It seems like only yesterday that Billy Batson (Asher Angel) gained the power to transform into his heroic alter ego, Shazam (Zachary Levi). But now, in Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Billy and his foster siblings’ newfound powers are under attack by dangerous forces.
Those forces are the daughters of the Greek god Atlas, led by Hespera (Helen Mirren). She’s furious that humans would claim the power of gods, and now she and her sisters Kalypso (Lucy Liu) and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) have arrived in our world to wreak havoc. While the daughters of Atlas pose a massive threat, the Shazamily isn’t going down without a fight. They’ll just have to fight Hespera and her dragon first.
Ready to start prepping for the Big Game? Samsung has you covered with these deals during its Super Sunday Sales Event as of Jan. 26:
OUR TOP PICK: The Samsung 65-inch LS03BB The Frame Smart TV is solid, great-looking 4K set that also doubles as a gorgeous art display when not in use— $1,699$1,799 (save $300)
BEST SPLURGE: The Samsung 85-inch QN800B Neo QLED 8K TV is a dazzling 8K display with crystal clear images and brightness that brings anything you watch on it to life in vivid color — $2,999.99$1,799 (save $1,700)
BEST SOUNDBAR: The Samsung HW-S800B 3.1.2ch Soundbar w/ Wireless Dolby Atmos is a slim soundbar that packs big sound into a small, attractive package — $749.99$899.99 (save $150)
There’s no better time to start filling your home with the latest and greatest home theater equipment. With the Big Game on the way, you want to make sure you have the TV with the best picture, the largest screen, and the soundbar with the biggest boom possible. Sports are always better when you’ve got the best gear. It’s a fact.
As of Jan. 26, you can head to Samsung to take part in the Super Sunday Sales Event, where you can save up to 40% on some of the brand’s best TVs, soundbars, and speakers, including 4K and 8K TVs, slim soundbars with wireless Dolby Atmos support, and speakers to pump up your sound even further.
Not sure which TV is right for you? Need help choosing a soundbar to pair it with? Shop our favorite picks below to see the best options for settling in and rooting for your favorite team.
Our top pick
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Samsung 65-inch LS03BB Samsung The Frame Smart TV (opens in a new tab)
$1,699 at Samsung (save $300)
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Why we like it
The Samsung 65-inch LS03BB The Frame Smart TV offers crisp, bright HDR, excellent backlighting, and a matte screen to reduce glare. You’re going to want to use this TV long after you watch football on it, so that’s an important consideration to make when buying a new one. And the fact that you can use this one as a frame for various classic pieces of artwork when it’s turned off makes it a solid buy.
Best splurge
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Samsung 85-inch QN800B Neo QLED 8K TV (opens in a new tab)
$2,999 at Samsung (save $1,700)
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Why we like it
The Samsung 85-inch QN800B Neo QLED 8K TV is a gorgeous QLED TV with mini LED backlighting, eye-popping brightness, reduced glare, and stunning 8K resolution that delivers crisp, clear images whether you’re watching the game or flipping back and forth between your favorite reality series. It’s pricey, but you get what you’re paying for with this model, especially if you want to throw a prestige-level party and impress all your attendees.
Best soundbar
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Samsung HW-S800B 3.1.2ch Soundbar w/ Wireless Dolby Atmos (opens in a new tab)
$749.99 at Samsung (save $150)
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Why we like it
The Samsung HW-S800B 3.1.2ch Soundbar w/ Wireless Dolby Atmos is a slim soundbar perfect for small or large spaces. It comes packing two Dolby Atmos drivers into its small frame, as well as a small subwoofer for better bass. It offers clear voices so you can hear every call, with crisp treble and thumping bass for when you’re ready to celebrate your team’s win with your favorite tunes. It also offers graphic EQ and presets so you can tweak its sound to your liking for regular use.
More Samsung deals:
Samsung 65-inch LS03B The Frame Smart TV — $1,699.99$1,999.99 (save $300)
We’ve rounded up the best deals we could find on Jan. 26 — here are some of our top picks:
BEST TECH DEAL: Apple 2021 24-inch iMac (M1 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,099.99$1,299 (save $199.01)
BEST HOME DEAL: Dyson Supersonic hair dryer — $343.99$429.99 (save $86 as a My Best Buy member)
BEST TAX SOFTWARE DEAL: H&R Block Deluxe tax software + state 2022 — $22.50$44.99 (save $22.49) + 2.75% Amazon bonus
We’re serving up some particularly good deals on Jan. 26 — including a rare discount on the much-lauded Dyson Supersonic hair dryer and a new all-time low price on the colorful 24-inch iMac. And there’s much more where those came from.
