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UPDATE: May. 13, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with details on upcoming Drops between May 15 and May 17, including the Bissell Little Green Max Pet carpet cleaner, Roomba 694, and SCUF Envision Pro controller.

When it comes to shopping, a scarcity mindset is just as convincing as that one friend who always enables you to buy something you don't need. It's why there's often a timer breathing down your neck from the corner of the screen during a sitewide sale. It's exactly why Amazon's invite-only Prime Day deals and Black Friday deals popped off, and why Walmart lets Walmart+ members get their hands on new groups of big shopping event deals hours before the general public can.

And it's probably why Best Buy conveniently announced Best Buy Drops just ahead of the holiday shopping season. We're pleasantly surprised that Drops turned out to not just be a holiday treat, though — it has solidified its spot as the middle tab of the Best Buy app, and we'll certainly be taking advantage of this unique shopping hack as long as Best Buy will let us.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

Best Buy Drops is a shopping hack dedicated to giving shoppers a heads-up about upcoming high-profile items and deals in categories like gaming, cheap TVs, fan-favorite toys and merch, high-profile hair tools, kitchen gadgets, and more dropping at Best Buy in the next week. As long as you have the Best Buy mobile app, you can preview what's coming on what day so that you're ready to click "add to cart" when the item or deal goes live.

If a Drop is currently live while you're on the app, a status bar showing the percentage of inventory that has been claimed can give an idea of how fast you need to act. Once inventory for a certain Drop is gone, it's gone.

Drops can include a huge price slash on a popular item or availability of product that wasn't up for grabs before. Credit: Screenshot / Mashable

The Drops tab also keeps a list of past Drops, which have included a limited-edition PlayStation 5 Marvel's Spider-Man bundle, Pokémon Squishmallows, a super cheap 50-inch TV, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Even if you missed these, you at least have an idea of what similar items could pop up in the coming weeks. To look ahead, check the upcoming tab.

For extra cushion, you can opt-in to Drop Alerts for an extra reminder right before the drop of a product you care about goes live. Joining My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total will unlock even better discounts on Drops than what the general public is getting.

What's dropping at Best Buy May 15 through May 17

Best Buy is only revealing the names of the upcoming products — not their actual Drop prices — in the Drop preview tab, so any prices listed below are the current price of the said product as it is on Best Buy's site pre-Drop. Drops go live around 11 a.m. ET on the specified day (usually a string of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in any given week), and inventory is typically fully claimed by 5 p.m. that day.

Dropping: May 15 Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Bissell Little Green Max Pet handheld deep cleaner $139.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now

If your version of spring cleaning involves tackling the big to-dos that you put off during the rest of the year, upholstery is a good place to start. The Bissell Little Green is a clutch portable cleaner that everyone should have on hand, though the one featured here was designed specifically for pet parents dealing with both stains and odor. Bissell claims that the Little Green Pet Max has 30% more powerful suction than the Shark StainStriker.

The Bissell Little Green Max Pet retails for $139.99, so we're hoping to see it hit $89.99 with a $50 discount.

Dropping: May 16 Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 694 $249.99 at Best Buy
$274.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

The Roomba 694 is the cheapest Roomba to be featured in a Drop so far. Several years old now, the 694 isn't the best at anything. However, for homes that just require light daily upkeep, it's a decent, affordable option, complete with the street cred that comes with having a Roomba.

Best Buy currently has the Roomba 694 on sale for $249.99 over its MSRP of $274.99, though it's Amazon who is setting the standard for whether or not this Drop will be worthwhile. Amazon frequently has the same 694 model on sale for $179.99, so that's the price Best Buy will have to beat. Though if you're looking for the best cheap robot vacuum under $200, we'd suggest to be patient and sang the Shark RV2300 or Eufy L60 instead — both are often on sale for $199 and offer smart mapping, which the Roomba 694 does not.

Dropping: May 17 Opens in a new window Credit: Corsair Corsair SCUF Envision Pro wireless gaming controller for PC $149.99 at Best Buy
$179.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

It's not a sin to prefer PC gaming but secretly miss the feel of a handheld controller. Corsair's solution is the SCUF Envision Pro, a wireless gaming controller solely for PC released in Oct. 2023. The Envision Pro is reminiscent of Sony's beloved DualSense design on its face, but offers several PC-specific components like five programmable G-keys and an RGB light strip.

The Envision Pro is already on sale for $149.99 ($30 off) at Best Buy, so a $50 to $70 discount is probable for its Drop.

SAVE $50: The brand-new Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones just got their first discount ever. As of May 13, snag a pair for only $149.95 instead of $199.95 and save 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

A good pair of headphones doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars. The Beats Solo 4, released earlier this month, are living proof.

Already moderately priced at $199.95, the new addition to the Beats family just got its first discount — and it's a pretty good one. As of May 13, you can snag the Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones for just $149.95 instead of the usual $199.95. That's 25% in savings on all three shades — cloud pink, slate blue, and matte black.

While we find it a bit questionable that the Solo 4s don't include noise cancellation, they do have a lot of other features worth mentioning. Compared to the Solo 3s, they pack an extra 10 hours of battery life, clocking in at 50 hours total. Plus, with Fast Fuel, 10 minutes of charging will deliver five more hours of playback. Thankfully, unlike the Solo Pros, they do include a 3.5 mm audio cable that delivers high-resolution lossless audio with no need for a charge.

The Solo 4s also come with personalized spatial audio, upgraded drivers, rebalanced acoustics, and an improved frequency response. That means the sound is noticeably more dynamic than their predecessor. When you're not listening, you can easily fold them up and slip them in the included travel case for seamless portability.

Save 25%: IHG Hotels & Resorts' Summer Sale has started with IHG One Rewards members saving 25% and non-members scoring 20% off. Stays must be booked between May 24 through September 2. Book before May 21 to save. Rates are pre-paid and non-refundable.

Opens in a new window Credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts Summer Sale Save up to 25% at participating IHG hotels Get Deal

As the warmer weather creeps in, so does the itch to log off work and get on a plane for summer vacation. Whether you're traveling domestically in the US, throughout North America, or even internationally, IHG Hotels & Resorts is offering a tantalizing summer sale.

