US envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leaders in Egypt and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push Trump’s 15-point Gaza roadmap, which has already been rejected by Israel. Both Palestinians and Israelis are sceptical that an agreement is possible.
Published On 17 Aug 2026
Whenever I have to research a specific topic, I naturally turn to the web. However, I don’t always have the time to spend hours reading every article out there. Instead, I can ask an AI chatbot to tackle much of the initial work for me. A variety of popular AIs offer a Deep Research mode, which performs online research on your behalf. Just submit a request, and the AI searches the web for any relevant information. It then generates a detailed report, complete with sources.
You can try Deep Research with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and Grok. To put them to the test, I asked each one to research how GPS developed from its military origins to the commercial system we all rely on today. Here’s how each AI fared and which one was my favorite.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT provides two different versions of Deep Research. One is a full version, which offers an in-depth report that can take as long as 30 minutes to complete. The other is a lightweight option that creates a shorter and less in-depth report in only a few minutes. The version the AI uses will depend on your plan.
Free: No access to the full version of Deep Research and 15 uses of the lightweight version per month
Plus, Team, Edu: Users get 10 full and 15 lightweight queries per month
Pro: Users get 125 full and 125 lightweight requests per month
After you hit the limit for the full version, submissions automatically switch to the lightweight one.
(Credit: PCMag / OpenAI)
I used the ChatGPT website, but Deep Research is also available on the desktop (Windows, macOS) or mobile apps (iOS, Android). By default, Deep Research uses the latest GPT-5.5 model. As part of my test, I used my Plus subscription in one browser and a free account in another.
I clicked the plus icon and chose Deep Research, then submitted my query about GPS through the full and lightweight versions of Deep Research. Both provided a game plan with bullet points of the items it would include. I could edit the game plan, click the Start button, or wait 60 seconds for things to kick off on their own.
(Credit: PCMag / OpenAI)
After the research started, the AI told me what it was doing as it checked out different websites and fashioned its research. The details here were sparse. I had to wait until the research was completed to see all the actions taken.
In my testing, the full version took a whopping 49 minutes to search the web and compile the results, which was much longer than I expected. The lightweight one took only around five minutes. In both cases, I was alerted once the process finished.
The full version served up a detailed and in-depth report that felt just long enough. The information covered the progress of GPS from its early military days to its current commercial use, providing a timeline, a list of key uses of GPS, and a satisfying conclusion. The lightweight one offered a shorter report but still contained a hefty amount of information, more than it typically has in the past. Both addressed the topic to my satisfaction.
(Credit: PCMag / OpenAI)
Gemini’s Deep Research mode is available to both subscribers and free users. In the past, Google calculated your Gemini usage based on a set number of credits per day or per month. Now, the company has turned to a compute-based model that factors in the complexity of your prompt, the models and features you use, and the length of your chat. As it’s a more complex tool, Deep Research will eat up more of your usage than a regular query. Google breaks down the overall use of its AI as follows:
Free plan: Standard limits
AI Plus: Two times the standard limits
AI Pro: Four times the standard limits
AI Ultra ($100): Five times higher than AI Pro limits
AI Ultra ($200): Twenty times higher than AI Pro limits
(Credit: PCMag / Google)
To start, I typed my GPS query at the prompt, clicked the Plus icon, selected Deep Research, and submitted the request. Gemini’s Deep Research generated a research plan outlining how it would address my topic, which I could revise or approve. When I gave it my OK, Gemini took to the web to conduct its research.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)
With more detail than ChatGPT provided, Gemini kept me updated along the way, showing the actions it took and the websites it visited. The entire process took around eight minutes. The generated report was long and quite in-depth, neatly organized into logical sections with a timeline at the beginning and a table of different GPS systems at the end. The AI also included charts and diagrams to illustrate the topic, resulting in an interesting, informative, and effective report.
(Credit: PCMag / Google)
Perplexity’s Deep Research tool is accessible to paid subscribers and free users. In early 2025, Perplexity noted that paid Pro users got 500 queries each day, while free users received five queries per day. Those numbers may have changed over time, but subscribers can still use Deep Research much more frequently than free users can.
To dive in, I signed in to the Perplexity AI website, though apps for iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS are also available. At the prompt, I clicked the Search button, changed the mode to Deep Research, and submitted my request.
(Credit: PCMag / Perplexity)
I gave Perplexity’s research mode the same GPS topic to investigate. The AI kept me abreast of its mission, showing me specific areas it was researching and which websites it was consulting. Perplexity compiled its findings and presented its report in about three minutes. The results were acceptable, but they paled in comparison to those from ChatGPT and Gemini. Perplexity’s report was quite short and lacked the depth and analysis provided by the other AIs. As a quick read, it was fine, but I wanted more; it failed to deliver.
(Credit: PCMag / Perplexity)
Like ChatGPT, Elon Musk’s Grok also offers two flavors for its deep research mode. DeepSearch checks a vast number of online sources, though not all are useful or reliable. This mode is also quick at completing its research. DeeperSearch is a more advanced version that consults more high-quality sources and takes longer to run, but should present a more in-depth report. Whichever mode you use, the number of queries you’re able to run depends on your subscription plan as follows:
Free: Five to 10 Deep Search queries and two to three Deeper Search queries per day.
X Premium: 10 to 20 Deep Search queries and five to 10 Deeper Search queries every two to 24 hours
X Premium+, SuperGrok: 20 to 30 Deep Search queries every two hours and 10 Deeper Search queries every two hours
SuperGrok Heavy: Nearly unlimited number of Deep Search and 10 Deeper Search queries
You can use Grok and DeepSearch directly on X (aka Twitter), its dedicated Grok web page, and its mobile app (iOS, Android). To get started, you’re supposed to access Deep Search from the menu in Grok, but that option didn’t appear for me. Instead, I typed the following: “Use Deep Search: Describe how GPS developed from its military origins to the commercial system that we all rely on today.” I also ran the same type of query using Deeper Search.
(Credit: PCMag / xAI)
Using DeepSearch mode, the AI completed the process in only five seconds. DeeperSearch took around the same amount of time. The DeepSearch report was informative but brief, lacking real depth or analysis. The DeeperSearch version was slightly longer and more in-depth, but still lacked the detail and analysis I wanted.
(Credit: PCMag / xAI)
Based on my specific query concerning GPS, which AI performed the best? I give the nod to Gemini. Its report was the most thorough and in-depth, and easy and interesting to read. ChatGPT came in a close second, but lost points for taking a surprisingly long time to generate.
That still leaves the issue of veracity. We know that AI is fallible and prone to hallucinations. How can you tell if the information you get in a Deep Research report is accurate? Here, Deep Research offers a couple of benefits. First, this type of research typically consults the most reliable, high-quality online sources, rejecting those deemed of lower quality. Second, you can easily view the original sources to double-check the results. Yes, that can be time-consuming to do with a lengthy report. But you can still check a few points in the report with the corresponding sources to see how they match up.