To save you the trouble of trying to sort through things on your own, we’ve rounded up the best deals we could find today and sorted them into easily shoppable categories. Keep scrolling to check out our top picks.
Best tech deal
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2021 24-inch iMac (M1 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) (opens in a new tab)
$1,099.99 at Amazon (save $199.01)
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Why we like it
Good deals come to those who wait. Case in point: the 2021 24-inch iMac is on sale for $1,099.99 instead of its usual $1,299. That’s nearly $200 in savings and the lowest price we’ve seen on this particular configuration (M1 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD). A colorful ode to the old-school iMac G3, the 24-inch iMac is “an excellent, compact machine that packs enough power to provide a super smooth experience,” according to Mashable’s former tech reporter Brenda Stolyar. Sadly, only the pink, blue, and silver options are on sale at this all-time low price.
More tech deals
Reserve a new Samsung Galaxy smartphone or Samsung Galaxy Book — get up to $100 in Samsung credit (see details)
Amazon Halo Band — $34.99$69.99 (save $35)
Anker Soundcore Life P3i hybrid active noise-canceling earbuds — $39.99$59.99 (save $20)
Sennheiser Sport true wireless in-ear headphones — $99.99$129.99 (save $30) + four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited and four free months of SiriusXM.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus tablet — $104.99$179.99 (save $75)
$343.99 at Best Buy (save $86 as a My Best Buy member)
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Why we like it
Dyson fangirls can finally scoop the Supersonic hair dryer at a discount by signing up as a My Best Buy member (pro tip: it’s free!).The Dyson Supersonic is notoriously expensive at $429.99, but members can shave $86 off the usual cost and pick one up in any color — including the limited edition vinca blue and rosé — for just $343.99. Why’s this thing so pricey? It features a bladeless barrel that not only gives it a futuristic aesthetic, but also contains high-velocity air jets that dry hair through targeted, temperature-controlled air flows. It’s designed to keep heat damage to a minimum. It comes with five attachments (a diffuser, concentrator, flyaway attachment, wide-tooth comb, and gentle air attachment) that attach magnetically for easily experimenting to see what works best.
More home deals
Kitchen deals
Gourmia GFD1680 countertop electric food dehydrator — $82.90$129.99 (save $47.09)
Frigidaire electric stand mixer (6.2-quart) — $94$124.99 (save $30.99)
Nespresso VertuoPlus coffee and espresso maker — $127$159 (save $32)
TurboTax Premier 2022 tax software — $64.99$104.99 (save $40)
TurboTax Home and Business 2022 tax software — $75.99$119.99 (save $44)
Gaming deals
Razer Barracuda wireless gaming and mobile headset — $80.99$159.99 (save $79)
LG 27-inch UHD IPS 4K FreeSync monitor — $199.99$399.99 (save $200) + six free months of Trend Micro Internet Security and three free months of YouTube Premium
HP X27Q 27-inch QHD gaming monitor — $209.99$299.99 (save $90)
Microsoft Xbox Series S (512 GB, all-digital) holiday console — $249.99$299.99 (save $50)
UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2023, 11:15 a.m. EST We’ve updated this post to reflect the most recent pricing and availability on Apple Watches.
BEST OVERALL DEAL: TheApple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS + cellular) has most of the features of the Series 8, plus cellular connectivity for a much lower price— $329$429 at Walmart (save $100)
BEST BUDGET PICK: Thesecond-gen Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) offers the basic Apple Watch experience at an affordable price point — $239.98 $249 at Amazon (save $9.02)
It’s been over seven years since the first generation Apple Watch began to grace people’s wrists. In that time, the Apple wearable has evolved in size and power, and naturally because it’s Apple, price. If you’re into the idea of having a fitness tracker, an extension of your phone, and all the world’s conveniences (or, at least a few more than you’re used to) wrapped around your wrist, but aren’t into shelling out the max amount of cash, you’ve come to the right place. Every week, we’ll keep a watch out (too much?) and update this post with the best Apple Watch deals from across the internet.
Apple Watch Series 8 deals
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Credit: Apple
Our pick: Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) (opens in a new tab)
$389 at Walmart
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Why we like it
Last week we saw the Series 8 at its lowest price ever, and this week it’s hard to find a single Series 8 on sale. Walmart has the most colorways available at a $10 markdown, which admittedly, is not a big discount. But, if for whatever reason you need Apple’s latest smartwatch with crash detection and fertility tracking now, it’ll still save you some money.
