Author Archives: Carol Edwards

One of the most striking fossils around today are the teeth and reconstructed jaws of the megalodon.

The jaws of the extinct shark are so big, one or two people can stand inside them. They’re relics of a dominant predator that thrived some 20 million to 3.6 million years ago, a shark species that likely munched on whales and big fish. They grew around 50 feet long, which is bigger than a city bus.

What caused the demise of such a commanding creature is an ongoing investigation, but scientists have discovered a compelling clue. In research recently published in the science journal Nature Communications, earth scientists and biologists found preserved chemical evidence (in fossilized teeth) that megalodons and great white sharks coexisted as apex predators near the end of the megalodon’s reign, some 5.3 to 3.6 million years ago.

“They seem to have indeed occupied the same position in the food chain,” Kenshu Shimada, one of the study’s authors and a paleobiologist at DePaul University, told Mashable.

That means they were competitors for prey.

Previous research, like that published by paleontologist Robert Boessenecker, proposed that such competition was a driver of the megalodon’s extinction. This new research suggests the two species coexisted and ate the same food in the world’s oceans for 1 to 3 million years, Boessenecker, a research associate in the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences at the College of Charleston, told Mashable. Boessenecker was not involved in this latest study. Ultimately, the megalodons were put at a disadvantage because they likely took longer to grow so large and reach sexual maturity, he said. The great whites would have reproduced faster and thus outcompeted the bigger, more energy-demanding megalodon.

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Credit: Kenshu Shimada

Importantly, many extinction stories aren’t simple. The changing climate could have been a factor, too, as global temperatures cooled during a period called the Pliocene, some 5.3 to 2.6 million years ago. Cooler oceans may have made life harder for megalodons. “As the adult sharks were dependent on tropical waters, the drop in ocean temperatures likely resulted in a significant loss of habitat,” explains the Natural History Museum in London. “It may also have resulted in the megalodon’s prey either going extinct or adapting to the cooler waters and moving to where the sharks could not follow.”

Many marine creatures, like mammals, turtles, sharks, and seabirds, went extinct during the Pliocene. Perhaps, then, great white sharks, who can subsist on fewer calories, were better suited to survive as top predators in a changing world.

Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

The giant megalodon teeth

Fossilized megalodon teeth, which can be the size of a human hand, are scattered around the planet and commonly found. That’s because their jaws were lined with 276 teeth, and sharks lose (and replace) thousands and thousands of teeth during their lives. A good number of the megalodon’s hard teeth, then, were ultimately fossilized.

To determine what both great white sharks and megalodons ate millions of years ago, researchers analyzed the element zinc (specifically a zinc isotope, which is a type of zinc atom) in their respective fossilized teeth. Zinc is a valuable indicator because it’s an essential element for organisms, and the different types of zinc isotopes in animals’ teeth reveal animals’ different positions in the food chain, DePaul University’s Shimada explained. For example, bigger sharks that feed on marine mammals have different zinc compositions than smaller sharks that eat fish or plankton.

Ultimately, megalodons and great white sharks shared similar zinc compositions in the early Pliocene (some 5 million years ago), meaning they were likely competing for the same prey.

The story of the megalodon’s demise, however, is not nearly over. But now that researchers have shown — for the first time — that zinc isotopes are preserved in shark teeth for millions of years, scientists can reveal far more about the diets and lives of creatures who dwelled in Earth’s ancient seas.

“The use of zinc isotopes for fossils could very well revolutionize how we study the food webs of extinct marine vertebrates, and I am very excited to see what comes next,” said Boessenecker.

Perhaps one day streaming platforms will quit studying our behaviors with their stalker-ish algorithms and give us what we actually need: a list of every damn short movie that’s streaming. Searching for a movie based on genre? An actor? A mood? I’m sorry, but that’s a luxury few can afford. Runtime is the first deciding factor, my friends.

Until then, at least I’m not out of a job to provide that list for you. If you’re on limited time, or you simply can’t find the energy to commit to a long-ass movie, you’ve come to the right place. Hulu has a decent mix of movies that fit under the 100-minute mark. They may not all hold a candle to our HBO Max selections, but these will certainly give you a good laugh, a gentle cry, or take you on a moving trip through the lives of real people.

