OnlyFans’ CEO has stepped down and appointed a spokesperson to replace him

OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely has stepped down from his position as CEO, naming spokesperson Amrapali “Ami” Gan as his successor effective immediately. The choice seems fairly unusual.

“Ami has a deep passion for OnlyFans’ business and I’m passing the baton to a friend and colleague who has the vision and drive to help the organization reach its tremendous potential,” Stokely said in a press release on Tuesday. “OnlyFans is still a new company and Ami brings a fresh energy and reflects who we are as a business.”

Still, despite Stokley’s confidence in Gan’s leadership, appointing her as OnlyFan’s new CEO is a strange decision on the face of it. Having joined OnlyFans just last year, Gan worked as its Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and held a string of marketing and communications jobs before then. It will be interesting to see how she plans to grow the platform, and in what direction she plans to steer the company.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with our creator community to help them maximize control over, and monetize, their content,” said Gan. “By blending state of the art technology with creative capital, we are committed to being the safest social media platform in the world.”

OnlyFans states that Stokley’s decision to step down was due to a desire to “pursue new endeavors,” though the company declined to comment further when contacted by Mashable. Even so, Stokley won’t just vanish into the night. The company’s first CEO will be staying on as an advisor through the transition of leadership, hopefully ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

SEE ALSO:

What is OnlyFans?

Founded in 2016, OnlyFans rose to notoriety as a popular platform for sex workers, enabling them to charge for exclusive content such as explicit photos. The platform saw a boom in users during the COVID-19 pandemic as many people sought to make up lost income, and OnlyFans gained celebrity users such as Bella Thorne and Cardi B.

Yet despite building its success on the back of sex workers, OnlyFans attempted to ban sexually explicit content earlier this year, claiming that the platform’s raunchy reputation was scaring off investors. The company quickly reversed the decision just days later following significant backlash from users — most notably sex workers who feared the ban would jeopardize their ability to earn a living. However, the threatened ban has significantly shaken some sex workers’ faith in OnlyFans, leaving Gan with the unenviable role of regaining that trust.

What you can learn about people from studying their holiday cards

Holiday cards are a delightful seasonal indulgence. As a highly curated snapshot of your life, they’re a more traditional status update in an increasingly digital world. But one company that sells holiday cards has done something intriguingly modern with those lovingly decorated dispatches. 

Minted, a San Francisco-based company that prints holiday cards using crowdsourced art from creators, has analyzed millions of its customers’ orders in aggregate over the years. Minted doesn’t sell its data to third parties, including marketers, nor does it publicly share customers’ personal information, but its terms of service acknowledge that it may perform data analysis to improve its products and services, and there is no way for customers to opt out. The content, however, is anonymized before Minted uses a form of analysis known as structured query language to scan the text that appears on cards. That leads to insights like which type of family pet gets more mentions. Surprisingly, cats were the victors in 2021. The company also reviews sales numbers and conducts focus groups to learn more about choices like color combination, how photos are staged, and what people wear.

This year, Minted mined the aggregate text of 300,000 cards, produced by customers between October and December 2021. The massive sample yielded fascinating insights about the national American mood at a time when it’s easy to assume the worst thanks to pandemic confusion and polarization. Minted founder and co-CEO Mariam Naficy told me that by early December, prior to widespread Omicron outbreaks, the dominant mood for holiday cards felt lighter than last year.

Before digging into what Minted found, it’s worth pausing to consider how nearly every online experience — even your cherished holiday card — ultimately produces valuable corporate data. People know this intuitively. At some point, we thought about how Google shares aspects of our Gmail data with advertisers, or how Facebook’s algorithms know our browsing history, and decided it was worth trading away some privacy for the convenience of using the technology. Yet it’s also strange to think that the intimate note on the back of a holiday card, written for friends and family, could be digested by software looking for keywords like “peace” and “hope,” or, more specific to the pandemic era, “vaccinated” and “reunion.”

SEE ALSO:

5 tech habits to start right now for a happier 2022

Naficy says that Minted analyzes cards because it yields data that helps the company identify emerging trends before they go mainstream as well as predict what customers will crave months before it reaches their consciousness. In general, Minted’s use of data analysis helped it anticipate the llama craze well before it showed up in the mass marketplace. When the company’s design competitions received artwork with the goofy-looking animal for which customers voted highly, Minted saw the trend coming.

