Being "healthy" doesn't mean you have to spend extra on organic superfoods and expensive supplements. In fact, these common foods are healthier than you think.

Unlike the other big streamers, Tubi only has a handful of original shows, most of them imports (their original movie selection is much larger). That's not to say it's a wasteland for TV addicts: The streamer might actually have too many shows, a vast and sometimes wild catalog that spans decades. As the likes of Netflix and HBO Max have slimmed down their catalogues, Tubi is growing, offering a mix of established hits, underrated gems, and more obscure offerings. For the sheer breadth of material on offer, it has become the first place I look for anything outside the current zeitgeist—like the following 18 shows, an entirely non-comprehensive sampling of what Tubi has to offer, crossing genres and decades.Gossip Girl (2007 – 2012) Occasionally referred to as the greatest teen drama of all time (certainly this side of 90210), Gossip Girl was a buzzy ratings champ for the CW back in the day, with its juicy, often scandalous storylines that veered so often into intentional satire that it was hard to ever get mad at the ridiculousness of any of it. Set among a group of well-heeled students on Manhattan's Upper East Side, its characters find their private lives being chronicled by the title’s mysterious master of gossip—so think of it as a proto-Bridgerton. You can stream Gossip Girl here.Babylon 5 (1993 – 1998, five seasons) J. Michael Straczynski’s wildly ambitious sci-fi epic was way ahead of its time, with a planned (more or less) five season story arc set on the titular space station. Babylon 5 is a remote outpost that becomes the last best hope for peace in the face of conflicting human and alien agendas—even more so after an ancient threat is awakened. With increasingly complex storylines that expanded over its run, this was a stab at prestige TV before that was a thing, and it still holds up (dated CGI effects notwithstanding. You can stream Babylon 5 here.Empire (2015 – 2020) Hip hop mogul and Empire Entertainment CEO Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) is dying, having been diagnosed with ALS at a young age. He wasn't planning to have to hand off his company so early, but nevertheless finds himself preparing his three very different sons (Trai Byers, Jussie Smollett, and Bryshere Y. Gray) to take the keys to the kingdom—by pitting them against one other. Into this already Shakespearean setup steps Lucious' ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), just released from prison and harboring her own plans for Lucious's empire. You can stream Empire here. Mr. Robot (2015 – 2019) Social anxiety disorder, clinical depression, and dissociative identity disorder make up the potent blend of neurodivergences challenging Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a genius senior cybersecurity engineer at Allsafe Cybersecurity. In season one, he's recruited by an anarchist who goes by the moniker Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) to encrypt all the financial data of a global mega-conglomerate, thereby erasing massive amounts of debt (hey, real-life hackers, maybe take some notes?). The show starts strong and gets better across its increasingly labyrinthian four seasons—utterly preposterous while also feeling realistic in its technical detail. You can stream Mr. Robot here. Boarders (2024 - , two seasons) This British import feels a bit like a latter-day Skins, with a talented cast of young stars-in-waiting (including leads Josh Tedeku and Jodie Campbell) and a scholastic setting. At the (fictional) prestigious boarding school St. Gilbert’s, five Black teens are newly attending, having earned scholarships, but their integration into the existing cliques is less than smooth. The blend of coming-of-age drama with a willingness to take the piss when it comes to the whole rich private school thing makes this Tubi original a good time. You can stream Boarders here.Big Mood (2024 – , renewed for a second season) Another UK import and Tubi original (at least stateside), Big Mood stars Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) and Lydia West (It's a Sin) as a couple of besties in East London, living their best millennial thirtysomething lives. Well, kind of: Maggie's dealing with bipolar disorder, and unclear on whether she wants to continue with her medication as she sets out to write a play, while Lydia is doing her very best running a tanking dive bar inherited from her father. It's both a cute dramedy and an impressively frank exploration of the challenges of living with mental illness. You can stream Big Mood here. Vicious (2013 – 2016, two seasons) The old-school sitcom formula has never been executed quite this bitchily, with the inspired pairing of Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as Freddie Thornhill and Stuart Bixby, a couple of nearly 50 years who’ve developed a love-hate relationship. This cast, which includes Frances de la Tour and Game of Thrones’ Ian Rheon, is unbeatable, and the one-liners are hilariously nasty. You can stream Vicious here.The Haves and the Have Nots (2013 – 2021, eight seasons) Tyler Perry's old-school primetime soap was the show that practically built OWN; it was the then-new network's first scripted show, and an immediate breakout. It follows three families: The wealthy Harringtons and the Cryers are wealthy movers in Atlanta, Georgia, while the Young family is overseen by single mom Hanna, who's both a maid for the Cryers and confidante to the family matriarch. There's juicy tension galore between the three families, in no small part because of class differences, but also because they're all equally screwed. You can stream The Haves and the Have Nots here. Spartacus (2010 – 2013) Doing Ridley Scott’s Gladiator one better in terms of both narrative complexity and in hot shirtless gay arena action, Spartacus starts off as pure spectacle and grows into a juicy, high-gloss soap opera by series' end. Buoyed by performances from leads Andy Whitfield (who tragically passed away during the series' original run), Manu Bennett, John Hannah, and Lucy Lawless, it’s sword-and-sandals done right. A follow-up series is in development over at Starz, so it's a good time to catch up. You can stream Spartacus here. Broadchurch (2013 – 2017) Creator Chris Chibnall's dark crime drama didn't invent its particular sub-genre (whatever you call the one where two troubled homicide detectives butt heads in a gloomy town), but it did popularize it to the point that we've been inundated with countless imitators of wide-ranging quality. With the great pairing of Olivia Colman and David Tennant (joined by yet another Doctor Who Doctor, Jodie Whittaker), Broadchurch still stands alongside the best of its kind. You can stream Broadchurch here.Doctor Who (1963 – 1989, 26 seasons) Speaking of Doctor Who, even if you're current with the modern incarnation (if I can use "modern" for a show that started airing in 2005), you've got a lot of timey-wimey adventures to enjoy. Tubi has the entirity of the surviving 26-season original run, going all the way back to 1963 and the story of a mysterious old man living in a junkyard with his granddaughter. Seven doctors is enough to keep anyone busy for a while. Tubi has the show broken out by Doctor, but, if you want to start from the beginning you can stream The First Doctor here. Haven (2010 – 2015) Tubi is a haven for small gems like this, a five-season Stephen King adaptation originally produced by SyFy. Emily Rose stars as Audrey Parker, and FBI Special Agent sent to the small town of Haven, Maine on a routine case who gets drawn into “The Troubles," a series of harmful supernatural events that have recurred throughout the town’s history. A supernatural-case-of-the-week format gives way to a bigger mystery when Audrey comes to learn that this isn’t her first time in Haven, nor the first time she’s encountered the Troubles. You can stream Haven here.Scandal (2012 – 2018, seven seasons) Shonda Rhimes was already a powerhouse producer and screenwriter with several successful seasons of Grey's Anatomy under her belt when Scandal debuted, but its blend of political thrills and sexy, soapy drama is what solidified her brand, and her spot atop of the modern TV landscape. Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope, head of the DC-based crisis management firm Olivia Pope & Associates (OPA), who is the person to call when you've got a PR disaster to fix. If you want to get a sense of the stakes involved, consider that Tony Goldwyn costars as Fitzgerald Grant III, president of the United States, and also Olivia's lover. You can stream Scandal here. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003) With word that Sarah Michelle Gellar (and company?) are returning to the wreckage of Sunnydale for a Hulu reboot, it’s probably not a bad time to visit (or revisit, or re-revisit) this seven-season teen vampire hunter saga. While the pacing might feel a little slow, and the effects a little janky, its blend of high school (and then college) angst, kick-ass monster fights, and genuinely laugh-out-loud comedy holds up. You can stream Buffy here.Heartland (2007 – , 18 seasons) If there’s a stereotype that middle-American viewers won’t watch foreign fare, this show puts the lie to it—at least when it comes to imports from Alberta (tariff-free!). Based on a popular book series from Linda Chapman and Beth Chambers (writing under the name Lauren Brooke), the show follows the lives of a family of horse ranchers in western Canada, led by sisters Amy and Lou (Amber Marshall and Michelle Morgan). Tubi currently has only the first 15 seasons of the drama, which has recently been renewed for a 19th. That’s Law & Order-level longevity, people. You can stream Heartland here.Highlander (1992 – 1998, six seasons) An classic of '90s-era syndicated action/adventure, Highlander stars Adrian Paul as the title hero, taking over from Christopher Lambert in the film series. Duncan MacLeod is an immortal warrior living in the modern(-ish) day, hunted by others of his own kind, whose goal is singular: to chop off Duncan's head in order to steal his power. Episodes typically involve some sort of flashback to an earlier era in Duncan's life where we first encounter the threat he'll face in the modern day. There's at least one good sword fight in every episode, and I can't imagine what more you'd want out of a series. Bonus: It carries over the films' kick-ass Queen theme song. You can stream Highlander here. Z Nation (2014 - 2019) The Walking Dead made prestige television out of the zombie apocalypse, but this SyFy channel original is all about zombies as a campy, gory good time.  Things kick off with a soldier who’s been tasked with transporting a package across country. The package in question is actually a human being, the survivor of a zombie bite who might be able to help create a vaccine (take note, The Last of Us fans). This one comes from the schlock-masters at The Asylum, purveyors of infamous B-movies like Sharknado, which should tell you all you need to know about the tone. You can stream Z Nation here.Columbo (1968 – 2003, 16 seasons) Peter Falk's sublimely rumpled detective practically invented the style that Peacock's Poker Face has recently revived: a crime (usually a murder) is committed, the viewers know whodunnit, and Columbo has to solve it. Early on in any given episode, we get to watch the crime being committed, though we don't always know the motive. The challenge isn't to figure out the culprit, but to discover exactly how TV's greatest detective is going to solve the case. You can stream Columbo here.