Of course, this is all based on just one query. Still, I’d favor Gemini or ChatGPT the next time you need an AI to research a topic for you.
5 Ways to Get More Out of Your ChatGPT Conversations
Lance Whitney
Contributor
Experience
I’ve been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I’ve written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I’ve also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.
I’ve used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I’m well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I’m always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that’s become another key area for me.
My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it’s time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.
Lisa Barlow is preparing to release the highly anticipated follow-up to her first single “Baby Gorgeous.”
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star’s next track, entitled “Echoes of You,” will be out in September, The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal.
“It’s in the same family as ‘Baby Gorgeous,’ it feels very Dua Lipa-esque,” she tells THR. “It’s this super sexy dance song. It has a lot of strings and this insane disco vibe, but very 2026.”
Barlow dropped “Baby Gorgeous” in early June, and she’s been “blown away” by the reception to the track, which embodies the idea of “this inner confidence that no one can take away from you.” Fans have gone crazy for the track online, which has been touching for the Housewife to take in.
“It’s about knowing you and being 100 percent you and finding your people, and walking with them… It’s literally the most empowering song,” she says. “Having people say, ‘These lyrics mean so much to me,’ some people really get it. They feel the mantras behind it… I’m in my pop star era, and I love it.”
But Barlow is anticipating an even better reaction to “Echoes of You,” which she says gives “Baby Gorgeous” a run for its money (and will be a part of a larger EP).
“I actually played it for my vocal coach this morning, and she’s like, ‘I didn’t think you could do better than ‘Baby Gorgeous,’ [but] you might have beat ‘Baby Gorgeous,’” she says.
Below, Barlow dishes on why she wanted to pursue music, shares details about her upcoming song “Echoes of You,” what artist she’d love to open for one day and teases the next season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: “There’s stuff that is going to blow people away.”
***
What made you want to pursue music and put out a song?
I love singing. It started when I was really young in elementary school. My mom had six kids, and she’s like, everyone has to magnify their talents, and she knew I loved to sing, and she put me in community theaters. There was this road show community theater where you could do mixed up musicals and sing. My first solo was in fifth grade, and I still remember it by heart. It was the most epic feeling for me to be on a stage.
This year, I told [my husband] John [Barlow] — we go for walks, four mile walks every day, unless it’s a bad snowstorm in the winter — I was like, “I’m gonna start singing again, what do you think about that?” And he totally encouraged it. He’s like, “You need to start doing this. You love to sing.” He was so supportive that I had to just jump in. In our community, I had great connections, so I found the best producing team. I found another songwriter that I could really bounce ideas that I had off of, and I was like, “Let’s just go for this.”
What has taking in the reaction to “Baby Gorgeous” been like? People love it.
It’s addictive. The day it launched, I was in the middle of filming a commercial, and I don’t know if that was a blessing or a curse because I couldn’t log on. I couldn’t see what was happening on Spotify. I didn’t know what the reaction from fans was, I had no connection to anybody on social, so I just had to check out. And after 24 hours, when we saw how many streams we had on Spotify and the reaction to fans online, I was blown away.
The process for making “Baby Gorgeous” was so important to me. There’s so many songs that affect your mood. You listen to a song, and it can create nostalgic feelings, it can ensue feelings of sadness, or if you’re with your boyfriend or girlfriend or husband or wife or your partner, you could start to feel a certain way listening to music about your relationship. When we were creating “Baby Gorgeous,” I wanted it to be a pep talk. With one of my co-songwriters, I said, “Let me give you a pep talk, and this is going to be our song.” I was just telling him my mantras, how I live my life, what I do that’s different from everybody else, how I stay positive, and what I wish other people could hear. I learned how to play piano and flute the Suzuki method growing up, so I hear a lot of numbers with songs. I can hear a song in a movie or on the radio and sit down at the piano and basically figure out how to play it. So for me, I was like, It has to sound like this. It needs this energy in it.
I had one fan say, “What did you put in ‘Baby Gorgeous?’ It’s like crack.” I think it’s all the positivity about it. It’s about confidence. It’s about knowing you and being 100 percent you and finding your people, and walking with them, strutting with them. No one has the right to tell you who you are. They can think you’re one thing, but you know exactly who you are. It’s literally the most empowering song. If you wake up and you’re having a shit day, turn on “Baby Gorgeous.” It’ll change the whole mood.
Lisa Barlow
Matthew Dippel
This is not where your music journey is going to end. You have some news you want to reveal with us, so I want to give you the floor to do so.
I have a new song coming out very soon; the title is “Echoes of You.” It’s in the same family as “Baby Gorgeous,” it feels very Dua Lipa-esque. It is a timeless song. I feel like people will be singing it for decades. It is so fun. It is so sexy. Picture yourself going out and meeting the person that you are like, That’s my person. It’s the way you look at this person. It’s the energy you feel from this person. It’s how you would find them in any time, any space. It’s this super sexy dance song. It has a lot of strings and this insane disco vibe, but very 2026.
When I was writing it, I would be in the car and I’d have to pull over because the lyrics were just coming to me. It’s such a vibe, and the way it’s all come together with ease has been so amazing. It’s magnetic. People love “Baby Gorgeous,” [but] “Echoes of You” is going to give “Baby Gorgeous” a run for its money. When you hear the lyrics to my song, you’ll understand why it’s called “Echoes of You.” It’ll bring you in. It’ll make you feel euphoric. It gives you that confidence. It’s sexy. It’s moody. Very European dance feeling. I actually played it for my vocal coach this morning, and she’s like, “I didn’t think you could do better than ‘Baby Gorgeous,’ [but] you might have beat ‘Baby Gorgeous.’”
When can fans expect for this to come out?
September, and I think it’s a seasonless song, just like “Baby Gorgeous” is too. Andy Cohen just said [“Baby Gorgeous”] is the song of the summer. Fans have been calling it the song of the summer, which has been so amazing for me as a new artist. But it’s a seasonless song; it’s a timeless song. You can expect to hear [“Echoes of You”] in September. I think it’s going to blow people away.
The Salt Lake City trailer recently came out, and in it, there was this clip of you and Meredith, where you were singing the lyrics, “Hypocrisy and bullshit, bullshit, bullshit…”
“Hypocrisy and bullshit, bullshit.” You’ll see more of “Hypocrisy and Bullshit,” and it’s a vibe. I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say the whole room was singing it with me.
Is that another song that you’re going to release soon? Is that going to be a part of an EP?
It will be a part of an EP. It’s good. It’s a totally different vibe. That’s more a sick hip hop beat behind it. Everything that I do in songwriting, I don’t think a lot of people realize, like, I have a marketing company; I’m a creative, and [music] is a fun way for me to express my creative side. I’m really quick-witted, and you can feel it in my lyrics. The way things come together, I can create a vibe. And “Hypocrisy and Bullshit” is a total vibe. The crew was singing it. They’re still singing it. Whenever I go to confessionals, they’re like, “Hypocrisy and bullshit, bullshit.” But it’s kind of the theme of the season too.
