Amazons official 2024 Black Friday Week deals go live today!
This is it folks, the official 2024 Amazon Black Friday Week deals are going live today. This year Amazon has decided it is kicking things off well ahead of Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday proper to launch a massive selection of price drops starting today, just as we previously reported all of the deals will be live at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:00 a.m. ET on November 21 (today). It looks like this year we will be working around the clock for over a full week to ensure the best deals are front and center for everyone leading up to what, at least used to be, the main event. more
The 10 best gaming monitors of 2024: tested and reviewed
After thoroughly evaluating numerous gaming displays, here are the top gaming monitors worth investing in for 2024.
Redmi Note 14 5G Series India Launch Set for December 9: Expected Specifications
Xiaomi will launch the Redmi Note 14 5G series in India next month, the company confirmed via its social media channels on Thursday. It will succeed the Note 13 series, which debuted in January, and may comprise three models: a base, a Pro, and a Pro+ variant. Xiaomis sub-brand already debuted its latest Note 14 series in China in September and the Indian, along with the global launch, is now expected to follow suit.
Amazon is offering some early Black Friday savings on the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer for $249 shipped, as well as several other tools and equipment from the brand. Youre looking at a 22% markdown here off its usual $320 price tag, discounts over 2024 having been spaced out the biggest of which came from Octobers Prime Day event where it hit a $212 low. Todays deal cuts a solid $71 off the going rate, giving you a great opportunity to score this higher-end tool among some of its lowest prices just $37 above the all-time lowest weve seen. more
The NBA will air a Christmas Day game with Disney characters
If you cant get your kids to sit through one of the five NBA games airing on Christmas Day, tune into Disney+, ESPN+ or ESPN2 for a special Disney-fied version. ESPN announced that it will air a Dunk the Halls broadcast of the San Antonio Spurs versus the New York Knicks featuring animated Disney characters. The broadcast starts at 12PM eastern. If you just want to watch the game played by regular, boring humans, that will also air on Disney+ and ESPN+ as well as ABC and ESPN. Dunk the Halls will use Sonys Beyond Sports technology to turn Madison Square Garden into Main Street USA from the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The game will also feature appearances from classic Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald and Daisy Duck as well as Santa and his elves from the animated Disney short Prep & Landing . This is the first time the NBA has arranged to air a game with animated characters and graphic overlays. Its also the latest game in a new trend of mixing live sports events with a networks signature cartoon characters. ESPN+, Disney+ and the NFL+ app will air an alternative version of the Bengals-Cowboys game on December 9 featuring virtual characters and scenes from The Simpsons . ESPN3s Full Court Press broadcasts use technology designed by Second Spectrum to create augmented graphics that track players movements and provide real time updates. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/the-nba-will-air-a-christmas-day-game-with-disney-characters-224921665.html?src=rss
How to fix reputation in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
You need all the friends you can get in the deadly Zone of Stalker 2. If you damage your reputation with a group, you will need to know how you can fix it.
How to upgrade and repair weapons and gear in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
When your weapon gets too much wear in Stalker 2 it will start to fail on you. To prevent it from jamming and improve it, here's how to repair and upgrade them.
Fortnite Crew subscriptions will soon contain every battle pass
Fortnite is implementing even more changes to how its battle pass system works.
Samsungs Black Friday sale has plenty of great appliance upgrades at some of their lowest prices, especially if youre a fan of the brands AI-advanced all-in-one washer/ventless dryer or its smart refrigerators . Another standout amongst this series of appliances is the brands Bespoke 4.6 cubic-foot AI Laundry Hub Large Capacity Single Unit Washer with a 7.6 cubic-foot Gas Dryer that is currently discounted to $1,799 shipped . Outside of this sale, youd normally have to pay $2,824 at full price, with the biggest discount weve seen in 2024 having dropped costs to $1,800 several months ago, with things keeping well above this rate since. Today though, youre looking at a new all-time low rate by $1, which comes in here to save you $1,025. If youre in need of a slightly larger size, there is its 5.3 cubic-foot counterpart (paired with a 7.6 cubic-foot electric or gas dryer) that also comes in a satin green colorway starting from $2,199 , which is down from its full $3,124 price tag. more
The Xbox Series X is $50 off at Walmart, but you need to hurry
The Microsoft Xbox Series X is on sale from Walmart with a $50 discount that drops its price to $448, but you have to hurry as the offer may end at any moment.
The best laptop power banks for 2024
Smaller battery packs are great for refiling phones and tablets, but if you need to keep a laptop juiced up while youre far from an outlet, youll need something larger. For this guide, we tested portable chargers with at least a 20,000mAh (74Wh) capacity, but kept the upper limit below 27,000mAh (99Wh), since thats about the maximum size allowed by the TSA in carry-on luggage. Some laptop power banks sport extra features like wireless charging or an AC plug so you can power small devices such as a travel printer or an LED lamp. But what all of them have in common is a larger size and higher price tag than standard battery packs. So if you dont want to play a guessing game, these are the best laptop power banks we tested. Table of contents Best laptop power banks for 2024 What to look for in a laptop power bank How we test portable laptop chargers Laptop power bank FAQs Best laptop power banks for 2024 What to look for in a laptop power bank Capacity If you just need to keep a smartphone from dying before you can make it home, just about any power bank will do. But if you need to revive multiple devices or the substantial battery of a laptop, youll want something with a high milliamp-hour (mAh) capacity. A power bank capable of delivering enough power to a laptop will have a capacity between 20,000 and 27,000 mAh. Go higher than 27,000mAh and you wont be able to take it on an airplane, which is why most portable chargers top out around that number. Since the voltage for most portable power banks is around 3.7 volts, a 27,000mAh battery translates to 99.9 watt hours which is the maximum capacity the TSA will allow for carry-on luggage. (And note that these batteries cant be checked, regardless of size). If you want something even bigger than a laptop power bank, and dont need to fly with it, youll likely want to look into portable power stations. These can be the size of a car battery or larger and can potentially fuel an entire weekend away. Another thing to keep in mind is that the capacity listed in a power bank's specs is not what will be delivered to your devices. As I mentioned, the capacity of these banks is around 25,000mAh. Even the huge battery on a MacBook Pro has a mAh rating of around 5,000 - 6,000mAh, so you might think youd get five full charges but in reality, you only get about a single 70-percent charge. The voltage is different (typically 3.7V for the power bank and 11.4V for a laptop) which makes the watt-hours, or the amount of energy each battery can hold, different (working out to 92Wh for the battery and 72Wh for the laptop). On top of that, in order to feed a charge from a power bank to a laptop, a voltage conversion takes place and that dissipates a decent amount of energy. Without turning this into a physics lesson, this all means that a power bank with a 25,000mAh (or 92Wh) capacity will typically fill a 5,000mAh (or 72Wh) laptop battery to about 75 percent. In my tests, I averaged about a 60-percent efficiency rate between a power banks listed capacity and the actual charge delivered. Ports Every large power bank Ive tested has at least three USB ports, with a mix of USB-C and USB-A, which should cover nearly any portable device you need to recharge earbuds, phones, tablets, laptops, you name it. In addition to the different plug formats, some ports supply power at different wattages. For example, one USB-C port might be rated for 60 watts, while the one next to it is rated for 100 watts. So if youve got a device thats capable of 70W fast charging, such as the new MacBook Air, youd want to opt for the 100W port to get the best charging speeds possible. Note that devices with a smaller wattage draw wont be negatively affected by connecting to ports with high ratings. For example, a Galaxy S24 Ultra, capable of 45W super fast charging, can happily plug into the 100W port. A device will only draw what it can take, regardless of what a port can supply. Just remember that the port, device and cable need to be at or above the desired wattage rating to achieve maximum charging rates. Some of these larger batteries also have AC ports. It might seem like a natural fit to plug in your laptops power adapter for a recharge. But really, the AC port should only be for devices that cant use USB such as a lamp or a printer. Plugging a power adapter into the AC port only wastes energy through conversion. First, the battery converts its DC power to supply the port with AC power, then the power adapter converts that AC power back to DC so your laptop can take it in. And as youll remember from physics class, each time energy is converted, some is lost to heat and other dissipations. Better to cut out the middleman and just send that DC power straight from the battery to the device. Also, you can use more than one port at a time with these devices; just remember that the speed of whatever youre charging will likely go down, and of course, the battery is going to drain proportionally to what youre refilling. Wireless charging Just in the last year and a half that Ive been testing portable power banks, wireless charging capabilities have noticeably improved. The first few I tried were painfully slow and not worth recommending. Now the wireless pads built into power banks are impressively fast particularly, in my experience, when charging Samsung Galaxy phones (though the lack of a stabilizing magnetic connection like Apples MagSafe means they only work when rested flat on a pad). Most wireless charging connections can be used while other ports are also being employed, making them convenient for some mobile battlestation setups. Of course, wireless charging is always less efficient than wired, and recharging from an external battery is less efficient in general. If you want to waste as little energy as possible, youre better off sticking to wired connections. Design All power banks are designed to be portable, but theres a big difference between a pocket-friendly 5,000mAh battery and one of these laptop-compatible bruisers. Most of the latter weigh between a pound and a half to two pounds, which is a considerable addition to a backpack. Many of the options listed here have a display to tell you how much charge remains in the battery, which is helpful when youre trying to judiciously meet out charges to your devices. If a bank has a wireless connection, the pad is usually on the flat top and any available AC connection is usually at one end. Both may require you to engage those charging methods. Dont be like me and grumble loudly that you got a bum unit without pressing (and sometimes double pressing) all the buttons first. How we test portable laptop chargers For the past year and a half, Ive been testing and using dozens of portable batteries for our other battery guide. Some of those batteries include the higher-capacity power banks you see here. I also got a hold of a few extra banks just for this guide to make sure we covered whats available. I went for brands Im already familiar with, as well as battery packs from well-received manufacturers I hadnt tried before (like UGREEN and Lion Energy). I only considered banks with at least a 20,000mAh capacity and mostly stuck with those that rated 25,000mAh and higher. Heres everything we tested: Zendure Supertank Pro Mophie Powerstation Pro XL Mophie Powerstation Pro AC Lion Energy Eclipse Mag Lion Energy Trek Baseus Blade Laptop Anker Prime 27,650mAh Goal Zero Sherpa 100 AC Due to shipping and travel issues, I wasnt able to test two of the batteries I had slated: the HyperJuice 245W and the UGREEN Power Bank 25,000mAh . Once Ive had a chance to see how these two perform as well as any new worthy contenders that hit the market Ill update this guide accordingly. I tested each power bank with an iPhone 15, a Galaxy S23 Ultra, an iPad Air (M1) and a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip. Even though these banks can charge multiple devices at once, I refilled one at a time, to make side-by-side comparisons more straightforward. I drained the batteries of the phones and tablets to between zero and five percent and then didnt use any device as it refilled. For the MacBook, I let it run down to 10 percent before plugging in the power bank. That's when most laptops give display a connect to power warning, as draining any battery to empty will compromise the battery life. I then used it as one might in a mobile office, with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, while connected to Wi-Fi and a VPN. For each test, I noted how long a completely charged battery took to get a device back to full and how much of the batterys capacity was used up in one charge. I also noted things like portability, apparent durability, helpful features and overall design. For reference, here are the battery capacities of the devices I used: iPhone 15: 3,349mAh Galaxy S23 Ultra: 4,855mAh iPad Air (5th gen): 7,729mAh 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro: 27,027mAh Laptop power bank FAQs How do laptop power banks differ from phone power banks? The main difference is size. Phone power banks tend to have a capacity ranging from 5,000mAh to 20,000mAh and laptop powerbanks are typically rated between 20,000mAh and 27,000mAh. Theres no official definition, however. Laptop batteries are simply larger and need a bigger supply of power to give them a meaningful charge. How do you fast charge a power bank? You can charge a power bank exactly as fast as the power banks internal mechanisms will allow. Most batteries are limited in how quickly they can accept and deliver a charge to avoid dangerously overheating. But to make sure youre charging a bank as quickly as possible, make sure the wall adapter and the USB-C cable you are using have a high wattage rating using a 5W power brick and a 10W cable will take a lot longer to refill your bank than a 65W wall charger and a 100W cord. What size power bank do I need for a laptop? Look for a power bank with a rating of at least 20,000mAh. Slightly smaller batteries may work, but they wont deliver a significant charge to your laptop. How many mAh to charge a laptop? A milliamp hour (mAh) is how much a battery can hold, and most portable batteries list their capacity using mAh. If you get a battery rated at 20,000mAh or above, it should be able to charge your laptop. Using mAh to discuss laptop batteries can be confusing. Due to differing voltages, you cant directly compare the mAh ratings of a power bank battery to a laptop battery. Using watt-hours is a better gauge, as that calculation takes voltage into account. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-laptop-power-bank-120040388.html?src=rss
The holidays are approaching, and you may be scrambling to figure out what you should get dad for the occasion. If youre shopping for a father whos into consumer tech, though, we can help. Below, weve consulted our many hours of gadget testing and put together a list of standout gift ideas, from VR headsets to pizza ovens to meat thermometers. Best gifts for dads in 2024 Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gifts-for-dads-170014057.html?src=rss
How long is Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl?
Stalker 2 expands The Zone to a massive scope with horrors around every corner. If you're a new Stalker or experienced pro, here's how long this game lasts.