On June 5, after years of rumors and anticipation, Nintendo will finally launch the Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide. Preorders are already mostly sold out with millions of gamers anxiously awaiting Mario Kart World Tour and new on-the-go ports of Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077. Of course Nintendo is no stranger to the hardware business, launching more than a dozen consoles and portables since the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). And there have been many ups and downs over the last four decades. When considering which Nintendo system actually had the best launch, we looked at the quality and quantity of games at release, price, as well as the overall impressiveness of the hardware at launch. This retrospective also considers only the North American launches of each system. With that in mind, this is the definitive ranking of all of Nintendo’s console and portable launches since the NES gave the world a red-capped Italian plumber!  13. Virtual Boy Since entering the video game market in the 1970s, Nintendo has rarely encountered a massive failure, but it’s hard to see the Virtual Boy as anything but a colossal misstep, albeit an ambitious one. A home VR system in the mid-‘90s was literally decades ahead of its time, but nothing about it was really consumer friendly. Despite being marketed as a Game Boy successor, the Virtual Boy wasn’t really portable, and at home, it required a table to play. And while the black and white monochrome screen was fine for the original Game Boy, the Virtual Boy’s red and black monochrome display was known to just cause headaches. As for the launch games, they were aggressively… okay? Mario’s Tennis is a perfectly competent, if barebones, tennis game. Meanwhile Teleroboxer was an interesting, just not terribly compelling Punch-Out!! successor. But even if the games were decent, the controller, a god-awful monstrosity mixing the worst aspects of the SNES and N64 controllers, didn’t do these titles any favors. The launch price, equivalent to around $370 USD in 2025 dollars, was the final nail in the Virtual Boy’s coffin, and Nintendo quietly discontinued the console a year after release. 12. Wii U The Wii U is Nintendo’s worst selling console by a large margin, and the problems really were evident from the beginning. The tablet controller was an interesting idea but just not as engaging or innovative as the Wii’s motion controls. Nintendo really banked on Nintendo Land showcasing what the system could do and banked on it being their next Wii Sports, but it ended up just showing how limited the new console really was. And while Mario games have historically been system sellers, New Super Mario Bros. U was largely a rehash of its Wii predecessor, just with HD graphics. It’s a fine platformer, but a surprisingly average Mario game. Beyond that, the launch lineup was largely made up of third party ports, some of which had been available on other consoles for years at that point. It’s easy to see why so many people were confused about whether the Wii U was a new console or an upgrade of the Wii, and why so many of those who understood what it was ended up skipping it, even if the $300 launch price was competitive. 11. Game Boy Color If we were looking at the entire history of Nintendo consoles, the Game Boy Color would certainly rank higher, but Nintendo just didn’t put much effort into its launch, likely because Nintendo absolutely dominated the handheld gaming market at the time. They didn’t have to work very hard to sell this thing. They knew the players would show up. The highlight of the Game Boy Color’s launch in 1998 was Game & Watch Gallery 2, a color collection of the old handheld titles Nintendo made in the ‘80s. It actually was a very good showcase of the GBC’s better color graphics, but it wasn’t the type of game that had much staying power. The other launch titles, Pocket Bomberman, Centipede, and Tetris DX, a colorized version of the original Game Boy’s Tetris launch title, were similarly serviceable but largely forgettable, because seriously, who was dying to play a colorized version of Game Boy Tetris at that point? But at $79.95, the launch price was right, and the GBC quickly built an impressive library of exclusives. 10. Nintendo 3DS When the 3DS was first revealed in 2010, its glasses-free stereoscopic 3D generated an immense amount of buzz. Sadly, a botched launch promptly killed a lot of that momentum. Nintendo’s first party offerings were all oddly disappointing. Pilotwings had been a solid launch series in the past, but Pilotwings Resort lacked a lot of content compared to its predecessors. Steel Diver was an interesting submarine sim that just didn’t quite click. And Nintendogs + Cats, well… it was more Nintendogs for whatever that’s worth. The launch lineup wasn’t all disappointments, however. Street Fighter IV 3D Edition and Rayman 3D were excellent ports of console games, and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars remains an underrated gem of a tactics game. But arguably the biggest knock against the 3DS was its price. The handheld launched at $250, a price that many gamers balked at. Nintendo was forced to cut the price to $170 just a few months later. Early adopters were compensated with a collection of 20 NES and GBA games, but so many unnecessary missteps left a bad taste in the mouths of many Nintendo fans, and it seems like the 3DS never quite reached its full potential. 9. Nintendo 64 I remember first playing Super Mario 64 in a Toys ‘R Us in 1996 before the U.S. launch and being absolutely blown away. I had never used an analog controller before that let me control how fast or slow my character on screen moved. There had been plenty of 3D platformers prior to that point, but Mario’s first 3D outing truly felt like a giant leap forward for gaming thanks to its silky smooth controls and innovative open world gameplay. Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! The problem with N64’s launch is that there just wasn’t much else to it. It only launched in the U.S. with Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64, which was another excellent showcase for what the console could do, but once you played through those games, new releases were sparse, and expensive, an issue that would continue to plague the console for its entire lifespan. The N64 certainly had quality games, it just could never get much quantity. And while the $250 launch price was reasonable, it was only $50 cheaper than a PlayStation at the time, and given that the PS1 had a much larger library, and its games tended to be cheaper, it’s easy to see why Sony’s console outsold Nintendo’s by a large margin in the late ‘90s. 8. Nintendo DS Nintendo didn’t really seem to know what the DS was supposed to be at first. Seemingly rushed to market in late 2004 to get ahead of the imminent Sony PSP launch, the DS was initially marketed as a “third pillar” system that would sit on shelves alongside the GameCube and Game Boy Advance, though it quickly elbowed the GBA out of the handheld space.  That wasn’t exactly thanks to a great launch lineup though. Super Mario 64 DSFeel the Magic: XY/XX was a weird and wonderful minigame showcase of the handheld’s new features, but it had little mass market appeal. And while games like Madden NFL 2005, Spider-Man 2, and Urbz: Sims in the City were all perfectly serviceable, none of them were on par with their console counterparts. But at $150, the DS was $100 cheaper than the PSP, and that easily helped it become a bestseller.  7. Nintendo Switch  In 2025 the Switch is an undisputed massive success, but its launch in 2017 was very much a mixed bag. First the good: the hardware, though underpowered compared to competitors, is fantastic. Being able to seamlessly switch between playing games on a TV and on the go is a wonderful innovation. The Switch feels great in your hands, and the Joy-Cons still offer some of the best feedback of any controller on the market. It was clear that the system had massive potential from the start, and the $300 launch price undercut both Sony and Microsoft. But the launch lineup was the definition of a one trick pony. Yes, The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild was an instant classic and absolutely deserves to be in the conversation of the greatest games of all time. But beyond that, how many people even remember the Switch’s other launch games? 1-2 Switch is a lame minigame collection. Super Bomberman R had potential as a launch exclusive, but turned out to be a middling entry in the long running franchise. And ports of Just Dance 2017 and Skylanders: Imaginators weren’t exactly moving systems. Still, the success of the Nintendo Switch makes a really good case that all a console needs to be successful is a great design and one killer app. 6. Game Boy When it launched in 1989, the Game Boy was woefully underpowered and lacked the color screen of competitors like the Sega Game Gear and Atari Lynx. It didn’t really matter though. First Nintendo understood that less power meant longer battery life, which is still about the most important feature for portable gaming. More importantly, the Game Boy had a secret weapon: Tetris.  The classic puzzler was a pack-in title for the Game Boy at launch, the equivalent of giving the first hit away for free to get gamers hooked. At $89.99, the launch bundle was an absolute steal. Along with Tetris, Super Mario Land was a quirky and unique take on the Mario series that was well worth checking out, while ports of Tennis and Baseball from the NES library kept people hooked as the Game Boy gained momentum.  5. GameCube The GameCube launch is both better and worse than you remember it. While the console was kind of knocked for not having any truly great exclusives at launch, the exclusives that were released have actually aged rather well. This was a system where you could pick up Luigi’s Mansion, Wave Race: Blue Storm, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, and Super Monkey Ball at launch, all fantastic titles that weren’t available anywhere else. And while it launched three days after the original Xbox, it was also $100 cheaper. Admittedly, the third-party offerings were a bit slim, but Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3Crazy Taxi with the all important arcade soundtrack that’d been missing from more recent releases. But those ports also showed off the GameCube’s biggest weakness: there was really nothing different about these versions if you already owned them elsewhere. It’s not surprising then that after this generation, Nintendo started looking toward new gimmicks to sell consoles instead of just pushing graphics technology to its limits. 4. SNES The SNES didn’t launch with a ton of games, but there wasn’t a stinker in the bunch. Of course there was Super Mario World, still arguably the best Mario game ever made. Not only is the design of that game timeless, but the huge graphical upgrade over anything the NES could do quickly justified the upgrade to a new console. Pilotwings and F-Zero, with their revolutionary use of Mode 7 further showed off the power of the system. The $199 launch price (equivalent to around $460 today) was high for the time, but the launch lineup was so good, the price was kind of justified. Even the two games pulling up the rear, Gradius III and an SNES-exclusive version of SimCity were excellent titles worth picking up. But what’s really underrated about the SNES is how much of an improvement the controller was. It was much more ergonomic than the hard rectangle shape of the NES controller, and the addition of X and Y and shoulder buttons made it clear from the get-go that this console was going to open up a lot of new gameplay styles. 3. Game Boy Advance The Game Boy Advance had an all too brief time as Nintendo’s premiere handheld before the DS took the spotlight, but it built an impressive library during its time starting with the launch. The $100 launch price is quite possibly the best of any piece of Nintendo hardware. And the portable had a solid one, two punch out of the gate with F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, an excellent successor to the SNES title, and Super Mario Advance, a full-fledged remake of Super Mario Bros. 2 that remains the best way to experience this classic.  The 15 other titles available at launch included solid ports of games like Rayman and ChuChuRocket!, with the portability of the GBA version arguably making it more preferable to play than its bigger brother on Dreamcast. But for many, the real star of the launch was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, a technically impressive port that somehow managed to squeeze all of the gameplay of the console version into an isometric view. Before release, many were touting that the GBA was the equivalent of a handheld SNES. These early games showed that it could actually be even better than that. 2. NES By the mid-1980s, console gaming was essentially dead in North America. Atari had killed the market, flooding it with low quality games. It would take an impressive new console, genius marketing, and just a little bit of luck to bring home gaming back from the brink. The NES succeeded at a tough time for video games by trying not to be just another console. It was more of a toy, or “entertainment system,” sold alongside a Zapper light gun and R.O.B., a robot accessory. Gimmicky? Sure, but that was just the opening salvo in Nintendo’s strategy, the Trojan horse to bring consoles back into the living room. Of course, the games needed to be good for the NES to succeed, and Nintendo had that down pat, launching with 17 titles, including Super Mario Bros., Excitebike, Duck Hunt, and Ice Climbers, titles that are iconic to this day. Other titles like Baseball, Tennis, and Pinball were more perfunctory, but good enough to gain the public’s attention and prove that video games weren’t just a fad. Admittedly, the $200 launch price (equivalent to nearly $600 in today’s dollars) was high, though historically similar to many other launch prices for new consoles, and that price point clearly didn’t do much to dissuade prospective buyers. 1. Wii  Twenty years after the NES brought consoles back from the brink, Nintendo’s home console business found itself in a tough spot. Despite good reviews and a respectable library of games, the GameCube had just taken third place in a three-way fight. Clearly, just trying to build the most powerful console wasn’t the key to success. So as Sony and Microsoft turned to HD gaming, Nintendo released a console just slightly more powerful than its predecessor, but with the benefit of motion controls thanks to the Wii-mote. It sounded kinda nuts. Then people played Wii Sports and were immediately hooked. The game was a phenomenon. Not just hardcore gamers wanted to play it, but parents, and even grandparents. The Wii truly brought console gaming to the masses in a way that had previously been unthinkable thanks to an innovative new controller. Oh, and for the hardcore gamers, a little title by the name of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight PrincessExcite TruckTrauma Center: Second Opinion were more than enough to keep the console flying off shelves for years after release, especially because the older technology meant it could be sold substantially cheaper than either the Xbox 360 or the PS3.

