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Ah. April Fools\u2019 Day. The dreaded day when publishers like The Verge <\/em>have to second guess every news story or potential tip that lands in our Gmail inbox. Thankfully, when it comes to deals, things are often exactly what they appear to be. Take today\u2019s discount on Apple\u2019s sixth-gen iPad Mini<\/strong>, which is currently matching its all-time low of $399.99<\/a> ($100 off) at Amazon in the 64GB configuration with Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n My colleague Dan Seifert recently heralded Apple\u2019s newest iPad Mini as one of the best tablets for reading<\/a>, but it\u2019s suitable for a lot more than just burning through whatever the latest BookTok craze might be (spoiler: it\u2019s still Colleen Hoover). The revamped tablet is essentially a pint-sized version of the iPad Air<\/a> but with an 8.3-inch screen that\u2019s easier to hold than the 10.9-inch panel on the latter. What\u2019s more, the 2021 Mini boasts a USB-C port, a speedy A15 Bionic chip, and compatibility with the second-gen Apple Pencil \u2014 something that can\u2019t be said of the cheapest model in Apple\u2019s tablet lineup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The last couple of weeks or so has been ripe with earbud deals, offering solid discounts on everything from Google\u2019s Pixel A-Series (now $79<\/a>) to Jabra\u2019s ultra-reliable Elite 3 (now just under $60<\/a>). That said, we think the current $82 discount on Sony\u2019s WF-1000XM4<\/strong>, which knocks them back down to just $198 at Amazon<\/a> and Best Buy<\/a>, is the standout. The XM4 feature wireless charging, noise cancellation that\u2019s nearly on par with that of Bose, and warm sound that revels in the mid-low frequencies. Plus, now that Sony has rolled out multipoint support<\/a> to the XM4 alongside a range of other wireless earbuds, our biggest gripe with Sony\u2019s flagship model has been officially addressed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Unsurprisingly, the\u00a0Google Pixel 6A<\/strong>\u00a0continues to be one of the best values in the world of smartphones, one you can currently get in an unlocked configuration for $299 ($150 off) \u2014 an all-time low \u2014 at\u00a0Amazon<\/a>,\u00a0Target<\/a>, and Best Buy<\/a>. What\u2019s more, the latter retailer is offering an additional $50 off when you activate the device on one of the three major carriers, specifically AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We\u2019ve covered the Pixel 6A a lot, namely because Google keeps discounting it so much! The Android phone offers a lot of bang for the buck given it features a great (albeit,\u00a0slightly dated<\/a>) camera system and the same Google Tensor processor found in Google\u2019s last-gen flagship, the\u00a0Pixel 6<\/a>. The phone\u2019s 6.1-inch display is also a nice, friendly size that\u00a0feels just right to many of us<\/a>. Sure, the\u00a0Pixel 7A is likely to make its debut<\/a>\u00a0at Google I\/O next month, but the 6A is still a worthwhile purchase at its current promo price.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sonos\u2019 latest smart speaker, the Era 100<\/a>, might be the new default for some, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives for those looking to get into the smart home game without dropping a cool $249. Amazon\u2019s\u00a0fourth-gen Echo<\/strong>\u00a0is a prime example, and is currently available at\u00a0Amazon<\/a>,\u00a0Best Buy<\/a>, and\u00a0Target<\/a> on sale for $64.99 ($25 off).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The sound is not going to be as rich or as detailed as it might be with a higher-end speaker, but the latest Echo sounds remarkably robust, with a little bit of stereo separation and an admirable amount of bass for its size. It also packs all the Alexa-based smarts we\u2019ve come to associate with Echo devices, along with the ability to serve as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender<\/a> thanks to a recent OTA update that landed in the fall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n