Sonos Ace Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones hit Amazon all-time low at $100 off
We have the best Amazon price ever now live on the Sonos Ace a pair of cans we said set the new standard for prosumer headphones after going hands-on . Amazon is now offering the white Sonos Ace Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones for $349 shipped. Regularly $449, this is a straight up $100 price drop and the lowest price we can find. Still up at the full MSRP over at Best Buy . Todays deal is $50 under our previous mention, a new Amazon all-time low, and the best price we have tracked to date in new condition. more
Meta's latest features for Messenger Calling include AI backgrounds
If youre one of the people out there making calls with Metas Messenger app, its latest update adds a bunch of new features for making video and audio calls, according to the official Meta blog . When you make a video call, you can add an AI-generated background to your screen by tapping on the effects icon in the sidebar and selecting Backgrounds. So instead of showing your friends and family your grungy apartment or your car that you havent cleaned out since you bought it, you can replace the background with a field of sunflowers or an alien landscape as one of its suns is setting. Thats something weve seen from basically every other video calling platform, so its not a big surprise to see Meta add it here. Meta also added some new features for video calls including high definition video, background noise suppression and voice isolation to help you make clearer, higher-quality calls directly from Messenger, according to the blog. The HD video feature will be the default mode for Messenger calls made over W-iFi connections. HD calls can also be made on cellular data in settings by turning on Mobile data for HD video. Background noise suppression and voice isolation can also be turned on and off in Messengers call settings section. You can also leave voice and video messages for your contacts beyond just a line of text and maybe a cheeky emoji or two. Simply tap the record message button on the lower right side of the screen to leave a video or audio message if the person you are contacting doesnt pick up the call. Finally, if you dont have a free hand but need to make a call, iPhone users can ask Siri to make calls and messages for them on Metas Messenger app. Simply activate Siri and say Hey Siri, send a message to [contact name] on Messenger and dictate the message you want to send them. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-latest-features-for-messenger-calling-include-ai-backgrounds-200047824.html?src=rss
9to5Toys Gift Guide: These everyday essentials kick off from $7
We all know how difficult it can be to reliably tackle last-minute Christmas shopping, so here at 9to5Toys we are kicking off our first list of recommended gifts roughly one month in advance. Instead of going after big-ticket items, this selection is focused on affordable items that folks can benefit from each and every day. If this type of product is right up your alley, you should swing by our new Steals page and subscribe to our daily newsletter . In many regards, you can think of Steals as already-affordable everyday gear thats now discounted even further. But enough about Steals, lets dive in to our gift guide of everyday essentials priced from $7 . more
Were seeing plenty of great deals coming from Best Buys Black Friday sale , and we just spotted the best deal of the year on the popular Insignia 3D Zero Gravity Full Body Massage Chair that is down at $1,299.99 shipped . For most of 2024, weve seen this model keeping to its $3,999 price tag, with occasional discounts to $1,799 and more frequent one-day sales taking things further to $1,499. While these one-day rates have held the mantle of its lowest price for most of the year, its getting beaten out here during this sale by $199, saving you a total of $2,699 after falling to a new all-time low price. more
Threads rolls out its custom feeds tool after a quick testing phase
The battle over who will get all of Xs users now that its an utter cesspool continues. Threads just began rolling out its own custom feeds feature to compete with rival Bluesky. Custom feeds have long been a hallmark of Bluesky and now Threads users can get in on the action. Meta announced it was testing custom feeds just last week , so those tests must have been successful. Its either that or they want to stall Blueskys continuing momentum . Simply put, the feature allows users to pin topic-based feeds to the home screen of the app. This gives people the option to scroll through additional feeds beyond the algorithmic for you feed. This is a very good thing, as Threads current for you algorithm can be easily manipulated by just posting stuff like who likes cats? I have seen quite literally 400 posts like that in my feed, all looking for engagement. I like cats but, come on. In any event, users can create a custom feed by searching for keywords and taping the ... menu to get started. A feed will be created based on the keyword, though the toolset allows for more granular adjustments. For instance, users can add specific profiles to customize each feed. Threads aficionados can create up to 128 custom feeds. Threads has one significant advantage over Bluesky when it comes to custom feeds. Making one on Bluesky is something of a process . It took me around two seconds to make a Star Trek feed on Threads. Lawrence Bonk / Threads Despite Blueskys continued growth, its still a minor player when compared to Threads. Bluesky just announced 20 million users, which is great, but Threads has more than 275 million users. Threads has also been growing by around a million users a day, according to a recent post from Instagram chief Adam Mosseri . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-rolls-out-its-custom-feeds-tool-after-a-quick-testing-phase-195012720.html?src=rss
The PlayStation Black Friday deals will cut 25 to 30 percent off PS Plus subscriptions
Sony offered a sneak peek at its PlayStation Black Friday deals, which start on Friday. In addition to some (currently nebulous) deals on hardware and games, the sale will include up to 30 percent off PlayStation Plus memberships. The deals will run from November 22 through December 2. PlayStation Plus subscriptions will be up to 30 percent off for a 12-month membership. If youre already a PS Plus Essential Member, you can save 25 percent on the remainder of your plan when upgrading to PlayStation Plus Extra. Or, you can shave off 30 percent if youre upping your membership from PS Plus Extra to PS Plus Premium / Deluxe. Sony Less specific (as of now) are the PlayStation Black Friday deals on hardware and games. Direct from PlayStation and through Sonys retail partners, there will be sales on PS5 gear, including the Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle. PS VR2 headsets , DualSense wireless controllers, Pulse headphones or earbuds and PS5 console covers will also be discounted. What we dont know yet is how much savings Sony will offer on any of it. Sony didnt mention the PlayStation Portal, which is about to get a lot more interesting. This week, the company said the handheld will soon run a beta test for cloud streaming . The portable devices inability to do anything but stream your local PS5 games at launch was a bit baffling , to say the least. Select games for PS5, PS4 and PC will also see price cuts. Sony mentions digital titles like Star Wars Outlaws , Madden 25 and Hogwarts Legacy , so we at least know a few on-sale games to look out for. But similar to the hardware deals, we dont know how juicy the deals will be (or which other titles will be available). You can check back on Friday morning to learn more. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/the-playstation-black-friday-deals-will-cut-25-to-30-percent-off-ps-plus-subscriptions-193815734.html?src=rss
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024struggles to get off the ground after launch
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 players have been experiencing problems getting into the game at launch.
Best Android app price drops and freebies: Dandara, Whispers of a Machine, and more
This afternoons lineup of the best price drops and freebies we spotted on the Google Play store are now ready to go. Before you start loading up your Android devices with the offers below though, be sure to scope out the rare deals we are tracking today on Arcs metal Samsung Galaxy bumper cases for Black Friday, the very first price drop on Samsungs new Snapdragon X Plus Galaxy Book 4 Edge Copilot+ PC , a massive discount on Hisenses 144Hz 100-inch Google Smart TV , and up to $1,300 in savings on Samsungs 2024 The Frame smart TV lineup . As for the apps, highlights include titles like Dandara Trials of Fear Edition, Chloe Puzzle Game Pro, Whispers of a Machine, Lucid Launcher Pro, and more. Head below for a complete look. more
Amazon Just Dropped the Biggest Echo Show Ever
The Echo Show 21 is the largest yet, plus the Echo Show 15 gets a second generation.
Microsoft pushes full-screen ads for Copilot+ PCs on Windows 10 users
Microsoft has frequently used this kind of reminder to encourage upgrades.
Courtesy of the official LISEN Amazon storefront, you can now score its 2-in-1 MagSafe charger in black for $14.44 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $35. Youre looking at a pocketable 2-in-1 travel charger that has fetched as much as $22 in recent months. Todays deal serves a solid 34% discount, landing it within $2 of the all-time low we tracked for it last month. This is one of the best prices we have tracked for this model that lets you easily top up your iPhone and Apple Watch and you can learn more about it below. more
iOS 18.2 beta 4 is available with Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT, and more
Macworld Beta testing for iOS 18.2 is in progress. While iOS 18.1 was the first release with Apple Intelligence features for supported phones, many of the most exciting features are coming in iOS 18.2. This release includes Visual Intelligence, Genmoji, the Image Playground app, the new Mail app with AI-sorted categories, and integration with ChatGPT. While the AI features of iOS 18.1 might make the average iPhone 16 user say, Is that it? the Apple Intelligence features in 18.2 will be a little more sensational. However, while Siris interface changed in iOS 18.1, the new smarter Siri still isnt a part of this release. That will likely be coming in iOS 18.3 or 18.4, due for release around March 2025. We have a list of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 along with their expected release timeframes. Updated November 20: The fourth developer beta of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 are out now. The public beta is expected within a day or so. iOS 18.2: All the new features The iOS 18.2 beta release is only available for iPhones that can run Apple Intelligence: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, or any iPhone 16. There is also a secondary waiting list to access certain features. If you were on the original waiting list for Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1 you will get access to ChatGPT integration, Visual Intelligence, and the new Writing Tools features. But youll have to hop onto a second waiting list for the image generation featuresGenmoji, Image Playground, and the Image Wand tool. Heres whats available in the iOS 18.2 beta so far: Writing Tools updates: Instead of just choosing to make a selection of text more professional, causal, or concise, you will have a freeform field to describe how you want to transform text. Examples: make this a poem, include a lot of dad jokes, or use a lot of sarcasm. Genmoji: Create a new emoji right on the system keyboard. Image Playground: Generate new images based on text prompts. Apple will suggest new costumes, items, or locations, and will make suggestions based on the context of a Messages thread or note in the Notes app. Images can be based on people you know by using identified images in Photos. Images are limited to cartoon or illustrative styles rather than realistic. Visual Intelligence: For iPhone 16 owners with the Camera Control button. Press and hold Camera Control to get additional information about a location, translate a sign or poster, detect phone numbers and addresses to quickly add to Contacts, and more. You can also tap a button to ask ChatGPT about whats on screen, or another to perform a Google image search. Image Wand: An offshoot of Image Playground, this uses Apples image generation tools to create an image in an open area on a note in the Notes app, using the context from the surrounding area and the rest of the note. Start with a blank area or a rough sketch you make yourself. ChatGPT integration: If Siri cant answer a question, it now has the option to ask ChatGPT. You need to give permission for each request and only limited data is shared. You dont need to log into ChatGPT, but you are able to if you want to, or have a premium ChatGPT account you wish to use. You can ask Siri to have ChatGPT generate images., and use ChatGPT in the Writing Tools to generate text, too. In addition to the new user-facing features, there are new developer tools for integrating image generation and writing tools into third-party apps. Apple Intelligence is localized into English for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in this release. Default Apps: Users worldwide have a new Default Apps section at the top Settings > Apps , where you can choose your default email, messaging, calling, call filtering, browser, password app, and keyboard. The messaging and calling options are new, and the other options have all been brought under a single menu. EU-specific features: In the EU, third-party browser that use their own custom web engines can now add web apps. EU users will also be able to delete the App Store. AE/AF Lock: In Settings > Camera , youll find a new toggle for a light press on the Camera Control button to lock exposure and focus. Find My share item location: Find My will let you share the location of an AirTag (or other Find My compatible item) with a trusted person. The link can be opened on a non-Apple device and expires after a week. Mail app categories: The Mail app gets its AI-powered auto-category feature, splitting your inbox into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. Volume limits and lock screen slider: Youll be able to set volume limits for media playing from the iPhones speaker, and can restore the volume bar to the media card on the lock screen. iOS 18.2: How to install the iOS beta The iOS 18.2 beta is currently only available for developers, but anyone can get it. Since the introduction of iOS 17, its not necessary to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta, a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Heres how to do it via the Apple Developer app: Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. Registered developers can choose to get the iOS 18.2 beta instead by going to the Settings app, then General > Software Update, and selecting iOS Developer Beta in the Beta Updates tab. When you return to the main Software Update screen, youll Upgrade to iOS 18 at the bottom of the screen under the Also Available heading. Tap that and itll take you to the iOS 18.2 beta. As always, remember to back up your iPhone before you install the beta. If you want to run the public beta, follow these steps: Head to beta.apple.com and register your Apple ID for the beta. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the beta you wish to install. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the beta.
