The Amazon Echo Show 8 smart display has never been cheaper: Just $60 right now

You have to be a Prime subscriber, though.

Jul 08, 2023

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Happy Saturday, friends! I almost didn’t send today because there’s just not much happening right now, deal-wise. Yes, Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner (July 11-12), but I suspect you’ve already seen the onslaught of early-deal coverage and don’t need more from me. (That said, there’s an especially notable one I had to share; see below.)

Hopefully you’ll agree that a short newsletter is better than no newsletter? Read on for three quicky deals and a couple book/TV recommendations.

⚡ Many mobile chargers are big, heavy, brick-like things. The T-Core Power Bank measures just 2.6 x 2.6 inches square and less than an inch thick, yet somehow packs in a 10,000-mAh battery (good for at least a few full phone charges). It normally sells for $39, but right now you can get the T-Core Power Bank for $19.49 with promo code 502BT4UF. It includes all the ports (USB-C, Type A, etc.) and can charge up to three devices simultaneously. Of course, it’s BYO power adapter for actually charging the charger.

📱 No need to wait for Prime Day; right now Amazon Prime subscribers can get the Echo Show 8 smart display for $60, the lowest price ever for this model. (It lists for $130 but routinely goes on sale for $75.) These are nice to have in the kitchen, where you can watch cooking videos or listen to podcasts while cooking or just enjoy a photo slideshow. Alexa, of course, is on hand for all your hands-free requests. You can also get the Echo Show 5 for just $45, but I think the 8-inch screen and larger, louder speaker are preferable.

📺 While you’re at it, add a two-month PBS Masterpiece subscription for just 99 cents per month. (It’s normally $5.99 per, and will revert to that rate after two months unless you cancel.) Then binge your way through All Creatures Great and Small, Grantchester, Broadchurch, Wolf Hall, and other British gems.

PLAYLIST

📔 I’m just finishing up The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (the current book club selection, if you’re interested), and although I’ve read it at least four times before, it never fails to delight. It’s a top-five all-time book for me. An epic story, simply told, with a protagonist you root for one second and disparage the next. You can easily grab this free from your local library, or pick up a used copy on the cheap.

📺 Recently I was reminded of Soap (thanks, TikTok!), the insanely funny late-70s sitcom starring, among others, a very young Billy Crystal. Silly and slapstick, but with moments of real drama, the show generated huge ratings at the time (and no small amount of controversy, though you’d be forgiven today for wondering why). If you’ve never seen it, do yourself a favor; you can stream the entire series free on Crackle. (Give it a few episodes; it takes a few to fully get its footing.) Oh, and if you don’t think ventriloquists can be funny, I defy you not to laugh at this scene:

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