders. It also includes actions you may not realize are being tracked, like interacting with Alexa Voice Service, participating in discussion boards, or linking an Amazon account to a third-party business.
How to view your own "About you" page
On desktop:
Hover over where Amazon says "Hello, [your name]" in the upper right corner.
Under the "Your Account" section, click "Account."
Under the "Ordering and shopping preferences" section, click "Your Shopping preferences."
From here, you can add information of your own, like your shoe size, interests, and dietary preferences. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and you'll see a blue hyperlinked option that says, "Manage your information." Click it, and you'll see what dirt Amazon has on you.
On the mobile app:
Tap the hamburger icon in the bottom menu bar, then go to Account > Shopping preferences > About you.
You can edit it, but not opt out
Shoppers can't directly opt out of the "About you" feature. They can, however, customize the data by adding details they want Amazon to know and deleting assumptions they consider inaccurate or too personal.
Importing data from other AI chatbots
On the "About you" page, customers also have the option to "make Amazon even more personal to you" by importing personal data they've shared with other AI agents. Amazon provides a prompt for you to feed to your chatbot to generate a shopping profile, then asks you to copy the bot's response and paste it back into Amazon.
Whether that's worth doing is up to you. Given how much Amazon already infers from your browsing and buying, handing over a profile from another AI service is a choice worth thinking through. Either way, taking a few minutes to review your page and delete anything inaccurate or too personal is a simple way to see and shape what Amazon knows about you.
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Wireless charging is convenient, but faster speeds can generate more heat, potentially putting additional strain on your phone’s battery over time. The Anker Prime 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger is designed to manage that heat while keeping charging speeds high, and for October Prime Day 2026, it’s down to $132.98 from $229.99, its lowest price to date, according to price trackers. The setup is aimed squarely at Apple users, with dedicated charging spots for an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods in one compact station.
Its main pad supports 25W Qi2 wireless charging, which is about as fast as cable-free charging gets right now, and it’s paired with a built-in thermoelectric cooling system and fan to keep temperatures under control, as noted in this ZDNET review. That cooling system actively pulls heat away from your phone while it charges, so you can charge while streaming or scrolling without the phone getting uncomfortably warm. There are three charging modes you can choose from: Boost Mode is for quick top-ups when you’re heading out, Ice Mode keeps things cooler during heavier use, and Sleep Mode slows everything down and turns off the fan for overnight charging. You can switch between these on the unit’s small on-board touchscreen or through Anker’s app, which also lets you schedule charging behavior and tweak the display.
The rest of the setup is solid as well, with the Apple Watch and AirPods pads charging at the standard 5W. You also get a 65W wall adapter and a five-foot USB-C cable in the box. Build quality feels premium, with metal accents and a clean finish that won’t look out of place on a desk, and the unit itself is heavy at about 1.4 pounds, so it stays stable even with larger phones attached. The pad also tilts up to 80 degrees, so it doubles as a stand for watching videos or taking calls.
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Amazon’s October Prime Day sale is in full swing, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, LTE) is down to $389.99 from $549.99, a $160 discount and its lowest price to date, according to price trackers. That's still $90 more than the 44mm LTE version of the standard Galaxy Watch 8—even while these smartwatches share most of their core features, including Google Gemini, sleep coaching, and Galaxy AI-powered running plans that can help you prepare for anything from a 5K to a marathon.
What you’re paying extra for with the Classic is primarily its better battery life (49 hours in PCMag's testing, where the base model needs a charge every day) and more premium hardware, particularly the stainless-steel case and physical rotating bezel (last seen on the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic), which lets you scroll through menus and notifications without constantly swiping across the screen. The Watch 8 Classic comes in a single 46mm size with Samsung’s five-core Exynos W1000 processor, 2GB of memory, and 64GB of storage (twice that of the base Watch 8).
It’s also built for more than everyday wear, with IP68 dust and water resistance, a 5ATM rating, and MIL-STD-810H certification for environmental stresses such as temperature changes, vibration, and shock. As for its health and fitness features, it covers GPS, heart rate tracking (which is reportedly accurate, according to PCMag), blood oxygen, temperature, and ECG monitoring—all while LTE lets you take calls with your phone left at home. The biggest catch is compatibility, since the watch needs an Android 12 or later phone with more than 1.5GB of memory. Also, Samsung keeps gesture controls, AI insights, and snoring detection exclusive to its own phones.
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Amazon’s October Prime Day sale is underway, and the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are down to $369 from $449, their lowest price to date, according to price trackers. That $80 discount makes Bose’s combination of excellent noise cancellation, long-wearing comfort, and immersive spatial audio easier to justify, particularly with stronger competition this year from models such as Sony’s WH-1000XM6. For more discounts worth considering during the sale, our ongoing October Prime Day 2026 coverage has more of the latest editor-vetted deals.
Bose hasn't changed the formula much in this second generation—you still get an over-ear design with plush padding and a firm but comfortable clamp for a secure fit. The only noticeable tweak is that the frame now uses a glossy metal finish instead of a matte one, which gives it a slightly more premium feel without changing how it wears.
The feature set is broad and mostly well-executed—these headphones support Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint pairing, so you can stay connected to a laptop and phone at the same time without juggling settings. There is also a USB-C connection for wired listening, which unlocks lossless audio, something many competitors still skip. Plus, they power on automatically when you put them on and slip into a low-power mode when left flat, which is a small quality-of-life upgrade you notice quickly in daily use. Battery life is rated at 30 hours with active noise cancellation turned on, which is in line with most premium options. Bose also lets you charge and listen through USB-C at the same time, a practical addition for long work sessions.
Performance-wise, noise cancellation holds up well across different environments, taking the edge off airplane rumble, muting bus engines, and pushing most café chatter into the background, so you don’t have to keep adjusting volume just to stay immersed, notes this PCMag review. As for the sound, these headphones deliver a rich, bass-forward profile while keeping vocals and detail intact. Tracks with heavy low-end, like electronic or hip-hop, come through with depth and punch without overwhelming the mix, and vocals sound full, though the slightly recessed midrange means guitars and some instruments don’t cut through as sharply. Also, while you do get presets and noise control modes in the companion app, the simple three-band EQ does not give you much room to fine-tune the sound.
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Amazon’s October Prime Day sale is in full swing, and the SimpliSafe 12-Piece Wireless Home Security System with HD Camera is down to $159.99 from $339.99, a nearly $180 discount and its lowest price to date, according to price trackers. It is a fairly comprehensive starter kit for the money, with a base station and keypad, along with five entry sensors, two motion sensors, a key fob, a panic button, and a SimpliCam indoor camera— enough to cover the front and back doors and three windows, with the motion sensors watching a hallway and a living room. Our broader roundup of smart home deals during October Prime Day has more security cameras, smart locks, and video doorbells currently on sale.
Each motion sensor covers 35 feet across a 90-degree field of view, so one placed in a corner can watch a whole room, and both ignore pets under 60 pounds, according to the manufacturer, meaning a cat or beagle shouldn't trip them but a Labrador might. You can arm or disarm the system through the SimpliSafe app, while Alexa and Google Assistant support adds voice controls. Keeping all of that connected is the base station, which uses both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity and has a backup battery that can keep the system running for up to 24 hours during a power outage.
While the current price covers the equipment and includes one free month of professional monitoring (after which plans start at less than $1 to just over two dollars per day), some features are tied to that subscription, including the panic button’s ability to dispatch police, as well as app alerts and 30-day camera video storage. Without a plan, you can still use the system as a local alarm and arm or disarm it from the keypad or key fob, but you’ll lose some of the remote and monitored features that make the full setup more useful.
When I was a kid, a portable game system that could play over 20,000 games, including just about every arcade game in the world, would have sounded like science fiction. In 2026, during October Prime Day, it's less than $100, and it can be delivered to your house in a day.
