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Windows 11 Has a New Way to Open the Emoji Picker
You know that feeling when you want to drop an emoji or GIF into a conversation, but you can't quite remember the keyboard shortcut? Microsoft hears that pain, which is why there’s a subtle but significant change brewing that should make it that much easier.
Epic Games: Fortnite is offline for Apple devices worldwide after app store rejection [updated]
Updated on Friday, May 16 at 3:15 p.m. ET: On Friday afternoon, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman (who has a history of getting inside scoops from Apple) reported that Apple denies blocking the Fortnite app from iOS devices in Europe. Further, Gurman reported that Apple asked Epic Games to resubmit the app for approval in the EU. We still haven't heard anything from Apple directly, and we'll continue to monitor the situation.
You can read our original story below.
Introducing Fortnite v. Apple, Part Infinity: App Approval Thunderdome.
In case you couldn't tell from the catchy title, the Epic Games v. Apple legal drama has been an ongoing drama in the tech world. And in the latest news, Epic Games reports that Apple has rejected Fortnite's attempted return to the App Store.
"Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union," posted the official Fortnite account on X today. "Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it."
Mashable reached out to Apple to ask about the situation, and we'll update this article if we learn any new information.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: You can finally buy books in the Kindle app, thanks to a California judgeExactly a week ago, Epic Games delighted gamers by announcing it had officially resubmitted Fortnite to the App Store. But after the latest rejection, Fortnite has become unavailable for all iOS users worldwide.
Previously, iOS gamers in the EU were at least able to download Fortnite, but now, even that is unavailable. On top of that, Fortnite can't even be downloaded through a third-party app store in the European Union, for reasons that are unclear.
One possible explanation? We know that Epic Games resubmitted Fortnite for approval in the United States using its European developer account. If the submission was rejected as Epic Games claims, that could have triggered a wider problem for the company. Epic Games may have also pulled the app from third-party stores itself.
Here in the United States, iOS gamers have been unable to download Fortnite on Apple devices for years, which is what kicked off the legal case in the first place. Here's the tl;dr version from Mashable's Alex Perry:
Fortnite has been unavailable to play natively on iPhones since 2020 because of a still-ongoing legal dispute between Apple and developer Epic Games. The short version is that Apple likes to take a 30 percent commission on in-app purchases in iOS apps, and Epic didn't like that. One thing led to another, and now there's a bona fide antitrust case against Apple. That case recently resulted in the company being named in contempt of court, forcing the company to stop collecting fees from off-app purchases.
The return of Fortnite to the App Store has been a long time coming, but gamers will have to wait even longer to try and talk to Darth Vader in the game, at least on Apple devices.
On X, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that Apple had "weaponized" the app review process, framing this as a free speech issue.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.8BitDo's New Wireless Arcade Controller Costs Just $89
Budget controller brand 8BitDo just opened preorders for its new Arcade Controller, an impressively thin and customizable gamepad that costs just $89.
Get Proton VPN for 2 Years for 66% Off Today
Right now, you can buy two years of Proton VPN’s premium plan for $81.36 on the official website. This comes out to $3.39 per month, and if you don't want to commit for that long, the 1-year plan is also on sale.
Your emoji choices may look different on Android soon
Get ready for your emoji to change if you use Gboard on an Android phone.
Google's emoji keyboard is undergoing a design change that'll hopefully make things cleaner and easier to use. Gboard removed the "All" interface. In its place, Gboard redesigned the emoji, sticker, and GIF icons, enlarging them and making your choices more clear. 9to5Google spotted the change and published images showing the differences. Right now the changes are only in Gboard's latest beta.
You can see on the new Gboard, on the right, that the bottom buttons are bigger and easier to select. Credit: 9to5Google9to5Google also spotted some other minor changes, such as a flat toolbar instead of an elevated one. Overall the changes are pretty small, but they're the kinds of thing that'll make you go, "Hmm, this is weird!" when you go to find an emoji.
So your emoji world won't be turned upside down, but it might be shifted a bit.
Steam Will Now Show You Best-Sellers Going Back 21 Years
Steam has been around for over 21 years, and it's turning 22 in a few months. That's a big number. And a lot of releases have debuted on the platform through that timeframe. Now, Steam is gaining a bestsellers list that goes back until the launch of Half-Life 2—the first in-house game Valve debuted on Steam.
Bring the bass to your living room with $300 off the Sonos Arc soundbar
SAVE $300: As of May 16, get the Sonos Arc soundbar for $599 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's a 33% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sonos Arc $599 at Amazon$899 Save $300 Get Deal
If you spend a lot of time enjoying movies and TV from the comfort of your living room, you should make sure you've got great sound that complements your area nicely. You can do that with your built-in TV speakers, sure, but a soundbar can make a huge world of difference.
