Intel Core Ultra 400K Nova Lake-S To Challenge X3D With Massive 144MB Cache

Intel Core Ultra 400K Nova Lake-S To Challenge X3D With Massive 144MB Cache
Those up-to-date with the best gaming CPUs know that AMD has stolen the crown from Intel with Ryzen X3D chips wielding massively increasing cache allotments. However, Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake-S CPUs are rumored to have a massive cache configurations of their own. According to leakers on Twitter, unlocked Intel Nova Lake-S CPUs will feature

World’s Central Banks Are Wary of AI and Struggling To Quit the Dollar, Survey Shows

An anonymous reader shares a report: AI is not a core part of operations at most of the world’s central banks and digital assets are off the table, according to a survey released on Wednesday by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. The working group of 10 central banks from Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia managing roughly $6.5 trillion in assets also found that the institutions that have delved deepest so far into AI are the most cautious about the risks.

The primary concern is that AI-driven behaviour could “accelerate future crises,” the survey showed. “AI helps us see more, but decisions must remain with people,” one participant was quoted as saying in the group’s report. More than 60% of respondents said that AI tools – which have sparked layoffs already at technology companies and retail and investment banks – are not yet supporting core operations.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Eero Max 7 Mesh Will Supercharge Your Wifi, and It’s Over $500 Off for Black Friday

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over.

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.


Wifi is vital in a modern home, and you’ll struggle to beat the Eero Max 7 mesh system for reaching all corners of your property with the fastest possible speeds. Even better, it’s down by $510 right now.

It’s still a lot of money to be spending, but if you think about how long these units are going to last you and how often you’ll be enjoying the benefits of a top-tier Wi-Fi 7 system, the investment does seem worth it—especially at 30% off.

I was able to test the Eero Max 7 mesh a few months ago and it’s an impressive system: Everything from the simplicity of the setup to the speed of the tri-band connections is fantastic. This three-pack is able to support more than 750 devices across 7,500 square feet, so it’s a substantial upgrade over most routers and mesh packs.

The Eero Max 7 won’t improve the broadband speed actually coming into your home, but it will make sure that as much of that speed is carried over to your devices, no matter which room they’re in. From 8K video to online gaming, this pack is transformative in terms of getting online.


Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)


—
$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

The M4 Mac Mini Is One of Apple’s Best Black Friday Deals

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. 

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. 


It’s nice to have dreams that you can actually achieve. Mine is owning an M4 Mac Mini home server setup, which has now become even more realistic thanks to Amazon’s Black Friday sale. The already affordable base M4 Mac Mini is discounted by $120 for Black Friday, and can now be yours (and mine) for just $479.

The M4 chip in the Mac Mini is no joke. My daily driver is the 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro, and I love the thing. I love the power, the screen, the whole package. But now that my wife and I have moved into a new place and we have a nice entertainment area set up, I really want a dedicated home computer there for both of us. A home computer would be a great place to attend to our weekly meditation sessions and daily browsing sessions, plus it could serve as a media server and a place for my wife to take a look at scans and plan out her cases (she is a dentist).

Because the Mac Mini is small and cheap, it’s the perfect candidate. We considered getting an iMac, but at the $1,299 starting price, that’s a lot to ask. Plus, we already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to go along with the Mac Mini. The 5-inch by 5-inch footprint makes it small enough that I can hide it in my TV console.

The base configuration isn’t quite as strong as an M4 Pro model would be, but it’s more than powerful enough for our needs, and that’s probably true for most home users. The M4 chip packs a 10-core CPU (with a mix of performance and efficiency cores), a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine (NPU). There’s also 16GB RAM standard across all base Mac computers, which bodes well for longevity. And because it’s powered by an ARM chip, it’s a lot more power efficient than Intel or AMD CPUs, which means I won’t feel guilty for running it 24/7 as my media center, hosting movies on my Jellyfin server with it. The 256GB SSD is quite small, I’ll be honest, but it’s really easy to extend the storage using USB-C storage drives.

If you want more power (something that matches my MacBook Pro), you can also take a look at the M4 Pro Mac Mini with 24GB RAM and 512GB storage, which is down from its usual price of $1,399 to $1,199.


Does Apple do Black Friday?

Yes, Apple participates in Black Friday, though you may want to compare their sales with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but so far, the best Black Friday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever.

What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. 

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. 

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)


—
$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Xiaomi’s Poco F8 Ultra Hits Hard With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 And A Bose Subwoofer

Xiaomi's Poco F8 Ultra Hits Hard With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 And A Bose Subwoofer
In a move that could in equal parts redefine external mobile audio or annoy the heck out of people, Poco’s F8 Ultra debuts a Bose-branded triple speaker setup featuring a dedicated “tablet-level” subwoofer mounted high, next to the rear cameras. Not settling in being a one-trick pony, the phone packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 6,500 mAh battery

The Underwater Cables That Carry the Internet Are in Trouble

The roughly 500 fiber-optic cables lying on the ocean floor carry more than 95% of all internet data — not satellites, as many might assume — and they face growing threats from natural disasters, terrorists and nation-states capable of disrupting global communications by dragging anchors or deploying submarines against the infrastructure.