The RG52MINI Retro Handheld Game Console features a 5.5-inch, 720x1280 IPS screen, a 2.0GHz processor, and 2+4GB RAM. It supports EmuELEC, the emulator for classic games from systems like the NES, Genesis, PS1, and more. It also supports wifi for multiplayer and for RGBOX, so you can download thousands of game ROMs directly to the device, no PC required.
If you want a game system that can play everything from prehistoric titles like Pong to fifth-generation games like Metal Gear Solid, for less than you probably spent trying to beat Dragon's Lair, here you go.
Marshall is famous among music types for the iconic JTM 45, aka the "Marshall Stack," a guitar amplifier setup that basically invented "loud" in music. The company's Bluetooth speakers are styled like the amps—a nod to the history of rock and roll—but beneath the iconic look is a damn good Bluetooth speaker.
The Emberton III is waterproof, dustproof, and portable. It's rugged, like a rock amp should be. It comes in four colors, and the battery lasts for 32 hours per charge. The sound is pushed by dual 10W drivers and tuned by Marshall to provide decent sound at any volume, including "all the way up."
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A lot of companies offer discounts during October Prime Day, but the steepest price drops are usually on Amazon's house brand. Case in point: This Amazon Fire 4K Stick is $37.99, a 45% discount on the list price. The 4K Fire Stick is optimized for streaming to 4K televisions. It's Wi-Fi 6 compatible, supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio, too. There's no installation hassle either: You just slide it into the HDMI port, and you're rolling.
The 4k Fire Stick provides a lot of entertainment for $38. Obviously, you can stream thousands of movies and TV shows across all major streaming services, but you can also use it for gaming. Hook up a controller and your Luna or Xbox Game Pass, and you can play hundreds of games, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Hogwarts Legacy, without a console. The Fire Stick is fully Alexa-ed up, too. Just hit the voice remote button and talk to the digital assistant to get show recommendations, ask questions like "Wasn't that guy in that other show?" or just have a little conversation about any topic at all. You can even manage your smart home from your remote control.
Drones sank two cargo ships and damaged a third in the exclusive economic zones of NATO member countries for the first time, killing at least two sailors. The attacks represent a notable escalation as Black Sea commercial shipping has increasingly come under attack during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Russia also being accused of carrying out “hybrid warfare” incidents across Europe.
The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank, and the Palau-flagged cargo ship Able was set ablaze after being attacked by multiple sea and aerial drones about 80 miles (128 kilometers) off the coast of Bulgaria on October 6, according to the Associated Press. In an interview, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the incidents as “an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone” and “a blatant violation of international law and maritime law.”
A Bulgarian ferry managed to evacuate the 18 crew members of the Able, with two severely injured mariners being flown to a hospital in the city of Varna.
After months of industry and customer speculation, Paramount Skydance has shed some light on the future of the HBO Max and Paramount+ streaming services.
In an announcement today, Skydance said that all of the direct-to-consumer streaming services it owns, including the Discovery+ service that Discovery Inc. (which merged with WarnerMedia in 2022 to create WBD) launched in 2021, “will unify into a single service over time.”
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a popular choice for gym-goers and runners. The flexible ear hooks are made with a strong nickel-titanium alloy, and are designed to stay put during high-impact movements. They also come with five ear-tip sizes, allowing for a more customizable fit. An IPX4 rating means they’re sweat- and water-resistant, though not meant for swimming or submersion.
Apple’s H2 chip powers these earbuds, including both active noise cancellation to block out sound and Transparency mode to let you hear your surroundings. Powerbeats Pro 2 also include Adaptive EQ and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. PCMag, which gave the earbuds an "Excellent" rating, calls the sound “bass-forward,” which isn't surprising for anyone who has used Beats. These earbuds even have a built-in heart-rate monitor, which transmits live workout data to compatible fitness apps and equipment for both Apple and Android users.
Battery life lasts up to 10 hours without ANC and eight hours with it on. The case holds an added 28 hours of charge with ANC on and 35 hours with it off. Plus, a five-minute quick charge provides around 90 minutes of playback. The buds also use tactile buttons instead of touch controls, located on a stem that extends forward from the in-ear module.
While the ear hook design isn’t for everyone, if you're looking for an alternative to traditional earbuds with powerful noise cancellation and physical controls for both Android and Apple users, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are worth considering – especially since they rarely reach this low of a price.
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Smart home security gets expensive quickly, especially once you start adding cameras at every entrance and subscriptions on top of the hardware. October Prime Day can take some of the sting out of that initial cost, but the sale ends today, making this your last chance to save. I'm spotlighting deals ranging from a $15.99 indoor camera to complete systems that cover most of a house—and I’ve flagged where local storage, wiring, or a paid plan could increase what you spend later.
These outdoor home security cameras are significantly discounted
Blink Outdoor 2K+: At $30.99, down from $89.99, Blink’s latest flagship is the outdoor camera to buy when you want to spend as little as possible without drilling holes for a power cable. It records in 2K and runs on replaceable batteries, though Blink keeps person and vehicle detection behind its subscription. Blink’s new solar-powered Solaris 2K+ is also discounted for anyone who would rather not keep changing batteries.
Eufy SoloCam S340: At $119.99, down from $199.99, the eufy SoloCam S340 is a strong pick for anyone tired of security cameras that turn basic features into a monthly bill. It stores footage locally on 8GB of built-in eMMC storage and uses on-device artificial intelligence to distinguish between faces, people, and vehicles. Plus, it’s solar-powered, has an IP65 weather resistance, and a 135-degree field of view, making it well-suited to watching over a yard or driveway.
Tapo MagCam 2K+: A PCMag Editors’ Choice, the Tapo MagCam 2K+ is down to $54.99 from $89.99. You can read the full review here, but the highlights are its wire-free setup and support for local storage—handy when you would rather buy a memory card than commit to another monthly subscription.
Google Nest Cam Outdoor: Not an official Prime deal, but Google’s second-generation wired outdoor camera is down to $149.99 from $199.99, and is the natural pick for a Google Home household that wants sharper 2K footage without adding another security app to the rotation (though you’ll need a nearby outlet). You can read PCMag’s full review here, where it earned an “excellent” rating.
Reolink Altas PT Ultra: At $175.99, down from $219.99, this PCMag Editors’ Choice is another subscription-free heavy hitter that's discounted right now, if not on an official Prime Day deal. It records in 4K, can pan nearly all the way around, and starts saving footage (locally via a microSD card up to 512GB) before motion is fully detected, which helps with fast-moving cars.
Eufy Video Doorbell E340 Kit: At $139.99, down from $219.99, the E340 is a strong choice for anyone whose front step sees a steady stream of deliveries. Most doorbell cameras show a visitor’s face but miss the package sitting beneath them; Eufy solves that with a second downward-facing camera. It also supports local storage, so you do not need another monthly subscription just to keep your recordings.
Blink Video Doorbell With Sync Module Core: At $35.99, down from $79.99, Blink’s doorbell is the clear budget pick, especially if you already own other Blink cameras. The included Sync Module simplifies setup, and its replaceable batteries can last longer than the rechargeable packs used by many competitors. The catch is that the Sync Module Core does not store footage locally, so saving recordings requires a Blink subscription.
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K with Chime 2: At $47.49, down from $69.99, this bundle gets one small but useful detail right: it includes an indoor chime, so you do not need your phone nearby every time someone rings the bell. But while its wide view can capture both a visitor and whatever they have left on the ground, Arlo reserves most of its smarter alerts and cloud recording for subscribers.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch Deadbolt: Marked down 40% to $170.98 (from $299.99) for the brass color, this deadbolt keypad includes a bunch of nice features, including a fingerprint scanner, backup keyed entry, and a plug-in wifi bridge that extends your lock's battery life. The companion app lets you unlock the door from your phone and monitor who comes and goes with unique access codes, making it a great choice for rental units. Other colors are discounted too, but not as much.
Eufy Smart Lock C220: Down to $94.97 from $169.99, the C220 is useful when your hands are full and digging for keys is the last thing you want to do. You can unlock it with a fingerprint, passcode, app, or physical key, and its built-in wifi means there is no extra bridge to buy. For something fancier, the palm-scanning Eufy FamiLock S3 Max is also discounted to $279.99 from $399.99.