That’s a good tease for Salt Lake.
You what I want to say about Salt Lake? Our trailer was amazing, but it gave nothing away. When I hear fans talking about what they think is going to happen this season, it is 180 from what you think is going to happen. There are parts of it that are spot on, and there’s other stuff that is going to blow people away. I think it’s one of our best seasons ever. I love the teaser. A lot of times, the trailer dropping gives away all the boom moments. Ours gave away, like, none. It’s so good. It’s a great season.
We’re also watching you on Ultimate Girls Trip. What was your reaction when you got the call and learned that you were going to be representing Salt Lake City on this landmark girls trip?
I was doing Watch What Happens Live, and Andy [Cohen] came in my dressing room, and he’s like, “I want to tell you something so bad, but I can’t yet. But something big’s gonna happen.” And I’m like, “Andy, you have to tell me!” The winter before, we were in London together on a project for Bravo and Hayu, so I’m like, “Are we going back to London?” and he’s like, “It’s not London.” And I’m like, “Does it require travel?” And he’s like, “I’m not answering any more questions.” He halted, and my mind raced, and then I kind of put it to bed. But every now and then, I would be like, “What project is Andy talking about?”
So I get the call that I’m being asked to be on Girls Trip, I screamed. I was key in bringing Housewives to Salt Lake, so it felt like such an honor and big deal. It was almost like Bravo was giving me flowers. And then I get a text from Andy, and he’s like, “What are you thinking? How are you feeling?” And I’m like, “I am dying.” And he’s like, “I knew you would be so excited.” He’s been amazing throughout my whole vocal journey too. You’ll see how things transpire on RHOSLC with my music this season. But there’s one key moment where it’s a big deal for me, and offline in private, Andy sent me the sweetest message. It means so much to me that he checks in on those big deal moments.
With “Baby Gorgeous,” I just feel so grateful that people were open to me. They’ve gone from watching me sing “Away in a Manger” in my own cadence to where I am today, and it’s been so fun to have the fans use it as songs for their children, their dogs, for girls’ nights out, for magnificent moments. Having people say, “These lyrics mean so much to me,” some people really get it. They feel the mantras behind it, and that’s always really touching too. I’m in my pop star era, and I love it.
Lisa Barlow
Matthew Dippel
What else is next for Baby Gorgeous?
I really want to be on a big stage. That’s a goal of mine. That’s going to happen. We’ve joked around about it for years, but underneath it all, I knew I was going to do this. I love daydreaming. I think everybody should daydream. Like, turn your phone off, have silence, and really daydream. But when I close my eyes and see myself, I’m on a stage, and that’s what I’m going to be doing; performing. I want to open for someone major with my music. That’s next for me. I do have another project on Bravo that is epic that people are going to die over too.
Like, a series coming out?
Not quite a series, but I’m part of something really, really special, and I think fans are going to get to see me in such a different light. I’m very excited about it.
Who would be your dream artist to open for?
Dua Lipa. I love Raye. Listening to Raye sing “Ice Cream Man” and some of her beautiful songs, I love her. But Dua Lipa, I feel like she and I kind of have a very similar vibe. I think you’ll really hear it in my new song, “Echoes of You.” She’s someone I would love to open up for. Shiny, smooth hair girls forever. (Laughs.)
***
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Bravo, streaming on Peacock the next day; The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premieres on Bravo on Wednesday Sept. 16.
Walmart is doing it again, bringing us big tech savings before the back-to-school shopping. Plenty of major brands are already offering early discounts to make upgrading your setup a little easier on your wallet. Whether you’re looking to refresh your workspace (for homework or working at home), track your health and fitness (especially your sleep), or pick up some new gaming gear (for a break from all that studying), these deals are worth checking out.
I’ve rounded up some of the best Walmart Deals of the Day, featuring standout products from brands like HP, Garmin, Razer, and more. We’ll keep updating this list throughout the week as new offers go live, so you can find the best savings without having to dig through endless deals yourself.
Powered by an Intel N150 processor and a crisp 2K IPS display, this HP Chromebook makes quick work of class projects, video calls, and streaming. The built-in Titan C security and automatic updates protect your work, while a 16:10 aspect ratio lets you view more content with less scrolling. Plus, you get three months of Google AI Pro (including Gemini and NotebookLM) to organize notes and draft papers faster. Right now, you can get it for $299, which is a massive 48% off its actual price of $549. Don’t overthink it.
If you need more options, take a look at PCMag expert Brian Westover’s list of the best Chromebooks for 2026, and take your pick.
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Built for reliable daily study sessions, this 15.6-inch HP laptop pairs an Intel N250 processor with an expansive 85% screen-to-body ratio display. Students can press the dedicated Microsoft Copilot key for instant study assistance, while the built-in HD camera features a physical privacy shutter for secure online classes. With nearly 11 hours of battery life and HP Fast Charge support, it will easily power through a full day of lectures for just $229 right now.
You can also take a look at our PCMag expert’s list of the best budget laptops for 2026 for more options.
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HP’s OmniBook 5 Next Gen AI PC is a total powerhouse for students tackling demanding workloads, from data analysis to creative projects. Driven by an AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor featuring up to 50 NPU TOPS, it unlocks exclusive on-device Copilot+ AI features to summarize research, draft ideas, and boost efficiency. With a spacious 16-inch 2K touchscreen, 1TB NVMe SSD, and all-day battery life, it’s available at an incredible value of $749, which is almost 50% off.
HP’s OmniBook 3 is an absolute powerhouse for university students, packing an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor with integrated NPU AI acceleration. Its spacious 16-inch 2K IPS display features a productivity-focused 16:10 aspect ratio so you can view more notes and slides with less scrolling. Equipped with 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM, a massive 1TB SSD, and an FHD IR web camera with hardware privacy shutters, it’s a stellar primary study PC, now available at over 50% off!
But if you want something different, check out our PCMag expert’s list of the best laptops for 2026, and you’ll find something you like.
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Built as a high-end desktop replacement, the 18-inch Asus ROG Strix G18 powers through heavy 3D rendering, coding, and competitive gaming. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, making it easy to handle demanding workloads while delivering impressive visuals.
PCMag expert Matthew Buzzi said that “flexing top-tier CPU and GPU muscle, the Asus ROG Strix G18 delivers elite gaming and creator performance at an approachable price for an 18-inch powerhouse” in his in-depth review. With an 18-inch 240Hz WQXGA display with G-Sync, vapor chamber cooling, and fast-charging capabilities, your gaming (and study) marathons will run smoothly for over $600 off right now.
The Alienware 15 is built for students who need a high-power machine for lectures, coding, and high-fps gaming. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 220 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, it effortlessly manages heavy multitasking and ray-traced visuals. Its 15.3-inch 16:10 165-hertz display offers extra vertical space for viewing documents, while F7 Stealth Mode instantly quietens fan noise for quiet library study sessions. Get it now for $899, which is 31% off, and press play to save big.