What Minted found this year is indeed telling, if not unsurprising. Between October and December, largely before Omicron emerged, customers used the word “finally” 73 percent more than they did in 2020. Messages that referenced Netflix, masking, and social distancing decreased significantly. People couldn’t quite embrace typing “normal,” but at least they tried — mentions increased by 12 percent. Also on the upswing were mentions of “flight,” “plane,” “hotel,” and “airbnb,” as well as “reunion” and “reunited.” Minted read these verbal trends as evidence that people are less interested in acknowledging the COVID-19 lockdown on their cards compared to last year, even as the virus itself persists. In 2021, Minted found its customers gravitating back toward the traditional, complete with staged poses and matching outfits. It seems one holiday season of pandemic jokes and Zoom collages was all that most people could bear. 

Naficy says that it’s critical to understand the vocabulary people choose for their holiday cards. Customer preferences influence Minted’s decisions about what words to place prominently (imagine how “hope” and “peace” are featured on seasonal cards). “If you’re not keeping up with the way [customers] want to say things, or the way they want to greet each other, you could end up at best dated and at worst disrespectful,” says Naficy. 

An unpredictable pandemic also means that trends can shift rapidly. As Naficy and I spoke, a week before Christmas Eve and in the midst of a discouraging Omicron outbreak in New York City, Naficy noted the platform might need to feature more somber designs: “There are definitely waves of national moods that sweep through, and people really care about having text that captures their mood.” 

As for Naficy’s own holiday card, she chose a single family picture, published on foil-pressed recycled paper. The back featured a QR code for readers to scan and visit her personal holiday website with photos and videos. When asked to single out a word that Minted might consider trendy among customers, it came to Naficy quickly: grateful.

Looking for an air fryer on a budget? This one is huge and just $90.

SAVE $60: The Chefman TurboFry XL Air Fryer is on sale for just $89.99 at Best Buy — that’s 45% in savings. It lets you enjoy all of the fried foods you love, with little to no oil. But, it’s a DOTD, so act fast.


Forget to get an air fryer on sale during Black Friday? And now you keep seeing TikTok air fryer recipe videos all over your FYP?

Well FOMO no more: The Chefman TurboFry XL Air Fryer is on sale at Best Buy. It’s typically $149.99, but for Dec. 21 it’s just $89.99.

With the Chefman air fryer you can fry like a pro from the comfort of your kitchen. Even with its family-sized capacity, this air fryer does not take up too much counter space. The fryers basket is easy to remove and dishwasher safe.

The timer automatically shuts off once your food is done and the LED shake reminder feature helps evenly cook your meals.It comes with presets like fries, chicken, or fish with just the touch of a button.

As for drawbacks to be wary of, the instructions say to make sure the food in the basket does not go above the embossed MAX line, but many found it difficult to find the line to begin with. And the touch screen can be a little glitchy. But we think the sheer capacity of this XL air fryer more than makes up for these shortcomings.

There are a lot of air fryers on the market but if you’re looking for a big model with a small price tag, check out the Chefman TurboFry XL Air Fryer at Best Buy for just $89.99.

Chefman TurboFry XL Air Fryer on a white background.

Credit: Chefman

Chefman TurboFry XL Air Fryer

$89.99 on Amazon (save $60)

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The best workout equipment for building a home gym

The gym isn’t for everybody. It’s expensive, crowded, and sometimes smelly. Even worse, you have to travel to get there — making it ten times harder just to convince yourself to go.

But, if you’re lucky enough to have the space, you have another option that doesn’t involve commuting vast distances only to exert yourself in front of strangers: Just bring the gym home to you.

Yeah, it can cost you a pretty penny, but when you take into account how much gym membership fees add up over the years, buying your own workout equipment and decking out a home gym pays for itself in the long run. (This is all assuming you’ll use it frequently — that part will depend completely on you. Sorry, you can’t quite buy motivation.) Plus, not having to travel back home after an intense workout is just a beautiful thing. You can literally plop down onto the couch after you’re done. Maybe take a shower first, though.

SEE ALSO:

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

The tough part is making the choice. What fitness gear are you going to bring home first? A treadmill? An elliptical? A bench press? We don’t recommend buying all of them at once unless you have the cash to burn. You’ll have to be honest with yourself about which workouts you find yourself doing the most, and go from there. If you’re a runner, you want the treadmill. If you’re a cyclist, it’s Peloton for sure. Full-time yogi? You’re going to need a good mat for that.

What home gym equipment should you buy on Black Friday?

Major workout machines like smart home gyms, stationary bikes, and rowing machines are expected to be popular items this Black Friday, which should spark some pretty killer deals. Last year, we saw a $500 off Mirror deal, over $300 off Echelon smart cycles, and a Tempo studio free gift bundle. This year, we’ve spotted a sweet $750 off Mirror deal, plus up to $600 off select treadmills at both Best Buy and Amazon.