More Apple Watch Series 8 deals
Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm, GPS) — $389$399 at Walmart (save $10)
Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm, GPS) — $419$429 at Walmart (save $10)
Apple Watch Series 7 deals
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Credit: Apple
Our pick: Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS + cellular) (opens in a new tab)
$329 at Walmart (save $429)
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Why we like it
A glance at the list above will tell you that Series 8 deals are few and far between this week, but this Series 7 pick offers a worthy alternative. If you’re not particularly keen on having crash detection or fertility tracking on your watch, the Series 7 is by far the better choice. You still get the same fitness features as the 8, including blood oxygen and heart rate sensors. The only catch is that you can only grab it at this price in its green colorway.
Apple Watch SE deals
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Credit: Apple
Our pick: 2022 Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) (opens in a new tab)
$239.98 at Amazon (save $9.02)
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Why we like it
If you don’t picture yourself checking your blood oxygen levels or heart rate regularly, chances are you can opt for the more basic (and more affordable) Apple Watch experience via the second-gen SE. This watch comes equipped with an S8 chip (that makes this SE 20% faster than its first-gen predecessor), crash detection features, and slight design upgrades on the case. Like the Series 8, the sale prices on this watch aren’t spectacular this week, but even so, it’s still nearly $150 cheaper than the Series 8.
More Apple Watch SE deals
Second Gen
Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $269.99$279 at Amazon (save $9.01)
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $289.99$299 at Amazon (save $9.01)
Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $319.98$329 at Amazon (save $9.02)
First Gen
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $199$249 at Walmart (save $50)
Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $249 $359 at Walmart (save $110)
Apple Watch Ultra deals
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Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra (49mm, GPS + cellular) (opens in a new tab)
$779.99 at Amazon (save $19.01)
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Why we like it
We wouldn’t recommend this watch for everyone, but if you’re looking for a watch for the hardcore outdoor adventurer in your life, the Ultra is it. Its hefty price tag reflects an array of top-of-the-line features including the largest watch face Apple’s ever made, built-in cellular, 36 hours of battery life, a titanium case, 100m water resistance, and a host of advanced fitness metrics.
Hear that? That’s the sound of business jargon and family members threatening one another, which can only mean one thing: It’s time for a new season of Succession.
After an explosive Season 3 finale drew battle lines between Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his children Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin), Season 4 looks to pick up the pieces. And based on the first HBO teaser trailer for the season, that process is going to be messy. The Roys can’t even schedule a phone call to talk to each other — how are they supposed to control their media empire?
Meanwhile, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) is struggling to figure out where he stands with Logan, Connor (Alan Ruck) and Willa (Justine Lupe) appear to be getting married, and Greg (Nicholas Braun) is… doing his Greg thing and sticking by Tom. Oh, and is that Kendall standing sadly in the ocean? Sir, get away from there!
Succession returns to HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET on March 26.
One of the top ten rules of cinema dictates that whenever a family moves into a new home for a fresh start, there’s sure to be a ghost lurking in the shadows.
Based on the short story “Ernest” by Geoff Manaugh, Netflix’s We Have a Ghost follows a teenage boy’s discovery of a ghost in his new home, that’s played by none other than David Harbour. Personally, if I found out David Harbour was haunting my home as a ghost called Ernest, I would not complain, and it seems that the sentiment is shared with Kevin’s (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) family.
Ernest immediately becomes some sort of a family friend, with Kevin adamant on finding out what happened to him in his life. He’s also become a viral sensation thanks to a video Kevin took of him, and everyone from Jennifer Coolidge (playing a famous medium) to the CIA wants a shot of Ernest. Well, the CIA actually wants to capture Ernest which leaves Kevin with no choice but to hit the road with Ernest by his side and the CIA at his heels.
The rollercoaster adventure of a ghost that everyone can see is loaded with hilarious hijinks and an erratic Coolidge jumping out of a window (I’m suddenly getting war flashbacks to a certain boat in Sicily), and promises to be a wild ride filled with frights and fun.
We Have a Ghost‘s cast also includes Tig Notaro, Erica Ash, and Anthony Mackie.
Get ready to see Trump posts shared on your Facebook feed again.
Meta announced on Wednesday that it would be reinstating Donald Trump’s accounts on both Facebook and Instagram. The move ends the company’s over two-year long suspension of Trump.