You can also take a look at our PCMag expert’s list of the best gaming laptops for 2026 for more options.
The Acer Nitro V 15 is a power-packed dual-threat for students who balance heavy multitasking with high-fps gaming. Powered by an Intel Core 5 processor and an AI-accelerated Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, it seamlessly handles video editing, 3D rendering, and competitive gaming. You get a buttery-smooth 165-hertz full HD display and dual-fan cooling that ensures crisp visuals and quiet operation during study marathons or late-night gaming sessions. Right now, you can get it for $899, which is 31% lower than its retail value. Game on!
You can also dive into the details with PCMag expert Matthew Buzzi’s in-depth review for more insight.
Featuring a sleek Translucent Black cyberpunk design, the 15.6-inch MSI Cyborg offers next-gen gaming power in a lightweight, 4.29-pound chassis. Equipped with an Intel Core 5 210H processor and an AI-accelerated Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU, it seamlessly handles multi-tab study marathons and fast-paced e sports games. Its smooth 144-hertz Full HD IPS display ensures sharp, tear-free tracking, making it an unbeatable budget-friendly study and gaming laptop under $950.
You can check out its in-depth review by PCMag expert Marshall Honorof, who says that “the MSI Cyborg 15 is a well-built budget gaming laptop with high-quality components and punchy enough performance at an approachable price.”
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The Galaxy Watch 8 serves as a personal health coach for busy students balancing academics and wellness. Advanced Sleep Tracking and AI-driven Energy Scores analyze your nightly rest to help you tackle early morning classes, while a built-in Running Coach offers real-time workout feedback. Its lightweight design and long battery life make it effortless to track fitness, check notifications, and manage daily tasks right from your wrist.
Our expert, Andrew Ghebart, gave the Galaxy Watch 8 an “Excellent” rating and gave it an Editors’ Choice award, praising its upgrades in his in-depth review. Get it now for $299, a massive 45% discount off its retail price of $549.99. Don’t just watch, get one now!
The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is an ideal health and productivity partner for students balancing academics with wellness goals. Galaxy AI calculates a daily Energy Score based on sleep quality to let you know your readiness for morning lectures or campus workouts. You get improved heart rate tracking, sleep apnea detection, and AI-driven Suggested Replies for text messages to keep you connected and healthy throughout the day.
Our PCMag expert rated it “Excellent,” and said that its AI features and robust sleep sensing help it outpace increasingly competitive Wear OS alternatives, in his in-depth review. Get it now for $169, which is 32% off, and take charge of your well-being.
Whether you’re joining a campus sports team or squeezing in a morning jog before lectures, the Forerunner 55 makes tracking your fitness simple. It monitors heart rate, pace, and distance while offering tailored daily workout suggestions based on your recovery level. With up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, you can wear it through study sessions, workouts, and sleep without constantly searching for a charger. It’s available now for $129, that’s 35% lower than its retail value of $199.99. Now is the time to grab this deal.
You can also check out our expert’s list of the best smartwatches for 2026 for more options.
Featuring a larger, more durable display and speedy 5G connectivity, the Apple Watch Series 11 keeps students connected and healthy. Apple’s advanced health tracking includes hypertension notifications, sleep quality scores, and overnight monitoring of your vitals, while Apple Intelligence powers your workout metrics.
Our PCMag expert rated it “Outstanding” and also gave it our Editors’ Choice award in his in-depth review. As Andrew said, “The Apple Watch Series 11 improves on its predecessor with longer battery life, a stronger glass cover for improved scratch resistance, and optional 5G connectivity.” With 24-hour battery life, fast charging, and crash detection, it’s a reliable campus assistant for $100 off.
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The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a lightweight health band designed to help students effortlessly track stress, workouts, and nightly sleep quality. With 24/7 heart rate monitoring, skin temperature tracking, and a Daily Readiness Score, it provides actionable wellness insights right on your wrist.
It got an “Excellent” rating from our PCMag expert, Angela Moscaritolo, who also gave it our Editors’ Choice award. As Angela said in her in-depth review, “With long battery life, a color touchscreen, and all the basic activity and sleep features you need, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best fitness tracker you can get.” At under $80 now, it’s a budget-friendly health hack.
Fitbit’s Versa 4 smartwatch acts as a personal fitness coach for students balancing active campus routines. Built-in GPS tracks outdoor runs and cycling routes accurately without needing your phone, while over 40 exercise modes and Active Zone Minutes monitor workout intensity in real time.
Our PCMag expert rated it “Excellent,” calling it “an excellent fitness-focused smartwatch with welcome design improvements over the last generation,” in her in-depth review. Boasting a thin, comfortable design with over six days of battery life and fast charging, it keeps you connected with wrist notifications and health tracking for 20% off.
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The Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones treat you to immersive sound and adaptive Active Noise Cancelling to shut out ambient library distractions. Its Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking brings movies and music to life, while USB-C connectivity supports high-resolution lossless audio. Offering up to 40 hours of total battery life and a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge that adds 4 hours of playback, they’re a steal at $169.95.
You can take a look at its in-depth review by our PCMag expert, Tim Gideon, for more insight.
JBL’s Tune 670NC on-ear headphones give you Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient technology to block out noisy study halls or keep you aware of campus traffic. With an incredible 70 hours of battery life per charge, plus a 5-minute quick charge that adds 3 hours of playback, they easily get you through a full week of lectures without an outlet. Lightweight, foldable, and customizable via the JBL app, they are a fantastic pick for under $60.
JBL’s Tune 770NC over-ear headphones give you Adaptive Noise Cancelling to block out noisy study halls while boasting a staggering 70-hour battery life, which can last through a full week of lectures. A 5-minute fast charge adds 3 hours of playback, while multi-point Bluetooth 5.3 allows instant switching between your laptop and phone. You can check out its in-depth review by our PCMag expert for more details. Foldable, lightweight, and customizable via the JBL app, these headphones are available now for $89.95, which is a fantastic 40% off.
The JBL Tune 520BT headphones offer iconic Pure Bass sound in an ultra-lightweight, foldable design that easily stows into any backpack. Boasting an outstanding 57-hour battery life, plus a quick 5-minute charge that adds 3 hours of playtime, they are built to power through days of classes without needing an outlet. You also get multi-point connectivity to seamlessly switch audio from a study laptop to incoming phone calls for under $40. Tune in with this deal before it goes silent.
And for more options, take a look at PCMag expert Will Greenwald’s list of the best Bluetooth headsets for 2026.
Apple’s flagship AirPods Max 2 headphones feature the H2 chip to deliver 1.5x more effective noise cancellation, keeping library distractions at bay. USB-C connectivity enables high-resolution lossless audio, while Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, breaks down language barriers on campus. You get memory foam ear cushions and up to 20 hours of battery life with Spatial Audio enabled, to provide the ultimate study experience for $100 off.