1. Plus One

Credit: Hulu

Two single best friends are in the thick of wedding season and to get through it, they both promise to be each other’s wedding dates. It’s such an obvious rom-com scenario it almost sounds trite. But the sweetness of Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer’s Plus One and the playful chemistry between leads Maya Erskine (PEN15) and Jack Quaid just makes it… work. While the friend-dates jump from one obnoxious love fest to the next, Alice is stuck getting over an ex while Ben is desperately on the hunt for The One. Of course, we know where this classic story of Best Friends Looking for Love in the Wrong Places will wind up, but watching the two messily fail on the way there is surprisingly charming. Plus One is a real treat thanks to Erskine’s weirdo antics and physical comedy, which bring a refreshing goofiness to the female rom-com lead.

How to watch: Plus One is now streaming on Hulu.

2. Pig

Credit: Neon

Nicolas Cage Loses His Pet Pig sounds like the perfect offbeat set up for a classic addition to the Batshit Nic Cage Universe. But instead of the meltdown king going typically off the wall, Cage delivers one of his most gentle, subtle, and heartfelt performances as a reclusive mushroom hunter in the Oregon wilderness. After his truffle pig is kidnapped by some big business city folks, Cage’s Rob heads into the bustling Portland restaurant scene to find her, revealing his true identity and past wounds along the way. 

Michael Sarnoski’s Pig continually upends expectations, not only of the big and loud emotional eruptions we’ve come to anticipate from Cage, but also of the revenge genre. This could easily be a flashy vengeance thriller oozing with blood and menace, but instead Pig finds the value in quiet emotional exchanges and opts for human empathy over violence. It’s a slow film about love and grief, and one that honors the power of food and memory. If you’re the type of person who cries over episodes of Chef’s Table, this movie’s for you.

How to watch: Pig is now streaming on Hulu.

3. Step

Amanda Lipitz’s Sundance award-winning documentary follows the senior class step team of a Baltimore high school, but this is a film about so much more than dance. Step may be what brings them together, but Lipitz eschews the typical sports doc template of following a team to a championship to look closer at the lives of five young Black women, the challenges they face, their determination to succeed, and the educators who support them. Step spends time with each girl as they battle with family issues at home and struggle to keep up their GPAs; it also captures their experience during the protests after the murder of Freddie Gray by Baltimore police. Lipitz’s doc packs a ton of heart, poignancy, and hope into its brief 83 minutes.

How to watch: Step is now streaming on Hulu.

4. Gemini

Credit: Neon

If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric murder mystery set in L.A., then have I got the film for you. It doesn’t get more L.A. than Aaron Katz’ Gemini, a neon-drenched crime thriller about a Hollywood star (Zoë Kravitz), her personal assistant (Lola Kirke), and a dead body found in a Laurel Canyon mansion. Like so many neo-noirs, Gemini’s story is as much about the mystery as it is about the city it takes place in, showing us the darker sides of celebrity glamor and unearthing the shadows of a town built on facade. After Kirke’s Jill finds her best friend and actress boss murdered, she’s interrogated by a persistent detective (John Cho) as the primary suspect. She goes undercover to do her own digging and discover whether she’s been framed. 

How to watch: Gemini is now streaming on Hulu.

5. Burn After Reading

We won’t argue about the best Coen brothers comedies (or an even messier debate, the best Coen brothers films), but hopefully the sanest of us can agree that Burn After Reading ranks high up there. What’s not to love about a series of zany misadventures about a group of idiots and pricks who all think they’re enmeshed in a high-stakes crime thriller? If only someone could let them in on the joke.

When two gym trainers (a beautifully stupid Brad Pitt and a perfect Frances McDormand) discover a burned CD from an ex-CIA analyst (John Malkovich), they think they’ve landed on a gold mine of secret government info (they haven’t). Chaos and absurdity ensures, from sex to murder to Russian spies and more sex. It’s as dark as black comedy comes, and it’s a damn delight.

How to watch: Burn After Reading is now streaming on Hulu.

