Tech / Technology

Best smart thermostat deal: Get the Google Nest Learning thermostat for 28% off

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Get the Google Nest Learning thermostat for just $179, down from $249.99, at Amazon as of Oct. 31. That’s a 28% discount.
a google nest learning thermostat on a blue wall

SAVE $70: Integrate the Google Nest Learning thermostat into your home for just $179, down from $249, at Amazon. That’s a discount of 28%.


Tis the season to crank up the heat — and then forget to turn it down for the nine hours you’ll be away from home. Avoid the heart-dropping sensation of realizing the plants will be the only ones enjoying a cozy 70 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re at work with a smart thermostat that senses when you’re away.

As of Oct. 31, you can score the Google Nest Learning thermostat for just $179 at Amazon, marked down from $249. That’s a savings of $70 that can go toward paying the heating bill.

This smart thermostat is designed to learn as you use it. After one week, the Google Nest thermostat programs itself based on its history and your temperature settings. Use the Nest app to adjust the temperature while you’re away from home — from your phone, you can turn down the heat if you forgot to adjust it before you left for vacation, or turn it back on an hour before you’re set to get home. The app also tracks your energy history if you’re looking for insights on how to use less energy.

The Google Nest Learning thermostat is also designed to use sensors to determine when you’re not around and turn itself to an energy-saving temperature. Google says most people take 30 minutes to install the thermostat and that it works with 95% of existing thermostat systems. The thermostat face comes in seven colorways including black, white, brass, and stainless steel, so you can match your home’s existing decor.

Introduce a new smart home feature this winter with the Google Nest Learning thermostat, marked down to just $179 at Amazon.

Tech / Technology

The best Apple deals for October 2023: AirPods, iPads, and more

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Prime Day may have been two weeks ago, but you can still grab second-gen AirPods Pro at their Prime Day price of $189 or the iPad Air for its Prime Day price of $499.99. Plus, check out more of the best Apple deals as of Oct. 31.
Apple iPad Air

UPDATE: Oct. 31, 2023, 12:00 p.m. EDT We’ve updated this post with the best deals from across the Apple universe leading into Black Friday season. Here are our top picks:

Best Apple deals this week:

Best Mac deal

space gray m2 macbook air


Best iPad deal

2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB)

$249 at Amazon and Walmart
(Save $80)

a silver 2021 10.2 in ipad


Best iPhone deal

iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 on a new line with select unlimited plans
(Save up to $799)

black iphone 14 plus


Best Apple Watch deal

Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular)

$269 at Best Buy
(Save $30)

Apple Watch in pink.


Best AirPods deal

AirPods Pro

$189 at Walmart
(Save $60)

second generation airpods pro

Apple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love ’em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or you just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple’s got you covered. Sure, they’re a little notorious for their high prices, but we’ve rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can. Check them out below.

Mac and MacBook deals

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M2 MacBook Air.

$899 is no longer a particularly uncommon price to see this M2 MacBook Air at, yet we’re no less excited when we see it return to this all-time low price. That’s because for under $1,000 you get impressive M2 power, a 13.6-inch display (trust us, you’ll notice the difference from a 13.3-inch display), and a keyboard that Mashable’s Alex Perry described as “kingly.” Whether you’re a student, looking for a work-from-home workhorse, or looking for an everyday laptop to replace your old, dusty MacBook, we’re willing to bet you’ll be more than happy with the M2 Air.

More Mac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

iPad deals

Why we like it

Prime Day brought the ninth-generation iPad back down to its $249 low, and Amazon and Walmart have kept it there for two weeks after the sale’s conclusion. Though this isn’t the iPad for you if you’re planning on doing a bunch of gaming or art, for many people this budget-friendly tablet will be more than enough for note-taking and video streaming.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad (9th gen)

iPad Air

iPhone deals


Our pick: iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon

$0 when you open a new line on select unlimited plans (save $799)



Why we like it

The iPhone 15 may be the shiniest new Apple toy, and while the deals on the phone certainly aren’t bad, they are contingent upon you having a decent trade-in. If you feel any doubt in your trade-in power, going for this Verizon deal on the 14 Plus requires none — only that you open a new line on select unlimited plans. Still some hoops, but far fewer to get an $800 phone basically for free.

