Mark Zuckerberg angrily insists Facebook is the real victim here

Mark Zuckerberg is sick and tired of all the harm caused to Facebook.

Yes, you read that correctly. At the top of his company’s third quarter earnings call, the Facebook CEO broadly railed against the 17 news organizations working together to report on a massive trove of leaked internal documents dubbed the Facebook Papers. The problem, as Zuckerberg described it, is not the multiple terrors revealed by the reporting, but rather the media witch hunt targeting his well meaning trillion-dollar company.

“Good faith criticism helps us get better,” huffed the clearly indignant Zuckerberg, “but my view is that what we are seeing is a coordinated effort to selectively use leaked documents to paint a false picture of our company.”

Facebook has tried, and failed, to use this line of attack before to discredit reporting it views as unfavorable. On Oct. 18, the company’s PR team was roundly mocked for railing against media outlets agreeing to an embargo — a standard journalist practice that Facebook itself routinely asks of reporters.

But past failure didn’t stop Zuckerberg from trying the approach once more. With his broadside against the vast media conspiracy out of the way, Zuckerberg then pivoted to conflating the fact that Facebook does internal research — the very research leaked by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen — with taking meaningful action on the findings of that research.

“The reality is that we have an open culture where we encourage discussion and research about our work so we can make progress on many complex issues that are not specific to just us,” he dissembled. “We have industry-leading programs to study the effects of our products and provide transparency to our progress.”

Notably, we know that Facebook-employed researchers tried time and time again to get Facebook leadership to act on their findings — often to little or no avail.

Oh, and seemingly for good measure, Zuckerberg also took a moment to let everyone listening know that this polarization thing has little if anything to do with him personally.

“Polarization started rising in the U.S. before I was born,” he stressed in a definitely not-protesting-too-much kind of way.

In the end, the CEO wanted any and all haters to understand that no coordinated effort is going to slow him down.

SEE ALSO: 5 damning revelations from the Facebook Papers

“We can’t change the underlying media dynamic, but there is a different constituency that we serve that has always been more important and that I try to keep in focus,” he said before pausing dramatically, “and that’s people.”

That’s right, insisted Zuckerberg, Facebook cares about people — his own company’s documents to the contrary be damned.

The ending of ‘Dune’ explained, and what to expect from Part Two

You might have some questions after watching Dune, the main one being, “wait, that’s it? There’s got to be more, right?”

If that’s the case, don’t worry: You’re not alone. As epic and engrossing as Dune is, it only adapts part of Frank Herbert’s novel, resulting in an inconclusive ending that sets up an as-yet unconfirmed Dune: Part Two.

Despite its abruptness, Dune‘s ending still leaves us with a lot to get excited about, and quite a bit to unpack. From the meaning of Paul’s visions to what those nasty Harkonnens will do next, here are the main takeaways from Dune‘s ending – and what we can expect from the sequel.

“My road leads into the desert”

A big turning point for Paul

A big turning point for Paul
Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Dune ends with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) on the run from the Harkonnens. They meet the desert-dwelling Fremen, whose leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem) chooses to bring them back to the community of Sietch Tabr to decide their fate. However, Jamis (Babs Olusanmokun) challenges Stilgar’s decision, resulting in a duel to the death with Paul, which Paul wins.


Dune’s ending leaves us with a lot to get excited about, and quite a bit to unpack.

This fight is a big turning point for a number of reasons. Firstly, in taking Jamis’ life, Paul earns a place among the Fremen. Secondly, Jamis’ death is yet another step on Paul’s path to becoming the messianic figure known as the Kwisatz Haderach. As an ominous voiceover warns Paul in his vision of his fight with Jamis, “Paul Atreides must die, for Kwisatz Haderach to rise… When you take a life, you take your own.” By killing Jamis, Paul kills his old self, giving up some of his humanity in the process.

In some ways, that makes this duel the perfect place to end Dune: Part One, even with the feeling of incompleteness. The moments right before the fight are the last we see of Paul Atreides: the Paul we see before he and Jamis cross crysknives and the Paul we see after Jamis’ death are two very different people.

If that sounds dark, that’s because it is: Paul may be determined to ally with the Fremen as his late father (Oscar Isaac) intended, but as Paul’s visions show, the Fremen’s devotion to him as a superhuman messiah figure – the Lisan al-Gaib, or Mahdi — leads down a road of violence across the universe.

What’s the deal with Paul’s visions?

What do your blue eyes see?

What do your blue eyes see?
Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul’s visions are a motif throughout Dune, typically featuring his future relationship with Chani (Zendaya). As the movie progresses, they also reveal that the Fremen will fight a holy war – explicitly called a jihad in the novel – across the galaxy in his name.

The impending holy war rightfully terrifies Paul. Remember that he didn’t choose this grand “destiny.” It was crafted over centuries by the Bene Gesserit’s breeding program, the same Bene Gesserit who spread the prophecy of the Lisan al-Gaib through the Fremen population of Arrakis. The whole endeavor is grossly manipulative, especially of the Fremen, and while Paul’s story is presented on the surface as a hero’s journey, there’s still an underlying darkness to it.

