Amazon’s corporate employees seem rather peeved about being told to return to the office five days a week from January, according to a poll by Blind, an online forum for anonymous tech workers that have been verified by the platform.

A whopping 91% of 2,585 Amazon professionals surveyed by Blind said they were dissatisfied with the new back-to-the-office policy, which was announced last week in a memo from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

“RTO [return to office] blanket policy is crazy, particularly for those of us who were hired remote and FAR from an office — I have kids and family here so unwilling to relocate,” one of the survey’s participants commented in response to the new rule. “Even if I didn’t there’s too great a risk I’d be laid off in 6 months anyway so why risk a move?”

Amazon’s corporate employees have been allowed to come to the office a minimum of three days a week since June 2023, but evidently keen to bring to an end the hybrid working style that was adopted during the pandemic, Jassy told staff last week that he believes “the advantages of being together in the office are significant,” and that it’s time to return full-time.

“We’ve observed that it’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from one another are more seamless; and teams tend to be better connected to one another,” Jassy wrote in his memo, adding: “If anything, the last 15 months we’ve been back in the office at least three days a week has strengthened our conviction about the benefits.”

The CEO said the company would “help ensure a smooth transition” for those who have set up their personal lives in a way that means returning to the office full-time will require some adjustments, though it’s not yet clear how flexible Jassy and his top team will be regarding such matters.

Amazon isn’t the only tech giant that changed its working practices during the pandemic, with Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Meta among those that made similar moves. These firms currently expect their workers to show up at the office at least two or three days a week, though it will be interesting to see if any of them take Amazon’s lead and instruct their employees to return to their desks for the entire working week.

Today, Xiaomi held a big launch event where we met the Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro. However, those were not the only devices the company showed off during the event. Xiaomi also launched a plethora of AIoT products across multiple segments, including the Xiaomi Buds 5, Xiaomi Watch 2, and more.

Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max and Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Pro

The Chinese giant introduced as many as seven new products alongside its latest smartphones. First up, there’s a pair of robot vacuum cleaners. The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max has 8000 Pa suction power and an extendable arm, allowing the mop to reach corners and edges more easily. There’s a customizable high-temperature automatic mop washing system (you can tweak the temperature). It also includes a hot air drying system that dries the mops in about three hours, preventing odor buildup.

The X20 Max features a 5,2000 mAh battery that enables up to 120 minutes of continuous cleaning. Like other similar devices, it features an advanced obstacle detection and avoidance system. It will be available for €649.99.

The company also launched the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Pro. This model offers a suction power of 7000 Pa and stands out for a tank that empties automatically in just 13 seconds. It can also detect carpets to tweak the suction power levels when it’s required. Like the previous model, it includes an obstacle detection system. The X20 Pro’s 5,200 mAh battery allows it to clean continuously for 160 minutes. You can buy this model for €499.99.

Xiaomi TV Max 2025 series boasts huge 144 Hz displays

Moving into a completely different product category, the company launched the Xiaomi TV Max 2025 series. Available in 100″ and 85″ models, they stand as interesting options for those looking for high-end entertainment. The lineup integrates QLED displays with 4K UHD and support for 94% of the DCI-P3 color space. The TVs support a high refresh rate of 144 Hz for ultra-smooth images.

The company integrated technologies such as Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a cinematic experience. Xiaomi also considered gaming, including support for HDMI 2.1 with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium technologies. There’s a Filmmaker Mode specially designed for movies. Both models run Google TV and boast a premium design with reduced bezels. The 100″ and 85″ Xiaomi TV Max 2025 cost €1999.99 and €1299.99, respectively.

Xiaomi Buds 5 offer comfort, ANC, and HiFi audio

Audio fans are also in for a treat. The Xiaomi Buds 5 is a pair of semi-in-ear TWS earphones with impressive features. For the audio output, there are powerful 11 mm dual-magnet drivers and Harman AudioEFX tuning. They support the Qualcomm aptX Lossless codec to enjoy high-quality local files or services with HiFi plans, such as Tidal.

The earphones are compatible with adaptive ANC and multiple customizable ANC modes. The company boasts a high-quality triple microphone array designed with content creators in mind. Other features include wind cancellation during calls, up to 39 hours of battery life (including the charging case), and more. They can be yours for €99.99.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 and Xiaomi Watch 2

The new Xiaomi Smart Band 9 maintains the line’s approach by offering a lot for only a little money. The new model follows in the footsteps of the latest generations by being highly customizable, thanks to the availability of several straps and bands. The wearable supports monitoring for more than 150 sports, heart rate, and sleep quality. There is a new customizable linear haptic motor for notifications. Users can choose from more than 200 watch faces for any occasion. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers up to 21 days of use on a single charge. You can purchase the new budget wearable for just €39.99.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 is a Wear OS product that combines style and functionality. It is built around a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with high resolution and up to 600 nits of brightness. The Snapdragon W5+Gen 1 chip and 2 GB of RAM power the smartwatch. You can store your favorite songs and enjoy music without an internet connection thanks to the 32GB of onboard storage.