No wonder that our PCMag expert, Eric Zeman, gave it an “Outstanding” rating in his in-depth review, and gave it our Editors’ Choice award for pairing class-leading noise cancellation and excellent sound quality with a gorgeous design and unmatched Apple ecosystem integration.
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The Beats Studio Buds+ deliver rich, balanced sound with two-layer transducers that produce deep bass and minimal distortion. The acoustic vents relieve in-ear pressure for all-day wearing comfort, while adaptive Active Noise Cancelling lets you tune out campus chatter at the touch of a button.
Our PCMag expert rated them “Excellent,” and loved how they “seamlessly integrate with Apple devices, deliver vibrant sound, and offer some of the best noise cancellation” in his in-depth review. Featuring seamless one-touch pairing for both iOS and Android, upgraded voice-targeting mics, and up to 36 hours of total listening time, they are a steal under $100.
Housed in Beats’ smallest case ever, the Beats Solo Buds pack mighty sound with an incredible 18 hours of continuous on-ear playback per charge. You get laser-cut acoustic vents, enhanced bass performance, and ergonomically angled nozzles to ensure a secure, natural seal. Designed to charge directly from your USB-C smartphone or laptop when you’re on the go, they provide effortless daily audio convenience for under $60.
As always, check out our PCMag expert’s list of the best wireless earbuds for 2026 for more options.
The Soundcore P25i earbuds give you thumping bass and rich audio detail for less than the cost of a textbook. With 10 hours of continuous playback and an extra 20 hours from the charging case, they power through days of lectures, workouts, and study sessions without needing a charge. Dual AI-enhanced microphones keep your voice crystal-clear during online group calls, while an attached lanyard clips conveniently onto backpack straps. Get it now for $14.88, which is a massive 62% discount, and treat your ears well.
JBL’s Vibe Flex 2 earbuds are built for busy student routines, featuring Punchy Pure Bass sound and Smart Ambient technology so you can stay aware of your surroundings in a minimal fashion. You get four built-in microphones to ensure your voice comes through clearly during online classes, and a multi-point connection that lets you switch effortlessly between your phone and laptop. With 40 hours of total playback time and water- and dust-resistance, they are a fantastic budget companion, and at a massive 47% discount, this is your chance to flex your savings muscle.
Equipped with 8mm dynamic drivers, the JBL Vibe Beam 2 earbuds pack punchy Pure Bass sound alongside Active Noise Cancelling and Smart Ambient modes so you can tune into lectures or stay aware on campus. Its four beamforming mics deliver crystal-clear voice clarity during outdoor phone calls, while Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair ensure effortless device switching. Enjoy up to 40 hours of total playback for under $40 with this deal.
The Bose Ultra Open earbuds feature an innovative clip-on design that delivers rich, private sound without blocking your ear canal. Bose Immersive Audio spatializes music into a three-dimensional experience, while Auto Volume dynamically adjusts audio levels as you move through noisy cafeterias or quiet libraries. You can check out its in-depth review by our PCMag expert for more insight. With IPX4 water resistance and a light-as-air grip for all-day comfort, they are a standout open-ear option at under $200.
The Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation intelligently reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears. Powered by Apple’s H2 chip, their Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC with Transparency mode, while Conversation Awareness automatically lowers volume when you speak to classmates. You also get an IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance rating and a compact wireless charging case for top-tier daily convenience.
Not only did our expert, Tim Gideon, rate them “Excellent,” but they also won our Editors’ Choice award for the best open earbuds. As Tim said in his in-depth review, “In addition to the best noise cancellation we’ve experienced in an open-ear design, the AirPods 4 deliver rich sound, advanced adaptive audio features, and tight iPhone integration.” Get it now for under $150, and treat your ears with the best.
Redesigned for superior all-day comfort and stability, the Apple AirPods 4 are a staple campus companion for taking calls, listening to lectures, and streaming playlists. Apple’s H2 chip leverages Voice Isolation to clarify your speech in loud cafeterias, while hands-free Siri Interactions let you handle notifications with head nods or shakes. You also get IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance and a compact USB-C case.
Our PCMag expert rated them “Excellent” in his in-depth review for offering exceptional audio performance in an open-ear design. Get them now for $99, that’s a rare 24% off on its actual price of $129.99, and treat your ears with the best.
AirPods Pro 3 give you incredible audio performance with twice the active noise cancellation of previous generations, making them ideal for noisy study halls or daily commutes. Their built-in heart rate sensing tracks workouts across campus, while Live Translation and automatic Conversation Boost ensure seamless communication.
Not only did the AirPods Pro 3 receive our rarest 5-out-of-5 star rating, but they also won our Editors’ Choice award, making them PCMag’s top pick for wireless earbuds. In his review, our PCMag expert called them “easily the best-sounding earphones Apple has made.” With five ear tip sizes for a secure fit and up to 8 hours of battery per charge, they’re an essential daily driver under $190.
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The JBL Charge 6 delivers massive audio performance in a travel-friendly design, utilizing AI Sound Boost algorithms to pump out rich bass and crisp highs. It doubles as a portable power bank to charge your smartphone during long days across campus and delivers an astounding 28 hours of playback per charge. PCMag expert Mark Knapp rated it “Excellent” in his 2025 review, praising its solid build quality and rich sound. Featuring Auracast multi-speaker linking, lossless playback support, and a rugged drop-proof shell, it’s a versatile powerhouse for $50 off.
If you need more options, check out PCMag expert Will Greenwald’s list of the best Bluetooth speakers, and take your pick.
Compact enough to hold in one hand, the JBL Grip packs punchy JBL Pro Sound powered by real-time AI Sound Boost optimization. Its rugged build boasts an industry-leading IP68 waterproof rating alongside drop protection that can withstand 1-meter falls onto concrete. With an integrated ambient mood light, Auracast multi-speaker pairing, and up to 14 hours of playtime with Playtime Boost, it’s a go-anywhere dorm essential for under $80.
You can also check out its in-depth review by PCMag expert Christian de Looper for more insight.
Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the JBL Go 5 delivers punchy bass and crystal-clear highs to soundtrack your study breaks. Its rugged IP68-rated casing is completely dust-proof, waterproof, and drop-proof against accidental fumbles on concrete. It comes with soft ambient edge lighting, lossless USB-C audio support, and AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking with another Go 5, making it an ultra-portable dorm essential for under $45. Get it now!
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TCL’s 27-inch P2A Pro monitor combines elite esports speed with breathtaking mini-LED visuals for an unbeatable dorm upgrade. Its blistering 320-hertz refresh rate and 1ms response time eliminate motion blur in fast-paced games, while local dimming and HDR800 brightness deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors. Featuring a built-in Crosshair Aim Guide and full ergonomic adjustments, this high-end 1440p display is currently available at a massive 54% discount.
But if you need more options, check out PCMag expert Zackery Cuevas’s list of the best gaming monitors for 2026.