Do Paul’s visions mean that holy war is inevitable? Not necessarily. After all, Paul’s vision of Jamis promising to show him the ways of the desert couldn’t be farther from what happens when the two characters meet. Thanks to the Jamis vision, we know that Paul’s burgeoning prescience isn’t completely accurate. Instead, it shows possible futures that may or may not come to pass.

Still, seeing as Chani and the bloody crysknife he used to kill Jamis continuously show up in Paul’s visions of galactic war, it’s clear that the duel was a pivotal moment not just in Paul’s life, but in the lead-up to the oncoming crusade as well.

Keeping up with the Harkonnens

Honestly who wouldn't want to float around all the time?

Honestly who wouldn’t want to float around all the time?
Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Dune ends with House Atreides in a pretty rough spot, which is great news for House Harkonnen, their lifelong enemies. After executing a brutal surprise attack on the city of Arrakeen and eliminating Duke Leto, the Baron (Stellan Skarsgård) and his nephew Rabban (Dave Bautista) are back in control of Arrakis.


To put it simply, things are going to get a lot weirder going forward.

However, it turns out that using the Emperor’s elite Sardaukar fighters to destroy your worst enemy is expensive, so the Harkonnens have to make a profit on the spice trade, and fast. The Baron tells Rabban to “squeeze” Arrakis as hard as he can, and to kill all the Fremen while he’s at it. That certainly bodes well for the future and for the planet, right?

So what can we expect from Dune: Part Two?

Can't wait to find out what's going on here!

Can’t wait to find out what’s going on here!
Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

To put it simply, things are going to get a lot weirder going forward. The conflict between the Fremen and the Harkonnens will escalate, as will Paul’s powers and influence over the Fremen. Meanwhile, as hinted at in one of Paul’s visions, Jessica’s pregnancy takes a turn you will not expect unless you’ve read the books (or seen David Lynch’s Dune). Important characters from the novel, like Feyd-Rautha and the Fenrings, may show up, along with the Emperor and Princess Irulan. Hopefully we’ll also find out what happened to Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) and Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson), whose fates were left unclear after the Harkonnen attack.

Of course, all of this speculation means nothing unless Warner Bros. announces a Dune sequel, a future that is looking more and more likely thanks to a strong showing at the box office. If Denis Villeneuve has his way and he does indeed get to make Dune: Part Two, you can definitely expect a lot more: a more conclusive ending, more sandworms, and 100% more Zendaya.

Dune is now in theaters and streaming on HBO Max.

Unique gifts for men: Fun ideas for the eclectic guy in your life

As you may know by now, shopping for the men in your life isn’t always such a simple task, especially if they have more eclectic, off-the-beaten-path tastes.

For these types of guys, whether they’re your father, brother, best friend, or boyfriend, you’ll need to do some creative thinking and get something they would have never thought of buying for themselves. If you can pull that off, you may well take home the title of the greatest gift-giver to ever live.

SEE ALSO:

Here’s where all the best Black Friday 2021 deals will be

We’re here to help you win that title with unique gift ideas for the eccentric dude(s) in your life. (Looking specifically for dad-centric gifts? Check out these recommendations. )

Black Friday TV deals have already started. Here are the best sales to shop early.

UPDATE: Oct. 25, 2021, 5:50 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include new deals from Samsung, LG, and Sony.

Shop the best early Black Friday deals on TVs as of Oct. 25:

  • Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K TV — $3,299.99 (save $1,700)

  • LG C1 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,896.99 (save $603)

  • Sony X80J 75-inch 4K UHD TV — $1,098 (save $301.99)


TVs are always a huge ticket item during Black Friday. Last year, Best Buy devoted 10 pages of its Black Friday ad scan to TVs alone. And we’re expecting a whole lot of awesome deals again for Black Friday 2021.

And because The Brands have largely said “screw it” about following the actual Black Friday schedule and are just hosting their own events throughout October and November, there are already some great 4K TV deals to shop well ahead of Nov. 26.

Tips for buying a TV on Black Friday

This is the time to splurge on that fancy TV that can turn your basement into a home theater. Or grab an extra TV for the garage or spare room. Black Friday is no longer a one-day or weekend-long event. It spans multiple months, and the best deals aren’t just reserved for the day after Thanksgiving.

Really nice QLED and 4K TVs will go on sale throughout October and November, so we recommend hopping on a good deal when you see one. Supply chain and shipping delays are sure to hit hard this holiday season, so whenever you can get ahead of them and score a deal early, you should take advantage.

SEE ALSO:

The best Black Friday deals for 2021, all in one place

Look out for classic brands like Sony, Samsung, LG, and Vizio — those are safe bets for good TVs. But also keep an eye out for deals on Hisense, TCL, and onn. They’re not as top-tier in name recognition, but you can often find a pretty nice TV for only a couple hundred bucks.