Reading Time: 9 minutes Did you know SMS open rates are as high as 98%, with 45% replying to branded SMS marketing? As texting continues to witness a steady rise, your brand could be missing out if you’re not leveraging automated text messaging for business! Text messaging is when your brand communicates with customers via SMS. These messages may be automated, that is, scheduled to be sent at opportune times. Interested in sending an automated text message for business? Keep reading.   What is SMS Marketing Automation? SMS marketing automation is the process of automatically sending text messages to recipients. It enables brands to send messages when certain trigger conditions are met. For instance, sending messages to a customer to confirm a purchase or remind them to complete a purchase when they have left items in the cart. What are the main benefits of automated SMS marketing? An automated text message for business can unlock many benefits, some of which are listed below: Saving time: Automated text message marketing saves time for core tasks rather than dedicating time for manual text responses for order confirmations, abandoned cart reminders, etc. Scalability: Using SMS marketing automation, brands can look to scale their SMS campaigns to a large customer base. Strategic communication: With SMS marketing automation, brands can deliver larger automated SMS drip campaigns tailored to specific target groups. Greater engagement: 90% of SMS messages are read within 3 minutes of delivery. With automated SMS marketing, brands can send timely responses and elevate customer experience. Higher open rates: Automated text messages typically have higher open rates than emails, making them a more favorable medium for reaching customers. Is sending automated text messages legal for businesses? Businesses can send automated text messages to customers as long as they follow the rules and regulations of the state where they are being sent. In the United States, automated text marketing requires following the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which requires brands to get written consent before sending messages to customers. The new TCPA rules also state that brands need to honor SMS opt-out requests within 10 business days. Additionally, the CAN-SPAM Act sets rules for commercial communications. Brands need to ensure that recipients have opted for an automated text message service, as spam messages can result in fines. Moving on, how can your brand implement SMS messaging? Here are some use cases for automated text messaging for business to help you get started.   5 Common Use Cases for Automated Text Messaging for Business From the many ways in which brands can tap SMS marketing automation, below are a few use cases: 1. Reminders and Confirmations You could send personalized reminders and notifications to customers in the form of an informative automated text message, be it for bill payments, restaurant bookings, or any other appointments. Example: “Hi [Customer Name], here’s a reminder of your appointment with Dr. XYZ at 2 PM tomorrow. Reply 1 to confirm, 2 to reschedule, and 3 to cancel.” 2. Order Confirmations SMS marketing automation can be used to send tailored order confirmations and update customers on shipping and delivery. Manually doing this may be cumbersome and lead to errors, making it impossible for brands to operate at scale. Text messaging automation software can solve this problem by automatically sending shipping and delivery updates to customers to keep them informed of the latest activity. Triggers can be scheduled depending on the movement of the shipment. 3. Abandoned Cart Reminders An often underrated use of automated text messages for business is nudging customers about items they left in their cart. Brands can incentivize customers to complete their purchase by sending them text messages with specific deals on items left in the cart. The result? Higher potential conversions! 4. Promotional Offers Sending customized offers to customers via SMS marketing automation can be another way to boost conversions. Brands must ensure a crisp message followed by a clear CTA to relevant product pages. In this case, automation can do what is not manually possible. With the use of customer behavioral data, the right customers can be targeted with their preferred products. 5. Customer Support and Feedback While your customer support may not be available 24/7, some customer queries can be handled automatically using automated text messages for business. For instance, your brand could answer frequently asked questions (FAQs). SMS marketing automation can also be used for gathering quick feedback from customers who have recently interacted with your brand by simply including a link in the message.   How to Set Up Automated Text Messages for Business Setting up SMS marketing automation is easy and can be accomplished in just 5 steps, as listed below. 1. Sign up for an automated text messaging service To begin your automated text messaging campaign, you would first need to select a platform that meets your requirements. It would be wise to pick a service that allows you to automate end-to-end workflows and empower your team. 2. Upload recipients’ contact details Next, upload the contact details of those who have opted to receive your texts. You can either drag your contact file onto the page or browse for it to upload it. Remember, just having the recipients’ phone numbers doesn’t mean you can start sending them SMS messages right away. They need to explicitly give you their consent first. 3. Create segmented lists Create segmented groups of recipients based on criteria such as demographics, customer type, and so on. This can help your brand send automated text messages to relevant audiences and raise the chances of engagement. 4. Compose messages This step can be highly crucial as the content of your SMS can make or break your connection with your customer. Leveraging data can help with hyper-personalizing your communication. Typically, a crisp message with a relevant CTA could boost your click-through rates. 5. Schedule, test, and deploy Once your text messages are ready, it’s time to set up a schedule to send them. Some messages may be on specific recurring dates like birthdays, while some may be triggered by certain customer actions like cart abandonment. Finally, don’t forget to test your SMS marketing automation before you deploy it!   5 Automated Text Message Examples and Templates for Campaign Inspiration Now that you know how to set up automated text messages for business, let’s get some much-needed inspiration for creating your own successful SMS marketing campaigns. 1. Lulus | Promoting Offers and Deals Source: https://smsarchives.com/messages/lulus-text-message-marketing-example-12-31-2021/ Notice how women’s wear brand Lulus strategically uses automated SMS marketing to remind customers of their ongoing holiday sale, with a link to finish the purchase. In this case, automation helps deliver personalized deals to customers who may have earlier browsed through the brand’s website. For those who dropped off the website due to the absence of offers, this SMS can work as a smart nudge to complete that purchase. 2. Old Navy | Wishing Customers on Special Days Source: https://smsarchives.com/messages/old-navy-text-message-marketing-example-05-09-2021/ In the example above, Old Navy not only wishes its customers Happy Mother’s Day, but also goes a step further in offering deals on women’s wear. In this case, an automated text message could be used to narrow the target audience to women who are or could be mothers. This also includes wishing them on their special days. 3. Gaspar | Appointment Confirmation and Reminders Source: https://support.opentable.com/servlet/rtaImage?eid=ka0UQ0000003ogD&feoid=00N0c00000Ay3y5&refid=0EMDn000001hK7V A practical use of automated text messages for business is to confirm appointment reservations and get a response from the customer if they are willing to make changes. To elevate the experience further, the brand could add options to reschedule or cancel the reservation on the SMS itself, using automated text messaging. 4. Amazon | Shipping and Tracking Source: https://www.wonderment.com/hubfs/Wonderment_September2021/image/amazon_sms_shipping_alerts_w720.jpg This template ticks all the boxes for a well-crafted automated text message for business. Amazon informs the customer of the product name, expected date, and order status, along with the tracking link. These kinds of informative messages tend to be super useful to customers. 5. The Perfect Jean | Retargeting via Cart Abandonment Messages Source This automated text message example can serve as a model template for cart abandonment notifications. The brand reminds the customer of the items left in the cart and encourages the purchase by offering a custom discount code and a link to complete the purchase.   Top 3 Automated Text Message Services for Businesses SMS marketing automation can be simple to set up with the right tools. Here are some leading services that can help you send automated text messages to your customer base. 1. MoEngage MoEngage’s SMS automation software can make targeted SMS campaigns seem like a breeze with ready-to-use campaign ideas, hyper-personalized messaging, and 360-degree customer views. Standout SMS Automation Feature: MoEngage’s automated text message marketing service stands out for its ability to integrate SMS into the overall customer journey and deliver insight-led, revenue-driven campaigns. How Pricing Works: Schedule a demo to know which of the two pricing plans works best for your business. 2. Textedly Textedly offers an easy-to-use automated text message software for real-time conversations with your customers. However, it lags behind in providing an omnichannel brand experience. Standout SMS Automation Feature: The service has an intuitive platform and also a shared team inbox to ensure timely automated responses for instant customer support. How Pricing Works: While the service offers a free plan with limited features, the basic plan starts at $26 a month and varies for other advanced plans. 3. Sender Sender enables SMS automation campaigns for bulk, personalized messages to customers. Standout SMS Automation Feature: Sender is an automated SMS software that offers affordable, easy-to-use templates for automating text messaging campaigns. However, it is limited to email and text message services, and does not offer integrated engagement solutions as part of the overall customer experience. How Pricing Works: Sender offers a free plan, with paid plans starting at $10 a month.   SMS Marketing Automation Strategies That Improve Campaign Performance Sure, you may be excited to launch your own automated SMS campaign. But hold on! There’s so much more you can get from automated text messaging, with some practical SMS marketing automation strategies listed below. 1. Make your automated text message conversational and interactive Customers love it when their brands are responsive to their needs! Using automated SMS services, you can make your text messages conversational. For instance, you can ask a series of questions to help customers reach informed decisions regarding your product or service. 2. Always ask for consent Before blasting automated text messages to your customers, it’s best to get their consent. Clear opt-in and opt-out options are necessary not only from a legal standpoint but also from the transparency angle. 3. Segment and personalize for your customer Nobody likes a random brand message that could be sent to just about anyone. You can use customer demographic and behavioral data to segment your customers into different groups. Armed with better insights, you can send more targeted and personalized text messages to your customers. 4. Grow your subscriber list with incentives Customers would be happy to consent to receiving your brand’s messages if they are offered something in return. Weaving smart opt-in messages with exclusive promotional deals and other perks can grow your subscriber base. 5. Review the little things A text message is one of the quickest ways to reach a customer. When done right, it can work wonders for your brand! But before you hurry to send out texts, remember to include crucial elements like a crisp main message, a valuable offer, a strong CTA, and a link to access the relevant offers or information. Finally, don’t forget to do automated SMS testing before sending the SMS.   Enhance Your Outreach with Automated SMS Marketing from MoEngage Brands can use the small but mighty SMS in many ways to deepen customer engagement. However, it is important to get subscriber consent and use other best practices to make the most of automated SMS marketing. MoEngage’s SMS marketing platform can help you have smoother interactions with your customers guided by detailed analytics, as part of a seamless omnichannel journey. Get a personalized demo to know how MoEngage can help you tap the massive potential of automated text messaging. The post Automated Text Messages for Business: A Marketer’s Guide appeared first on MoEngage.