“Two years ago, we took action in what were extreme and highly unusual circumstances,” Meta’s President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said in a statement posted to the company’s website, referring to Jan. 6, 2021. According to Clegg, the company’s decision comes after assessing whether there was still “serious risk to public safety.”
SEE ALSO:
Donald Trump has an aide who follows him on the golf course to show him positive articles
“We have evaluated the current environment according to our Crisis Policy Protocol, which included looking at the conduct of the US 2022 midterm elections, and expert assessments on the current security environment,” the statement reads. “Our determination is that the risk has sufficiently receded, and that we should therefore adhere to the two-year timeline we set out.”
“As such, we will be reinstating Mr. Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks,” it continued.
The former president had been suspended from Meta’s platform in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 events, which saw a pro-Trump mob violently storm the Capitol building in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election and overturn the results in favor of Trump. In the lead up to, and during, the riots Trump had been posting incendiary messages to his followers, which resulted in his suspension from numerous social media platforms.
“We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great,” Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a statement on his Facebook page at the time.
Following the suspension, Meta referred the case to its Oversight Board, which upheld the suspension but criticized the company for not making it clear if it was a permanent suspension or a temporary one. If the latter, the Oversight Board said Meta should make it clear what the timeframe was for the suspension to be lifted. Meta responded to the Oversight Board’s decision by saying it would last for two years. After that, the company said it would review if the account was still a risk to public safety.
With Meta’s announcement reinstating Trump, the company shared that it was adding “new guardrails” in order to “deter repeat offenses” in the future. According to Clegg, if Trump or any other reinstated account violates Meta’s policies on Facebook or Instagram, there will be harsher penalties for these repeat offenses. Breaking these rules could result in the removal of content and a new suspension lasting anywhere from one month to two years, depending on the severity of the violation.
Meta says it will also limit the visibility or reach of content or even remove the ability to share posts outright that contributes to public risk, even if it doesn’t break its policies outright. The company shared examples such as content that “delegitimizes an upcoming election or is related to QAnon.”
The decision from Meta to restore Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts is not a surprise. Clegg had hinted at the possibility at an event in September of last year. A few months later, Elon Musk announced that Twitter would reinstate Trump’s account, further giving a preview as to what Meta’s future decision on Trump would likely be.
Trump has been locked into an exclusivity agreement with his own social media platform, Truth Social, so he has yet to tweet since being reinstated on Twitter last year. However, recent reports have stated that Trump was looking to end that agreement, so he could post on other social media platforms as he ramps up his 2024 presidential campaign.
Critics of Meta’s decision were quick to point out how Trump has increasingly promoted far-right content on Truth Social since being suspended from Facebook.
“Today, Meta chose to put its own profits above American democracy and the real-world safety of its users,” said Nicole Gill, co-founder and executive director of the advocacy nonprofit Accountable Tech in a statement provided to Mashable. “I want to be very clear: there is absolutely no justification for allowing Donald Trump back on Facebook…This is a man who used the platform to incite a deadly insurrection against the United States – and whose behavior has only gotten more dangerous in the years since. Trump has repeatedly used Truth Social to fuel violence, spread election lies, and promote domestic terrorist organizations like QAnon.”
Trump currently has 34 million followers on Facebook. Furthermore, the former president’s Facebook page may now also utilize Facebook ad campaigns, which were an integral part of his previous presidential campaigns.
Think you’ve binged everything on Netflix? Well, think again. The streaming site has dropped its February lineup, and there’s a lot of gems waiting for us.
From You Season 4 Part 1 all the way to a documentary about the world’s wealthiest dog, here are the highlights of what’s coming to Netflix this February.
Movies
La La Land (02/01)
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (02/04)
Re/Member (02/14)
The Strays (02/22)
True Spirit (02/03)
We Have a Ghost (02/24)
Your Place or Mine (02/10)
Documentaries
African Queens: Njinga (02/15)
Full Swing (02/15)
Gunther’s Millions (02/01)
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal (02/22)
TV Shows
Aggretsuko Season 5 (02/16)
Detective Conan: The Culprit Hanzawa (02/01)
Formula 1: Drive to Survive Season 5 (02/24)
Freeridge (02/02)
Love to Hate You (02/10)
Make My Day (02/02)
My Dad the Bounty Hunter (02/09)
Oddballs Season 2 (02/24)
Outer Banks Season 3 (02/23)
Perfect Match (02/14)
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series Part 2 (02/24)
Red Rose (02/15)
Survivor Season 32 (02/01)
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals Season 6 (02/01)
UPDATE: Jan. 25, 2023, 2:45 p.m. EST This story has been updated to include the best deals on robot vacuums from iRobot, eufy, and more. Here are the ones to grab as of Jan. 25:
CHEAPEST ROBOT VACUUM DEAL: TheIonVac SmartClean V2 is the cheapest vacuum on this list, but still offers scheduled cleanings through an app — $79$182.90 (save $103.90)
BEST SELF-EMPTYING DEAL: The Shark EZ RV915S is still chilling at its pre-holiday sale price — $248$449.99 (save $201.99)
BEST ROBOT VACUUM/MOP DEAL: The Roborock S7+ is modestly priced for a vacuum that checks off the big three robot vac features: smart room mapping, self-emptying, and mopping — $709.98$949.98 (save $240)
Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don’t have time. Whether you detest the chore or hope to make your home upkeep a bit breezier, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.