macOS Beta: How to download and install Sequoia 15.2 beta 4
Macworld The latest version of macOS Sequoia arrived on Macs in September 2024, but the beta development continues and if you are a registered developer or registered as a public beta tester, you can continue to get the latest updates and try out new features still not available to the general public. In this article, well explain whats in the latest beta, what you need to do to get your hands on a copy, how to install it, and what you should bear in mind if you dont want to end up in a pickle. If you would prefer to use the latest official release of macOS Sequois heres how to update macOS on your Mac . In the past, the developer beta was only available to developers who had paid to join Apples Developer Program (which costs $99/79). However, for a couple of years now, Apple has opened up the developer beta to registered developers with free developer accounts. We explain how to get a free developer account below. Not that we recommend that you should get the beta if you arent a developer. Beta software tends to be buggy and a more stable public beta version is also available. If you no longer want to run the beta version of macOS read this: How to remove the macOS beta . macOS developer beta: Latest version macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 4 Foundry The first version of the Sequoia developer beta of macOS 15 arrived after the WWDC keynote on June 10, 2024. Beta 2 arrived on June 24. Notable additions to beta 2 were iPhone Mirroring, the ability to directly access an iPhone through the Mac. The Mac and iPhone connect wirelessly and users see the iPhone Home screen on the Mac. Users can click and use iPhone apps, iPhone app notifications can be activated, and the appropriate iPhone app launches. Users can also drag and drop photos and videos from the iPhone to the Mac. The iPhone audio will come through the Macs sound output, and iPhone notifications will integrate with the macOS notifications list. iPhone Mirroring works on all M-series Macs and Intel Macs that have a T2 Security chip. The iPhone and Mac need to be signed into the same Apple Account, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi need to be enabled. iPhone Mirroring works on all M-series Macs and Intel Macs that have a T2 Security chip. The iPhone and Mac need to be signed into the same Apple Account, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi need to be enabled. Developer beta 4 was released on July 23. Developer beta 5 was released on August 5. Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta 6 on August 12. Developer beta 7 was released on August 20. On August 28, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15 beta 8. macOS Sequoia 15.1 There is a second beta running consecutively with the macOS 15.0 beta development. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta includes Apple Intelligence features that are only available on M-series Macs. On July 29, Apple started work on the macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta, which includes some Apple Intelligence features. Beta 2 arrived on August 12. On August 28, beta 3 was released to developers. On September 17, Apple beta 4 to developers. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 5 was released to developers on September 23. Beta 6 was released on October 6. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 7 was released on October 15. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 release candidate was released on October 21. Release candidate 2 was released on October 24. A July 31 report by 9to5Mac states that Apple Intelligence will not run if the 15.1 beta is running on an external drive . Its not known if this condition will remain when Apple officially releases 15.1. macOS Sequoia 15.2 On October 23, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 1 to developers. Version 15.2 is expected to heave the second set of Apple Intelligence features. On November 20, Apple released the macOS Sequoia beta 4 to developers. The public beta should follow in a few days. macOS public beta latest version macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta 2 Foundry The first public beta of Sequoia arrived on July 15, 2024. The second public beta of Sequoia arrived on July 23, 2024. The fourth public beta of Sequoia arrived on August 13, 2024. The fifth public beta of Sequoia arrived on August 20, 2024. The sixth public beta of Sequoia arrived on August 28, 2024. Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15.1 pubic beta on September 19, 2024. This beta includes the first round of Apple Intelligence features. The 15.2 public beta 2 was released on November 6. macOS public beta vs developer beta Since 2023 the Developer Beta has been available to anyone who registers as a developer, even if they arent a paid-up member of Apples Developer Program. As a result, people with a basic free developer account are able to download the new macOS developer beta (we show you how to register below). Whether you should download the developer beta if you arent a developer is another question. We dont recommend you install the developer beta if you arent a developer. Instead, our recommendation is to use the public beta (the first verison of which usually arrives in July). There are a few differences between the public and developer betas. The public beta is not the same as the beta that is released through the developer program. Developers get updates to their beta first, and possibly more frequently. But you should keep in mind that betas are by nature not stable, and because the public beta comes after the developer beta it could be a little safer to install. The most significant difference is probably the motive of the testers: Developers usually have the aim of ensuring their apps work when the updated macOS is released to the general public, while public beta testers are essentially helping Apple detect bugs and offering feedback on the features. Because of this developers may get to test new features not available in the public beta. If you want to get the public beta the first thing you need to do, if you havent already, is join Apples beta programs read this for more information: How to become an Apple beta tester. Apple How to get a free developer account If you just want a free Apple Developer account so you can access the beta you can get this via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Heres how to do it via the Apple Developer app on an iPhone: Get the Apple Developer App from the App Store . Open the app on your iPhone. Tap on Account. Tap on Sign In. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. If you wish to actually publish applications to the App Store or receive support, youll need to pay $99/79 per year for a paid account. You can compare the free and paid accounts here . How to get the macOS beta The Sequoia developer beta should show up on your Mac if you are running macOS Sonoma or macOS Sequoia, have paid $99/79 to enroll in Apples Developer program ( here ) or if you have a free developer account (follow the instructions above). When the Public Beta becomes available it will also show up on your Mac, as long as you have signed up for the Public Beta program on Apples beta webpage , signed the NDA , and enrolled your Mac. Before you download a few warnings: We strongly advise that if you arent a developer you dont download the developer beta. We also strongly recommend that you back up your Mac before you upgrade to the Sequoia beta. We recommend that you do not run Sequoia beta on your primary Mac; ideally, you run it in a separate volume . This should minimize any risks to you. How to download macOS beta Open Software Updates on your Mac. (System Settings > General > Software Updates.) You should see two options: Automatic Updates and Beta Updates. Click on the (i) beside Beta Updates. You can now turn on Beta Updates (if they werent already on). Choose the beta you want to download. If your developer account is tied to a different Apple ID to your usual one you can change that here. Click Done. Now your Mac will Check for updates and eventually show the Sequoia Developer Beta as an upgrade. Click on Upgrade Now. Foundry If you are running macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier: Apple changed the way it delivers betas in Ventura 13.4. If you arent yet running that version of macOS you will need to download the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility or macOS Public Beta Access Utility. If you were already running an earlier macOS Public Beta youll find the new macOS beta as an upgrade via Software Update. Just click on Upgrade Now. You may have to update to the latest version of your current beta before you can do so, if not follow the steps below to get the beta access utility. If you are enrolled in the Developer Program, go to Apples beta download page . Click on Install Profile to download the new macOS Developer Beta Access Utility to your Mac. If you are enrolled as a public beta tester, download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility . Go to Downloads on your Mac and click on the macOS Beta Access Utility to open it. Double-click on the dmg file and the installer will run. Once the new macOS beta is installed Software Update will check to see if there are any updates. Click Update and the latest version will download. Youll see a prompt to install the latest macOS beta, click on Continue. Agree to the Ts&Cs (more on them below). Click Install. How to update macOS beta versions Once you are running the beta the updates will come through to your Mac automatically, you just need to click to install. You will receive a notification when the next update to the beta is available. Updates will be available via Software Update (in System Settings/System Preferences) Everything else you need to know about beta testing That covers how to get the betas, but once you have them what can you do, and what should you do? Well cover that below. Is the macOS beta stable? By its nature, a beta has the potential to be unstable. Therefore its not advised that you install it on a Mac that you rely on. If you have a second Mac that isnt mission-critical then install it there. We strongly recommend that you dont risk all by putting the macOS beta on your primary macOS, especially not in the early days of the beta development. If you dont have a second Mac there are a couple of ways you could run macOS beta on your Mac without running the risk of losing data or finding your Mac stops working: We recommend installing it on a partition which these days is really a volume (and is much easier to create than a partition was). Read about how to do that here: How to dual-boot Mac: Run two versions of macOS on a Mac . Alternatively, you could install the macOS beta on an external drive and run it on that. We discuss the safety of the macOS beta and the risks you might be taking in more detail in a separate article. If the stability of the beta worries you then you are probably better off waiting until the final version is out, or at least waiting until testing has been happening for a few months before getting the beta. How to prepare your Mac for the beta Update your software : We recommend you have the latest full version of macOS installed, although Apple says that the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility requires macOS 10.8 or later. Make space: Wed recommend at least 15GB of available space because the macOS betas tend to be very large. If you end up requiring more space read: How to free up space on Mac . Note that we always recommend that you have at least 10% space free on your Mac at any time, so if you dont have that expect problems! Back up : Before you install a beta on your Mac you should make a backup of your data and files. You can find out how to use Time Machine to back up your Mac . We also have a round-up of suitable backup solutions . How to send feedback to Apple Should you come across an error or a bug you should use the Feedback Assistant app to provide feedback to Apple. Launch the app and follow the appropriate steps, selecting the area about which youre providing feedback and then any specific sub-area. Then describe your issue in a single sentence, before providing a more detailed description, including any specific steps that reproduce the issue. Youll also be able to attach other files. Youll also have to give permission for the Feedback Assistant app to collect diagnostic information from your Mac. It wont always be obvious whether something is a bug or just not as easy to use as you might have hoped. Either way, if your feedback is that something appears to work in an illogical way, Apple will want to know that. If you are having trouble with a third-party app you can let Apple know by reporting it through the 3rd-party Application Compatibility category in the Feedback Assistant. However, wed suggest that you also provide feedback to the apps developer who will no doubt be grateful. Will I be able to update from macOS beta to the final version? Beta users will be able to install the final build of the OS on release day without needing to reformat or reinstall. Can I talk about the beta publicly? According to Apple and the license agreement all beta testers must agree to, the beta is Apple confidential information. By accepting those terms, you agree not to discuss your use of the software with anyone who isnt also in the Beta Software Program. That means you cant blog, post screenshots, tweet, or publicly post information about the public beta software. However, you can discuss any information that Apple has publicly disclosed; the company says that information is no longer considered confidential. How to downgrade from the macOS beta You can always revert to an earlier version of macOS, though depending on how you back up, its not necessarily a painless process. Start by making sure the data on your drive is backed up, then erase the drive and install the latest public version of macOS. When you first startup your Mac you can use the Migration Assistant to import your data from the backup. Heres a more detailed tutorial on downgrading from the macOS beta we also have a tutorial on downgrading to an older version of the Mac OS .
All rare gadgets in Lego Horizon Adventures and what they do
Reliving Aloys first adventure in is a streamlined but faithful retelling of the first game. However, instead of the massive open-world experiences that made the Horizon series some of the , this entry changes the formula to fall more in line with the . It is a much smaller game compared to those, with way []
How to increase carrying capacity in Stalker 2
Going over your weight limit is far too easy in Stalker 2. You will always be struggling to manage your inventory, so here's how to hold a little bit more.
NASA Showcases AI-Powered Computational Tools to Advance Scientific Research at SC24 Event
At SC2024, NASAs Nicola Fox revealed the agencys new AI-powered computational tools aimed at improving space science. These tools will be deployed across divisions, including Earth science, heliophysics, and astrophysics. A key example presented was a heliophysics model using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory to predict solar wind and sunspot activity.
Flash Sale: Microsoft Office 2024 Lifetime License down at $160 (Reg. $249)
How much does Microsoft 365 cost you every year? It might seem cheap month-to-month, but it adds up when you recognize youre never actually done paying for it. If youre looking for a cheaper alternative that doesnt ask you to learn new apps, check out Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business. This lifetime license doesnt have any recurring payments, and it works for Mac or PC. Plus, you can get it for a one-time payment of $159.97 , and you dont even have to wait for Black Friday to get that price. more
No Verifiable Evidence of UFO Sightings But Very Anomalous Objects Exist, Says US Government Agency
In a Senate testimony on November 19, Jon T. Kosloski, Director of the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), clarified that his office has not found any verifiable evidence to support the idea of extraterrestrial life or activity related to UAPs. While the majority of UAP reports have been linked to known objects, a small number remain unexplained.
A new study by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) suggests dark energy might not be constant over time, potentially altering cosmological models. Conducted at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, the projects 3-D galaxy map highlights the role of dark energy in shaping the universes expansion. Researchers found evidence that dark energys density may vary, challenging previous assumptions and leading to possible revisions in cosmology.
New report reveals killer feature coming in next Pro Display XDR
Macworld Apples next big product launch might still be a long way off, but a new report has shed light on powerful new technology coming in the next version of Apples flagship Pro Display XDR. The 2nd-gen model will use state-of-the-art quantum dot technology, according to the respected displays analyst Ross Young (via 9to5Mac ). Young had previously reported that the M4 MacBook Pro, which was announced at the end of October, is the first Apple product to use quantum dot tech, but the next-gen tech is far more important for Apples high-end display. For one, its 32 inches; for another is uses state-of-the-art calibration and a sophisticated algorithm to deliver the highest-quality color possible. Quantum dot is a recent display technology designed to deliver better color and motion performance than is possible with conventional LED, mini-LED and OLED screens. (Its also where we get the Q in QLED TVs.) As Young explains (login required), the MacBook Pro previously used KSF phosphor, which makes it plausible that other KSF-based Apple products will follow its lead and switch to quantum dot. Now that Apple has adopted [quantum dot] in the MacBook Pro, he writes, it will be interesting to see if they replace KSF films and KSF phosphors in other Apple products. KSF films are found in previous mini-LED MacBook Pros and the Mac Pro Display XDR. We expect the next version of the Mac Pro Display to adopt it. All very pleasing, but the catch is that well likely be waiting a long time for the next version of the Pro Display XDR. The original device came out in 2019 and weve been expecting an update ever since the Studio Display was launched in 2022; but Young says its unlikely to appear until late 2025 or early 2026. You can keep up with the latest news and rumors with our new Pro Display XDR superguide. Retailer Price $4999 View Deal $4,999 View Deal $4999 View Deal $4999 View Deal $5999.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket
James Webb Space Telescope Finds First Evidence of Einstein Zig-Zag Phenomenon In a Distant Quasar
Data from the James Webb Space Telescope has revealed the first-ever Einstein zig-zag, where light from quasar J1721+8842 bends through two distinct warped space-time regions. Six mirrored images of the quasar and a faint Einstein ring confirm this rare lensing effect. Scientists believe this discovery could help resolve critical issues in cosmology, including precise measurements of the Hubble constant and dark energys role in cosmic expansion.
Mountain lions in Los Angeles are adapting to human recreational activities such as hiking, jogging, and cycling by becoming more nocturnal, a recent study in Biological Conservation has revealed. Researchers tracked 22 GPS-collared mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains between 2011 and 2018 and found that the animals shifted their activity from dawn and dusk to nighttime, coinciding with periods of lower human activity.