The Duchess is one of the sharpest classes in Elden Ring Nightreign. The undercover priestess loves to dip in and out of combat, overwhelming foes with fast attacks and status ailments. Once you unlock the Duchess, pick her if you like to stay nimble and quickly dominate foes with excessively high damage per second. While her damage potential is one of the highest, Duchess has some apparent weaknesses that can diminish her viability. If you’re an aspiring Duchess main who wants to get the best out of the character in your future expeditions, this Elden Ring Nightreign guide will show you how to play as the Duchess, with a focus on recommendations for her best relics, best teammates, and best weapons, alongside other miscellaneous tips. How to make a great Duchess build in Elden Ring Nightreign As a dextrous character, you’ll want to craft your Duchess build around daggers, katanas, and curved great swords. All in all, anything that has a fast move set and is able to apply bleed is beneficial to a Duchess build. Bleed just overall synergizes with Duchess’s Restage ability, so when in doubt, prioritize looking for weapons and relics that allow for bleed application. Since Duchess scales with intelligence and faith as well, she does well with most of the game’s ranged weapon options. We recommend a good bow or staff in your equipment loadout. Best relics for Duchess in Elden Ring Nightreign Duchess scales primarily off of Arcane, Faith, and Dexterity, so the best relics for her are those that provide boosts to those specific stats. You can unlock these relics by just playing the game, but the best relics come from completing runs and defeating Nightlords. Another great way to gain access to high-quality relics is by completing the remembrance objectives found in the journal. Some of the Duchess’ best options are relics with the following effects: [Duchess] Dagger chain attack reprises event upon nearby enemies [Duchess] Improved character skill attack power [Duchess] Defeating enemies while Art is active ups attack power [Duchess] Become difficult to spot and silence footsteps after landing critical from behind Boosts attack power of added affinity attacks Improved stance breaking when wielding two armaments Any relic that increases Dexterity, Intelligence, or Endurance Character skill cooldown reduction Starting armament inflicts are good relics as well if you can match the status ailment with a Nightlord weakness Best teammates for Duchess in Elden Ring Nightreign Duchess excels when she’s able to deal damage unimpeded. She fits neatly into team comps that create enough space for her to do as she pleases. As the game evolves, new strategies may emerge, but at launch, the following classes are great fits as teammates for the Duchess and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Guardian — Guardian’s ultimate art provides a useful damage negation buff to teammates in its radius, helping Duchess with her survivability. Raider — Debatably Nightreign’s tankiest character, he can easily handle enemy aggro, allowing for Duchess to set up good uses of her Restage ability. Wylder — Wylder’s character skill allows him to grapple enemies to him. In the early stages of an expedition, Duchess is at her weakest. A good Wylder can help mitigate enemy aggro by yanking them away from her. Duchess — Having multiple Duchess players is not as good as the other picks; however, there is an unusual synergy with her Restage character skill. Since it applies to allies’ damage as well as her own, multiple Duchess players can rapidly apply status ailments like Bleed and demolish bosses. Best weapons for Duchess in Elden Ring Nightreign Hands down, the best weapon for Duchess is a dagger, as Duchess prefers to build up status ailments as quickly as possible. To that end, it’s best to equip her with weapons that have fast move sets. That said, even though she’s a dextrous character, she also has good intelligence scaling. Staves are extremely underrated on Duchess. Since there’s no equipment load or stat requirements outside of levels, there is simply no reason not to have at least one good staff member with you at all times. Below are some of the best weapons for Duchess: Crystal Knife Reduvia Wakizashi Moonveil Rivers of Blood Meteoric Ore Blade Horned Bow Carian Regal Scepter Best talismans for Duchess in Elden Ring Nightreign It isn’t often you’ll run into a talisman during an expedition, but if you get lucky, they can completely dial up the effectiveness of any character. Be on the lookout for scarabs, a returning enemy from Elden Ring, who tend to drop them. The best talismans for the Duchess are the following: Millicent’s Prosthesis — Boosts attack power with successive attacks. Twinblade Talisman — Boosts the power of chain attack finishers. Lord of Blood’s Exultation — Boosts attack power when blood loss is in the vicinity. Depending on your playstyle, you might even prefer to use talismans that increase spell casting power, such as Graven-School Talisman or Radagon Icon. While it may not be her best option, it is still viable, and being able to adapt on the fly is the best skill you could have in Elden Ring Nightreign. For more Elden Ring Nightreign guides, here’s a list of all classes, the best class to pick first, how to unlock the Revenant, and the best early Recluse build.

Alex Garland is set to adapt Elden Ring, and the director has the perfect stylistic inspiration rooted in his most unconventional horror film. Garland first gained notoriety as a writer, penning scripts for 28 Days Later and Dredd. He even worked in the video game world, as co-writer of the underrated gem Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and the reboot game DMC: Devil May Cry. Garland later ventured into directing after rumors circulated that he "ghost-directed" Dredd when problems arose with credited director Pete Travis. He made waves with his official directorial debut, Ex Machina, continuing to helm films like Annihilation, Civil War, and Warfare.

Table of ContentsEarbud DealsStreaming Device DealsSecurity Camera DealsComputer Mouse DealsSpeaker DealsWi-Fi Extender DealsWebcam DealsMicrophone DealsGaming Controller DealsSpeaker DealsThermostat DealsHeadphone DealsVideo Doorbell Deals Memorial Day deals are popping up everywhere, and for under $50, we've found some surprisingly solid picks for you. Whether you need a spare pair of earbuds, a portable charger, or smart home basics, now’s a great time to stock up without stretching your budget. These limited-time offers cover both name-brand gear and underrated gems, but inventory tends to move fast when prices dip this low. Don’t wait for the holiday weekend since many of the best bargains may already be gone by then. Here are a few standout picks under $50 worth grabbing.Don't forget to check out our round-up of theBest Memorial Day tech sales for all of the best deals out there.Earbud DealsThe Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds offer a surprisingly solid mix of rich audio, effective ANC, and a highly customizable app, all for a 44% discount. The companion app lets you tweak the EQ and controls and even set a personalized sound profile. Meanwhile, a solid battery life and secure fit make them great for workouts or commutes. As expert Tim Gideon said in our 2022 review, “The Anker Soundcore Space A40 in-ears deliver a natural audio experience and solid ANC for the price.” Rated “Excellent” and crowned as an Editors' Choice winner, these earbuds punch way above their price range.You can also score this Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds on Walmart for $44.99.Streaming Device DealsThe Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a fantastic upgrade for your old TV if you want smooth, fast streaming on the cheap. It delivers snappy performance, quick Alexa responses, and a wide range of apps, all while keeping the price under $30. Wi-Fi 6 ensures more stable connections, especially in busy households. Navigating apps feels seamless, and switching between them is nearly instant. Our resident expert, Will Greenwald, said, "Everything I watched, from Prime Video to Crunchyroll to Twitch, played within seconds and looked crisp and vibrant." With an "Outstanding" rating in our Fire TV Stick 4K review and the Editors' Choice award, this is an easy recommendation.Security Camera DealsThe Blink Mini 2 is a small, affordable indoor security camera that works like a charm, especially if you're in the Alexa ecosystem. Setup is a breeze, and once it’s running, you get crisp daytime video and smooth motion alerts without any hassle. The color night vision is a nice touch if you’ve got the spotlight enabled. Our expert, John R. Delaney notes, “Motion alerts arrived instantly and two-way talk came through loud and clear,” and rated it “Good” in our Blink Mini 2 review. It’s not overloaded with extras, but for quick checks on your space, especially through an Echo Show, it’s super handy and doesn’t break the bank at just under 20 bucks.The TP-Link Tapo C120 is a steal for under $25. This little camera does so much more than its price tag would lead you to believe, with sharp 2K video, color night vision, and built-in spotlights that light up your yard when motion’s detected. It’s weatherproof, so you can stick it indoors or outdoors, and the setup is a breeze. The motion detection is smart, too, distinguishing between people, pets, and vehicles, which cuts down on false alerts. In 2023, our expert points out in our TP-Link Tapo C120 review that the camera “is loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models.” That’s why it received an “Outstanding” rating and also became the Editors’ Choice winner. If you want a budget-friendly cam that doesn’t skimp, this is it.Computer Mouse DealsThe Logitech POP is a wireless mouse that comes in some quirky colors such as "Heartbreaker Rose" and "Daydream Mint," making it way more interesting than your usual plain-looking beige or black clicker (though ordinary colors are an option, too). For some added fun, you can assign your favorite emoji to a shortcut button through its software. It’s also comfortable to use, lasts up to two years on a single battery, and lets you switch control among three devices easily. Reviewer and analyst Zackery Cuevas says, “It’s a surprisingly versatile device that hops between multiple connections with ease and offers some light customization,” rating it at “Good” in our 2022 Logitech POP Mouse review. With the current sale price of $29, it’s a solid deal if you want something that's perkier-looking and more functional than your everyday mouse.Speaker DealsThe Amazon Echo Pop is a great way to add Alexa to a smaller room without spending much (just $25 today). It nails the basics like music, smart home controls, weather, timers, and more. You can operate all these functions with voice commands, and its compact design blends in easily. It even works as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender, which is super handy. Don’t expect deep