Tag: tech

Can I Sell My BlockDAG? Bitcoin Solaris Offers Liquid Alternative with Confirmed LBank Exchange Listing

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 06:17:28 +0000

The post Can I Sell My BlockDAG? Bitcoin Solaris Offers Liquid Alternative with Confirmed LBank Exchange Listing appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

A quiet question has been circulating across Telegram and X: “When can I sell my BlockDAG?” For early supporters, the wait continues as listing timelines remain unclear and secondary liquidity hasn’t fully materialized. While the project still holds promise, some investors are beginning to wonder when theory will turn into traction.

In contrast, Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) is already showing signs of momentum. With visible liquidity, transparent updates, and a focus on accessibility and performance, it’s capturing the attention of those seeking both innovation and immediate value.

BlockDAG: Good Concept, Bad Timing?

To be clear, BlockDAG is far from a scam. Its directed acyclic graph architecture has genuine technical merit. The promise of scalable parallel transactions has been around for years, and if implemented correctly, it could work beautifully.

But the delays are beginning to overshadow the promise. Many are finding themselves stuck, unable to cash out or even transfer tokens. And in a market where speed equals confidence, stalling is fatal.

Bitcoin Solaris Hits LBank and Unlocks Access

On the flip side, Bitcoin Solaris is making moves fast. It has already secured a confirmed listing on LBank, which offers immediate peace of mind to investors who want real liquidity from day one. This isn’t speculative. It’s live.

Listings like this mean more than just hype. They open the door to:

Centralized trading pairs
Broader market visibility
Price discovery from launch day
Safer, smoother user onboarding

That kind of infrastructure doesn’t just support users. It empowers them.

Why Everyone’s Watching BTC-S Now

One of the best breakdowns recently came from Crypto Vlog, which highlighted the project’s upcoming features and why the LBank listing is already positioning BTC-S as a more “sellable” and usable coin than competitors still figuring out their next testnet.

It’s not just influencers. Over 14,150 investors have already joined the Bitcoin Solaris presale. That’s a level of traction that demands attention.

The Presale That’s Actually Delivering

We are in Phase 11 of the BTC-S presale, and it’s racing toward one of the fastest closes in recent memory:

Current Price: $11
Launch Price: $20
Potential Gain: 150%

More importantly, Bitcoin Solaris has just introduced a Price Rollback, a temporary drop to $5 for a limited time. This isn’t a gimmick or a bonus. It’s a rare opportunity to enter at early-bird prices right before launch.

And just to keep it smooth: wallets like Trust Wallet and Metamask are recommended for receiving tokens post-launch. No need to connect or transact through them during the presale.

Deep Tech, Real Use

So what makes Bitcoin Solaris more than just a name?

Dual-consensus model (PoW + DPoS) balances security with lightning-fast performance
Up to 10,000 TPS on the Solaris Layer
Validator rotation improves decentralization and reduces attack vectors
Smart contract execution via Rust for enterprise and DeFi scalability
Built-in interoperability for cross-chain assets
Mobile-first mining through the exciting release of the upcoming Solaris Nova App
Energy-efficient framework that uses 99.95% less energy than Bitcoin

You can even calculate projected mining yield with their live calculator. It’s the kind of transparency and access that BlockDAG holders are still waiting on.

Tokenomics That Actually Make Sense

BTC-S isn’t just about the now; it’s designed for decades of sustainable use:

66.66% for mining over 90 years
20% for presale
5% for liquidity
2% for development (including Helios DeFi layer)
2% for community rewards
2% for marketing
0.33% for the team and advisors

This model ensures that 98% of tokens flow to users, miners, and the ecosystem, with zero central hoarding.

The Better Exit Plan

Can you sell your BlockDAG? Possibly. The potential is there, but timelines remain fluid and clarity is still developing. That’s not unusual for emerging tech, and many still believe in its long-term vision.

At the same time, Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) is moving at a different pace. Exchange listings are already secured, transactions are flowing, and its dual-layer architecture is live and gaining traction. It’s a contrast in timing. While some projects are still preparing, BTC-S is already putting plans into action.

For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:

Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

Bitcoin Must Stay Neutral – Why BTCFi Should Not Follow the Path of Politicized Finance

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 03:40:33 +0000

HodlX Guest Post Submit Your Post

Bitcoin has always been the face of crypto and stood for something bigger than just digital money.

It’s a technology born from frustration with centralized control systems, and it has thrived because of one key principle – neutrality. Neutrality from politics, from institutions, from borders.

Now that BTCFi is picking up the pace, it’s highly important to remember this principle – and defend it.

Allowing BTCFi to be steered by the same political and institutional forces that have long shaped traditional finance (TradFi) would mean repeating many of the same historical mistakes that led the world to adopt the concept of crypto in the first place.

It would also pose a significant risk to Bitcoin’s core purpose and future viability.

The case for political neutrality

At its core, Bitcoin was created to be outside of government control, immune to the kind of monetary manipulation that has plagued fiat currencies.

Which means that neutrality isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ in this situation – it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.

Bitcoin works because it doesn’t care where you live – it’s an open, trustless, permissionless system that anyone can take part in so long as they simply have an internet connection.

BTCFi must inherit this same core principle.

If we start building it around the priorities of state-affiliated actors, there’s a very real risk of Bitcoin changing from a tool of decentralized empowerment into what would basically be just ‘TradFi 2.0.’

Wrapped up in new tech, perhaps, but still governed by the same old rules.

Decentralized systems only work if they are decentralized in every way – infrastructure and values alike.

What happens if BTCFi gets politicized

The answer to this question is simple. Bitcoin could lose the one trait that makes it uniquely valuable and attractive – its neutrality.

When institutions or governments influence how BTCFi evolves, the protocols being built will inevitably begin to cater to them.

It won’t be long before we see gatekeeping and censorship. The introduction of permissioned systems wrapped in the illusion of decentralization.

If we go down that road, Bitcoin’s utility as a neutral global store of value will plummet.

And if so, the next wave of financial innovation will likely leave it behind in favor of other assets that are still politically neutral.

Is the original cryptocurrency becoming the one that lost its way? I don’t think many people in the industry would want to see it happen.

The good news is that the Bitcoin community has the tools to protect BTCFi from such a fate, but there needs to be an intentional approach to this. Let me explain what I mean by that.

The path forward – Building with purpose

Firstly, when DeFi developers work on their infrastructure, they need to make it politically neutral by default. That means no special privileges or reliance on centralized intermediaries.

Native Bitcoin layer-twos must be trustless and resilient, and any DeFi product built on top of them should be censorship-resistant and globally accessible.

Second, there needs to be more support from crypto investors – especially large holders – for projects that align with Bitcoin’s core values.

If capital flows into politically aligned or institutionally influenced products, we’re feeding the wrong machine.

Finally, speed matters. If BTCFi products can achieve rapid adoption, it will be that much harder for the whole ecosystem to be hijacked.

In other words, momentum is its own form of protection – by outpacing regulators and institutions with centralized interests, they will have a hard time catching up to try and influence BTCFi’s development.

But in order to achieve all of the above, developers must focus on making their products usable and safe. Without these two pillars, mass adoption will be a long way off.

Investors and the broader community must be actively engaged to promote projects that preserve the ideals of openness and decentralization while also delivering tangible value to people.

Why BTCFi is taking off – and why it needs safeguards

The momentum behind BTCFi is undeniable. In late 2024, its total value jumped from $800 million to $6.5 billion in just a few months.

Some analysts predict that by 2030, over $47 billion worth of Bitcoin could be actively used in DeFi.

There are clear reasons for this surge.

The growth of Bitcoin ETFs has made BTC the most ‘mainstream’ crypto asset, adding a sense of legitimacy and attracting whales who want to do more with their holdings without selling them.

But with that same surge comes attention – regulators and institutions alike are watching and getting involved a lot more actively now.

That’s why now is the time to set the tone for how BTCFi evolves.

It has the potential to transform how Bitcoin is used, but that transformation will only be meaningful if we stay true to Bitcoin’s foundational values.

Bitcoin’s greatest strength is that it doesn’t discriminate or take sides – and BTCFi should be no different.

Michael Egorov is the founder of leading DeFi exchange Curve Finance. He is a notable figure in the DeFi space, having launched the first DeFi exchange with a focus on stablecoins. A physicist, entrepreneur and crypto maximalist, Michael stood at the origins of DeFi creation.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any loses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

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The post Bitcoin Must Stay Neutral – Why BTCFi Should Not Follow the Path of Politicized Finance appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

I love my Garmin sleep tracker, but these 4 cheap alternatives are almost as good — starting from $64 for Prime Day

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0000

My job is testing sleep trackers — if I was looking for one on a $200 budget, these are the ones I'd buy this Amazon Prime Day...

I’m a sleep tech tester and clean freak — my favorite mattress vacuum for dust mites is 27% off, but the Prime Day deal ends today

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 01:30:00 +0000

Don't let Prime Day pass without taking care of your mattress

The 55-inch Hisense U7 is a great 4K TV under $600 for Prime Day

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 01:30:00 +0000

Amazon Prime Day’s best deals may not last for much longer, since the sale ends later tonight. This includes a big discount on the 2025 Hisense U7, a midrange TV that’s seeing deep discounts right now. The 65-inch model is available on Amazon for $797.99, which is almost 50 percent off its original. And the 55-inch is under $600. That’s a lot of performance for the money, and I’ll tell you why.

Hisense U7QG TV Where to Buy:

In previous years, a lower price generally meant a less bright TV, and while that’s still true to an extent, the Hisense U7 is still capable of close to 3,000 nits. That’s plenty bright for any viewing situation. The TV also has full HDR support, including Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus. Local dimming performance delivers impressive black levels, although the screen has a glossy finish, so ensure that any direct light sources (for instance, a window or a lamp) are off to the side, or their reflections will be distracting.

The U7QG works well as a TV for gaming. The panel has a native 165Hz refresh rate for PC gamers (higher than the 144Hz we see from many competitors), and it supports variable refresh rate with FreeSync and is certified G-Sync compatible. All four of the U7QG’s HDMI inputs are version 2.1, to allow high refresh rates at 4K on all inputs. Some competitors still only have two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it tough to decide which devices to delegate to the last-gen ports.

The U7QG doesn’t quite measure up against its direct competitors, namely the $447.99 TCL QM6K and the $598 QM7K, when it comes to fast-moving images. For people with a discerning eye for detail, certain things may appear blurrier on the U7 than you’d prefer. Still, this is a great value if you want a bright TV with a faster refresh rate than most options offer at this price point.

These terrific, Verge-approved gifts are all discounted for Prime Day

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be the biggest days of the year when it comes to shopping for gifts, but what about all the birthdays, weddings, and special occasions that happen before the holidays?

Life’s celebrations don’t always follow the typical calendar year, and having thoughtful gifts ready to celebrate a loved one’s achievement, new home, or promotion can help you avoid scrambling at the last minute. That’s where shopping events like Prime Day come in, as they offer yet another chance to grab a great gift at a discount.

Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of Prime Day deals culled directly from our various gift guides, each of which we can personally vouch for. Whether you’re shopping for a planned event or just surprising someone because you can, these picks are sure to meet the moment.

Ototo Nessie ladle Cooking feels a lot less like a chore with Ototo’s Nessie ladle. I mean, how do you not smile when you see the Loch Ness Monster peeking out from inside your soup? The cute, 10-inch gag gift is great for serving soups and sauces, too, especially since it can stand on its own and features a heat-resistant silicone design. Where to Buy:

$19.95 $9.95 at Amazon

AmazFit Active 2 It’s still hard believe the Amazfit Active 2 retails for less than $100. The humble smartwatch includes everything, from offline navigation and voice commands to a strength training mode that can auto-detect sets, reps, and rest periods. It also features a vivid OLED display and a super stylish watchface — which isn’t something often associated with cheap fitness trackers. Where to Buy:

AirPods Pro (second-gen) with USB-C There’s no real competition. For iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro are easily the best wireless earbuds on the market. They boast some useful Apple-only features as a result of their deep iOS integration, including extensive Find My support along with terrific noise cancellation and sound. The latest model comes with a USB-C charging case, too, just in case the Lightning port isn’t your jam. Where to Buy:

Baseus Free2Pull Retractable USB-C Cable 100W Most people don’t want to wrangle cables… and who can blame them? Not us, which is why several folks at The Verge own Baseus’ handy, retractable USB-C option. The Free2Pull comes in two sizes, each of which conveniently pulls the excess cable into a small puck that’s far tidier and easier to manage than a loose cord. Where to Buy:

Nanoleaf Expo Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit A proper collection deserves a proper showcase, which is where Nanoleaf’s smart LED cases come in. Each reactive, stackable box can display tunable white lighting and up to 16 million hues, allowing you to bathe your shoes, figurines, and other items in whatever colors you see fit. And because it’s Nanoleaf, you’ll even be able to access the same smart features as the company’s bulbs. Where to Buy:

Hoto Hand Tool Set Hoto’s electric screwdrivers are a mainstay at The Verge, and the company’s Hand Tool Set is just as eye-catching. All of the included components, from the needlenose pliers and claw hammer to the textured carrying case, showcase a handsome minimalist design that’s far more attractive than the usual white-label fare. It makes for an attractive starter kit, if nothing else. Where to Buy:

Google TV Streamer 4K Now that summer is here, your giftee likely has a lot more time to binge. For that, we recommend the Google TV Streamer (4K), which boasts onboard Google Assistant, easy-to-use smart home controls, and the best interface of any streaming device available. The set-top box even features a handy button for pinging the remote, giving it an edge over your couch. Where to Buy:

Tapo RV30 Max Plus With the RV30 Max Plus, your giftee can enjoy spotless floors without lifting a finger. The powerful robovac / mop comes with features that normally cost twice the price, including lidar navigation, room-specific cleaning, and a self-empty dock. You can also control it via Alexa or Google Assistant, making cleaning almost effortless. Where to Buy:

Anker Laptop Power Bank The Anker Laptop Power Bank is a lifesaver for anyone who works or studies on the go. With an impressive 25,000mAh capacity and 165W total output, it can quickly charge a beefy MacBook Pro to 50 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. Plus, with three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, you can power multiple devices at once, including phones, tablets, and handheld consoles. Where to Buy:

Star Wars Outlaws Star Wars Outlaws is the best scoundrel simulator there is. The open-world sci-fi caper is steeped in the lore of a galaxy far, far away, one that lets you explore the bustling criminal underworlds of Canto Bight, Toshara, and — yes — Tatooine with a blaster on your hip and your adorable merqaal companion Nix by your side. Apparently, a bit of villainy ain’t so bad after all. Where to Buy:

$52.95 $28.49 at Amazon

Sony WH-1000XM6 The latest iteration of Sony’s best-in-class noise-canceling headphones has finally arrived. The newfangled XM6 make subtle improvements to every facet, from sound quality to comfort to ANC, while wisely bringing back the foldable design last seen on the last-gen XM4. Where to Buy:

Govee Table Lamp 2 If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your giftee’s day — either literally or figuratively — Govee’s Table Lamp 2 can get the job done. The color-changing lamp boasts built-in scheduling and more than 60 dynamic lighting effects, including preset scenes for various holidays. You can even create custom color combos for when “Dandelion” and other presets just aren’t cutting it. Where to Buy:

Kindle Paperwhite (2024) Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite is the ideal companion for anyone who likes to relax by the pool (or anywhere else). It’s designed to last for weeks at a time, not days, while a larger seven-inch display and adjustable color temperature allow for more natural lighting in any environment. Where to Buy:

$159.99 $124.99 at Amazon

Xreal One smart glasses The Xreal One aren’t the most affordable augmented-reality glasses available, but they are some of the best for displaying movies and games on the go. You can connect them via USB-C to your smartphone, tablet, or handheld gaming PC. Where to Buy:

NIIMBOT D110 Label Printer with Tape Niimbot’s inkless, rechargeable label printer can help you stay organized anytime, anywhere. The portable Bluetooth gadget effortlessly pairs with any iOS or Android phone and features a range of simple templates, allowing your giftee to create custom labels for everything from pantry items to office supplies. Where to Buy:

Instant Pot Pro The Instant Pot Pro is the amalgamation of 10 different kitchen appliances. Not only does it function as both a six-quart rice cooker and a pressure cooker, but it also serves as a yogurt maker, a slow cooker, a cake baker, a sous vide machine, a sauté pan, and more. It’s dead simple to use, too, letting you prepare an entire meal for six with just a couple of ingredients and a few button presses. Where to Buy:

Yogasleep Travel Mini Sound Machine with Night Light For many people, few things are as calming as white noise. Luckily, it’s easy to conjure up with Yogasleep’s Travel Mini Sound Machine. The rechargeable, pocket-sized device offers a total of six noise profiles, from ambient nature sounds to serene pink noise, along with a built-in night light that’s just bright enough to read with or use to navigate your next Airbnb. Where to Buy:

$27.99 $23.79 at Amazon

Sonos Beam (second-generation) The second-gen Sonos Beam is a terrific sound bar with big sound for its small footprint. It uses eARC for minimal latency, so playing games doesn’t have that annoying audio delay that can plague entry-level home theater setups. Plus, it integrates with the rest of Sonos’ Wi-Fi-connected ecosystem if you choose to expand your music listening to multiple rooms. Where to Buy:

Birdfy Feeder 1 Looking at birds is cool, and we’re all better off spending more time doing it. And while birdwatching typically requires patience and a decent pair of binoculars, you could summon birds with Birdfy’s entry-level smart feeder, which features a 1080p camera and an app that lets you view birds up close as they munch on seeds. Where to Buy:

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter One If your loved one often travels abroad, they’ll need a good travel adapter to power up their electronics. Epicka’s Universal Travel Adapter One is one they can use in more than 150 countries, including Australia and those in the UK and EU. It comes with one USB-C port and four standard USB-A ports, too, which should allow you to charge a range of devices at higher speeds than many of the other travel adapters on the market. Where to Buy:

$24.99 $19.98 at Amazon

Apple AirTag If someone you know is a traveler or prone to losing things, an AirTag makes for a smart, stress-saving gift. The UWB Bluetooth trackers tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, allowing you to quickly recover lost luggage, keys, passports, and other items with little more than a quick glance at your iPhone. Where to Buy:

Amazon Echo Pop An Echo Pop can make your everyday routine just a little easier, if not more enjoyable. With a simple Alexa command, you can hit the lights, schedule an alarm, launch a podcast, or carry out a host of other voice-controlled actions. The entry-level smart speaker comes in an array of fun hues, too, letting you add a splash of color to any room. Where to Buy:

Away The Carry-On Whether you intend to use it for work trips or weekend getaways with friends, the Carry-On is a sleek, durable suitcase that makes travel easier. It’s packed with thoughtful touches — including a TSA-approved lock and a separate laundry bag — and it’s small enough to fit in most overhead bins yet spacious enough that you should have no trouble stowing everything you need for a three-day jaunt.