Philips Smart Lock with Handle and Deadbolt: Down to $104.48 from $169.99, this Philips set replaces both the deadbolt and handle, so your door does not end up looking like a patchwork of old and new hardware. And with multiple options, you can unlock it just about however you prefer: with a fingerprint, code, app, voice command, or regular key.
Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Smart Lock: Down to $129.99 from $179.99, this is a particularly good fit for Apple Home users, though it also works with Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. PCMag named it the best smart lock of 2024; you can read the full review here.
SimpliSafe Home Security System: SimpliSafe’s 10-piece wireless kit is selling for $224.99, reduced from $373.50, and is the easiest option here for securing several rooms without piecing everything together yourself. It includes indoor and outdoor cameras, plus sensors for doors and movement. Setup is do-it-yourself, though some app features and professional monitoring require a paid plan.
These indoor home security cameras are up to 60% off
Blink Mini 2K+: The newest Blink compact indoor camera steps up to 2K resolution—a noticeable upgrade over the previous 1080p Mini. It plugs into a standard outlet, connects directly to wifi (no Sync Module needed), and delivers person detection, two-way audio, and color night vision for $15.99, down from $39.99.) right now.
Eufy Wired Cam C31: Selling for $39.98 instead of its usual $59.99, the C31 is useful when one fixed camera angle is not enough. It can pan, tilt, and follow movement around the room, which makes it a better fit for checking on pets or children. It also supports local storage and continuous recording, so you are not forced into a subscription just to review earlier footage.
Arlo Essential Indoor 2K: The Arlo Essential Indoor 2K is down to $19.49 from $39.99, and its physical privacy shutter gives it an advantage over competing indoor cameras. The shutter actually blocks the lens when you are home, rather than asking you to trust a setting in an app. Add 2K video and color night vision, and it becomes a practical option for a hallway, nursery, or pet area.
Blink Wired Floodlight Camera: Blink’s wired floodlight camera is just $29.99 during Prime Day—which is a whopping 70% off its $99.99 regular price, making it one of the steepest percentage discounts in the entire sale. It gives you 2600 lumens of light, a camera, and a siren, though its video tops out at 1080p and you will need existing wiring for setup.
Eufy Floodlight Camera E340: The E340 inherits the 360° pan-and-tilt design from the company’s flagship S330, offering auto-tracking with a 3K dual-camera setup and 24/7 continuous color recording. Hardwired for unlimited power, IP65 weatherproofed, and—crucially—no subscription required for local recording, this is a strong pick for driveways or backyards, especially now that it’s down to $149.99 from $219.99.
Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera: For spots where running a wire is impractical, Reolink's solar-powered floodlight camera makes for a great wire-free alternative, at $89.99 (down from $109.99). Solar charging means no outlet needed, and the integrated floodlight plus siren creates an active deterrent on top of video recording. Color night vision, AI motion detection, and local storage round out a strong feature set without a subscription fee.
Arlo Wireless Floodlight Camera: Arlo’s Pro 3 wireless floodlight camera has dropped to $105.44 from $249.99, making it a good option when you want strong outdoor lighting without calling an electrician. Its battery-powered design gives you more freedom over placement, though Arlo keeps cloud recordings and several smarter alerts behind a subscription.
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The October Prime Day sale ends tonight, which means it's your last chance to score some of the fall's best prices on e-readers, which is a bigger deal than ever (so to speak), considering Amazon recently raised the price of basically every Kindle by $50 or more due to the ongoing RAM crisis.
Now is the time to find a good price on a Kindle Paperwhite or Colorsoft—but if you'd rather read differently, you can also save big on a few worthy Kindle alternatives. Here are your best bets before the Prime Big Deal Days sale ends tonight.
Best last-minute Kindle Paperwhite October Prime Day deal
Original price: $199 | Current price: $149.99 (Save $50)
I probably don't have to tell you that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the best e-reader for most people. An upgraded version of the basic Kindle, it adds a larger screen, temperature-adjustable lighting, water resistance, and better battery life. It recently jumped in price to $200, but you can get the 2024 version of the device for $150, 25% off the new list price—or for $170, opt for the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with double the storage and no lock screen ads, and available in a few cute colors.
Best last-minute Amazon Kindle October Prime Day deal
Original price: $149.99 | Current price: $103.99 (Save $45)
If you don't need the bells and whistles of the Paperwhite, you can also pick up the standard Kindle. It's still a very capable device, with good lighting, 16GB of onboard storage, and the ability to hook up your Bluetooth speakers to listen to Audible audiobooks. The standard Kindle, which now retails for $150, is marked down to $104, making it the cheapest Kindle option by far.
Best last-minute Kindle Colorsoft October Prime Day deal
Original price: $289.99 | Current price: $189.99 (Save $100)
If you like to read comics or you just appreciate looking at your book covers in full color, the Kindle Colorsoft is also at a strong 34% discount for Prime Day, bringing it down to $160. For an extra $15 over the cost of the Paperwhite Signature edition, you get all the same perks (including an ad-free experience) and a color e-ink screen that's great for reading magazines, graphic novels, and manga. Color e-ink isn't for everyone, but if it's for you, the Colorsoft has the best color screen on the market. For an extra $20, the Colorsoft Kids Edition adds a case, a yearlong subscription to Kindle Kids+, and an extended warranty.
Best last-minute Kindle Scribe October Prime Day deal
Original price: $499.99 | Current price: $379.99 (Save $120)
If you're looking for a combination e-reader and e-notebook, the Kindle Scribe is a great option. With a larger screen than Amazon's other e-readers, it offers all the benefits of the Paperwhite but adds support for the excellent Premium Pen stylus, allowing you to take notes in your Amazon e-books or create handwritten documents that you can later convert to text using the onboard AI tools. The 32GB black-and-white version of the Kindle Scribe is currently $380, while the Colorsoft version will run you $480.
Best last-minute Kindle Scribe Colorsoft October Prime Day deal
Original price: $629.99 | Current price: $479.99 (Save $150)
The new Kindle Scribe Colorsoft has all the same great features of the black-and-white version discussed above, but adds a full-color e-ink display. Combined with the large 11-inch screen, this makes it a great device for reading comics or magazine articles as they were meant to be read, or marking up PDFs using the included Premium Pen. This device usually costs a hefty $630, but the current Prime Day sale cuts $150 off of that price.
Best last-minute Viwoods AiPaper Reader October Prime Day deal
Original price: $279.99 | Current price: $223.99 (Save $56)
If you don't want to be tied to the Amazon ecosystem and/or you're looking for a device that's a bit more portable, consider the Viwoods AiPaper Reader, currently marked down 20% to $224. It's got a 6.13-inch screen, so it's the same size and shape as your phone, and it has a crisp e-ink screen with a strong (if not temperature-adjustable) front light and 128GB of onboard storage. The best part is, it runs on an open Android system, so you can install multiple reading apps, including Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Libby, and keep all of your books in one place. (Check out my review of the Viwoods AiPaper Reader for more—it's a nifty little device.)
Best last-minute October Prime Day deal on Xteink pocket e-readers
Original price: $89 | Current price: $69 (Save $20)
If you don't have a large Kindle library, you're moderately tech-savvy, and you praise portability above all else, I can't recommend Xteink's line of e-readers more highly. Both the 4.3-inch Xteink X4 Classic and the smaller 3.7-inch Xteink X3 are discounted by up to 21%. I own both, and while the Classic is definitely worth the current $69 sale price, I actually prefer the smaller X3 (currently $58.65), which is about the size of a library card and even has a magnet to attach it to the back of your smartphone (ostensibly to help you stop doomscrolling). Or, pick up the pricier Xteink X4 Pro, which adds a touchscreen and a front light; it's not on an official Prime Day sale, but it is currently $10 off, bringing it under $90.