As of May 16, get the Sonos Arc soundbar for $599 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's $300 off and a 33% discount.
This user-friendly soundbar is a minimalist's dream that offers excellent sound to punch up your TV setup. It's meant to provide a more theater-centric experience that can add booming bass and crisp treble to your living room, with 11 drivers and Dolby Atmos support so you can really feel as though you're immersed in what's happening on-screen.
Setup is simple by way of a Bluetooth connection if you prefer, and the soundbar itself is small and unobtrusive, so you can place it just about anywhere, whether that's near your TV or mounted somewhere for better reach and still have great sound wherever you decide to sit.
With plenty of blockbusters hitting streaming after leaving theaters this year, you might decide to spend some money and watch them at home, so make sure you have decent audio to go with the superhero flicks and other box office hits while you kick back, relax, and think about how great it is that you don't have to get up and go to the bathroom and miss something since you're watching at home.
Why One of Gaming's Most Influential Genres Went Extinct
Few gaming genres are as massively popular as shooter games. Whether it's because of their exciting campaigns or competitive multiplayer, no other genre has come close to replicating the widespread appeal of shooters. However, almost all modern shooters owe their success to a forgotten retro genre.
The Samsung Jet 60 vacuum is less than $200 at Best Buy, but you have to act fast
SAVE $130: The Samsung Jet 60 Pet cordless stick vacuum is on sale for just $199.99 at Best Buy as a Deal of the Day on May 16. That's about 39% in savings, but you have to act fast.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Jet 60 Pet $199.99 at Best Buy$329.99 Save $130 Get Deal
If you're not completely sold on robot vacuums, but still want to make your cleaning experience less of a chore, a cordless stick vacuum is your best bet. But before you splurge on an outrageously expensive Dyson, check out this deal on a Samsung (yes, Samsung makes vacuums).
As of May 16, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet is on sale for only $199.99 as one of Best Buy's Deals of the Day. That's nearly 40% or $130 off its list price of $329.99. It's also $60 cheaper than Amazon has it at the moment. You'll have to act fast, though, as it's only around until the end of the day today (roughly 13 hours or so).
The Jet 60 Pet offers a sleek and slim aesthetic in an eye-catching rose gold finish and its Jet Cyclone technology operates similarly to Dyson's, keeping dust and debris from clogging up the filter. It's also extremely light and easy to maneuver at just five pounds. While it's dubbed the "Pet" model, it's worth noting that at only 150 air watts, it's not as powerful as some folks with heavy pet hair problems may need. However, the included mini motorized tool will help you get those fine particles and pet hair on furniture, rugs, and other surfaces. It runs for about 40 minutes on a single charge and comes with a spare battery, so you can swap it out and get up to 80 minutes of cleaning time total.
Ultimately, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet puts an enjoyable cleaning experience in your hands (instead of a robot's). And at less than $200, it's hard to get hung up on any flaws.
The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week-
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender — $89.99 (List Price $119.99)
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Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $99.90 (List Price $159.00)
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Skylight Calendar 15-inch Digital Calendar & Chore Chart — $319.99
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Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)
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Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $179.99 (List Price $249.99)
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KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $349.95 (List Price $449.99)
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Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.99 (List Price $699.99)
Apple Music Can Now Import Playlists From Spotify, YouTube Music, and More
Apple Music now lets you import libraries and playlists from Spotify and other competing services. However, the feature is currently limited to Australia and New Zealand.
You can talk to Darth Vader in Fortnite now thanks to generative AI
Fortnite is now in the business of resurrecting the dead, apparently.
On Friday, developer Epic Games announced in a blog post that Darth Vader is back in Fortnite as a recruitable boss character in the game's primary Battle Royale mode. He can be recruited to fight alongside you and your friends, but here's where things get strange: You can voice chat with Darth Vader and he'll respond using an AI approximation of the late James Earl Jones' voice. According to Epic, the Jones estate signed off on this, providing a statement in the blog post:
James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it. We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.
The ethical concerns here are numerous and obvious, but it should be noted that Jones himself signed off on his voice being used in this exact manner back in 2022, before his death. Mashable recently reported on a similar case involving the voice and likeness of Agatha Christie.
Credit: Epic Games SEE ALSO: The Sabrina Carpenter 'Fortnite' skin is everywhere, and it's pretty funnyAnyway, Epic said you can ask him questions about the Galactic Empire or the Force and he'll answer them. Of course, it took about 30 seconds for someone to make the AI bot say something it shouldn't say:
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Epic Games did program the Vader character with safeguards in place (read more about parental controls in this FAQ), and he'll reportedly refuse to engage in romantic talk or discuss killing younglings. If a user discusses self-harm or mental health, Vader will direct the user to seek help.