If you’re looking for a Peloton bike discount, you’re (surprisingly) in luck this year. Last year, the company opted not to do a Black Friday or Cyber Monday promotion in order to keep up with increased demand, and considering this year’s supply chain issues, we didn’t think we’d see we see a significant price drop on any Peloton bikes. This year, the cult-favorite cycling brand surprised us with major deals on the Peloton Bike, Peloton Bike Plus, and the Tread. Head to our best Black Friday fitness deals post for the full rundown of the Peloton sales.

SEE ALSO:

Just a list of the best fitness deals this Black Friday

If the Peloton brand isn’t the be-all-end-all of your home gym goals, we are expecting to see tons of deals on Peloton alternatives for Black Friday. Both Best Buy and Amazon have already offered deals on select Schwinn, Bowflex, and Echelon bikes. If this year is anything like last year, we also plan to spot a big Mirror discount, discounted NordicTrack bikes and treadmills, and more.

Are home gym machines worth it?

If you have the space and the cash, sure. But the only machine we say you need is some sort of cardio machine, like a treadmill or elliptical. Weight machines and other equipment of the like are mostly just for convenience, and while that’s great in its own right, you can still get the same results by using free weights with good form. Don’t go crowding up your home gym for no reason — make sure there’s actual material value in it for you.

Elliptical or treadmill?

Either one will be a good purchase, and you’ll be able to get in great cardio workouts by using them, but there are a few key differences between the two that you’ll want to know before making your final decision.

Ellipticals are going to be best for those who want to incorporate an upper-body workout into their cardio session, as well as keep their joints in great shape (ellipticals involve less impact compared to treadmills, where your feet slam on the belt continuously).

While treadmills are high-impact and are harder on your joints, they offer more control, opportunities to build leg strength, and it’s a faster way to burn calories. You can’t go wrong with either if you’re looking to improve your cardiac health — just buy the one that’s more in tune with your body and preferences.

How should you set up your equipment?

This, of course, will depend on what your dedicated home gym space looks like, but you’ll want to try not to just clump all of your equipment together in a corner. Working out is already tough enough, but working out while also feeling claustrophobic? Way worse. Section off areas with some space in between them for resting, stretching, and rehydrating — one area for cardio, one for weights, and another for miscellaneous equipment should do you fine. If you’ve got a lot of space, use it to its fullest — home gyms can have good feng shui, too.

Why is home gym equipment so expensive?

Your eyes might roll into the back of your head when you see some of these prices, but unfortunately, they are pretty standard for quality gym equipment. If you want something that will rival your local gym, you’re going to need to make it an investment. But don’t worry, as long as you use the equipment you buy consistently (and not just for gym selfies), they’ll eventually pay for themselves with all the money you’re saving by breaking up with your gym membership.

There are also low-budget options for workout equipment, but even those will cost you some serious cash, so we say go for quality first. Many brands offer payment plans for their equipment, too, so be sure to look into those if you’re not in the place to pay everything upfront.

So, what’s the best home gym equipment?

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for: We picked out the best of the best in-home gym equipment for every type of athlete — from weightlifters to former crew team members and just about everyone in between. So if you’re tired of sweating it out at your local gym, just stay home instead.

Below are our top picks for the best home gym equipment for 2021.

Best gay dating apps for hookups, relationships, and everything in between

Most people have at least one horror story about online dating. It’s a rite of passage that single people love to hate.

But the horror stories look a little different for members of the LGBTQ community. On top of the classic awkward Hinge date anecdotes and screenshots of a corny bio seeping with secondhand embarrassment, gay singles deal with all sorts of alienating interactions. Baseless questioning of sexual history, harassment, and fetishization — some of it coming from cis straight people who shouldn’t have popped up in your feed in the first place — don’t exactly give one butterflies.

Still, dating apps have become crucial means of introduction for gay folks looking to settle down. A 2019 Stanford study and 2020 Pew Research survey found that meeting online has become the most popular way for U.S. couples to connect — especially for gay couples, of which 28 percent met their current partner online (versus 11 percent of straight couples).

SEE ALSO:

The best dating apps for lesbians who haven’t found love on TikTok yet

But the Pew survey also dredged up those ugly experiences with harassment. This could be where options that bar heterosexual users, like HER and Grindr, come in. Their perfectly-tailored environments are so well-known in the gay community that they’re essentially in a league of their own.

Is Grindr the only option for gay dating apps?

Though Grindr and HER are big players, they’re not in the queer dating app market alone. Apps like Zoe, Taimi, and Scruff exist. But their plateauing popularity can be attributed to similar complaints: too many scam profiles and too few legitimate users (ones within a reasonable distance to plan a date, anyway). Chappy was a promising app for gay men that shut down just as it was gaining serious traction.