bass, but for casual listening, it's solid. As PCMag's Will Greenwald notes, “It delivers a decent, well-balanced sound for its size.” The Echo Pop earned an “Excellent” rating in our review, and if you're just getting started with smart speakers, this one makes a strong case for itself.Recommended by Our EditorsWi-Fi Extender DealsThe TP-Link RE600X is a little Wi-Fi extender that’s easy to use. Just plug it in, connect via the app, and you’re good to go. It boosts your 5GHz speeds to 400Mbps close up and still delivers 196Mbps at 40 feet, which is great for streaming in dead zones. As our expert said in our review, “The RE600X offers a relatively affordable way to boost Wi-Fi 6 signal strength in your home.” It’s not the smallest or most feature-packed extender, but with a titanic 50% discount, it’s a reliable fix for spotty Wi-Fi. Overall, it’s a good pick for basic coverage needs.Webcam DealsThe Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 gives you noticeably brighter and sharper video for Zoom calls or streaming, and the audio holds up surprisingly well. You don’t even need extra lights since your face stays visible even in dim rooms. As our expert mentioned in his “Excellent” rated Live! Cam Sync review in 2021, the webcam “offers a nice upgrade in video call quality over your computer's built-in webcam.” It’s plug-and-play, comes with a privacy shutter, and works just fine for basic everyday use.Microphone DealsThe Razer Seiren Mini is a simple-to-use microphone for streaming or podcasting that actually sounds really good. It’s compact, easy to set up, and the audio comes through surprisingly clear and warm, especially when you position it close enough. You might want to prop it up on a few books, but once it’s at mouth level, it really shines. As our expert Tim Gideon puts it, “There’s more warmth here and less room sound than the Snowball Ice provides.” Rated “Good” overall in our 2020 Seiren Mini review, it’s a great way to upgrade your setup without spending a lot at today's sale price of $35.You can also grab this Razer Seiren Mini microphone on Walmart for $36.44.Gaming Controller DealsIf you bounce between a Switch and a PC, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 just makes life easier. The grip feels natural, the buttons have that nice clicky feedback, and switching between device profiles is super quick. As PCMag's Will Greenwald puts it, “Whatever system you use it with, the Pro 2 simply feels very good to use.” That’s why it earned an “Outstanding” rating and the 2021 Editors’ Choice award in our 8Bitdo Pro 2 review. Honestly, for under $40, there's no better time to buy.Speaker DealsThe Sony SRS-XB100 offers rich, crisp sound for its compact size, making it a standout among portable Bluetooth speakers. Its fully dust-tight and waterproof design ensures durability and reliability in various environments. The speaker also features a clear speakerphone mic, enhancing its functionality for calls on the go. In our 2023 SRS-XB100 review, the expert states, "It's easy to recommend if you want a compact, waterproof speaker that pumps out robust, detailed sound." That's why we gave it an "Excellent" rating. Its compact, adventure-ready design and enhanced sound quality make it a valuable choice for music lovers at just under $40.You can also get this Sony SRS-XB100 Speaker at Walmart for $39.99.The JBL Go 3 speaker is small enough to clip onto a bag or drop into a pocket, making it a great choice for travel and outdoor use. The waterproof build handles splashes and showers with ease. Vocals and highs come through crisp and clear, while bass is limited but present enough to keep tracks sounding full. It reaches impressive volume levels without distortion. As our audio expert Tim Gideon says, “For $40, you can't expect audio fireworks, but the JBL Go 3 certainly gets the job done, with clean, relatively loud mono audio from its compact frame." With an “Excellent” rating in our 2020 JBL Go 3 review and rugged design, it’s difficult to find anything better at this sale price of $30.You can also grab the JBL Go 3 on Walmart for $29.95.Thermostat DealsControl the temperature in your house with the Amazon smart programmable thermostat. This highly affordable device supports Alexa voice commands and has a smartphone app. That means you can dial up or down the heat without leaving your bed. Plus, it integrates well with Amazon smart home solutions, making a complete ecosystem for your house. It also reports the energy usage so you can make smart decisions to cut off your electricity bill. It earns an "Excellent" rating in our review, in which our expert states, "Amazon Smart Thermostat is a solid option that also happens to be the least expensive model we've tested." The current 29% discount makes it judicious to bring the thermostat home.Headphone DealsThe Razer Blackshark V2 is a wired headset that nails gaming audio without wrecking your wallet. It's super lightweight, stays comfy during long sessions, and the THX Spatial Audio gives you that "where-the-heck-did-that-shot-come-from" edge in shooters. You can tweak everything through the Razer Synapse app, but honestly, the mic sounds crisp even without adjustments. As Will Greenwald puts it, “the microphone on the Blackshark V2 sounds excellent,” and it is proven in our tests. For $37 only, this thing is stacked. It scored an “Outstanding” rating and even snagged the Editors’ Choice award in our 2020 Razer Blackshark V2 review, which tells you all you need to know.Video Doorbell DealsThe Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 is an affordable and versatile home security solution, offering both wired and wireless installation options. It integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, allowing easy control and monitoring. The device delivers sharp 1080p video, impressive image quality with rich daytime colors, and clear night vision. Installation is straightforward, and it includes a range of mounting accessories. The Sync Module 2 extends battery life and provides local storage options, supporting up to 10 Blink cameras. Additionally, two-way audio is loud and clear, enhancing communication with visitors. Scan through our Blink Video Doorbell review to learn more about its pros and cons.We’re finding Memorial Day Deals everywhere, from retailers like Amazon and Walmart to top brands like Apple and HP. And don’t forget to check out all of the Memorial Day Deals Under $100 and Under $50. But, if you’re looking for something more specific, we’ve rounded up the following holiday deals for you:

What we've been playing - New York, Poker, and frustration A few of the things that have us hooked this week. Image credit: FromSoftware Feature by Robert Purchese Associate Editor Additional contributions by Ed Nightingale, and Jim Trinca Published on May 24, 2025 24th May Hello and welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've been playing. This week, Bertie caves and installs the time-hogging phenomenon known as Balatro; Jim returns to the noir-like artistry of Grand Theft Auto 4; and Ed bangs his head repeatedly against Sekiro. What have you been playing? Catch up with the older editions of this column in our What We've Been Playing archive. Balatro, PS5 Snap! Wait, that's not the right game, is it?Watch on YouTube I did it: I finally caved and played Balatro. It's free with PlayStation Plus at the moment so I thought why not? Let me explain that hesitation quickly. I've never really liked Poker. I tend to defiantly not like what everyone else likes, I don't know why, and I also struggle to be serious for extended periods of time. The thought of sitting around a table with a 'Poker' face on, for hours on end, seems like torture to me. But I bit, and guess what? No surprise: I really liked it. I had to search for what a couple of the poker hands meant, because I didn't know my flushes from my straights - and I guess there's some assumed knowledge on the game's part there - but otherwise, I was (ahem) straight in. Time to being hooked: about five minutes. I love the immediacy of games like this. I know I'm predisposed to liking quick-play deckbuilding games - they just work wonderfully with my mental wiring - but there's clearly a skill to onboarding people in a way that's fun and frictionless, and Balatro has got it. There's no waiting for the game to begin, you just press go and learn as you play. Anyway, brb, see you in a few hundred hours. -Bertie Grand Theft Auto 4 Which GTA protagonists are the best?Watch on YouTube I've been replaying GTA 4 for a Thing I'm working on and rediscovering just how bold a game it is. Big budget video games tend to default to a sort of pseudo-photorealism as their visual style, and there's nothing wrong with that. As we know from a century of pointing lights and cameras at real actors, there is plenty of scope for creativity within that. But it is often a safe choice. With a triple-A budget comes the expectation to have the triple-A 'look', essentially mimicking what the real lights, cameras, and actors are doing at the time. GTA 4 doesn't have that look. It looks like GTA 4, with its unmistakable forever autumn draping a decaying urban sprawl in soft baths of burnt orange. With its desaturated neo-noir nights pocked with bursts of colour where city lights cut the dour air. It's a look that fully serves the themes of the game: a dismantling of the American Dream as experienced through the eyes of an immigrant - a war-damaged man fleeing a war-damaged society, only to find, like millions of people before him, that the problems from an old world tend to follow you to the new. Niko’s is a bleak life with fleeting moments of triumph and fleeting moments of levity, and his Liberty City reflects this in every flaking piece of paint and every particle of billowing trash. GTA 4 sticks resolutely and defiantly to its aesthetic of grime and decay in much the same way the underrated shooter Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days did, in sending the player into an unwaveringly grim handicam snuff film and revelling in their discomfort. Both games are miraculous works of art. Plus in GTA 4, the stockmarket is called BAWSAQ, which is funny. -Jim Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, PS4 Here's Aoife sharing in some of Ed's Sekiro frustration.Watch on YouTube I don't think I've ever been as angry as when I play Sekiro. I'm not just talking about being a bit frustrated. I'm talking 'existential why the hell am I doing this to myself' despondency. I am not enjoying it, but I can't stop playing it. I know I shouldn't let it get to me. Get a grip Ed, it's just a silly little video game. I should really just learn to git gud, right? But: sigh. For context, this is the last big FromSoftware game I'm yet to finish, and I've started it three times now. I'm determined to finish it - I've come too far with these games to stop now. But Sekiro just hasn't clicked for me like the studio's other games have. In part that's down to aesthetics, I think, as I just vibe more with the dark fantasy of Souls and twisted Gothism of Bloodborne than I do the Japanese horror of Sekiro. But also it's to do with combat. It's so focused on a single method of fighting - parry parry parry - that there's no room for the expression or build variety that I really like. I do enjoy how rhythmical parrying can be, but each boss encounter feels like I'm banging my head against a wall, much more so than any other game of this type. At least the end is in sight as I only have the final boss to go (I'm ignoring the Demon of Hatred for the moment). At this point I'm just playing Sekiro out of stubbornness and spite, and I'm not sure what to be disappointed in, the game or myself. -Ed