Where to Buy:

Satechi Vegan-Leather Magnetic Wallet Stand Satechi’s MagSafe-ready wallet addresses two specific needs that may make it a must-have for some: it’s crafted from vegan leather, and it doubles as a kickstand. That means the durable wallet provides a hands-free way to watch videos or hop on a call, whether you place it in portrait or landscape mode. Where to Buy:

$39.99 $23.99 at Amazon

AeroPress Clear With the Aeropress Clear, you’ll be able to enjoy your morning cup of joe no matter where you are. Not only does the portable coffee press pack into its own plastic cup and feature a shatterproof, see-through build, but it can also make up to three cups of coffee at once. That means you can enjoy a refill when that midday slump inevitably hits. Where to Buy:

Time Timer MOD (Home Edition) A basic timer may seem like a thoughtless gift, but there are many tasks we procrastinate on every day that could be more easily managed if we dedicated a little bit of time to them. A visual Pomodoro timer, such as the colorful MOD (Home Edition), is key to helping break tasks into manageable chunks or take them on all at once. Where to Buy:

8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad Most people don’t need a number pad, but if they do, 8BitDo’s Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad may be the most charming data entry tool there is. It has hot-swappable mechanical switches and a satisfying clickiness, along with wireless support so you can use it either left- or right-handed. Best of all, it becomes a calculator with a single press. Where to Buy:

Anker 2-in-1 USB C to USB C Cable 140W No one should have to deal with a rat’s nest behind their desk when devices like Anker’s 2-in-1 cable exist. The handy USB-C cable splits at the end, giving you the ability to charge up to two devices from a single port. That means you can split power between a phone and tablet or juice a 16-inch MacBook Pro to 50 percent in just 20 minutes using a single port.
Where to Buy:

I’m a sleep tech tester — 5 Prime Day deals from $9 I'd snap up if I was sharing a dorm this semester

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 23:30:00 +0000

Last chance! These are the Prime Day back to school deals I'd snap up if I was sharing a dorm this semester — all under $50

Prepare For A New Dodgy Trump-Era Tax On Netflix And Other Streaming Services

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:50:43 +0000

Two weeks ago the Supreme Court rejected an effort by a dodgy right wing activists to destroy an $8 billion FCC program that connects poor and rural communities to the internet. The plaintiff in the case, a fake right wing “consumer group,” had tried to argue that the bipartisan subsidy (the Universal Service Fund, or USF) was an “illegal tax” the FCC lacked the authority to charge. They lost the case.

But why did the Supreme Court majority, an agency that’s been on a tear destroying regulatory protection and corporate oversight, keep this particular program alive? It’s because Republicans and telecom monopolies want to repurpose the USF into a poorly managed slush fund paid for by U.S. tech giants (or more accurately you, their customers).

The long-bipartisan USF helps fund broadband connections to rural schools, libraries and communities. It is primarily funded by a monthly fee imposed on traditional phone lines. But given the death of the traditional landline, the contribution base for the program has shrunk. To keep the program alive, it genuinely does need new funding.

The most obvious way to do that would be to impose a small fee on broadband and wireless connections. That contribution base is so massive, the fee wouldn’t need to be onerous. To do this correctly, you’d need to ensure that government oversight of telecom subsidy collection and spending was competent, something that’s never been our strong suit.

Telecom giants like AT&T and Comcast obviously don’t want that. Instead, they’ve long been proposing a new tax on video streaming providers and tech companies. To sell this idea, telecom lobbyists have long (falsely) claimed that companies like Google and Netflix get a “free ride on the internet,” so it’s only right that they pay “their fair share” in funding broadband expansion.

The Supreme Court’s protection of the USF creates the perfect platform to relaunch this effort. In fact, I suspect the USF is only alive today because of AT&T’s ambitions to create a new slush fund paid into by streaming video customers already annoyed by soaring streaming video prices.

The problem(s)

It shouldn’t take a scientist to see why a major new subsidy proposal cooked up by the monopolists at AT&T and managed by the Trump administration might not be a success story.

AT&T has a long history of defrauding federal subsidy programs (including the USF), but routinely dodges accountability due to its favored role as a domestic surveillance ally. At the same time, the Trump administration has a long history of mismanaging federal subsidy programs and doing an exceptionally terrible job ensuring that telecoms follow up on subsidy deployment promises (see: the FCC’s RDOF).

Having tech companies pay into broadband deployment isn’t foundationally a bad idea. And there are some good faith consumer groups that support it as a way to keep the USF alive.

The problem is there’s genuinely no real indication that a new tax on streaming video would actually go toward broadband expansion under the guidance of unethical, corrupt government. It’s far more likely that money would be funneled from streaming video consumers into AT&T and Comcast’s back pocket, permanently.

At the same time, throwing more taxpayer subsidies at regional broadband monopolies doesn’t fix the real problem with U.S. broadband.

The reason U.S. broadband remains spotty, sluggish, and expensive in 2023 is concentrated monopoly power and the corrupt politicians who protect it from real oversight and competition. Yet somehow when it comes time for the FCC to shore up the USF and expand access to affordable broadband, cracking down on consolidated monopoly power never even enters the conversation.

Another reason U.S. broadband remains spotty is the federal government refuses to hold telecom giants accountable for taking billions in taxpayer dollars in exchange for fiber networks that are routinely only half deployed. A serious effort to shore up broadband expansion would need to involve further policing major provider subsidy fraud. We simply don’t do that here in the U.S.

Prepare For A Lot Of Bad Faith Lip Service About “Bridging The Digital Divide”

Ignoring all of this, the proposals to impose this new tax on Netflix and other streaming services will be portrayed as a good faith effort to “bridge the digital divide.” AT&T’s already got one such preferred law winding its way slowly through Congress.

The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 (S. 1651), sponsored by Senators Markwayne Mullin, Mark Kelly, Mike Crapo, and Kevin Cramer, was introduced back in May. Contrary to the bill’s name it wouldn’t “lower broadband costs.” It would, however, impose a new tax on streaming video service customers that the Trump administration would then funnel to AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, and Charter.

Who gets this funding will be a point of contention. You can guarantee that under Republican leadership this expanded subsidy base won’t be going toward community-owned broadband networks, cooperatives, or city-owned utilities driving new competition to market. It will, primarily, be dumped in the laps of telecom monopolies with rich histories of subsidy fraud. And to Elon Musk.

With the Supreme Court case settled, prepare for a new push on this front this summer and fall. The tell-tale sales pitch will be replete with claims this new tax is necessary because “Big Tech” gets a “free ride” on the internet. FCC Trump boss Brendan Carr has been pushing for this for years (he wrote a Project 2025 chapter about it). From a 2021 Newsweek Op/Ed:

“Big Tech has been enjoying a free ride on our internet infrastructure while skipping out on the billions of dollars in costs needed to maintain and build that network. Ending this corporate welfare is more than fair.”

That’s of course never been true — companies like Netflix and Google invest billions in bandwidth, transit, cloud storage, undersea cables, and even last-mile broadband access. When it comes to a U.S. telecom industry dominated by politically powerful monopolies, nobody gets a free ride. And Carr has never cared about the “corporate welfare” involved in dumping billions in AT&T and Comcast’s lap.

Consumers are already getting fed up by the soaring prices and sagging quality being caused by mindless media and telecom consolidation, which will get dramatically worse under Trump. An additional tax on streaming likely results in even greater annoyance, and a greater shift of viewership back to free options like piracy, which the industry will blame on everything but themselves.

I’ve written extensively on why Carr and AT&T’s call for a “big tech telecom tax” isn’t serious adult policy, but I’m still not entirely sure that “big tech” execs fully understand the scope. In the EU, telecoms have pushed proposals that would charge any internet service that accounts for over 5 percent of a telco’s average peak traffic billions of dollars in additional extra-government surcharges “just because.”

One such proposal even removed government from the equation entirely, and simply demanded that big tech companies funnel billions of dollars to big telecom companies without oversight.

You’re going to see a major new push to revisit variations of this idea in the summer and fall, replete with oodles of bullshit and a lot of empty rhetoric about the “digital divide” from people who routinely demonstrate they don’t actually care about broadband consumers. It’s another story the easily exploitable tech press will fail to cover with any accuracy or nuance. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Bitcoin Hits All-Time High as Crypto Legislation Votes Near

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:46:00 +0000

Bitcoin reportedly hit an all-time high Friday (July 11), driven in part by investors’ optimism around crypto legislation and corporate treasuries’ interest in buying bitcoin.

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Bitcoin briefly surpassed $118,000 and it rose as high as $118,872.85, CNBC reported Friday.

At the time of that report, bitcoin was on track to gain 10% for the week and have its best week since April 25.

The bitcoin rally began Wednesday (July 9), driven by a Federal Reserve meeting that revealed a disagreement about how much to cut interest rates, a surge in tech stocks and an expectation that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase the federal deficit, according to the CNBC report.

This was supported by investors’ existing expectations that bitcoin would see new record highs in the second half due to corporate treasuries accelerating their purchases of bitcoin as well as Congress making progress on crypto legislation, the report said.

Reuters reported Friday that not only bitcoin but also U.S.-listed crypto stocks were being lifted by investors’ bets that crypto will enjoy policy wins in Congress in the coming week.

Next week has been dubbed “crypto week” because Congress is set to vote on three bills that would provide the regulatory framework the digital asset industry has long sought: the GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, the report said.

In this environment, bitcoin, related exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bitcoin buyers and holders, crypto miners and other cryptocurrencies have seen their value rise, per the report.

When the GENIUS Act moved one step closer to being signed into law with its passage in the Senate on June 17, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a statement that this stablecoin bill will bring “clarity to a sector that’s been clouded by uncertainty.”

The CLARITY Act, which was advanced by two House committees on June 10, aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets in the U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., said this bill provides Congress with an opportunity “to provide the clear regulatory framework needed to unlock this innovation.”

The post Bitcoin Hits All-Time High as Crypto Legislation Votes Near appeared first on PYMNTS.com.

Prime Day is almost over, but our favorite deals are still live

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:08:56 +0000

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There are mere hours left of Amazon’s extended Prime Day extravaganza. And, yeah, we’re a little exhausted, but after days of lightning deals and all-time low prices, these discounts won’t be around for much longer. So, if you’ve been hesitant to jump on these laptop deals before heading back to school, now’s your time to act. Typically, Prime Day is your last opportunity to take advantage of bottom-dollar prices until Black Friday / Cyber Monday, so it may be a while before you see prices plummet on a gadget you’re interested in buying.

In case you missed it, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are still $100 off — their best price to date — and you can save on smart home devices, robot vacuums, fitness trackers, and smartwatches. If you’re on a budget, we have roundups that highlight the best deals for $50 or less and even $25 or less. We also have recommendations for gadgets and desk accessories that we at The Verge use in our day-to-day work.

Really, there’s an overwhelming amount of Prime Day deals, so to make things easier to navigate, we’ve organized all of our favorites by category below. That will allow you to quickly find exactly what you’re looking for — or even uncover a deal on something you didn’t know you wanted.

Prime Day highlights
Smart home deals
Vacuum deals
Headphone and earbud deals
Charger and cable deals
Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals
Smartphone deals
Movies and TV show deals
Desktop and laptop deals
Tablet and e-reader deals
TV and streaming deals
Monitor deals
Soundbar and Bluetooth speaker deals
Video game deals
Gaming accessory deals
PC add-on deals
Board game deals
Lego deals
Verge favorites and other miscellaneous deals

Prime Day highlights

For a portable battery that’s both fast (up to 165W of combined power output) and unique (it has two built-in USB-C cables), Anker’s 25,000mAh screen-equipped power bank is a great Prime Day deal for $94.49 at Amazon. It’s regularly $119.99.
Amazon is hosting a “buy two, get one free” deal on 4K Blu-rays, as well as regular Blu-rays and DVD box sets, covering a wide range of genres. I’m talking the entire Columbo series on DVD for $31.99, sound system and OLED benchmark candidate First Man on 4K Blu-ray, and more.
One of the most popular deals during Prime Day has been Govee’s RGBIC LED floor lamp, which can make your room glow when you put it in a corner. It originally sold for $99.99, but it’s down to $59.99 now at Amazon. You can have it display any color(s) you’d like, and even have it sync to music.
There’s never been a better time to get a four-pack of Apple AirTag trackers, as they’re $64.99 at Amazon and Walmart. Considering that they sell for $99 outside of a sale, it’s like you’re getting one of the AirTags for free.
Looking for a zip-up hard case for your Switch 2? The tomtoc slim case that has a subdued design is $29.59 at Amazon (originally $36.99). The flap that covers its screen when zipped can store 12 game cartridges.
A solid soundbar that can automatically rotate itself to fire sound upwards for Dolby Atmos content seems like it’d be expensive, but Vizio’s 5.1.2. Elevate SE system is actually just $299 at Amazon ($200 off).
Hoto’s rechargeable screwdriver is a both a Verge-favorite and a reader-favorite, and it’s discounted for Prime Day. It’s $36.09 (originally $79.99) at Amazon for the 3.6V screwdriver, 25 steel bits, and a sleek carrying case to contain it all. There’s an on-page coupon to save an extra 10 percent, too.
Anker makes a 140W-ready USB-C cable that can charge two devices at once. It’s a two-headed USB-C cable, and we love it. At Amazon, you can get the four-foot version for $17.99, a sale that knocks 31 percent off its original price.
Over at Newegg, you can get MSI’s Ventus RTX 5070 Ti desktop graphics card for $899.99, and it includes a $110 Newegg gift card with purchase. There are other 5070 Ti GPUs that are slightly cheaper, but this is a good deal if you plan to make future purchases at that retailer.

Smart home deals Amazon Echo Spot The newer Echo Spot is an excellent smart alarm clock with decent sound for its size and no camera. It features Amazon’s smart voice assistant for voice control and is worthy of a spot on your nightstand. Read our review. Where to Buy:

SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what the SwitchBot Bot does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set. Where to Buy:

For the first time since Black Friday, a three-pack of Google’s shiny Nest WiFi Pro routers — all of which support Wi-Fi 6E — are down to $289.99 at Amazon. This kit typically sells for around $372. Read our review.
For $199.99, you can get a three-pack of TP-Link’s Deco XE75 routers at Amazon. Like Google’s Nest WiFi Pro, these tri-band routers support the 6GHz band. However, each XE75 sports a 2.5Gbps port (plus two other gigabit ethernet ports), while Google’s option tops out at 1Gbps and only has two gigabit ports per router.

Amazon Echo Show 5 (third-gen) The newest Echo Show 5 is just as small as its predecessor but features updated mics and a speaker system that delivers double the bass and clearer sound quality. Where to Buy:

TP-Link’s TP-WR1502X Wi-Fi 6 travel router is down to $34.99 ($15 off), its lowest price ever at Amazon. The portable router can run off a power bank and lets you create a private wireless network by connecting it to an Ethernet port in a hotel or conference room. You can also connect your phone with a USB-C cable and use its cellular connection. The router features a USB-A port for connecting an external hard drive, allowing anyone on your network to share files.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (third-gen) Amazon’s Echo Show 8 is the company’s best smart display for using Alexa in your home. Spatial audio and room-adaptation software mean improved audio quality, and it can show different info on its eight-inch display based on whether you’re standing near or farther away. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If you’re looking for a high-end router that supports ludicrously fast wired connections, as well as great wireless connections, Eero’s Max 7 is one of the best. You can purchase a single router at Amazon right now for $419.99 (it had previously not sold for less than $449.99). Alternatively, you can grab a three-pack at Amazon for $1,189.99 (was $1,699.99). This model offers tri-band support and features two 10Gbps Ethernet ports, as well as two 2.5Gbps ports, on each router.
Air quality is important, and it’s nice to have a reading that’s more local than what your phone gives you for your neighborhood. For a granular look at the air quality in your home, you can snag Amazon’s aptly titled Air Quality Monitor, which is currently matching its all-time low of $44.99 ($25 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. Read our review.

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. Where to Buy:

$49.99 $39.99 at Amazon

Amazon Smart Thermostat Developed in partnership with Resideo, the Amazon Smart Thermostat allows you to control the temperature of your home through Alexa voice controls and remotely via an app. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The battery-powered Google Nest Doorbell is down to $119 ($60 off) at Amazon, matching its lowest price to date, in the color of your choice. There are certain omissions you’ll encounter with the battery model versus the pricier option. For example, it lacks 4K video and 24/7 capture. If those don’t bother you, this is a solid option, especially in the design department. Read our review.
Prime members can snag Govee’s slick RGBIC floor lamp for a mere $59.99, which matches its previous low. This thin, futuristic lamp is ideal for corners, as it can splash colors onto your walls, syncing with your music, or with a color combo that sets the vibes in the room.
The cost of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium fluctuates nearly as much as the temperature each day, but it’s cheaper than ever during Prime Day. You can currently snag the smart thermostat, which includes a smart sensor and air quality monitor, for $204 (previously $249.99). Read our review.

Nanoleaf Expo Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit Nanoleaf’s smart LED cases can display tunable white lighting and up to 16 million hues, allowing you to bathe your shoes, figurines, and other items in whatever colors you see fit. Where to Buy:

The Nest Thermostat E is a pared-down version of the fourth-gen model, with a monochrome screen, but without support for additional sensors or learning your heating/cooling routine. Still, it’s a solid smart thermostat that’s currently on sale for $85.49 ($43 off) at Amazon, its lowest price of the year. Read our review.
Google’s fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the best we’ve tested, and it’s marked down to $220 ($59 off) at Amazon. It comes with a temperature sensor you can place in a room that you want to monitor, and it’ll use that reading to decide whether to turn your system on or off. The thermostat learns your HVAC usage patterns over time, so it can automatically heat and cool your home based on your typical schedule. Read our review.

Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro delivers high-quality video with adjustable, accurate radar-powered motion detection, 2,000 lumens of light, and a good digital zoom. It offers smart alerts for people or motion and works with Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Ring’s excellent app. Where to Buy:

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus This is a great battery-powered buzzer with excellent video quality, a good head-to-toe view, and very speedy response times for a battery doorbell. It integrates well with Amazon Alexa and can record locally to a Ring Alarm Pro, but the battery only lasts about two months unless you turn on battery-saving features. Where to Buy:

Blink built its Mini 2 camera to be a great, inexpensive indoor or outdoor camera. By default, it’s an indoor cam, with HD video, color night video, and two-way audio support. It’s a good deal on Amazon right now, too, where you can grab it for $19.99 ($20 off). If you need an outdoor cam, you can grab it with a weather-resistant power adapter for just $10 more (normally $49.98).
Thanks to Prime Day, Amazon’s slick Echo Pop smart speaker is down to $21.99 (nearly 50 percent off). It’s available in four colors (black, grey, purple, and teal), and select designs of the Kids version — which comes with parental controls and six months of Amazon Kids Plus— are also discounted to $21.99.

Amazon Echo Dot (fifth-gen) The fifth-gen Echo Dot touts a temperature sensor, better sound, and faster response time than the prior model. It can also act as an extender for your Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Amazon Smart Plug Amazon’s apt-titled Smart Plug doesn’t require a hub and lets you add Alexa functionality to any outlet, allowing you to control a range of devices with just your voice. Where to Buy:

TP-Link’s Kasa smart home brand makes several Matter-ready Wi-Fi plugs, and a two-pack of them is currently available for just $19.99 ($20 off) at Amazon. You can control the plugs from within the Kasa app, or by giving voice commands via Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings.
If your smart home extends outside, TP-Link also has a two-outlet Tapo Matter outdoor smart plug, which has the same features as its indoor plugs and is on sale for $16.99 ($8 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The outlets are housed in an IP65 weather-resistant housing, and a pair of removable caps prevent water from getting in when nothing is connected.
GE’s Cync Reveal HD Plus smart undercabinet light fixture is currently $30.37 ($10 off) at Amazon a 12-inch long light bar that can be screwed into the underside of a kitchen island or cabinet to provide illumination in hard-to-reach places. It supports Matter, and you can control it via your voice with Amazon’s Alexa, the Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit.

Amazon Echo Hub Amazon’s new Echo Hub is kind of like a small Fire tablet you mount on your wall that gives you full-time access to all your smart home controls. It’s got an eight-inch touchscreen and support for Matter and Thread. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Philips Hue Festavia string lights These smart lights have beautiful colors, a nice selection of festive scenes, and an easy-to-use app. They are super reliable when paired with a Hue Bridge and also work over Bluetooth. They come in two lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible. Where to Buy:

Vacuum deals Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra With top-notch vacuuming performance, an easy-to-use app, and built-in voice control, the S8 MaxV Ultra is a superb vacuum and good mop which is why it’s our top pick overall. It features Roborock’s best obstacle avoidance, innovative features like dirt detection, and a hands-free dock that makes it an expensive but excellent choice. Where to Buy:

Dreame X40 Ultra With a neat ability to remove and reattach its mop pads, the Dreame X40 solves the problem of vacuuming carpets (with 12,000Pa suction power) while also mopping hard floors. Its mops can also swing out and under low furniture, getting where most bots can’t reach. Where to Buy:

Eufy’s Omni C20 is on sale for $379.99 during Prime Day, which beats its previous low by $20. The budget robot vacuum features built-in mops, and its cleaning station can store debris from the vacuum, as well as wash and dry the mop components to prevent them from smelling after doing some dirty work.
If you don’t need a robot vacuum that can sweep your baseboards or empty its own bin, the Eufy 11S Max is on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $139.99 ($140 off), which is one of its better prices to date. The entry-level robovac isn’t the smartest option available, but it’s at least aware enough not to bump into walls or tumble over stairs. The 11S Max offers good carpet and hard surface cleaning with relative quietness, too, and its 600ml bin is roomy enough to go through several cleanings before it needs to be dumped.
Robot vacuums are overrated. Black & Decker’s rechargeable Furbuster — now on sale at Amazon and Chewy for $79.99, its lowest price of the year — is a great handheld alternative that’s well-suited for picking up fur, dirt, and other unwanted debris, especially when you tack on the extra-long crevice tool or the included motorized pet brush.

Eufy X10 Pro Omni The X10 is a great robovac with excellent AI-powered obstacle detection, powerful oscillating mops, a user-friendly app, and good mapping capabilities. Where to Buy:

Tapo RV30 Max Plus Our favorite budget-friendly robot vacuum offers high-end features, including room-specific cleaning, a capable mop, carpet boost, and smart navigation. It also features an auto-empty dock. Where to Buy:

Headphone and earbud deals Sonos Ace The Sonos Ace are the company’s first set of wireless headphones. They feature a premium, comfortable build and active noise cancellation, along with compatibility with Sonos Arc and other Sonos soundbars. Read our review. Where to Buy:

AirPods Pro (second-gen) with USB-C The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 The latest pair of Beats earbuds are a no-brainer for athletes. They pack fantastic sound and thumping bass, along with active noise cancellation, IPX4 water resistance, and heart rate monitoring. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Bose QuietComfort Headphones Bose’s QuietComfort Headphones, which replace the QuietComfort 45, have adjustable noise cancellation and the ability to set custom modes. However, they lack immersive audio mode and the higher-quality Bluetooth found in the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Where to Buy:

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are a decent-sounding pair of earbuds with ANC, and they’re down to a new low $52.24 ($47 off) at Amazon. The entry-level earbuds offer reliable performance and satisfactory sound — especially at this price — though they lack wireless charging, multipoint support, and some of the newer frills found on Samsung’s flagship earbuds. That said, they also come with a pair of silicone “wings” to help them stay firmly planted in place, which some considered a hallmark of prior models. Read our review.
If you’re an Apple user, there’s no better pair of starter buds than the open-style AirPods 4, which have fallen to a new low of $89 ($41 off) at Amazon and Walmart. The latest model sounds significantly better than the third-gen pair, particularly when it comes to voice calls. More importantly, they offer robust integration with the rest of the Apple ecosystem, letting you take advantage of audio sharing, automatic device switching, hands-free “Hey Siri” commands, Apple TV integration, and more. Read our review.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony’s latest pair of flagship headphones offer improved comfort, better noise cancellation, and the ability to charge while in use. They even fold down for travel, which can’t be said about the last-gen XM5. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Samsung’s premium Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sport the same stem-based design and pinch gestures as the standard Galaxy Buds 3, only they deliver better sound, improved ANC, and an in-ear fit with silicone tips. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are on sale at Amazon for $160.54 ($69 off), which is their best price to date. They’re a pretty notable step up from the prior model — particularly if you use a Pixel phone — with a smaller build, an excellent transparency mode, and some of the best battery life you can get in a pair of noise-canceling earbuds. Read our review.
Sony’s newer WH-1000XM6 are our No. 1 pick for the best ANC headphones, but the prior model remains an excellent alternative at $248 ($150 off), their current price on Amazon. The WH-1000XM5 still offer top-tier noise cancellation and superb sound, along with a helpful transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth support, and other handy features. The only real downside, aside from the plasticky build, is the fact that they don’t fold down like the XM4 and this year’s XM6. Read our review.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Sony’s last-last-gen ANC headphones still offer great sound, last up to 30 hours on a single charge, and provide a comfortable listening experience thanks to their plush ear pads. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Beats Studio Buds Plus The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer better sound and noise cancellation than the original pair, and they now come in a unique translucent color option. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Beats Studio Pro The latest Beats Studio Pro feature improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They also support lossless audio over USB-C, making them the first Apple headphones to do so. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The Beats Solo 4 are down to $97.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, which is more than 50 percent off the original MSRP of $199. With lossless USB-C audio, 50 hours of battery life, Find My support, spatial audio, and comfy ear cups, the Solo 4 gained significant quality-of-life improvements over their eight-year-old predecessors. They still deliver that bass-rich Beats sound, too. Read our review.
Other than the Beats Studio Buds Plus above, there aren’t a ton of reputable pairs of wireless earbuds that rely on a see-through design. The newer WF-C710N do, however, and they’ve reached a new low price of $78 ($41 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. What’s more, the budget-minded earbuds also borrow some tricks from Sony’s pricier earbuds, including improved noise cancellation and battery life, an automatic pause feature, and touch buttons that allow you to control playback without whipping out your phone.
Sony’s Float headphones are currently down to $78 ($52 off) at Amazon, which is significantly less than their previous low of $108. The Float represent Sony’s take on open-ear headphones, and while we haven’t had a chance to test them (yet), they seem to offer similar features to their like-minded rivals, including IPX4 water resistance, USB-C charging, and generous ear hooks that are designed to keep them firmly in place while you run.

Nothing Ear (a) Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same general design as the company’s previous earbuds — but you can get these in a snazzy yellow. They include ANC, more than decent sound quality, and other features like multipoint for just under $100. Read our impressions. Where to Buy:

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Shokz’ best bone conduction headphones yet, with more booming bass than its predecessor. Our reviewer Victoria Song praised their cozy fit as well as their USB-C charging (goodbye, proprietary charger!). Read our review. Where to Buy:

The recently released Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are down to a new low of $75.99 ($50 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. They’re basically a pair of low-end Bose earbuds in disguise — hell, they even use licensed technology and audio tuning by Bose — which means they offer well-balanced sound, solid battery life, and a number of great features for the price. They also block noise more effectively than previous Skullcandy offerings and come in an array of fun colors, including a chic leopard print.
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are available starting at $47 ($22 off) from Amazon and Nothing, matching their best price to date. The inexpensive buds come loaded with features, including active noise cancellation, ChatGPT integration, and up to 6.5 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled. They also come with a case that features a customizable smart dial, allowing you to adjust the volume, control noise cancellation, and mute your mic during meetings.

Apple EarPods (USB-C) Apple’s wired earbuds are comfortable, offer great microphone quality for the price, and feature a built-in remote for controlling audio playback. Where to Buy:

Charger and cable deals Anker MagGo Magnetic Charging Station 8-in-1 A Qi2 pad on the front and a party in the back, with three AC outlets and four USB ports. It can deliver up to 67W through a single USB-C port or divided between its two USB-C and two USB-A ports. Where to Buy:

Anker Nano Travel Adapter (5-in-1, 20W) Anker’s jack-of-all-trades travel adapter packs enough ports to refill your devices during some downtime. It features one AC outlet, two USB-C ports (one tops out at 20W), and two USB-A ports. It’s not the fastest wall charger, but it’s a solid choice when you can find it at a discount. Where to Buy:

Anker 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank Anker’s latest power bank sports three USB-C ports, plus one USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four. Where to Buy:

For a portable power bank that matches the design of Anker’s 20,000mAh 737 battery with its display but delivers a substantial amount of power (a combined 130W), there’s Ugreen’s Nexode model, which is currently on sale at Best Buy for just $54.14 ($35.85 off).
The Baseus 10,000mAh Picogo is one of the most powerful tiny power banks we’ve seen. It supports 45W output through its built-in USB-C cable, and has an extra USB-C port, plus a USB-A port. You can snag one for $24.69, down from its original $39.99 price at Amazon.
The Base One Max is Nomad’s premium charging hub, available for $104 ($45 off) at Nomad and Amazon. It’s primarily made from metal and glass, and has a 15-watt Qi2 magnetic charging pad, an Apple Watch charger, and a concave charging pad for earbuds. It doesn’t come with a power adapter, but Nomad’s 30-watt plug is on sale for $18 ($7 off).

Baseus Free2Pull Retractable USB-C Cable 100W Baseus’ slick USB-C charger supports 100W passthrough and takes a puck-like form when not in use, with male connectors on either side that retract inward with a quick tug. Where to Buy:

Anker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable Why settle for a flimsy USB-C cable that can only charge a single gadget when you can opt for a braided one designed to charge two at once? Anker’s two-headed cable supports charging speeds of up to 140W split between two gadgets. Where to Buy:

Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 The Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 offers a higher 1,500W output than its predecessor, along with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a DC car port, three AC outlets, and a built-in LED light. Where to Buy:

You can keep your iPhone and AirPods charged with Belkin’s MagSafe 2-in-1 wireless charging stand, which is down to $59.99 ($4o off) at Amazon, nearly matching its best price to date. While similar models from other brands are often cheaper, this one looks better than most, and it hasn’t sunk this low in price since mid-2023. Belkin’s option also includes a power adapter.
The Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max has been one of the most popular products for Verge readers recently. The 4-in-1 car charger can put out a combined 163W of power and features two retractable USB-C cables, plus two USB-A ports. It’s tough not to love, especially at its Amazon price of $29.99 ($20 off).
If all you need is a basic block charger, Anker’s 30W Nano Charger is now on sale at Amazon in a variety of fun colors starting at $12.29 (about $4 off) — a new low price. The collapsible, travel-friendly charger can deliver up to 30 watts of power via its single USB-C port, which makes it perfect for a variety of small electronics (including your phone).

Sharge Retractable 65 The Sharge Retractable 65 dons a classy unique shape and appearance for a 65W travel charger. It’s petite, transparent, and features a built-in retractable USB-C cable, plus a USB-C port to simultaneously charge laptops, phones, and other devices. Where to Buy:

Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe Twelve South’s 3-in-1 charging stand offers full 15W MagSafe iPhone charging and can simultaneously top up a set of AirPods while fast-charging a compatible Apple Watch. The charger includes a power supply (with travel adapters) to deliver enough juice over its five-foot / 1.5m USB cable. Where to Buy:

ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Car Charger A compact, flexible Qi2 charger for vent and dash mounting. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$39.99 $18.99 at Amazon

Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger, wide-angle OLED display with up to 30 percent more screen area. It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessors, yet it charges faster and features the same fitness and wellness features. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Amazfit Active 2 The Amazfit Active 2 delivers outsized value for the price. It looks spiffy and has a wide array of health tracking features, plus built-in GPS and AI chatbots to provide extra context to your data. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The entry-level Apple Watch Ultra 2 hasn’t sunk below $700 in a few months, but during Prime Day, you can snag it at Amazon and Best Buy for $649.99. This beats its previous low by $30. Read our review.

Google Pixel Watch 3 Google’s new Pixel Watch 3 is bigger and brighter than its predecessor. It also features more advanced running capabilities, offline Google Maps functionality, and deeper integration with other Google devices. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If $249 is still too expensive, don’t write off the Pixel Watch 2. The cellular version is on sale at Amazon for $179.99 ($120 off). Its battery life isn’t as good as the Pixel Watch 3, and it’s missing a few features, but it’s otherwise a solid alternative if you’re trying to save a little cash. Read our review.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is targeted at more outdoorsy folks with dual-frequency GPS, a new multisport activity, an emergency siren, and increased durability. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If you have your eyes set on a Samsung smartwatch, it’s a good time to grab the Galaxy Watch 7, which is matching its previous low of $246.99 ($136 off) at Amazon in the 44mm configuration with LTE. Read our review.
The non-LTE, 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 Bespoke Edition is down to $189.99 ($140 off) at Amazon, which is a steep price drop compared to its previous low of $279.99.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is on sale at Amazon in multiple sizes for $299.99 ($100 off), which beats its previous low price by $50. It’s a solid, subscription-free first attempt at a smart ring from Samsung, with good hardware and long battery life. It’s Android-only, however, and it’s best paired with a Samsung phone. Read our review.
The Garmin Lily 2 has returned to its all-time low of $199.99 ($50 off) at Amazon. While Garmin makes plenty of trackers for enthusiast fitness folks, the Lily 2 is a more pared-back experience for casual users. I don’t say that condescendingly; The Verge’s Victoria Song praised its limitations during a vacation.
The Fitbit Ace is a cellular smartwatch for kids that’s currently on sale at Amazon for $123.45 (about $57 off), which is a new low price. You can use the Ace to track your kid’s location and communicate over calls and texts, but you’ll need an active Fitbit Ace Pass ($9.99 a month / $119 a year) to do so. Kids can also use it to play a variety of movement-based games, encouraging them to stay active. Read our hands-on.

Fitbit Charge 6 The Fitbit Charge 6 features a haptic side button, an improved heart rate algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the ability to broadcast your heart rate on certain Bluetooth gym equipment. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Oura Ring 4 The Oura Ring 4 is slimmer and more accurate than its predecessor, while adding new AI-powered tools and longer battery life. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Fitbit Inspire 3 The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a minimalist fitness band that delivers notifications and tracks your activity on a bright OLED screen. It lacks built-in GPS, contactless payments, and digital assistants, but offers a range of other excellent health and fitness tracking features. Read our impressions. Where to Buy:

Garmin Venu Sq 2 The Garmin Venu Sq 2 is a great replacement for a Fitbit smartwatch. Not only do they look similar, but the Venu Sq 2 has way more fitness features, long battery life, and no subscription. Where to Buy:

Smartphone deals Google Pixel 9 Google’s Pixel 9 has a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display than its predecessor, along with a Tensor G4 processor, a bigger battery, 12GB of RAM, and a dual rear camera setup with a new 48-megapixel sensor for its ultrawide. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The Pixel 9 Pro with 128GB of storage is down to $749 ($250 off) at Amazon, matching its lowest price to date. The 6.3-inch Android phone boasts a telephoto lens with up to 5x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. The 256GB version is also on sale at Amazon for $100 more at $849. Read our review.
The larger Pixel 9 Pro XL with a 6.8-inch screen and 128GB of storage is available for $749 (originally $1,099) at Amazon for Prime Day. Aside from its larger screen and bigger battery, its specs are identical to the smaller option. Read our review.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold (256GB) The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a 6.3-inch outer screen and an eight-inch inner screen once it’s unfolded — both of which are larger than the original Pixel Fold. The new foldable also lies flat when opened, sports IPX8 weather resistance, and offers a thinner design than the last-gen model. Read our review. Where to Buy:

OnePlus 13R The OnePlus 13R is a pared-down version of the company’s flagship phone, and it offers excellent battery life and a great screen for the price. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge The Galaxy S25 Edge offers a big screen without all the heft of a typical big phone. Battery life is just okay, and the phone lacks a telephoto camera, but otherwise, it’s a remarkable device. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The Galaxy S25 Ultra is still one of the best phones you can buy, even if its “Ultra”-ness is a little diminished. Two telephotos, a built-in stylus, and a big screen are the main attractions. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If you want a great all-around phone that doesn’t cost too much, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 with 128GB of storage is down to just $584.99 (originally $799) at Amazon. There are also discounts available on the 256GB version, which is currently selling for $644.99. This beats the previous low by about $40. Read our review.
If you prefer bigger phones that won’t break the bank, the Galaxy S25 Plus is a good option that’s discounted during Prime Day. The 512GB version is down to $804.99 ($315 off), which is $50 less than its previous lowest price. Read our review.
Samsung makes great cheap phones, in case you didn’t know. The Galaxy A36 5G — which features a 6.7-inch OLED screen, water resistance, and six years of software updates — is available with 128GB of storage at Amazon for $284.99 ($115 off), which is a nice lil’ discount that beats its previous low of $334.

