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Deal of the Day: Amazon is now offering three months — for free — of its premium Audible membership

Deal of the Day: Amazon is now offering three months — for free — of its premium Audible membership

Through the end of the month, Amazon Prime members can get 3 free months of Audible Premium Plus, the online retailer’s audio entertainment platform featuring thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and more.

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Hey la, hey la, commutes are back(ish)! While the gradual re-opening of the world means more time on the roads and tubes, it also means those of us clamoring for designated podcast-listening and reading time are finally back in the game. Through the end of the month, Amazon Prime members can get 3 free months of Audible Premium Plus, the online retailer’s audio entertainment platform featuring thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and more. It also includes one free bestseller or new release of your choice every month, in addition to complete access to Audible’s expansive library. Once the trial ends, it’s $14.95/month (compared to the regular Audible Plus membership at $7.95/month). Don’t have a Prime membership yet but considering it? Check out this guide to see if Amazon Prime is worth it for you.  What reviewers say about Audible Premium Plus: The Premium Plus version of the Audible service is excellent for folks who are going to use it frequently to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, according to Wirecutter’s deal editor Nathan Burrow. “The primary difference between Premium Plus and Premium is the inclusion of a book a month of new releases and best sellers,” he tells MarketWatch Picks. “If you’re interested in these hot summer beach reads that will be on people’s radar this summer, then this trial is a great way to pursue it, see if it’s right for you and see if you want to continue.” Also, Burrow notes as far as subscriptions go, Audible is good at reminding you the triall is about to be over — they send a dedicated reminder email when your three months is almost up.  Learn more: Amazon Prime members can get 3 free months of Audible Premium Plus through July 31. Another great feature of the Premium Plus offering: You can bank the monthly bestseller or new release credits you don’t use. “The credits you earn are not ‘use or lose’,” writes product and tech review site DyerNews.com. “Instead, unused credits will roll over to the next month. That way if there’s a month where you forget to use your credit or just can’t find an appealing title, you can hold onto it for the future.”  For its part, Wirecutter includes Audible Premium Plus on a number of its gift guides. “We think it’s a great move if you’re in need of a last minute gift,” Burrow says. “This is a thing that you can get in a really timely way and still make somebody’s day when their birthday rolls around.”  Learn more: Amazon Prime members can get 3 free months of Audible Premium Plus through July 31. Some other things to consider: If you’re not a huge bookworm and/or you already listen to podcasts on another streaming platform, you may not get your money’s worth once the trial is through. “Ultimately with all these trials, we recommend ensuring that you’ve done an audit of your subscription services and perhaps decide from there whether or not you want to continue,” Burrow says.  About this column: Since you’re here, let me introduce myself: I’m Maddy Perkins, deputy commerce editor for MarketWatch Picks. I’m a recent convert to the audiobook format and took advantage of this deal myself! I’m also  a big online shopper who loves a good deal — particularly when it comes to cool kitchen gadgets, electronics, fashion and beauty products. I’ll be here a few times a week to share the best deals I can find online with you. Have anything you’d like me to hunt down? Write me at [email protected]. Cheers! 

The advice, recommendations or rankings expressed in this article are those of MarketWatch Picks, and have not been reviewed or endorsed by our commercial partners.

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Uber update lets you book party buses, electric vehicles

Uber update lets you book party buses, electric vehicles

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive officer of Uber Technologies Inc., smiles during a Bloomberg Technology television interview in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021.David Paul Morris | ReutersUber announced its latest slate of updates Monday ahead of what’s expected to be a busy travel and events season.The features, announced during its Go/Get virtual event, include:

  • A new option that lets you book a bus or passenger van.
  • A trip itinerary feature to help book rides throughout an extended trip, like a vacation, from one place to another.
  • Voice ordering
  • An electric vehicle hub for drivers.

Uber has been working toward becoming a “super app” as a way to diversify its offerings, which could potentially help drive long-term profitability. For example, the company is adding trains, buses, planes and car rentals to its U.K. app this summer.Here are the key offerings:Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsUber TravelUber will let users reserve rides for each part of their itinerary in one hub on the app. A user first connects their Gmail account to the app, then Uber pulls out reservation info and organizes flight, hotel and restaurant plans into one place for what it calls a “stress-free travel experience.” People who book with Uber Travel will get 10% back in Uber cash for each reserved ride. The feature rolls out Monday in the U.S. and in the coming weeks in Canada.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsUber CharterUber is extending its ride-hailing capabilities through a partnership with U.S. Coachways. The company will let people book large vehicles like a party bus, passenger van or coach bus directly in the app, with the pricing upfront. The feature will launch across the U.S. this summer.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsUber Eats at StadiumsUber is rolling out in-venue ordering on Uber Eats and Postmates at certain stadiums across the U.S. and France. Users will be able to place their orders from concessions at their respective stadiums and skip the line to pick up their order when it’s ready. Uber Eats at Stadiums is available in California at Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium; in New York at Yankee Stadium; in Washington, D.C. at Capital One Arena; in Houston at Minute Maid Park; in San Jose, California, at PayPal Park; and in Rennes, France, at Roazhon Park.Voice OrderingUsers can also start ordering Uber Eats with their Google Assistant through a new integration. All a customer has to do is say “OK Google,” and ask to order a meal from a restaurant on Uber Eats. The feature has started to roll out globally in English, and Uber will add more languages in the coming months.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsEV Hub and Charging MapUber has made a global commitment to become a zero-emissions mobility platform by 2040, but it will need to get drivers on board. With that, the company announced a new in-app system for drivers looking for more info on electric vehicles. The EV Hub is being billed as “a one-stop shop where they (drivers) can get information and incentives to join the electric revolution, and even compare the cost of ownership of an EV with a non-EV.” Uber is also adding a charging map to the Uber Driver app, which shows where the nearest EV chargers are located, what the charging speeds are and how to get there.Uber Comfort ElectricUber is rolling out comfort electric, which allows users to ride in a premium EV, such as a Tesla or Polestar. The feature is available Tuesday in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Dubai, and is expected to expand to other markets soon.Vouchers for EventsUsers can now cover the cost of rides for event guests with vouchers. The person hosting will enter the event details, the maximum amount they want to pay and share the generated code with their guests. The guests will determine their own pickup and drop-off times and their chosen location. .