When you book between now and May 21st, you can save up to 25% on your stay. The deal applies to participating IHG hotels in the US, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Some international destinations are available too.

There are stipulations to the deal, which aren't bad considering you're saving a pretty penny on accommodations. IHG members save 25% while non-members get 20% off. The rate only applies to stays between May 24 and September 2. There's a 2 night minimum stay, but we don't blame you if you want to stay longer. At the time of booking, the rate must be paid in full and is non-refundable.

IHG Hotels & Resorts includes budget and luxury accommodations with well known brands including Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo. Don't miss on these summer savings and book before May 21.

OpenAI has unveiled GPT-4o, a new AI model that combines text, vision, and audio.

At its highly anticipated livestream event, OpenAI CTO Mira Murati shared that GPT-4o can process text, audio, and vision in one model. GPT-4o will be available for free to all ChatGPT users. It is also available in the API, and is half the price and twice as fast as GPT -4 Turbo. The "o" in the name stands for "omni," referencing its combined modalities in one model.

SEE ALSO: Apple and OpenAI 'finalizing terms' for bringing ChatGPT to iOS 18 GPT-4o voice capabilities

The announcement confirmed previous rumors of a voice assistant. Previously, there were separate models for voice and image modalities. But GPT-4o is "natively multimodal," said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on X.

Tweet may have been deleted

Now, the GPT-4o brings the modalities together, decreasing lag and making it responsive in real-time. That means you can interrupt the model. It can also sense emotions and tones and express its own emotions and tones, making it sound extremely dramatic or robotic. It can even sing (if you want it to).

The soothing female voice used in the demo also sounds a lot like Scarlett Johansson's voice assistant character in the film Her.

GPT-4o vision capabilities

Another demo showcased GPT-4o's ability to help with math problems using its vision modality. It can walk the user through a basic math problem when solving for X. By highlighting code on the screen, ChaGPT with GPT-4o can process and understand what the code is and help improve it.

From user inquiries, ChatGPT with GPT-4o showed off its ability to translate in real-time and understand emotions.

Tweet may have been deleted

Murati started the event by sharing the availability of a new desktop app.

Previously, OpenAI was rumored to announce a ChatGPT search engine or a new transformer model GPT-5 ahead of Google I/O. CEO Sam Altman shot down those rumors ahead of Monday's event, but they are still believed to be in development.

GET UP TO 38% OFF: As of May 13, Amazon is offering up to 38% off portable speakers. Choose from Bose, JBL, and other top brands.

Our top picks: Best deal overall JBL FLIP 5 $79.99 at Amazon (save $49.96) Get Deal Best runner-up deal Sony SRS-XB23 $89.70 at Amazon (save $40.29 ) Get Deal Best budget deal JBL Clip 4 $49.95 at Amazon (save $30 ) Get Deal

Say goodbye to blasting your car's speakers at the beach, risking blown-out woofers and annoyed beachgoers. Portable speakers and Bluetooth technology have changed the game, letting you take the party anywhere your summer adventures lead. Whether you’re chilling by the pool, hiking a mountain trail, or hosting a backyard BBQ, there's a pocket-sized powerhouse to match your vibe and your budget.

SEE ALSO: 7 of the best speakers for those who want crisp, clear audio

As of May 13, you can get up to 38% off select portable speakers from top brands like JBL, Anker, and Sony. So pack your playlist and sunscreen — with deals this good, the soundtrack to your summer can go wherever you do.

Here are our top picks for under $100:

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: JBL Our pick: JBL FLIP 5 $79.99 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal Why we like it

The JBL FLIP 5 isn’t your average portable speaker. This baby can provide up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge and produces seriously impressive sound quality. (You know, that signature JBL bass.) It has a rugged, waterproof design, so you can take it anywhere without worrying about a little water or sand. And with a 38% discount, it’s a steal at $79.99.

It’s available in multiple fun color finishes, including pink and black camouflage, but different colors may have slightly different pricing.

Best runner-up deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony SRS-XB23 $89.70 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.29 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony SRS-XB23 doesn’t come in fun colors like its JBL counterpart, but it makes up for it with top-notch audio performance, a durable build, and a powerful battery that can keep the tunes flowing for up to 12 hours. With the Extra Bass setting, it can last up to 10 hours.

It's also rated IP67 waterproof and dustproof, so it can handle a day at the beach or pool. (I have the Sony XG300 and use it exclusively at the beach, and it's been super reliable. I’ve had it for at least three years now.)

Best budget deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL Our pick: JBL Clip 4 $49.95 at Amazon
$79.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The JBL Clip 4 is a miniature portable speaker that packs a punch. At just $49.95, this tiny but mighty clip-on speaker delivers crisp, room-filling sound with 10 hours of battery life. Thanks to the little clip, you can attach it to your backpack, belt, or bike handlebars for hands-free sound on the go.

It’s also IP167 waterproof and dustproof, so you can use it anywhere (even in the shower!) without worrying about damage.

Even more portable speaker deals:

• Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker — $27.99 $29.99 (save $8 with on-screen coupon)

• JBL Clip 3 — $44.95 $49.95 (save $5)

• JBL CHARGE 5 — $139.95 $179.95 (save $40)

• Bose SoundLink Revolve+ (Series II) — $299 $329 (save $30)

In two days, the all-new 2024 Apple iPad Air tablet will officially hit the market. While waiting for the big drop, shoppers can make sure they're among the first to get their hands on the new iPads by pre-ordering from the Apple Store, Amazon, and others. Today, they're already getting their first discounts.

Best Apple iPad Air 2024 deals: Best budget-friendly Apple iPad Air 2024 deal Apple iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, WiFi, 128GB) $569.99 at Amazon (save $29.01) Get Deal Best splurge Apple iPad Air 2024 deal Apple iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, WiFi, 128GB) $769.99 at Amazon (save $29.01) Shop Now

As of today, May 13, Amazon has launched its very first discount on the all-new Apple iPad Air. The 11-inch and 13-inch models are both on sale for $29.01 less than their list prices, putting a little extra money back in your wallet as you upgrade.