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Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day, is underway from Oct. 6 through Oct. 7, and smart-glasses maker RayNeo has put three pairs of its GT and Air smart glasses up for sale at sizable discounts. That includes the brand-new GT series of AR glasses, just released a month ago. If you want to get an early look at the next wave of smart glasses, here's what RayNeo has discounted:
GT Max on sale for $364.65, 15% off the list price
RayNeo boasts that its premium GT glasses, GT Max, have an industry-leading 59° field-of-view that delivers a virtual screen equivalent to a 267-inch display. For Prime Day, they're on sale for $364.65, a 15% discount off the list price of $429, and the lowest price these glasses have ever had.
If you don't need the absolute latest in wearable displays from RayNeo, the Air series is also discounted. These are excellent display glasses for solid prices. First, there's the Air 4 Pro:I wrote an in-depth review of the Air 4 Pro, concluding they are excellent display-in-glasses. They feature HDR10 video, on-the-fly 2D to 3D conversion, and sound designed by Bang & Olufsen. The virtual screen is equivalent to a 201-inch display, and they're marked down to $239.20 for Big Deal Days, a 20% discount on the list price.
The Air 3s Pro are another excellent pair of display glasses (read my full review here): These glasses feature distortion reduction and improved edge clarity, and they come in at $219, 27% less than the $299 list price.
October Prime Day is a two-day event that starts Oct. 6 and ends on Oct. 7.
What time does Prime Day start?
October Prime Day starts Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. PT / 3:00 a.m. ET.
Which devices are compatible with RayNeo smart glasses?
RayNeo glasses work via USB-C with any device that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode). That includes iPhones from 15-17, newer Android phones, Steam Deck, PS5, and more.
Do RayNeo glasses require a battery or separate charging?
They do not. They draw power from the devices they are tethered to.
Can I use prescription lenses with RayNeo smart glasses?
Yes. RayNeo glasses include insertable prescription frame templates. You can take these to a local optician or order custom prescription lenses online.
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Amazon's October Prime Day sale has dropped the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar to $679 from its usual $999, taking $320 off and bringing it to the lowest price we've seen so far, according to price trackers. PCMag rated the Smart Ultra "outstanding," highlighting its ability to deliver surprisingly immersive Dolby Atmos audio without requiring a room full of additional speakers. If you don't need Bose's top-tier model, there's a less expensive Prime Day option as well: the Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar, which sits below the Smart Ultra in the lineup, is down to $399 from $549.
The Smart Ultra uses a 5.1.2-channel design with nine drivers, including two upward-firing drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling to create height effects. In practice, that means movies, TV shows, and games feel larger and more spacious than they do through most single-bar setups. Bose also includes its AdaptiQ room-calibration system, which measures your room's acoustics and adjusts the sound accordingly. The process takes a few minutes, but it helps the soundbar perform better across different spaces rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all tuning profile. The soundbar also works as a smart speaker, with Amazon Alexa built in and support for Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, and multi-room audio through the Bose app.
Its biggest compromise is bass—for a single soundbar, its low end is respectable, but it can't fully replace what a dedicated subwoofer brings to action movies, concerts, or bass-heavy music. The good news is that Bose allows you to expand the system later with compatible wireless subwoofers and surround speakers if you decide you want more impact. For anyone looking for a premium one-piece soundbar that delivers convincing Dolby Atmos effects, clear dialogue, built-in smart features, and a much larger soundstage than TV speakers can provide, the Smart Ultra remains one of the strongest standalone options available, especially at this price.
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Nothing's first over-ear headphones, the Headphone (1), are $110 off for Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, bringing them down to $189 from $299 (their lowest price ever, according to price trackers) during the sale, which runs through Oct. 7. Nothing's newer Headphone (a), which launched in 2026 and earned an "excellent" rating in PCMag's review, is on sale as well, dropping to $129 from $199. For more discounts and the latest offers, check out our extensive Prime Day 2026 coverage.
In line with the company’s design language, these headphones feature transparent elements and bold, geometric detailing that make them stand out from typical matte-black pairs. But the appeal goes beyond the look. These IP52-rated headphones use 40mm drivers, hybrid ANC, and both USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity. They also support high-res audio via LDAC, while Nothing’s companion app gives you basic and advanced EQ controls for adjusting the sound. Battery life is impressive, too, stretching to 35 hours with ANC on and up to 80 hours with it switched off.
But the hardware alone doesn’t define the experience—Nothing’s control scheme is what makes these wireless headphones stand out. Instead of touch panels or clunky buttons, you get a satisfying volume scroll wheel (they call it the Roller), a multi-function Paddle for track navigation, and a customizable button that can switch EQ profiles or noise modes. The tactile design takes a minute to learn, but once you do, it’s intuitive and genuinely useful. You also get spatial audio and multipoint Bluetooth support, which work well across Android and iOS.
Comfort may vary: The earcups aren’t the softest for long sessions, and while they’re padded, the shape might not suit everyone. Performance-wise, the ANC handles low-end noise well (think airplane engines and AC hum) but struggles with sharper, unexpected sounds like clanging dishes or chatter nearby. The sound profile is punchy, especially with a bit of EQ tweaking in the app, but you’ll need to put in some effort if you want the best results, notes this PCMag review.
October Prime Day FAQs
What is Amazon Prime Day?
October Prime Day is the fall version of Prime Day, which is the biggest sale Amazon hosts during the spring, summer, and fall. You can find deals on many categories during the sale, including tech, tools, appliances, apparel, and more.
When is Prime Day?
October Prime Day begins Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. It happens every year during October.
When does Prime Day end?
October Prime Day ends on Oct. 7, 2026. It’s a two-day online sale.
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Amazon's October Prime Day sale has the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition down to $169.99 from $249.99, taking $80 off the most fully featured version of the Paperwhite. The price is what makes this deal worth a closer look, since Amazon raised prices across most of its Kindle lineup in August, citing higher memory and storage costs. The standard 16GB Paperwhite went from $159.99 to $199.99, so at $169.99, the Signature Edition now costs $30 less than the base model's list price (though it’s currently discounted to $149.99 for Prime Day). Amazon also unveiled a redesigned Kindle lineup just days ago, including an aluminum-backed Paperwhite Signature in a fun Seaglass Green color, but it costs $249.99, and won't ship until October 28.
The Paperwhite Signature shares the standard model's seven-inch, 300ppi E Ink display and IPX8 waterproofing, so taking it to the pool or reading in the bath is fair game. Where it pulls ahead is in the extras, starting with an ad-free lock screen and a front light that adjusts automatically as your surroundings change, saving you from fiddling with the brightness every time you move from a sunny patio to reading in bed. Storage doubles from 16GB to 32GB as well, which is probably more than most ebook libraries need (speaking of, did you know you could get two free ebooks this month?) but leaves additional room for audiobooks, comics, and large PDFs. Audio playback requires Bluetooth headphones, since there’s no headphone jack.
Another convenience you don't get with the standard Paperwhite is 10W Qi wireless charging, although you'll need to provide your own wireless charger and power adapter. The 2024 model also feels noticeably quicker than older Paperwhites, with Amazon claiming 25% faster page turns compared with the 2021 generation—this PCMag review found the difference noticeable when waking the device, browsing the library, and turning pages. None of these upgrades fundamentally changes what a Kindle does (though our guide to lesser-known Kindle features can help you get more out of yours), and with a new generation arriving, the 2024 model is no longer the latest Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. But at $170 for Prime Big Deal Day, those extras are much easier to justify.
October Prime Day FAQs
When is Prime Day?
October Prime Day is Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. It happens every year during October.
Is Prime Day a scam?
No. Prime Day is a legitimate online sale from arguably the biggest and most reputable online retailer in the world.
Will Kindles be on sale for Prime Day?
This 2026 October Prime Day, you won’t likely see new Kindles on sale as in previous years. Kindles have gone up in price recently, but there are other non-Kindle e-readers that will be on sale.
Amazon has disabled Alexa control of devices plugged into the company's Echo smart speaker’s AUX port.