What we expect from Black Friday 2021

In practice, Black Friday is running throughout October and November. We’re going to see some TV deals at Walmart during its Deals for Days event on Nov. 3 and again on its second Deals for Days event on Nov. 10. We’re particularly excited about a 60-inch Samsung TV that will be on sale for less than $550.

Best Buy started even earlier, with Black Friday deals kicking off Oct. 19. We already saw some Black Friday-level deals on 4K TVs at Best Buy even before deals officially kicked off, so we’re in for a treat as the season goes on. Be sure to check back as we update you with the current Black Friday TV deals.

Here are the best early Black Friday TV deals organized by brand, then size, then price:

Samsung TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K TV — $3,299.99 (save $1,00)

You know when you’re in the movie theater and the audio sounds like it’s coming from the direction of the action on screen? The Samsung Neo QLED TV does that, too. On top of Object Tracking Sound, this TV has 8K resolution and super thin bezels, so you’ll truly feel like you’re at the theater.

Samsung Neo QLED TV with blue abstract screensaver

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K TV

Buying Options

$3,299.99 at Samsung

  • Samsung 40-inch Full HD TV — $238.77 (save $61.22)

  • Samsung 50-inch Frame QLED TV — $897.99 (save $402)

  • Samsung 55-inch Q60A Series QLED TV — $697.99 (save $152)

  • Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN85A Series smart TV — $1,097.99 (save $502)

  • Samsung 55-inch Frame QLED TV — $1,397.99 (save $102)

  • Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN90A Series 4K TV — $1,297.99 (save $200)

  • Samsung 65-inch QLED Q70A Series — $1,097.99 (save $302)

  • Samsung 82-inch Class 7 Series Tizen TV — $1,399.99 (save $100)

  • Samsung 85-inch Class 8000 Series Tizen 4K TV — $1,799.99 (save $200)

LG TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: LG C1 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,896.99 (save $603)

The LG C1’s OLED display has more than 8 million pixels to bring you deep blacks and vibrant colors. Its 4K AI processor adjusts with the content to ensure everything you watch looks the best it can. It also has a fast refresh rate, making it good for gaming.

LG TV with glowing tree screensaver

Credit: LG

LG C1 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV

Buying Options

$1,896.99 at Amazon

  • LG 43-inch 80 Series 4K smart TV — $396.99 (save $83)

  • LG 48-inch ultra-thin OLED 4K TV — $1,096.99 (save $103)

  • LG 48-inch ThinQ OLED C1 Series 4K TV — $1,296.99 (save $303)

  • LG 55-inch slim NanoCell 4K TV — $676.99 (save $123)

  • LG 55-inch A1 Series 4K OLED TV — $1,196.99 (save $103)

  • LG C1 Series 55-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,499.99 (save $300)

  • LG NanoCell 80 Series 65-inch smart TV — $896.99 (save $203)

  • LG 65-inch Evo gallery design G1 Series 4K TV — $2,396.99 (save $403)

  • LG LED 75-inch Slim Real 4K UHD NanoCell TV — $1,146.99 (save $353)

  • LG NanoCell 90 Series 75-inch smart TV — $1,696.99 (save $603)

Sony TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: Sony X80J 75-inch 4K UHD TV — $1,098 (save $301.99)

This Sony X80J is 75 inches, making it large enough to give your house some home theater vibes. Yet it’s still just over $1,000, which is honestly not that much to dish out for a big, fancy 4K TV. This is a Google TV and works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Sony TV with desert scene screensaver

Credit: Sony

Sony X80J 75-inch 4K UHD TV

Buying Options

$1,098 at Amazon

  • Sony 43-inch X85J 4K TV — $648 (save $100)

  • Sony 55-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $698 (save $101.99)

  • Sony 55-inch X90J 4K UH TV — $1,098 (save $100)

  • Sony 65-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $848 (save $151.99)

  • Sony 65-inch X950H 4K UHD TV — $1,320.49 (save $279.50)

  • Sony X90J 65-inch Bravia XR TV — $1,298 (save $201.99)

Other TV deals from TCL, Vizio, more

OUR TOP PICK: TCL 65-inch 5-Series 4K Roku TV — $694.09 (save $205.90)

Roku TVs are super intuitive and have a user-friendly interface, and this large 65-inch TV is on sale for $700. It’s got a 4K gaming mode that can automatically detect compatible gaming systems.

TV with colorful screensaver and text "TCL QLED"

Credit: TCL

TCL 65-inch 5-Series 4K Roku TV

Buying Options

$694.09 at Amazon

  • TCL 40-inch 1080p Roku TV — $229.99 (save $120)

  • Insignia 43-inch Fire TV — $289.99 (save $30)

  • TCL 43-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV — $289 (save $60.99)

  • TCL 55-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV — $358 (save $91)

  • Hisense 55-inch ULED U7G Quantum Dot QLED TV — $699 (save $150.99)

  • Insignia 55-inch NS-55F301NA22 F30 Series LED 4K — $389.99 (save $160)

  • Vizio 55-inch M-series 4K UHD TV — $578 (save $171.99)

  • Hisense 65-inch Quantum Dot QLED TV — $649.99 (save $200)

Explore related content:

  • The best early Black Friday laptop deals so far

  • The best 4K TVs: For gamers, Netflix binge-watchers, and everyone else

  • Best Buy’s Black Friday deals start Oct. 19: See what’s on sale now

Save $1,700 on a Samsung QLED, plus other great 4K TV deals as of Oct. 25

UPDATE: Oct. 25, 2021, 5:40 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include new deals from Samsung, LG, and Sony.