Memorial Day weekend is here. For many, it marks the unofficial start of summer, and retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart and more are kicking off the season with plenty of deals on home, outdoor, tech, apparel, and beyond. Also: My 4 favorite gadgets for a day at the poolLucky for you, I cover sales 24/7 as ZDNET's deals and shopping editor, and I've learned a thing or two about finding the best offers to share with you. That's why I've vetted and curated these deals across several retailers, featuring ZDNET-tested and recommended products, from phones and TVs to robot lawnmowers and outdoor gear. Plus, with uncertain economic times and hot-and-cold tariff policies, scooping up sought-after tech, like Apple's latest M4 MacBook Air for $100 off, Eufy's E15 robot lawn mower for $200 off, or the first laptop to earn ZDNET's Editor's Choice award for $200 off may prove to be a wise decision.These Memorial Day weekend deals will continue to heat up as the weekend goes on, and I'll keep this page updated multiple times a day. (Our sister site CNET has plenty of coverage on Memorial Day sales across several retailers, too.) Find Memorial Day deals at AmazonZDNET's top-selling Memorial Day 2025 products Our team has collected the top-selling products among ZDNET readers thus far ahead of Memorial Day 2025. Some of these products may not be on sale. (A note: Your privacy is protected. We only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and we cannot identify individual people's purchases.)SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card: $18 (save $7 at Amazon): This ultra-thin wallet tracker is shaped like a credit card, is highly reliable and works seamlessly with the Apple Find My network. Expert Maria Diaz says it's as good as an AirTag. There's an extra 20% off available via coupon, too.Anker 140W 4-Port USB-C Charger: $100 at Amazon: This 4-port charger is designed to rapidly charge all your favorite devices. Released at CES 2025, this charger uses GaN technology and features a window display to show output. Nothing Phone 3(a): $379 at Nothing: Our expert replaced his Google Pixel 9 Pro with this midrange option from Nothing, and it's so good he can't switch back. It's not on sale, but is still under $400 and a more affordable smartphone option. Pebblebee Clip Universal Bluetooth Tracker: $27 (save $7 at Best Buy): The Pebblebee Clip is the world's first finder tag that works with both Google and Apple Find My networks, and our expert says its better than an AirTag. RingConn Gen 2 Air: $199 at Amazon: Our expert says this budget-friendly smart ring delivers impressive health-tracking features that compete with top-tier rivals like Oura. Grab a size kit here for $1. Car USB-C Charger: $13 at Amazon: Our expert says you're not using your car's USB port enough, and charging your devices with it is one of the easiest ways to up your car's function. This budget charger is a great pick. My favorite Memorial Day tech salesThese are my personally-picked favorite deals that are perfect for MDW at home, at the pool, or down the shore (if you're from Jersey, like me).  Adam Breeden/ZDNETBeats Pill Speaker: $100 (save $50 at Amazon): This classic is back. Our expert says the Beats Pill delivers "gloriously smooth sound," and right now it's 33% off. Netvue by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder: $140 (save $60 at Amazon): Our favorite smart bird feeder makes a great Father's Day gift, especially with a 30% discount at Amazon.Sony X77L TV: Free (save up to $590 at Sony): Right now, there are multiple ways to qualify for a free Sony X77L 4K TV when you purchase select Bravia 8 II Q-OLED TVs. Here's the full scoop on the deal. LG 27-inch OLED Gaming Monitor BOGO: $800 (save $200 + Get a free 27-inch UltraGear monitor): Right now, if you purchase the 27-inch OLED gaming monitor from LG, you'll save $200 and get another monitor of the same size completely free. Here's the full look at the deal at ZDNET. Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor BOGO: $800 (save $800 + Get a free 27-inch Odyssey monitor): Samsung has some BOGO offers too, like this monitor deal that lets you save $200 on a 49-inch curved gaming monitor and get another 27-inch Odyssey G55C monitor for free. Here's all the info on the deal at ZDNET. JBL Clip 5 Portable Speaker: $50 (save $30 at Amazon): This tiny speaker is coming along with our expert to every beach trip this summer, and for $50, you can't beat scooping this up for at home or on-the-go. Apple MacBook Air M4 13-inch: $899 (save $100 at Amazon): Our laptop expert says the M4 MacBook Air features more memory, better support for external monitors, and a decent 10% off discount (which is good for a newer MacBook). Memorial Day deals from other retailersSamsung: Save on home, appliances, TVs, mobile, and more. Preorder the Galaxy S25 Edge and get double the storage for free, plus $120 off the Galaxy Ring Samsonite: Save up to 40% on Samsonite luggage and travel gearWayfair: Save up to 60% on bedroom furnitureREI: 25% off Hydroflask drinkware, save $200 on all Garmin Fenix 8 watches and more Lowe's: Save on outdoor, garden, patio, grills and more Home Depot: Save on grills, tools, garden, outdoor, patio, storage and more (find more deals via CNET) Nectar Sleep: Save up to 50% on mattresses (find more mattress deals via CNET)LG: Save 25-56% on the #1 appliance brand in the US (find more appliance deals via CNET) Best Buy: Shop Memorial Day deals on home, outdoor and more (find more Best Buy deals via CNET) Walmart: Shop Memorial Day deals on home, outdoor and more (find more Walmart deals via CNET) Memorial Day deals under $50: Cameras, chargers, and more  Kayla Solino/ZDNETBlink Mini 2 Indoor Cam: $20 (save $20 at Amazon): Our expert says this is the best budget camera you can buy, and it's 50% off now. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: $30 (save $20 at Amazon): Streamline your streaming experience with a Fire TV Stick 4K for 40% off. Torras PolarCircle Qi2 MagSafe Charger: $50 (save $10 at Amazon): Our expert says this handy MagSafe charger provides fast battery boosting without all the heat. JBL Go 3 Portable Speaker: $30 (save $10 at Amazon): This speaker features IP67 waterproofing and 5 hours of play all for under $50. The newer Go 4 speaker is on sale for $10 more.  Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Current price: $20Original price: $30This budget MagSafe single charger from Anker is on sale for under $30. Our expert loves it for its fast and powerful charge and its great price.  Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day outdoor and lawn deals: Robot lawn mowers, smart bird feeders, and more Maria Diaz/ZDNETBird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder with Solar Roof: $200 (save $100 at Best Buy): Our expert loved catching unexpected clips of flying friends on this bird feeder with a built-in camera. It's perfect for a garden or outdoor area, and it's $100 off now. The Hummingbird Feeder Pro is on sale for $199 (save $80 at BirdBuddy). Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0: $250 (save $95 at Amazon): This stainless steel wood burning stove is ideal for 4-6 people and is perfect for Memorial Day weekend. Anker Solix EverFrost 2 40L Smart Cooler: $800 (save $100 at Amazon): The Anker Solix EverFrost 2 is a battery-powered cooler that stores perishables without ice for over three days. Our expert tested it and can't go back to a regular cooler, and it's perfect for Memorial Day weekend.Beatbot AquaSense 2 Robotic Pool Vacuum: $1,099 (save $500 at Amazon): This robot vacuum isn't for inside your home, but if you want to simplify your pool cleaning routine, Beatbot's AquaSense 2 is on sale. Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Cam: $65 (save $65 at Amazon): Our expert says this floodlight is bright enough for their dark backyard, and right now it's 50% off. Linkind Smart Outdoor Solar Lights SL5: $82 (save $44 at Amazon): Our expert loves how fast these lights make her house holiday-ready, and these would be perfect for upcoming summer nights.  Maria Diaz/ZDNET Current price: $1,600Original price: $1,800Our expert says the Eufy E15 offers one of the simplest setups from a robot mower since it lacks boundary wires or antennas. Instead, it uses sensors, cameras, and AI to navigate, just like a robot vacuum. It's lightweight, easy to clean, and has multiple customizable mowing options on the Eufy app, including path direction, mowing schedule, and grass height. It's $200 off with an on-page coupon right now.  Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day headphone deals: Sony, Beats, Apple, and more Jada Jones/ZDNETSonos Ace Headphones: $352 (save $97 at Walmart): Our expert loves these headphones for their perfect sound and comfort, and right now they're nearly $100 off. OnePlus Buds Pro 3: $140 (save $40 at OnePlus): Our expert says these earbuds were already a great buy full price, and right now they're $40 off. JLab JBuds ANC: $50 (save $10 with coupon at Amazon): These are our audio expert's favorite budget earbud pick, and they're even cheaper now. Soundcore C40i Open Earbuds: $90 (save $30 at Amazon): Audio expert Nina Raemont says these are the best midrange open earbuds for runners, and they're 25% off now. Sony WH-1000 XM4 Headphones: $228 (save $120 at Amazon): The newest XM6 headphones are packed with Sony's latest features, but the XM4 model folds away for easy storage, unlike the slightly newer XM5 model (which are on sale). Nothing Open Earbuds: $150 (save $49 at Amazon): These are without a doubt the best earbuds for working out -- whether you're in the gym or outdoors. Beats Studio Pro Headphones: $200 (save $150 at Amazon): These Beats headphones are 43% off, and our expert says they're the perfect middle-ground headphones for Android and Apple users.  Jada Jones/ZDNET Current price: $300Original price: $400Sony's headphones are a popular pick for noise-canceling audio and top features. The WH-1000XM5 headphones are not the newest model in the lineup, but they're still a great buy. Sony just released the new WH-1000XM6 model, and this XM5 pair is finally seeing a sizable discount. Our audio expert called the XM5's "basically perfect" upon reviewing them in 2022, and they have remained as one of our favorite pairs to recommend for everyday use.  