Robot vacuums under $200
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Credit: Eufy
Our pick: Eufy 25C (opens in a new tab)
$96 at Walmart (save $153.99)
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Why we like it
A $96 robot vacuum? With actually-good reviews? We’re sold. This compact Eufy vac is an easy choice for small spaces and low-profile furniture. You won’t get smart mapping at this price point, of course, but current 25C owners are impressed with its navigation when it comes to furniture and walls.
Only 2.85 inches tall
90-minute battery life
Automatic suction increase on carpet
More robot vacuums under $200
IonVac SmartClean V2 — $79$182.90 (save $103.90)
ILIFE A80 Max — $92$219.99 (save $127.99)
ILIFE V3s Pro — $119.99$159.99 (save $40)
Eufy 11S — $139.99$229 (save $89.01)
Wyze robot vacuum with LiDAR — $149$329 (save $180)
iRobot Roomba 676 — $174$269.99 (save $95.99)
iRobot Roomba 694 — $179$274 (save $95)
Neato Robotics D8 — $199$399.99 (save $200.99)
Robot vacuums under $500
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Credit: Shark
Our pick: Shark EZ RV915S (opens in a new tab)
$248 at Walmart (save $201.99)
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Why we like it
Less than $250 is a stellar price for a self-emptying robot vacuum, especially from a brand as recognizable as Shark. The EZ vacuum doesn’t map your home but still maintains wall-to-wall coverage by cleaning in methodical rows. It’ll return to dirty areas that need extra work, then head back to its compact dock to empty its own dust bin.
Multi-stage filtration system
70-minute battery life in Max mode and 140-minute battery life in Eco mode
Self-emptying dock holds 30 days’ worth of debris
More robot vacuums under $500
iRobot Roomba i3 Evo — $249$349.99 (save $100.99)
Neato D9 — $279$499.99 (save $220.99)
iRobot Roomba i1+ — $288$549.99 (save $241.99)
eufy Clean G35+ — $295$479.99 (save $184.99)
Roborock Q5 — $309.99$429.99 (save $120)
Shark AI Ultra AV2501AE AI XL — $387.99 $649.99 (save $262)
iRobot Roomba i3+ — $392.99$549.99 (save $157)
iRobot Roomba j7 — $399$599.99 (save $200.99)
Samsung Jet Bot+ — $422.89$799 (save $376.11)
Roborock Q5+ — $499.99$699.99 (save $200)
Robot vacuums under $800
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Credit: iRobot
Our pick: iRobot Roomba j7+ (opens in a new tab)
$589 at Amazon (save $210)
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Why we like it
Snag the smartest Roomba for less than $600 — that’s only around $60 more than its lowest price ever, which it has only hit once. It’s the only Roomba that uses PrecisionVision Navigation to detect and avoid obstacles that were previously problem-causers, like phone chargers and pet waste. The j7+ also self-empties.
Room mapping, zone cleaning, and small obstacle avoidance
85-minute battery life
Self-emptying dock holds up to two months’ worth of debris
More robot vacuums under $800
iRobot Roomba s9+ — $799$999.99 (save $200.99)
Robot vacuum and mop hybrids and dedicated robot mops
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Credit: Roborock
Our pick: Roborock S7+ (opens in a new tab)
$709.98 at Amazon (save $240 with coupon)
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Why we like it
Don’t sleep on this rare discount on one of our favorite robot vacuum and mop hybrids. The Roborock S7 has reliable suction that performs well on both hardwood and carpet. Attaching the mopping pad gives your floor a scrub, too, but won’t soak your rugs. The S7+ also self-empties and can be sent to specific rooms on your command.