Best TV deals to shop as of Oct. 25:

  • Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K TV — $3,299.99 (save $1,700)

  • LG C1 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,896.99 (save $603)

  • Sony X80J 75-inch 4K UHD TV — $1,098 (save $301.99)


Large 4K TVs no longer have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. Rather, these high-quality TVs featuring punchy colors, decipherable shadows, and smooth transitions are actually affordable for regular consumers. And to make them even more budget-friendly, we’ve gathered up the best deals on 4K and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more.

Samsung TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K TV — $3,299.99 (save $1,700)

You know when you’re in the movie theater and the audio sounds like it’s coming from the direction of the action on screen? The Samsung Neo QLED TV does that, too. On top of Object Tracking Sound, this TV has 8K resolution and super thin bezels, so you’ll truly feel like you’re at the theater.

Samsung Neo QLED TV with blue abstract screensaver

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 65-inch Neo QLED 8K TV

Buying Options

$3,299.99 at Samsung

  • Samsung 40-inch Full HD TV — $238.77 (save $61.22)

  • Samsung 50-inch Frame QLED TV — $897.99 (save $402)

  • Samsung 55-inch Q60A Series QLED TV — $697.99 (save $152)

  • Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN85A Series smart TV — $1,097.99 (save $502)

  • Samsung 55-inch Frame QLED TV — $1,397.99 (save $102)

  • Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN90A Series 4K TV — $1,297.99 (save $200)

  • Samsung 65-inch QLED Q70A Series — $1,097.99 (save $302)

  • Samsung 82-inch Class 7 Series Tizen TV — $1,399.99 (save $100)

  • Samsung 85-inch Class 8000 Series Tizen 4K TV — $1,799.99 (save $200)

LG TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: LG C1 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,896.99 (save $603)

The LG C1’s OLED display has more than 8 million pixels to bring you deep blacks and vibrant colors. Its 4K AI processor adjusts with the content to ensure everything you watch looks the best it can. It also has a fast refresh rate, making it good for gaming.

LG TV with glowing tree screensaver

Credit: LG

LG C1 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV

Buying Options

$1,896.99 at Amazon

  • LG 43-inch 80 Series 4K smart TV — $396.99 (save $83)

  • LG 48-inch ultra-thin OLED 4K TV — $1,096.99 (save $103)

  • LG 48-inch ThinQ OLED C1 Series 4K TV — $1,296.99 (save $303)

  • LG 55-inch slim NanoCell 4K TV — $676.99 (save $123)

  • LG 55-inch A1 Series 4K OLED TV — $1,196.99 (save $103)

  • LG C1 Series 55-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,499.99 (save $300)

  • LG NanoCell 80 Series 65-inch smart TV — $896.99 (save $203)

  • LG 65-inch Evo gallery design G1 Series 4K TV — $2,396.99 (save $403)

  • LG LED 75-inch Slim Real 4K UHD NanoCell TV — $1,146.99 (save $353)

  • LG NanoCell 90 Series 75-inch smart TV — $1,696.99 (save $603)

Sony TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: Sony X80J 75-inch 4K UHD TV — $1,098 (save $301.99)

This Sony X80J is 75 inches, making it large enough to give your house some home theater vibes. Yet it’s still just over $1,000, which is honestly not that much to dish out for a big, fancy 4K TV. This is a Google TV and works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Sony TV with desert scene screensaver

Credit: Sony

Sony X80J 75-inch 4K UHD TV

Buying Options

$1,098 at Amazon

  • Sony 43-inch X85J 4K TV — $648 (save $100)

  • Sony 55-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $698 (save $101.99)

  • Sony 55-inch X90J 4K UH TV — $1,098 (save $100)

  • Sony 65-inch X80J 4K UHD TV — $848 (save $151.99)

  • Sony 65-inch X950H 4K UHD TV — $1,320.49 (save $279.50)

  • Sony X90J 65-inch Bravia XR TV — $1,298 (save $201.99)

Other TV deals

OUR TOP PICK: TCL 65-inch 5-Series 4K Roku TV — $694.09 (save $205.90)

Roku TVs are super intuitive and have a user-friendly interface. This large 65-inch TV is on sale for $700. It’s got a 4K gaming mode that can automatically detect compatible gaming systems.