Users have reported receiving an email from Amazon this week informing them of the change. “This is a reminder that as of today, voice commands to control your Echo device’s Aux input are no longer available. Requests like 'Alexa, play from line in” or “Alexa, set aux input' will no longer work,” an email that Amazon sent reads, according to a screenshot a Reddit user shared this week.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the news to Ars Technica today.
Googlebooks are Google's latest attempt to carve out a piece of the premium laptop market, and tight integration with Android phones is a key part of that effort. Now that Googlebooks are available, we're learning of some frustrating limitations of that plan. For now, Googlebooks will only play nicely with your phone if you have a Pixel.
When Google announced the launch window for Googlebooks, it said the laptops were "engineered to work with your Android phone right out of the box." But as with many things Google, the truth is more convoluted. We have since learned that you need Android 17 for any of the nifty integrations to work. With a compatible Android 17 phone, you can seamlessly stream apps to your laptop, access files on your phone, mirror notifications, and continue where you left off in certain apps when switching from phone to laptop.
You might think that the latest Samsung phones, which shipped with Android 17, would be ready for this experience. You'd be wrong, though. Some early Googlebook adopters have complained that phones like the Z Fold 8 won't work with the laptops. While the devices appear to see each other, the phone doesn't stay connected. Google representatives have sinceconfirmed that these "Better Together" features are not currently supported on even the latest Samsung phones. An update that brings support to Samsung phones will roll out in "the coming weeks."
The spread of censored and mangled syntax is happening because people believe, or have experienced, that platforms will silence them for accurately describing the world in plain language. This shit is terrible, and it has to stop.
The basic 16GB model checks all the boxes of a straightforward e-reader: It’ll deliver weeks of battery life, has a sharp, compact screen, and lacks the annoying notifications or apps competing with the book you’re trying to read. It has a six-inch, 300-ppi glare-free display, an adjustable front light, Dark Mode to better protect your eyes, USB-C charging, and plenty of storage room.
At 5.56 ounces, it's Amazon’s lightest and most compact Kindle, making it a solid option for commuters or travelers, with battery life lasting up to six weeks per charge. The beauty is its simplicity; it’s designed to keep you immersed in your book, and is especially convenient for those who buy ebooks through Amazon or use a library app that supports Kindle delivery.
If you want a warm reading light or waterproofing, you’ll have to level up to the Kindle Paperwhite (also 32% off for Amazon Prime Day 2026). Still, at around a $100 price point, the 2024 Amazon Kindle is still one of the best options for shoppers who are seeking e-reader simplicity without paying extra for Paperwhite features—or opting for a more full-featuredtablet.
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The October Prime Day sale is officially here, and the best deals on headphones, fitness tech, and other essentials from premium brands are popping up all over Amazon. Right now, these Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds are down to $158 (originally $229.99), an all-time low according to price tracking tools.
One of the top Prime Day earbuds deals for people who dislike conventional in-ear buds, the Sony LinkBuds Clip gets praise in PCMag for crystal-clear audio and long-lasting battery life. With a lightweight clip-on design that sits outside the ear canal and lets you hear background noise like traffic or announcements, they’re a useful essential for errand runs, busy workdays, dog walks, and other settings where you don’t want total noise cancellation. An IPX4 rating can handle sweat and light rain, while multipoint pairing lets you stay connected to devices without constant re-pairing.
The earbuds last up to 37 hours and offer nine hours of continuous use per charge, far more than the AirPods 4 with ANC, which last five hours with ANC off and four with it on. A three-minute charge provides around an hour of playback. The app makes the sound heavily customizable, and while sound quality is robust and impressive, it’s not quite as bass-forward as in-ear buds.
Though they can’t overcome the limitations most open-ear designs face, the Sony LinkBuds Clip Open Earbuds are a reliable, long-lasting option for settings where you need situational awareness.
October Prime Day FAQs
How does Prime Day work?
Prime Day lets Prime Members shop online for thousands of products with big discounts. It only lasts two days, so make sure you check out everything we know about the sale before it starts.
Is Prime Day only for Prime Members?
Yes, you will need to be a Prime Member to shop the exclusive sales during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. Prime membership starts at $14.99 per month.
What goes on sale on Prime Day?
Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.
A surge in Russian jet-powered drone strikes on Ukrainian data centers has increasingly disrupted mobile phone and Internet services for thousands of people. Now Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other government officials are warning of the need for more air defense capabilities, as such telecommunication outages could threaten Ukraine’s digital economy and undermine the country’s ongoing resistance to Russia’s invasion.
The Russian attacks on Ukrainian telecommunication infrastructure have focused on Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv since September 23, according to the nonprofit Reporters Without Borders. Ukraine’s digital transformation ministry reported that 100,000 households in the Kyiv region were temporarily experiencing Internet outages from those initial strikes—and Russia has only intensified its strike campaign against major Ukrainian data centers and mobile phone networks in recent weeks.
“Russian attacks on Ukraine’s telecommunication infrastructure are not new, with strikes and shelling previously damaging fiber optic lines, cell towers, and facilities belonging to mobile network companies,” said Tetiana Gaviuk, analyst for Europe at ACLED, in a post on October 1. “However, the recent concentrated attacks on Kyiv’s data centers and telecom networks stand out because multiple providers and facilities were hit within days, indicating Russia’s increased pressure on Ukraine’s digital infrastructure.”
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Amazon's October Prime Day sale, officially called Prime Big Deal Days, runs October 6 and 7, but discounts on Samsung devices are already live ahead of it, with discounts spanning Galaxy phones and LTE smartwatches, OLED and Neo QLED TVs, curved Odyssey gaming monitors, and Q-Series soundbars. Some of the biggest cuts take as much as $700 off a TV, while several monitors—including the 37-inch Odyssey G7 gaming monitor at $449.99—have dropped to record-low prices, according to price trackers. For more discounts and latest offers as this year's sale unfolds, check out our Prime Day 2026 coverage.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is the least expensive option at $654.99, down from $799.99, its lowest price to date. From there, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is $979.99, down $375 from $1,199.99, making it an interesting step up because it currently costs just $90 more than the smaller 512GB Samsung Galaxy S26, which is $899.99, down from $1,199.99—this PCMag review covers its performance and battery life in more detail, while its S26+ review takes a closer look at the larger model. At the top of the lineup, the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Sky Blue is $979, down nearly $421 from $1,399.99. It adds a larger display, built-in S Pen, more capable camera array, all of which are covered in more detail in PCMag's review.
Samsung's foldables give you two very different ways to spend more, and both 256GB models, which launched in August, are already discounted about two months after release. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 in Graphite is down to $989.99 from $1,199.99, a $210 discount on Samsung's flagship clamshell, while anyone who wants more screen can step up to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for $1,549.99, a $350 discount from $1,899.99. PCMag's Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 reviews take a deeper look at the hardware and folding experience of each.
For anyone who doesn't need flagship hardware, the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (2026) is down to $399.99 from $599.99, its lowest price to date. You can find a deeper look into its performance and cameras in PCMag's review.
The 65-inch Samsung M70H is $427.99 from $477.99, which is its lowest price yet. It's Samsung's entry-level Mini LED model for 2026, with a 4K picture, HDR10+, and access to Samsung's Gaming Hub for cloud gaming services, though its 60Hz panel suits movies and TV better than fast-paced gaming. The 2026 65-inch S90H is $1,497.99—down $400 from $1,897.99, also its lowest price yet—and steps up to an OLED panel with Samsung's Glare Free coating, the NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, and support for up to 165Hz with PC games, along with G-Sync compatibility and FreeSync Premium Pro. This CNET review calls it a more affordable OLED option for bright rooms.
The 65-inch S95F falls about $710 from $2,997.99 to $2,287.95. This is Samsung's flagship OLED from last year, with a glare-free screen, along with excellent contrast, vibrant color, and gaming features including a 165Hz refresh rate. PCMag gave the S95F an "excellent" rating. If you'd rather prioritize screen size, the 77-inch S85F is $1,299.96, down almost $900 from $2,197.99—while it sits below Samsung's S90 and S95 OLED lines, you're also getting a considerably larger screen from Samsung's 2025 lineup for under $1,300.