We are tracking some major price drops on Apples current-generation iPad 10th Gen today at Amazon and for Costco members. Regularly $349 after seeing an official price drop from $449 back in May, you can now score the iPad 10 starting from $279.99 shipped at Amazon and Costco members can land one for $249.99 with a $5 shipping fee . Outside of a couple extremely fleeting offers during the Prime Day events this year, youre looking at the lowest price we have tracked on Amazon and some of the best of all-time anywhere. Frankly, anything lower didnt stick around for more than an hour at most last time we featured them. more
This Apple Black Friday deal gets you $70 off the Apple Watch Series 10 on Amazon
You don't have to look too hard to find Black Friday deals on Apple devices. For one thing, the Apple Watch Series 10 has dropped to a new all-time-low price on Amazon. The wearable can be yours for $330. That's $70 off, or a discount of 17 percent. That price is for the smaller 42mm model without LTE functionality. However, the 46mm variant is also $70 off at $359 . The Apple Watch Series 10 is our pick for the best smartwatch overall, but it's probably best to look at other options if you're an Android user. After all, you'll need a compatible iPhone to set up the wearable and get the most out of it. We gave the Apple Watch Series 10 a score of 90 in our review . Apple redesigned the smartwatch to offer a larger screen and thinner frame, both of which were plus points in our book. The wide-angle OLED panel offers better viewing angles. The wearable has in-depth fitness and health tracking too, with new functions including sleep apnea detection. We found that there was a slight increase in battery life thanks to efficiency improvements, but some alternative smartwatches run for much longer on a single charge . Overall, this is a somewhat iterative update compared with the Series 9 and 8, but if you're upgrading from an older Apple Watch (or buying one for the first time), you may find the features, performance and charging speed to be impressive. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-apple-black-friday-deal-gets-you-70-off-the-apple-watch-series-10-on-amazon-180028764.html?src=rss
You can now stream some Xbox games you own, but you still need Game Pass Ultimate
Microsoft has announced a long-anticipated feature for Xbox Cloud Gaming. Starting today, you'll be able to stream select games that you own on TVs and Meta Quest VR headsets, as well as supported browsers on phones, tablets and PCs in every country where Xbox Cloud Gaming is available. Microsoft plans to expand the feature to Xbox consoles and the Windows Xbox app next year. You'll still need to be an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member to use this feature, but it means that you're no longer limited to streaming only the games that are on that service. The stream your own game option includes support for 50 titles at the outset , with more to be added later. You can stream the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Stray, The Witcher 3, Balatro, Animal Well, NBA 2K25, Baldurs Gate 3 and several Final Fantasy games. Just look for the stream your own game section on Cloud Gaming. An Xbox spokesperson confirmed to Engadget that streaming the games you own requires a digitally purchased game. So, you won't be able to stream a physical copy of, say, Farming Simulator 25 via this feature, but if you have the disc in your Xbox Series X, remote play is still an option. Although it's broadly good that people have more ways to play their games, this move lines up with Xbox inching toward an all-digital future one in which gamers without access to fast, reliable Internet connections may be left behind. This also lets Xbox expand its cloud gaming offerings without having to necessarily pay third-party developers and publishers big bucks to get their projects on Game Pass proper. The stream your own game initiative also ties into Microsoft's new ad campaign about all kinds of devices being an Xbox when they are, in fact, not. The rollout comes a day after Sony started publicly testing a cloud gaming option on PlayStation Portal, a feature that the device should have had from the beginning. Update November 20, 1:41PM ET: Added clarification from Xbox that only digitally purchased games, and not physical copies, are eligible to stream. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/you-can-now-stream-some-xbox-games-you-own-but-you-still-need-game-pass-ultimate-181047095.html?src=rss
Apple Black Friday deals include the 10th-gen iPad for a record low of $280
Apple Black Friday deals have started popping up , and this is your chance to grab a new iPad for much less than usual. Our top pick for the best iPad for those on a budget, the 10th-gen iPad has dropped to $280, which is a record low and a $70 discount. The 10th-gen iPad is only slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad Air. It looks similar to the iPad Air, too the tablet no longer has the Home button that its predecessor did, and it has a bigger screen with smaller bezels. The device is powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip, which was first seen on the iPhone 12 and is powerful enough that we could edit RAW photos in Lightroom when we tested the tablet. When we ran a test for battery life, we discovered that the model could play movies continuously for 11 hours and 45 minutes on a single charge. Unlike previous models with Lightning ports, this one comes with a USB-C port for charging. Apple moved its front-facing camera to its landscape edge, as well. The company gave it a larger display, measuring 10.9 inches, so it doesn't feel as cramped as previous models even with a lot of apps. While the iPad Air does have a better display overall with its lamination and anti-reflective coating, the 10th-gen iPad's isn't bad at all seeing as it costs significantly less, especially with this discount. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-black-friday-deals-include-the-10th-gen-ipad-for-a-record-low-of-280-130005197.html?src=rss
While the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale events are arguably the best times of the year to pick up most gadgets, theyre also a great time to save on subscriptions and services you may already have or that youve been wanting to try. Whether its an audiobook service like Audible, a VPN service like ExpressVPN or an online learning subscription like Masterclass, you can typically find good subscription deals during this time of the year. Many of them also make it pretty easy to give a subscription, too, if youre considering it as a gift for a loved one this year. To make it easier to find the services you want and need this year, Engadget has curated the best subscription deals you can get for Black Friday this year. Best Black Friday subscription deals Audible Premium Plus for $0.99 for three months ($44 off): This deal gives you one title for each of the three months you're subscribed, plus unlimited access to the Premium Plus library of books, podcasts and other. Anyone who's not already subscribed to Audible can get this deal. Amazon Kindle Unlimited for $0 for one month ($12 off): Amazon's ebook subscription service gives you access to a catalog of thousands titles for unlimited reading, select Audible audiobooks to listen to and included magazines to read. Prime members can get a different deal: two months for only $5. Headspace annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Our top pick for the best meditation app has tons of courses that address specific anxieties and worries, a good in-app search engine that makes it easy to find the right meditation you need and additional yoga routines, podcasts and music sessions to try out. Calm annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Another one of our top pocks for the best meditation apps is a great option for anyone new to meditation thanks in part to the many short and focused sessions it includes. There's also a dedicated kids section and subscribers get access to a soothing music library. MasterClass Premium for $10/month ($10 off): Premium subscriptions, which include access for up to six devices and offline mode, are half off for the holidays. MasterClass' other subscription tiers are also discounted. Those who love learning and want to pick up a new hobby (or refine an existing one) can take courses with some of the best in their respective fields. Rosetta Stone lifetime access for $149 ($250 off): Those eager to learn a new language (or two) can get full lifetime access to Rosetta Stone for less for Black Friday. The one-time payment gives you access to the company's Dynamic Immersion courses, TruAccent speech recognition technology to help improve your pronunciation and the ability to learn on mobile and desktop. Adobe Creative Cloud for $30/month ($30 off): First-time subscribers can get half off Creative Cloud for their first year of membership, bringing the cost down to just $30 per month. This gives you access to Photoshop, Illustrator and the rest of Adobe's suite of apps. ProtonVPN Plus two-year plan for $72 ($168 off): Our top pick for the best VPN is based on open-source framework and has a no-logs policy. Its easy-to-use apps are available on most platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and more, and some of them even include a kill-switch feature. ExpressVPN two-year plan plus six extra months for $150 (82 percent off): Our top pick for best VPN for travelers provides access to tons of servers and had some of the fastest connections of any VPN service we tested. In addition to a VPN, this subscription tier gives you access to an ad blocker and password manager. NordVPN Plus two-year plan plus three extra months for $121 (70 percent off): In addition to VPN access, NordVPN's Plus plan gives you a password manager, ad blocker, anti-malware protection and more. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-subscription-deals-for-2024-audible-kindle-unlimited-masterclass-protonvpn-and-more-173037965.html?src=rss
Samsung Black Friday 2024 deals: Save up to $350 on Galaxy S24 smartphones
Black Friday deals have arrived for Samsung smartphones, and now you can get a few of our favorites for a few hundred dollars less than usual. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is currently down to $950 from $1,300. The Ultra came out in early 2024 and quickly became our choice for best premium Android phone . It scored an 89 in our review thanks to features like its long battery life we often had over 50 percent left after 24 hours. It has a titanium frame and a 6.8-inch OLED panel that peaks at 2,600 nits, rather than the previous 1,750 nits. Plus, it has a slew of AI tools and utilizes Samsung's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for fast performance. If $950 feels (understandably) a bit steep then check out the Samsung Galaxy S24+ . The 256GB model is currently marked down from $1,000 to $770 still a solid chunk of change, but a noticeable difference. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ garnered an 87 in our review , not far off from its sister device. It comes with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and features like Chat Assist and Live Translate. Its battery life impressed us, though its low-light photography performance left something to be desired. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/samsung-black-friday-2024-deals-save-up-to-350-on-galaxy-s24-smartphones-150043358.html?src=rss
This classic Timex Marlin Chronograph watch is a must-have in your collection at $110 (38% off)
If you are looking to add a new timepiece to your collection, then you must check out this deal that gets you a Timex Marlin 40mm watch at $110.35 shipped on Amazon. This classic watch with a $179 price tag has been fetching close to $140 in recent months with some occasional jumps to its full price. Todays 38% discount on its listed price lands it within $1 of its previous all-time low on Amazon, making it a great time to strike. Youll have to fork over a full $179 if you buy it directly from Timex right now, so head below for more details to see if you want to snag it at one of its best prices today. more
Amazon just launched the massive Echo Show 21 smart display
Amazon just surprise-dropped the Echo Show 21 , a massive smart display with all kinds of bells and whistles. As the name suggests, this device boasts a 21-inch screen. Its also wall-mountable, just like the pre-existing Echo Show 15 . The display boasts a 1080p resolution, which wont be winning any awards, but the audio quality looks to be much-improved from previous models. The Echo Show 21 should be capable of delivering immersive sound, double the bass and room adaption technology. The camera has been refreshed, with more than double the field of view and 65% more zoom than the first-generation Echo Show 15. It also looks like the auto-framing algorithm has been improved. This thing could be a beast for video calls, as the unit now offers improved methods for the reduction of unwanted ambient noise. Theres a built-in smart home hub, with Wi-Fi 6E, Thread, Zigbee and Matter control capabilities. The company says the device should be able to adjust some stuff locally, like lights, switches and plugs. This function first popped up in the Echo Hub , which was first revealed last year. The panel can double as a Fire TV, which is nothing new , and works with Amazons Fire TV remote. However, the Echo Show 21 ships with the Alexa Voice Remote, along with wall-mounting equipment. A countertop stand is sold separately. The smart display costs $400 and is available now. The Echo Show 15 has also gotten a refresh, for those with limited wall or countertop space. The new model boasts all of the features outlined above, just in a smaller form factor. This one costs $300 and is available now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/amazon-just-launched-the-massive-echo-show-21-smart-display-174115181.html?src=rss
Apple Watch Series 10 just hit a new Amazon all-time low from $330 (Jet Black and silver colors)
While we are still tracking readily available deals on all Apple Watch Series 10 models, Amazon just dropped select 42mm and 46mm configs to the best prices we have tracked to date there. Youll now find the silver 42mm sitting at $329.99 and the 46mm going for $359.99 shipped in both silver and Jet Black colorways right now. Regularly $399 and $429, respectively, youre looking at deals that undercut the early Black Friday offers we tracked by $20 apiece to deliver new Amazon all-time low pricing. more
Fitness app Strava is tightening third-party access to user data
Training apps, AI use, and trend analysis seem to be off-limits in Strava's API.
Amazon is offering a rare chance at savings during this Black Friday season on Levitons Level 2 48A Hardwired EV Charging Station for $559 shipped. Normally sitting full price at $699, this is the first discount weve spotted on this standard EV charger in 2024 since seeing it last during 2023s Black Friday period at $595. After nearly a year of no price changes, were finally seeing it come down with a 20% markdown, saving you $140 while also giving you the new lowest price that we have tracked. more
Marseille Unveils mClassic RGB Collection For Enhanced Gaming On Modern Displays
This Tuesday (November 19, 2024), Marseille launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for its mClassic RGB Collection , a series of advanced video processors aimed at enhancing video game visuals across generations. With an MSRP of $99.99 , early backers are offered exclusive discounts and launch-day surprises. Designed to adapt gaming visuals for high-resolution screens, the RGB Collection ensures faithful reproduction of games as their creators intended. The collection includes three models: mClassic Original Enhances games from retro to modern consoles for big-screen play. mClassic Retro Uses Vintage Processing technology to replicate the authentic aesthetics of retro games. mClassic Switch Optimizes Nintendo Switch games for seamless performance on larger displays. Each device features three modes, allowing players to customize their experience. The compact HDMI-based design ensures compatibility and portability, catering to a variety of gaming systems. Powered by cutting-edge algorithms, the mClassic RGB Collection refines color, composition, lighting, and movement, addressing issues like distortion on modern screens. This initiative bridges nostalgic gameplay with modern technology, preserving gamings legacy for future generations. To instill trust, Marseille participates in Indiegogos Shipping Guarantee, ensuring timely product delivery or refunds. The processors are in their final manufacturing stages, ready for shipment. CEO Amine Chabane highlighted the companys commitment to preserving 50 years of gaming history, stating, We believe everyone should experience the magic of classic gaming. Building on the success of its award-winning mClassic, Marseille continues to lead in video enhancement technology, furthering its mission of retrofitting classic media for modern platforms. The RGB Collection exemplifies their dedication to merging nostalgia with performance, appealing to gamers who value both authenticity and quality. Marseille Unveils mClassic RGB Collection For Enhanced Gaming On Modern Displays , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .
TROND 10-foot Retractable 6-in-1 USB-C Power Strip Buy for $16 (Reg. $22) Clip the on-page $6 off coupon. What we love I dont know about you, but Ive grown to love products with retractable cables. Cords can make things look messy, so the notion of making them disappear with a simple tug can feel like magic. This lenghty 10-foot power strip does just that, and once plugged in offers three AC outlets, two 15W USB-C ports, and one 12W USB-A output. more
Final Fantasy 14 Mobile is on the way
Square Enix is plunging deeper into the Final Fantasy 14 goldmine with a mobile spin-off. There's no release window for Final Fantasy 14 Mobile as yet, but playtests will soon get underway in China, followed by a global launch soon after. Final Fantasy 14 producer and director Naoki Yoshida said in a video that developer Lightspeed Studios is working to faithfully recreate the story, duties, battle content and other aspects of the original game. It seems that duties is a reference to the jobs system. A teaser trailer shows off the scope, grandeur and lived-in atmosphere of the mobile version of Eorzea, all set to typically absorbing music from FF14 sound director Masayoshi Soken. It's not yet clear if there will be cross-progression with the PC and console version of Final Fantasy 14 . While the mobile game is said to provide players with a ew adventure, the story bears at least some similarities to the original. You are beckoned by the Mothercrystal, carrying the light of hope to the world of Hydaelyn, according to the FF14 Mobile website. Heed the Mothercrystals call, embrace your destiny as an adventurer, and confront the primals to deliver Eorzea from certain destruction. For what it's worth, a Mothercrystal trial was added to Final Fantasy 14 as part of the 2021 expansion, Endwalker , so the plot of the mobile game may not exactly follow the one from the original title. Square Enix says you'll have a number of playable races to choose from. At the outset, there will be nine jobs, which you can switch between on the fly. You'll initially have access to 11 crafting and gathering classes, so you can be a miner, alchemist or, of course, a fisher. Combat controls are being tuned for mobile devices. Outside of battles, you can customize your home and character, race chocobos, play the Triple Triad card game and enjoy seasonal events. You'll be able to play alongside friends and strangers, while there are more than 600 different weather patterns in the game. Tencent's Lightspeed Studios is behind mobile hits like PUBG Mobile . Dragon's Dogma creator Hideaki Itsuno recently joined Lightspeed to head up a new studio. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/final-fantasy-14-mobile-is-on-the-way-171455003.html?src=rss
Xbox is finally letting you cloud stream games you own, with some limits
Xbox is making good on a long-standing promise to let Game Pass Ultimate users stream games that are already in their libraries.