And at the end of the day, “everyone” apps are simply where masses of queer users are. Keeping Tinder on the back burner isn’t just a straight people thing, especially for those who live in less-populated areas where Grindr and HER have slim pickings. Plus, some mainstream apps do deserve credit for the steps they’ve taken to create a more inclusive atmosphere. Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge now offer lots of sexual orientation and gender identity options. OkCupid gets kudos for making that change years ago, as well as making social justice a core part of compatibility scoring — which kind of self-curates the type of people on the app.

SEE ALSO:

How to navigate dating apps when you’re bisexual

If you’re part of the LGBTQ community and hate leaving your home, you’re not alone. Here are the best dating apps and sites that’ll maximize your opportunities while minimizing your human contact. Bless.

Every very merry ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Christmas episode, ranked

There’s just no Christmas like an Ocean Avenue Christmas.

Whether you’re celebrating with a binge of all your favorite holiday TV specials or just sneaking in a few festive episodes here and there, Bob’s Burgers shouldn’t be overlooked when making your Christmas queue selections. From a daring hunt for a stolen tree to an intimate portrait of a woman who is truly terrible at knitting, Bob’s Christmas episodes cover all sorts of Yuletide moods.

To kick off your merry Bob’s marathon, here is every Bob’s Burgers Christmas episode — including Season 12’s “Gene’s Christmas Break” — ranked by holiday spirit. (In this instance, consider “holiday spirit” synonymous with “over-the-top Belcher holiday nonsense.”)

10. Season 12, episode 10: “Gene’s Christmas Break”


Via Giphy

Bob’s Burgers’ 2021 holiday offering sees Gene heartbroken after an ill-advised sleepover with his favorite vinyl record “Percy McTinsel-Bud’s Tinsel Machine ” leads to it breaking. Similar to last year’s “Diarrhea of a Poopy Kid” — in which Gene has a stomach bug and can’t enjoy Thanksgiving dinner — this uplifting tale follows the Belchers’ efforts to cheer him up. Meanwhile, Teddy, Mort, and Mike join Linda and Bob in a super sweet Secret Santa. It’s the weakest Belcher celebration to date, but has plenty of warm and fuzzy moments worth snuggling into if you watch everything else on this list first.

How to watch: Hulu

9. Season 9, episode 10: “Better Off Sled”


Via Giphy

In this relatively low-key affair, Linda and Bob spend the Christmas season scrambling to knit scarves for the kids as part of a nice gesture turned needlessly stressful. Meanwhile, Gene, Tina, and Louise (with the help of Darryl, Rudy, and Rudy’s cousin Mandy) face off with Logan in a snowball fight for control of the best sledding hill in town. There isn’t a whole lot of spectacle to this episode, but it offers a solid lesson in never giving up. Oh, and making sure you’re friends with the softball team. Always be friends with the softball team.

How to watch: Hulu

8. Season 10, episode 10: “Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas”


Via Giphy

When Linda takes a part-time job sorting mail at the post office, a misplaced package gets her tangled in a last-minute quest (read: felony) to deliver a Christmas present. Back at the Belcher house, Bob does his best to avoid getting in the middle of a dispute involving Aunt Gayle, Linda’s parents, and an ottoman. Similar to Season 3’s “Lindapendent Woman” and Season 5’s “Eat, Spray, Linda,” this Linda-centric episode is great for lovers of her tremendous can-do spirit.

How to watch: Hulu

7. Season 4, episode 8: “Christmas in the Car”


Via Giphy

After Linda’s overeagerness sticks the Belchers with a dried-out out tree on Christmas Eve (note to self: the day after Halloween is too early for tree selection), the entire family heads out in search of a new one. What follows is a surprisingly tense adventure, featuring an 18 wheeler shaped like a candy cane and a road-side stop to get a warm apple treat. Plus, there’s a fun kicker involving Teddy, Santa, and a refrigerator that’s more delightful every time you watch it.

How to watch: Hulu

6. Season 11, episode 10: “Yachty or Nice”


Via Giphy

In this 2020 episode, the Belchers get a gig catering the Glencrest Yacht Club’s holiday boat parade — but Bob grows suspicious when he can’t figure out who recommended them for the job. A surprisingly heartwarming chapter in the never-ending saga that is Bob and Jimmy Pesto’s bizarre frenemy-ship, “Yachty or Nice” offers a cheerful glimpse into a productive holiday season for the family of restauranteurs, which spectacularly also includes Linda yet again trying to meet the mayor.

How to watch: Hulu

5. Season 5, episode 6: “Father of the Bob”


Via Giphy

“Father of the Bob,” fittingly set almost entirely at Bob’s dad’s restaurant, could have been an underwhelming affair. But leave it to the Belchers to make this relatively simple story of a seasonal squabble between father and son into a full-on production that includes both line dancing and Gene covered in baked beans. This is a great one if you’re in the mood for forgiveness, or box steps.