Speaker of bigger screens, the 75-inch Neo QLED QN70F from 2025 is down to $986.99 from $1,197.99, pairing its larger panel with Mini LED backlighting that works particularly well in brighter rooms. And then there's the enormous 98-inch Samsung U9000H (2026), which is $1,497.99, down from $1,997.99, and brings a 98-inch 4K screen to the same price as the 65-inch S90H, with a 120Hz panel and FreeSync Premium, though it uses standard LED backlighting.
The 32-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C is down to $189.99 from $329.99, a roughly 42% discount and its lowest price on record, according to price trackers. Its curved QHD display pairs a 165Hz refresh rate with a 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync, giving you a substantial step up from a standard 60Hz monitor without pushing the price past $200. The newer 37-inch Odyssey G7 (G75F) gets an even steeper cut, dropping $450 from $899.99 to $449.99, also its lowest price on record. Its curved 4K screen runs at 165Hz and gives you more room than a typical 32-inch gaming monitor without going all the way to a true ultrawide setup.
Speaking of which, the 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G91F) is $649.99, down $350 from $999.99, another record low. Its 32:9 screen works like two monitors side by side with no bezel in the middle, and the 144Hz refresh rate makes it as useful for gaming as it is for multitasking. The 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 (G91SD) keeps that ultra-wide format but swaps in a QD-OLED panel for deeper blacks, stronger contrast, and much faster pixel response you'd expect from the technology—and it's currently $795.99 from $1,299.99, saving you just over $500. For more on this, check out this PCMag review.
Finally, the massive 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) is $1,449.99, down $650 from $2,099.99. Its 7,680-by-2,160 resolution is effectively two 4K displays sitting side by side, wrapped into a single curved Mini LED panel, and it can run at up to 240Hz, though you'll need a suitably powerful PC to make full use of that resolution and refresh rate, notes this PCMag review.
These LTE smartwatches and Q-series soundbars are up to 51% off
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, LTE) is $219.99, down $80 from $299.99, and earned an "excellent" rating from PCMag for its bright display and comprehensive health tracking. For something more rugged, the 47mm LTE Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)—with a tougher titanium build, longer battery life, and additional outdoor and fitness features—is $469.99, down $180 from $649.99. Plus, the LTE connection of both these smartwatches means they can stay connected for calls, messages, and other online features without your phone nearby.
Samsung's home theater lineup has some sizable discounts as well, starting with the 2026 HW-QS90H at $847.99, down $150 from $997.99. This all-in-one Q-Series soundbar has built-in woofers, making it a good option if you want fuller TV audio without finding room for a separate subwoofer. If you don't mind adding one, the 2025 HW-Q600F is $497.99 (down from $699.99) and pairs a wireless subwoofer with a 3.1.2-channel soundbar and up-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS.
Moving further up the Q-Series lineup, the 2026 HW-Q800H is $797.99, down $300 from $1,097.99. Along with its wireless subwoofer, this 5.1.2-channel system supports Q-Symphony, which lets the soundbar pair with speakers in compatible Samsung TVs. If you want rear speakers included as part of the package, the 2026 HW-Q990H takes things a step further with a wireless subwoofer and dedicated rear speakers for a more complete home theater setup. It's currently $1,697.99, down from $1,997.99.
Samsung's newest earbuds, which launched alongside the S26 lineup in February, are both on sale. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are down to $189.99 from $249.99, and the Galaxy Buds 4 have hit their lowest price yet at $149.99, down from $179.99. The Pro model gets Samsung's new Adaptive ANC 2.0, an IP57 rating, and a sealed in-ear fit with silicone tips, while the standard Buds 4 uses an open fit with the first version of Adaptive ANC and a lower IP54 rating. PCMag's Buds 4 Pro review goes deeper into the Pro model's sound and noise cancellation.
Last generation's models cost even less, and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are now $149.99, down from $209, which puts them at the same price as the Buds 4 with a sealed fit, two-way drivers, and adaptive ANC. You can read more in PCMag's review. For the lowest price in this section, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE (2025) are $94.99, down from $149.99, borrowing the Buds 3 Pro's stem design and adding ANC with up to six hours of listening per charge, though they skip multipoint and wireless charging. This CNET review has more on how they sound.
Amazon October Prime Day FAQs
When is October Prime Day?
October Prime Day (actually called "Prime Big Deal Days") begins Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. This is one of three major Amazon sales throughout the year, and it happens every year during October.
How do October Prime Day deals work?
Prime Day sales, including Prime Big Deal Days, let Prime Members shop online for thousands of products with big discounts. It lasts only two days, so make sure you know everything about the sale before it starts.
What goes on sale during October Prime Day?
Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Amazon's October Prime Day 2026 sale runs Oct. 6 and 7, and discounts on some of our favorite routers and mesh systems are rolling out, from the TP-Link Archer AXE75 for under $100 to the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro at more than $750 off. You can also follow our Prime Day 2026 Live Blog for the latest offers, and visit our Prime Day Deals Page for more standout promotions as this year's sale unfolds.
The Amazon Eero Pro 7 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 system that earned an "excellent" rating in PCMag's review for its strong throughput and signal performance, easy installation, and multi-gig connectivity. And now its three-pack—designed to cover up to 6,000 square feet—is $599.99 (down from $799.99). Each node has two 5GbE ports, making this a good fit for larger homes with fast internet service and plenty of connected devices.
For a cheaper route into Wi-Fi 7 mesh networking, the TP-Link Deco 7 Pro BE63 (two-pack) is down to $321.75 from $349.99. Each unit of this BE10000 tri-band system has four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports that work as either WAN or LAN, and supports Multi-Link Operation along with TP-Link's HomeShield security tools and built-in VPN support. PCMag's review gives a closer look at its speeds and coverage.
The Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is currently $943.64, down from its $1,699.99 list price. It combines a quad-band design with Wi-Fi 7 features including 320MHz channels and Multi-Link Operation. It also brings 10Gbps wired connectivity and extensive network-management tools, with PCMag's testing finding excellent signal performance and throughput. The two-piece system is designed to cover up to 8,000 square feet.
The best budget Wi-Fi 7 mesh system for large homes
The Netgear Orbi 370 Series is $360.89, down from $449.99. This four-piece setup supports up to 70 devices and covers up to 8,000 square feet, making it a more affordable way to spread Wi-Fi 7 across a large home. That said, it's a dual-band system that uses the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands without 6GHz, and it tops out at 5 Gbps with a 2.5 Gig Ethernet port—so you give up some of the speed and additional wireless bandwidth of pricier tri- and quad-band Orbi models. This PCMag review looks at how it holds up in detail.
The TP-Link Deco X55 (three-pack) is down to $149.97 from $195. It's a dual-band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 system designed to cover up to 6,500 square feet, with three Gigabit Ethernet ports on each node for wired devices or backhaul. You miss out on the 6GHz band found on Wi-Fi 6E and newer Wi-Fi 7 hardware, but it's a much less expensive way to replace a single-router setup and address dead zones around a larger home.
The Amazon Eero 6+ is $214.99, down from $299.99, for a three-pack that covers up to 4,500 square feet. Each dual-band Wi-Fi 6 unit supports 160MHz channels and internet plans up to 1 Gbps, and like other Eero systems, it doubles as a Thread, Zigbee, and Matter smart home hub. PCMag's review details how it performs for the price.
At $90 off, the Eero Pro 6E makes more sense if you already own devices capable of using the 6GHz band but aren't ready to pay Wi-Fi 7 prices. The tri-band system supports 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz connections and earned an "excellent" rating from PCMag, with strong throughput performance and straightforward installation among its strengths. It's an older generation than the Pro 7 above, but at $259.99, the discount makes that compromise considerably easier to justify.
The Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro is the cheapest Wi-Fi 6E mesh option in this roundup at $158.88, down about $21 from $179.98. The AXE5400 tri-band system gives compatible devices access to the less congested 6GHz band alongside 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and PCMag found its 5GHz and 6GHz throughput impressive in testing. It doesn't offer the extensive settings you'll find on some enthusiast-oriented systems, but that's less of an issue if you primarily want an affordable, easy-to-manage mesh network.
The Asus ROG Rapture GT6 is $80 off, bringing our gaming mesh pick to $269.99, down from $349.99. This tri-band Wi-Fi 6 system has a 2.5Gbps WAN port, a dedicated gaming LAN port, and gaming-oriented traffic controls, along with a second 5GHz band that can be used for wireless backhaul. PCMag found it delivered strong throughput and signal performance, and a two-pack can cover up to 5,800 square feet, making it a useful middle ground between a traditional gaming router and a whole-home mesh system.
The TP-Link Archer AXE75 is down to $89.99 from $119.99. It's a tri-band AXE5400 router with separate 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, and PCMag gave it an "excellent" rating for its strong 5GHz performance, easy installation, and 6GHz connectivity. Its Ethernet ports top out at 1Gbps, so this isn't the router to buy for a multi-gig internet plan.
The Eero Max 7 is down $180 to $419.99 (from $599.99), matching its lowest price on record, according to price trackers. It pairs tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with two 10GbE and two 2.5GbE ports, giving it plenty of wired bandwidth for multi-gig internet and other high-speed network hardware. PCMag gave it an "excellent" rating for its speedy throughput, strong signal performance, and easy setup, although some parental controls and security features require an Eero Plus subscription.
For gaming, the TP-Link Archer GE800 is $57 off at $542.99 (regularly $599.99). This BE19000 tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router supports Multi-Link Operation and 320MHz channels and pairs its wireless bandwidth with serious wired connectivity, including 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps Ethernet. There are also gaming-focused traffic prioritization and network-management tools—this PCMag review finds its 5GHz and 6GHz throughput particularly strong.
October Prime Day FAQs
When is Prime Day?
October Prime Day begins Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. It happens every year during October.
When does Prime Day end?
October Prime Day ends on Oct. 7, 2026. It’s a two-day online sale.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
October Prime Day is the fall version of Prime Day, which is the biggest sale Amazon hosts during the spring, summer, and fall. You can find deals on many categories during the sale, including tech, tools, appliances, apparel, and more.
The mechanical keyboard isn't always so mechanical anymore.
Over the past six years, keyboards with optical, Hall-effect, and other "contactless" switches have become increasingly common, often going for higher prices than traditional mechanical keyboards, which already command a premium over basic membrane boards. In return, they promise some theoretical advantages, particularly for gamers. In daily use, though, the differences can be pretty subtle.
So what exactly are you paying for? In this guide, we break down how the newest switches work, why contactless designs are becoming more popular, and where their advantages—and disadvantages—really matter.
"Russian health authorities have taken precautionary measures in response to the death of a woman who worked at an anti-plague research facility," reports Axios, "but have not confirmed that she contracted plague."
On Sept. 25, 28-year-old Daria Shipilova, who worked at an anti-plague research institute in Russia's Irkutsk region, broke a test tube containing the pneumonic plague pathogen, local reports said. Shipilova was admitted to a hospital on Sept. 29 with symptoms of severe pneumonia and died overnight between Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. After her death, authorities imposed quarantines at several medical facilities in the region and placed nearly 200 people who had come into contact with Shipilova under medical observation.
Irkutsk Gov. Igor Kobzev said those being monitored showed no signs of illness and had tested negative... Russia's public health agency said Shipilova had "pneumonia of unknown etiology" and that further testing found no microorganisms linked to her work. The agency said the epidemiological situation in the region remains stable.
Plague is a potentially life-threatening bacterial disease but can be cured with antibiotics when treated promptly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CNN reports that according to Russian state media agency TASS, it remains unclear exactly what was released:
The head of the neighboring republic of Buryatia, Alexei Tsydenov, said earlier that the employee — a 28-year old woman — died "possibly from the plague." He also noted that "there are no plague outbreaks" in Buryatia. The governor of Irkutsk, Igor Kobzev, urged calm on Friday, saying that an extraordinary meeting of the regional anti-epidemic commission was held with Russia's chief state doctor. The meeting was in connection with a "suspected case of a particularly dangerous infection affecting a resident of the region," Kobzev said on Telegram.... The infection in the Irkutsk region is "most likely not the plague, but even if confirmed, there will be no spread of this disease," a previous head of Rospotrebnadzor, Gennady Onishchenko, said on Friday. Onishchenko told the state news agency TASS that the onset of cold weather would likely prevent transmission.
Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader schwit1 for sharing the news.
This year, members of Seattle Mountain Rescue have been setting off into the wilds of the US Pacific Northwest wearing an unusual piece of kit.
They’ve been hiking into the wilderness with powered assistive devices attached to their hips and legs. Designed to increase lower-body strength when climbing or carrying heavy loads, these pieces of equipment are being tested to see if they can boost rescuers’ speed and endurance when it matters most—during searches for stranded people.
Devices like these are called human exoskeletons. They attach to parts of the body to create an external—or “exo”—mechanical structure. This powered frame enhances the wearer’s physical capabilities.
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You're not having déjà vu: Amazon did just have a big sale in July. This time, though, it's their fall sale—Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day. The sale is officially underway from Oct. 6-7, and we're all over it. Remember to check price-tracking tools so you can trust that the sales we're talking about are actually good deals, and not just hype.
For a glimpse of the best deals as we find them, check out our live blog of the event below, featuring the Lifehacker team's coverage of Prime Day. We'll continue highlighting new deals as we find them. Our sister brands have live blogs worth checking out, too, including CNET, PCMag, ZDNET, and Mashable.
My family has spent four summers participating in demand response programs whereby utility companies pay customers to reduce energy use on the hottest summer days. Most summers have involved carefully precooling our New York City apartment before switching off the air conditioners and sweating it out during the designated demand response periods.
But this year, we kept our window air conditioners running throughout a heat dome event that drove daytime temperatures into the triple digits and made the nights oppressively hot. The difference was that we powered the air conditioners through two household batteries tucked away unobtrusively in the corners of our living room and bedroom.
We were among about 1,000 New York City households that took part in a free and growing program offered by the local startup Every Electric. The company’s proposition is simple: Get one or more batteries delivered to your home, plug the batteries into a standard wall electrical outlet, and then plug your window air conditioners into the batteries. Households can keep running air conditioners as usual during peak demand periods while also earning money through the local demand response program with the utility company Con Edison.
The era of generative AI has upended technology supply chains, and there is one ironclad rule in 2026: If it has memory or storage, it's getting more expensive. Even devices with years-old tech inside are still apparently subject to that unwritten rule. Nvidia has just announced that the Shield TV Pro is getting $100 more expensive, effective immediately.
The most recent version of the Shield streaming box debuted in 2019, running Android TV with AI upscaling and hardware decoding for almost any type of media. While it ran an aging Tegra X1+ processor, that was (and still is) fast for a TV media streamer. The device launched at $199.99, with a non-Pro variant at $149.99. The non-Pro Shield has since been discontinued, but the Shield TV Pro lives on at the new $299.99 price.
Nvidia has confirmed that you can blame AI for the higher Shield TV pricing. "Starting October 2, SHIELD Pro will be priced at $299. The cost of components, including memory, has increased substantially across the industry," a spokesperson told Ars.
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Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, the October edition of Prime Day, runs Oct. 6 and 7, and Bluetooth speaker discounts from Soundcore, Ultimate Ears, JBL, and Marshall are live. Prices range from $19.99 for the Select 4 Go to $249 for the Marshall Stanmore III, with plenty of options in between, whether you want something small enough to throw in a backpack or a larger speaker with enough volume for a backyard gathering. For more discounts and the latest offers, check out our extensive Prime Day 2026 coverage.