Right now, the AI Darth Vader only speaks English, and Epic Games says they used a combination of Google Gemini 2.0 Flash and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 AI models.
You can check out the AI Darth Vader in Fortnite now, unless you're on iPhone.
Save $50 on the feature-rich Samsung Galaxy Watch FE smartwatch
SAVE $50: As of May 16, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $149.99, down from its usual price of $199.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 25%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch FE $149.99 at Amazon$199.99 Save $50 Get Deal
If you need a new smartwatch, you've got tons to choose from. You don't have to stick to the Apple Watch or even any of its high-priced competitors. Samsung has a great lineup to look into if you want to save money on the fancier options and still get everything you're looking for in a smartwatch. Right now, you can get one for an especially low price that's worth your while.
As of May 16, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $149.99, down from its usual price of $199.99, at Amazon. That's $50 off and a discount of 25%.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE can be a fantastic companion for your fitness journey and regular workouts thanks to its wide range of options. It can help you track your steps, calories burned, how well you're sleeping, and your heart rate. That's just the tip of the iceberg, though. It's more than just a fitness tracker.
Sync to your Android phone and make calls, send and read texts, and make payments while you're out and about. It's a good way to stop leaning on your phone so much and do everything straight from your wrist. You can do all this for under $200 for this model, so if you've been looking for a new watch, now's the time to make your move.
This Fandango code slashes $7 off tickets to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX
SAVE $7: Between May 16 and May 18, Fandango is offering $7 off tickets to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX with code BLOODLINES.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fandango $7 off 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' in IMAX Use code BLOODLINES at Fandango Get DealA new Final Destination movie probably isn't something that 2000s horror lovers thought they'd be facing in the year of 2025. And yet, fate has brought us here: It's Bloodlines opening weekend, baby.
Don't push this one off until it comes out on streaming. Such a destined seismic event in horror history should not only be seen in theaters, but in IMAX. Between May 16 and May 18, you can save $7 on any ticket to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX when you purchase through Fandango. Just ender code BLOODLINES at checkout.
IMAX tickets typically range between $15 and $18, depending on the theater. So Fandango's $7 credit could technically equate to nearly 50% off your movie ticket, and that could technically equate to a free snack or soda.
SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (May 16, 2025)The chances of a franchise horror sequel flopping aren't low, especially one coming a decade or two after the OGs. But early reviews of Bloodlines ensure that there were no accidents (no coincidences, no mishaps, and no escapes) when moving forward on a sixth installment of Final Destination — this movie rocks. Mashable contributor Jason Adams sums the Bloodlines experience up: "You'll cringe, hoot, and holler. You'll wipe the phantom viscera off your face. And you'll spend the entire ride home convinced everything's out to kill you. It's horror movie nirvana." How could you not want to see that on a 72 foot long, 50 foot tall screen?
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Revisit Competitive Online Multiplayer
Online competitive multiplayer games are wildly popular, with players around the world battling it out every day. But they've also earned a reputation for being unwelcoming, especially to new players or casuals who care more about fun than being the best of the best.
Get this massive box of Lego for its lowest-ever price on Amazon
SAVE $17: The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Leg Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) $17.99 at Amazon$34.99 Save $17.00 Get Deal
Stop what you're doing, cancel your weekend plans, and check out this latest deal on Lego.
The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so if you've been patiently waiting for the right moment to stock up on those little bricks, this is your moment to shine.
SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away a free Ninjago Thunderfang on May 18. Here’s how to get yours.This 484-piece kit comes in 35 colors and encourages kids to engage in creative play. It's great supplement set to any existing Lego collection.
And if that wasnt enough, you can also build and take home an exclusive Lego Ninjago Thunderfang model for free on May 18.
The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts-
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
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Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)
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Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)
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Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)
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Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)
ChatGPT is turning Reddit usernames into images, and the results are unhinged
In the latest viral ChatGPT image trend, Reddit users are asking the AI chatbot to create an image based on their username. And if you think of some of the wildest Reddit usernames you've encountered, you won't be surprised that the results are wild. The AI-generated images are taking over the /chatgpt subreddit this week, as Redditors experiment with the prompt, "make me an image based on my Reddit name."
For users like goodnaturedheathen, the results are cute and charming. For BeachedWhiteMale (pictured above), the results are, well, about what you'd expect.