How to watch: Hulu

4 Season 6, episode 5: “Nice-Capades”


Via Giphy

In Season 6’s “Nice-Capades,” Louise makes a terrible mistake by angering a mall Santa — who, she learns, works with a network of other mall Santas to report naughty kids to the real Santa. To make up for the “misunderstanding” and secure their gifts ahead of Christmas, the kids, with the help of Calvin and Felix Fischoeder, plan an elaborate musical to perform at the mall. Ridiculous, with some weirdly sexy ice-skating, the result is an instant Belcher classic.

How to watch: Hulu

3. Season 3, episode 9: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins”


Via Giphy

Few things delight this entertainment reporter more than the early seasons of Bob’s Burgers. They’re just so weird. In this first ever Bob’s Christmas, Season 3’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins,” Bob inherits a storage unit — and a dude named Chet living inside of it. So, Chet moves in with the Belcher until Christmas, and chaos ensues. It’s one of the stranger plot lines on this list, but ends with a nice excuse to meet good ol’ Sal at the Spanks A Lot sex shop.

How to watch: Hulu

2. Season 7, episode 7: “The Last Gingerbread House on the Left”


Via Giphy

Similar to Season 3’s “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal,” Bob spends this Christmas episode tangled in a Fischoeder plot involving gingerbread houses, firearms, and a bedpan. Linda, Teddy, and the kids, meanwhile, set out Christmas caroling — even at the scariest house in the neighborhood. It’s a super fun episode with an adorable ending worth watching twice.

How to watch: Hulu

1. Season 8, episodes 6 and 7: “The Bleakening”


Via Giphy

In this two-part Bob’s Burgers Christmas extravaganza, Ocean Avenue folklore of a terrible creature known as The Bleaken combines with a hunt for Linda’s missing Christmas tree to spectacular effect. “The Bleakening” has multiple musical numbers, spectacular animated sequences, a Game of Thrones reference, and a guest appearance by Todrick Hall. You’ll love it. Merry Christmas!

How to watch: Hulu

For other festivities, check out our rankings of Bob’s Halloween and Thanksgiving episodes.

Save on the Cubii under-desk elliptical for a head start on your resolutions

Save $80.91: Start your New Year’s fitness goals on the right foot with a compact seated elliptical. You can get the Cubii JR2 under-desk elliptical for a new low price of $208.08 after a 28% discount, but this deal only lasts until the end of Dec. 21.


Every fitness journey biggest with the smallest step. Buying expensive fitness equipment is intimidating, which is why it’s perfectly fine to start simple. And a compact elliptical you can use while watching Netflix is a great way to get a head start on New Year’s resolutions.

As part of their daily deals for Dec. 21, Amazon has the Cubii JR2 under-desk seated elliptical for just $208.08. That’s $80.92 off the original price and marks the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this model.

SEE ALSO:

The best fitness trackers for keeping up with your goals

The Cubii JR2 measures about 23 inches and weighs around 19 pounds. So as one of the lighter Cubii models that also features a carrying handle, the JR2 will work best if you want to move it between your desk and your couch. You get eight levels of resistance to help burn calories or if you’re looking to improve mobility.

Its built-in LCD display offers an easy way to track calories burned, active minutes, your distance, and your strides per minute. The Cubii JR2 is built as an approachable exercise machine that is a useful tool regardless of your age or abilities, whether you’re rehabbing an injury at home or need a better way to burn a few extra calories on a busy schedule.

Take a small but significant step towards a more active lifestyle with a Cubii JR2 seated elliptical for just $208.08 from Amazon.

Cubii JR2 under-desk elliptical for seated use.

Credit: Cubii

Cubii JR2 under-desk elliptical

$208.08 at Amazon (save $80.92)

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  • The best workout equipment for building a home gym

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The best Apple deals as of Dec. 21: iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch, and more

UPDATE: Dec. 21, 2021, 1:00 p.m. EST We’ve gathered up some of the best deals from across the Apple universe, including the impressive Apple Watch markdowns and a restock of the 2021 iPad Air.