Nikes Early Black Friday Sale takes an extra 25% off hundreds of styles with promo code ACCESS at checkout. Plus, NikePlus Members ( free to sign-up ) receive complimentary delivery on all orders. Take your workout to the next level with the mens InfinityRN 4 Road Running Shoes that are currently marked down to $120 , which is $40 off the original rate. These shoes were designed to be supportive and cushioned to promote a natural, comfortable stride. It has superior traction with ridges to grip the pavement and lightweight material thats highly breathable. You can choose from 21 color options and it gives you the option to create your own colorway as well. Find even more deals by heading below, and be sure to check out our fashion guide for additional sales today. more
The 13 best retro gaming gifts for the 2024 holidays
The stream of new video games seemingly never ends but, for some of us, nothing beats the classics. If you dont feel like hunting through eBay and local game shops for old cartridges to add to your loved ones collection, weve got some other gift ideas for the nostalgic gamer in your life from video upscalers for old consoles to retro-themed books and artwork. Best retro gaming gifts for 2024 FAQs Why do people buy retro games? Because theyre fun! Or because video game companies have generally had a spotty record of preserving their own history and (legally) saving art, even in a minuscule way, is important. Or because, deep down, collectors just want to stave off the ceaseless march of time and hang onto any way to relive their youth before it dissipates for good. Or because theyre jaded with modern game design and crave shorter, more distinct or altogether different experiences that arent being served by todays market. Or because they want to flip the games they collect for a quick buck on eBay. Or because well, you get the idea. J.D. Why is retro gaming so expensive? To put it simply: supply and demand. Companies arent making old games and consoles any more, yet a growing number of gaming enthusiasts want them. And as retro game collecting has grown more popular, sellers have become more acutely aware of how high they can price their goods. Not every retro game costs an arm and a leg, however: Popular games from relatively recent consoles are usually more affordable than lesser-selling titles for older hardware, and you can still find a good bargain every now and then by digging through local yard sales, individual eBay sellers and the like. J.D. Are retro games a good investment? It depends on how you define good. Is it a good idea to buy a bunch of old games in the hopes that their value will skyrocket and make you a tidy profit? No, theres little rhyme or reason to determining exactly which games will shoot up in value and by how much. There are much safer ways to invest if all you care about are financial returns. Is it a good idea to drop a bunch of cash on 40-year-old video games if you have pressing financial responsibilities? Probably not! But hey, its your life. If collecting retro games makes you happy, and you can budget for them within reason, thats a good thing. Have fun. J.D. What qualifies as a retro game? Theres no set definition for when a video game becomes retro. Personally, I think of it as any game thats at least 10 years old and was originally released on a console thats two or more generations old (or, for PC games, during that generation). But many others would stretch the timeline back farther, and the growing advent of live service games has complicated things. For instance, Grand Theft Auto V was released in 2013, while World of Warcraft arrived in 2004 are those retro games when millions of people still play them today? Maybe not. With games from the 90s or earlier, though, the distinction is clearer. J.D. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-13-best-retro-gaming-gifts-for-the-holidays-140016756.html?src=rss
Day of the Devs livestream will showcase indie titles a day before the Game Awards
On December 12, The Game Awards will reveal some of the biggest upcoming games and honor the industry's achievements yet again. The day before it's set to take place, however, a Day of the Devs event will put a spotlight on indie developers and titles in a livestream that fans everywhere can watch online. This Game Awards Edition showcase will feature quite a lengthy list of developer partners, including Heart Machine, which is best known for 2D action role-playing game Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash , a 3D platformer set against a neon-colored landscape. Panic, the developer behind Untitled Goose Game , will also participate in the event, along with Annapurna, a publisher whose games include What Remains of Edith Finch . There's also Riffraff Games that debuted its first title, Sleight of Hand , a noir stealth sim game about a former occult detective who must track down and defeat her former coven earlier this year. The event will showcase 19 indie titles in all and will feature seven world premieres, title reveals and release date announcements throughout. Indie games fans can watch it on the official Game Awards YouTube and Twitch channels on December 11, starting at 9AM PT/12PM ET. The Game Awards recently announced this year's nominees , with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Astro Bot leading the pack with seven nominations each. Metaphor: ReFantazio , a fantasy Japanese RPG from the same team behind Persona 5 , got six noms. Silent Hill 2 and the poker/roguelike game Balatro aren't far behind, each with five nominations. All of those games, aside from Silent Hill 2 , are shortlisted for Game of the Year, along with Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree . This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/day-of-the-devs-livestream-will-showcase-indie-titles-a-day-before-the-game-awards-170002009.html?src=rss
Amazon just unleashed two new smart displays a supersized Echo Show 21 and Echo Show 15
Amazon just unleashed two new devices to update its wall-mounted smart display lineup Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21. The Echo Show 15, which is the smaller of the two new smart displays, is an updated model of the Echo Show 15 that debuted in 2022. The Echo Show 21 is essentially the star of the show here, sporting a 21-inch 1080p screen. Both models are said to have improved audio, camera, and a built-in smart home hub, and they are now available to purchase on Amazon for $299.99 and $399.99 shipped , respectively. Head below for a closer look and more details. more
As part of its ongoing Black Friday sale , Best Buy is offering the GE Profile 4.8 cu. ft. UltraFast Electric 2-in-1 Washer & Dryer with Ventless Heat Pump for $1,749.99 shipped . This ENERGY STAR appliance normally sits at $2,900 most days, with occasional discounts popping up every couple of months over the course of 2024. Weve mainly seen in keeping above $2,000 during most sales, though we did spot it dropping to the $1,749 low earlier in the year. Today, youre getting a near-match to its lowest rate at $1,150 slashed from its price tag, coming in as the second-lowest price that we have tracked that lands just $1 above the all-time low. more
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is coming in 2025
Yesterday, at the Disney APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, the company revealed Volume 3 of Star Wars: Visions . This anthology of nine short animations from nine separate anime studios is set to release next year. In keeping with tradition from prior volumes, each studio is allowed considerable creative freedom and will likely produce shorts with distinctive art styles that fans will recognize instantly. Based on the Star Wars websites blog post , we can immediately see four returning studios: Kamikaze Douga, Kinema citrus Co., Production I.G and TRIGGER. These studios are responsible for anime adaptations of JoJos Bizarre Adventure , Made in Abyss , Haikyu!! and Kill la Kill , respectively. To improve the diversity of styles, Disney invited five new studios to create the remaining shorts. They are ANIMA (collaborating with Kamikaze Douga), David Production, Polygon Pictures, Project Studio Q and WIT Studio. ANIMA is an animation studio specializing in 3D CG movies, and you may know it as the studio behind cutscenes from Xenoblade 3 , certain Fire Emblem Heroes movies and Pokemon Unite . David Production animated Fire Force and Undead Unluck , among many other anime. Some Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes and Tron: Uprising were Polygon Pictures work. Project Studio Q is a less-known name, but its responsible for some 3D animation in DARLING in the FRANXX episodes. As for WIT Studio, its of Spy x Family and Attack on Titan (the first three seasons) fame. With such a stacked roster of studios, Disney is sparing no expense on this anthology. The wait might be long, but Volumes 1 and 2 are still available on Disney+. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/star-wars-visions-volume-3-is-coming-in-2025-164557738.html?src=rss
Apple Black Friday deals drop the M2 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM to $749
Apple Black Friday deals have arrived, at least on MacBooks. Were seeing some decent discounts on M-series laptops right now, including the relatively budget-friendly M2 MacBook Air . That notebook with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage has dropped to $749 thanks to various discounts and clippable coupons at Amazon. The regular price is $1,000, so this is a discount of 25 percent. This model easily made our list of the best MacBooks , even with the presence of the newer M3 MacBook Air . Here are the takeaways. This laptop, obviously, includes Apples proprietary M2 8-core CPU, which is more than fast enough for basic tasks and fine for even many advanced tasks, like music-making. We called it Apple's near-perfect Mac in our official review . This is not the bare-bones standard model, as it comes with 16GB of RAM. Most versions ship with 8GB of RAM. The multitasking bona-fides are strong with this one. The M2 MacBook Air also ships with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and support for the P3 wide color gamut. Its thin and light. Its a MacBook Air. This thing weighs around 2.7 pounds. The battery life is solid, at around 18 hours of use per charge. The four-speaker sound system can get surprisingly loud, so headphones are not a requirement when watching random YouTube videos or listening to music. So whats the downside? There isnt one. Not really. This isnt the M3 MacBook Air, so those looking for the latest and greatest model may be let down. The model does only ship with a 256GB solid state drive, but its easy enough to plug in an external. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-black-friday-deals-drop-the-m2-macbook-air-with-16gb-of-ram-to-749-161500357.html?src=rss
This Black Friday deal brings the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal down to an all-time-low price
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal is on sale via Amazon for just $89 , as part of an early Black Friday deal. This knocks 36 percent off the price and represents a record low for the camera-stabilizing device. For the uninitiated, this product keeps a steady lock on smartphones so as to provide smooth camera and video footage. The Osmo Mobile 6 is a step up from its predecessors in nearly every way. It features a newly-designed handle thats more comfortable to hold and a larger clamp to accommodate all of those modern giant phones. The clamp can also wrap itself around smaller phones in bulky cases. This model boasts a built-in extension rod, so it doubles as a selfie stick. It also features the companys ActiveTrack software. This allows for increased stability over longer distances and will actually track subjects as they turn, spin or move. Another new feature is Quick Launch for iPhone models. This automatically forces the phone into the camera view when the gimbal is unfolded. Theres a built-in status panel to check battery levels, a timelapse feature, gestural controls and a whole lot more. Its a nifty little gadget. On the downside, this is a lot of money for a smartphone clamp, even at $89. This is for people who prioritize top-tier footage. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-black-friday-deal-brings-the-dji-osmo-mobile-6-gimbal-down-to-an-all-time-low-price-161257824.html?src=rss
Make your home even safer with meross smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at $19 a pop (56% off)
meross Interconnected Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Buy for $19 (Reg. $43) Clip the on-page 50% off coupon. What we love If its been a while since your smoke and carbon monoxide detector has been replaced, you may be past due. They generally have a 7- to 10-year lifespan and todays deal allows you to refresh them at a very reasonable price. Up to 12 of these can be paired using built-in RF technology. If you plan to buy more than one, check out with one in your cart at a time and the on-page coupon should reappear each time. more
Stalker 2: tips and tricks to survive in The Zone
Stalker 2 isn't your typical open-world FPS. You will need to learn the ways of The Zone if you want to survive, and we have the best tips and tricks to learn.