TV with colorful screensaver and text "TCL QLED"

Credit: TCL

TCL 65-inch 5-Series 4K Roku TV

Buying Options

$694.09 at Amazon

  • TCL 40-inch 1080p Roku TV — $229.99 (save $120)

  • Insignia 43-inch Fire TV — $249.99 (save $70)

  • TCL 43-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV — $289 (save $60.99)

  • TCL 55-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV — $358 (save $91)

  • Hisense 55-inch ULED U7G Quantum Dot QLED TV — $699 (save $150.99)

  • Insignia 55-inch NS-55F301NA22 F30 Series LED 4K — $389.99 (save $160)

  • Vizio 55-inch M-series 4K UHD TV — $579.99 (save $170)

  • Hisense 65-inch Quantum Dot QLED TV — $649.99 (save $200)

Explore related content:

  • The best Black Friday deals for 2021, all in one place

  • The best 4K TVs: For gamers, Netflix binge-watchers, and everyone else

  • Your TV needs a soundbar. Here are our faves.

The best Dyson vacuums: A guide to the latest versions of stick, ball, and handheld cleaners

Dyson has carved out a major position in the home tech arena. Though the name falls under categories from air purification to beauty, its expertise shines the brightest in vacuums.

The brand’s genesis stems from the same frustrations we’ve all had with one vacuum or another. In the early ’90s, a British engineer — who was fed up with his current clunky, clogged vacuum — set out to create a vacuum that’s not a chore in itself to use.

Enter an ergonomic design, funky colors, intense cyclonic suction, meticulous filtration, and an ingenious bagless dirt collection system … and so the Dyson vacuum was born. It’s the kind of suction power that’s so satisfying to wield, it seems unfair to let a robot vacuum take all the credit.

SEE ALSO:

Here’s where all the best Black Friday 2021 deals will be

Dyson vacuums come in four general categories: stick, upright, canister, and handheld. Dyson builds on each umbrella quite regularly, often causing confusion about which models do what — and which are even still in production. The deciding factors will narrow down to weight, compactness, suction power (the higher the suction, the better performance on pet hair and carpet), and how much you can justify spending.

The stick vacuum family tree has gotten particularly twisted over the past few years. We’ll point out which Dyson stick vacuums between V7 and V15 are best for each budget, plus compare the iconic Ball designs that are currently available.

Where are the best places to find Dyson Black Friday deals?

Because Dyson’s lineup is so prone to change, it can be tricky to determine which Dysons are seeing legit Black Friday discounts and which prices have been slashed for the past year because the vacuum in question is an older model.

Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are the main retailers to keep an eye on for Dyson deals. Dyson has rearranged its stick vacuum lineup since last Black Friday, so even those upgrading from an older Dyson vacuum could find a discount on a fancier model. In our tracking of early Black Friday Dyson deals, we’ve seen a newer iteration of the V8 drop to $299.99 and a juicy (albeit fleeting) $250 discount on the Dyson Outsize. Expect more Dyson deals in the remaining weeks leading up to Black Friday.

Note that all Dyson vacuums below use Radial Root cyclone technology to create their centrifugal suction and are equipped with whole-machine HEPA filtration to capture 99.99% of microparticles that are stirred up during cleaning. All come with two to six attachments depending on the model.

Let’s discuss Dyson’s 2021 vacuum lineup:

All the best pet deals as of Oct. 25: GPS collars, cozy beds, and more

UPDATE: Oct. 25 2021, 1:40 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include the latest deals.

Here are all the best pet deals as of Oct. 25 to help you spoil your furry family member for cheap:

  • OUR TOP PICK: Whistle Pet GPS trackers — 25% off all devices with code BRAND25

  • BEST DOG DNA KIT DEAL: Wisdom Panel Premium DNA kit — Save $34 with code ADOPTDOG34

  • BEST FOR CAT PARENTS: Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test — Save $40 and get a free dental test with code CATMONTH


Got a pandemic puppy or a quarantine cat? You’re not alone. Tons of people are adopting new pets — and figuring out that the cost of buying toys, beds, treats, and pet tech adds up quickly. To keep you from spending your entire paycheck on your four-legged friend, we’ll be compiling a list of the best pet deals weekly so you can be the best pet parent ever — even if you’re on a budget.

OUR TOP PICK: Whistle Pet GPS trackers — 25% off all devices with code BRAND25

In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month (and just in time for early holiday shopping), Whistle is offering 25% off all its smart devices when you bundle with a one- or two-year plan. You’d need the one- or two-year plan anyway to use any of the GPS location tracking that the devices offer, so this is a great deal to get a discount on both the device and the plan. Choose from the Whistle Fit, Whistle Go Explore, or Whistle Switch, depending on your pup’s needs.

dog with green smart collar

Credit: Whistle

Whistle Pet GPS Trackers

Buying Options

Save 25% at Whistle with code BRAND25

BEST DOG DNA KIT DEAL: Wisdom Panel Premium DNA Kit — $125.99 (save $34 with code ADOPTDOG34)

If you’re tired of just saying that your dog is a mutt, the Wisdom Panel Premium will give you the exact breakdown of your pooch’s breed — down to single percentages. Wisdom Panel tests across a huge variety of dog breeds, so even if your dog is a super rare international breed, you’ll still be able to find out their lineage. (It’s also one of our top picks for the best doggie DNA tests on the market.)