  • BEST MAC DEAL: The MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) has portability, power, and storage space all in one super-slim package — $1,049.99 $1,249 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)

  • BEST REFURBISHED DEAL: iPhone 11 (64GB) — no matter your carrier or plan, you can score a good deal on this iPhone — $494 $569 (save $75)

  • BEST IPAD DEAL: 2021 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB), a tablet with the right power and screen size for creatives — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

  • BEST IPHONE DEAL: The iPhone 13 Mini (64GB) at Verizon is a mini phone with plenty of storage space and a battery life worth bragging about — $0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan $699.99 (save up to $699.99)

  • BEST APPLE WATCH DEAL: The Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) is Apple’s newest smartwatch that’s been discounted again after hitting a record low price last week — $339 $399 (save $60)

  • BEST ACCESSORIES DEAL: The AirPods Pro are the perfect earbuds for staying focused — $179 $249 (save $70)


You could really kill some time trying to dissect the iron grasp Apple has on the general population, but when it comes down to it, its products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — of course people like them. Whether your favorite day of the year is its annual September reveal event or you just want a solid computer no matter the brand, Apple’s got you covered. Sure, it is a little notorious for its higher prices, but we’ve rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, and more to help you out. Check them out below.

Mac and MacBook deals

gold macbook air

Credit: Apple

Our pick: 2020 MacBook Air

$1,049.99 at Amazon (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)

Why we like it

Check out Mashable’s official review of the 2020 MacBook Air.

Though it may be super slim, this MacBook still comes packed with plenty of storage. That means you won’t have to go through the hassle dealing with external hard drives or cloud storage when you get the dreaded notification that your laptop is out of space after only a few months. That extra space coupled with the M1 processor also means you’ll get a MacBook that can zip through everyday tasks no problem.

More Mac and MacBook deals

2020 MacBook Pro, 13-inch

  • MacBook Pro (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,149.99 $1,299.99 (save $150)

  • MacBook Pro (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,499.99 (save $150)

  • MacBook Pro (Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,799 (save $500)

2020 MacBook Pro, 16-inch

  • MacBook Pro (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,899.99 $2,399.99 (save $500)

  • MacBook Pro (Intel Core i9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,299.99 $2,799.99 (save $500)

2020 MacBook Air, 13-inch

  • MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) at Best Buy $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

  • MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) at Best Buy — $1,099.99 $1,249.99 (save $150)

More Macs

  • 2021 24″ iMac (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,499 (save $100)

  • 2020 Mac Mini (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $749.99 $899.00 (save $149.01)

  • 2020 21.5″ iMac with Retina 4K (Intel Core i5, 256GB) — $1,199.99 $1,499.99 (save $300)

Refurbished Macs and MacBooks

  • Renewed 2019 21.5″ iMac (Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $729.99 $1,099.99 (save $370)

  • Refurbished 2019 21.5″ iMac (Intel Core i3 3.6GHz, 8GB DDR4, 1TB HDD) — $869.99

  • Refurbished 2017 MacBook Air (Intel Core i5, 128GB) — $394.71

iPad deals

space gray ipad pro

Credit: Apple

Our pick: 2021 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB)

$999 at Amazon (save $100)

Why we like it

Check out Mashable’s official review of the 2021 iPad Pro.

This iPad comes loaded with an M1 chip, meaning it’s up to more intense tasks like editing high quality video footage or rendering 3D models. Basically, it’s your best bet for an iPad that could feasibly be used as a laptop. While it might not be the best option for the casual user, for creatives that need their tablet to handle a little heft, this tablet is definitely worth a second look. If you are shopping for the holidays, it is important to note that this iPad is not expected to arrive until after Christmas, but hey, sometimes the best things are worth waiting for, right?

More iPad deals

  • 2021 iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) — $539 $599 (save $60)

  • 2020 11″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 256GB) — $749.99 $899.99 (save $150)

  • 2020 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 256GB) — $949.99 $1,099.99 (save $150)

  • 2021 11″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 512GB) — $979 $1,099 (save $120)

  • 2021 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB) at Amazon — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

iPhone deals

starlight iphone 13 mini

Credit: Apple

Our pick: iPhone 13 Mini at Verizon

$0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan

Why we like it

Check out Mashable’s official review of the iPhone 13 Mini.

If you’re picking up some new phones for more than one person this holiday, it’ll be difficult to find a better deal than this buy one, get one on the iPhone 13 Mini at Verizon. Though this model looks quite similar to its predecessor, the starting storage of 128GB and improved battery life definitely justifies the upgrade.