ALLPOWERS has begun its official Black Friday event that is taking up to $1,800 off power stations and bundles through December 3. Among the offers were seeing several new low prices, like on the R2500 Portable Power Station that comes bundled with a 600W solar panel for $1,499 shipped . Normally this solar generator package would run you $2,199 at full price, with the largest discount weve seen this year being a drop to the former $1,559 low back during Amazons Prime Day event in October. Now, during this Black Friday event, you can score $700 off its usual going rate at the best price we have seen to date even beating its Prime Day low by $60. Youll also find this bundle matching the price over at Amazon. more
Samsungs new S24 FE smartphone hits all-time low ahead of Black Friday at up to $175 off
Update: While the Samsung site is still offering the $150 price drops below, Amazon is now undercutting those offers on the more affordable 128GB model with deals from $474.99 this is the lowest price we have tracked to date. As part of its early access Black Friday sale that serving up the best price to date on the new Tab S10 configurations , another one of Samsungs latest releases is hitting its lowest price to date. While there are some notable trade-in options for the new, more affordable Samsung S24 FE smartphone , the straight cash deals have never been better than they are today. Amazon is still offering all-time lows starting from $574.99, but going directly to Samsung will net you an instant credit that will drop the spend down to the $499.99 all-time low on the 128GB model and the best price yet on the 256GB variant at $559.99 shipped . Details await below. more
Black Friday TV deals for 2024: Save on sets from LG, Samsung, Sony and more
Were still a week out from Black Friday, but several of the better TV sales we expect to see during the big day are already available. If youre looking to upgrade your living room over the holidays, weve dug through reviews and checked price histories to find the Black Friday TV deals that are actually worth checking out. Right now, those include high-end OLEDs and budget LEDs alike from Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense and TCL. As in recent years, a few of those manufacturers kicked off their Black Friday sales toward the start of November, but most of the discounts below represent all-time lows either way. Well update this list as prices change and new discounts pop up over the next week. Hisense U6N QLED TV (55) for $348 at Amazon ($200 off MSRP) : Reviews around the web have praised the U6N as one of the years best budget-level TVs. Its one of the few options in its price range with mini-LED backlighting, quantum dots and full-array local dimming, all of which help it deliver better contrast and richer colors than most of its direct rivals. Its picture will wash out if you dont view it straight-on, and its 60Hz refresh rate isnt the best for gaming, but its a good bargain all the same. While this deal has been live for most of November, its still an all-time low. Also at Best Buy . Other sizes are similarly discounted. Hisense U7N QLED TV (65) for $698 at Amazon ($300 off) : The U7N is a standout LED TV for those who dont want to pay for a high-end set but can still go above the budget tier. It delivers higher brightness levels and better contrast than the cheaper Hisense U6N, plus it can play at 144Hz in 4K, so it can get more out of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. Its viewing angles still arent ideal, though, and its limited to two gaming-friendly HDMI 2.1 ports. This is another deal weve seen for the last few weeks, but its the lowest price to date for the 65-inch version. Also at Best Buy . Hisense U8N QLED TV (65) for $898 at Amazon ($602 off) : The U8N is another well-reviewed 2024 TV from Hisense. Like the lower-cost Hisense U7N, it offers mini-LED backlighting, quantum-dot color and 4K/144Hz support, plus it runs on the handy Google TV platform. The extra cash nets you a punchier image, with superb contrast for a non-OLED TV and higher brightness across the board. This deal ties an all-time low. Also at Best Buy . Other sizes are discounted as well, but note that the 55-inch version isnt as bright as the larger variants, while the 75-inch set has slightly worse contrast. Viewing angles arent super wide either way. LG B4 OLED TV (55) for $997 at Amazon ($200 off) : The B4 is LGs entry-level OLED TV for 2024. It gets you the essential perks of any good OLED set excellent contrast with deep black tones, wide viewing angles, fast motion, etc. but its not as bright as higher-tier models, so its best kept in a darker room. We've seen this discount in the past, but it still marks an all-time low. Also at Target , B&H , Best Buy and others. The Samsung Frame TV. Amy Skorheim Samsung S90D QD-OLED TV (65) for $1,398 at Amazon ($800 off) : The Samsung S90D is a premium set thats notable for its QD-OLED panel, which mixes the benefits of a good OLED display with a layer of quantum dots. This helps it put out a wider gamut of more vibrant colors, so images tend to pop more than they would on more traditional OLED TVs like the LG B4 or C4. It also has four HDMI 2.1 ports. Like all Samsung TVs, though, it doesnt support the popular Dolby Vision HDR format. This discount matches the best price we've seen for the 65-inch model outside of special in-store and one-off coupon deals. The set has typically cost $200 more over the past month. Other sizes are similarly discounted, but be aware that only the 55-, 65- and 75-inch versions use the superior QD-OLED tech. Also at Samsung , B&H and Best Buy . Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV (55) for $1,898 at Amazon ($500 off) : The S95D is Samsungs flagship set for 2024. Its QD-OLED panel is excellent but mainly stands out for having a matte finish, which makes it noticeably more effective at fending off glare than most OLED TVs. That said, theres no Dolby Vision, and the matte coating can make black tones look closer to gray under direct light. In general, its more TV than most people need. But if youve got cash to burn, this deal is another all-time low. Also at Samsung and Best Buy , with other sizes on sale. Samsung QN90D QLED TV (43) for $898 at Amazon ($400 off) : The Samsung QN90D is another high-end LED TV for those willing to trade the deep contrast and wide viewing angles of a good OLED set for higher brightness. Theres still no Dolby Vision, and most reviewers we trust suggest that the Hisense U8N is a better value. This set comes with two more HDMI 2.1 ports, though, plus it comes in a wider range of sizes, all of which offer similar performance. This is the lowest price weve seen for the 43-inch model, though again, the deal has been available for a few weeks. Other sizes are also discounted. Also at Samsung , B&H and others. Samsung The Frame TV (2024) QLED TV (55) for $878 at Woot ($620 off) : The Frame TV lags behind other sets in its price range in terms of picture quality, as it lacks local dimming to boost contrast. Instead, youd buy it for its style , since its built to resemble a framed piece of wall art and you can use it to display actual artwork on-screen. Beyond that, this is one of the few TVs with a matte finish, which helps it ward off glare in bright rooms. This deal at Amazon subsidiary Woot is a new low. Other sizes are on sale, but note that the 43- and 50-inch models have a lower 60Hz refresh rate (instead of 120Hz) and lack variable refresh rate tech. Also available for $20 more at Amazon , Best Buy and Samsung . The Sony Bravia 7. Sony TCL Q550F QLED TV (55) for $250 at Best Buy ($200 off) : The TCL Q5 is a relatively basic LED TV with no local dimming or HDMI 2.1 ports and a 60Hz refresh rate. This model also uses Amazons Fire OS software, which isnt quite as clean as other platforms. Most people should get the better-looking Hisense U6N instead. But if you really want to save an extra $100 or just need a cheap TV for a back room, it should do the job. This discount for the 55-inch model is the best weve tracked. TCL Q68 QLED TV (55) for $300 at Woot ($200 off) : The Q68 is another cheapo LED TV that broadly falls short of the Hisense U6Ns picture quality, though it should offer better contrast than the TCL Q5 thanks to its local dimming feature. Like the Q5 and U6N, it can also play at a 120Hz refresh rate if you drop the resolution to 1080p or 1440p, which is nice for gaming. If you dont want to spend any more than $300 for a 55-inch set, this is the lowest price weve found for this particular model. TCL QM8 QLED TV (65) for $1,000 at Amazon ($500 off) : If the Hisense U8N becomes unavailable, the TCL QM8 looks to be a decent alternative. It can get even brighter, according to reviewers we trust , but it has slightly worse contrast. Weve seen this discount a few times in recent months, but it ties the all-time low for the 65-inch variant. Also at Best Buy . Sony Bravia 7 QLED TV (55) for $1,298 at Amazon ($402 off) : The Bravia 7 is a relatively premium set with mini-LED backlighting to improve contrast and quantum dots to boost colors. Reviews suggest that it provides accurate colors out of the box and does well to preserve details in lower-resolution content, so its worth considering over the Hisense U8N if those are chief concerns. It only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, however, and its another LED TV with mediocre viewing angles. Most people will be happier with an OLED TV at this price, though this deal is an all-time low. Also at Walmart and B&H , with other sizes similarly discounted. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for Black Friday. Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $33 at Amazon ($27 off) : This is a new low for Amazons top-end streaming stick, which runs fast and supports all the major streaming apps and HDR formats. Weve found it to be surprisingly flexible as a gaming device , too, though youll have to put up with an ad-heavy interface that promotes Prime Video and other Amazon services above everything else. Also at Target , Best Buy and others. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $22 at Amazon ($28 off) : The standard Fire TV Stick 4K offers the same core experience as the pricier 4K Max for better or worse but comes with a slightly slower processor, half as much storage (8GB) and Wi-Fi 6 instead of the technically-faster Wi-Fi 6E. Still, this is a decent value if you just want a competent 4K streamer for as little as possible. This deal is another all-time low. Also at Target , Best Buy and others. Roku Ultra (2024) for $80 at Amazon ($20 off) : The Roku Ultra is overkill for most people, but it might be worthwhile if you like Rokus simpler UI and need a full-on set-top box with built-in Ethernet and USB ports. Unlike the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, it comes bundled with a rechargeable remote that supports voice controls, a lost remote finder tool and backlit buttons. (You can buy that separately , though.) This latest model also has a faster processor and Wi-Fi 6 support. This discount ties the lowest price weve tracked. Also at Roku , B&H and others. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-tv-deals-for-2024-save-on-sets-from-lg-samsung-sony-and-more-161445522.html?src=rss
Arcs metal Samsung Galaxy bumper cases see rare Black Friday deals from $38
The super rare deals in the Arc Black Friday sale are now live. We have already featured the offers available on the brands popular Bumper Cases for iPhone , and now its time to look at the Samsung Galaxy side of the lineup . Price drops on the brands popular bumper-style cases are rare at best, outside of our exclusive discounts that is, but the Black Friday deals are offering 15% off sitewide to deliver the best deals we have tracked all year. Youll find options for the Samsung S24 Ultra as well as the previous-generation S23 and S22 Ultra models starting from just over $38 right now click this link and hit up the pull-down menu in the top left corner to find the Galaxy models (final discounted prices appear in the cart). Head below for more details. more
This regularly $70 Anker 24,000mAh 3-port USB-C power bank is half off today at $35
As a part of its early Black Friday deals , Woot is now offering Ankers 24,000mAh 3-port power bank for $34.99 Prime shipped (a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise). Thats straight up a 50% discount on a battery pack thats been fetching $70 in recent months on Amazon. Todays $35 discount on its usual going rate drops it $18 below its Amazon low. This is the best price we can find for this 3-port battery pack thats ready to top up both your iPhone and MacBook and you can learn more about it below. more
Score an official Apple MagSafe Charger for 60% off in this wild blowout sale
Macworld If you have a new iPhone, the easiest and safest way to charge it is with Apples official MagSafe charger, especially when you can get one for crazy cheap: Amazons Woot is selling the 1st-gen MagSafe charger for $15 , a savings of more than 60 percent and the lowest weve ever seen. Woot says the product is brand new direct from Apple but wont ship in its original packaging. Instead, it will however arrive in a polybag or plain brown box. it comes with a 90-day Woot Limited Warranty. The deal is available through Saturday or until supplies run out. Apple MagSafe Charger uses magnets to firmly attach to the back of the iPhone or AirPods Pro case for more reliable wireless charging. Since this is the 1st-gen cable, it maxes out at 15W, but thats plenty fast for quickly filling up your iPhone when it hits the red. Like Apples other products, it doesnt come with a power adapter, so youll need to bring your own. Apple recommends 20W or higher for maximum speeds. Whats more, you can also save even more by buying two ($28) or three ($40), so if you need a great charger for a great price, go grab one now. Get an official Apple MagSafe charger for 60% off Buy now on Woot!
Less than $17 brings home Govees 2-probe Bluetooth meat thermometer (Reg. $28)
Govee 2-Probe Bluetooth Meat Thermometer Buy for $17 (Reg. $28) Clip the on-page 40% off coupon. What we love Stay warm and out of the cold weather as long as possible with this Bluetooth meat thermometer from Govee. With two probes in tow, you can remotely keep an eye on temperatures and only step back out to your grill when absolutely necessary. You can even set your desired temperature and your phone will notify you when its done once youve set up the Govee app. more
Comcast is spinning out Rotten Tomatoes and cable networks into a separate company
Comcast is spinning out Rotten Tomatoes , Fandango and a bunch of NBCUniversal (NBCU) cable networks into a separate company. That means USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel will soon have a new home. Comcast is hanging onto other NBCU operations, namely NBC, Peacock , film and TV studios, Telemundo and theme parks. Bravo is also sticking around to help keep feeding Peacocks ever-hungry reality TV maw. Comcast says the new entity will be a tax-free spin-off and the step is expected to be accretive to revenue growth at Comcast and approximately neutral to Comcasts leverage position. In other words, it's to do with money and perhaps laying the groundwork for further consolidation between major media companies. The spun-out properties pulled in around $7 billion between them over the last year or so, while their future parent will still have a partnership with NBCU. Comcast is aiming to complete the transition within the next year. In its press release , Comcast calls the spin-off company SpinCo, which is a placeholder and surely won't be the business' actual name. After all, having SpinCo as their parent company's moniker wouldn't exactly be great optics for CNBC and MSNBC journalists. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/comcast-is-spinning-out-rotten-tomatoes-and-cable-networks-into-a-separate-company-151153285.html?src=rss
The best Christmas gifts in 2024 that everyone on your holiday list will love