More iPhone deals

Apple Watch deals

Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is a great option for those who don’t necessarily need all of the pricey bells and whistles that come with other Apple Watch models. You’ll get all the must-have features you need like health tracking, crash detection, Smart Stack, and emergency SOS options. Also, it’s $30 off at Best Buy, and we’ll never turn down a discount on the already-most-affordable Apple Watch.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

Series 8

Ultra

More Apple Watch deals

Apple accessories deals

Why we like it

Read our full review of the second-generation AirPods Pro.

The AirPods Pro are some of the best noise-canceling buds in the business, and Walmart’s randomly decided to bring them back to their Prime Day (and record-low) pricing this week. At the time of writing, these buds are sold out at Amazon. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder wrote in his review that these AirPods are “the first pair of earbuds I’d actually consider taking on an airplane (instead of my much larger and clunkier over-ear headphones).”

More deals on Apple accessories

Tech / Technology

How to preorder the new M3 Apple iMac, starting at $1,299

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The new 24-inch M3 Apple iMac is available for preorder at Amazon, the Apple Store, and Best Buy ahead of its Nov. 7 release.
two smiling kids and a woman working at a pink apple imac on a wooden desk

As of Oct. 31, the new 24-inch Apple iMac (Apple M3) is available for preorder at Amazon, the Apple Store, and Best Buy ahead of its Nov. 7 release. It starts at $1,299 for 256GB of storage, 8GB RAM, and an 8-core GPU.

Where to preorder the new M3 Apple iMac:


Apple Store

Apple iMac (Apple M3)

Starting at $1,299

a green m3 apple imac


Best Buy

Apple iMac (Apple M3)

Starting at $1,299

a blue m3 apple imac

Apple lightly refreshed its all-in-one desktop computer for the first time in more than two years at its primetime “Scary Fast” October event Monday — and you can preorder it now before it launches in early November.

The latest 24-inch iMac features the company’s all-new M3 chip with an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, which it’s hyping as “up to 2x faster” than the 2021 model’s M1 chip. (The standard, non-Pro/Max M3 chip is the same silicone powering Apple’s new entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, for the record.) It also comes with support for WiFi 6E and up to a chunky 24GB of RAM.

That’s the extent of the new iMac’s upgrades over its predecessor, which sported the same 4.5K Retina display, 1080p webcam, six-speaker setup, slim profile, and rainbow of color options: pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and silver (though they look a little punchier and less pastel). It even had the same starting price of $1,299, which got you an identical base configuration with an 8-core GPU, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of storage.

all colors of the m3 apple imac


Credit: Apple

It’s a very subtle update, but that may not be a bad thing: The 2021 24-inch iMac won a Mashable Choice Award for its sleek form factor and peppy performance, with former Mashable tech reporter Brenda Stolyar deeming it “the ideal at-home iMac.” This is basically the same computer, but even peppier.

That said, the M3 model will probably appeal most to users who are still clinging to older PCs like the Intel-based iMacs: It doesn’t seem like a big enough jump from the M1 version to warrant an immediate next-gen upgrade.

The new iMac is available for preorder via Amazon, the Apple Store, and Best Buy at the time of writing and formally arrives on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Tech / Technology

Best Lego deal: Get the Lego Icons Tiny Plants set on pre-order for under $50

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Pre-order the new Lego Icons Tiny Plants building set for $49.99 at Amazon.
a set of nine small lego plants including succulents and cactuses sits on a white table

Preorder the new Lego Tiny Plants set: Available for preorder at Amazon and Lego, the Tiny Plants set costs $49.99 and launches on Dec. 1, 2023.


Gardening through the winter comes with some challenges. From snow storms to frigid overnight lows, the joy of gardening tends to hibernate during the winter. But this year could be different thanks to the new Lego set that launches on Dec. 1.

If you’re shopping for your favorite gardener this holiday season, pre-orders have begun on the Lego Tiny Plants set at both Amazon and Lego’s online store for $49.99. With the release set for Dec. 1, the Tiny Plants launch perfectly aligns with holiday gift-giving season.