The device includes a new Pet Park feature to inspire you to get active. It basically works like a “Tamagotchi,” which you feed and watch grow according to your daily physical activity. The Mi Fitness App now offers interactive boxing lessons. Additionally, you can conveniently control the new Xiaomi TV Max 2025 lineup from the watch. Lastly, Xiaomi boasts up to 65 hours of battery life for the watch. It can be yours for a price of €169.99.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is back this year, returning on October 8 and 9. The “fall Prime Day” of sorts has served as the online retailer’s unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for the past few years.

We expect most of the deals to be Prime exclusives, meaning you must be an active Prime subscriber to get the discounts. There are always a couple of deals available for everyone, though, so it’s worth perusing Amazon’s site even if you don’t pay for Prime. It’s also worth doing so now because we’ve found a number of solid early Prime Day deals already available. These are the best of the bunch; we’ll be updating this post regularly in the lead-up to October Prime Day, so check back for the latest deals.

Prime Day deals on Apple gear

In addition to discounts on iPads and Apple Watches, you can save a bit on the new AirPods 4 right now. AirTags have a slight discount as well, both in single and multi-packs.

Prime Day deals on Amazon devices

It’s a safe bet that we’ll see even more Amazon gear discounted on October Prime Day, but for now, you can snag a Fire tablet on sale, as well as Ring and Blink security cameras for much cheaper than usual.

Prime Day deals on tech

Early Prime Day deals on tech include discounts on robot vacuums, webcams, smart plugs and more. There are also wireless earbuds and smartphones that you can grab for cheap, along with storage gear and power banks.

• Google Pixel 8a smartphone for $399 ($100 off): If you’re looking for an Android phone with a ton of advanced features and a reasonable price tag, the Pixel 8a is the best midrange smartphone you can get right now.

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 + $30 Amazon gift card for $229: The brand new Pixel Buds that are a solid choice for Pixel phone owners include a free $30 Amazon gift card in this bundle.

• Google Pixel Buds A-Series for $64 ($35 off): This is one of the best prices we’ve seen on Google’s budget-friendly wireless earbuds, which we praised for their solid sound quality, deep Google Assistant integration and small, comfortable design.

• Anker Nano Power Bank 10K for $32 ($8 off): This is the cheapest price we’ve seen for this 10K power bank that has a connecting USB-C cable built in.

• Baseus 30W/10000mAh MagSafe power bank for $28 ($18 off): Clip the 40-percent off coupon to get a record-low price on a power bank that earned a place in our guide to the best power banks you can buy. It quickly refills MagSafe-compatible phones and has a handy built-in cable.

• iRobot Roomba Vacuum and Mop Combo for $199 ($75 off): This Roomba can vacuum and mop floors all in one go, and it will automatically return to its charging base when it needs more juice.

• Logitech Brio 500 Full HD Webcam for $93 ($37 off): Our top pick for the best webcam you can buy right now is $37 off, a decent discount even if it’s not a record-low sale. If you spend a lot of your day on video calls, this will be a solid upgrade to your computer’s built-in cam. It has a wide field of view, auto-light correction and shoots 1080p video.

• Samsung T7 Shield (4TB) for $280 ($220 off): If you’re looking for a high-capacity portable SSD that can take a beating, this deal is the best price we’ve seen on the 4TB T7 Shield since June.

• Kasa Smart Plug EP25 (4-pack) for $34 ($16 off): These are our top pick in our guide to the best smart plugs available right now thanks to their compatibility across all four of the main smart home ecosystems, their easy setup process and reliable connection.

Streaming subscription deals

While these discounts aren’t technically October Prime day tech deals, we’d be remiss not to mention them. While sales on streaming services are becoming more common, there isn’t as much rhyme or reason to them as there is to, say, Amazon’s Prime Day sale cycle. That said, if you see a discount on a service you’ve been meaning to try, it’s worthwhile to jump on it.

Everything you need to know about October Prime Day 2024

When is October Prime Day 2024?

October Prime Day will be held on October 8 and 9 this year.

What is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day is a members-only sale event run by Amazon in which the online retailer has thousands of sales on its site that are exclusively available to those with an active Prime members.

How long is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day will last two full days.

What is on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days?