This time of year has a lot of merry and bright things to be excited about, but it can be stressful if youre stumped on what to get your mom, dad, best friend, coworker or kids teacher as a holiday gift. Whether you enjoy or dread buying gifts for people, its safe to say we all want to give our loved ones things they will enjoy and appreciate. But theres a lot of noise, junk and bad deals disguised as good deals to sift through as we get closer and closer to the holidays. Allow us at Engadget to help you through it. Here, youll find all of our holiday gift guides collected in one place, so you can more easily find the best Christmas gifts you need this year. Are you looking for white elephant gift ideas? Are you struggling to come up with a good gift for the father figure in your life? Are you just looking for a good board game to pick up for your own family? Weve got you covered with gift ideas for all of those scenarios and more. We'll update this post as more of our gift guides hit the internet, so check back for even more gift ideas throughout the season. Table of contents Best white elephant gift ideas Best board game gifts Best gifts under $50 Gifts our editors want Best gifts for gamers Best retro gaming gifts Best gifts for coffee lovers Best gifts for tea lovers Best cooking gifts Best tech toys for kids Best gadgets for your pets Best travel gifts Best gifts for remote workers Best gifts for book lovers Best gifts for cyclists Best gifts for moms Best gifts for dads More coming soon! Best white elephant gift ideas According to legend, the King of Siam would give a white elephant to courtiers who had upset them. The recipient had no choice but to simply thank the king for such an opulent gift, knowing that they likely could not afford the upkeep for such an animal. It would inevitably lead them to financial ruin. This story is almost certainly untrue, but it has led to a modern holiday staple: the white elephant gift exchange. These gift ideas will not only get you a few chuckles, but will also make your recipient feel (slightly) burdened. Read more: The best white elephant gift ideas Best board game gifts We could all use more time away from screens of all types and sizes, and board games are a fun way to do that and bond with friends and family. You can find plenty of unique sets out there now, from word puzzles to whodunnits to calming playthroughs that showcase the beauty of the little things in life. From games with giant monsters to those with haunted mansions, were sure at least one of our suggestions will be a hit with you and your loved ones. Read more: The best board games to gift this season Best gifts under $50 We wouldnt blame you if you try to do all of your tech shopping around the holidays. Thats when you can typically get the best sales, both on relatively affordable gear and (more importantly) on big-ticket items. But it would be wrong to think that only the most expensive tech is worth gifting. Since we at Engadget test a plethora of gadgets every year, we know that there are some hidden (and not so hidden) tech gems at lower price ranges you just have to know where to find them. Read more: The best gifts under $50 that make great stocking stuffers Gifts our editors want We at Engadget spend a lot of time thinking about the best tech gifts for anyone and everyone in your life. But during that process, we often cant help but think about the things wed like to receive as gifts. Here, weve compiled a list of gadgets on our staffers wishlists with the hope that it may inspire you to splurge a bit on yourself this year. Read more: The best tech gifts on our editors' wishlists for the holiday season Best gifts for gamers This year may not go down as one of the best years in gaming like 2023 did, but that doesnt mean there werent a lot of great new releases. Between titles like Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth , there were plenty of games to keep even the most dedicated of gamers busy in 2024. And if youre shopping for one, especially as a non-gamer, it can be tricky to navigate whats worth buying. We've got you covered with these recommendations. Read more: The best gifts for gamers Best retro gaming gifts A million new video games seem to come out every week, but for some of us, nothing beats the classics. If you know someone who is way into retro gaming but dont feel like hunting through eBay and local shops for gear to add to their collection, were here to help. Weve rounded up a few of our favorite gift ideas for the nostalgic gamer in your life, from video upscalers for old consoles to retro-themed books and artwork. Read more: The best retro gaming gifts for the holidays Best gifts for coffee lovers When it comes to making a great cup at home, coffee nerds are constantly learning and love to try new things. Whether the person youre shopping for is a newly indoctrinated pour over lover or obsessive over every brewing parameter, weve compiled a list of the best gear for coffee geeks that you can get this holiday season. Read more: The best gifts for coffee lovers Best gifts for tea lovers Forget coffee for billions of people around the world, a freshly steeped cup of tea is the best part of waking up. But with so many varieties and methods of preparation out there, it can be difficult to find the right gift for the tea lover in your life. So to help you out, weve put together a list of our favorite products, from kettles to samplers. Read more: The best gifts to buy tea lovers Best cooking gifts There are few things more rewarding than making good food for your friends and family. But after a while, its easy to get bored with the same tried and true recipes. And what better way to inject some fun into your favorite home chefs routine than with a brand-new kitchen gadget? To help you find the right gift for the cook in your life, weve put together a list of our favorite kitchen gadgets across a wide range of prices and categories. Read more: The best cooking gifts Best tech toys for kids Were all having a bit of a budget crunch this year, but the good news is that when its time to bestow presents on the young ones (or young at heart), you dont have to break the bank. Our list of our favorite tech, science and design toys is stacked with items under $100, with plenty of reuse packed in so the fun can extend far beyond the holiday season. Read more: The best tech toys for kids Best gadgets for your pets In Engadgets Slack rooms, our pets are high on the list of stuff we chat about just behind work-adjacent tech stuff, insane current events, video games and food. Weve bought plenty of high- and low-tech stuff to keep our furry friends fed, occupied, safe and happy and weve put together the best of what we tried here. Perhaps youre shopping for your own very good boy or girl, or maybe you have a dutiful pet parent on your list either way, the gadgets gathered here will make great gifts, according to the enthusiastic tail wags (or aloof meows) of our own fur babies. Read more: The best gadgets for your pets Best travel gifts Since the dawn of humanity, we have traveled. Weve come a long way from on-foot journeys laden with animal hide satchels. But the goal of good travel gear is the same: Get you and your necessities to a destination in the highest level of comfort available. If you know someone who is always catching a flight, rides the train to work or is bravely embarking on a cruise, some new tech may just help them out. Read more: The best travel gifts Best gifts for remote workers There's a pretty good chance you know at least one person who works remotely in some fashion. While the WFH life has its perks nobody likes a long commute it comes with its own set of challenges, from lacking pro-level equipment to dealing with household disturbances. If youre looking to give a gift to someone who spends much of their time in their home office, weve rounded up a few techy gift ideas that should make their days a little more delightful, or at least easier to manage. Read more: The 19 best gift ideas for the remote worker in your life Best gifts for book lovers There are few things better in life than getting lost in a good book as any book lover will tell you. We have a few heavy readers on staff at Engadget and we all have opinions on the gadgets and subscriptions we think make the experience of reading even better. We've got gift ideas for those who prefer e-reading, as well as for the print-faithful and of course, some book recommendations, too. Read more: The best gifts for book lovers Best gifts for cyclists Other than a bike, helmet and a few emergency maintenance essentials, there arent many things a person needs to enjoy a bike ride outside. But having the right accessories can go a long way towards making the experience more fun, more safe and, ultimately, more rewarding. Our list of recommendations cover the gamut of things you can give to the cyclist in your life, from must-have safety accessories like bike lights, to more techie gadgets like bike computers. Read more: The best gifts for cyclists Best gifts for moms We dont speak for all moms, but a brief and unscientific survey has confirmed one gift most moms will love across the board: Time. Unspoken for, unstructured, zero-obligation time. While we couldnt find extra hours on sale anywhere online, we did find some gadgets and gizmos that help save time and others that make precious down time more enjoyable. Read more: The 13 best gifts for moms Best gifts for dads Many Dads arent known for being forthright about what exactly they want for the holidays. (No, peace and quiet is not an acceptable answer in this case.) If youre shopping for a father who likes gadgets but you arent sure what to get, let us help jog your brain with these gift ideas. Read more: The 15 best gifts for dads Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-christmas-gifts-in-2024-that-everyone-on-your-holiday-list-will-love-170018888.html?src=rss
Todays iOS price drops and freebies: Boxing Gym Story, Wreckfest, Notebooks, and more
Its time for your mid-week App Store deals, and everything awaits down below. Just be sure to scope out the all-time low pricing we have on a series of the new M4 MacBook Pro models with as much as $250 in savings as well as the frankly wild deals we spotted this morning on the newly updated 16GB and 24GB M3 MacBook Airs at up to $450 off the original prices. Costco members are also privy to the best price ever on the most affordable M4 Mac mini config right now, but lets move on to todays best app deals. Highlights include Boxing Gym Story, Wreckfest, Everybodys RPG, Notebooks, and more. Head below for a closer look. more
Let Amazon deliver three 240W USB-C cables for just $6.50 Prime shipped (36% off)
3-pack of LISEN 240W USB-C Cables Buy for $6.50 (Reg. $10) Clip the on-page 15% off coupon. What we love For just over $2 per cable, youre able to score not one, not two, but three 240W USB-C cables. Two of these span 3.3 feet in length and the other doubles that to reach 6.6 feet. These affordable cables are braided, as well, helping bolster the number of times they can bend before becoming damaged. more
Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 5000 Buy for $60 (Reg. $100) What we love Todays a great day to step up your dental hygiene game with Amazon slashing 40% off this power flosser from Philips. The brand touts that it is up to 180% more effective than floss with the ability to remove up to 99% of plaque from below the gumline. When youre finished using it, this model snaps back into place on its docking station using built-in magnets. more
The best Black Friday gaming deals on video games, consoles, accessories and more
Black Friday is usually a good time to restock on video games and gaming gear at a discount, and this year should be no exception. If youre looking to pad out your backlog, pick up a new console or refresh your desktop with new peripherals, were rounding up the Black Friday gaming deals that are most worth your attention below. To be candid, the selection as of Wednesday morning is fairly light we expect tons more discounts to pop up Thursday and Friday, after Amazon , Best Buy , PlayStation and other retailers start their official Black Friday sales in earnest. That said, a number of noteworthy Switch, PS5 and Xbox games are already down to their lowest prices to date, while the Xbox Series X and a few well-reviewed accessories are cheaper than usual too. Weve dug through reviews and used price history trackers to ensure each offer below is a genuine deal, and well update this post regularly over the next couple of weeks as additional deals become available. Xbox Series X (1TB) for $448 at Amazon ($52 off MSRP) : This is well off the lowest price weve seen for the higher-end Xbox, and theres a chance we see alternative deals next week. It is Microsofts official discount , though, and any chance to save $50 is still worth calling out. Whether any Xbox is a must-have is another question , as Microsoft has put less and less emphasis on exclusives, but the Series X is still a nice piece of kit if youre sold on Xbox Game Pass or just have friends who use the platform. Also at Xbox , Walmart , Target and others. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for $42 at Woot ($18 off) : This is a new low for the recent Switch remake of the beloved GameCube RPG Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door . Engadget Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar was pretty straightforward in his review : Its great, you should play it. Super Mario RPG for $32 at Woot ($18 off) : The lively and brisk Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars remains one of the Super Nintendos essential games. It didnt necessarily need a Switch remake, but it got one last year anyway; thankfully, the new version keeps the originals oddball spirit in tact as it spruces up the visuals for true 3D. If youre in the market for a lighter RPG, this deal at Amazon subsidiary Woot brings the game down to a new all-time low. Portal: Companion Collection for $5 at Nintendo ($15 off) : Portal and Portal 2 are two of the most fully-actualized games ever made, a pair of human-lab-rat simulators overloaded with wit and mind-opening puzzles. The second is also one of our favorite couch co-op games . This discount ties the lowest price weve seen for the Companion Collection , which bundles both games for the Switch, and it comes as part of a wider suite of digital game deals at Nintendos online store. The Xbox Series X. Photo by Aaron Souppouris / Engadget Mass Effect Legendary Edition for $5 at Epic ($55 off) : The Mass Effect trilogy doesnt hold up perfectly the original is very much a game from 2007, while the overarching morality system feels ancient in a post- Baldurs Gate 3 world but it remains as accessible and deeply entertaining as any action-RPG series out there. The Legendary Edition remasters all three titles, and this discount brings the compilation down to its lowest price to date. The deal comes as part of the Epic Games Stores Black Friday sale , which is otherwise light on standout offers. Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10 at Xbox ($30 off) : This matches the all-time low for The Master Chief Collection , which gathers five of the venerable FPS series essential games in one package. It also includes Halo 4 (we kid). Pentiment for $10 at Xbox ($10 off) : Pentiment remains one of the Xboxs true gems , a gorgeous and unusually soulful 2D adventure/visual novel that examines the nature of truth itself. This deal for the Xbox version represents an all-time low. Psychonauts 2 for $12 at Xbox ($48 off) : Another entry on our list of the best Xbox games, Psychonauts 2 is a distinctly eccentric, wonderfully written 3D platformer that tackles heavy themes with real warmth. This is another all-time low. Several other digital Xbox games are on sale as part of Microsofts Black Friday sale . Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Xbox Game Studios Madden NFL 25 for $35 at Amazon ($35 off) : Madden could pretty badly use a creative reset, but its ultimately still Madden , so theres fun to be had if youre in the football mood and feel like denying Patrick Mahomes a championship in at least one realm of existence. This is the best price to date for this years latest installment. Also at Walmart . EA Sports FC 25 for $35 at Amazon ($35 off) : Were not going to sit here and tell you the series formerly known as FIFA is good AI defending is still a mess, while the Ultimate Team mode still blends grinding with gambling to mind-numbing effect but we realize that many people just want to mess around as their favorite footy team. This is a new low for the PS5, PS4 and Xbox editions. Also at Walmart , PlayStation , Xbox and Steam . The Switch version is at an all-time low of $30, too, though it wont run as well. WWE 2K24 for $24 at Amazon ($11 off) : We acknowledge that this is a new low for the physical PS5 and Xbox copies of the latest WWE game, which should scratch the itch for most people looking to do some fantasy booking and digital powerbombing. Just dont be surprised if you run into a few bugs every now and then; this is a 2K game, after all. Also at Walmart , Target and Best Buy , or for $23 at Xbox . The last-gen versions are on sale for a few bucks less as well. NBA 2K25 for $30 at Amazon ($40 off) : NBA 2K has its own longstanding issues with pay-to-win online modes and occasional glitchiness, but its on-court play is generally rock solid if youre looking to play through a season or run some offline games with friends. This is a new low for the PS5 and Xbox copies of the game. Also at Walmart , Target and Best Buy . Nintendo has the Switch edition for $4 less, though that version is generally slower and more watered-down than the others. The WD Black C50 Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S. WD WD Black C50 Expansion Card for Xbox (1TB) for $100 at Amazon ($58 off) : Its aggravating, but the only way to fully increase the storage of an Xbox Series X/S is to use a proprietary expansion card. Only two of those currently exist, but the C50 is one, and this discount drops the 1TB model to a new low. Its normally sold for roughly $40 more in recent months. Is this still expensive compared to a normal SSD with the same capacity? You bet. But any extra savings should be welcome. Also at Best Buy . A 512GB model is a couple bucks above its all-time low at $68 as well. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S (2TB) for $200 at Amazon ($160 off) : Seagate makes the other official storage expansion card for the Xbox Series X/S. This discount isnt the best weve ever seen, and its been live for most of the month, but its still about $30 to $50 below the 2TB models typical street price. Theres little performance difference between this and the C50, so which is best merely comes down to how much space you need and whatever one costs less. 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard (N Edition) for $60 at Woot ($40 off) : While not a top pick in any of our keyboard guides, the wireless 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is still a nice value for anyone looking to give their desk a more vintage look, as its keycaps and accents are inspired by Nintendos old NES console. Its comfy for typing and hot-swappable, too, though the default switches are pretty noisy. This discount matches the lowest price weve seen. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard. Will Lipman Photography for Engadget ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023) gaming laptop for $700 at Best Buy ($400 off) : Although its a 2023 model, this configuration of the A16 should do the job for value-minded buyers. It comes with a 16-inch 165Hz 1,920 x 1,200 display, an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and an AMD Radeon RX 7700S GPU. Youll still have to deal with the usual trade-offs of a cheaper gaming laptop it can get warm under load, its bulky, the keyboard isnt great and the screen is somewhat dim. But its powerful enough to run newer games in 1080p, the chassis generally feels sturdy, and the battery can reach double-digit hours when you arent gaming. This discount is $20 above than the configs all-time low but ties the best price weve seen otherwise. LG 32GS95UV-W 32-inch gaming monitor for $1,000 at Amazon ($400 off) : This is a variant of the no-compromise pick in our guide to the best gaming monitors . Its a premium OLED panel with a sharp 4K resolution and a fast 240Hz refresh rate, though it can jump to a super-smooth 480Hz if you drop to 1080p (and own a PC that can handle that). Thats great if you spend a decent chunk of time in esports-style games like Counter-Strike 2 . Being an OLED monitor gives it excellent contrast with deep black tones, though its not quite as vivid as the handful of high-end OLEDs that also use quantum dots to boost colors. Still, its well worth a look if you have cash to burn and know youll use the dual refresh rate modes. This deal has been live for a month but represents an all-time low. Also at LG and Best Buy . Compared to the recommendation in our guide, the only differences with this model are that it has a white finish and its built-in speakers arent as strong. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-gaming-deals-on-video-games-consoles-accessories-and-more-144605538.html?src=rss
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: ambitious, but still a work in progress
There's an ambitious shooter somewhere in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, but its buried by technical woes and frustrating design.