Featuring 758 pieces, the Tiny Plants Building Set has nine flora displays, each nestled into a buildable terracotta pot. The plants span easy, medium, and advanced levels of building so there’s something for every type of Lego fan in the set, although Lego recommends the set for those aged 18 and up.

The plants include projects from an arid environment, the tropics, and carnivorous species. Spend your winter break building a prickly pear or pincushion cacti without getting pricked. You can also opt for the Venus fly trap or pitcher plant. If you prefer a trip to the tropics, the jade plant and false shamrock are your builds. The tallest of the Tiny Plants measures over 6.5 inches tall and four inches wide. The new set is part of the Lego Botanical Collection which uses elements of plastic made from sugarcane.

If you have an avid gardener on your shopping list or you’d like to add a pop of color to your winter decor, the latest Lego Tiny Plants set is available for pre-order with a release date set for Dec. 1.

Tech / Technology

This $70 4K camera drone takes holiday gifting to new heights

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Save on the ProVision 4K foldable camera drone at the Mashable Shop.
ProVision drone flying through sky

TL;DR: Need a gift to wow someone special this holiday season without breaking the bank? Try this ProVision foldable 4K camera drone on sale for $69.97 through October 31 —that’s a 36% discount.


When it comes to finding gifts that combine fun with innovation, it’s hard to beat the thrill of a drone. And here’s the kicker: We found a basic camera drone with an affordable price of $69.97. It’s normally $109.99 but is on sale through October 31.

Ready for indoor and outdoor adventures

Meet the ProVision drone with a 4K camera. A foldable design allows for simple storage and portability, making it an excellent adventure companion. Use the drone indoors to take hands-free group photos or videos for online content with hand gesture controls. Or, take it outside for aerial photography, races, and so much more.

Along with its versatility, the ProVision’s beginner-friendly features make this an excellent gift for nearly all ages. The built-in obstacle avoidance system senses objects to the drone’s front, left, and right to avoid crashes, and a one-key return makes landing foolproof. Plus, this purchase includes two batteries to double its total flight time.

Enjoyable, practical, and affordable

Of course, having a camera is half the fun of flying a drone. The ProVision’s 4K camera has 90º adjustments to capture high-quality images of anything from your house to pets to landscape shots — creative minds can flourish with a whole world of possibilities.

You can also see real-time transmission through the camera when you connect a smartphone. This feature makes the drone an essential tool for home inspection, like checking your gutters or shingles, even if these uses are less exciting than action and aerial shots.

Give the gift of fun and practicality with the ProVision 4K camera drone, now on sale for $69.97 (reg. $109.99) through October 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT, no coupon needed.

Prices subject to change.


ProVision camera drone and remote control

Credit: RochasDivineMart

Tech / Technology

How to watch ‘A Haunting in Venice’ on Hulu

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These are the best ways to watch ‘A Haunting in Venice’ on Hulu. Find out if you qualify for a free trial.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in 'A Haunting in Venice'

The best ways to watch ‘A Haunting in Venice’:

BEST OVERALL

Hulu monthly subscription

Free one-month trial, then $7.99/month

hulu logo


BEST BUNDLE DEAL

hulu and disney+ logos side by side


BEST FOR SPRINT CUSTOMERS

Hulu Basic (with ads)

free with Sprint Unlimited plans
(save $7.99/month)

t-mobile and sprint logos side by side


BEST FOR STUDENTS

Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu

free one-month trial, then $5.99/month
(save up to $12.99/month)

spotify and hulu logos side by side


BEST LONG-TERM DEAL

hulu logo

Scary movie season continues to deliver when it comes to streaming. A Haunting in Venice, the latest Hercule Poirot murder mystery film by Kenneth Branagh, fittingly hits the streaming world on Halloween. It will also be available to buy digitally the same day from all major digital retailers (Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango/Vudu, etc. with behind-the-scenes bonus content).