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G The Galaxy A35 5G comes with a good 6.6-inch OLED panel, a robust IP67 dust and water resistance rating, and a strong software update policy for its class. Where to Buy:

Another budget-friendly phone worth considering if you’re trying to spend as little as possible on an unlocked device is the 2024 Moto G Power 5G, which currently comes with 128GB of storage for $161.99 ($38 less than the previous low) at Amazon.

Google Pixel Fold The Pixel Fold, Google’s first foray into the world of foldable phones, features an outer 5.8-inch display and a 7.6-inch tablet-like inner screen. Read our review. Where to Buy:

2024 Moto Razr The standard Moto Razr features a 6.9-inch inner screen, accompanied by a larger 3.6-inch cover screen. Wired charging tops out at 30W, compared to the Razr Plus’ 45W, although it features 15W wireless charging, up from 5W on the previous model. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$699.99 $499.99 at Amazon

Movies and TV show deals

Many 4K Blu-rays, CDs, LPs, Blu-rays, and DVDs are eligible for a buy two get one free deal at Amazon. The items eligible for this promotion can change each day (and even within the same day), so it’s smart to check back often.
You can get every Lord of the Rings film (both the theatrical cuts and extended versions) in this big Lord of the Rings 4K Blu-ray box set on sale at Amazon for $48.99 ($19 off).

One of the best cartoons ever made is Batman: The Animated Series. It dominated TVs and store shelves in the ‘90s, and now you can own all 109 episodes (but not the great Mask of the Phantasm film) across 12 discs in this Batman: The Animated Series Blu-ray collection for just $29.99 (usually $50).
Robert Egger’s revamped version of Nosferatu is available on 4K Blu-ray for $14.99 (about $24 off) at Amazon. The title is dripping with style, and it effectively brings together elements from the original 1922 film and Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel to great effect. Read our review.
The Wild Robot on 4K Blu-ray is a steal at $13.99 over at Amazon. The gorgeously-animated film is a bit of a tear-jerker. An all-star cast voices the characters, including Pedro Pascal, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, Lupita Nyong’o, Ving Rhames, and more.

Dark Knight Trilogy You can get all three of Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies for $40 off for Prime Day. The nine-disc 4K set will put speaker systems to the test with plenty of Hans Zimmer’s signature “bwaaaaaah” sounds. Where to Buy:

$74.99 $34.99 at Amazon (4K Blu-ray)

The Wire is one of the few HBO gems from its cable-only era that’s still considered must-watch TV. Thankfully, you can — and should — pick up the complete series on Blu-ray while it’s down to $49.99 ($51 off) at Amazon, which is about $30 less than its usual price. Just note that this collection is in 16:9 aspect ratio, while the show initially aired in 4:3.
BBC’s Orphan Black put the inimitable Tatiana Maslany on the map. She plays multiple roles with ease in this multi-season sci-fi show that’s about clones and cons. The Blu-ray set is available now at Amazon for $22.99 ($42 off), which marks its lowest price to date.
Furiosa: Mad Max Saga is available on 4K Blu-ray at Amazon right now for $12.99 ($21 off). The prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road is no less explosive as it dives into Furiosa’s backstory. It stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Read our review.
Parasite, the Best Picture winner at the 2020 Academy Awards, is now available for just $9.99 on 4K Blu-ray at Amazon. The Bong Joon Ho-directed film highlights economic class struggles in a two-hour whirlwind that delivers intimacy, humor, and terror in almost equal parts.
Oppenheimer is available on 4K Blu-ray at Amazon for $13.99 ($20 off). Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning biopic chronicles J. Robert Oppenheimer’s work on the Manhattan Project in the race to build the first atomic bomb. Read our review.

Desktop and laptop deals 2020 MacBook Air with M1 (256GB) The MacBook Air is Apple’s budget-friendly laptop from 2020. It comes outfitted with the company’s M1 chip, which offers terrific performance, even if it’s not as fast as Apple’s newer models. It also sports all-day battery life, Touch ID, and MagSafe charging. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$649 $599 at Walmart

If it’s a gorgeous 2-in-1 Windows laptop that you’re after, Samsung’s 16-inch Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 might tick a lot of boxes for you. It has a 2,880 x 1,800 OLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate (with an S-Pen included). It also features an Intel Core 7 Ultra 256V processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Right now, it’s down to $1,399.99 at Amazon, which is $200 less than usual.
LG’s compact 14-inch Gram with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is going for $1,284.99 at Amazon — $215 less than its previous low. LG’s Gram laptops are known for being lightweight, yet they also feature long battery life and a fantastic keyboard / trackpad combo.
For gamers, Asus has discounted select models from its 2025 ROG Strix G16 lineup for the first time — including an RTX 5060-equipped laptop, which currently runs $1,274.99 ($225 off) at Amazon. If you want something even more powerful, Amazon is also selling one with an RTX 5070 Ti for $1,999.99 (was $2,400).

iMac with M4 (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU) The latest version of Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer features an M4 chip and support for Apple Intelligence. Unlike its predecessor, the base model now offers 16GB RAM by default, along with a new 12-megapixel webcam. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is smaller, with a new design and updated keyboard. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Arm64 Snapdragon X Plus chip. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Tablet and e-reader deals 2024 iPad Mini The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review. Where to Buy:

11-inch iPad Air M3 The new 11-inch iPad Air comes with Apple’s M3 chip and GPU upgrades. It’s available in dark gray, blue, purple, and a “starlight” cream shade. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If you’d prefer the larger 13-inch iPad Air with the M3 chip, there are deals for you, too. The 256GB / Wi-Fi model is currently available at Amazon for $779.99 ($120 off), beating the previous lowest price by $20.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, which allows you to better balance fun with productivity, is now available at Amazon starting at $189.99 ($135 off) in its 64GB configuration. It boasts a 10.1-inch screen, expandable storage via microSD, and includes an S-Pen for drawing or taking notes. It originally sold for $329.99, but it’s sometimes available for around $210.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus with 64GB of storage is $139.99 (originally $219.99), beating its previous best price of $149. Despite its low price, the Tab A9 Plus retains a high-end look, and its 11-inch screen makes it a great option for watching movies and TV shows. Where to Buy:

$219.99 $132.99 at Amazon

Google Pixel Tablet Google’s 11-inch Pixel Tablet uses the same Tensor G2 chip found in the Pixel 7 lineup. It also features a crisp LCD display and a four-speaker sound array. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$399 $279 at Best Buy (128GB, without dock)

If you’re looking for an Android tablet that delivers high-end entertainment and gaming experiences, consider the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, which is available at Amazon with 128GB storage for a new low of $429.99 ($70 off). This 10.9-inch tablet boasts a 90Hz refresh rate screen, and its Exynos 1580 should be able to handle a large number of games. It also includes an S-Pen, along with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty. Notably, it’s IP68 rated, so it should be able to handle the elements like a champ.

OnePlus Pad OnePlus’ first tablet still punches above its weight thanks to excellent performance, great build quality, and a terrific 11.6-inch LCD display that offers up to 144Hz refresh rates. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$479.99 $329 at Amazon

Amazon makes a bunch of different tablets, which are nearly all discounted right now. If you’re looking for an affordable 10-inch tablet for watching movies and TV shows on, the latest Fire HD 10 tablet is a great, cheap candidate. It’s on sale at Amazon right now with lockscreen ads and 32GB of storage starting at $69.99 (originally $139.99).

Boox Palma 2 The Boox Palma 2 is a 6.3-inch smartphone-sized e-reader that’s highly portable. It also runs on Android and comes with the Google Play Store built-in, allowing you to download apps for other digital bookstores, newspapers, note-taking apps, and more. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Kindle Kids (2024) Amazon’s Kindle Kids is identical to the standard Kindle — meaning it packs a 300ppi display and support for USB-C charging — but comes with a case, an extended two-year warranty, and six months of Amazon Kids Plus. Where to Buy:

Amazon’s entry-level Kindle from 2024 is considerably better than bargain ebook readers used to be. It features longer battery life, a brighter screen, deeper contrast, and other gen-to-gen improvements. And thanks to Prime Day, you can snag it at Amazon in one of two colors with ads and three months of Kindle Unlimited for $84.99 ($25 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the entry-level e-reader.
Amazon’s latest Kindle Scribe has been available at Amazon with 16GB of storage starting at $259.99 ($140 off) since before Prime Day started, but it’s still a solid deal if you’re looking for a large e-reader that doubles as a smart notebook. Its previous low was $299.99, and it originally sold for $399.99. Read our review.

Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is Amazon’s first e-reader with a color display. It also boasts 32GB of storage, waterproofing, and support for wireless charging. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Kindle Paperwhite (2024) Amazon’s latest Paperwhite features a larger seven-inch display and noticeably faster performance. It also boasts longer battery life than the previous model, retains IPX8 waterproofing, and includes a USB-C port. Read our review. Where to Buy:

TV and streaming deals Google TV Streamer (4K) Google’s excellent TV Streamer 4K is its best attempt at a streaming device yet, offering built-in ethernet along with smart home compatibility with Matter and Thread. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) Amazon’s latest streaming stick is faster than its predecessor with Wi-Fi 6E and double the storage. It also now displays widgets and artwork when idle while continuing to offer Alexa integration. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The most affordable 48-inch OLED TV we’ve seen during Prime Day isn’t available at Amazon — it’s at Walmart, where you can pick up LG’s B4 OLED for just $549.99 ($250 off). However, at Amazon, Sony’s 48-inch A90K is down to $998 ($400 off), beating its previous low by hundreds of dollars.
Nebula’s Capsule 3 is a battery-powered 1080p projector that’s currently $539.99 ($210 off) at Amazon. It runs Google TV, so you can access popular streaming services without plugging in a separate device, and it has an HDMI port if you want to hook up a game console or a Blu-ray player. Its battery lasts up to two and a half hours depending on your brightness settings, and it can create a 120-inch screen. Its 300 lumen brightness means it’s susceptible to getting washed out by light pollution, but it’s a great choice for backyard movie nights.

LG B4 series OLED TV LG’s B4 might be one of the cheapest OLED TVs available, but it still offers plenty of bang for your buck — including four HDMI 2.1 ports, speedy performance, and five years’ worth of webOS updates. Where to Buy:

TCL QM6K 4K QLED TV TCL’s Mini LED QLED TV is a great value, particularly for those who want a fast frame rate and a bright picture. It offers a 144Hz refresh rate, features two HDMI 2.1 ports, and supports Google TV’s robust software. Where to Buy:

$598.99 $448 at Amazon (55-inch)

Samsung’s 65-inch Frame Pro is down to $1,897.99 ($50 off) at Amazon, which is a relatively small discount given the TV’s previous low. However, it initially sold for around $2,199.99. The step-up model boasts an impressive Mini LED panel, along with a jump from 120Hz to 144Hz. The biggest upgrade, however, is arguably the wireless connect box, which wirelessly streams any and all HDMI video inputs straight to the TV.
If you’re setting up a home theater, JMGO’s N1S Ultra is an excellent 4K projector that’s now available for an all-time low at Amazon and JMGO’s online storefront, where you can grab it for $1,499 ($1,000 off). The workhorse of a laser projector can create a 300-inch screen, and its 2,800-lumen bulb is bright enough to use in a room with some light pollution. It can also automatically adjust the picture to appear even, even if it’s pointed at your wall at a slight angle.

Samsung The Frame TV (2024) Samsung’s art-inspired 4K TV uses an anti-glare matte QLED display, which can showcase artwork and photos with canvas-like quality when idle. Where to Buy:

$997.99 $697.99 at Amazon (43-inch)

Looking for an affordable TV with Roku software to make it easy to access streaming apps? The company’s own 55-inch 4K smart TV is down to just $249.99 at Amazon right now. It’s never sold for less than $299.99 before, so these are some solid savings on a relatively budget-friendly set.

Onn Google TV 4K Pro The newer Onn Google TV 4K Pro is a great streaming device that supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR. It also functions as a smart speaker, meaning you can use it to play music, dim the lights, or carry out a host of hands-free voice commands. Where to Buy:

$49.88 $44.73 at Walmart

iFFALCON QLED Mural TV iFFALCON’s slim-bezeled mural TV takes after Samsung’s Frame TV, but costs significantly less. The TCL sub-brand’s TV sports an art mode and several high-end features, including a 144Hz refresh rate for gaming. Where to Buy:

Monitor deals Alienware AW2725DF 1440p QD-OLED gaming monitor Alienware is a major player when it comes to OLED monitors. This 27-inch 360Hz model hits the sweet spot in terms of screen resolution, features, and — most importantly — price. Where to Buy:

$899 $599.99 at Amazon

Asus’ ZenScreen Portable USB Monitor (MB169CK) — which is down to an all-time low of $85.49 (about $35 off) at Amazon — makes it easy to create a dual-screen setup alongside your laptop, whether you’re traveling or simply short on space. The 16-inch HD display connects to your computer and draws power with a single USB-C cable. It also comes with a kickstand, allowing you to position it horizontally or vertically at a comfortable angle.

Alienware 34-inch AW3423DWF curved OLED gaming monitor This ultrawide (21:9) QHD OLED gaming monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate, a fast response time, and a slick design. It’s tough to get more OLED for your money than with this model when it’s discounted. Where to Buy:

$780 $549.99 at Amazon

Soundbar and Bluetooth speaker deals Sonos Beam (second-gen) The Sonos Beam (second-gen) is a compact soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and can stream music from a plethora of services. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Vizio Elevate 5.1.2 sound system Vizio’s Elevate SE is a budget-friendly alternative to its high-end Elevate soundbar. It still features many of the same highlights, though, including booming sound quality and rotating speakers that provide the verticality required for Dolby Atmos content. Where to Buy:

$499.99 $299 at Amazon

LG S80TR 5.1.3 soundbar with wireless satellites and subwoofer Normally available between $700 and $800, this sound system’s price has plummeted during Prime Day 2025. The soundbar features forward- and upward-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos, and includes two wireless satellite rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. Where to Buy:

$849.99 $514.75 at Amazon

One of the best-looking Bluetooth speakers around is the second-gen Bose SoundLink Flex, which is on sale for an all-time low of $99 ($50 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. It’s a long-lasting, rugged (IP67) option, in case you’re sifting through which you might buy for your future outdoor escapades. It can stand on its own, too, or you can sling it onto a strong carabiner using its built-in loop.

UE Miniroll Ultimate Ears’ latest disc-shaped Bluetooth speaker is small and affordable, with a built-in strap for attaching it to your belongings. It also charges via USB-C and features an IP67 rating against dust and water, along with up to 12 hours of battery life. Where to Buy:

JBL Go 3 The last-gen JBL Go 3 may not be quite as powerful as larger models in JBL’s current lineup, but it remains a great pool-ready Bluetooth speaker that can fit in your pocket. Where to Buy:

Marshall Acton III If you’ve ever wanted a Bluetooth speaker that looks like a guitar amp, Marshall’s Acton III is one of the best. It’s got tactile switches and knobs out the wazoo, letting you fine-tune the bass and treble, along with the option to plug in a 3.5mm source or use Bluetooth for playback. Where to Buy:

$299.99 $199.99 at Amazon

WiiM Mini The WiiM Mini makes it easy to wirelessly stream music from your phone, a streaming service, or other local storage to existing speakers you already have. It supports AirPlay 2 and a variety of streaming services. Where to Buy:

$125 $71.2 at Amazon

Typically priced at $149, the more capable WiiM Pro streaming device has also received a discount at Amazon, where you can currently grab it for $119.20 (about $30 off). It has the same DAC as the aforementioned Mini above, but it sports a couple of features you won’t find on the cheaper version, including Chromecast Audio, ethernet support, and RCA audio inputs. Read our WiiM deep dive.
Bose’s SoundLink Max has returned to its all-time low of around $299 ($100 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The powerful Bluetooth speaker offers robust, room-filling sound along with a 3.5-millimeter aux input for lossless listening. It’s rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, too, and offers up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, rendering it an excellent pick for any occasion. Read our review.
Sonos has discounted the price of its Roam 2 smart speaker to $143 at Amazon (it typically runs between $140 and $180 when discounted). Like all Sonos speakers, it can be paired to your larger Sonos family of speakers via Wi-Fi, or you can use it as a standalone Bluetooth speaker indoors or outside.

Sonos Era 100 Sonos’ Era 100 smart speaker is a replacement for the older Sonos One, utilizing two tweeters (left and right) and one larger woofer. In addition to Wi-Fi, the Era 100 also supports Bluetooth audio and line-in playback via an optional 3.5mm to USB-C adapter. Read our review. Where to Buy:

JBL Authentics 300 The JBL Authentics 300 is one of only a few smart speakers on the market with simultaneous Google Assistant and Alexa support. The ’70s-style speaker is heavy, but it produces impressive, powerful sound, especially at louder volumes. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Sony’s SRS-XB100 is now around $33 (about $28 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, marking a new low price. Roughly the size of a Coke can, the tiny Bluetooth speaker delivers surprisingly clear sound with a good amount of bass. It’s also fairly rugged, with IP67 dust and water resistance, and doubles as a speakerphone, making it just as useful for calls as it is for playing your favorite tunes. Read our review.

Video game deals

Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has been given a small but welcome price cut. Thanks to Prime Day, you can pick up the open-world game set in Feudal Japan for $47.49 (originally $69.99) at Amazon. Read our review.
Final Fantasy I-VI Collection for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 is on sale at Amazon starting at $42.72 (about $32 off), which is an all-time low. The terrific compilation includes all of the 2D Final Fantasy games, which were initially released on the NES and SNES. These foundational games from the well-loved JRPG series remain worth playing for anyone who appreciates video game history.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, a beat-em-up that pays homage to the iconic arcade games of the ‘80s and ‘90s, is currently available for the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One starting at $22.99 ($12 off). Up to six people can play together at once, either locally or online.