Save up to nearly $90 on these Anker Soundcore speakers
The Soundcore Select 4 Go is $19.99, down from $34.99, and its IP67 rating, floating design, and carrying strap make it easy to take to the beach or clip to a backpack—while the Soundcore 2 is $28.48, down from $44.99, and is better suited to a desk or kitchen, with 12W of output and up to 24 hours of playback.
For outdoor use, the Soundcore Boom Go 3i is $55.99, down from $79.99, and pairs an IP68 rating with 24 hours of playback and a battery that can charge a phone. The Soundcore Boom 2 is $84.99, down from $129.99, and steps up to a built-in subwoofer, up to 80W of output, and a floating body for a backyard or pool, which this in-depth review by PCMag breaks down further.
The Soundcore Motion X600 is $139.99, down from $199.99, and uses five drivers, including one that fires upward, to create spatial audio for listening at home. This PCMag review looks at it more closely. The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is $161.47, down from $249.99, the largest discount in this group, and its 140W output, 20-hour battery, and floating design suit larger outdoor gatherings, as PCMag's review covers in more detail.
All four Ultimate Ears speakers here are IP67-rated for dust and water, starting with the Ultimate Ears Miniroll at $47.49, down from $79.99. It's a flat, palm-sized speaker with a silicone strap for handlebars or a bag and 12 hours of battery life, though it doesn't work with the Ultimate Ears app for EQ adjustments—this PCMag review gives a closer look at how it performs for its size. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is $56.99, down from $99.99, and adds 360-degree sound, a floating body, 14 hours of playback, and an Outdoor Boost mode for open spaces.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 is $99.99, down from $149.99, and keeps the cylindrical shape of earlier Boom models while switching to USB-C charging, with 360-degree sound, a floating design, and 15 hours of battery life. The Ultimate Ears Everboom is $139.99, down from $178.99, and is the most outdoor-focused of the four, with 20 hours of playback, a Bluetooth range of up to 55 meters, an Outdoor Boost button, and a carabiner for clipping it to a bag or tent.
The JBL Go 5 is $39.95 (regularly $54.95) and has an IP68 rating, up to 10 hours of playback with Playtime Boost, and AirTouch, which pairs two Go 5s for stereo when you tap them together. The JBL Clip 5 is $59.95, down from $79.95, and builds in a wide carabiner for hooking onto a bag or belt, along with an IP67 rating, up to 15 hours of playback with Playtime Boost, and EQ controls in the JBL Portable app.
The JBL Grip costs $69.95, down from $99.95, and adds an IP68 rating, Auracast, and AI Sound Boost to limit distortion at high volume. PCMag's review gives a closer look at how it sounds for its size—while the JBL Flip 5, an older model from 2019 with 20W of output, an IPX7 rating, and 12 hours of battery life is currently is $89.95, down from $99.95. This PCMag review covers it in more detail.
The JBL Charge 6 is $149.95, down from $199.95, and is the largest JBL speaker here. It's rated for 24 hours of playback plus four more with Playtime Boost, and it has an IP68 rating, a removable strap, and a built-in power bank for charging a phone. It also supports lossless audio over USB-C. For a detailed breakdown of its performance, check out this PCMag review.
The Marshall Emberton III is $99.99 (down from $179.99), pairing Marshall's amp-inspired styling with two 10W drivers, an IP67 rating, and a battery rated for more than 32 hours. There's also a built-in microphone for calls and multipoint Bluetooth support. If you like Marshall's design but don't want a speaker permanently tethered to an outlet, the Emberton III is the obvious place to start. For something larger while still staying portable, the Marshall Middleton is $149.99, down $170 from $319.99. It carries the same recognizable Marshall styling in a bigger design than the Emberton III, giving you a step up if you want more substantial sound without moving to one of the brand's plug-in home speakers.
Speaking of which, the Marshall Acton III and Marshall Stanmore III are home speakers that plug into the wall. The Acton III is $189.99, down from $299.99, and is the smallest model in Marshall's home lineup. It has 60W of amplification, Bluetooth and 3.5mm inputs, and analog bass and treble knobs on top—this PCMag's review covers in it more detail. The Stanmore III is $249, down from $399.99, and steps up to 80W while adding an RCA input, which makes it a straightforward match for a turntable with a built-in preamp. PCMag's review gives a closer look at its sound and setup.
These Bose soundbars are up to $120 off for Prime Big Deal Days
Bose’s SoundLink Plus is currently $179, down from $269, and is built for taking your music outside, with an IP67 rating that protects it from dust and water and up to 20 hours of battery life to get you through a full day away from an outlet. PCMag’s review has more on how it sounds in practice. For more power, the larger SoundLink Max is $279 (down from $399), with the same battery life and IP67 protection, and a USB-C port that can charge another device. It’s the better fit if you want to fill a larger space with sound rather than keep things compact. This PCMag review looks into its performance in more detail. Both models are also at their lowest prices to date, according to price trackers, making either size a better buy than usual.
The compact Sony SRS-XB100 is $43, down from $64.99, making it the least expensive Sony speaker here. It's small enough to carry easily, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance and up to 16 hours of battery life. PCMag's review goes into more detail on its sound and performance. The Sony ULT Field 1 is $68, down from $139.99, and gives you a larger portable option without a major jump in price. It has an IP67 rating, a shock-resistant design, and up to 12 hours of battery life, while Sony's ULT button boosts the low end when you want more bass. PCMag's review takes a closer look at how it performs.
Moving up in size, the Sony ULT Field 3 is $148, down from $209.99. It extends battery life to up to 24 hours and keeps the IP67 protection and ULT bass boost, while its detachable shoulder strap makes the larger speaker easier to carry. You can read more about its sound and features in PCMag's review. The Sony ULT Field 7 is the biggest option of the group at $448, down from $499. It's built more for parties and larger spaces than tossing into a bag, with up to 30 hours of battery life, an IP67 rating, and lighting around the speaker drivers. It also has inputs for a microphone and guitar if you want to use it for karaoke or live music. PCMag's review has a closer look at its performance.
October Prime Day FAQs
When is Prime Day?
October Prime Day is Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. It happens every year during October.
When does Prime Day end?
October Prime Day ends on Oct. 7, 2026. It’s a two-day online sale.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
October Prime Day is the fall version of Prime Day, which is the biggest sale Amazon hosts during the spring, summer, and fall. You can find deals on many categories during the sale, including tech, tools, appliances, apparel, and more.
This tri-band router spreads traffic across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, with support for newer Wi-Fi 7 features including Multi-Link Operation and 320MHz channels. Plus, all five of its ports (one WAN port and four LAN ports) run at 2.5Gbps, meaning a desktop, a gaming console, and a NAS can each pull multi-gigabit speeds at the same time. You also get a USB 3.0 port for plugging in an external drive, with the whole thing managed through TP-Link's Tether app or a web interface.
As for its performance, it reportedly delivers excellent top speeds, and its range performance holds up well across a multi-level house, so you should still have enough bandwidth for large downloads, 4K streaming, and other demanding tasks happening simultaneously in different parts of the home. Its EasyMesh support also means you can pair it with another certified router or extender later. That said, while the BE550 has very good range for a standalone router, it’s not a mesh system, so speeds naturally decline as you move farther away or between floors, and you may need that second EasyMesh unit after all. Also, its WAN port tops out at 2.5Gbps, so peak speeds fall short of what a router like the eero Max 7 can hit, though that only becomes a problem if your internet plan is faster than 2.5Gbps.
October Prime Day FAQs
When is Prime Day?
October Prime Day is Oct. 6 and runs through Oct. 7. It happens every year during October.
Is Prime Day a scam?
No. Prime Day is a legitimate online sale from arguably the biggest and most reputable online retailer in the world.
What goes on sale on Prime Day?
Since Prime Big Deal Days happens in the fall, you're likely to see more deals on gaming and indoor gym equipment. Amazon has already announced some of the 35 categories that will be on sale, including beauty, tech, kitchen, fashion, and home. Some brands Amazon has already mentioned are: Shark, Princess Polly, Soundcore by Anker, UGG, Nest New York, Sony, Tarte, Adidas, and Barefoot Dreams.
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