Room mapping and zone cleaning
180-minute battery life
Self-emptying dock holds up to four months’ worth of debris
More hybrids and robot mops on sale
Eufy G30 Hybrid — $194.97$368.99 (save $174.02)
Ecovacs Deebot N8+ — $268$649.99 (save $381.99)
Yeedi Vac Station — $349.98$499 (save $149.02)
Roborock S7 — $429.99$649.99 (save $220)
Roborock Q7+ — $549.99$799.99 (save $250 with on-page coupon)
The control of an upright vacuum comes with its own type of satisfaction. But if you’re not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, a robot vacuum could erase that huge, agonizing task from your chore list. (And did we mention the joy of having “first day clean” floors all the time?)
But whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can’t be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robot vac that doesn’t do the job right — scattering dust, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — might actually create more work for you.
What to consider when buying a robot vacuum
Suction power is key
A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), with most current vacs ranging between 1,500 Pa and 3,000 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set a no-go zone around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.
Know your floor type
Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.
Consider automatic emptying
Because robot vacuums are typically under four inches tall, their onboard dust bins are also small — which means they frequently require emptying. (Dustbins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock. These larger bins can typically hold weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out.
Think about your home’s layout
Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you’ll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.
Pay attention to low-profile furniture
No one should have to be scared about what’s accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.
Assess battery life and square footage
One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you’ll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 200 minutes, which translates to about 500 and 2,800 square feet covered on one charge.
Look for app control
WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, and cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you’re not home. Low-end models that don’t connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you’re used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.
Doing laundry. Cooking dinner. On a video call for work.
These are all times I’ve found myself singing in my head. Ringing through my brain is, “WHOPPER, WHOPPER, WHOPPER, WHOPPER.”
Walking the streets: Whopper, Whopper, Whopper, Whopper. Showering: Whopper. Staring in the middle distance, considering the fragility and absurdity of life: WHOPPER, WHOPPER, WHOPPER, WHOPPER.
Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about. The rest of you probably don’t watch sports. That’s because if you watch any sports at all — I am, at best, a casual fan — then you’ve seen and, more importantly, heard the same damn Burger King commercial over and over.
That damn Whopper song. It is undeniably a hit of a jingle. And, after like 1,000 listens, it is undoubtedly a ditty that tunnel into your brain like a beef-themed parasite. NFL fans, especially, are haunted by the jingle. Most diehard fans spend entire Sundays in front of the TV and, for whatever reason, Burger King must think NFL people also like fast food. I maybe watch bits of a single game each week and even I feel like I could recite the lyrics in their entirety.
“Whopper, Whopper, Whopper, Whopper,
Junior, double, triple whopper,
Impossible or bacon whopper,
I rule this day,
At BK, have it your way,
You rule!”
The song is sung in an almost monotone, talky singing voice. It sounds remarkably like actor and I Think You Should Leave stalwart Sam Richardson. In fact, until writing this article I was sure he sang it. Richardson, likely getting countless exasperated complaints, posted on Twitter that it was not him behind the jingle.
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)
The song, from Chicago-based ad agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul is technically called “You Rule,” and is a riff on BK’s 1970s jingle “Have it Your Way,” but everyone knows “Whopper Whopper Whopper Whopper” is its actual name.
With this ditty lasered into their temporal lobe, sports fans began turning the Whopper jingle into a meme. It’s sort of a variation on the Curb Your Enthusiasm music — it enters at inopportune times or when things get weird. About to be a big play? Whopper, Whopper, Whopper, Whopper. Wedding entrance? That’s right: Whopper. When your team has a crushing defeat? Yep. The Whopper memes are everywhere.
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)
Worse (or better?) yet, there are a number of different variations on “Whopper Whopper Whopper Whopper.” For instance, there’s the longer version that goes into burger toppings and the like. You’re simply never safe from a Whopper ambush.
There’s a reason this commercial has gone so viral. For one: It’s just a damn good jingle. Like, sorry, I know it has infested the collective brain of the American public but it’s good. So simple, so good, so annoying. But also, NFL football remains the closest thing America has to a monocultural event. Of the top 25 most-watched television programs last year, 22 were NFL games. There is nothing else like it. If you have a catchy tune, and you get it played on NFL Sundays it is far more likely to catch on than by attaching it to any other piece of pop culture. Burger King was smart in that way.
The song went from good and catchy, to annoying, and now good again — or at least funny — in the wake of its omnipresence. The NFL season, however, is nearing its end. Just two weekends remain.