The Wisdom Panel Premium kit comes with handy health testing too, and will check your dog’s vision, weight, mobility, any potential drug sensitivities, and more. It’s basically the protective pet parent’s dream. If you buy from Wisdom Panel, use code ADOPTDOG34 to save $34 and donate a dollar to shelter dogs in honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. (If you’d rather save that dollar, the same test is on sale at Amazon for $124.99.)

wisdom panel premium dna kit

Credit: Wisdom panel

Wisdom Panel Premium DNA Kit

Buying Options

$125.99 at Wisdom Panel with code ADOPTDOGS34

wisdom panel premium dna kit

Credit: Wisdom panel

Wisdom Panel Premium DNA kit

Buying Options

$124.99 at Amazon

BEST FOR CAT PARENTS: Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test — $89 (save $40 and get a free dental test with code CATMONTH)

Ahead of National Cat Day on Oct. 29, Basepaws is offering $40 off their cat DNA test and throwing in a free dental health kit for good measure. You’ll be able to test your feline friend across four main breed groups, 21 individual breeds, and get a wild cat index — which lets you see how similar your pet’s DNA is to a lion, tiger, cheetah, and more. You’ll also be able to screen for 16 different genetic diseases and mutations, though it’s no substitute for consulting with a vet.

Basepaws cat DNA test and dental health kit

Credit: Basepaws

Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Kit with Dental test

Buying Options

$89 at Basepaws

More great pet deals

Paw.com pet beds — save up to 70%

Let’s say you want your dog to be cozy, but you also want their bed to match your stylish home decor. Checking both boxes might sound like a far-off dream, but Paw.com’s rug beds actually fit the bill. With a removable, washable cover, memory foam inner, and a design that’s meant to look like a decorative rug, these beds are the all-in-one pet product you’ve been looking for. You can also score up to 70% off every bed on the site, during Paw.com’s Fall Sale.

Black dog on a fluffy white bed

Credit: Paw.com

Paw.com pet beds

Buying Options

Save up to 70% at paw.com

Whistle Go Health and Location Tracker for Pets — $65 (save $34.95)

The original Whistle Go model gives you real-time GPS tracking, location alerts, and health/ activity monitoring for the spoiled pooch in your life. The battery lasts for 10 days on a single charge, you’ll get on-demand vet help through the companion app, and the current $34.95 discount isn’t too shabby. While it requires a monthly subscription, this is a great product to have if your dog is an escape artist or needs a little help getting active.

Blue whistle go device

Credit: Whistle Go

Whistle Go Health and Location Tracker for Pets

Buying Options

$71.20 at Amazon

Whistle GO/GO Explore/Twist & Go Pet Collars — $19.99 (save $9.96)

If you have your eyes on the discounted Whistle Go, pick up this compatible collar while you’re at it. It’s made of durable nylon and is designed as a secure mount for Whistle Go and Whistle Go Explore devices. Choose from three different sizes and six fun colors to match your pup’s personality.

Gray and pink whistle go collar

Credit: Whistle Go

Whistle GO/GO Explore/Twist & Go Pet Collars

Buying Options

$19.99 at Amazon

Best Friends by Sheri Jumbo Cuddler bed — $31.58 (save $18.37)

If your dog or cat likes to sleep curled up like a little bagel, this cozy bed will make them feel like they’re wrapped in a warm hug. The outer cover is removable and can be machine washed for easy cleanup, and the high-bolstered design will keep your dog’s joints supported through the night. This jumbo size is ideal for pets up to 35 pounds, but if you have a smaller pet, the standard size is also on sale (scoop one up for $23.60) and is good for pets up to 25 pounds.

French bulldog sitting in a brown dog bed

Credit: Best Friends by Sheri

Best Friends by Sheri Jumbo Cuddler bed

Buying Options

$31.58 at Amazon

Double Stack Cat Window Perch — $36.01 (save $24.98)

We all know that cats are the true royalty of the house, so give them a good vantage point to look over their kingdom with this cat perch. It sticks to the window with suction cups and is secure enough for your cat to lay on it all day long. The two shelves also fold up, so it can be used even if you have curtains or blinds on your window.

Cat window perch

Credit: K&H Pet Products

Double Stack Cat Window Perch

Buying Options

$36.01 at Chewy

ChuckIt! — $4.19 (save $8.80)

If your dog loves to play fetch, a slobbery ball is pretty much inevitable. But with a ChuckIt!, you’ll never have to touch a gross ball with your hands again. It also helps you throw the ball faster and further, so your pooch can run at top speed and wear themselves out. Like they say, a tired dog is a well-behaved dog.

Woman playing fetch with dog

Credit: Chuckit!

ChuckIt!