More iPhone deals

  • iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at AT&T — $1 per month for 36 months on an unlimited plan, then receive up to $594 in bill credits

  • iPhone 12 (64GB) at AT&T — $15 per month for 36 months on an unlimited plan, then receive up to $190 in bill credits

  • iPhone 13 (128GB) at AT&T — $0 with an eligible trade-in and unlimited plan $799.99 (save up to $799.99)

  • iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) at AT&T — $0 with an eligible trade-in on an unlimited plan, with installed payment plan $999.99 (save up to $999.99)

  • iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at Verizon — $0 with a new line on an unlimited plan $599.99 (save $599.99)

  • iPhone 13 Mini (64GB) at Verizon — $0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan $699.99 (save up to $699.99)

  • iPhone 13 (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with an eligible trade-in on an unlimited plan or BOGO with any unlimited plan $799.99 (save $800)

  • iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with select trade-ins $999.99 (save up to $999.99)

Apple Watch deals

green apple watch

Credit: Apple

Our pick: Apple Watch Series 7

$339 at Walmart (save $60)

Why we like it

As if we didn’t have enough evidence of this “unprecedented” holiday shopping season, Apple’s latest smartwatch has hit yet another record low price Walmart and Amazon, following last week’s record-low price. You can grab the watch with a higher charging speed, bigger watch face, and increased workout support at both retailers and it should arrive in time for Christmas. This additional price drip is only available on the green/clover model, but you can still enjoy $50 off on other colors like midnight and starlight.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 7

  • Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) at Amazon — $339 $399 (save $60)

  • Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) at Amazon — $379 $429 (save $50)

  • Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) at Walmart — $379 $429 (save $50)

Series 6

  • Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm, GPS) — $299 $429.99 (save $130.99)

SE

  • Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) at Amazon — $229 $279 (save $50)

Series 3

  • Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS) at Walmart — $169 $199 (save $30)

  • Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, GPS) at Walmart — $199 $229 (save $30)

  • Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS) at Best Buy — $169 $199 (save $30 and get four months of Apple Fitness+ free)

  • Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, GPS) — $199 $229 (save $30 and get four months of Apple Fitness+ free)

Refurbished

  • Refurbished Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS + Cellular) — $403 $499 (save $96)

  • Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS) — $325 $429 (save $104)

Apple accessories deals

airpods pro

Credit: Apple

Our pick: AirPods Pro

$179 at Amazon (save $70)

Why we like it

Check out the official Mashable review of the AirPods Pro.

While they are a bit pricier than they were during Cyber Week, $70 off some of the best noise-canceling earbuds out there is a pretty stellar deal, especially if you’re already deep in the Apple ecosystem. We anticipate that just like years past, these will be a hot holiday pick, so if you catch them out of stock, they’re also available at Walmart for a mere 99 cents more.

More Apple accessories deals

  • AirPods (3rd gen) — $169 $179 (save $10)

  • AirPods Pro at Walmart — $179.99 $249 (save $69.01)

  • AirPods (2nd gen) — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

  • AirPods with wireless charging case at Best Buy — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

  • AirPods Max— $479 $549 (save $70)

  • Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

  • Beats Solo Pro — $129 $299.95 (save $170.95)

  • Powerbeats Pro Totally Wireless Earphones — $149.95 $249.95 (save $100)

  • Apple TV 4K 32GB — $169.99 $179 (save $9.01)

  • Apple Pencil 2 at Amazon— $99 $129 (save $30)

  • Apple Pencil 2 at Best Buy — $99 $129 (save $30)

  • Apple Pencil (first gen) at Walmart — $79.99 $99 (save $19.01)

  • Apple Pencil (first gen) at Best Buy — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

  • Apple HomePod Mini — $89.99 $99.99 (save $20)

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‘The Matrix Resurrections’ reviews are in. Here’s what critics have to say.

The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth installment in the Matrix series, is here, and critics are divided. Many find it better than the sequels to the original, but others argue that it was completely unnecessary.

The Matrix Resurrections opens with Neo (Keanu Reeves) back in the Matrix. Now a successful video game designer (his series of games is called The Matrix), he feels as though his reality isn’t what it seems. Carrie-Anne Moss returns as Trinity alongside Reeves, but The Matrix Resurrections introduces several new faces to the franchise, including Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Here’s what critics are saying about The Matrix Resurrections.

An interesting, if flawed, reboot

Mashable, Alison Foreman

[The Matrix Resurrections] was a mix of mind-blowing highs and soul-crushing lows that left me extremely entertained, but also deeply dissatisfied. Its handwavy sci-fi logic and clunky plotting are sure to be as divisive as the first two sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both 2003). Yet this sequel is undeniably a better film, mirroring much of the structure and purpose that made the first work so well.

The Hollywood Reporter, John DeForge

It is…the kind of sequel Hollywood wants most — practically the same thing as the first, with just enough novelty to justify its existence — albeit one that thinks it can have it both ways, both bowing to and sneering at the industry’s need for constant regurgitation of familiar stories.

The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw

This is a heavy-footed reboot which doesn’t offer a compelling reason for its existence other than to gouge a fourth income stream from Matrix fans, submissively hooked up for new content, and it doesn’t have anything approaching the breathtaking “bullet time” action sequences that made the original film famous.

USA Today, Brian Truitt

The new Matrix tries to reprogram a beloved piece of cinema. However, it’s quite a few fixes short of a full upgrade.