The cables are protected by layers of copper, steel, and plastics, but they remain vulnerable at multiple points: earthquakes can disturb them on the seafloor, and the connections where cables meet land-based infrastructure present targets for bad actors. National actors including Russia, China and the US possess the capability to attack these cables.

A bipartisan Senate bill co-sponsored by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican John Barrasso is under consideration. The legislation would require a report to Congress within six months on Chinese and Russian sabotage efforts, mandate sanctions against foreign parties responsible for attacks, and direct the US to provide more resources for cable protection and repair.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Latest Model of the Blink Mini 2K+ Camera Is Already Half Off for Black Friday

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. 

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.


Blink’s newest plug-in camera, the Blink Mini 2K+, is the third-generation model in the Mini series, and right now, it’s $24.99 (originally $49.99) for Black Friday, bringing it to its lowest price ever. At 50%, this upgraded version of the Blink Mini 2 provides strong value for anyone looking to level up their home security without breaking the bank.

Compared to the popular Blink Mini 2, this indoor and outdoor plug-in camera offers significantly sharper 2K resolution (2560×1440) instead of the previous 1080p. This translates to better details when it comes to capturing license plates and identifying faces. It also has improved night vision, has the added support of a built-in spotlight, and supports up to 4x zoom, which further improves clarity.

The 2K+ features enhanced audio and noise-cancelling two-way talk, which is helpful for those who want to communicate with visitors (or potential intruders) via the camera, or for anyone who just wants clearer sound from the monitored area. By adding a $4-per-month subscription, you unlock more smart features, such as person and vehicle detection. If you plan to use the camera outdoors (and don’t mind shelling out an extra $10), you can get a weather-resistant adapter that allows you to do so.

If you’re looking for an under-$30 camera that performs well with no hard-wiring required, the Blink Mini 2K+ is a solid option, and a 50% discount makes it even more attractive. Compared to the no-frills Blink Mini 2, the 2K+ offers a big step up in performance, including better clarity, sharper video, and more detail (especially at night), making it a more future-proof choice, especially when combined with add-ons like the subscription and weather-resistant adaptor.


How long do Black Friday deals really last?

Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. 

Does Apple do Black Friday?

Yes, Apple participates in Black Friday, though you may want to compare their sales with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but so far, the best Black Friday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever.

Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)


—
$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

2025 budget leaves Cycle to Work scheme rules unchanged

Despite rumours of a cap on the Cycle to Work scheme, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ 2025 budget left the salary sacrifice bike purchasing programme’s rules unchanged. 

The Financial Times reported in early November that the previous £1,000 cap could be restored in Reeves’ budget. Yet, the Autumn budget, which promised “no austerity or reckless borrowing”, did not mention the salary sacrifice programme. 

The previous £1,000 cap stood from the scheme’s inception in 1999 to 2019. But inflation in bicycle prices during the Covid pandemic, and the inclusion of electric bicycles in the scheme, meant many bikes and ebikes were beyond the cap. 

Rumours of a cap prompted a backlash from the cycling industry. The Cycle to Work Alliance chair, Steve Edgell, pointed to the increased range of bikes available through the scheme since 2019.

“In 2019 a spending cap of £1,000 was abolished, as it was preventing people from being able to access the equipment they needed for everyday commutes. By effectively excluding e-bikes and adapted cycles from the scheme, the cap discriminated against older people and those with disabilities,” Edgell said. 

Sarah McMonagle, Cycling UK’s director of external affairs, pointed to the return on investment from Cycle to Work: “While capping the scheme may sound like a sensible way for Ministers to save money, in reality, it will cost the government a lot more. For every £1 spent on the Cycle to Work scheme, we see over £4 in returns: boosting productivity, reducing sick days, and saving households money.”

Earlier this year, the Cycle To Work Alliance – a consortium including Halfords, Evans Cycles, Cycle Solutions, and Cycle Scheme – commissioned independent research to quantify the benefits of the scheme. 

It found that the total financial benefit of the scheme is £573m. The numbers break down into cost savings to commuters, increased workforce productivity, retail income from new bike purchases and tax revenue. 

The Cycle to Work Alliance says 199,000 employees made use of the scheme in 2023/24, and this number rose by 10,000 in 2024//25. Since the scheme launched in 1999, the Cycle to Work Alliance says it has been used by more than 2 million people.

I Wear the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Every Day, and It’s Now 25% Off for Black Friday

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over.