Show more Memorial Day TV deals: Speakers, soundbars, TVs, and more Kerry Wan/ZDNETSony Ult Field 1: $88 (save $42 at Amazon): This portable speaker offers crystal clear sound, a long battery life, and environmental durability. Sony Ult Field 3: $148 (save $52 at Amazon): Sony's newest potable speaker is seeing its first discount since its release last month. Our expert loves it for its compact form and great bass. Fire TV Cube: $100 (save $40 at Amazon): Snag Amazon's AI-powered streaming device for 29% off. Insignia 32-inch Fire TV: $80 (save $50 at Amazon): This 32-inch TV is one of Amazon's top sellers for a reason. Right now it's under $100, and is the perfect size for a dorm, kids' room, or kitchen. Hisense 85-Inch QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD TV: $800 (save $48 at Amazon): If you want a huge amount of display space, check out the discount on this 85-inch Hisense Google Smart TV.Panasonic Z85 Series 65-inch OLED TV: $1,000 (save $800 at Amazon): This OLED TV uses the Fire TV platform to give you access to thousands of movies and shows as well as hundreds of other streaming apps.Panasonic W95 Series 65-inch Mini LED TV: $600 (save $1,200 at Amazon): A mid-range Mini-LED TV that offers a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR for console gaming. Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $1,398Original price: $1,998The Sony Bravia X90L is one of our picks for the best Sony TVs you can buy, and for good reason. Its color accuracy, precision brightness, 120Hz smooth motion, and 4K image processing make it one of our most recommended TVs you can buy. Editor-in-chief Jason Hiner also considers it one of the most underrated TVs available. And with the 2025 TVs hitting the market, you can save on select sizes of this excellent 2023 model. Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day laptop deals: Apple, Lenovo, and more  Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETApple MacBook Air M4 13-inch: $899 (save $100 at Amazon): Our laptop expert says the M4 MacBook Air features more memory, better support for external monitors, and a decent discount for a newer MacBook. Asus Zenbook A14: $799 (save $200 at Best Buy): The first laptop to earn our Editor's Choice award is $200 off at Best Buy. The Zenbook A14 is portable and efficient, and our expert says its truly a great buy at this price. Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: $449 (save $200 at Best Buy): Our expert says it's hard to believe this high-performing laptop is a Chromebook at all. The bright, 120Hz refresh rate display, LED keyboard, and Intel Core Ultra 5 processor makes for a solid cloud gaming laptop and fast, lightweight laptop.HP Envy x360 2-in-1 16-inch: $1,053 (save $117 at Best Buy): Our expert says this laptop is perfect for business professionals and gamers, and it's a convertible laptop to tablet model. MacBook Pro M3 14-inch: $1,399 (save $300 at Best Buy): The MacBook Pro M3 isn't the newest model on the market, but our expert says its still a great upgrade from earlier iterations, and is a solid choice for work, home, school and more.  Max Buondonno/ZDNET Current price: $1,320Original price: $1,700ZDNET's pick for best laptop for work is on sale. Our laptop expert says it's an excellent choice for professionals seeking a fast laptop that can tackle intensive productivity tasks thanks to the recently released AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 processor, the integrated AMD Radeon 880M graphics card, and the ample 32GB of RAM. Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day smartphone and accessory deals: iPhones, chargers, and more  Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung Galaxy S25 Edge: $1,100 (save $200): Preorder the Galaxy S25 Edge and get double the storage for free and $120 off the Galaxy Ring. Plus, save more with trade-in offers. OnePlus 13: $850 (save $50 + get a free pair of Nord Buds 3 Pro at OnePlus): Our expert recommends this phone over the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra so much, that it won one of ZDNET's first Editor's Choice awards. Plus, when you buy now you can save $50 and get a free pair of earbuds (an $80 value). Google Pixel 9 Pro: $`1,149 (save $300 at Amazon): Our expert says they'd recommend the Google Pixel 9 Pro any day, but this $300 discount makes it even easier. The base model Pixel 9 is also on sale for $649.iPhone 16 Pro: Free (save $1,000 at Verizon): New and existing customers can get a free phone on any Verizon plan with a value of up to $1,000. iPhone 16 Pro: Free (save $1,000 at AT&T): A similar freebie iPhone 16 Pro offer is available for AT&T customers, and even damaged phones are eligible for the trade-in. Anker 3-in-1 Foldable MagSafe Charging Station: $83 (save $27 at Amazon): This is our expert's favorite Qi2 charging station, and she says Apple users will love it (it's true, I do).  Kerry Wan/ZDNET Current price: $349Original price: $429The Nohting Phone 2a Plus model, which our phone expert tested last year, proved an exceptional midrange offering, besting Google, Samsung, and Apple's offerings in the sub-$500 category. Right now, for just $349, you're getting a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery with 50W wired charging, Nothing's signature Glyph Lights for notifications, and more.Review: Nothing Phone 2a Plus Remember that Nothing phones perform best when connected to a GSM network, meaning AT&T and T-Mobile users will benefit the most.  Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day tablet deals: Lenovo, Apple, and more Allison Murray/ZDNETLenovo Tab M9: $80 (save $80 at Lenovo): This budget Lenovo tablet just got cheaper, and it's the perfect 9-inch tablet for streaming on the go. It's so affordable, our expert may even buy two. Kindle Colorsoft Bundle: $328 (save $35 at Amazon): This Kindle bundle includes the new Colorsoft e-reader, a wireless charging dock and a case all for under $350. iPad Mini 7: $399 (save $100 at Amazon): Our expert loves how portable and compact the iPad Mini is, and it's on sale. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: $1,120 (save $200 at Samsung): Our expert says this 14-inch Samsung tablet boosts productivity, and is even better for entertainment.  Max Buondonno/ZDNET Current price: $450Original price: $550Right now you can save $100 on the OnePlus Pad 2 at OnePlus. Our expert says the OnePlus Pad 2 offers solid hardware, impressive battery life, and a sharp display, positioning it as a capable and affordable option for media consumption. Show more View now at OnePlus Memorial Day Apple deals: iPads, Apple Watches, and more Maria Diaz/ZDNETApple Watch Series 10 (GPS 42mm): $299 (save $100 at Amazon): The Watch Series 10, Apple's latest smartwatch, is $100 off. Expert Matthew Miller says the Series 10 is better than the Watch Ultra in certain areas. Plus, shop the GPS 46mm model on sale. Apple Watch Ultra 2: $739 (save $60 at Amazon): Our expert says the Watch Ultra 2 is a "near-perfect" smartwatch, and it's $60 off now -- only $20 more than the lowest-ever Black Friday price we've seen. Apple Pencil Pro: $99 (save $30 at Amazon): Apple's best stylus is on sale now. You can use Apple Pencil Pro with iPadOS 17.5 or later on the iPad Pro (M4), iPad Air (M2 and M3), and the iPad mini (A17 Pro). Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $75 (save $24 at Amazon): If you prefer Apple's native Bluetooth tracker, AirTags are great for tracking keys, luggage, wallets, and more, and they're on sale. Apple iPad Mini: $399 (save $100 at Amazon): Apple's iPad Mini, a compact 8.3-inch tablet perfect for stowing away in your bag, is also on sale. You can save 5% on a model powered by an A17 Pro chip with 128GB of storage.Apple iPad Pro: $899 (save $100 at Amazon): Right now, you can save $80 on a model equipped with an 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR display, 256GB of storage, and Wi-Fi connectivity.Apple 2024 Mac Mini: $549 (save $50 at Amazon): For those interested in Apple's desktop PC products, consider the $50 discount on an M4-powered Mac Mini. Maria Diaz/ZDNET Current price: $299Original price: $350Right now, you can get the 11th Gen iPad for only $299 in select colors at Amazon, the lowest price we've seen yet. The tablet normally retails for $350, so a great sale this quick in the launch schedule is good news for any early adopters with a tight budget. Review: Apple iPad 11th Gen Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day kitchen and home deals: Smart vacuums, appliances, and more  Maria Diaz/ZDNETCraftsman VersaStack 230-Piece Toolkit: $99 (save $100 at Lowe's): This is a great buy for your home (or an early Father's Day gift), and our expert agrees. Bissell Little Green Max Pet SmartMix Portable Carpet Cleaner: $110 (save $40 at Amazon): This carpet and upholstery cleaner is perfect for tackling tough stains, and is a great investment for your household. It's nearly 30% off now. Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Omni Robot Window Cleaner: $500 (save $200 at Amazon): Our expert says this window robot "surprisingly impressive," and right now both the W2 Pro Omni and the cheaper W2 Pro model are on sale. Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum: $350 (save $120 at Amazon): Spring cleaning? Save almost 30% on this popular Dyson upright vacuum cleaner.  Maria Diaz/ZDNET Current price: $2,899Original price: $3,699Our expert says whether you need a portable battery for camping or emergency backup, the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 can do it. And right now, you can save almost $1,000 on it. Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day robot vacuum deals: Ecovacs, Roborock, and more Maria Diaz/ZDNETDreame L40 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop: $600 (save $900 at Amazon): The Dreame L40 Ultra is on sale, and our expert says it's one of the smartest robot vacuums and mops they've seen. Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop: $400 (save $300 at Amazon): This robot vacuum is 40% off, and our expert says it performs as well as some flagship models.Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop: $1,300 (save $400 at Amazon): Our expert says the Dreame X50 Ultra ranks among the top robot vacuums out there -- especially for those with serious cleaning needs, and it's 24% off now. Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop: $1,000 (save $500 at Amazon): Our expert says this is the best robot vacuum model she's ever used, and right now it's on sale. Eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX: $170 (save $80 at Amazon): If you're looking for an affordable robot vacuum, check out the 43% discount on the Eufy 11S MAX, a self-charging and sleek model.  