Buying Options

$4.71 at Amazon

PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog and Cat Feeder — $109.95 (save $20.04)

If your pet is known for horking down their food, this PetSafe pet feeder can help. With a slow feed option that dispenses food over 15 minutes, which will help digestion. It’s great for cats and dogs, can schedule up to 12 meals per day, and can dispense up to four cups of food at a time — so you can schedule feedings for big dogs, too.

large automatic pet feeder

Credit: PetSafe

PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog and Cat Feeder

Buying Options

$89.95 at Amazon

Wild One — free bag of pumpkin spice treats with orders $100+

Who said your dog couldn’t enjoy pumpkin spice season? For a limited time, you’ll get a free full-sized bag of this fall favorite treat when you place an order of $100 or more at Wild One. Grab one of their iconic walk kits, and your dog will be the coolest pooch on the block.

If you’re not ready to go all-in on the Instagram-famous dog brand, Wild One is also offering free shipping of orders over $60 (and you’ll get a sample of those pumpkin spice treats, too).

Dog eating treats off a table

Credit: Wild One

Wild One

Buying Options

Get a free bag of treats with orders $100+

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Game — $9.48 (save $15.51)

If you have a genius dog on your hands, a puzzle toy is one of the best ways to release some of that mental energy. This well-rated Nina Ottosson toy has multiple compartments that hold treats, and your pup will learn to flip, slide, and lift the pieces to reveal their snacks. It’s sure to keep boredom at bay — so you can get some work done while your dog plays.

dog playing with puzzle toy

Credit: Outward Hound

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Game

Buying Options

$9.48 at Amazon

Embark dog DNA test — $99 (save $30)

Does your dog howl a lot? Are they a total sniff-a-holic? You might think these funny behaviors are just normal dog habits, but they might actually be specific to your dog’s breed. Unlocking your pup’s breed makeup gives you a ton of info on their personality, health predispositions, and more. This Embark kit tests for over 350 different breeds, and will even tell you if your pup is part coyote or wolf.

Dog DNA test

Credit: Embark

Embark dog DNA test

Buying Options

$99 at Amazon

Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test — $149 (save $50)

Get all the great breed testing from the original Embark test, plus tons of health screenings for some extra peace of mind. The breed and health combo kit includes testing for more than 200 genetic diseases including common ones like MDR1 drug sensitivity, glaucoma, degenerative myelopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy. These tests will let you know if your dog is at risk for any of these conditions, which in turn will help you keep your furry friend healthier for longer.

Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test

Credit: Embark

Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test

Buying Options

$149 at Amazon

Petcube Bites 2 Lite — $124.95 (save $24.05)

A solid budget pick for a treat tossing camera, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite is great for giving your pet some mental stimulation while you’re away. It features a two way microphone, a 160 degree wide-angle camera, and a treat dispenser that will get your dog or cat off the couch long enough for them to enjoy a little snack.

Dog taking treat from Petcube

Credit: Petcube

Petcube Bites 2 Lite

Buying Options

$124.95 at Amazon

Explore related content:

  • 5 of the best automatic dog feeders to keep your BFF fed on time

  • The best automatic cat feeders to keep your pet fed while you’re away

  • 6 of the best dog beds to help your pup rest easy

A few Roombas are on sale way ahead of Black Friday

UPDATE: Oct. 25 2021, 5:15 p.m. EDT This post has been updated to remove outdated deals.

The best early Black Friday Roomba deals as of Oct. 25:

  • iRobot Roomba i3 — $349 (save $50.99)


Whether your cleaning complaints are about having to vacuum at all or just about the clumsy vacuum you own, Black Friday is a great time to upgrade to a Roomba.

It’s hard to say whether the Roomba j7 or j7+ will go on sale for Black Friday — they were just released in Sept. 2021. But their mere existence will likely mean discounts on their still-great predecessors. We wouldn’t be surprised if the D-shaped s9+ dropped below $999 (its price from last year) or if the i3 drops under the $300 mark to beat out some Roomba 600 series models, which iRobot seems to be phasing out.

SEE ALSO:

The best Black Friday deals for 2021, all in one place

At any rate, the convenience of automatic emptying will be more affordable than ever before.

Roomba i7

Let a Roomba do the vacuuming for you.
Credit: iRobot

If you need that automated cleaning before gathering with guests for the holiday, there are a few ways to snag a deal early. A few Roombas are currently discounted (including the i3 at its Black Friday price from last year), and there’s also a pretty big list of live robot vacuum deals from brands like Roborock and Ecovacs.

Walmart and Best Buy have already announced early Black Friday plans — in fact, some of their deals have already come and gone, like the Roomba i7+ seeing a record $250 discount in mid-October. Though that particular deal has ended for now, check back to this post for a heads up on more juicy deals ahead of the real shopping holiday.

Here is our favorite Roomba deal live as of Oct. 25:

iRobot Roomba i3 — $349 (save $50.99)

🚨Black Friday 2020 price alert🚨

Roomba shopping on a budget? Consider dropping $100-ish more on the Roomba i3 than iRobot’s true cheapest options. The i3 delivers 10 times the suction of the 600-level Roombas, navigates with smarter sensors, and can upgrade to a self-emptying charging dock if you feel like getting even more hands-off later on. (That’s when the “+” gets added to the title.)

