There are plenty of options on the market when you’re shopping for a new wearable. But if you’re keen to get the best smartwatch money can buy, you need not look too much further than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The only catch is the price — but this deal is here to help.

A limited-time Amazon deal has slashed the Apple Watch Ultra 2 down to the low price of $650. That’s a $149 discount on the usual asking price, but we’re not expecting this deal to last very long — if you want it, make sure you pick it up quickly.

This price is available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a few different configurations, but not all. We suggest choosing the one you like best and then making sure that your favorite is part of the deal before checking out.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

No matter which band you choose, you’ll get the same Apple Watch Ultra 2, which means a large-yet-comfortable 49mm size and a gorgeous display that’s easy to read even in direct sunlight. Its size also means that it has the longest-lasting battery of any Apple Watch, so you can go longer between charges. There’s even the option to enable a low power mode to eke every last bit of juice out of it if the need arises.

Each Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with cellular connectivity, so you can leave your iPhone at home while the corrosion-resistant titanium case is joined by a sapphire front crystal that makes it more resistant to scratches.

Like all Apple Watches, the Ultra 2 supports the same health and fitness features that have made these wearables so popular. You can track workouts, including heart rate zones and training load, among other things. All of that and more make this the go-to smartwatch for people who live an active life and want their wearable to keep up, no matter what they get up to.

Why this deal matters

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is often discounted, but prices can often be particularly volatile. This isn’t quite the best price we’ve seen this model sell for, but it isn’t far off. If you’re looking for a new smartwatch right now, then this $149 discount is perfect.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

The 5-Across clue in today’s Mini Crossword was easy-peasy for me. I used that app for an absolutely delightful message from Doug Jones of Star Trek and The Shape of Water fame. Read on for the answers if you get stuck. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Fire-resistant part of a redwood 
Answer: BARK

5A clue: App featuring personalized videos from celebrities
Answer: CAMEO

6A clue: Where to find sponges that are always wet
Answer: OCEAN

7A clue: Rousey in the U.F.C. Hall of Fame
Answer: RONDA

8A clue: Upturned parts of a canoe
Answer: ENDS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Bring home the ___
Answer: BACON

2D clue: Change, as a bill
Answer: AMEND

3D clue: Passes time at the beach, maybe
Answer: READS

4D clue: Beer brand with the Longboard Island Lager and Big Wave Golden Ale
Answer: KONA

5D clue: What planks, Russian twists and mountain climbers help to exercise
Answer: CORE

We’re only days away from the Microsoft Authenticator app no longer managing passwords. 

As of this Friday, you won’t be able to save or manage passwords, use two-factor authentication or auto-fill. And it won’t be your go-to password manager anymore, either. 

Earlier this summer, Microsoft announced it was moving from passwords to passkeys. So instead of creating a password with a mix of letters, symbols and numbers, you’ll use PINs, fingerprint scans, facial recognition or a pattern on your device’s lock screen to log in to your accounts. 

Passkeys are a safer alternative to the risky password habits we use, according to Attila Tomaschek, a CNET software senior writer and digital security expert. CNET’s password survey found that 49% of US adults have bad password habits. And using the same password for several accounts or one that’s easy to guess can put you at risk of hackers stealing your data. 

Yet, the switch to a new login process is coming up quickly. So it’s time to figure out how passkeys will work with Microsoft and to pick a new password manager. Here’s what you need to know to get started. 

Microsoft Authenticator will stop supporting passwords on Aug. 1

Microsoft Authenticator houses your passwords and lets you sign into all your Microsoft accounts using a PIN, facial recognition like Windows Hello or other biometric data like a fingerprint. Authenticator can be used in other ways, such as verifying you’re logging in if you forgot your password, or using two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security for your accounts. In June, the company stopped letting users add passwords to Authenticator.

As of this month, you won’t be able to use the autofill password function. And starting Aug. 1, you’ll no longer be able to use saved passwords.

If you still want to use passwords instead of passkeys, you can store them in Microsoft Edge. However, CNET experts recommend adopting passkeys during this transition. «Passkeys use public key cryptography to authenticate users, rather than relying on users themselves creating their own (often weak or reused) passwords to access their online accounts,» Tomaschek said.

Why passkeys are a better alternative to passwords

So what exactly is a passkey? It’s a credential created by the Fast Identity Online Alliance that uses biometric data or a PIN to verify your identity and access your account. Think about using your fingerprint or Face ID to log into your account. That’s generally safer than using a password that is easy to guess or susceptible to a phishing attack.

«Passwords can be cracked, whereas passkeys need both the public and the locally stored private key to authenticate users, which can help mitigate risks like falling victim to phishing and brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks,» said Tomaschek. 

Passkeys aren’t stored on servers like passwords. Instead, they’re stored only on your personal device. More conveniently, this takes the guesswork out of remembering your passwords and the need for a password manager.

How to set up a passkey in Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft said in a May 1 blog post that it will automatically detect the best passkey to set up and make that your default sign-in option. «If you have a password and ‘one-time code’ set up on your account, we’ll prompt you to sign in with your one-time code instead of your password. After you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to enroll a passkey. Then the next time you sign in, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your passkey,» according to the blog post.

To set up a new passkey, open your Authenticator app on your phone. Tap on your account and select «Set up a passkey.» You’ll be prompted to log in with your existing credentials. After you’re logged in, you can set up the passkey.

Other password manager alternatives 

Since Microsoft will get rid of all of your passwords in two weeks, you’ll need a new place to store your passwords safely. Tomaschek has a few of the best password manager recommendations after testing and reviewing several. 

The top recommendation is Bitwarden for its transparency. It’s open-source and audited annually. From a price perspective, the free plan lets you store infinite passwords across unlimited devices. The free plan also includes features most password managers would charge for, including password sharing and a username and password generator. 

Bitwarden’s upgraded plans have other upgraded features that could be worth the cost, too. 

Personally, Tomaschek has been using 1Password for a while, and he likes the interface and family plan. Even though it’s second on the list, Tomaschek says it’s just as good as Bitwarden.