6. Changing the Game

Credit: Hulu

Last week Indiana became the 17th state to pass legislation banning trans youth from sports. If you’ve seen the wave of anti-trans laws in the news (and these heinous bans go far beyond the sports arena, totaling over 155 bills), you know trans and nonbinary youth are under attack more than ever in this country. Changing the Game is a GLAAD award-winning doc that beautifully personalizes the situation young trans athletes are facing. Michael Barnett’s film spotlights three high schoolers — wrestler Mack, track star Andraya, and skier Sarah — their love of their game, their activism to be able to play it on their proper teams, and the relentless harassment and discrimination they encounter. This doc isn’t just important for broader audiences to better understand the attacks on trans youth right now, but it’s an invitation into the personal lives of three young people who are fearlessly trying to live and are fighting to build a new path for the many kids that follow.

How to watch: Changing the Game is now streaming on Hulu.

7. Princess Cyd

Credit: Wolfe Releasing

When 16-year-old Cyd arrives at her novelist aunt’s Chicago home for a few weeks, she doesn’t know she’s about to have a bit of a life-changing summer. Most of the events that unfold aren’t big and dramatic, though, but of the more understated variety. Cyd meets a cute girl at a coffee shop and the pair begin a sweet fling. She tries to set her aunt up on a date after the two chat openly about their sex lives. She decides to wear a tuxedo for the first time to a party. Like I said, understated, but all moments that shape Cyd into the young woman she’s becoming. Stephen Cone’s warm coming-of-age story is so ripe with earnest characters and slice-of-life conversations that you wish you could stick around in its breezy summer energy just a little bit longer once the credits roll.

How to watch: Princess Cyd is now streaming on Hulu.

8. Crush

Credit: Hulu

The most refreshing thing about Hulu’s latest queer rom-com is that all the characters are super queer. This isn’t a coming-out story about the one queer girl at her high school, or the shy lesbian who’s secretly crushing on the cool unattainable straight girl — relatable, yes, but we’ve done it. In Crush, Rowan Blanchard’s very-out Paige strolls through her high school hallways as her best friends point out at least five potential date options. A fictional world full of multiple out and proud queer teens? What a concept!

Crush follows a playful (if predictable) love triangle in which Paige desperately tries to lock down her longtime crush Gabriella, the popular girl (guess what, she’s queer!), while drumming up a sweet connection with Gabi’s twin sister, an introverted bi skater girl type. The flirting is a little elementary at times, but the short-and-sweet Crush excels at showing young queer people being themselves and getting a sappy love story to call their own.

How to watch: Crush is now streaming on Hulu.

9. Amazing Grace

Credit: Neon

Over two nights in 1972, an audience in Watts, California, got to experience what must have been one of the most transcendent experiences of their lives. Aretha Franklin, only 29 at the time and already an icon, performed what became her best-selling gospel album alongside the Southern California Community Choir. Thankfully we finally get to witness what it must have been like to be in that church and watch the queen of soul sing her heart out in Amazing Grace, a documentary of her performance that went unfinished until 2007 (due to a mistake by original director Sydney Pollack), and unreleased until 2018. Each song is something magnificent to behold, but stay especially for the titular track, a performance that feels like watching an audience become suddenly electrified with the fervor of a football stadium when Aretha tosses her head back to sing.

How to watch: Amazing Grace is now streaming on Hulu.

10. Ingrid Goes West

Credit: Neon

Instagram is bad. This much we know, for multiple reasons. But in the most obvious way, it’s screwed with everyone’s mental health to some degree, whether through encouraging addictive and obsessive behaviors, exacerbating loneliness via FOMO, or sending us into depression over constant comparisons. Matt Spicer’s Ingrid Goes West takes all of that, slaps a black comedy filter over it, and gives us the wild tale of Ingrid Thorburn. After attacking one of her IG influencer idols, the mentally unstable Ingrid (a wonderfully unhinged Aubrey Plaza) decides to move across the country to stalk her next IG obsession, Elizabeth Olsen’s picturesque California cool girl Taylor. Once Ingrid manages to snake her way into Taylor’s life, what follows is a cringe-fest of incidents as Ingrid spirals deeper and deeper into a feed of lies and deception.

How to watch: Ingrid Goes West is now streaming on Hulu.

SAVE $120: Cleaner carpets aren’t a pipe dream. Walmart+ members can snag the Hoover Smart Wash Pet Complete Carpet Cleaner on sale for just $199 during Walmart+ Weekend — that’s 37% in savings as of June 2 at 3 p.m. ET.

Most pet parents have all but given up on ever having clean carpets. But it’s not just a pipe dream. You just need the proper tool for the job: an actual carpet cleaner.