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7 fitness apps beginners may want to check out

7 fitness apps beginners may want to check out

Indeed, thanks to fitness apps, we can access countless thousands of at-home workouts right from our smart devices

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Spring is coming — and some of you may finally want to make good on those promises to start a fitness routine, even if this season has plenty of April showers. Thanks to fitness apps, we can access countless thousands of at-home workouts right from our smart devices. Here are seven apps to check out that can help you get motivated, energized and fit.Free Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout® App  This popular — and free — app was designed by the Director of Exercise Physiology at the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute. The exercises and workouts can be mixed and matched to create over 1,000 variations. You can opt in or out of a warmup, cool down, and choose how much time you want to work out.  During your workout, you can listen to the trainer alone or layer in your own music (which is great, because — IMO —some workout music is intolerable.) As you use the app, you can fine-tune your preferences by giving workouts a thumbs-up or thumbs- down. And it can also be synced with the Apple Health app. The workouts have a pretty clinical aesthetic, so if you like more atmosphere in your workouts, this app may not be for you. Also see: Mansion Global Picks: Ditch the gym for high-end personal exercise equipmentFee-based STRÅLA HOME If you want start gently, try this app created by Stråla Yoga founders Tara Stiles and Mike Taylor. It offers thousands of videos of varying lengths, and regular opportunities for live virtual instruction. The workouts combine elements of tai chi, yoga, qigong, and traditional Chinese medicine to help to increase your fitness level and flexibility, and reduce stress. Price: $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. Free 7-day trial. THE FITNESS APP This app by fitness guru Jillian Michaels has won “best of” awards from both Google and Apple. Customizable fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness features can help you meet your goals with a workout routine that suits you, no matter your fitness level or time constraints. Workouts range from yoga, HIIT, kickboxing, and weights, to prenatal/postnatal, booty bands, and 5K training. Plus, you’ll have access to content from Michaels’ DVD collection. The app syncs with Apple Health, Apple Watch, MyFitnessPal, and many other devices and platforms. There is no live instruction.  Price:  $14.99 per month, $34.99 for 3 months, $119.99 per year. Free 7-day trial for new customers. CROSSFLOW – Heidi Kristoffer  In this app, super-bendy yogi Heidi Kristoffer fuses yoga with other disciplines in yoga-based routines for every fitness level, mood, duration, and stage of life. Among the 170+ videos: CrossFlowX™, a fast-moving mix of strength, core, and high-intensity cardio intervals; CrossFlowZ, which has gentle flows to help you relax and wind down; and CrossFlowP, which has prenatal and postnatal flows. There is no live instruction, but new videos are added each week. Price: $14.99 per month, $149 per year. Free 14-day trial.  If you’re tied to your smartwatch, here are two apps that link to your fitness watch to access more detailed analytics, including calories burned and steps taken. Fitbit Premium The regular Fitbit app is free. But if you’re looking for something more robust, the Premium subscription gives you access to 150+ guided video and audio workouts and programs from Fitbit instructors and from popular fitness brands like Daily Burn, barre3, and Yoga Studio by Gaiam. You can easily search workouts by difficulty, time, style, and more. Beyond the workouts, Fitbit Premium gives a deeper analysis of your data and access to guided programs for improving sleep and diet/nutrition, mindfulness activities for stress and sleep, and exclusive games and challenges.    Price: $9.99 per month, $80 a year. Free 90-day trial in many cases. Apple Fitness+  This app designed for the Apple Watch contains over 1000 videos in 11 disciplines, including Pilates, Strength, HIIT, Yoga, and Walking–in a wide range of lengths, taught by top, certified fitness instructors. The Apple Watch tracks your workouts and provides metrics that sync across your Apple devices. There are new workouts every week.  Price: $9.99 per month, $79.99 per year. If you own an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, you qualify for a 3-month trial of Apple Fitness+.

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