Variety, Peter Debruge

Essentially a greatest hits concert and a cover version rolled into one (complete with flashback clips to high points from past installments), the new movie is slick but considerably less ambitious in scope than the two previous sequels.

The Matrix goes meta

A man points at himself in the mirror.

I think I’ve seen this film before.
Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Mashable, Alison Foreman

Complex stories you have to piece together on the way home are Wachowski’s speciality; see Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending. But the fearless retconning of Resurrections goes further faster, and its meta-comedy, which touches heavily on authorship and the merit of superfluous sequels, makes those post hoc rationalizations more smug than smart.

Polygon, Joshua Rivera

Casting the previous films as in-world video games allows The Matrix Resurrections to function as a refreshingly heavy-handed rebuke of the IP-driven reboot culture that produced the film, where the future is increasingly viewed through the franchise lenses of the past, trapping fans in corporate-controlled dream worlds where their fandom is constantly rewarded with new product.

Surprisingly romantic

The Hollywood Reporter, John DeForge

Machine guns, flying robots and pods of goo notwithstanding, some of the picture’s most engaging scenes are those in which Neo/Thomas interacts with Trinity in that world, where she’s a married mother named Tiffany, and tries to coax her into remembering the life they once shared.

Entertainment Weekly, Joshua Rothkopf

Resurrections does eclipse its predecessors for full-on, kick-you-in-the-heart romance: Reeves and Moss, comfortable with silences, lean into an adult intimacy, so rare in blockbusters, that’s more thrilling than any roof jump (though those are pretty terrific too). Their motorbiking through an exploding city, one of them clutching the other, could be the most defiantly sexy scene of a young year.

The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw

The Matrix Resurrections has a degree of charm as a love story of middle age, and usually returning action franchises give their aging male lead a younger female co-star. Not here: it’s a pleasure to see Moss return, but a shame to see her given so little interesting to do.

The Matrix Resurrections hits theaters and HBO Max Dec. 22.

This fancy Le Creuset Dutch oven is on sale for up to 40% off

TAKE 40% OFF: If you’ve been wondering how you’re going to make fancy holiday dinners, look no further. The 3.5-qt. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven is perfect for cooking up a storm, and it’s on sale as of Dec. 21 for $179.95 — that’s 40% off its regular price of $300. (Amazon says it “may arrive after Christmas,” just FYI.)


You’re not an adult until you have a piece of cast iron cookware sitting in your kitchen. They’re indestructible, get and stay hot hot, and have that coating of seasoning that gives everything you cook in it an extra oomph of flavor. And nobody does it better than Le Creuset, that iconic maker of bright red-orange enameled pots and pans. However, their pieces regularly run you into $300-$500 range (depending on size), which makes them a serious investment. That said, you can normally justify the splurge by thinking about how a new cast iron pan might even outlive you, but the price still stings, so it’s a very nice surprise to find a Le Creuset item on sale.

This Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven from the brand is quite a popular choice, too. With 4.9/5 stars on Amazon over 979 ratings, it’s clearly a customer favorite. The pan comes ready to use, with no seasoning requirement, is dishwasher-safe, and oven-safe up to 500°F. One of Le Creuset’s selling points is that their cast iron is the lightest by quart among their competitors — so it’s less of an arm workout to cook with their pots and pans, although you should still try and refrain from dropping them on your toes. The weight belies the excellent functionality of enameled cast iron, however, which is known for superior heat distribution and retention, as well as its chip- and stain-resistant coating.

The 3.5 qt. Sauteuse Oven in particular is extremely versatile; its sloping sides and large surface area make it well-suited to any simmering and reduction needs, but you can also sear, sauté, braise, and fry whatever you so choose. The lid is an exact fit designed to circulate steam and heat, ensuring that your food doesn’t get too dry or lose any flavor, while its sloped sides are perfect for stirring and wide base makes browning meats on the stovetop a breeze. You can transfer your meat post-browning straight to the oven for slow-braising/roasting — no pot change necessary,

If you enjoy a good soup, casserole, or simply a one-pot meal, have a look at the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven; it’s a solid (let’s just say that if Kevin had had a cast iron pan in Home Alone, those two robbers would be dead) piece of cookware that will last you years, and will look cute in your kitchen to boot. Even if you eat exclusively microwave meals that only require a fork and a timer for food prep (no judgment here, I’m with you, though I won’t admit it), any Le Creuset item makes a great gift for holiday season or any other occasion. For a limited time, the 3.5-qt. Sauteuse Oven on sale at Amazon for $179.95.

Black pot with lid and handles

Credit: Le Creuset

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven

$179.95 at Amazon

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