Best budget-friendly Apple iPad Air 2024 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, WiFi, 128GB) $569.99 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $29.01 Get Deal Why we like it

While a 5% discount may not sound like much at first glance, this discount makes the $599 Apple iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, WiFi, 128GB) more affordable by bringing the price down to $569.99. Significantly, this limited-time deal positions the brand-new model as cheaper than its 5th-generation, 2022-release predecessor, which is on sale today for $599. If you've been in the market for a new iPad Air, this discount makes preordering the 2024 release a no-brainer.

While the 5th generation is ultra-powerful thanks to the Apple M1 Chip (which is used to power Macbooks), the 2024 release has gotten a chip upgrade, with the even more powerful Apple M2 chip that facilitates smooth multi-tasking and supports graphics-heavy games. It also has an all-day battery life to fuel your work and play. Plus, its liquid retina display enhances visuals and creates a captivating viewing experience.

Best splurge Apple iPad Air 2024 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, WiFi, 128GB) $769.99 at Amazon
$799.00 Save $29.01 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, WiFi, 128GB) touts the same impressive upgrades as its smaller counterpart: the supercharged Apple M2 Chip, beautiful liquid retina display, all-day battery life, impressive storage, and advanced ultra-wide cameras. The key difference is in screen size. With a 13-inch screen, this model makes games feel even more immersive and video chats that much more lifelike. Plus, it gives creatives ample space for working on projects, which is easier than ever with the compatible Apple Pen Pro. Today's discount brings the price down from $799 to $769.99, so we recommend preordering at this discounted price.

UPDATE: May. 13, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EDT We've updated this story with the latest info on Prime Day 2024, plus some tea on the deals we expect to see.

Amazon has made the announcement: we're officially on the verge of Prime Day season once more.

If it feels like it hasn't been all that long since Amazon last hosted a sitewide, that's because it hasn't been: At the end of March, the retailer ran its five-day Big Spring Sale, offering deals on select tech, home and cleaning products, and other "seasonally relevant items."

The real knockout sale for Amazon, however, is Prime Day. The retailer has just released new details on the sale, so we've gathered everything you need to know so far about Prime Day 2024.

What is Prime Day?

Prime Day is a 48-hour sitewide savings event exclusive to paid and trial members of Amazon's Prime subscription service. It began in 2015 as a one-day sale to celebrate Amazon's 20th anniversary, and in recent years has become a two-day event prefaced by plenty of early deals. This year marks the 10th time Amazon has held this sale.

Prime Day often brings the lowest prices of the year at the time of the sale on a whole host of products including robot vacuums, Amazon devices, headphones, Apple products, TVs, countertop kitchen gadgets, and more.

For the past year, Amazon has held another sitewide sale for Prime members in the fall — last year's was dubbed Prime Big Deal Days — which closely resembles the summer event. It happened in October before Black Friday deals kicked off in earnest. Like Prime Day, it's a 48-hour sale for Prime members.

When is Prime Day 2024?

In a press release on April 26, Amazon confirmed that Prime Day will be in July, keeping in line with years past. Though they didn't say exactly which dates just yet, we predict the sale will fall sometime from early- to mid-July. In 2023, it ran from July 11 to July 12, while in 2022, it ran from July 12 to July 13.

We're also keeping an eye out for any news about early access deals: last year, Amazon kicked off early deals on June 21.

What to expect from Prime Day

Prime Day is Black Friday-coded in the sense that it's prime time for finding unprecedented price drops that you wouldn't see otherwise throughout the year. We can loosely predict what products will be on sale for Prime Day 2024 by looking back at last year's hot items in categories like robot vacuums, headphones, and Amazon devices.

Given the Kindle Paperwhite dropping below $100 in 2023, we'd love to see our new favorite Kindle, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, hit or beat its Black Friday price of $129.99. Between a smart mapping Roomba dropping below $200 and a j Series Roomba with small obstacle avoidance dropping below $300 (and staying there for much of spring 2024), a j Series Roomba scooting under the $250 point seems like the natural next step for the robot vacuum section.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2024: Consider these 5 features before buying

If you're eyeing Apple deals, Prime Day 2024 should be a good year for them. The past eight months have been packed with Apple events where new iPhones, MacBooks, and Apple Watches have all dropped, with Apple most recently announcing a new iPad Air, iPad Pro, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard at its iPad-centric event on May 10. The mere existence of all this new gear could definitely trigger new record-low prices on all of the older versions of these devices, push Apple Watch 9 or 2023 MacBook deals past the $100-ish off they've plateaued at, or set the stage for the very first discounts on the new iPads and iPad accessories.

Amazon devices themselves might have a similar story. Amazon device deals are always at the heart of Prime Day, but after a new vesrion of almost every single Alexa-enabled device came out at the Amazon event in Sept. 2023, there are a ton of new Amazon devices ripe for the picking for Prime Day 2024. Cross your fingers for a $79.99 Echo Show 8, $49.99 Echo, or $199.99 Echo Frames.

SEE ALSO: Memorial Day sales are already kicking off — here's what you need to know

If you're A Chosen One, Amazon's invite-only deals are really where it's at. October Prime Day's selection was a doozy, offering 60% off two Fire TVs and 62% off Jabra earbuds and a Sony soundbar. During Prime Day in July 2023, the star of the invite-only section was a 43-inch Omni Fire TV rocking a 75% discount, bringing it below $100.

For Prime Day 2024, we wouldn't be surprised to see the mega invite-only discount focus divert from the 43-inch to 55-inch range and focus on bigger models, like a 65-inch or 75-inch Fire TV from Hisense. Invite-only deals could be announced as early as June, as extra time is needed for shoppers to request and be granted access by the time Prime Day actually starts.

Can you shop on Prime Day without being a Prime member?

Not all Prime Day deals are officially tied to the sale, but to have access to the most possible savings, you will want to be a Prime member.

You can participate in Prime Day without committing to a paid Prime membership by scheduling a 30-day free trial around the event. Just remember to cancel it as soon as the sale is over to avoid getting charged.

SEE ALSO: Walmart+ is offering some new limited-time perks — here's how to sign up Who's competing with Prime Day?