As of June 2 at 3 p.m. ET, you can get the Hoover Smart Wash Pet Complete Carpet Cleaner on sale for just $199 for Walmart+ Weekend. It’s regularly $319, so you’ll keep the extra $120 in your pocket. The catch? It’s only available at this discounted price until June 5 at 7 p.m. ET (while supplies last) and you must be a Walmart+ member to take advantage of the deal. (You can still sign up for Walmart+ here).

The Hoover Smart Wash Pet Complete is a carpet cleaning machine designed with pet parents in mind. It automatically mixes and dispenses the cleaning solution for you for optimal cleaning and utilizes an auto-dry technology that delivers powerful extraction. Translation: you barely have to do any work.

To use the Smart Wash Pet Complete, just push it forward like a vacuum to clean and pull it back to dry. There’s no need to suffer through sopping wet floors while waiting for them to dry on their own. Use the removable Spot Chaser Pretreat Wand to target all of those set-in pet stains beforehand or as you go. Then watch as the Flex Force Pet Power Brushes do their thing and remove deep-down dirt while resisting pet odors. There’s even an antimicrobial scrubbing tool included to tackle your stairs, couch, and other upholstery.

It’s not magic, so don’t expect a miracle. But if you’ve accepted that being a pet parent automatically means having messy floors, the Hoover Smart Wash Pet Complete may just prove you wrong.

This $120 off deal is only available to Walmart+ members for Walmart+ Weekend while supplies last, so if you want it, hop to it.

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Save $100 to $120: For Walmart+ members, the Apple Watch Nike SE (40mm, GPS) is 36% off and on sale for $179. The Apple Watch Nike Series 6 (44mm, GPS) is 28% off and on sale for $309. Snag both before the sale ends on June 5 at 7 p.m. ET.

If you want to score an especially good deal on Apple gear, you wait for a shopping holiday. And while Cyber Week is still five months away and the exact date of Amazon Prime Day has yet to be announced, Walmart+ Weekend has arrived, bringing us all those coveted Apple markdowns. 

Two in particular that are especially good: the sales on the Apple Watch Nike SE (40mm, GPS) and the Apple Watch Nike Series 6 (44mm, GPS), for $179 and $309, respectively (a.k.a. markdowns of $100 and $120). The Apple Watch Nike is a solid smartwatch for anyone, but it’s especially great for runners, with its sport band, always-on run metrics, and watch face that bounces with you while you run.

Since these sales are part of Walmart+ Weekend, only Walmart+ members will have access to the savings through 7 p.m. ET on June 5. If you’re not one yet, it’s worth considering a signup, especially since the perks of free shipping and store delivery come at just $98 per year (as compared to Amazon Prime’s $139 yearly fee). At the very least, you’ll want to check out why these Apple Watch sales give some serious bang for your buck.

Apple Watch Nike SE (40mm, GPS) — $179 $279 (save $100)

Usually, you can snag a starter Apple Watch — the Series 3 — from Walmart for $169. But if you want something a bit more feature-heavy, this weekend is your chance. As with all Nike Apple Watches, you’ll get the Nike Run Club app, but you’ll also get a heart rate monitor, fall detection, a compass, and always-on altimeter. Basically, if you’re interested in getting an Apple Watch but don’t find yourself wanting the ECG or SPO2 sensor all that badly, the SE is the more cost effective route. And if you want a slightly larger watch face, the 44mm SE is also $100 off at $209.

The SE models with cellular connectivity are also worth considering, especially for runners who want some freedom from their phones while they’re exercising. The 40mm and 44mm watches are both $100 off, at $229 and $259, respectively.

Apple Watch Nike Series 6 (44mm, GPS) — $309 $429 (save $120)

Since Apple stopped selling the Series 6 last fall, finding this watch brand new and for a decent price has been a challenge. The Series 6 is our favorite fitness tracker, so we’re especially excited about this deal.

The Series 6 comes loaded with an ECG feature, sleep tracking, an automatic hand-washing sensor, and SPO2 sensor for blood oxygen readings. In terms of health features, there’s not much the newer Series 7 has that the Series 6 doesn’t. The 41mm Series 7, on the other hand, starts at $399 — so you’re getting a larger watch face and a pretty similar watch for $90 less.