Game deals: Star Wars Outlaws hits $50 all-time low, Sonic X Shadow Generations $37.50, more
PlayStation unleashed the details on this weeks official 2024 Black Friday deals , just after the Xbox and Nintendo Black Friday sales went live, and the game price drops are flying now. Not only has Best Buy launched a wide-ranging Nintendo Switch game sale , but we are also now tracking the best price to date on Star Wars Outlaws for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S at $49.99 shipped courtesy of Amazon. Regularly $70, youre looking at a new Amazon all-time low it is still up at full price via Best Buy . Players experience the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw across a galaxy far, far away with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand. Youll also be piloting your own ship in dog fights and racing across the landscape in your trusty speeder too. Head below for the now live Nintendo digital Black Friday game sale and much more. more
Apple to Urge Judge to End US Smartphone Monopoly Case
Apple has moved to dismiss the case, saying its limitations on developers' access to its technology were reasonable, and that forcing it to share technology with competitors would chill innovation.
Google Reportedly Working on AI-Powered Help Me Draw Feature for Google Keep
Google is reportedly working on a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature for Google Keep. As per the report, the companys note-taking app might soon offer AI-powered enhancement to hand-drawn text and sketches. Dubbed Help Me Draw, the evidence of the feature were said to be found within the latest version of the Google Keep app for Android.
Power your iPhone on the dashboard with this MagSafe charger at only $13 (Reg. $22)
LISEN MagSafe Car Charger Buy for $13 (Reg. $22) Clip the on-page 50% off coupon. What we love Get your iPhone or Android smartphone with compatible MagSafe case up on the dashboard with this affordable mount. It attaches to your car vent so youll be up and running with little effort required. This solution not only holds your device, but also charges it at up to 15W, depending on device compatibility. more
Official 15W Apple MagSafe Charger sees clearance pricing at $15 today, or three for $40
Today over at Woot, youll find a sweet deal on the official 1st generation Apple MagSafe Charger at $14.99 with free shipping for Prime members (a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise). You can also opt for a 2-pack at $27.99 or a 3-pack at $39.99 Prime shipped thats just over $13 a pop. This model is currently out of stock at Amazon where it has never dropped below $25 and has now been superseded by the next-generation model that is now starting down at $32. Todays Woot deals are brand new units, but they ship in plain packaging and come with a 1-year Woot warranty. All of the details you need are waiting down below. more
Columbias Early Black Fridaytakes 50% off doorbusters and up to 60% off sitewide for its Adventure Members ( free to sign-up ). Prices are as marked. Customers receive free delivery on orders of $150 or more. Inside this sale you can score jackets, vests, boots, sweatshirts, pants, and more. A standout from this sale is the Slope Edge II Vest thats marked down to $50 , which is 50% off the original rate of $100. This vest is available in four color options and is a nice layering option for cooler weather. It has a warm, thermal-reflective lining, cozy insulation, and water-resistant fabric to help keep you comfortable. It also has zippered hand pockets to store small essentials. Find even more deals by heading below, or you can shop the entire sale here . more
Vivo S20 Series Design, Key Features Revealed; Confirmed to Feature MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ Chipset
Vivo S20 series will launch in China soon. The lineup will include a base and a Pro variant. The company had previously teased the design of the upcoming handsets. Now, a senior company executive has revealed the back panel design of the Vivo S20 series smartphones alongside several of its key features.
Get 20 percent off Ooni pizza ovens for Black Friday
Ooni is discounting all of its ovens and accessories by 20 percent as part of a Black Friday deal. This sweeping sale means you can snag one of our two top choices for a home pizza oven. If you're looking to splurge, the Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel pizza oven is available for $519, down from its typical price tag of $799. We appreciate that this model can use wood, charcoal or gas to sizzle up your slices, plus it has a built-in digital thermometer and can fit up to a 16-inch pie. If you'd rather not prep your pizza in the great outdoors, then the Ooni Volt 12 Electric pizza oven might be more your speed. It's on sale for $719 instead of the usual $899. This is our top choice this year for an indoor pizza oven thanks to its quick heating and flexibility for fitting pans or other baked items into its 13-inch interior. It's also flexible on location, since the weather-resistant materials mean it can be used outside too. At the scorching temperatures needed for good pie, you don't want to mess around with the wrong gear. Since Ooni is also cutting the prices on accessories, this is a good time to stock up on other essential tools, like a baking stone or pizza peel. And if you need the ingredients to kick off your pizza journey, Ooni is also taking 20 percent off orders of its dough and up to 50 percent off other grocery items. The Black Friday offer for Ooni goods will be available from today through 11:59 pm local time on December 2. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-20-percent-off-ooni-pizza-ovens-for-black-friday-150052139.html?src=rss
Strinova's 2D Stringify mechanic breathes some new life into hero shooters
Strinova is a third-person hero shooter coming out this week, and its recent closed beta functioned more like an open beta despite the label. Its anime art style caught my eye, so I decided to register and try it out. While this hero shooter had much in common with others in the genre, I thoroughly enjoyed the new mechanics it introduced. This new third-person shooter from iDreamSky has elements players of Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch and Valorant will find familiar, such as game modes and Agent roles. However, the game sets itself apart by implementing a mechanic called Stringify, allowing Agents to turn from 3D into paper-thin 2D models. Stringify allows Agents to avoid gunfire, climb up walls and even glide through the air, but they cant shoot or use abilities while Stringified. This mechanic allows for possibilities like chambering sniper rifle rounds while minimizing ones hitbox and traversing walls mid-gunfight. It was incredibly entertaining to move around like this, but it isnt so over-the-top like how some Call of Duty games and Titanfall implement movement mechanics. Spamming glides or sprints wont do much good. Each Agent has unique abilities and primary weapons, while secondary weapons and grenades can be swapped out. You have many familiar roles like snipers, designated marksmen with semi-automatic rifles, mid-range assault units and close-quarters-focused brawlers armed with shotguns. The abilities range from defensive supports to lone-wolf offensive kits, though Strinova doesnt encourage engaging groups of enemies alone due to a longer time to kill. My favorite Agent from the open beta is Meredith (image below), a mid-range assault Agent who can glide in mid-air longer due to a time-slowing mechanic. Her gunplay feels almost inspired by Warframe s Zephyr, who also has extended airtime. Meredith also has area denial abilities that apply debuffs, most significantly with her Ultimate Skill that drains HP temporarily while limiting vision. Jeremy Gan for Engadget Another standout is Audrey, whose ability turns her into a stationary turret and lets her fire her machine gun without recoil or reloading. However, youll want to watch out for overheating. She has a limited shield that blocks some incoming fire while aiming down the sights but theres a catch. Despite being a bullet hose, shes vulnerable to a single sniper headshot, and a shotgun user can take her out quickly before she enters turret mode, which has a longer startup animation. There were four game modes in the open beta: team deathmatch, team arena, escort, and demolition. Escort is similar to what Overwatch offers, which has an attacking team escorting a payload to the goal. Demolition is basically competitive Counter-Strike. Team deathmatch has five teams of three fighting each other, while team arena has a 7v7 format. In the last two game modes, Ultimate Skills are disabled. Based on my experience, Strinova has a longer time to kill, which forces players to be more tactical, especially when everyone can use Stringify to move around. I was forced to ditch my highly aggressive playstyle and employ proper movement and peeking to ensure I survived gunfights. Since each Agent gets to turn 2D, glide and climb walls, there are plenty of ways to get the drop on opponents. Jeremy Gan for Engadget Strinova ran smoothly on my gaming laptop, reaching 120FPS easily and rarely dropping many frames. However, there was a glaring bug in which my A key was perceived as being held down. The only way to fix was to pause or unplug my keyboard. I usually had to perform the latter, and it was rather annoying to deal with, though hopefully its something that gets worked out by release. I definitely enjoyed playing the Strinova open beta, and the game is set to come out on November 21. There are plenty of other cool things in the game, but the combat absolutely stands out. I dont play that many hero shooters, but this one is like a diamond in the rough to me. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/strinovas-2d-stringify-mechanic-breathes-some-new-life-into-hero-shooters-140043155.html?src=rss
iQOO 13 Key Specifications Revealed Ahead of December 3 Launch in India
iQOO 13 is all set to launch in India in the first week of December. As the launch date nears, the Vivo sub-brand has disclosed more details about the Indian variant of iQOO 13. Like its Chinese counterpart, it is confirmed to ship with Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, iQOO's in-house Q2 chip and an LTPO AMOLED display. The iQOO 13 will offer IP68 and IP69 ratings. It is confirmed to receive software updates for four years.
A two-pack of Blink Mini 2 cameras is on sale for $35 in this Black Friday deal
Black Friday deals have come for Blink security devices, including the new-this-year Blink Mini 2 . You can snag a two pack of the updated, wired security cameras for only $35, which is half off and $5 less than you'd usually pay for just one of them. Thats a record low and cheap enough to qualify as a stocking stuffer . There are a bunch of other Blink devices on sale right now as well, including the Blink Video Doorbell , which is also half off and down to $30. The compact security camera has color night vision capabilities thanks to its built-in LED spotlight. It supports person detection, although youll need a Blink Subscription for that. They start at $3 monthly or $30 annually for one device. (And you get a 30-day trial to see if its worth it.) The camera supports 1080p HD live view and has a wider field of view than its predecessor (143 degrees diagonally vs. 110 in the original). It also has a low-light image sensor. The Blink Mini 2 works with Alexa and supports two-way audio. The plug-in camera works indoors and out, but youll need a $10 weather-resistant power adapter to use it outside. However, it does include mounting screws in the box, along with a 13-ft indoor power adapter and a stand for each camera. You can order the camera in black or white. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-two-pack-of-blink-mini-2-cameras-is-on-sale-for-35-in-this-black-friday-deal-140009644.html?src=rss
Black Friday deals on MasterClass subscriptions start at $7 per month
A MasterClass subscription is perhaps one of the best gifts you can get for yourself if you love learning new things or honing your skills, and it will now cost you up to 50 percent off. The website is holding a pre-Black Friday sale, so this is your chance to sign up at a discount if you find its regular rates a bit steep. MasterClass' Standard subscription, which allows you to access its content on one device, will cost you $7 a month instead of $10. If you want to watch classes offline, though, your cheapest option is the Plus tier that will now set you back $9 per month instead of $15. It will also allow you to access the service's videos on two devices. But the best option available right now is the Premium tier, which you can get for $10 a month instead of $20. You'll be able to access classes on six devices if you get it, and it also comes with offline viewing. A subscription will let you view more than 200 classes across 11 categories no matter what option you choose. MasterClass offers lessons from some of the best and most well-known people in their field, such as Gordon Ramsay (cooking), Martin Scorsese (filmmaking), Margaret Atwood (creative writing), Mariah Carey (using voice as an instrument), Stephen Curry (basketball), Steve Martin (comedy), Shonda Rhimes (writing for TV), John Legend (songwriting), Garry Kasparov (chess), Jane Goodall (conservation), Simone Biles (gymnastics) and Samuel L. Jackson (acting). Take note that you'll have to pay for the whole year to be able to enjoy the discounted rates, which are only available for a limited time. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-on-masterclass-subscriptions-start-at-7-per-month-150047706.html?src=rss
Apple patches vulnerabilities used to target Intel-based Macs
Apple has rolled out updates for its operating systems, which come with security fixes for vulnerabilities that may have already been used to target its customers. The updates are now available for Macs , iPhones, iPads, the Vision Pro and the Safari browser. In its notes, Apple revealed that the security patches will fix bugs affecting WebKit, the rendering engine Safari uses, and JavaScriptCore, which runs JavaScript code on macOS and iOS devices. If JavaScriptCore is fooled into processing maliciously crafted web content, it could execute arbitrary codes, Apple explained. Meanwhile, WebKit could be exploited for cross site scripting attacks if it gets tricked into running malicious content. The company said it's aware of a report that the vulnerabilities could've been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems. According to TechCrunch , the bugs are zero-day vulnerabilities, as Apple had no knowledge of their existence when they were exploited. Researchers from Google's Threat Analysis Group were reportedly the ones who discovered the vulnerabilities. The group is known for detecting and analyzing government-backed hacking and attacks. Apple didn't say how many devices had been attacked using exploits taking advantage of the bugs, and it didn't say if any information was stolen from the targets. Mac, iPad and iPhones users may want to check their devices for the latest updates, though, so they can install the security fixes as soon as possible. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/apple-patches-vulnerabilities-used-to-target-intel-based-macs-133027514.html?src=rss
NYT Crossword: answers for Wednesday, November 20
The New York Times crossword puzzle can be tough! If you're stuck, we're here to help with a list of today's clues and answers.
NYT Strands today: hints, spangram and answers for Wednesday, November 20
Strands is a tricky take on the classic word search from NYT Games. If you're stuck and cannot solve today's puzzle, we've got help for you here.
NYT Connections: hints and answers for Wednesday, November 20
Connectionsis the new puzzle game from the New York Times, and it can be quite difficult. If you need a hand with solving today's puzzle, we're here to help.