Like Branagh’s other two Poirot flicks, Murder on the Orient and Express and Death on the Nile, A Haunting in Venice has a stacked cast including Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, and of course, himself as Hercule Poirot. The film will officially be available to stream on Hulu just in time to cap off the streamer’s iconic “Huluween” event. Here’s everything you need to know to watch A Haunting in Venice.

Can I watch A Haunting in Venice at home?

Still showing in select theaters nationwide, you can check out A Haunting in Venice on the big screen if you wish. However, if you prefer to watch the Agatha Christie adaptation from your couch, it’s coming to small screens just in time for a Halloween watch party. The film begins streaming on Hulu on Oct. 31 for subscribers. Conveniently the previous two films in the trilogy — Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile — are streaming on Hulu as well.

Can you watch A Haunting in Venice online for free?

The good news is Hulu offers a generous free trial for an entire month — plenty of time to watch A Haunting in Venice and all sorts of other scary flicks. The bad news is it’s only for new (and some returning) subscribers. However, that’s not the only way to watch A Haunting in Venice online for free — or, at least, at a discount. Sprint customers and students also have ways to score a free subscription. Here’s what you need to know.

How to get Hulu for free

Best for most people: Hulu 30-day free trial


Hulu (With Ads)

Free 30-day trial, then $7.99/month



In a streaming market flooded with inflated prices, it’s getting harder and harder to score a free trial. Hulu is one of the most generous streamers, however, offering a substantial 30-day trial to test the waters. If you’ve never been a Hulu subscriber in the past, you can take advantage of your free trial (which is valid for both the No Ads and With Ads plans) right around Halloween. That will allow you to watch A Haunting in Venice when it premieres on the streaming service, plus Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and more.

You’ll have to dish out either $7.99/month for the With Ads plan or $17.99/month for the No Ads plan to continue your subscription or cancel before your 30 days are up.

Note: Some returning subscribers will also be eligible for the trial, depending on how long it’s been since you’ve been a subscriber.

Best for Sprint customers: Hulu (With Ads) monthly subscription


t-mobile and sprint logos side by side

Credit: Sprint / T-Mobile


Hulu (With Ads)

Free with Sprint Unlimited plans (save $7.99/month)



If you’re on a Sprint Unlimited plan, you can unlock free access to Hulu’s With Ads plan — so long as it remains active and in good standing. (If you choose to switch plans or cancel, your subscription will be suspended.)

Just head over to the Sprint (which is now T-Mobile) website, choose “activate now,” and sign into your Sprint account. From there, choose the phone you want to enjoy Hulu on, click “change service add-ons,” and choose Hulu. You’ll then receive a text message to follow and complete your account setup.

Best for students: Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu


spotify and hulu logos side by side

Credit: Spotify / Hulu


Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu

Free one-month trial, then $5.99/month (save up to $12.99/month)



Students have a few awesome options for watching A Haunting in Venice and other eerie faves on Hulu. Our personal favorite is signing up for Spotify Premium for Students. Not only will you get a free one-month trial, but you’ll also unlock access to Hulu With Ads for no extra charge. Following your trial period, you’ll have to pay only $5.99/month for both Spotify Premium and Hulu. There’s just one catch: you need a .edu email address to prove you’re a student (verified through SheerID).

Another option, which also requires the same .edu email address rules, is to open a Hulu student account on its own. There’s currently no free trial offered, but you’ll only have to pay $1.99/month, which is practically a steal.

Other ways to watch A Haunting in Venice

If you don’t qualify for the free options above, all hope is not lost. You can still save money on a Hulu subscription — it just won’t be free. If you commit to a full year of streaming, you can save 16% by choosing an annual subscription rather than a monthly subscription. You could also choose to only subscribe for a single month, then immediately cancel. Technically, you won’t save any money this way, but you also wouldn’t waste any.

Want more bang for your buck? You could opt for the Disney Bundle Duo, which includes Hulu and Disney+ (or Bundle Trio with Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+), which could save you up to 49%. Not interested in signing up for another streaming service? Purchase it on digital and call it a day.