At this point, it's traditional for other major retailers to conveniently hold sales right before, during, and right after Prime Day.

Last year, that included Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale which took place from July 10 to 12, Walmart+ Week from July 10 to 13, and Target Circle Week from July 9 to July 15. (As a reminder, last year's Prime Day ran from July 11 to 12.) Both Walmart and Target just happened to hold big spring sale events around the time Amazon was running its Big Spring Sale, so we're expecting no less competition-wise for the summer blowouts.

Beyond expanded sale times, these retailers can offer better deals on certain categories like QLED TVs, high-end laptops, and home essentials.

While we haven't received any confirmation of any competing sales yet, we'll be keeping a lookout and updating this page accordingly once we do.

If you have Squarespace stock in your portfolio, it's time to cash out — whether you want to or not.

On Monday, Squarespace announced it was acquired by Permira, a private equity firm based in the UK, in an all-cash deal valued at $6.9 billion. As a result of the acquisition, Permira will take the company private.

Squarespace is a popular website builder and hosting company founded in 2003 and went public on the stock market in 2021. According to BuiltWith, which provides comprehensive technology usage data for online platforms and websites, more than 3.3 million websites powered by Squarespace live on the internet. This ranks Squarespace as the second most popular website host service in the U.S., right behind Shopify. (Note: WordPress is not ranked on this list because many of the hundreds of millions of websites using the popular CMS are self-hosted and not using WordPress' hosting service.)

According to the press release, Squarespace stockholders will receive $44 per share, which puts it at a "premium of 29% over the 90-day volume weighted average trading price of $34.09."

Tech going private

Readers are likely used to tech companies going public over the years. This has long been a goal of many software companies, social media platforms, and other tech-related services. Reddit, for example, just recently went public earlier this year.

However, a new trend seems to be emerging in tech: Some are taking these companies in the opposite direction and going private.

For example, Elon Musk infamously overpaid for Twitter, now known as X, and took the company private in late 2022.

As TechCrunch points out, Permira has also been involved in other recent "take-private" deals, such as when it acquired Zendesk for $10.2 billion in 2022 along with San Francisco-based private equity firm Hellman & Friedman. In the past two months alone, private equity firm Thoma Bravo acquired the cybersecurity company Darktrace for $5 billion and the event management software company Everbridge for $1.8 billion and took both companies private.

As for where Squarespace is headed, Permira will keep its CEO and founder, Anthony Casalena, so users who create and host their websites with the company shouldn't expect too much of a difference — at least in the near future.

Did your iPad Pro get a little bent in 2018? Apple claims that won't happen with its new model.

The 2018 version of the iPad Pro notoriously became a little bendy for some users due to a manufacturing error, but Apple has fixed this in the model that was unveiled last week. In an interview with tech YouTuber Arun Maini, Apple executive John Ternus explained that a new metal cowling Apple installed in the device will keep the new iPad Pro from bending like the old one did.

SEE ALSO: 'We missed the mark': Apple apologises for tone-deaf iPad ad Tweet may have been deleted

Of course, without extensive hands-on time with the new iPad Pro, it's impossible to tell just how sturdier it is than the 2018 model. Apple claims the 13-inch version of the new Pro is the thinnest product it has ever made, so durability will naturally be a concern until proven otherwise.

But at least the company did something to alleviate the issue.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones $149.95 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST GAMING DEAL Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 gaming monitor $699.99 at Amazon (save $700) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Roborock Q5+ Pro robot vacuum and mop $419.99 at Amazon (save $280) Get Deal BEST OUTDOORS DEAL Soundcore Motion 300 portable speaker $63.99 at Amazon (save $16) Get Deal

Looking for some sweet tech deals to kick off your week? Whether you're in the market for a solid pair of travel headphones, a Bluetooth speaker to accompany your outdoor adventures, a robot vacuum worth its salt, or a gaming monitor to immerse yourself in play, we've got a deal for you. You can save up to 50% at Amazon today with our top deal picks — we already did the hard part for you.

Here are the best Amazon deals of the day for May 13.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Amazon deal of the day: Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Just released earlier this month, the Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones just got their first discount — and it's a good one! As of May 13, you can snag a pair for only $149.95 instead of the usual $199.95 and enjoy the latest Beats technology for your spring and summer travels. A refreshed take on the previous generation (the Beats Solo 3), the Solo 4s include upgraded drivers, rebalanced acoustics, and an improved frequency response. Translation: more dynamic sound. They also pack an extra 10 hours of battery life compared to their predecessor, clocking in at 50 hours total. Sadly, they dropped the ball on including noise-cancelling technology, but they're still a worthwhile purchase — especially at $50 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 gaming monitor $699.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $700.00 Get Deal

If you have the desk space and want to really take your gaming experience to a new level, check out this deal on the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 monitor. It's basically the equivalent of having two 16:9 QHD monitors mashed together and its curved design surrounds your field of view, making for a more immersive experience. This also helps eliminate image distortion and makes long gaming sessions more comfortable for your eyes. Other features include HDR 1000 for better color and contrast, a speedy 240Hz refresh rate, and fast 1ms response times. As of May 13, it's on sale for just $699.99 — that's 50% off its usual cost and a new low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q5+ Pro robot vacuum and mop $419.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $280.00 Get Deal

Make your spring cleaning more hands off by snagging this deal on the Roborock Q5 Pro+, one of our favorite self-emptying robot vacuums (that also mops!). An ideal choice for pet owners with larger homes, the Q5 Pro+ is a great hair picker upper and packs a 240-minute battery life that doubles the runtime of many of its competitors. That extended battery life means its able to clean up to 3,700 square feet in one charge (allegedly). It also features an impressive 5,500 Pa in suction power, making it one of the most powerful vacuums in its price range. Typically $699.99, you can save 40% at Amazon as of May 13 and pay just $419.99 for this hybrid machine.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Motion 300 portable speaker $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal

Back at its all-time low from Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the Soundcore Motion 300 makes a great summertime companion for outdoorsy folks. Its IPX7 waterproof rating ensures it'll keep bumping out tunes at the beach or pool, while its 13-hour battery life will ensure the music doesn't stop during a hike or other excursion. It also packs BassUp technology, 30W sound, and customizable EQ via the Soundcore app. As of May 13, it's on sale for only $63.99 instead of $79.99. That's a 20% discount.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Tinder has introduced a slew of safety features in recent years, working to improve the wellbeing and comfort of daters. From verification checkmarks to guardrails for preventing scams and inappropriate messages, these tools aim to protect Tinder users in all sorts of ways.