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.


It’s always good when you get to recommend a piece of tech you use every day, and that’s the case with the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar: I’ve got one strapped to my wrist right now, as I do every day, and the 45 mm model is now on sale for $299.99 on Amazon.

That’s a hefty $100 drop for Black Friday—a quarter off, if you’re doing the math—and based on what we’ve seen on price trackers, this watch is now the cheapest it’s ever been on Amazon.

I love the rugged look of this smartwatch, and the battery life that can easily go for a month—thanks in part to the solar charging capabilities (though you can use a regular charger, too). It’ll track all the stats you need, and packs in a host of information on its monochrome screen (including sunrise and sunset times). Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki named the Garmin Instinct Solar 3 “best for hiking.”

You don’t get the colors and brightness of a color display, but I think the battery life trade-off is more than worth it: It’s not as if you’re watching videos on your smartwatch. You can also send your phone notifications through the watch, and it even comes with a handy flashlight built right in.


Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)


—
$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5


—
$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


—
$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 To Turbocharge More Affordable Flagships

Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 To Turbocharge More Affordable Flagships
Following up on the launch of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 system-on-chip (SoC) in September, Qualcomm has now unveiled a non-Elite variant that aims to deliver nearly the same level of performance and features in a more affordable package. While the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 doesn’t bear an ‘Elite’ designation, in a vacuum, this could be considered

Switch Online adds Bionic Commando, Battletoads and more to NES and GameBoy offerings

There continues to be no real discernible rhyme or reason to the way Nintendo distributes games on Nintendo Switch Online, but its latest drop brings some notable additions to the library for retro gaming fans. The NES and Game Boy apps — both of which are available to all NSO subscribers — have each got a pair of new games in the late-November update, and they’re all from well-known franchises.

Joining the NES app are Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos and Battletoads, while the Game Boy library gains Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters and Bionic Commando. The most significant of the four is probably Battletoads. Rare’s platforming beat ‘em up was a NES exclusive when it launched in 1991, before being ported to other platforms later on. It’s notorious for its extremely high difficulty, but with the NES emulator on the Switch allowing you to rewind any time you mess up, perhaps a few more people will see the game through now. Battletoads was also included in 2015’s Rare Replay collection, so it was admittedly already relatively easy to play, but there’s arguably a certain charm to playing NES classics on Nintendo hardware.

The Game Boy version of the side-scroller Bionic Commando is also worth a look. The handheld version was an adaptation of the NES original and features a different setting, while retaining the bionic arm mechanic that is essential for traversal, given the protagonist’s inability to jump. The grappling gun/hook is used to swing around levels and also doubles as a weapon.

The latest update also adds remappable buttons for the Nintendo Classics Game Boy and NES apps, and as spotted by Vooks, features an Easter egg that triggers the original Game Boy boot screen and sound when you wiggle the left analogue stick as you’re launching it. Nintendo previously added a similar feature to its Game Boy Advance and Switch 2-only GameCube app.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-online-adds-bionic-commando-battletoads-and-more-to-nes-and-gameboy-offerings-140507414.html?src=rss

I’ve Love My Google TV Streamer, and It’s Never Been Cheaper

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over.

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.


There’s an awful lot to like about the Google TV Streamer, especially when it’s back down to its lowest price for Black Friday. You can now pick this versatile, reliable streaming box for $74.99 on Amazon, down from its original price of $99.99.

Lifehacker’s review of the device highlights the smoothness of the user interface, the wealth of onboard storage, the bonus of having an Ethernet port (for steady internet access), and the benefits of the improved remote control—which you can actually make sound an alarm if you lose it. (Invaluable!)

I’ve been using and loving Google TV for years, and the Google Streamer is a great way to access it. I like its broad support for multiple streaming apps, and the way it combines all those apps together—making it easy to see what you’re currently watching. You can add to your watchlist from all across Google apps and services too, including Google Search.

The streaming box and its associated remote are available in either Porcelain or Haze, so you can pick whichever matches your personal taste and internal decor. This 25% Black Friday discount may not last, so if you’re interested, I’d recommend getting this bought as soon as possible.


Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.

Malaysia’s Johor Bans Low-Tier Data Centers Over Water Strain

Malaysia’s Johor, one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing data center hubs, has announced it will no longer approve applications for Tier 1 and Tier 2 data centers because of their enormous water consumption — up to 50 million liters daily, or roughly 200 times what higher-tier facilities require.

The Malaysian state has approved 51 data center projects as of November 2025. 17 centers are already operational, 11 are under construction and 23 received approval this year. The announcement follows concerns raised by a local politician who pointed to water supply disruptions in Georgia in the US after a data center began operations and protests in Uruguay over fears that data centers could affect farms.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Uber and WeRide’s Abu Dhabi robotaxi service is now fully driverless

After announcing its robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi last year, Uber and WeRide are finally deploying fully autonomous vehicles in in the city, Uber announced. If you request an UberX or Uber Comfort vehicle in designated parts of the city, you’ll now get an option for a driverless WeRide vehicle. 