In case runners that prefer leaving their phones at home are curious, the GPS and cellular Series 6 watches are also on sale, but their prices pre-Walmart+ Weekend were actually lower, so you’ll want to pass during this weekend’s sale.

For those interested in saving a tiny bit more money, the 40mm Series 6 without cellular connectivity is available for $279. However, its sale price is close enough to the 44mm that we think it’s worth opting for the larger watch face.

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SAVE $50: Did someone say frozen margaritas? Scoop up the handy Nutribullet blender and personal blender combo for just $99 — a 33% discount — as of June 2. This deal is a part of Walmart+ Weekend, so grab it while it lasts.

Don’t want to wait until Amazon Prime Day for sweet discounts? Now you don’t have to.

Walmart’s new deals holiday, Walmart+ Weekend, is here as of June 2, and it includes some serious deals. We spotted a $99 Nutribullet blender combo that will be the perfect accessory to your summer dinner parties, barbeques, and hangouts.

Whether you’re taking a pitcher of frozen daiquiris to the pool or making a protein shake post-gym, the Nutribullet blender combo has you covered. It doubles as a full sized and a personal blender with two different sized blending cups. We love a multi-functional kitchen appliance.

This Nutribullet blender boasts 1200 watts of blending prowess and comes with a blending base, a 64 ounce pitcher, a 32 ounce personal blending cup, a 24 ounce to-go cup, and extra to-go lids. You’ll also get a tamper for blending up hard veggies, frozen fruits, and more. Choose from three different blending speeds plus a pulse function for perfect texture, and an extraction setting for getting those extra nutrients in.

This Nutribullet deal will run through 5 p.m. EST on June 5, and you’ll need to be a Walmart+ member to access the special pricing. We know what you’re thinking — another membership? But if you shop at Walmart regularly, this one just might be worth it. On top of the exclusive deals from Walmart+ Weekend, you’ll also get perks like free shipping, free grocery delivery, and more. Check out our guide to signing up for Walmart+ and while you’re at it, head to Walmart to snag the discounted Nutribullet blender for just $99.

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OUR TOP DEAL PICKS FROM WALMART+ WEEKEND:

• BEST ROBOT VACUUM DEAL: iRobot Roomba i1+ self-emptying robot vacuum — $347 $599.99 (save $252.99)

• BEST TABLET DEAL: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus — $499 $849 (save $350)

• BEST GAMING DEAL: Xbox Series S with extra Xbox wireless controller bundle — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)

The days of Amazon Prime Day getting all the attention are over. That’s right, Walmart is stepping up to the plate to win you over with a slew of stellar deals. We love an underdog story.

Walmart+ Weekend is officially underway until June 5 at 7 p.m. ET and will include big discounts on everything from kitchen appliances to 4K TVs and more. (Note that you’ll have to be a Walmart+ member to participate in the shopping event. — read about that here.) As usual, we’ll be collecting all the best deals from the sale for you below so you don’t have to waste precious minutes scrolling through Walmart’s many offerings, and we’ll be updating the list regularly as more deals go live.

Keep an eye on this page as the weekend goes on — especially when that highly anticipated PlayStation 5 restock happens.

TV deals:

• RCA 40-inch FHD Smart TV — $158 $279.99 (save $121.99)

• Hisense XClass 50-inch 4K TV — $248 $348 (save $100)

Apple deals:

• 2020 Apple iPad Air (256GB) — $549 $599 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Nike SE GPS (44mm) — $259 $329.99 (save $70.99)

Robot vacuum deals

• iRobot Roomba i1+ self-emptying robot vacuum — $347 $599.99 (save $252.99)

• iHome AutoVac Nova self-empty robot vacuum and mop — $198 $599 (save $401)

• Yeedi Vac Station self-emptying robot vacuum — $349.99 $599.99 (save $250)

• iHome AutoVac Eclipse robot vacuum — $144 $399 (save $255)

• iHome AutoVac Eclipse Pro robot vacuum — $219 $499 (save $280)

Headphone and speaker deals:

• Beats Studio3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones — $179.99 $349.95 (save $169.96)

• Samsung 170W 2.1ch soundbar with wireless subwoofer — $79 $149 (save $70)

• Samsung HW-A50M 2.1 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer — $129 $199 (save $70)