The latest: a tool to share key information with friends and family before meeting up with a date. The feature, in the form of a shareable link, holds metrics about the date, including the person's photo and link to their profile, along with details of the date itself, like the time and location.

SEE ALSO: Tinder's new Matchmaker feature lets friends and family recommend matches

"Discussing plans with friends and family is a time-honored dating ritual," Tinder CMO Melissa Hobley explains. "Share My Date streamlines this basic info-sharing so singles can jump right to the exciting part, from figuring out what to wear to prepping conversation topics."

If you want to try the tool out for your next date, here's how to do it.

How to use "Share My Date" Credit: Tinder. Total Time

• 3-5 minutes

What You Need

• Tinder app
• Smartphone

Step 1: Head to your DMs with the person you're about to meet.

Step 2: Click on the three dots on the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select "Share My Date".

Step 4: Add all the necessary details here.

Tinder will direct you to add the name of the person and the details of the date, including the day, time, and location. There's also a note section at the bottom where you can add any other information you want to share.

Step 5: Select "done" and send the created link to your friends and/or family.

You can also edit the link and all its details in the app, and the link will be updated in real time.

SAVE $150: The Apple iPad Air is available for the lowest price we've seen listed at Amazon. This limited-time deal saves shoppers 20%, taking the price down from $749 to $599.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (5th generation) $599.00 at Amazon
$749.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal

While many are out preordering the brand-new iPad Air this week, the previous generation is on sale at Amazon for a significantly reduced price.

As of today, you can shop the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) for $599 at Amazon. Normally listed for $749, this deal saves you $150. This price marks the lowest drop we've seen for the iPad Air at Amazon. However, a few weeks ago, Best Buy beat this price, listing the model for $399.99.

While the ultra-thin and light design is certainly a plus when it comes to the iPad Air, what really makes this iPad special is that it has an Apple M1 Chip — the very same chip that's used to power Apple Macbooks. This means you're getting all of the power of a laptop packaged into a sleek iPad.

While the new iPad Air has an even more advanced chip, the Apple M2 Chip, the 5th generation model is still highly efficient and capable of keeping up with all that you need to get done.

As you weigh your options, today's sale makes the Apple iPad Air (5th generation) a worthy contender.

GET $60 OFF: As of May 13, the eero 6+ mesh router (3-pack) is just $239.99 at Amazon, down from $299.99. That's a 20% discount or $60 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: eero eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi router $239.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

If you’re a remote worker, student, or anyone who uses the internet at home, you know the frustration of a slow, unreliable WiFi connection. Buffering, laggy video calls, and ridiculously slow download speeds can make it difficult to stay productive and connected.

SEE ALSO: The best WiFi routers for every home

Fortunately, there's a solution that can transform your home network and eliminate those pesky WiFi woes — the eero mesh router system. Eero is a top-rated mesh WiFi system that provides seamless, whole-home coverage, and as of May 13, you can get $60 off the three-pack at Amazon.

Mesh WiFi systems are designed to provide better coverage and reliability than traditional single-router setups, especially in larger homes or those with challenging layouts that can create WiFi dead spots. With the eero 6+, you can cover up to 4,500 square feet with fast, reliable WiFi.

It’ll also connect to your existing internet service provider, so you won't have to worry about switching providers or complicated installation. Just plug them in and follow the prompts on the eero app, and you'll be up and running in no time.

Last year, I called the Google Pixel 7a a “great potential swan-song” for Google’s budget Pixel A-series line of phones. I couldn’t have been more wrong about the “swan-song” part, though, because I’ve been using a Pixel 8a for the past several days.

That’s fine, though, because Google’s track record of making really good $500 Android handsets has remained consistent over the years, and is unchanged in 2024. While I’m not totally enamored with every “new” feature packed into the Pixel 8a (enough with the AI stuff), its remarkable parity with a phone that was $200 more back in October makes Pixel 8a a compelling option for anyone who’s overdue for an affordable Android upgrade. 

SEE ALSO: Google I/O 2024: What to expect What I like about the Google Pixel 8a

It’s important to note up-front that much of what makes the Pixel 8a good also made the Pixel 8 a quality handset late last year. Its design and specs are nearly identical in all the ways that matter, but again, you’re paying $200 less for this one, so that’s cool.

Google didn’t fix what wasn't broken Looks like a Pixel, alright. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

When I say the design and specs are similar, I mean it. 

Pixel 8a looks like the spitting image of Pixel 8, with Google’s now-distinctive horizontal camera bar situated in the upper portion of the phone’s backside. Its corners are rounded and its back has a matte finish in one of the four following colorways: Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain. 

Our review unit came in the cool blue Bay color and I personally adore it. The other colors are fine, I guess, but Bay is definitely the way to go this year.

Here are the basic specs of the review unit Google provided us:

• 6.1-inch Actua display with 2400x1080 resolution and up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Google Tensor G3 chipset

• 128GB of storage

• 8GB of RAM

You can also upgrade to 256GB of storage this year, which bolts an extra $60 onto the Pixel 8a’s $500 starting price tag.

Those specs are all right in line with the Pixel 8, with the exception of display size, which is a tenth of an inch smaller than the 6-2-inch glass present on last year’s entry-level Pixel. Despite that, Pixel 8a is actually a tenth of an inch taller than Pixel 8 and two-tenths of an ounce heavier, to boot. 

Look, these aren’t big differences, but they are differences, and they need to be noted, folks.

Almost everything you want is here I like the new colorway a lot. Credit: Joe Malonado/Mashable

Point being, this is basically a Pixel 8 with a few small cuts around the edges that barely impact the everyday experience at all. That means all of the AI features that made their debut in Pixel 8 are here, and how you feel about that depends on how you felt about them last year.