Roomba í3

Credit: iRobot

iRobot Roomba i3

Buying Options

$349 at Amazon

More Roomba deals live before Black Friday:

  • iRobot Roomba 694 — $249 (save $25)

  • iRobot Braava Jet M6 Robot Mop — $399 (save $50.99)

  • iRobot Roomba s9+ with Automatic Dirt Disposal — $1,099.99 (save $200)

Explore related content:

  • Have a pet? Don’t do all the cleaning yourself. Here are the best robot vacuums for pet hair.

  • iRobot’s Roomba S9+ self empties and tackles corners like a pro

  • Prefer vacuuming by hand? Shop Dyson deals ahead of Black Friday.

James Michael Tyler, beloved Central Perk manager Gunther on ‘Friends’, is dead at 59

James Michael Tyler, the actor best known for the role of Central Perk manager Gunther on Friends, died on Sunday morning. He was 59 years old.

Tyler’s death brings to an end his years-long struggle with cancer. The actor revealed in June that he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in Sept. 2018. When he broke the news during his June appearance on The Today Show, he revealed that ongoing hormone therapy treatments worked for a time but things took a turn during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020.

The cancer mutated and left him partially paralyzed, from the waist down. That’s why Tyler, who did participate in May’s blockbuster Friends reunion on HBO Max, was there in a remote capacity. He said during his Today appearance a month later that Ross actor David Schwimmer knew, along with the producers, but it was intentionally left out of the reunion.

“I didn’t want it to be like, ‘Oh, Gunther has cancer,’ you know what I mean?” he said during the interview.

Over 10 years, from 1994 through 2004, Tyler appeared in 148 episodes of Friends — well more than half of the 236 that span the full series. He played Gunther, manager of the Central Perk coffee shop where the main cast spent much of their time. Gunther made regular appearances on the show and informed some of the longer-term story arcs, including his unrequited love for Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green.

Tyler is survived by his wife, Jennifer Carno. The two married in 2017.

I tried the viral TikTok adjustable buttons and they actually work pretty well

Don’t trust anything on the internet — until Mashable tries it first. Welcome to the Hype Test, where we review viral trends and tell you what’s really worth millions of likes.


You get your jeans out of the dryer. You wrestle them on and in classic post-dryer form they fit like a glove.

Twenty minutes pass and your jeans have already succumb to the cursed jean waist stretch. What do you do now? Walk around for the rest of the day with that weird back of waist gappage? Wear a belt?

I’m a firm believer that a belt can ruin an outfit. There is something so practical about a belt, that it can suck all the whimsy out of an outfit (unless it’s like $100 and from Lisa Says Gah and in that case I can’t afford it). With the belt solution out the window I decided to try TikTok’s answer to the age-old problem of waist gappage: adjustable buttons.

SEE ALSO: The Best Dyson vacuums

I heard about the buttons when I was out to lunch with a friend and she adjusted her pants during our meal. She swore by the buttons and assured me that they periodically go viral on TikTok.

@xoxcici

Reply to @_nataliecullen #greenscreen AMAZON finds! Button pins 🙂 #fashion #diy #ootd

♬ original sound – xoxocici

The buttons were only $5 on Amazon and came in a pack of four.

The buttons come two pieces: the adjustable button, which is essentially a pin, and the cap to the pin. You place the pin where you want the button of your pants to be which adjusts the waist of your pants. Then you stab your pants with the pin and push in the cap.

Make sure to place it on the button side of your pants. I kept accidentally putting the pin on the buttonhole side.

After you insert the pin your desired location, cover it with the cap.

After you insert the pin your desired location, cover it with the cap.
Credit: MASHABLE: ELENA CAVENDER

The stabbing part of the process was a huge barrier for me. I was raised in a household where ripping off a tag from clothing instead of cutting it was practically criminal, so willfully puncturing my pants is against my nature. I found the hole created by the pin to be noticeable and it bothered me.

Using the adjustable button leaves little holes.

Using the adjustable button leaves little holes.
Credit: MASHABLE: ELENA CAVENDER

The pin is also quite dangerous. I stabbed my finger in the process of placing the button.

These buttons are not for the faint of heart.

These buttons are not for the faint of heart.
Credit: MASHABLE: ELENA CAVENDER

I tried the button out on four different pairs of pants: two pairs of jeans, a pair of cotton pants, and a pair of canvas pants.

The button worked well on all my pants; it allows your pants to fit snugger without a belt or god forbid getting your pants custom tailored. The button is super secure and doesn’t pop off when you’re sitting or moving around. It’s so secure that I consistently struggled to remove the button from my pants.

I found that the button works best on pants that are slightly too big in the waist, because then you avoid having the button off center. I see lots of girls on TikTok with their pants button off center and it doesn’t seem to bother them, but I personally don’t like how it looks.

On pants that require a deeper button, the pants can become asymmetrical and cause some weird bunching around the zipper. The bunching is also worse with lightweight fabrics and more noticeable with lighter colored fabrics.

I found the asymmetrical button and bunching to look weird and I didn’t like that I was making a hole in my pants every time I used them, but the buttons were only $5 and are a great quick fix. I’ll probably end up using them again — but only when desperate times call for desperate measures.