Designed to elevate any dorm room desktop setup, the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C features an expansive QHD resolution with a deep 1000R curved panel that wraps around your field of view to draw you into the action. You get a fast 165-hertz refresh rate and 1ms response time to ensure blur-free competitive gaming, along with AMD FreeSync and Eye Saver Mode, making it a stellar dual-purpose gaming and study monitor for under $180.
You can also check out our PCMag expert’s list of the best curved monitors for 2026 to see more options.
Engineered for students who take their gaming as seriously as their studies, this 25-inch Samsung Odyssey monitor packs an ultrafast 240-hertz refresh rate and 1ms GtG response time for blur-free action. With Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium support, it eliminates screen tearing, while its Ultrawide Game View unlocks a 21:9 aspect ratio for an expanded field of view. You also get an ergonomic stand that tilts, swivels, and adjusts to fit any desk setup. Get it now for $159, which is 43% lower than its usual value of $279.99, and let the games begin!
Upgrade your desktop setup with LG’s 27-inch UltraGear monitor, featuring an immersive 1,000R curved QHD display that wraps around your field of view. Its blazing 180-hertz refresh rate and 1ms response time ensure buttery-smooth gameplay when unwinding after lectures, while AMD FreeSync prevents screen tearing. You get crisp 1440p resolution and a 99% sRGB color gamut, providing stunning clarity for detailed assignments and high-definition streaming alike. It’s available now for $134, that’s 33% off its original price of $199. Rise up the ranks with this deal.
The 31.5-inch Acer Nitro ED320Q wraps your field of view with an immersive 1500R curved display that keeps every corner at an equal viewing distance. A blistering 240-hertz refresh rate and 1ms response time eliminate input lag and motion blur for fast-paced competitive gaming, while AMD FreeSync Premium prevents screen tearing. Featuring a ZeroFrame design and HDR10 support, it’s a massive desktop upgrade for under $150. Do not wait!
Acer’s 27-inch SA273 monitor gives students extra screen real estate with a ZeroFrame design, ideal for dual-monitor multitasking. The AMD FreeSync and a fast 1ms response time eliminate screen tearing during gaming breaks, while 99% sRGB color coverage keeps visuals vivid. Plus, built-in AcerVisionCare tech shields your eyes from blue light and screen flicker during marathon homework sessions. It’s available now for $87, that’s a 27% discount on its actual price of $119.99. Get one, and thank me later.
You can always take a look at PCMag expert Tony Hoffman’s list of the best budget monitors for 2026 for more options.
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Weighing just 55 grams, the Razer Viper V3 Pro transitions effortlessly from detailed design projects and study sessions to competitive after-class gaming. Its Focus Pro 35K optical sensor tracks seamlessly across almost any surface, including glass dorm desks. Plus, with ultra-low latency 8K Hz HyperPolling and optical switches, you get instantaneous click response without lag.
Our expert, Zackery Cuevas, rated it “Excellent” in his review, calling it a stellar esports mouse and a worthy upgrade over the previous Viper V2 Pro. Right now, this one is on sale for under $120. Don’t miss this one.
Engineered for students who take gaming as seriously as their studies, the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed combines an iconic ergonomic shape with nine customizable controls for macros and shortcuts. Its ultra-low-latency HyperSpeed Wireless tech ensures pixel-precise tracking during intense matches, while Bluetooth mode extends battery life up to an astounding 535 hours. Featuring Gen 2 mechanical switches and customizable Chroma RGB lighting, it’s a top-tier desktop upgrade under $45.
You can also take a look at our PCMag expert’s list of the best gaming mice for 2026, if you need to see what else is out there.
The Logitech G305 Lightspeed combines competitive-grade gaming performance with long-lasting battery life, delivering 250 hours of continuous gameplay on a single AA battery. Featuring Logitech’s Hero 12,000 DPI optical sensor and ultra-fast 1ms Lightspeed wireless technology, it ensures lag-free tracking for gaming or study multitasking.
PCMag expert Gabe Carey rated it “Excellent” in his in-depth review, praising its high-end wireless tech at a modest price. Weighing just 99 grams with built-in nano receiver storage, it’s a high-performing portable companion, and right now it’s available under $40.
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For silent navigation, the Logitech Silent Wireless Mouse reduces click sounds by over 90% without sacrificing tactile feel. Its compact, ambidextrous shape comfortably fits into any laptop sleeve or pocket, while energy-efficient engineering delivers up to 18 months of battery life. Plug the tiny USB receiver into your laptop, Chromebook, or Mac, and enjoy smooth, reliable tracking across almost any surface for less than $10 right now.
You can also check out our PCMag expert’s list of the best wireless mice for 2026, and see what else is out there.
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Designed to eliminate clutter in living rooms or dorms, the Logitech K400 Plus features an integrated 3.5-inch touchpad alongside comfortable, quiet keys for controlling PC-to-TV streaming setups. Its 33-foot wireless range ensures uninterrupted control from anywhere in the room, while its plug-and-play USB receiver works instantly with Windows, Android, and ChromeOS. Offering up to 18 months of battery life and a spill-resistant design, it’s a convenient media controller under $30.
For more options, check out PCMag expert Zackery Cuevas‘ list of the best wireless keyboards for 2026.
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Tailor-made for dorm rooms and small study spaces, this 32-inch Samsung smart TV makes unwinding after class effortless. Powered by One UI Tizen, it offers instant access to popular streaming apps alongside over 2,700 free channels via Samsung TV Plus. Its Object Tracking Sound Lite delivers immersive audio that follows on-screen action, while built-in Samsung Knox protection secures your personal data across connected home devices – all for under $100 right now.
Designed for small spaces like dorm rooms or bedrooms, this 24-inch Vizio TV makes streaming your favorite shows effortless. The built-in Vizio Home OS provides instant access to top apps and free channels, while Active Pixel Tuning keeps colors vibrant. Plus, Bluetooth headphone pairing lets students watch TV late at night without disturbing roommates. At just $68, it’s a tiny TV with big value.
Upgrade your dorm or bedroom entertainment setup with Vizio’s 43-inch Quantum 4K Smart TV, featuring Quantum Dot technology. You get Wi-Fi 6 support to ensure lag-free 4K streaming and online gaming, and built-in Bluetooth listening, which lets you pair wireless headphones for late-night movie sessions without disturbing roommates. With Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and a voice remote included, it’s a feature-packed 4K display under $190.
You can also take a look at PCMag expert Will Greenwald’s list of the best budget TVs for 2026 for more options.
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Made for tight dorm rooms, the Canon Pixma TS3722 offers simple print, copy, and scan functionality at an ultralow price tag. Its two-cartridge hybrid ink system produces sharp document text and vivid photos, while dual-band Wi-Fi ensures a stable wireless connection to your laptop or phone. Easy to set up in minutes without a computer, it’s an effortless, budget-conscious choice for everyday printing, and right now it’s under $40.