I asked ChatGPT to make me an image based on my Reddit name and it’s ADORABLE! 🥰byu/goodnaturedheathen inChatGPT Create an image of me based on my Reddit name
byu/writer-hoe-down inChatGPT
We won't subject you to the results for usernames like Sad_Proctologist, diarrhea_fingerpaint, or toaster_bath_therapy. (For the good of humanity, Reddit user DiarrheaCreamPi said, “Hey gang, Imma sit this one out.”) Fortunately, submissions from users like HeyLookAHorse, Br0barian, chonkybug, and ChimpanzeeClownCar are much more wholesome.
When I tried this ChatGPT trend myself, I got the following result (though I'm not telling you my Reddit username, sorry).
AI-generated image. Credit: ChatGPT / Timothy Beck WerthYou can head to the /chatgpt subreddit to see some of the most popular results. And of course, you can create your own images on ChatGPT.
The results will depend on whether or not you chose an interesting username, of course.
Reddit users are famously unable to change their usernames (not even the capitalization). So, if you've chosen an unfortunate or boring username, you're stuck with it.
In the past, Mashable has covered other viral ChatGPT image trends, such as people turning their pets into humans, generating AI action figures, or asking ChatGPT to replicate an image 100 times. Other viral image trends from ChatGPT and OpenAI have been more controversial, including the original — the Studio Ghibli image frenzy.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
UPDATE: May. 16, 2025, 11:53 a.m. EDT We've updated this article with additional examples from Reddit's /chatgpt subreddit.
Streaming deal alert: Get 4 months of MUBI for just $3.99 per month
SAVE $44: As of May 16, new subscribers can get four months of MUBI for just $3.99 per month instead of the usual $14.99 per month. That's 120 days of streaming for only $15.96 instead of $59.96.
Opens in a new window Credit: MUBI MUBI subscription $3.99/month for four months Get DealLike everything else, streaming services just keep getting more and more expensive. So when a deal happens to pop up, we recommend jumping on it immediately. Peacock randomly dropped a major spring discount earlier this week and now MUBI is following in its footsteps.
As of May 16, new (and returning) subscribers can score four months of MUBI for only $3.99 per month instead of $14.99. That's a grand total of $15.96 for four months and a discount of $44. Once the four month promotional period ends, the price will jump back to $14.99, but you can cancel if you want to avoid that charge. Regardless, imagine how many movies you can watch in four months.
Never heard of MUBI? Unlike your usual streaming services, MUBI is specifically built for cinephiles. Its library is brimming with quality cinema, showcasing an array of films from America and abroad, mainstream and independent, classics, new releases, award winners, and Mubi originals — like recent Oscar nominee The Substance. It's where you'll find The People's Joker and Bird, two more of our favorite movies of 2024, Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott's Bring Them Down, and the hilarious documentary Grand Theft Hamlet.
MUBI hasn't specified just how long this deal will stick around, only noting that it's a "limited time only" offer that "ends soon." In other words, run, don't walk.
If you're not a movie person, a MUBI subscription is probably not for you. But if you are, you're going to have a field day. And at only $3.99 per month, you'll get a whole lot more bang for your buck.
The best TV deals to shop this week-
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
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Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $269.99 (List Price $329.99)
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55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $578.00 (List Price $699.99)
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LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)
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Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,697.96 (List Price $1999.96)
I often grab this self-emptying Shark stick vacuum over my Dyson. Its on sale for $399.
SAVE $100: As of May 16, the Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum cleaner with auto-empty system is on sale for $399 at Amazon. That's 20% off its MSRP of $499.99, and just $50 shy of its Black Friday price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum with auto-empty system $399 at Amazon$499.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal
Dyson purchases ain't for the faint of budget. That's because the real worthwhile Dysons start near the $600 mark, and the cheap Dysons aren't the best bang for your buck out there. If your budget for a cordless vacuum was firmly under $500, I'd quickly point you toward the Shark PowerDetect stick vacuum cleaner that I have and love.
This self-emptying Shark powerhouse was already modestly priced at its MSRP of $499.99, but an $100 discount at Amazon drops it to $399 — just $50 shy of its Black Friday price.
The PowerDetect wand bends so you don't have to when cleaning under furniture. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableNot to be confused with the robot vacuum version of the PowerDetect, Shark calls the cordless PowerDetect its smartest, most powerful cordless vacuum. And let me tell you, you can feel that power in your arm as the PowerDetect almost tries to guide you across the floor. The PowerDetect has multiple suction settings that auto-adjust based on whether hard floors or carpet is detected, but I sometimes have to bump the power down a peg on my rugs — the PowerDetect creates such a cyclone that they start to bunch up. I could see this setting being a godsend for pet hair pickup in fully-carpeted rooms.
SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineupsBut I'd say the real hook here is the affordable auto-empty system. Automatic emptying is a way more common feature in robot vacuums at the moment, with most self-emptying cordless vacuums not exactly landing on the budget end of the spectrum. No Dysons have self-emptying at all. Though I love my Dyson V12 Detect Slim for specific purposes, I shudder each time I have to dump that monstrous dust bunny into the trash. I am obsessed with the fact that my Shark PowerDetect deals with that itself each time it's hung back up on the dock to charge.
The hidden bonus to a stick vacuum that empties itself every time? Each new cleaning session is starting with an empty clear dust bin, so you get visual proof of just how much gunk was sucked up during the current cleaning session alone. As a professional robot vacuum tester, I love using the PowerDetect to see how a robot vacuum fared on rugs.
Two attachments for handheld use are included. Unfortunately, Shark sells the handheld motorized pet tool separately — Dyson definitely gets points for including that with its vacuums.
Snag this Anker USB-C charger for its lowest price ever at Amazon
SAVE 40%: As of May 16, you can get an Anker USB-C charger for just $23.99, down from $39.95, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and a $15.96 savings. It's also a new record-low price, according to our trusted price tracker Camelcamelcamel.
Anker USB C Charger, 543 (65W II), PIQ 3.0 & GaN 4-Port Slim Fast Wall Charger, with Dual USB C Ports (45W Max), for MacBook, Laptops, iPad Pro, iPhone and More $23.99 at Amazon$39.95 Save $15.96 Get Deal
Tired of picking and choosing which of your devices gets charged first (if at all)? If you’ve got a handful of devices and only one outlet, a USB charging station could be the answer to your charging woes. And right now, Amazon’s got a great deal on one of the best brands in the business.
As of May 16, you can get an Anker USB-C charger for just $23.99, down from $39.95, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and a $15.96 savings. It's also a new record-low price, according to our trust price tracker Camelcamelcamel.
This USB-C charging station can charge USB-C notebooks, tablets, smartphones, and more. It has two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports for a total of 65W of charging power. Plus, it's backed by Anker's 18-month warranty for extra peace of mind.
With a charging station like this one, you’ll be able to keep your desk organized and your devices ready to go.
The best tech deals to shop this week-
Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)
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Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)
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Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)
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Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)
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Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)
Both the Sony ULT Field 3 and ULT Field 5 speakers are at their best prices ever at Amazon
SAVE UP TO $81.99: As of May 16, both the Sony ULT Field 5 and ULT Field 3 speakers are on sale for 25 and 26% off, respectively. The ULT Field 5 is down to just $248 from $329.99 and the ULT Field 3 is down to $148 from $199.99 — their best prices on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 3 speaker $148 at Amazon$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 5 speaker $248 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $81.99 Get Deal
In early April, Sony expanded its ULT speaker lineup to include the ULT Field 3 and ULT Field 5 speakers. Just over a month later, both relatively budget-friendly speakers have dropped to even more affordable prices.
As of May 16, you can pick up the Sony ULT Field 3 at Amazon for just $148. That's 26% off its list price of $199.99. Meanwhile, the Sony ULT Field 5 is down to just $248 at Amazon, which is about 25% off its list price of $329.99. Both are sitting at their lowest prices on record since their release last month.
We were thrilled to see the expansion of the ULT lineup, as we already loved the ULT Wear headphones and ULT Field 1 speaker. We haven't had a chance to do any hands-on testing with the ULT Field 5, but Mashable's Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern spent some time with the ULT Field 3 and wrote, "It’s a decently priced mid-size speaker from one of our favorite audio brands, so I don’t think anyone would regret purchasing it. It has great audio quality (as long as you’re not right next to the speaker), a good battery life, and can withstand tough conditions."
The entire ULT line was designed for bass lovers. If heavy bass isn't your thing, you may want to look elsewhere. These babies get loud. Both speakers are completely waterproof, dust-proof, and rust-proof, with an IP67 certification. Plus, both can stand vertically or lay horizontally and come with a removable shoulder strap. The Field 3 is smaller and more portable, while the Field 5 is a little heftier and "would be better for more stationary uses like house parties," Kern writes. For a $100 difference, the 5 also has a slightly longer battery life, more customizable audio, more output, even deeper bass, and fun party lights.
Whichever you choose, they're both rugged, great-sounding speakers. And at up to 26% off, they're pretty affordable compared to competitors.
The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week-
Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.99 (List Price $39.99)
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Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99)
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JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95)
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Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $148.00 (List Price $149.00)
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds — $179.00
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Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $348.00)
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JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $299.00 (List Price $399.95)