Star Wars Outlaws Star Wars Outlaws is an original open-world adventure set in the vast universe of the iconic film series. It stars Kay Vess, a protagonist looking to steal from criminal overlords to gain her freedom. A new expansion featuring Lando Calrissian recently launched, alongside an update that improves stealth and some of the game’s most glaring issues. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Princess Zelda’s first solo adventure as a playable character tasks her with saving her people, including Link, who have been taken away through mysterious rifts. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Bloober Team knocked it out of the park with its remake of Silent Hill 2 on the PS5. If you scoffed at its original $69.99 price tag, you can currently pick it up for $39.99 ($30 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. Read our review.
There are few games out there with more heart and soul (and pure silliness) than Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The latest game in the long-running Yakuza-turned-Like a Dragon franchise is on sale for the PS5 for $39.99 ($20 off) at Best Buy and Amazon.
One of the best-looking Switch 2 games is Splatoon 3, which recently got an update that makes the game run (and look) better on Nintendo’s new console. If you’ve always wanted to give this one a try, you can pick up a digital or physical copy for $39.99 ($20 off) at Best Buy or $49.50 at Walmart. Read about the Switch 2 update.
Not enough people are still talking about Pikmin 4, the latest entry in Nintendo’s chill (yet often chaotic) exploration game. You navigate through environments, collect and command Pikmin with different elemental abilities and weaknesses, and try to save fellow space cadets from strange happenings. All the while, you’re trying to find Captain Olimar, the protagonist of the original Pikmin game. The Switch title is matching its all-time low of $39.99 ($20 off) right now at Best Buy. Read our review.

Split Fiction Split Fiction is an excellent, cooperative sci-fi game in which two players must traverse completely different worlds simultaneously, while relying on new powers to help them progress through each stage. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Gaming accessory deals Meta Quest 3S If you bought a Meta Quest 2, you’re a prime candidate for the Quest 3S. It’s a faster, more comfortable VR headset that runs the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3. While its screen resolution hasn’t improved, nearly everything else about the hardware has. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If you read our review of the Windows-flavored Lenovo Legion Go S, we made it clear that its high $729.99 price was one of its biggest flaws. It has other issues, such as the current state of gaming on a Windows handheld and its underpowered Ryzen Z2 Go processor, but the 32GB RAM / 1TB storage model is worth considering at its discounted price of $499.99 ($230 off) at Best Buy. That’s a huge discount.
The microSD cards used in the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and the original Nintendo Switch are becoming more and more affordable. For instance, Samsung’s Sonic-emblazoned Pro Plus 512GB microSD card is on sale for $28.49 (about $15 off) at Amazon. If you’d prefer a 1TB version so you won’t have to upgrade any time soon, that’s down to $69.99 (this model has never been cheaper than $89.99).

Nex Playground What if the dream of Microsoft’s Kinect lived on? It does in the Nex Playground, an all-in-one, motion-controlled console filled with kid-friendly games. Exhaust and entertain your little ones. You’re welcome. Where to Buy:

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 The G Pro X Superlight 2 is Logitech’s lightest and most advanced mouse to date. It features a 32,000 DPI Hero 2 sensor and 4kHz polling rate, as well as support for USB-C charging and Logitech’s Powerplay mouse mat. Where to Buy:

$179.99 $132.99 at Amazon

Sony InZone Buds Sony’s wireless gaming buds offer low latency, active noise cancellation, and support for both Bluetooth and USB-C. Where to Buy:

Amazon’s Luna Controller is on sale for $39.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, which matches its best price to date. Although it was built primarily for Amazon’s cloud-gaming service, the gamepad offers support for both Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, rendering it compatible with Android phones, Apple products, Fire TV devices, and PCs. It also integrates with Alexa, allowing you to issue voice commands directly through the controller when paired with a Fire TV device.

PC add-on deals Insta360 Link 2 The Insta360 Link 2 offers the same auto-swiveling design as its predecessor, but it’s smaller and offers a slate of new features, including group tracking and no-follow zones. Where to Buy:

Elgato Stream Deck MK. 2 The MK.2 version of the standard Stream Deck comes with 15 programmable buttons, a swappable faceplate, and a detachable stand. Where to Buy:

Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Stand and Hub makes Apple’s smallest computer even more capable, and it’s currently available from Amazon and Satechi for an all-time low of $79.99 ($40 off). The hub fits perfectly beneath the computer, outfitting it with three USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-A 2.0 port, an SD card reader, and an NVMe SSD slot in exchange for occupying one Thunderbolt 3 port.
Mount-It!’s Single Monitor Arm lets you move your display’s position to the perfect spot to avoid neck strain, and it’s $22.13 ($4 off), its lowest price ever, at Amazon. The arm allows you to adjust your monitor’s height within a 16-inch range, and rotate and swivel it 180 degrees. The arm needs to be clamped onto your desk, so make sure it doesn’t have a tapered edge or raised lip.
If you like to record music at home, Focusrite’s fourth-gen Scarlett Solo is $119.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The two-input interface features XLR and quarter-inch inputs, allowing you to record up to two tracks simultaneously. The interface connects to your computer and receives power via a single USB-C cable, so it’s also well suited for remote recording.

It’s now easier than ever to plug your DSLR or mirrorless camera into your PC to use as a high-end webcam. Just grab Elgato’s Cam Link 4K, which is down to $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. The device converts the HDMI signal coming out of your camera into USB for your PC to process.
Opal’s Tapole is an ultra-thin 4K webcam that clips onto the top of your laptop’s screen, and it performed better than the camera built into a MacBook Air when we tested it. The camera is attached to its USB-C cable, so you’ll never lose it, and clips on tightly enough that it won’t get detached if your laptop moves. The webcam is currently on sale for $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, its lowest price ever.
Backing up your computer is important, and Samsung’s T7 is a portable SSD that’s smaller and faster than an external hard drive. The USB-C drive is compatible with Windows and MacOS, and can read and write data at around 1,000Mbps. The 1TB model is currently around $75.99 ($54 off) at Amazon, and Best Buy.
You may not be able to take full advantage of a PCIe 5.0 SSD, but having extra speed for future upgrades isn’t a bad idea. If that’s appealing to you, the current Amazon deal on Samsung’s 9100 Pro 4TB M.2 SSD caught our eye. It’s available for $384.99, down from its typical price of $449.99. If you’d prefer something cheaper, you can grab a 2TB version for $189.99, which is $40 lower than the prior low.

Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD (with heatsink) Samsung’s ultrafast 990 Pro is a PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD that can reach sequential read speeds of 7,450MB/s and write speeds of 6,900MB/s. It’s more than capable for high-end PC builds, and its preinstalled heatsink means it’s easily installable into a PlayStation 5. Its heatsink even has a bit of RGB lighting for some extra pop (if you’re able to see it). Where to Buy:

Have a Steam Deck, an Asus ROG Ally, or a similar handheld PC that can accept an M.2 2230-sized SSD? WD Black’s 1TB SN770M is discounted to $84.99 at Amazon, down slightly from its previous low of $89.99. Installation procedures vary in steps and complexity depending on the handheld you own.
If you’re running a home server, OWC’s ThunderBay 4 is at an all-time low price of $319.99 ($80 off) at Amazon. The four-drive enclosure can hold 2.5- or 3.5-inch hard drives or SSDs, which you need to supply, with a maximum capacity of 80TB. You can transfer data to and from the drives at up to 1,529MB/s, and use its second Thunderbolt 4 port to daisy-chain another Thunderbolt device, like a multi-port hub, to your computer.
One of Logitech’s best Switch 2-ready webcams just received a Prime Day discount. The Brio 500 1080p webcam is currently available at Amazon for $75.99 ($54 off), which is a new low price.

Nuphy Air75 V2 mechanical keyboard Nuphy’s latest version of its Air mechanical keyboard is outstanding. This one omits a numpad but still includes arrow keys and a full row of function keys that double as media keys. It comes in black, gray, and white, with a few different switch options, and it’s both wired and wireless. It also supports both Windows and macOS. Where to Buy:

$139.99 $107.96 at Amazon (with coupon)

Keychron V1 The Keychron V1 is one of the best entry-level wired mechanical keyboards available. It has hot-swappable switches, full remappability with VIA, great build quality, RGB backlighting, and double-shot PBT keycaps for under $100. Where to Buy:

$74.99 $59.49 at Amazon

Logitech Lift The Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse, built from recycled plastic, is made for comfortable all-day mousing. Where to Buy:

Board game deals Splendor A strategy card game in which players compete to build Renaissance Europe’s most lucrative and prestigious jewelry business. Where to Buy:

Asmodee Azul Board Game Azul is a game in which you arrange patterned tiles in order to create the most beautiful tapestry possible. Arranging tiles in a strategic sequence will help you build your score while limiting your opponents’ ability to grow theirs. Where to Buy:

$39.99 $23.99 at Amazon

The 6th Edition of Catan is currently on sale at Amazon for the first time ever, where you can grab it for $41.99 ($8 off). If you’ve never played before, Catan has you strategically collect and trade resources with fellow players while you figure out how to build out your civilization to take over the board. The latest edition has updated artwork to commemorate the game’s 13th anniversary.
You can gauge how well you know your friends and family by playing Codenames, which is on sale at Amazon right now for $14.99 ($10 off), its best price of the year. You only get to say one word associated with multiple tiles on the board, and your teammates have to figure out which ones you’re talking about. If you’re too vague, your teammates may guess incorrectly, giving the other side an edge.

Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Player’s Handbook The latest Dungeons & Dragons Player‘s Handbook teaches you about 12 core classes, 48 subclasses, and helps you construct your story with 16 backgrounds and 75 feats. With a bit of help, you’ll be DMing your own original campaigns in no time. Where to Buy:

$49.99 $39.95 at Amazon

Happy Salmon is on sale for just $9.49 (about $4 off) at Amazon. It’s one of the best icebreakers at social gatherings, for both adults and parents alike, and it takes just minutes to learn and play this card game. Up to eight players can get in on the action, which gets you out of your seats and has you doing fun stuff like giving each other high-fives and “fish bumps.”

Lego deals Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Lego’s brick-ified replica of an Imperial Star Destroyer is an excellent 1,555-piece throwback to Star Wars: A New Hope, one that comes with seven minifigs, plenty of interior detail, and a convenient handle for carrying it around the room. Where to Buy:

Lego Walt Disney Tribute Camera Lego’s tribute to Disney’s 100th year in the movie business is an 811-piece kit shaped like a vintage-style film camera. Minifigs depicting Disney’s early animated stars — including Mickey, Minnie, Bambi, Dumbo, and Walt Disney himself — are also included. Where to Buy:

$99.99 $67.19 at Target

The Lego Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica set is an impressive replica of the luxury sports car, complete with a moving V10 Engine, functional steering, and doors that open and close. The 806-piece kit is currently down to $34.99 ($15 off), an all-time low, at Amazon.
Lego’s Boutique Hotel — a resort-themed, 3,066-piece kit — is down to $159.99 ($70 off) at Amazon, which is the best price we’ve seen. The kit was released to celebrate 15 years of Lego Modular Buildings and features many elements from prior kits, as well as five main sections and seven minifigs.
Lego’s Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train Set is a detailed recreation of an iconic setting from the series, and it’s on sale for $85.59 (about $44 off) at Amazon and Target. The Hogwarts Express can be rolled on and off the tracks, and characters can be positioned inside the train car or around the station. It’s not technically a Prime Day deal, but is the wannabe wizard in your family going to care? Probably not.
Lego’s Animal Crossing Fly with Dodo Airlines set is one of the few Lego sets receiving a Prime Day discount at Amazon, where you can currently pick it up for an all-time low of $32.29 (about $6 off). The kid-friendly, 292-piece playset is a nice little homage to Animal Crossing New Horizons, especially if your kiddo or someone you know has a soft spot for planes… or extinct, flightless birds.

Lego NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle – LRV Who doesn’t love space? Lego’s 1,913-piece version of the Apollo Lunar Lander includes brick-ified versions of sensors, tools, and a battery pack with heating and cooling elements. It also comes with a miniature plaque displaying statistics about NASA’s actual LRV, which serves as a nice complement to the completed kit. Where to Buy:

$219.99 $153.99 at Amazon

Verge favorites and other miscellaneous deals Apple AirTags Apple’s AirTags are unobtrusive, waterproof, and tap into the massive Find My network for out-of-range locating. Read our original review. Where to Buy:

$99 $64.99 at Walmart (four-pack)

Furbo 360° Camera Furbo’s rotating 1080p gadget can fling treats on command and automatically track your pet as they roam around your home, allowing you to keep a closer eye on your pet via a mobile app when you’re away. Where to Buy:

Thermacell’s E90 mosquito repeller is down to $31.81 (about $18 off) at Amazon right now, beating its previous low by $6 or so. It’s similar to the rechargeable E55 — a summer favorite of ours — only the upgraded model provides up to nine hours of continuous protection when used with the included repellent cartridge, as opposed to five. Needless to say, it’s a great pick for the dog days of summer.
It’s not often enough that Elgato’s composite / S-Video-to-USB converter — which is perfect for making digital copies of your VHS tapes — goes on sale. But thanks to Prime Day, it’s down to $69.99 (originally $99.99) at Amazon. It’s still expensive, but the company’s simple software makes it stand out as a great option for people who aren’t particularly tech-savvy.

Ototo Nessie ladle Ototo’s 10-inch Nessie ladle can add a playful, cryptid-inspired touch to your kitchen. It’s made of heat-resistant silicone, meaning it’s ideal for serving soups and sauces, and it stands upright on its own when needed.
Where to Buy:

The Insta360 X5 is a waterproof 360-degree action camera that can record 8K video at up to 30 frames per second, and it $519.99 ($30 off) on Amazon. It uses an AI chip to improve its low-light performance and apply noise reduction and other image processing. It can run up to three hours on a single charge. It’s an investment, but we tested it and were impressed. Read our review.
Polaroid’s first-gen Now I-Type Instant Camera is down to an all-time low of $63.98 (about $16 off) at Amazon in refurbished condition as part of a limited-time lightning deal. The excellent shooter can capture double exposure shots and autofocus, so you always get a clear shot. The second-gen model, which features an improved autofocus system and USB-C charging, is also on sale for $76.49 ($43 off).
The NIIMBOT D110 Label Printer with Tape is on sale for $15.19 ($14 off) at Amazon, which matches its best price to date. The small, ink-free device connects to your iOS or Android phone via Bluetooth and allows you to quickly print personalized labels using a range of built-in templates, making it perfect for organizing the kitchen, files, or any other item that requires a label.

Slice Auto-Retractable Box Cutter Slice’s retractable, finger-friendly ceramic blade is great for tearing through packing tape and cutting plastic wrapping. The comfy tool also features a sturdy, reinforced nylon handle and a hooked design that makes it easy to stow when not in use. Where to Buy:

LifeStraw personal water filter LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are. Where to Buy:

Looking to spruce up your workspace? Yamazaki’s Desk Organizer is available at Amazon for $30.60 (about $12 off), which is one of the better prices we’ve seen in recent months. The handsome, steel accessory is equipped with a small bin and an elevated wooden platform, ensuring your keys, wallet, and whatever else it is you need are always within reach.
If you’re an avid concert goer who’d like to retain your hearing later in life — and who wouldn’t? — Loop’s ultra-comfortable Experience 2 earpugs are on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $26.95 ($8 off). The stylish earplugs won’t reduce noise as effectively as a custom set; however, they do carry a noise reduction rating of 12dB, which is totally adequate for that occasional Turnstile set.
You can pick up a pair of Gaiatop’s rechargeable hand warmers on Amazon right now for $15.19 ($13 off), which is the best price we’ve seen since February. The pocket-friendly hand warmers heat up quickly and can last for hours on a single charge; however, the best part is that they don an avocado-shaped design and cheerful, smiley expressions.

ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover The ChomChom is a reusable roller that works great for removing unwanted pet hair from furniture, allowing you to skip lint rollers, vacuuming, and other cleaning tools in a pinch. Where to Buy:

$27.99 $17.42 at Amazon (with code 7OFFPDCHOM)

Bird Buddy Pro Bird Buddy’s charming, camera-equipped feeder identifies and snaps shots of each bird that stops by, supplementing its 5-megapixel stills with insightful facts via an app. Where to Buy:

HoverAir X1 drone The pocketable HoverAir X1 keeps things simple, with a 2.7K at 30fps max resolution and six preset flight modes for easy, hands-free shooting. It lacks GPS and obstacle avoidance, but it launches in seconds and is easy to use. Where to Buy:

The reusable ChomChom cat and dog hair remover is on sale for $17.43 ($11 off) at Amazon, which is $2 shy of its all-time low price. The pet hair remover is easy to use and does a great job of scooping up pet hair from furniture well, which is why so many of us on The Verge staff are big fans.
JisuLife’s folding USB fan, a mainstay of our gift guides, is on sale at Amazon in select colors starting at just $12.74 (about $13 off the MSRP). The fan’s rechargeable battery will keep you cool for hours, whether you’re holding it or propping it up on a table, and it features a built-in 2,000mAh power bank in case you need a quick way to juice your phone or another electronic device.

Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner Look, a carpet cleaner is not a very Verge-y gadget. But we’ve all got carpets and / or upholstery to keep clean, right? Luckily, Bissell’s relatively compact cleaner does a great job of restoring fabrics to their original sheen with just a little elbow grease. Where to Buy:

$123 $81.99 at Amazon

Noco Boost Plus GB40 car battery jump starter This battery has the juice, so to speak, and quite a lot of it. Its main role is to be available to jumpstart a car battery (12V/1000A), but it has USB ports, too, making it handy for charging other devices you bring in the car. Where to Buy:

$124.95 $79.96 at Amazon

Twelve South AirFly Pro The Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth transmitter and receiver features an integrated 3.5mm cord and long-lasting battery life. It can also connect up to two sets of headphones, making it a great choice for listening to in-flight entertainment. Where to Buy:

Hatch Restore 2 was one of our favorite sleep gadgets, and now you can pick up the third-gen model at Amazon for an all-time low of $139.99 ($30 off). The Restore 3 is quite similar to the TikTok-famous model we reviewed in 2023 in that it still functions as a smart alarm clock / sunrise lamp, except the latest version features an updated design and adds several new buttons that make it easier to operate.
Speaking of sleep devices, the Yogasleep Travel Mini Portable Sound Machine is now on sale at Amazon for $23.79 ($6 off), which is just $3 shy of its best price to date. The rechargeable, travel-ready device offers six noise profiles, from ambient nature sounds to serene pink noise, as well as a built-in night light for navigating your hotel or next Airbnb.