You can also take a look at our PCMag expert’s list of the best inkjet printers for 2026 to check out more options.
Say goodbye to costly cartridge replacements mid-semester with the Canon Pixma G3272 MegaTank printer. Packing up to 2 years of ink in the box, its integrated tanks yield up to 6,000 black and 7,700 color pages for ultra-low printing costs. Its hybrid ink system ensures sharp text on assignments and vibrant borderless photos, while wireless connectivity lets you print effortlessly from smartphones or laptops. And you can get it now for almost 20% off.
Be sure to check out our PCMag expert’s list of the best Canon printers for 2026 to check out the best of the line-up.
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Keep the savings coming with more tech deals on Walmart today.
Heated Rivalry producers Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady say the queer hockey drama’s second season will lean on feeling over plot twists — and that fans already have most of the answers.
The producers behind HBO Max and Crave’s breakout queer romance Heated Rivalry are staying coy on specifics for season two — but not because there’s much left to hide.
“What’s so funny about the level of secrecy is like there’s a book — you can just look at it,” creator, writer and director Jacob Tierney said of the Rachel Reid novels, the Game Changers series, the show is adapted from. “It’ll tell you honestly, 90 percent of what you’d like to know is in that book.”
Season one of the series drew primarily from Heated Rivalry, Reid’s second Game Changers novel, which introduced the story of Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov’s (Connor Storrie), two on-ice rivals who develop a passionate, secret, long-term romantic relationship. Tierney also folded in elements and characters from the series’ first book, which centers on Scott Hunter (played by François Arnaud) and Kip Grady (played by actor Robbie G.K.).
For season two, Tierney has said the show will continue Shane and Ilya’s story, drawing primarily from Reid’s sixth book, The Long Game, which finds the pair now in a committed relationship and learning to build a life together while still hiding their feelings from the public. Season two will also weave in the storylines from book five, Role Model, whose plot runs concurrently with The Long Game‘s timeline. Role Model focuses on Troy, a professional hockey player who is traded to the Ottawa Centaurs in Reid’s source material, and Harris, the team’s social media manager. It was announced earlier this month that Charlie Gillespie has been cast as Troy, with Justice Smith to play Harris.
Tierney was careful to note that even with two books’ worth of story now in play, the show isn’t built to withhold plot from its audience. “This is not the usual suspects. Like, we’re not trying to hide a villain from you… there are books, read them, and then make two guesses, three guesses, and I bet two of them will be right,” he said. “It’s really this show is not built on secrets. It’s built on feelings and sensation. It’s a very visceral show. It’s very sensual in that way, and it’s all in the execution of it.”
Tierney is sharing writing duties on season two with Mike Goldbach — whose credits include Mayfair Witches and On Becoming a God in Central Florida — as co-writer. “Mike is such a good writer, and he’s been so amazingly helpful to me,” Tierney said, “We’re very happy with where we’re at with the scripts. We’re really happy with this cast.”
He noted that, as with the casting of Williams and Storrie, the new additions were cast “to make sure that we’re putting couples together that we think are going to just shine on the screen.” Some fans of the books have pushed back on the casting, arguing it departs from Reid’s description of Harris as stockier and less conventionally athletic-looking than his book counterpart. Reid has pushed back on this, posting on Instagram: “Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad.”
The show also announced other key season two castings to expand the Ottawa Centaurs roster. Emily Hampshire and Priyanka were also cast in two roles which originate from Reid’s third novel, Tough Guy, which suggests, as many suspected, Tierney’s plans to incorporate the other novels in the Game Changers series. But so far, there’s been no announcement on casting for that book’s lead couple: hockey enforcer Ryan Price and aspiring singer (and hockey hater) Fabian.
There has been no mention yet of adding characters or plot lines from Common Goal, Reid’s fourth novel in the series. But Kyle Swift, one half of that book’s leading couple, made a brief appearance in the first season of Heated Rivalry, played by Matthew Finlan.
Asked what he’s most looking forward to going into the new season, Tierney pointed to trusting his own instincts amid a much bigger spotlight than season one drew. “I’ve never experienced fandom like this before, and I have to just trust myself the way I trusted myself last time,” he said. “I’m gonna try to make the best show I can make — that’s really all I can do. I can never make everybody happy at the same time. I hope I can make a majority of you happy, and I hope you also just cut me the slack to wait and see.”
Season two of Heated Rivalry began shooting this year and is aiming for a spring 2027 release on Crave and HBO Max.
“It: Welcome to Derry” has been renewed for Season 2 at HBO.
The show originally premiered on HBO Max on Oct. 26, 2025. It is based on Stephen King’s “It” novel and builds on the two-part “It” film reboot from 2017 and 2019. The show serves as a prequel to the films.
The first season is mostly set in 1962 in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, and details earlier experiences the town’s residents had with the evil shape-shifting clown, Pennywise. Season 2 goes back in time to 1935 and takes place during the Great Depression. Per the logline, the story “centers on the bloody massacre of the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers who stop in Derry to buy ammo and end up facing unimaginable horror.” The Bradley Gang Massacre is one of the interludes in King’s original novel.
The series was developed for television by filmmakers Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, all of whom worked on the new “It” films. Brad Caleb Kane, who served as co-showrunner of Season 1 with Fuchs, is the sole showrunner of Season 2.
Casting has not yet been announced for Season 2, but the cast for Season 1 included Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe and Rudy Mancuso, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise.
Andy Muschietti directed multiple episodes of the first season. He and Barbara Muschietti executive produce through their Double Dream production company along with Kane, Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jamie Travis and Dhana Gilbert. It is produced by HBO and Warner Bros. Television.
Andy Muschietti told Variety earlier this month that a writers’ room had opened for Season 2, even though a renewal had not yet been formally announced. “There’s gonna be a lot of that depression-era hustling in the air in our characters. Everybody’s trying to get by and survive the circumstances. They are gonna do crazy things,” Muschietti said. “And of course, the social, cultural, horrible things that were happening in the era, too. We’re not going to skip those. [They are the] very center and the heart of our story.”
While Season 1 focused on the evil lurking underneath suburban comfort, Season 2 will have a different aesthetic. “In this case, on the surface, Derry is a graveyard almost. It’s a carcass of something because people are depleted, poor, tired, jobless, homeless. The kids don’t have a suburban, comforting life,” Muschietti said. “They’re in a very different situation. Some of them are orphans or runaways, and so the environment is pretty bleak. But there’s always the aspect of hope that is always there, burning, and it’s what keeps our new group going.”
The co-creator had previously told Variety of his three-season plan for “Welcome to Derry,” which would include an additional chapter on the book’s 1908-set interlude.
There are few genres that remain as evergreen and accessible as workplace comedies, especially since the average adult living in the U.S. will reportedly spend one-third of their lives at work.
“You are thrust into this very intimate setting where you have to work with people to accomplish something, but they’re not people you get to choose,” says Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat showrunner Anthony King. “When you’re actually having to work with clients or on some kind of project with someone, but then also eat lunch with them, that switch leads to so many interesting dynamics that we can all relate to.”