Most October Prime Day deals will not be revealed until the days of the event. However, in years past, we’ve seen everything from clothing to household essentials to outdoor gear go on sale during this event. Engadget cares most about tech deals, and in past fall Prime Days, we’ve seen things like phones, tablets, headphones, earbuds, robot vacuums, smart home gear and more receive deep discounts.

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to shop Prime Day deals?

Yes, because most deals will be Prime exclusives. However, there are always a few decent deals available to all Amazon shoppers, so it’s worth checking out Amazon’s site during October Prime Day to see where you can save even if you don’t pay for Prime.

Expired early Prime Day deals

• Apple 24-inch iMac (M3) for $1,100 ($200 off): The discount plus clippable coupon bring the final price for this Apple desktop down to the lowest we’ve seen.

• Apple Magic Mouse (black) for $85 ($15 off): The white version of Apple’s popular accessory is still cheaper at $68, but the black colorway rarely goes on sale. Both mice pair quickly and are relatively light with responsive touch gestures.

• Apple iPad Air (13-inch) for $720 ($80 off): The large model of our favorite iPad returns to one of its frequent sale prices. It’s about $20 more than its record low, but it’s still a good deal if you’ve been eyeing the 13-inch Air.

• Apple Pencil (1st gen) for $69 ($30 off): If you have a 10th-gen iPad or older, this is the stylus to get. We’ve seen this discount for a couple of weeks now, but it’s still $10 below the average sale price. It’s also discounted at Walmart.

• Samsung Pro Plus microSD card for $100 ($20 off): This newly released, 1TB variant is down to its best price yet. The Pro Plus is the top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards.

• Beats Fit Pro earbuds for $159 ($41 off): Our overall favorite pair of earbuds for running are on sale for $41 off. They’ve hit this price point often over the past few months, but it’s a decent discount on buds we found to be comfortable with a secure fit and great audio quality.

• Beats Studio Buds for $99 ($51 off): They’re a tad old at this point, but the Studio Buds remain a decent buy at under $100.

• Amazon Echo Show 5 + Sengled smart light bulb bundle for $60 ($50 off): This bundle gives you one of our favorite smart displays (which makes an excellent alarm clock) and a top pick in our best smart light bulbs guide at a 45-percent discount.

• iRobot Roomba Vac robot vacuum for $170 ($80 off): This affordable robo-vac is only $10 more than it was during July Prime Day right now, making it an even better option if you want a robot vacuum without spending a ton.

• 8BitDo Ultimate C wired gaming controller for $15 ($5 off): Now at $1 cheaper than it was during Prime Day in July, this 8BitDo accessory is an even better option for PC gamers or folks looking for a more comfortable Steam Deck controller.

• ASTRO Gaming A40 TR wired gaming headset for $100 ($30 off): Our pick for the best gaming headset is $30 off, a discount we’ve seen a few times this year. We found these to be comfortable with better sound than many headsets, but the mic performance is only OK.

• Anker 633 10K magnetic power bank for $40 ($40 off): This MagSafe-compatible charging bank has a built-in kickstand for propping up your iPhone, plus a 20W USB-C port for high-speed, wired charging.

• Anker MagSafe Charger Pad for $19.19 ($4.80 off): This Qi2 charging pad is back on sale for its all-time-low price, and it works with the latest iPhone 16 handsets.

• Anker Prime Power Bank 200W 20K with 100W charging base for $140 ($45 off): The top premium pick in our best power banks guide, this 20K brick can recharge most mobile devices and has a handy screen that shows you the power flowing out of it, as well as the remaining charge.

• Elgato Stream Deck+ for $170 ($30 off): Combine the discount with the clippable coupon to get a record-low price on this upgraded version of the standard Stream Deck.

• TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender for $20 ($30 off): Our top budget pick in our best Wi-Fi extenders guide is more than half off right now. While not a rare deal, it’s still a record-low price on a handy device that could help eliminate dead zones around your home.

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $40 ($20 off): An often recurring sale, this discount is only $5 more than the record low. In addition to streaming shows, we like it as a retro gaming emulator and it even lets you play current games through XBox Game Pass cloud gaming.

• Cosori 9-in-1 air frier for $90 ($30 off): This newer air fry from Cosori has nine preset cooking modes and a six-quart capacity that makes it just the right size to cook a good amount of food without taking up too much space on most countertops.

• Samsung Pro Plus microSD card (512GB) with adapter for $30 ($54 off): Now 64 percent off, this high-capacity microSD card is a great buy for anyone who needs extra storage for their camera, tablet or Nintendo Switch (or other handheld gaming console).

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice in the lead up to October Prime Day 2024.