Kitchen deals:

• Chefman French Door air fryer — $99 $199 (save $100)

• Costway tilt-head stand mixer — $109.99 $269.99 (save $160)

• Kapas smart electric pressure cooker — $62 $99 (save $37)

• Pohl Schmitt bread maker — $79.99 $138.99 (save $59)

• Airmsen portable countertop dishwasher — $335.99 $449.99 (save $114)

• Sboly single-serve coffee maker — $50.95 $99.99 (save $49.04)

• Vremi Very Nice ice maker — $79.99 $177.99 (save $98)

Gaming deals

• PlayStation DualSense wireless controller — $59.99 $74.99 (save $15)

• Meta Quest 2 (Oculus) VR headset — $298.99

• Microsoft Xbox Series S Fortnite & Rocket League bundle — $274.99

• Xbox Series S with extra Xbox wireless controller bundle — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 34-inch LED Ultra WQHD monitor — $249 $399.99 (save $150.99)

• LG 32-inch UltraGear QHD monitor — $199.99 $349 (save $150)

Tablet deals:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus — $499 $849 (save $350)

• Contixo V8-2 — $65.99 $99.99 (save $34)

• Contixo kids tablet (32GB) — $74.99 $149.99 (save $75)

Laptop deals:

• Gateway 15.6-inch notebook — $249 $445 (save $196)

• Gateway 15.6-inch FHD creator notebook — $699 $1,169 (save $470)

• HP Stream 14-inch laptop — $179 $229 (save $50)

• Asus Laptop L510 — $239 $279 (save $40)

Fitness deals:

• Fitbit Sense — $199.95 $298.95 (save $99)

• Fitbit Inspire 2 — $78.95 $99.95 (save $21)

More Walmart+ Weekend deals:

• Vankyo Leisure 510 HD movie projector — $119.99 $199.99 (save $80)

• Renpho eye massager — $55.99 $98.99 (save $43)

• iDOO indoor herb garden — $79.99 $269.99 (save $190)

• Vik M10S video doorbell — $39.99 $75.98 (save $35.99)

• Renpho WiFi air purifier — $127.99 $369.99 (save $242)

• Miko air purifier — $129 $199.99 (save $70.99)

• Singer MX231 sewing machine — $134.99 $179.99 (save $45)

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UPDATE: Jun. 2, 2022, 3:40 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with information about Amazon’s PS5 restock, as well as more information on Walmart+ Weekend.

If you’ve been trying valiantly to score a PS5, you’ll have another shot really soon.

As if Walmart+ Weekend couldn’t get any better, the retail giant has announced that in addition to the major discounts we’ll see during the shopping event, we’ll get yet another restock of the elusive PlayStation 5. How nice! (Note that this restock will be exclusive to Walmart+ members only. You can sign up for that here.)

The PS5 restock will go live as soon as Walmart+ Weekend begins: June 2 at 3 p.m. ET. As usual, you’re going to have to be fast about it, so get those fingers primed and ready to refresh the product page as soon as the clock strikes restock time. Maybe say a little prayer, too. From there, you’ll be put into a virtual queue to wait for your turn to purchase. Do not refresh the page during this time, or you’ll lose your spot. Once it’s your turn, you’ll have 10 minutes to close the deal and ride off into the sunset with your new console.

And if you happen to miss out on the Walmart drop, not all is lost — Amazon is also restocking its supply of PS5 consoles, albeit by invitation only. If you want to throw your hat into the ring for invite consideration, just head over to the product page and click the “request invite” button. Not all requests will be selected, but at least there’s a chance. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll be notified by email and be given instructions on how to purchase your shiny new PlayStation 5.

Not to put too much pressure on you, but this may be your last chance to score a PlayStation 5 for some time. Sony projects that PS5 consoles will still be in short supply into 2023, so we suggest making it your life’s mission to get one this time around. 50th time’s the charm, right?

This story was originally published on May 19, 2022.

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SAVE $200: Walmart+ members can grab 2020’s 64GB Apple iPad Air on sale for just $399 during Walmart+ Weekend, which runs through June 5 at 7 p.m. EST. That’s a 33% off its $599 MSRP (and its lowest price to date).