The Pixel 8 experience has been pretty faithfully recreated in a cheaper phone. You can use Circle to Search to draw a little circle around anything on the screen and have Google’s AI bring up a relevant web search for you. You can also use the AI call screening feature to have conversations with service workers without actually talking to them.

That means AI camera features like Magic Editor and Audio Magic Eraser also make their return in Pixel 8a. Best Take allows you to composite together a “perfect” group photo based on several tries, and Magic Eraser is back to remove photobombers from your vacation pictures.

I have…feelings about some of these features that I’ll get to in a bit, but it’s at the very least commendable that Google included so much of the Pixel 8 in the comparatively more affordable Pixel 8a.

Flagship-level performance

That goes for performance, too.

There isn’t a ton to say about it, honestly. Pixel 8a uses the same Tensor G3 chip as Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and my experience from an everyday performance standpoint has been pretty much the same as it was on those phones. It doesn’t ever hitch even when several apps are open, everything is smooth as can be, and I haven’t found heating to be a problem.

The 120Hz refresh rate doesn’t hurt, either. It just makes everything feel more responsive and quick. Points to Google for getting it into the Pixel 8a this year after the 7a could only go up to 90Hz. For reference, the base iPhone 15 is still stuck at 60Hz.

What I dislike about the Google Pixel 8a

There’s nothing functionally wrong with Pixel 8a that I can discern. My main concern is philosophical.

It’s time for some new ideas Don't change the camera bar, though. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Basically, the Pixel 8a suffers from being an iteration of the Pixel 8, which wasn’t the most exciting Pixel in years. At least, not for me.

I just don’t think most of these AI features are all that useful or would even be desirable if they were useful. I’ve seen the TV commercial where a woman edits a photo so it looks like her husband is throwing a baby dangerously high in the air hundreds of times during basketball games and I still don’t understand who exactly Magic Editor is for. 

Well, I guess features like that and Best Take are for people who want to strip their social media presences of all imperfection and genuine humanity, but that’s not me. 

In other words, the things that separate the Pixel 8a from the Pixel 7a (aside from the boosted refresh rate and new chip) aren’t all that enticing. This is a very good phone for the price, but the need to upgrade to Pixel 8a is not especially urgent if you bought a Pixel in the last two or three years.

What’s ‘meh’ about the Google Pixel 8a

Somewhere along the line, Google has to make cuts to justify dropping the price of the 8a to $500. This year, the only difference that really bothers me is one little cut camera trick.

One missing camera feature

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro both had a Macro Focus feature that allowed you to position the camera way up close against objects with small, fine details and get snazzy looking shots. 

[Insert macro shot here]

As you may have guessed by now, Pixel 8a can’t do that. Bummer! That said, the camera is still pretty good for what you pay for.

Google Pixel 8a camera

I’m going to keep this section relatively brief because Google didn’t do much to the Pixel 8a’s cameras compared to the Pixel 7a. In fact, specs-wise, Google didn’t do anything at all. Both Pixel 7a and Pixel 8a share the exact same physical camera specs:

• 64MP wide rear lens

• 13MP ultra-wide rear lens

• 13MP front lens

That’s not necessarily a bad thing because this isn’t a flagship phone. The Pixel 8a’s cameras combined with Google’s computational photo software can still create nice-looking shots, even when New York City conspires to be gloomy and grey outside for an entire weekend:

Sorry for the lack of blue skies. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

As someone who loves the 30x zoom in the recent Pixel Pro phones, I’m a little sad the Pixel 8a’s zoom lens only goes up to 8x, but I get it. That said, shots taken at 8x zoom do look very sharp.

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable All the zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Portrait mode is back and does portrait mode things.

Who wouldn't hang this in their estate? Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Night Sight continues to work wonders in the right circumstances, such as my nearly totally pitch-black backyard at night:

You couldn't see this with your eyes at all. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

This is a perfectly fine camera array for a $500 phone. Hopefully Google finds some more interesting improvements for Pixel 9a that don’t involve AI.

Google Pixel 8a battery life

Another very marginal cut from Pixel 8 came in the form of battery size. Last year’s baseline Pixel had a 4,575mAh battery, while the Pixel 8a has a reduced 4,492mAh engine powering itself. 

As tends to be the case with recent Pixel phones (at least in my experience) though, that doesn’t really matter. I was able to go about 24 hours between charges while using the phone regularly for video streaming, web browsing, and social media. That’s right in line with both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7a in my testing. It’s also more than good enough for me.

Google Pixel 8a final thoughts

Whether or not you should buy the Pixel 8a really depends on where you’re at in your personal phone upgrade journey.

If you’re on an older Android device and desperately need something affordable that will get years of software upgrades and general reliability, the Pixel 8a is a great choice. Its elite performance coupled with a flagship-esque display and decent enough camera specs are more than enough to make up for some lackluster returning AI features.

But if you have a more recent Pixel (even an A-series from the last year or two), I would recommend waiting until the Pixel 9 announcement later this year. Pixel 8a is an appealing option for those in need of an urgent upgrade, but it doesn’t create any urgency by itself.

If you're the type of person who loves a late night gaming session with the sound up but also cares about your roommates and neighbours getting decent sleep, you might want to try headphones. And they don't have to be mega cans, earbuds will work just fine.

Luckily, it's really easy to pair your Xbox console with your AirPods. And let's face it, playing with the sound down is a prime strategy for scaredy-cats like me getting through horror games but music and score, sound effects and foley, and voice over work is half the art of gaming.

So, let's pair your AirPods with your Xbox Series S, Series X, or Xbox One.

SEE ALSO: How to connect Xbox controller to PC

Before you start, make sure you've downloaded the Xbox app on iOS or Android and sign in/sign up with a Microsoft account.

How to use AirPods with Xbox Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Xbox Series S/X or Xbox One
• AirPods
• Xbox app and Microsoft account

Step 1: Turn on your Xbox and go to Settings.

You can find Settings by pressing the Xbox button in the middle of your Xbox controller, pushing the left stick across to your account profile, then pushing the stick down to "Settings".