Best for long-term viewing: Hulu (With Ads) annual subscription

Opting for an annual subscription rather than a monthly subscription will knock the $7.99/month cost down to only $6.67/month. Yes, you’ll pay more upfront, but in the long run, you save about 16%. If you also qualify for the free one-month trial (mentioned above), the price would drop down to just $6.15/month for 13 months.

By paying for a year, you’ll have plenty of time to watch A Haunting in Venice, plus Branaugh’s other two Hercule Poirot films, Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. You can even dive into plenty of other Hulu Originals we highly recommend, like The Bear, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Only Murders in the Building.

Best bundle deal: Disney Duo Basic or Trio Basic Bundle (With Ads)


hulu and disney+ logos side by side

Credit: Hulu / Disney+


Hulu + Disney+ (with ads)

$9.99/month or $14.99/month (save up to 44%)



The Disney Duo Basic Bundle is one of the best streaming deals around. For just $9.99/month, you’ll get access to all of the content on Disney+ and Hulu. That’s just $2 more than paying for Hulu on its own. If you’re a sports fan, you can opt for the Trio Basic Bundle and throw ESPN+ in the mix as well for $14.99/month, saving you 44%.

Sure, it’s not the best choice if you’re only looking to watch A Haunting in Venice and be on your way, but if more bang for your buck is what you’re looking for, the Disney Bundle is one of the best options.

Best non-streaming option: Buy A Haunting in Venice on digital

A Haunting in Venice is set for a digital release on the same day as its Hulu streaming debut. That means those who wish to add it to their digital library, rather than sign up for another streaming service, can do so at retailers like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, or Vudu (links not yet available). The best part about purchasing a digital version is the lineup of bonus features that come with it. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes footage of bringing the Agatha Christie classic Hallowe’en Party to life, set building, deleted scenes, and more.

Tech / Technology

Best Dyson deals Oct, 2023: Save on the V15 Detect Absolute and more

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Snag the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute for $574.99 or the Supersonic Origin hair dryer for $469.99.
Hand holding Dyson cordless vacuum cleaning hardwood floor

UPDATE: Oct. 31, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This post has been updated to reflect the latest availability and sale pricing on Dyson vacuums, air-purifying fans, and hair tools.

Best Dyson deals this week:

Best cordless Dyson vacuum deal

Dyson V15 Detect Absolute

$574.99 at Dyson
(save $175)

Dyson cordless vacuum with gold extender and green laser coming out of cleaning head


Best Dyson fan deal

Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP01

$379.99 at Best Buy
(save $150)

Dyson bladeless fan in white/silver


Best Dyson hair tool deal

Dyson Supersonic Origin

$269.99 at Amazon
(save $130)

Dyson hair dryer and attachment in black/nickel

The automated convenience of a robot vacuum is undeniably sweet, but for some, a Roomba just can’t compare to the rush or attention to detail of manual vacuuming. That’s where the iconic cyclonic suction of a Dyson comes in — and you can bring it home on a budget with this week’s deals on Dyson vacuums.

Looking for air care or hair care deals instead? We’ve got those, too.

Our top pick

Why we like it

In most cases, we’d recommend the Mashable Choice winning V12 Detect Slim over the larger and more in charge-er V15 Detect because it offers the best features of the V15 Detect at a more accessible price point. But not this week — a random discount from Dyson during the pre-Black Friday limbo period has knocked the V15 Detect Absolute to $574.99, making it cheaper than the less powerful V12 Detect Slim, which isn’t currently on sale. The sub-$600 sale price looks like even more of a steal alongside the $949.99 price tag on Dyson’s latest drop, the V15s Detect Submarine. Just released in September, the Submarine is Dyson’s very first all-in-one cordless vacuum and mop — though technically, it’s the V15 Detect, plus a wet roller head.

The V15 Detect comes with two cleaning heads, one being the game-changing laser head that highlights the microscopic dust the naked eye wouldn’t catch. “Absolute” signifies the inclusion of the aforementioned HEPA filter and extra attachments such as a mattress tool and up-top brush to de-dust the top of those kitchen cabinets.

More deals on cordless Dyson vacuums

Canister and upright Dyson deals

Dyson fan deals

Dyson hair tool deals