Maria Diaz/ZDNET Current price: $450Original price: $650Eufy's latest E20 robot vacuum and handheld combination help superpower your smart home. The handheld vacuum is the robot vacuum's dustbin, which you can detach by pressing a red button on the device while simultaneously pulling the handle. The handheld vacuum has a crevice attachment on the robot and a floor brush to transform it into a stick vacuum.Expert Maria Diaz tested this vacuum in March and was thoroughly impressed with its suction power and ability to keep her office free of her dog's hair. She also likes its multi-functional capabilities.  Show more View now at Amazon Memorial Day health and wellness deals: Smart rings, fitness trackers, and more Christina Darby/ZDNETRenpho Eye Massager: $60 (save $40 at Amazon): Stressed? This eye massager heats and massages your eyes, making it a great gift for those who often get headaches or work in front of a screen for hours a day.  Core 1 Body Sensor: $227 (save $58 at Core): ZDNET's Matt Miller has been using this core body temperature sensor to inform his fitness and recovery. He recommends it most to people who exercise in hotter temperatures, and right now it's 20% off. Eufy P2 Pro Smart Scale: $45 (save $35 at Amazon): If you need a budget-friendly smart scale option, the Eufy P2 Pro is close to 50% off right now, and it's great for tracking weight and other metrics like bone density and more (I own this model myself).  Nina Raemont/ZDNET Current price: Starting at $199Original price: Starting at $300The Oura Ring Gen 3 is not the newest model on the market, but expert Nina Raemont says it's still a great pick if you don't mind a slightly more uncomfortable fit, amongst other things. Right now you can save up to $200 depending on the size, finish, and style you select at Oura.  Show more View now at Oura Memorial Day FAQs When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday of May. This year, it is on Monday, May 26, 2025. However, many retailers started sales a few weeks ahead of the holiday. Is Memorial Day a federal holiday?Yes, Memorial Day is one of 11 federal holidays recognized nationwide in the US. It is celebrated on the last Monday of May annually. Typically, schools, businesses, and government offices are closed during Memorial Day. Essential institutions like hospitals, airports, police stations, and more do not close for Memorial Day. Is Amazon having a Memorial Day sale? Amazon is having a Memorial Day sale and plenty of items discounted. In fact, the retailer has a Memorial Day sales landing page up, but Amazon typically doesn't heavily advertise for the event like it does for Amazon Prime Day. Other retailers like Best Buy started sales as early as May 15, so Amazon will likely feature similar discounts on products during the same period. What other retailers are having Memorial Day sales? Here are some important dates across several retailers to keep in mind if you're planning on shopping deals this Memorial Day. Historically, the Friday to Sunday before Memorial Day is usually when you'll see the most retailers offering savings. Best Buy Memorial Day Sale: May 19 - May 26.Home Depot Memorial Day Sale: May 16 - May 26 (Check out our sister site CNET's Home Depot deal coverage).Lowe's Memorial Day Sale: May 15 - May 28.Target Memorial Day Sale: Target's Hello Summer Sale usually kicks off the brand's Memorial Day savings about a week before the holiday. On May 15, Target confirmed the return of their Hello Summer Sale, which will overlap with Memorial Day, running from May 18 - May 26. Walmart Memorial Day Sale: Walmart hasn't officially confirmed any dates for a specific sale, but the retailer is sure to offer savings comparable to those of its top competitors as the holiday approaches. How did we choose these Memorial Day deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is on sale and how frequently it drops. We also reviewed customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we recommend. Our recommendations may also be based on our testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. Are there any products on sale that won a ZDNET Editor's Choice award?First launched in April 2025, The ZDNET Editors' Choice badge represents our highest endorsement for a technology product or service. It's a distinction awarded exclusively by our seasoned team of expert editors, analysts, and reviewers. Though the majority of the product deals listed on this page are ZDNET-tested, they all aren't Editors' Choice winners. That's because that badge isn't handed out lightly. However, lucky for you there are a few winning products on sale ahead of Memorial Day 2025, like the Asus Zenbook A14, the OnePlus 13, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.How can I find the best Memorial Day deals? As a commerce and advice editor, I can recommend a few things to help you maximize Memorial Day sales. I always recommend preparing to shop by researching and planning potential purchases, listing want and need items, and setting a budget before sales. It's also great to use verified price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel or Google Shopping, which make it easy to locate the best price. It's always good to remember the perks offered if you're a member of a program like Target Circle 360, Amazon Prime or Walmart+. Often, these memberships offer services like free pickup or delivery, free shipping, exclusive early access, and more, and those extras are good to remember when every retailer starts matching prices on products to compete for the sale. Should I wait for Prime Day deals instead?It depends. If you're shopping for seasonal-specific items like patio furniture, outdoor gear, and more, I would not wait to shop for these deals. Prime Day likely won't roll around until mid-July, and two months is a long time to hold out for an item if you're purchasing a product with the intent of enjoying it this season. But if you're not in the market for select spring and summer items, it may be worth waiting to shop Prime Day offers, especially on flagship Amazon products. Historically, the best prices on devices like the Echo Dot, Fire Stick, and more are offered during Amazon's exclusive Prime Day events. What are the tariffs in the US?The shifting US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.The tariffs could also lead to delays in product launches or shifts in where and how phones are made, forcing companies to diversify production to countries with more favorable trade conditions.What are the best Memorial Day 2025 deals?ZDNET's experts are searching through Memorial Day deals across retailers to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends. Show more ZDNET Recommends

This month on Max you’ll get the return of The Gilded Age, the historical drama about life in 1880s New York City, now entering its third season. (On Max? HBO? On HBO Max? I’m lost and confused and scared and all I’m trying to do is give you a list of movies and shows that will be available over the next few months on streaming.)You’ll also get the streaming debuts of recent films Parthenope, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, and A Minecraft Movie, the 2025 blockbuster that sent TikTok teens everywhere into a frenzy. Plus a new weekly documentary series called The Mortician explores the dark secret behind a California funeral home.Here’s the full list of what’s coming to (HBO) Max in June 2025...June 1A Hologram for the King (2016) A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) A Perfect Getaway (2009) Backtrack (2016) Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022) Black Patch (1957) Blues in the Night (1941) Casino (1995) Fight Club (1999) Gentleman Jim (1942)14. Hellboy (2004)Sonyloading...Hellboy (2004) I Am Not Your Negro (2017) Igor (2008) Illegal (1955) In the Good Old Summertime (1949) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Kid Glove Killer (1942) Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) My Scientology Movie (2017) Numbered Men (1930) One Foot in Heaven (1941) Parasite (2019) Presenting Lily Mars (1943) Pride & Prejudice (2005) Public Enemies (2009) Reign of the Supermen (2019) Serenade (1956) Silver River (1948)MGMMGMloading...Spaceballs (1987) Split (2017) Strike Up the Band (1940) Summer Stock (1950) Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020) Superman: Red Son (2020) Superman: Unbound (2013) Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) The Death of Superman (2018) The Fighting 69th (1940) The Harvey Girls (1946) The Hunger Games (2012) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015) The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) The Match King (1932) The Mayor of Hell (1933)HBOHBOloading...The Mortician (HBO Original) The Nitwits (1935) The Prince and the Pauper (1937) The Sea Chase (1955) The Sea Hawk (1940) The Sunlit Night (2019) The Verdict (1946) They Made Me a Criminal (1939) This Side of the Law (1950) Three Faces East (1930) Three Strangers (1946) Total Drama Island, Season 2 (Cartoon Network) Wagons West (1952) Words and Music (1948) You'll Find Out (1940) Ziegfeld Follies (1946)June 2BBQ Brawl, Season 6 (Food Network)June 3Bullet Train (2022) Ugliest House in America, Season 6 (HGTV)June 41000-lb Roomies, Season 1 (TLC) Fatal Destination, Season 1 (ID)June 5Bea's Block, Season 1C (Max Original) Chespirito: Not Really on Purpose, Season 1 (Max Original)A24A24loading...June 6House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 201 (HGTV) Parthenope (A24)June 10Virgins, Season 1 (TLC)June 11Guy's Grocery Games, Season 38 (Food Network)June 12Bitchin' Rides, Season 11 Mini Beat Power Rockers: A Superheroic Night (Discovery International)June 13Cleaner (2025) House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 240 (HGTV) Maine Cabin Masters, Season 10 (Magnolia Network) Super Sara (Max Original) Toad & Friends, Season 1BJune 16Hero Ball, Season 3BJune 17Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: Animal Pharm (CNN Originals, 2025) Super Mega Cakes, Season 1 (Food Network)June 19 Expedition Unknown, Season 15 (Discovery) Mystery At Blind Frog Ranch, Season 5 (Discovery)June 20House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 241 (HGTV) Lu & The Bally Bunch, Season 1C (Cartoon Network) Now or Never: FC Montfermeil (Max Original) Teen Titans Go!, Season 9B (Cartoon Network)June 21The Kitchen, Season 38 (Food Network) The Never Ever Mets, Season 2 (OWN)HBOHBOloading...June 22The Gilded Age, Season 3 (HBO Original)June 23Match Me Abroad, Season 2 (TLC)June 24Enigma (HBO Original) Mean Girl Murders, Season 3 (ID) The Invitation (2022)June 25Rehab Addict, Season 10 (HGTV)Ketchup EntertainmentKetchup Entertainmentloading...June 27House Hunters: Volume 10, Season 242 (HGTV) My Mom Jayne (HBO Original) Pati, Seasons 1&2 (Max Original) The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2025)June 29#Somebody's Son, Season 1 (OWN) Family or Fiancé, Season 4 (OWN)June 3090 Day Fiancé: Pillow Talk, Season 11 (TLC) Truck U, Season 21Get our free mobile app2000s Movies That Got Bad Reviews That Are Actually GoodThese underrated films deserved better reviews than they got from most critics.