Step 2: Select "Devices & connections."

Push the left stick down the menu to find this.

Step 3: Select "Remote features" and tick "Enable remote features."

Your Xbox will test your setup for remote connection. If you're good to go, a message will display on your TV screen telling you this.

Step 4: Connect your AirPods to your phone.

We've got whole guides for how to connect your AirPods to your iPhone or Android, but TL;DR open your AirPods case with the buds sitting inside it, hold down the button on the back of the case until the light on the front goes from green to white, then pick the AirPods in your Bluetooth settings.

Step 5: Open your Xbox app on iPhone or Android.

Make sure you're signed into your Microsoft account.

Step 6: Tap the "Remote play" icon in the top right corner of the Xbox app.

It's the little rectangle with radio waves coming out of it, next to the notifications bell.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Xbox

Step 7: Tap "Remote play on this device."

You'll see the name of your Xbox, whether Xbox Series S, Series X, or Xbox One. You'll also get a reminder to make sure your Wi-Fi is on.

Step 8: Tap "Allow" to let Xbox find and connect to devices on your local network.

Once connected, you'll see your Xbox screen mirrored to your phone screen.

Step 9: Now just pop your AirPods in and the sound will mirror that of your Xbox!

If you want to talk to other players while you're using your AirPods, you can just tap the the two vertical lines of dots on the top left of your phone screen, then tap the three horizontal dots, and tap the "Mute" button. This allows Xbox to access the microphone and enable chat.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable

Your roommates are so welcome.

If you have a Nintendo Switch, right this way.

So, you can't quite figure out how to connect your AirPods to your computer. Stuff happens! It's OK, because the problem is easy enough to solve.

We've got a quick rundown for you, but there's also a helpful page from Apple itself that can point you in the right direction for any model computer.

SEE ALSO: Yes, you can stick your AirPods to your MacBook screen, if you absolutely must

Now, first things first. The process of pairing your AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation) or AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) via Bluetooth might look different depending on what type of computer you use. Let's go with a Mac first.

How to connect AirPods to a Mac

First you want to make sure that your Mac's operating system is up to date. To do that, click on the Apple icon in the upper left hand corner of your desktop screen and click on "About this Mac." A screen will pop up, and there you can click on "Software Update."

It's always best to update to the latest, which is macOS Sonoma 14.4.1. According to Apple, 2nd generation AirPods require macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later (3rd generation needs macOS Monterey or later), and AirPods Pro require Catalina 10.15.1 or later (2nd generation needs the latest, Sonoma).

Now that you've made sure your Mac is up to date, follow these simple steps to connect your AirPods.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• AirPods
• Mac

Step 1: Open System Preferences.

If you can't find it, it's the icon on your desktop that looks like a gear. You can also search for System Preferences using Spotlight (the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of your desktop.)

Step 2: Select Bluetooth.

I happen to use a Mac, so here's what I'm talking about. This is the icon you're looking for.

The Bluetooth icon is easy to find in system preferences. Credit: Screenshot: apple / system preferences

Step 3: Place both AirPods in the case and open the lid.

Simple enough.

Step 4: Hold the button on the back of the AirPod case.

You should see the light start to blink white. Once it does, you can let go of the button.

Step 5: Wait for your AirPods to show up on your devices, then click Connect.

Presto. That should be it. Note: If you do not see your AirPods, double-check that Bluetooth is turned on, then restart the process.

Connecting AirPods to your Mac is easy. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Now, what if you don't use a Mac? Well, the process should be pretty much exactly the same. Pretty much.

How to connect AirPods to a PC or Windows laptop

The only thing that's really going to change is how you navigate to the Bluetooth page. Here's a few different ways you might get there:

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• AirPods
• PC or Windows laptop

Step 1: On a PC, open Settings from your Start menu.

Step 2: Select devices, navigate to Bluetooth and other devices, then hit the plus sign where it says "Add Bluetooth or other device."

Step 3: Open the AirPods' case lid, hold the button, and select your AirPods once they pop up on the screen.

Step 4: The headphones should connect, then you'll click "Done."

Not all PCs come equipped with Bluetooth, especially desktops. However if you have a laptop, it's quite likely that your PC does have Bluetooth capabilities.

There you have it, folks. Enjoy your brave new world in which your AirPods pair seamlessly with your computer.

Meanwhile, if you want to properly clean your AirPods, reset them, or even stick them to your MacBook screen, we've got you covered.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 French Open for free on 9Now, France TV, RTBF, ORF, or Servus TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The biggest clay court tennis championship on the calendar is fast approaching, and that means tennis fans from all over the world will be scrambling for a way to stream the 2024 French Open. It seems like these massive sporting moments are never easy to watch. Why is that the case? We can't answer that, but we can provide you with some solutions to your streaming struggles.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 French Open from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the French Open?

The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is a major tennis tournament held over two weeks at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It's the only Grand Slam tournament held on a clay surface, and is chronologically the second of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments.

The current singles champions are Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek.

When is the 2024 French Open?

The 2024 French Open is the 129th edition of the competition. This year's event will take place from May 20 to June 9.

How to watch the 2024 French Open for free

It's possible to live stream the 2024 French Open for free on a number of streaming platforms:

• Australia — 9now (free)

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (free)

• Belgium — RTBF (free)

• France — France TV (free)

The issue here is that you need to be connecting from these countries to access these free streaming services. The only way to bypass these geo-restrictions is with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can stream the 2024 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services to watch the 2024 French Open by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Austria, Belgium, or France

4. Connect to 9Now, France TV, RTBF, ORF, or Servus TV

5. Watch the 2024 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these guarantees, you can watch Roland Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2024 French Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the French Open?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms from around the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

"House of the Dragon" stars Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke rewatched key scenes from Season 1 ahead of Season 2.

If you were unfamiliar with Twitch in the past, you probably know about the popular livestreaming platform now.

The Amazon-owned streaming service has grown exponentially over the years, now with more than 30 million daily viewers and around 7 million creators going live on Twitch every month, according to the platform.