Tile Mate The latest Tile Mate helps you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet wider than its predecessor’s range. It’s also platform-agnostic, and can send SOS alerts if you pay for the $14.99 monthly Life360 Gold subscription. Where to Buy:

Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator The Grownsy snot sucker comes with three interchangeable soft tips for a good fit and provides three levels of suction. Your kid might still hate it, but at least one of you will have an easier time with it. Where to Buy:

$49.99 $30.99 at Amazon

One of our gift guide mainstays, the six-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus, is discounted to $69.99 ($70 off) at Target right now, matching its lowest price to date. The stainless steel multicooker is an excellent set-it-and-forget-it device in many ways, as it allows you to steam, sauté, pressure cook, slow cook, and engage in a variety of simple culinary endeavors without having to pony up for a host of kitchen appliances.
If you’re looking for a more “innovative” way to eat cereal, the CrunchCup is on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $18.95 ($6 off). The absurd, two-cup contraption takes some getting used to, but once you get it down, it’s a handy way to consume breakfast on the go. Just pick your cereal wisely — not everything Kellogg’s makes is spout-friendly.

Aura Carver Mat digital picture frame The Aura Carver is a lovely, 10.1-inch display that allows you to showcase photos uploaded via the web or a mobile app for Android and iOS. It’s easy to set up, crisp, and keeps unwanted pillarboxing to a minimum. Where to Buy:

Glocusent Neck Reading Light Glocuscent’s rechargeable book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever you’re reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings. Where to Buy:

$21.99 $17.58 at Amazon

Hoto makes some of the slickest electric tools around, but Fanttik’s are a close second. The E1 Max Precision Electric Screwdriver — available at Amazon for $39.39 ($36 off) with promo code 10E1MAXCD for Prime Day — is a great example of why that’s the case. It’s not going to get you a ton of torque, but it features an attractive design, a 350mAh rechargeable battery, and 50 magnetic steel bits that are ideal for tackling small electronics.
You can grab a 24-ounce Owala FreeSip Water Bottle at Amazon in select colors starting at $25.49 ($4 off), which is the best price we’ve seen this year. The Verge favorite can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours thanks to its vacuum-insulated design, and its unique lid allows you to drink either through a built-in straw or using a wide-mouth opening for bigger gulps.

Amazon Echo Frames (2023) Amazon’s Echo Frames resemble a pair of stylish regular eyeglasses but can be used to listen to music, take calls, and perform a range of Alexa-enabled tasks. They also feature up to six hours of audio playback with their open-ear design. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Energizer’s TacR-1000 LED Tactical Flashlight is on sale for $25.43 ($14 off) at Amazon. The rechargeable flashlight can cast a beam that reaches hundreds of feet away at its highest setting and features a strobe setting if you need to get someone’s attention in an emergency. If you forget to charge it, the flashlight can run on AA batteries.

Breville Barista Express Breville’s Barista Express certainly isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it’s elegant, straightforward, and relatively easy to maintain. Where to Buy:

If you’re still gearing up for the summer grilling season, BioLite’s versatile FirePit Plus is currently available from Amazon for around $224.96 ($175 off), its best price of the year. The portable fire pit is an efficient little gadget thanks to its clever design and battery-powered fan, which helps keep smoke at bay regardless of your fuel source.
Amazon is currently selling the Logitech Blue Yeti starting at $90.24 (about $50 off). Although newer microphones may be more visually and functionally appealing, the Yeti remains a classic plug-and-play USB option that reliably captures great audio.

Epicka Universal Series Travel Adapter Epicka’s universal travel adapter is an all-in-one adapter that includes four different plugs that cover over 150 countries. Where to Buy:

$23.99 $19.54 at Amazon

USB outlets are a seemingly small home upgrade that makes charging your devices more convenient. Leviton’s GUAC1-W is a dual-outlet receptacle with a USB-A and USB-C port built into it, and it’s on sale for $32.99 ($21 off) at Amazon. Charging devices without having to plug in a power adapter is especially helpful in the kitchen and other shared spaces.

Fanttik X9 Pro Portable Tire Inflator Whether you primarily drive a car, motorcycle, or a bicycle, the one thing in common with all three modes of transport is the need for well-inflated tired. This rechargeable 150psi inflator might just save you from a flat (or from being dangerously close to one) when you least expect it. Where to Buy:

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty air purifier Coway’s surprisingly efficient Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is compact enough to fit in any corner of your home and offers a three-stage filtration system, including a true HEPA filter. Where to Buy:

AeroPress Original Coffee Maker The AeroPress has made a name among enthusiasts for its great brewing ability and extreme portability. Its simple, hands-on operation can make your morning coffee ritual more fun and engaging than a traditional drip-style maker. Where to Buy:

Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Hoto’s electric screwdriver is perfect for making small- to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a magnetic case and 25 steel bits. Where to Buy:

Update, July 11th: Added several more deals, including those for the last-gen OnePlus Pad and Amazon’s latest Echo Show 8 smart display.

Final call! Bag the Oura Ring 4 for the cheapest price of 2025 so far — from $296 for the best sleep tracker I've tested yet

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:00:00 +0000

Going, going, gone! My job is testing sleep trackers — today is your last chance to score my favorite at 15% off

The Nex Playground will wear out your energetic kids, and it’s $60 off during Prime Day

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:00:00 +0000

The Nex Playground is a console full of kid-friendly games that operate solely with motion controls. It’s cooler than it sounds; the little cube’s camera can track two players’ movements in a multitude of games — five of which come free with the console.

It’s a great way to exhaust your little ones when going outside isn’t an option, and it’s $60 off for Prime Day. Normally $249.99, you can grab one at Amazon for $189.99 after you clip the on-page coupon. It’s $199.99 at Best Buy and Walmart. If you like the five games that come with the Playground, you can choose to buy a Play Pass (in three-month or 12-month subscriptions) to get access to the full suite of titles.

I’ve had a chance to try several of the games on the Play Pass, and it’s even fun for adults. Fruit Ninja is there, as well as a Beat Saber-like dance game, plus other titles where you have to bonk and slice obstacles and enemies (some of them are licensed, featuring Sesame Street, Peppa Pig, Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more). There’s no graphic violence, cussing, or profanity. What’s more, it has a kidSAFE Plus COPPA seal, ensuring that parents have complete control over their children’s data and information. This device can also be used offline.

The Nex Playground runs its own easy-to-navigate operating system, and you can dial through menus and the game selection screen using its included remote. The Playground is powered by the included USB-C brick, which has a magnetic privacy cover for the lens. You connect it to your TV using an included HDMI cable.

If the price seems high, think of the Nex Playground sort of like the crank-equipped Playdate. You’re paying for the hardware, yes, but you’re also paying to get access to a library of bespoke (and surprisingly polished) games made exclusively for the platform. You don’t see this kind of thing too often.

Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat is more than $60 off for Prime Day

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:30:00 +0000

Google’s fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat (the latest model) is one of the few smart home accessories I rely on every day, and it’s at an all-time low price of $218.99 ($61 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. Prime Day is almost over, but Best Buy and Google are also offering a $40 discount. This generation introduced greater compatibility with HVAC and smart home platforms, improvements to its Smart Scheduling feature, and a significant hardware redesign. Verge reviewer Jennifer Pattison Tuohy said in her review that it “improves on the original in almost every way.”

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th-gen) Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat offers a sleeker design, support for Matter, and a Soli radar sensor to detect if a person is approaching. It also includes a second-gen remote temperature sensor for monitoring the temp in a room of your choosing. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The first thing I noticed after installing mine was how big its display is. Turns out, it’s 60 percent larger than previous models — large enough to show extra details in addition to your home’s current temperature. You can customize what information is shown within the thermostat’s settings, but I chose the time, humidity level, and outdoor temperature. The thermostat will only show the smartwatch-like complications when you’re up close; if you’re far away, the entire display is dedicated to a single piece of information.

Previous versions of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat required a C-wire to provide power, but that’s no longer the case. However, we still recommend using Google’s compatibility checker to be 100 percent sure it will work with your HVAC system. Matter support is another first for this version of the Learning Thermostat, so you can use it with your preferred smart home platform, including Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Samsung’s SmartThings. Once the thermostat is connected, you can use the platform’s app or corresponding smart assistant to control your home’s temperature.

If you enable the Smart Scheduling feature, the thermostat will learn when you use your HVAC system and your preferred temperature, and begin making those changes automatically. You can always go back to manual control, but not having to think about changing the temperature when you wake up or before you go to sleep is as useful as it sounds. Similarly, this thermostat comes with a wireless temperature sensor, which you can put in a room that gets too hot or cold to ensure the HVAC system runs until that area is at your desired temp.

The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the few gadgets besides my smartphone that I rely on daily, and the only smart home accessory I consider a necessity. If you’ve been on the fence, there’re only a few hours left to take advantage of this deal.

The 100+ best Prime Day deals under $100

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:28:51 +0000

Amazon’s latest Kindle, our favorite budget ebook readers, is on sale starting at $84.99.

Believe it or not, some of the best Prime Day tech deals won’t put a huge dent in your bank account. Many of our favorite gadgets are priced under $100 — at least for the rest of today, which is the final day of the sale. For example, you can snag Apple’s latest AirPods for just $89, while bookworms can buy the latest Kindle — one of our favorite e-readers — for $84.99. And if you’re searching for a highly capable fitness tracker that won’t set you back hundreds, our top budget-friendly pick, the Amazfit Active 2, offers built-in GPS and offline maps and more for just $79.99.

From streaming sticks and Bluetooth speakers to smart home gadgets and chargers, we’ve rounded up the very best Prime Day tech deals under $100. Many match or beat previous all-time lows, and you don’t always need a Prime membership to take advantage of them. So if you’re looking to stretch your dollar without sacrificing quality, let’s dive in.

Headphone and earbud deals
Speaker deals
Smart home deals
Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals
E-readers and tablet deals
Streaming, movie, and TV shows deals
Gaming deals
Bluetooth tracker deals
Charging accessory deals
Other miscellaneous deals

Headphone and earbud deals AirPods 4 Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest update to its base-model wireless earbuds. The hard plastic buds should have improved audio quality and spatial audio with head tracking for the first time. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Beats Studio Buds Plus The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer better sound and noise cancellation than the original pair, and they now come in a unique translucent color option. Where to Buy:

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are a decent-sounding pair of earbuds with ANC, and are down to a new low of $52.24 (about $48 off) at Amazon. The entry-level earbuds offer reliable performance and satisfactory sound — especially at this price — though they lack wireless charging, multipoint support, and some of the newer frills found on Samsung’s flagship earbuds. That said, they also come with a pair of silicone “wings” to help them stay firmly planted in place, which some considered a hallmark of prior models. Read our review.
Other than the Beats Studio Buds Plus above, there aren’t a ton of reputable wireless earbuds that rely on a see-through design. The newer WF-C710N do, however, and they’ve reached a new low price of $78 ($41 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. What’s more, the budget-minded earbuds also borrow some tricks from Sony’s pricier earbuds, including improved noise cancellation and battery life, an automatic pause feature, and touch buttons that allow you to control playback without whipping out your phone.

Sony’s Float running headphones are on sale for $78 ($51 off) at Amazon, which is a new all-time low. The Float represent Sony’s take on open-ear headphones, and while we haven’t had a chance to test them (yet), they seem to offer similar features to their like-minded rivals, including IPX4 water resistance, USB-C charging, and generous ear hooks that are designed to keep them firmly in place while you run.
The new Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are $75.99 ($54 off) at Amazon for Prime Day, which marks a new low price. They’re basically a pair of low-end Bose earbuds in disguise — hell, they even use licensed technology and audio tuning by Bose — which means they offer well-balanced sound, solid battery life, and a number of great features for the price. They also block noise more effectively than previous Skullcandy offerings and come in an array of fun colors, including a chic leopard print.

Beats Solo 4 With lossless USB-C audio, 50 hours of battery life, Find My support, spatial audio, and comfy ear cups, the Beats Solo 4 gained significant quality-of-life improvements over their eight-year-old predecessors. They still deliver that bass-rich Beats sound, too. Read our review. Where to Buy:

If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, the Sony WH-CH520 are down to around $38 ($22 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, matching their all-time low. The on-ear headphones deliver up to 50 hours of battery life, making them perfect for long flights or road trips across the country. They also boast a built-in mic for making hands-free calls and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect them to two devices simultaneously.
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are available starting at $47 ($22 off) from Amazon and Nothing, matching their best price to date. The inexpensive buds come loaded with features, including active noise cancellation, ChatGPT integration, and up to 6.5 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled. They also come with a case that features a customizable smart dial, allowing you to adjust the volume, control noise cancellation, and mute your mic during meetings.
Amazon’s latest Echo Buds are down to just $19.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, which is their best price to date. The entry-level buds skip active noise cancellation but make up for it with comfortable semi-open design and surprisingly decent sound for the price. With support for Amazon Alexa and multipoint Bluetooth pairing, they’re a great pick if you want a straightforward pair of water resistant earbuds that just work.

Speaker deals Amazon Echo Dot (fifth-gen) The fifth-gen Echo Dot touts a temperature sensor, better sound, and faster response time than the prior model. It can also act as an extender for your Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Amazon Echo Spot Amazon’s Echo Spot smart speaker / alarm clock has a 2.83-inch squared-off display for showing the time, weather, music playback, and other bits of info you may want at your bedside. Unlike the original Spot, there’s no camera to worry about having in your bedroom — though it does have a mutable microphone for Alexa voice controls. Read our review.
Where to Buy:

$79.99 $44.99 at Amazon

One of the best-looking Bluetooth speakers around is the second-gen Bose SoundLink Flex, which is on sale for an all-time low of $99 ($50 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. It’s a long-lasting, rugged (IP67) option, in case you’re sifting through what you might buy for your future outdoor escapades. It can stand on its own or you can sling it onto a strong carabiner using its built-in loop.
Thanks to Prime Day, Amazon’s slick Echo Pop smart speaker is down to $21.99 (nearly 50 percent off) at Amazon. It’s available in four colors (black, grey, purple, and teal), and select designs of the Kids version — which comes with parental controls and six months of Amazon Kids Plus— are also discounted to $21.99.

Beats Pill (2024) The 2024 Beats Pill offers improved sound, USB-C, and native support for Find My and voice assistants on both iOS and Android. It also bests the previous model with double the battery life (24 hours) and IP67 water resistance. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$125 $71.2 at Amazon

The UE Wonderboom is on sale for $47.49 ($42 off) at Amazon, bringing it down to an all-time low. The portable Bluetooth speaker delivers big bass in a form factor that’s about the size of a softball. However, despite its compact design, it offers up to 10 hours of continuous playback and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, making it well-suited for lazy days at the pool. The UE Wonderboom is also available at Best Buy for $49.99, just a few bucks more than the Amazon discount.
The UE Miniroll Ultra is also discounted to $47.49 ($32 off) at Amazon, the lowest price we’ve seen on the compact Bluetooth speaker. Currently, it’s the smallest offered by Ultimate Ears, yet it doesn’t skip on features. It delivers a robust 12 hours of continuous playback, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It’s small enough to throw in a hip bag, too, and can be clipped to everything from your shower head and backpack to the handlebars on your bicycle, allowing for ultimate portability. It’s also available at Best Buy for $49.99, only a few bucks more.

JBL Go 3 The last-gen JBL Go 3 may not be quite as powerful as larger models in JBL’s current lineup, but it remains a great pool-ready Bluetooth speaker that can fit in your pocket. Where to Buy:

Smart home deals SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what the SwitchBot Bot does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set. Where to Buy:

Air quality is important, and it’s nice to have a reading that’s more local than what your phone gives you for your neighborhood. For a granular look at the air quality in your home, you can snag Amazon’s aptly titled Air Quality Monitor, which is currently matching its all-time low of $44.99 ($25 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. Read our review.
The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam with Ring Pet Tag is down to $44.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, a new low price. The indoor camera can pan 360 degrees and tilt up and down, eliminating blind spots. It supports customizable motion zones, a privacy cover, and a live view to see what’s happening in real time. The pet tag, meanwhile, attaches to your pet’s collar and links to a digital profile anyone can access via a QR code.

Prime members can snag Govee’s slick RGBIC floor lamp for a mere $59.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, which matches its previous low. This thin, futuristic lamp is ideal for corners, as it can splash colors onto your walls, syncing with your music, or with a color combo that sets the vibes in the room.
The Ring Indoor Cam doesn’t offer the panning and tilting of the pan-tilt model, but it’s still a solid way to keep an eye on your space — and now it has returned to its all-time low price of $29.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. The camera supports motion alerts, 1080p color night vision, and two-way audio. You can also set up customizable motion zones, reducing unnecessary alerts. Like the Ring Pan-Tilt, the Ring Indoor Cam features a rotatable privacy cover for extra peace of mind.

Blink built its Mini 2 camera to be a great, inexpensive indoor or outdoor camera. By default, it’s an indoor cam, with HD video, color night video, and two-way audio support. It’s a good deal on Amazon right now, too, where you can grab it for $19.99 ($20 off). If you need an outdoor cam, you can grab it with a weather-resistant power adapter for just $10 more (normally $49.98).
The Blink Outdoor 4 is down to $69.99 ($110 off) at Amazon, which is its best price to date. The excellent security camera offers a 1080p live view, infrared night vision, and two-way audio, allowing you to interact with whoever is visiting. It also offers a 143-degree field of view and provides up to two years of continuous battery life, along with a 30-day free trial of a Blink subscription plan for those who want recordings, person detection, and video sharing.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus This wireless Ring doorbell has great video quality, head-to-toe view, and speedy response times for a battery doorbell. It works with Amazon Alexa and can send alerts for people and packages with a Ring Home subscription. Where to Buy:

Amazon is offering the latest Blink Video Doorbell for $29.99 ($40 off), which is an all-time low. The handy buzzer features a wide 150-degree field of view, up to two years of battery life, and two-way audio, so you can greet whoever is at the door. The wire-free design is easy to set up as well, and it’s compatible with a range of Alexa devices. To pull up a live view on an Echo Show, for instance, simply say, “Alexa, show the front door camera.”
TP-Link’s Kasa smart home brand makes several Matter-ready Wi-Fi plugs, and a two-pack of them is currently available for just $19.99 ($20 off) at Amazon. You can control the plugs from within the Kasa app, or by giving voice commands via Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings.

The Frameo Digital Photo Frame is down to $39.99 ($3o off) at Amazon, which is a few bucks shy of its lowest price to date. The smart display features a wooden frame and a mat that surrounds its 10.1-inch touchscreen. It includes 16GB of onboard storage as well, allowing you to add thousands of photos through the Frameo app, while an additional microSD slot gives you extra storage for playing or importing your favorite photos.

Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Amazfit Active 2 The Amazfit Active 2 delivers outsized value for the price. It looks spiffy and has a wide array of health tracking features, plus built-in GPS and AI chatbots to provide extra context to your data. Read our review. Where to Buy:

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is on sale for $74.95 ($25 off) at Amazon, which is $5 shy of its best price to date. The comfortable fitness tracker covers all the essential health and fitness metrics you’d expect, while also offering a few premium perks like a bright OLED display, irregular heart rate notifications, and stress management tools. You don’t get contactless payments, built-in GPS, or support for voice assistants, but if you’re looking for a simple and straightforward fitness band, the Inspire 3 is a reliable and accurate pick. Read our hands-on impressions of the Fitbit Inspire 3.

E-readers and tablet deals Kindle (2024) Amazon’s new entry-level Kindle retains a six-inch, 300ppi display and USB-C. It’s both brighter and faster than its predecessor, however, and features longer battery life. Where to Buy:

Amazon makes a bunch of different tablets, which are nearly all discounted right now. If you’re looking for an affordable 10-inch tablet for watching movies and TV shows on, the Fire HD 10 tablet is a great, cheap candidate. It’s $69.99 right now at Amazon (originally $139.99).
The Apple Pencil Pro is down to $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, which is $10 shy of its all-time low. Apple’s premium stylus packs in advanced creative features missing from the entry-level USB-C model, including pressure sensitivity and a “Barrel Roll” gyroscope, which lets you rotate the stylus as you draw in order to quickly adjust the angle of your digital pen or brush. It also comes with wireless charging, Find My support, and squeeze gestures that let you control smart home devices. That being said, it’s only compatible with the latest iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and M2 or M3 iPad Air models.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is available at Amazon for just $59 ($20 off). That’s one of the best prices we’ve seen on the comfortable Apple stylus, which can magnetically attach to the side of most iPad models from within the past three years or so. It also offers tilt sensitivity, though it lacks the Apple Pencil Pro’s support for pressure sensitivity and wireless charging.
Amazon is offering three free months of Kindle Unlimited, which normally runs for $11.99 a month. Signing up gives you access to more than four million e-books, along with thousands of audiobooks and digital magazines. If you’ve been on the fence about the service until now, this is the perfect opportunity to see what it’s all about at no cost.

Streaming, movie, and TV shows deals Google TV Streamer (4K) Google’s excellent TV Streamer 4K is its best attempt at a streaming device yet, offering built-in ethernet along with smart home compatibility with Matter and Thread. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Speaking of the Alexa Voice Remote, you can add the Pro version to your setup for just $24.99 ($10 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The Alexa Voice Remote Pro features customizable buttons, backlighting, and a new remote finder feature, so you can always locate it when it gets lost in the couch cushions. Read our review.

Dark Knight Trilogy You can get all three of Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies for $40 off for Prime Day. The 9-disc 4K set will put speaker systems to the test with plenty of Hans Zimmer’s signature “bwaaaaaah” sounds. Where to Buy:

$74.99 $34.99 at Amazon (4K Blu-ray)

Lord of the Rings Trilogy It’s tough to beat the value of getting all three LOTR films in 4K (both the theatrical and extended cuts) in a single set for under $100. Plus, each film is presented in Dolby Vision HDR with Atmos. Where to Buy:

$67.8 $48.99 at Amazon (4K Blu-ray)

Parasite, the Best Picture winner at the 2020 Academy Awards, is now available for just $9.99 on 4K Blu-ray at Amazon. The Bong Joon Ho-directed film highlights economic class struggles in a two-hour whirlwind that delivers intimacy, humor, and terror in almost equal parts.
One of the best cartoons ever made is Batman: The Animated Series. It dominated TVs and store shelves in the ‘90s, and now you can own all 109 episodes (but not the great Mask of the Phantasm film) across 12 discs in this Batman: The Animated Series Blu-ray collection for just $29.99 (usually $50) at Amazon.
Furiosa: Mad Max Saga is available on 4K Blu-ray at Amazon right now for $12.99 ($21 off). The prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road is no less explosive as it dives into Furiosa’s backstory. It stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Read our review.
Robert Egger’s revamped version of Nosferatu is available on 4K Blu-ray for $15.99 (about $25 off) at Amazon. The title is dripping with style, and it effectively brings together elements from the original 1922 film and Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel to great effect. Read our review.

$49.88 $44.73 at Walmart

Gaming deals Split Fiction Split Fiction is an excellent, cooperative sci-fi game in which two players must traverse completely different worlds simultaneously, while relying on new powers to help them progress through each stage. Read our review. Where to Buy:

Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has been given a small but welcome price cut. Thanks to Prime Day, you can pick up the open-world game set in Feudal Japan for $47.49 (originally $69.99) at Amazon. Read our review.
Looking for a zip-up hardshell for your Nintendo Switch 2? Tomtoc’s slim carrying case, which features a subdued design and the ability to store up to 12 game cartridges, is on sale at Amazon in select colors starting at $29.59 (originally $36.99).
Bloober Team knocked it out of the park with its remake of Silent Hill 2 on the PS5. If you scoffed at its original $69.99 price tag, you can currently pick it up for about $39.99 ($30 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. Read our review.
There are few games out there with more heart and soul (and pure silliness) than Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The latest game in the long-running Yakuza-turned-Like a Dragon franchise is on sale for the PS5 for $39.99 ($20 off) at Best Buy and Amazon.
The version of 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 wireless controller that works with Android and Windows (including the Steam Deck) is down to $55.99 (originally $59.99) at Amazon. Aside from not being able to connect to Nintendo consoles, it’s identical in terms of features to the pricier, made-for-Switch edition.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 wireless controller For something cheaper — and in some ways better — than Nintendo’s official Pro controller, there’s 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2, which works with the original Switch and Switch 2. It features TMR joysticks with trigger switches for adjusting the feel, as well as vibration and motion control support. Where to Buy:

$69.99 $62.99 at Amazon (black, with coupon)

The microSD cards used in the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and the original Nintendo Switch are becoming more and more affordable. For instance, Samsung’s Sonic-emblazoned Pro Plus 512GB microSD card is on sale for $28.49 (about $14 off) at Amazon. If you’d prefer a 1TB version so you won’t have to upgrade any time soon, that’s down to $69.99 (this model has never been cheaper than $89.99).
One of the best-looking Switch 2 games is Splatoon 3, which recently got an update that makes the game run (and look) better on Nintendo’s new console. If you’ve always wanted to give this one a try, you can pick up a digital or physical copy at Best Buy for $39.99 or Walmart for $39 (typically $59.99). Read about the Switch 2 update.
If you’re still rocking a Nintendo Switch OLED, the CRKD Nitro Deck is down to an all-time low of $39.89 ($20 off) at Amazon. The console slides into the controller, giving you a more robust handheld experience. The Nitro Deck also features swappable thumbstick toppers, remappable back buttons, and passthrough charging, making it possible to game uninterrupted when connected to a charger.
Not enough people are still talking about Pikmin 4, the latest entry in Nintendo’s chill (yet often chaotic) exploration game. You navigate through environments, collect and command Pikmin with different elemental abilities and weaknesses, and try to save fellow space cadets from strange happenings. All the while, you’re trying to find Captain Olimar, the protagonist of the original Pikmin game. The Switch title is matching its all-time low of $39.99 ($20 off) right now at Best Buy. Read our review.

Bluetooth tracker deals Apple AirTags Apple’s AirTags are unobtrusive, waterproof, and tap into the massive Find My network for out-of-range locating. Read our original review. Where to Buy:

$99 $64.99 at Best Buy (four-pack)

Alternatively, if you just want a single AirTag, you can buy one for $19.99 ($9 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. That is just $1 shy of its all-time low price and the cheapest we’ve seen it go for since Black Friday.
You can buy the Pebblebee Card Universal for $24.49 ($10 off) from Amazon. Like the Pebblebee Clip Universal, the tracker is a great AirTag and Tile alternative that works with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My Device networks. However, its slim, credit card-shaped design makes it better suited for slipping into a wallet. As a bonus, it also features a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 18 months, longer than the Clip’s.
The new Chipolo Pop is now available for $24.65 ($5 off) at Amazon, which is its first discount yet. The colorful Bluetooth tracker is louder than Apple’s AirTag, making it easier to hear when lost. It’s also compatible with either Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find My Device networks, and features a built-in hole for key rings along with a 300-foot Bluetooth range.

Charging accessory deals Anker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable Why settle for a flimsy USB-C cable that can only charge a single gadget when you can opt for a braided one designed to charge two at once? Anker’s two-headed cable supports charging speeds of up to 140W split between two gadgets. Where to Buy:

Anker MagGo Magnetic Charging Station 8-in-1 A Qi2 pad on the front and a party in the back, with three AC outlets and four USB ports. It can deliver up to 67W through a single USB-C port or divided between its two USB-C and two USB-A ports. Where to Buy:

Anker 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank Anker’s premium power bank can refill a smartphone battery multiple times, and charge most laptops at their maximum speed. Its most convenient feature is the two USB-C cables built into it, so you don’t have to carry separate cords. Where to Buy:

For a portable power bank that matches the design of Anker’s 20,000mAh 737 battery with its display but delivers a substantial amount of power (a combined 130W), there’s Ugreen’s Nexode model, which is currently on sale at Best Buy for just $54.14 ($36 off).
You can keep your iPhone and AirPods charged with Belkin’s MagSafe 2-in-1 wireless charging stand, which is down to $59.99 ($4o off) at Amazon, nearly matching its best price to date. While similar models from other brands are often cheaper, this one looks better than most, and it hasn’t sunk this low in price since mid-2023. Belkin’s option also includes a power adapter.
The Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max has been one of the most popular products for Verge readers recently. The 4-in-1 car charger can put out a combined 163W of power and features two retractable USB-C cables, plus two USB-A ports. It’s tough not to love, especially at its Amazon price of $29.99 ($20 off).

Apple MagSafe Charger (2m) Apple’s updated magnetic charging puck is available in two sizes, 1m and 2m, and supports 15W MagSafe / Qi2 charging as well as 25W charging on the iPhone 16 only. Where to Buy:

ESR Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Car Charger A compact, flexible Qi2 charger for vent and dash mounting. Read our review. Where to Buy:

$39.99 $18.99 at Amazon

Other miscellaneous deals Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Hoto’s electric screwdriver is perfect for making small- to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a magnetic case and 25 steel bits. Where to Buy:

LifeStraw personal water filter LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are. Where to Buy:

Lego’s Animal Crossing Fly with Dodo Airlines set is one of the few Lego sets receiving a Prime Day discount at Amazon, where you can currently pick it up for $32.29 ($6 off). The kid-friendly, 292-piece playset is a nice little homage to Animal Crossing New Horizons, especially if your kiddo or someone you know has a soft spot for planes… or extinct, flightless birds.
Thermacell’s E90 mosquito repeller is down to $17.68 (about $17 off) in its black version at Amazon right now, beating its previous low by $6 or so. It’s similar to the rechargeable E55 — a summer favorite of ours — only the upgraded model provides up to nine hours of continuous protection when used with the included repellent cartridge, as opposed to five. Needless to say, it’s a great pick for the dog days of summer.

$19.95 $9.95 at Amazon

Splendor A strategy card game in which players compete to build Renaissance Europe’s most lucrative and prestigious jewelry business. Where to Buy:

Looking to spruce up your workspace? Yamazaki’s Desk Organizer is available at Amazon for $30.06 (about $12 off), which is one of the better prices we’ve seen in recent months. The handsome, steel accessory is equipped with a small bin and an elevated wooden platform, ensuring your keys, wallet, and whatever else it is you need are always within reach.
The Satechi Vegan-Leather Magnetic Wallet Stand is currently on sale at Amazon starting at $23.99 ($17 off), which is one of its best prices to date. The wallet securely attaches to newer MagSafe-equipped iPhone models, holds up to four cards, and includes an NFC passthrough for contactless payments. It also folds out into a convenient kickstand, making it perfect for watching videos or taking calls hands-free.
Amazon is offering four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited during Prime Day. The service normally runs for $11.99 a month, saving you about $35 to try out the streaming service. It offers ad-free access to over 100 million songs, audiobooks from Audible, and select ad-free podcasts. Non-Prime members can also take advantage of the deal, but they’ll only get three months for free.

$123 $81.99 at Amazon

If you’re an avid concert goer who’d like to retain your hearing later in life — and who wouldn’t? — Loop’s ultra-comfortable Experience 2 earpugs are on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $26.95 ($8 off). The stylish earplugs won’t reduce noise as effectively as a custom set; however, they do carry a noise reduction rating of 12dB, which is totally adequate for that occasional Turnstile set.
It’s not often enough that Elgato’s composite/S-Video-to-USB converter — perfect for making digital copies of your VHS tapes — goes on sale. But during Prime Day, it’s down to $69.99 (originally $99.99). This is still egregiously expensive, but the company’s simple software makes it standout as a great option for people who aren’t the most literate in gadgetry.

$124.95 $79.96 at Amazon

It’s now easier than ever to plug your DSLR or mirrorless camera into your PC to use as a high-end webcam. Just grab Elgato’s Cam Link 4K, which is down to $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon for Prime Day. The device converts the HDMI signal coming out of your camera into USB for your PC to process.
Hoto makes some of the slickest electric tools around, but Fanttik’s are a close second. The E1 Max Precision Electric Screwdriver — available at Amazon for $43.77 ($36 off) for Prime Day — is a great example of why that’s the case. It’s not going to get you a ton of torque, but it features an attractive design, a 350mAh rechargeable battery, and 50 magnetic steel bits that are ideal for tackling small electronics.

Epicka Universal Series Travel Adapter Epicka’s universal travel adapter is an all-in-one adapter that includes four different plugs that cover over 150 countries. Where to Buy:

$23.99 $19.54 at Amazon

Keurig’s K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker is on sale at Amazon for $49.99 ($50 off), matching its best price to date. The K-Cup brewer can only make one 12-ounce cup of coffee at a time, but it’s also small and easy to use — you just need to press a button to brew your coffee.
Robot vacuums are overrated. Black & Decker’s rechargeable Furbuster — now on sale at Amazon and Chewy for $79.99, its lowest price of the year — is a great handheld alternative that’s well-suited for picking up fur, dirt, and other unwanted debris, especially when you tack on the extra-long crevice tool or the included motorized pet brush.

$21.99 $17.58 at Amazon

Have a Steam Deck, an Asus ROG Ally, or a similar handheld PC that can accept an M.2 2230-sized SSD? WD Black’s 1TB SN770M is discounted to $84.99 at Amazon, down slightly from its previous low of $89.99. Installation procedures vary in steps and complexity depending on the handheld you own.
One of Logitech’s best Switch 2-ready webcams just received a Prime Day discount. The Brio 500 1080p webcam is currently available at Amazon for $75.99 ($55 off), which is a new low price.
Parents take note: Tonies Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set is $99.99 ($54 off) at Amazon. The screen-free toy is a speaker that plays sounds or stories when different tonies (statuettes of characters) are placed on top. The statues have a magnetized base, so they’re easy for a kid to place on the right spot. A similar set that includes Belle, Cinderella, and Ariel is $109.99 ($20 off) at Target.

$49.99 $30.99 at Amazon

One of our gift guide mainstays, the six-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus, is discounted to $69.99 ($70 off) at Amazon and Target (with Target Circle membersip) right now, matching its lowest price to date. The stainless steel multicooker is an excellent set-it-and-forget-it device in many ways, as it allows you to steam, sauté, pressure cook, slow cook, and engage in a variety of simple culinary endeavors without having to pony up for a host of kitchen appliances.
You can buy the 24-ounce Owala FreeSip Water Bottle for $25.49 ($4 off) at Amazon. Thanks to its vacuum-insulated design, it keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours, and its unique lid offers two ways to drink — through a built-in straw or a wide-mouth opening for bigger gulps.

Update, July 11th: Adjusted to reflect current pricing / availability and several new deals, including those for Ototo’s Nessie ladle and Epicka’s universal travel adapter.

The Magical Thinking That’s Killing Our Humanity

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 20:53:45 +0000

There is an epidemic of magical thinking. An unwillingness to confront reality. Because reality is scary.

This affliction cuts across all ideological lines, manifesting in different forms but serving the same function: allowing us to avoid the difficult truths about what it will actually take to preserve human dignity, meaning, and freedom in the face of forces designed to eliminate all three.

We live in the most dangerous moment in human history—not because of nuclear weapons or climate change, though both threaten our survival, but because we are creating systems that threaten something deeper: our capacity to remain human. To make meaning. To experience genuine choice. To live lives worth living rather than optimized lives managed by algorithms and administered by bureaucrats.

And our response to this existential crisis? Magical thinking. The comfortable delusion that simple solutions exist for complex problems, that we can have technological progress without existential consequences, that we can avoid difficult choices by pretending they don’t exist.

This is not just political failure—it’s the systematic abandonment of what makes us human in the first place.

Human beings are meaning-making creatures. This isn’t a nice feature of consciousness—it’s what consciousness is for. We don’t just process information like biological computers; we create significance, purpose, and value through the active engagement of our minds with reality. We transform raw experience into narrative, chaos into order, suffering into wisdom.

But meaning doesn’t emerge from comfort or certainty. It emerges from tension—from the creative friction between what is and what might be, between constraint and possibility, between self and world. Meaning is born in the space where we must choose, where we must struggle, where we must actively participate in creating our own understanding rather than passively receiving it.

This is precisely what many of our technological systems are designed to eliminate. Social media algorithms don’t enhance human connection—they replace it with engineered engagement designed to maximize screen time rather than genuine relationship. They don’t help us make better choices—they manipulate our choices through carefully calibrated dopamine hits that bypass conscious decision-making entirely.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to augment human creativity in remarkable ways—providing new tools, expanding possibilities, enabling forms of expression previously impossible. But it also threatens to replace human creativity entirely when we mistake sophisticated pattern recognition for genuine innovation. When machines can generate art, music, and writing that satisfies human aesthetic preferences while eliminating the human struggle that makes creativity meaningful, we face a crucial choice: do we use AI as a tool that enhances human capacity, or do we allow it to substitute for human agency altogether?

The same tension exists across all technological development. Systems designed to make life more efficient can either free us for more meaningful pursuits or eliminate the need for meaningful pursuits entirely. The question isn’t whether efficiency is good or bad, but whether we remain conscious agents directing our tools toward human purposes, or become passive recipients of automated optimization.