The Comeback co-creator Michael Patrick King notes that workplace comedies were initially conceived as a cost-effective way to make TV. “It’s very economically sound to have six funny characters in the same set week after week [with] no CGI dragons, no cars in New York saying it’s 1950,” he says, adding that he has always been drawn to the idea of examining “family that isn’t family” in a tense environment. “The best version of a workplace comedy is an evolution where you fall in love with people that maybe you don’t even like, but they’re good at their job and you have to deal with them.”
When Quinta Brunson first wrote the pilot for Abbott Elementary — which has become the genre’s defining hit of the decade — she was particularly interested in probing that thin line between the personal and professional to reveal the hearts of her eccentric ensemble. “Part of the fun is remembering that they’re people first,” Brunson says, noting that pulling her characters out of school or showing them outside of work hours allows viewers to uncover new layers that would have remained masked on the clock. “We keep that in mind to not pigeonhole them [and] instead show the full humanity of these people and how it connects to their job.”
The added complication for half of this year’s Emmy comedy writing nominees — Abbott, The Comeback and Company Retreat — was that the mockumentary format relies on characters who are acutely aware that they are being watched at all times, forcing writers to script a complex performance within a performance.
On Abbott, for instance, Brunson says that guest actors often struggle with “looking at the camera and talking and treating the camera as if it’s in the room.” Initially, Janelle James’ delightfully self-absorbed principal, Ava, was far more comfortable with the crew than the teachers. But over five seasons, Brunson points out, the staff has grown to treat the camera like any other well-acquainted co-worker.
By contrast, during the first season of The Comeback, Michael Patrick King says that “there was never a moment when Valerie,” played by co-creator Lisa Kudrow, “wasn’t aware of the camera.” Ultimately, “the tension of being aware of something, but not acknowledging it, made Lisa’s performance riveting but also made it so uncomfortable to watch, because you were aware there was a trapped character who knew what was happening,” he says. That tension remained until the end of season two, when Valerie “left the cameras behind” because the hospitalization of her close friend Mickey was “bigger to her than being on television.”
The third season, by design, mixes that familiar feeling of “Valerie trapped in front of a camera” with security footage of characters moving “like rats in a maze” being shown alongside private conversations where the handheld documentary-style aesthetic entirely drops away for classic single-camera coverage.
“In season three, the environment became so challenging to Valerie that she actually let go of trying to control the camera because there were too many other things to control,” Michael Patrick King says of his protagonist agonizing over starring in the first sitcom written by AI. “As Lisa said many, many times, there are cameras everywhere, so no one cares. There’s FaceTime walking down the street. Everyone’s curating their lives. You’re so comfortable seeing a camera that we actually even stopped acknowledging that it was there.”
The Company Retreat team similarly relied on a mix of visible and hidden cameras to heighten the believability of the world they built around their unsuspecting hero, Anthony Norman. But while the actors themselves are masterful improvisers, “the stories are very tightly scripted; there’s a lot of dialogue that’s provided,” Anthony King says. The difference, however, lies in the actors “having to just exist” within their roles to keep every moment feeling “real and natural.”
That illusion of spontaneity required rigorous preparation. During rehearsals, the team mapped out crucial story beats and potential contingencies. Once filming began, writers worked late into the night tweaking scenes for the next day, followed by secret morning meetings to keep the cast in sync. “It’s the most stressful set I’ve ever been on because you’re just constantly on edge,” Anthony King adds with a laugh. “But it’s also so thrilling because of the high-wire of it all. You’re getting to feel someone respond to what’s been written in real time.”
In comparison, Michael Patrick King reveals that The Comeback features “no ad- libbing.” Instead, Kudrow and the rest of the cast strictly adhered to the scripts to sustain the show’s fast-paced, carefully constructed satire. That high-wire precision paid off especially well in the final season, where he notes audiences began truly connecting with Valerie because “she became someone who showed herself as good at her job.
“The last monologue in the series is Valerie saying, ‘You might not always get the right job or whatever. Isn’t that what being a human is? You just keep going.’ We immediately went to ‘job or whatever’ because [being] an actress is a job; a television studio is a workplace,” Michael Patrick King adds. “So even in the last moment, we called it a job, not a part, because we wanted people to be able to relate to a person who goes to work and gets disappointed by what they don’t get and how they’re not seen. It may be a bigger part on The Comeback, but in the dynasty of workplace comedies, it’s really not getting the promotion.”
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
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Final Emmy voting is now open.
More than 20,000 Television Academy members have the final ballots in hand for the 78th Emmy Awards, with voting remaining open through Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 10 p.m. PT. When the envelopes begin opening — first during the two-night artisans ceremony, formerly known as the Creative Arts Emmys, on Sept. 5 and 6, and then during NBC’s Sept. 14 telecast from the Peacock Theater — some of the longest-standing records in Emmy history could fall.
HBO Max enters the final stretch as the most-nominated network, led by two of the year’s biggest contenders: reigning drama champion “The Pitt” and the fifth and final season of “Hacks.” But the night could produce history well beyond the top program races. Two actresses could tie the all-time record for acting wins on the same night. A limited series could accomplish something no program has done in the category’s history. The competition could produce just the fourth three-peat ever — or the first for a show celebrating its 50th season. And perhaps the most poignant possibility sits in guest actor in a comedy series, where Rob Reiner is nominated posthumously alongside Michael J. Fox. Either outcome would rewrite the record book.
Here’s a rundown of the records, milestones and fun facts among some of the nominees this year, category by category.
Nvidia has agreed to guarantee as much as $105 billion in lease payments tied to a major OpenAI data center project in Ohio being developed by SoftBank backed SB Energy, according to Reuters.
The chipmaker will also invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy and secure up to 8 gigawatts of AI computing capacity at the site. SB Energy will build, own and operate the campus for OpenAI under a 20 year lease.
The project will initially provide 4.25 gigawatts of capacity in Pike County, Ohio, with operations expected to begin in phases starting in 2028. Nvidia will exclusively supply the AI computing infrastructure and provide credit support for land, power and construction tied to the initial development.
Nvidia also has an option to secure the remaining 3.75 gigawatts of capacity.
SoftBank and SB Energy plan to build at least 10 gigawatts of new power generation and invest $4.2 billion in regional grid infrastructure through a partnership with AEP Ohio.
OpenAI said the project is expected to create about 35,000 construction jobs through 2032 and roughly 2,500 permanent operating jobs.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said OpenAI’s spending on Nvidia chips is expected to represent about $600 billion of computing capacity through 2030.
The investment follows a $1 billion commitment from OpenAI and SoftBank to SB Energy in January to expand data center and power infrastructure supporting the Stargate AI initiative.
Last week, Nvidia also partnered with six major financial institutions on computing financing platforms targeting more than $500 billion in third party funding for AI infrastructure.