Are you a first-time streamer looking to get in on the Twitch action? Or maybe you're a longtime YouTuber who feels like Twitch, which focuses on live video, might be a better platform for your livestreams? Then you've come to the right place. Going live on Twitch is quick and easy, and we'll teach you everything you need to know about how to do it.

SEE ALSO: Meet Sketch, the streamer taking over the sports world

But, before we dive in, make sure you sign up for a Twitch account first as that's required for going live. Just go to Twitch.tv and click the Sign Up button in the upper right corner. Choose your username and fill out your personal info and you'll be ready to go.

How to stream live on Twitch from your mobile device

The fastest way to start streaming on Twitch is to go live from your mobile device.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• Smartphone
• Twitch app

Step 1: First, download the Twitch app on your smartphone.

If you have an Android device, you'll find the app in the Google Play Store. If you're an iPhone user, just head over to the App Store.

Step 2: Next, sign in to your account and tap your profile image in the upper left corner.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 3: On your account page, click the "Go Live" button.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 4: You'll then be presented with two options: "Stream Games" and "Stream IRL".

The "Stream IRL" option utilizes your device's camera.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 5: If you want to "Stream Games", choose your title.

If you pick the first option, you'll be presented with a screen where you pick the game you want to stream.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 6: Choose a name for your stream and adjust audio settings.

After choosing this category, you'll be given options where you can title your stream and adjust the audio volumes for your smartphone's mic and the gameplay volume.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 7: Click on the record button.

You'll see a prompt that lets you know that Twitch will screencast your device to your Twitch livestream. This pop-up warns you that any notifications that show on your screen will be broadcast as well, so it's best to turn off notifications or turn on "Do Not Disturb" options.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 8: Tap on "Start Broadcast" and you're live!

If you choose the "Stream IRL" option, you'll be broadcasting yourself from your mobile device's camera. You'll receive similar stream options menus where you can set the title of your broadcast and then tap "Start Stream" to go live.

How to stream live on Twitch from your PC or Mac

If you'd like to stream while you're on your Mac or gaming on your PC, you're going to need software to broadcast from.

There are popular free options like OBS, which works on both PC and Mac. There are also paid options like the Mac-native Ecamm Live.

However, Twitch now has its own free Twitch Studio application to help you get started on PC or Mac. If you're just starting out, it's probably best to use that before you spend money on a third-party app or learn the more complicated OBS software.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• PC or Mac
• Twitch Studio

Step 1: First, download Twitch Studio.

You can get this from Twitch's official website.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 2: Login to Twitch, then connect your mic and camera.

After you install the software on your PC or Mac, open Twitch Studio and login to your Twitch account. You'll be greeted with an onboarding prompt that will walk you through connecting your mic and your webcam.

Step 3: Customize your stream.

Twitch Studio will also help you make your stream unique with different scenes and customizations. In addition, users can set up on-air Twitch notifications, chat boxes, and more from within the application. Play around with these and change them once you get a hang of how you'll be utilizing these options during your livestream.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 4: When you're ready to go live, click "Start Stream" at the bottom of the Twitch Studio app.

Credit: Mashable Screenshot

Step 5: Choose your stream category, enter your livestream title, and click "Go Live" to start streaming.

And that's it! Whether you decide to livestream your favorite game or just go live for a casual chat stream, you now know everything you need to quickly broadcast on Twitch.

There are a few things you'll need while planning your next trip: earplugs in case you're seated next to a toddler on an airplane; a neck pillow if you have the ability to rest on flights; and distractions from the doldrums inherent to any travel experience that doesn't go awry. For most people, those helpful items include a book or a podcast, some music or a Nintendo Switch, or maybe just a bit of work. Since you don't typically have excellent access to WiFi on a plane or train, a downloaded TV show or movie (or several) could also prove helpful.

SEE ALSO: 75 TV shows you can binge from start to finish on a flight

Outside of travel, of course, there are plenty of times watching Netflix is simply easier if you have the shows or movies downloaded so you can view them offline whenever you want. Note: Netflix's terms are, "Ad-free plans can have up to 100 active downloads at a time per device based on the number of devices included in your Netflix plan." On plans with ads, it's 15 downloads per device per month.

Here's how to do it.

How to download Netflix movies and shows for offline viewing Total Time

• 5 mins

What You Need

• Netflix app
• iPhone or iPad
• Android phone or tablet
• Amazon Fire tablet
• Windows 10 or 11 tablet
• Chromebook

Step 1: Download the Netflix app.

In order to download movies and TV shows from the Netflix app, you'll first need the latest version of the app. You can get it on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later, on your Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0 or later, on your Amazon Fire tablet running Fire OS 5.0 or later, on your Windows 10 or 11 tablet or computer (only on ad-free Netflix plans), and on Chromebook through Google Play Store. Make sure you keep the app updated for it to work the best. To see if your app needs to be updated, navigate to your App Store and tap updates.

Credit: Apple screenshot

Step 2: Choose your TV show or movie.

Once you're in the app, you'll find that not all movies or TV shows are available to download on Netflix. Some of them will not have the little down arrow download button. Netflix says this is because content rights are exclusive to another company, the rights aren't available for Netflix to purchase, or a whole host of other reasons, like popularity, cost, availability, or seasonal and other localized factors. To find a movie or TV show that is downloadable, tap on your choice and look for the Downloads icon — a downward-facing arrow located near the play button. On a Windows 10 device, you'll need to open the Netflix app and select Menu, then navigate to See What You Can Download, Find Something to Download, Find More to Download, or Available for Download, depending on your device. You can also filter for shows by what is available for download.

Credit: Apple screenshot

Step 3: Download your TV show or movie.

On your device, click the Download button — that downward-facing arrow again — next to a TV show episode or a movie. It'll download the fastest, and with the least data usage, if you're on good WiFi. Once the show is downloaded, you'll have access to it in your Downloads menu. All you have to do now is find the title you want to watch and press play. Downloads will expire after a period of time, and some have a limit on how many times they can be downloaded per year. Once you’re done watching, delete downloads from your device to make more room for — you guessed it — more downloads.

About to take a flight and looking for a Netflix show to download? Here's 75 TV shows you can watch from start to finish, depending on how long your flight is.