Amazon is going to have to pull out all the stops if it wants its Prime Day deals on Apple devices to contend with the ones we’re seeing for Walmart+ Weekend. Along with some cheap Nike-branded Apple Watches and a 47% discount on the fourth-generation Apple TV, Walmart+ members can unlock some new record-low pricing on an entry-level Apple iPad Air from 2020 as part of the four-day savings event.

Now through Sunday, June 5 at 7 p.m. EST (or until it’s sold out, which will probably happen first), the fourth-gen iPad Air with 64GB of storage is on sale at the big-box store for just $399. That’s $200 off its suggested retail price of $599, which is easily its lowest price to date. For comparison’s sake, it’s never dropped below $469 on Amazon (where it was sold out at the time of writing).

Make sure you’re logged into a paid Walmart+ account when you go to purchase the tablet, by the way — trial memberships don’t qualify you for the sale, unfortunately.

Featuring a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with Apple’s True Tone technology and a built-in Touch ID sensor, this iPad Air has the same design as the current model but runs on an A14 Bionic chip instead. It’s not quite as zippy as the M1 silicon you’ll find in the 2022 Air, but it’s still plenty powerful for heavy-duty tasks like editing photos and playing games. Other highlights include a 7MP selfie camera, a 12MP rear-facing camera that can capture 4K video, Apple Pencil support for drawing and note-taking, and easy USB-C charging.

Need more storage space? The 256GB configuration of the same iPad Air is also on sale for Walmart+ Weekend — you can scoop one up for just $549, which is another record-setting $200 savings.

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Save $250.99: As of June 2, Walmart is offering a special Walmart+ Weekend sale price of $347 on the iRobot Roomba i1+. That matches its Black Friday 2021 price, which is a savings of nearly 50%.

Reliable self-emptying robot vacuums typically linger past the $500 price point. While the two high-end self-emptying Roombas add a few hundred dollars to that, iRobot does offer two affordable self-emptiers as well — and the cheapest one is back to its Black Friday price for Walmart+ Weekend. At $347, the Roomba i1+ is $50 less than the almost-identical i3+ at Amazon.

The Roomba i1+ is essentially the i3+ in a bronze shell over the i3’s gray. Otherwise, the only other difference is where these two models are sold. The Roomba i1+ is only available at select retailers (Walmart being the main one), which explains its absence at Amazon and elusiveness on iRobot’s website.

This mid-range Roomba cleans floors with 10 times the suction power of the 600 Series, using a three-stage loose and lift system to dig debris out of low and medium-pile carpet. After sweeping for around 75 minutes, the i1+ will retreat to its dock to charge, where it deposits everything it collects into its auto-empty dock. You’re off the hook from even thinking about the dust bin for 60 days at a time.

Though the entry-level Roombas don’t benefit from smart home mapping or zone cleaning, the i1 still makes its way around efficiently. If it notices one area is particularly dirty (like near the front door), iRobot’s DirtDetect technology tips off a more thorough clean. The iRobot app may also send suggestions for cleaning schedules based on what the i1 found on earlier runs.

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SAVE 40%: Walmart+ members can snag the Gourmia 8 QT Digital Air Fryer on sale for just $59 as of June 2 for Walmart+ Weekend. It’s regularly $99, so that’s $40 in savings that certainly won’t last long.

For Walmart+ Weekend (which starts Thursday), the Gourmia 8 QT Digital Air Fryer is on sale for just $59. That’s 40% off its MSRP of $99 as of June 2 at Walmart. The deal is only available to Walmart+ members and certainly won’t last long.

This sleek black and stainless steel air fryer from Gourmia cooks food with circulated heated air rather than oil. Its eight-quart capacity offers a space large enough for a whole chicken, a whole pizza, or pounds of finger foods within its non-stick, dishwasher safe basket and crisper tray.

Once you pop in your food, there are a dozen one-touch cooking function presets to choose from, including air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, and more. There’s also an optional preheat mode that prompts you when to add food, and an optional turn food reminder that lets you know when it’s halfway through your cook time. Some reviews do note that the controls could be a little more user-friendly.

If you’re not already a Walmart+ member, you still have time to sign up and take advantage of exclusive deals like this one. Walmart+ Weekend begins Thursday (June 2 at 3 p.m. ET) and ends at 7 p.m. ET on June 5. Deals are only available while supplies last, so if you see something you want — get it.

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