The magical thinking here is that we can have all the benefits of technological optimization without making conscious choices about what we’re optimizing for. That we can make everything more efficient, more predictable, more frictionless—and somehow preserve the friction that makes human life worth living, without ever having to choose between them.

But meaning doesn’t emerge from efficiency alone. It emerges from the necessity of choosing, of struggling, of creating order from chaos through conscious effort rather than algorithmic processing. When we eliminate that necessity without replacing it with something equally meaningful, we don’t liberate human consciousness—we make it redundant.

Every system we build now tends toward a single principle: optimization. Maximize engagement. Minimize friction. Increase efficiency. Reduce uncertainty. Streamline processes. Eliminate waste—including the “waste” of human agency, human choice, human unpredictability.

This optimization imperative extends far beyond technology into every domain of human experience. Education becomes optimized for measurable outcomes rather than genuine learning. Healthcare becomes optimized for statistical improvements rather than individual healing. Politics becomes optimized for electoral efficiency rather than democratic deliberation.

The result is systems that work perfectly for their designed purposes while destroying the human experiences they were supposedly created to serve. Consider dating apps that optimize matching algorithms to increase user engagement—not to help people find genuine connection, but to keep them swiping. Consider social media platforms that optimize content delivery to maximize time spent scrolling—not to inform or connect users, but to generate advertising revenue. Consider recommendation systems that optimize for consumption—not for satisfaction or growth, but for continued consumption.

Each system achieves its optimization goals while systematically undermining human agency, human choice, and human meaning-making. They work exactly as designed—which is precisely the problem.

The magical thinking is that optimization and human flourishing are automatically compatible goals. That making systems more efficient automatically makes human life better. That eliminating friction eliminates suffering rather than potentially eliminating the experiences that make life meaningful.

But human flourishing isn’t simply optimizable. It emerges from the irreducible complexity of conscious beings navigating an uncertain world through choices that matter. When we optimize that complexity away without conscious consideration of what we’re preserving, we risk creating managed human existence that resembles life while lacking its essential qualities.

Nowhere is magical thinking more dangerous than in our approach to conflict and justice. The position that says “I’m pro-peace” without a conception of justice represents one of the most insidious forms of reality avoidance—it sounds moral while being fundamentally amoral.

Martin Luther King Jr. understood this: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Peace without justice isn’t peace—it’s imposed order. It’s the peace of the graveyard, the peace of submission, the peace that comes when one side stops fighting because they’ve been crushed.

We see this magical thinking everywhere in contemporary discourse. When Russia invades Ukraine, the “pro-peace” position says: “Just stop the fighting. Negotiate. Find compromise.” As if there’s meaningful compromise between a people defending their homes and an empire trying to erase their existence. As if Ukrainian surrender would create peace rather than eliminate Ukraine.

When authoritarian regimes systematically oppress their people, the “pro-peace” position says: “Intervention causes more violence. We should focus on diplomacy.” As if the absence of visible international conflict somehow eliminates the violence of systematic oppression. As if the peace of the concentration camp is morally preferable to the disruption of liberation.

When democratic institutions come under assault, the “pro-peace” position says: “Both sides need to calm down. We need unity, not division.” As if there’s meaningful unity between those who defend democratic norms and those who systematically violate them. As if the peace of authoritarian control is preferable to the tension of democratic resistance.

This isn’t pacifism—pacifism at least acknowledges moral stakes while choosing non-violence as a strategy. This is conflict avoidance disguised as moral principle. It mistakes the absence of visible resistance for the presence of justice, when often the absence of visible resistance just means the resistance has been successfully crushed.

Real peace requires justice. Justice sometimes requires resistance to injustice. Resistance sometimes requires confrontation, sacrifice, and yes—the willingness to fight and even die for principles that make life worth living. The magical thinking says: “If we just avoid conflict, there will be no more conflict.” Reality says: if only one side avoids conflict while the other side pursues it systematically, the aggressive side wins. And when the side that wins is committed to eliminating human dignity, “peace” becomes complicity with that elimination.

Human dignity is worth fighting for. When someone attacks human dignity systematically—whether through invasion, oppression, or the systematic elimination of human agency—opposing them isn’t the failure of peace. It’s the requirement of peace.

Another manifestation of magical thinking is the belief that vulnerable institutions will protect themselves through their own momentum rather than through conscious defense and reform. We see this in the faith that democratic institutions will somehow resist degradation without active maintenance and vigilance.

The magical thinking says: “The system will correct itself. Institutions are resilient. Norms will hold.” As if institutions possessed independent moral agency rather than being tools that serve whoever controls them.

When the Supreme Court’s legitimacy is undermined by ethical scandals and decisions that appear more political than legal, the magical thinking says: “Respect the Court. It will self-correct.” When electoral processes face manipulation through gerrymandering, voter suppression, and disinformation campaigns, the magical thinking says: “Trust the process.”

When regulatory agencies become vulnerable to capture by the industries they’re supposed to regulate, when intelligence capabilities risk being turned toward partisan purposes, when aspects of the justice system show signs of political influence—the magical thinking insists that somehow, if we just maintain faith in these institutions, they will automatically return to their proper function.

But institutions don’t have independent moral agency. They’re tools that work well when designed and maintained properly, but they require active defense against those who would corrupt their purposes. Institutional resilience comes not from magical self-correction but from citizens who understand their principles and actively work to preserve their integrity.

Real institutional preservation sometimes requires acknowledging when institutions are being corrupted and taking action to restore their proper function—through reform, oversight, and the willingness to hold officials accountable to the standards their positions require. It requires distinguishing between legitimate institutional authority and illegitimate abuse of institutional power.

Climate change represents perhaps the starkest example of how magical thinking prevents us from confronting reality. The magical thinking takes multiple forms, but all serve the same function: avoiding the necessity of fundamental change.

One version says: “Technology will save us.” Electric cars, renewable energy, carbon capture—if we just innovate fast enough, we can maintain current consumption patterns while eliminating their environmental impact. This ignores the reality that technological solutions require massive coordination, sacrifice, and economic disruption to implement at the necessary scale and speed.

Another version says: “Individual action will save us.” If enough people change their consumption habits, bike instead of drive, buy sustainable products—the collective impact will solve the problem. This ignores the reality that individual consumption changes, however admirable, cannot address systemic problems that require systemic solutions.

A third version says: “It’s not really that bad.” Climate change is natural, exaggerated, or manageable through adaptation rather than prevention. This ignores overwhelming scientific evidence and the accelerating pace of environmental breakdown.

All these forms of magical thinking serve the same purpose: avoiding the uncomfortable reality that addressing climate change requires coordinated global action that will disrupt existing economic, political, and social arrangements on a scale that makes World War II mobilization look modest by comparison.

The magical thinking allows us to believe we can address an existential threat to human civilization without fundamentally changing how human civilization operates. That we can have infinite growth on a finite planet, that we can maintain current consumption patterns while eliminating their environmental impact, that we can solve collective problems through individual solutions.

But reality doesn’t care about our comfort or our preferences. Climate change is a collective action problem that requires collective solutions implemented through legitimate authority backed by the willingness to override short-term interests for long-term survival. No amount of magical thinking will change the physics of atmospheric chemistry or the mathematics of exponential change.

Perhaps the most pervasive form of magical thinking in contemporary politics is the belief that democracy can be preserved without defending it—that democratic institutions will somehow maintain themselves through their own momentum rather than through the active commitment of democratic citizens.

This magical thinking manifests in the faith that “the arc of history bends toward justice” without human effort to bend it. That progress is automatic rather than the result of struggle. That freedom is the natural state of human affairs rather than an achievement that must be constantly renewed.

We see this in the shock and disbelief when democratic institutions prove vulnerable to authoritarian pressure. “This can’t happen here.” “The system will protect itself.” “Cooler heads will prevail.” As if democracy were a natural law rather than a human agreement that requires constant maintenance and defense.

But democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires citizens who understand its principles, institutions that serve its purposes, and the willingness to confront forces that would undermine both. When citizens become passive consumers of political entertainment rather than active participants in democratic governance, when institutions become vulnerable to partisan manipulation rather than serving democratic principles, when anti-democratic forces operate without serious resistance—democracy doesn’t gradually weaken. It collapses.

The magical thinking says: “Democracy is resilient. It will survive.” Reality says: democracy survives only as long as enough people are willing to defend it against those who would destroy it. And that defense requires not just voting or peaceful protest, but the full spectrum of democratic action—including the willingness to confront authoritarianism with the force necessary to stop it.

To remain human in an age of systematic dehumanization requires rejecting the magical thinking that makes dehumanization comfortable. It requires acknowledging that preserving human dignity, human meaning, and human agency will not happen automatically. It will require conscious choice, sustained effort, and the willingness to defend what makes us human against forces designed to eliminate it.

Rejecting magical thinking is not enough. We must also build alternatives that align with human flourishing rather than algorithmic optimization. This requires conscious choices about how we design systems, how we engage politically, and how we live daily life.

What does technology designed for human flourishing rather than engagement optimization actually look like? It starts with platforms that prioritize genuine connection over screen time, that enhance human creativity rather than replacing it, that preserve the friction necessary for meaningful choice. This means choosing technologies that require human judgment rather than automating it away. Educational software that preserves intellectual struggle rather than gamifying learning into dopamine hits. Social platforms that facilitate real conversation rather than performative broadcasting. Professional tools that augment human creativity rather than generating content automatically.

It means choosing applications and services that respect human agency—that give you control over algorithms rather than being controlled by them, that present information clearly rather than manipulating attention, that enhance your capacity to think rather than thinking for you. Most importantly, it means insisting that technological development serve human purposes rather than treating humans as inputs to be optimized. When we encounter systems designed to manipulate our behavior, extract our data, or automate our judgment—we have the choice to refuse participation, to demand alternatives, to build better options.

Defending democracy requires abandoning the fantasy that democratic institutions will protect themselves through their own momentum. It requires acknowledging that when institutions become corrupted or captured, working within those institutions can become complicity with their corruption. This means supporting constitutional reforms when existing frameworks enable rather than prevent authoritarian capture. It means building parallel institutions when existing ones are corrupted, creating new mechanisms of accountability when traditional ones are subverted.

It means the willingness to bypass corrupted institutions when they serve anti-democratic purposes—using state and local authority when federal institutions are compromised, supporting grassroots movements when official channels are blocked, creating alternative spaces for democratic practice when traditional ones are eliminated. Political realism also means acknowledging that democracy requires not just institutional mechanisms but democratic culture—citizens who understand democratic principles, who participate actively rather than consuming passively, who defend democratic norms even when doing so disadvantages their preferred political outcomes.

Building institutions that serve human flourishing rather than mere optimization requires rethinking fundamental assumptions about efficiency, measurement, and purpose. Instead of optimizing for metrics that can be gamed, we must design for outcomes that matter even when they’re difficult to measure. In education, this means preserving intellectual challenge, genuine assessment, and the development of critical thinking—schools that require sustained attention, deep reading, original thinking, and moral reasoning.

In healthcare, this means treating patients as whole human beings rather than collections of symptoms to be processed through algorithmic diagnosis and standardized treatment protocols. Medical systems that preserve the doctor-patient relationship, that integrate mental and physical health, that prioritize healing over metrics. In governance, this means structures that facilitate genuine democratic deliberation rather than just electoral efficiency. Town halls that require real engagement, representatives who remain accountable to constituents rather than donors, decision-making processes that preserve space for minority voices and dissenting opinions.

Critics will argue that optimization has genuinely improved human life in countless ways—that efficiency isn’t inherently dehumanizing, that some friction is just unnecessary suffering, that this argument sounds like romantic anti-modernism that would return us to pre-technological hardship. They’re right that optimization can make our lives better. The question isn’t whether to optimize, but who decides what to optimize for and how those decisions are made.

The problem isn’t efficiency itself—it’s optimization imposed by algorithmic systems or corporate interests without democratic input about what human values should guide that optimization. When we optimize transportation, do we prioritize speed, safety, environmental impact, or community connection? When we optimize education, do we focus on test scores, critical thinking, creativity, or civic engagement? When we optimize healthcare, do we emphasize cost reduction, patient outcomes, doctor-patient relationships, or population health?

These aren’t technical questions with objectively correct answers—they’re moral and political questions that require democratic deliberation. The current system optimizes for metrics that can be easily measured and monetized, often at the expense of human values that are harder to quantify but more important to preserve.

Real progress means optimization guided by democratically determined human values rather than algorithmic efficiency alone. It means distinguishing between improvements that enhance human agency and those that eliminate it. Between systems that serve human purposes and those that treat humans as obstacles to optimization.

Consider the difference between GPS navigation that helps you reach your destination and GPS that tracks your every movement for advertising purposes. Between medical technology that enables doctors to heal more effectively and medical algorithms that replace doctor judgment entirely. Between communication tools that facilitate genuine connection and engagement platforms designed to maximize addiction.

The issue isn’t friction itself, but the elimination of meaningful friction—the struggles that generate growth, learning, and purpose—while preserving useless friction that serves no human end. We want to eliminate the friction of poverty, disease, and genuine oppression while preserving the friction of choice, challenge, and moral responsibility. This isn’t romantic anti-modernism but conscious modernism—technological development guided by human values rather than optimization metrics alone. It’s the recognition that efficiency is a tool, not an end in itself, and that the most efficient system is often one that destroys the very purposes it was designed to serve.

The argument for preserving meaningful struggle must be distinguished from justifying unnecessary suffering. Not all difficulty generates meaning—some struggles are simply destructive, some challenges are purely wasteful, some friction serves no purpose beyond perpetuating injustice. The task is learning to distinguish between suffering that diminishes human dignity and challenge that enhances it. Between obstacles that prevent human flourishing and resistance that enables it. Between systems that create artificial scarcity to maintain control and natural constraints that generate creative response.

Poverty, for instance, is not meaningful struggle—it’s systematic deprivation that prevents people from engaging in the kinds of challenges that actually generate growth and purpose. But the elimination of poverty should not require the elimination of challenge itself—people freed from economic desperation should have access to meaningful work, creative expression, and moral responsibility. Similarly, eliminating discrimination doesn’t require eliminating standards or expectations. A just society removes barriers to human development while preserving the challenges that make development possible.

Beyond systemic change, remaining human requires daily choices that resist the optimization of human experience. These practices begin with attention—choosing what deserves your conscious engagement rather than allowing algorithms to make that choice for you. This means reading books that require sustained attention rather than consuming only bite-sized content optimized for engagement. Engaging in conversations that risk genuine disagreement rather than staying within filter bubbles that confirm existing beliefs. Choosing activities that require skill development rather than providing instant gratification.

It means supporting businesses, artists, and creators who prioritize human values over optimization metrics. Buying from companies that treat workers as human beings rather than efficiency units. Consuming media that challenges you to think rather than simply triggering emotional responses. Participating in communities that require genuine contribution rather than passive consumption.

It means practicing the skills that artificial intelligence cannot replicate—moral reasoning, creative synthesis, emotional intelligence, the capacity for genuine relationship. These aren’t just personal benefits but acts of resistance against systems designed to make these capacities irrelevant.

Individual practice is necessary but insufficient. Remaining human requires communities that support human values against systemic pressure toward dehumanization. This means creating and participating in groups that prioritize genuine connection over digital networking, that engage in meaningful work rather than optimized productivity, that practice democratic decision-making rather than algorithmic management.

Local politics becomes crucial—participating in governance at scales where individual voices still matter, where decisions affect real communities, where democratic practice can be learned and preserved. Town councils, school boards, neighborhood organizations where citizens can experience genuine agency rather than just electoral participation. Educational communities that preserve intellectual challenge—book clubs that tackle difficult texts, discussion groups that welcome disagreement, learning environments that require sustained attention and critical thinking rather than just information transfer. Creative communities that maintain the connection between effort and achievement—maker spaces, artistic collaboratives, skill-sharing networks where people create rather than just consume, where expertise is developed through practice rather than downloaded through tutorials.

At the policy level, choosing reality over magical thinking requires supporting legislation that prioritizes human agency over algorithmic efficiency. This means regulations that preserve human choice in automated systems, that require algorithmic transparency, that protect the right to human review of automated decisions. It means educational policies that preserve intellectual challenge rather than optimizing for standardized metrics. Curricula that require deep reading, sustained attention, original thinking—even when these are more difficult to measure and manage than algorithmic content delivery.

It means supporting democratic reforms that enhance genuine participation rather than just electoral efficiency. Campaign finance changes that reduce the influence of algorithmic micro-targeting, voting systems that require genuine deliberation, representation structures that preserve space for minority voices and dissenting opinions.

The threats to human agency are global, requiring coordinated response across national boundaries. This means international cooperation to regulate technologies that undermine human autonomy, to support democratic movements against authoritarian capture, to address existential threats like climate change that require collective action. It means distinguishing between globalization that serves human purposes and globalization that serves only efficiency optimization. Supporting trade relationships that enhance human development while opposing systems that treat humans as expendable inputs to global production.

It means recognizing that defending democracy in one country requires supporting democratic values everywhere—that authoritarian regimes attacking democracy abroad will eventually attack it at home, that surveillance technologies developed to oppress foreign populations will eventually be turned against domestic ones.

The choice to remain human is not a single decision but a daily practice requiring constant vigilance and continuous effort. It begins with the recognition that magical thinking serves not our interests but the interests of systems designed to eliminate human agency. But recognition alone is insufficient. We must build alternatives—technologies that enhance rather than replace human judgment, institutions that serve human flourishing rather than optimization metrics, communities that practice genuine democracy rather than algorithmic management.

This requires both individual resistance and collective action, both personal practice and policy advocacy, both local engagement and global cooperation. It requires the willingness to choose difficulty over comfort when difficulty serves human purposes, to choose reality over illusion even when reality is frightening, to choose agency over automation even when automation is more efficient.

The stakes are nothing less than what it means to be human. The time for magical thinking has passed. The time for conscious choice has begun.

Two plus two equals four. There are twenty-four hours in a day. And the choice to remain human—to preserve meaning, agency, and dignity in systems designed to eliminate all three—is the most important choice facing our species.

Reality is difficult. But it’s also the only place where genuine human life is possible.

Choose reality. Choose consciousness. Choose to remain human.

Every minute of every day.

Remember what’s real.

Mike Brock is a former tech exec who was on the leadership team at Block. Originally published at his Notes From the Circus.