Uber first launched its service with Chinese robotaxi operator WeRide back in 2024, but only with safety drivers aboard at first. Now, the fully driverless service will be offered in a 12 square mile tourist area called Yas Island, with expansion planned for other parts of the city down the road. 

Anyone in the Yas Island area can select the “Autonomous” option in the Uber app, though it doesn’t guarantee a driverless vehicle. The cars in use, shown above, are WeRide’s five-place GXR model (based on Geely’s Farizon SuperVan) with more than 20 sensors and cameras. 

Uber has partnered with multiple robotaxi operators including Waymo in Atlanta, Baidu in Asia and the Middle East and Momenta in Europe. With those, Uber focuses on the consumer ride-matching part of the service while its partners supply the vehicles. For WeRide, though, Uber is handling fleet operations in collaboration with taxi company Tawasul Transport, including maintenance, charging and more. Uber and WeRide intend to launch in an additional 15 cities over the next several years. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-and-werides-abu-dhabi-robotaxi-service-is-now-fully-driverless-133013746.html?src=rss

Character.ai launches guided Stories format after banning teens from its chatbots

Character.ai has introduced Stories, its first format that was specifically created to “enhance [teens’] experience,” on the same day the company removed their ability to engage with its chatbots. Stories works similarly to choose-your-own-adventure apps that offer interactive visual novels users can play. The company describes Stories as a “visual, narrative-first format.” Players can choose two to three characters, pick a genre and then write their own premise or auto-generate one. From there, users can steer the story with their decisions on every branching path. That means they can keep replaying the game for different outcomes based on the paths they choose.

While the Stories experience is a lot more customizable than the typical visual novel app, it still doesn’t offer the same open-ended, back-and-forth conversations Character.ai’s chatbots do. The narrative will be guided by the AI, though the company promises that players will be asked to make choices frequently.

AI companies are under scrutiny from authorities, who are pushing them to put safeguards in place to protect younger users. Character.ai announced in October that it was going to ban users under 18 from accessing its open-ended bots. The company has also introduced a new age-check tool to ensure users will only be able to access experiences appropriate for them. In addition, the company is facing a wrongful death lawsuit involving the suicide of a teenage girl in Florida. Her family alleged that the girl confided in one of the website’s chatbots about feeling suicidal, but it did not point her towards any resources or report it to authorities.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/characterai-launches-guided-stories-format-after-banning-teens-from-its-chatbots-133000131.html?src=rss

The ‘Best Action Cam of 2025’ Is $85 Off for Black Friday

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it’s over. 

  • Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.

  • Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.

  • Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

  • Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. 


At $464.99, the Insta360 X5 has hit its lowest price on record, according to price trackers—$85 off its usual $549.99. That alone might tempt anyone looking to up their action cam game, but it’s the sheer versatility of the X5 that justifies a closer look.

This is a 360-degree camera that gets you crisp 8K footage, buttery slow-mo at 4K120fps, and even 72MP stills, notes PCMag’s “outstanding” review of the Insta360 X5 (they also deemed it the best action cam of 2025). The camera is waterproof up to 49 feet, with a durable build that’s lighter and slightly taller than its predecessor. Insta360 also added user-replaceable lenses this time, a welcome upgrade for anyone who’s ever worried about scratching a $500-plus camera lens while hiking or biking.

Still, this isn’t a pick-up-and-go kind of gadget, at least not if you want to get the most out of it. Yes, the large 2.7-inch touchscreen and upgraded app make basic shooting and editing pretty intuitive. But editing 360-degree video, even with presets, comes with a learning curve. It’s not impossible, just something to factor in. On the plus side, the editing tools now include AI-powered templates and a Highlights Assistant that helps you find key moments while shooting. That, plus the voice and gesture controls, shows Insta360 is clearly trying to bridge the gap between advanced features and ease of use. And if you’re already familiar with the X4, the changes here—better waterproofing, a bigger battery, wind reduction upgrades—feel meaningful, not cosmetic.

The 2,400mAh battery clocks up to 185 minutes of footage in endurance mode, though real-world use will vary. There’s also a long list of shooting modes (Road, TimeShift, Starlapse, Bullet Time, and more) for anyone who likes getting creative. Audio is solid, with improved wind noise reduction and Bluetooth mic support, though serious creators might still prefer external recording gear. All told, this is the kind of device that rewards experimentation. It’s ideal for travel vloggers, extreme sports fans, or just anyone willing to learn the ropes. It’s not cheap, and it’s not simple. But if you’re looking to shoot outside the standard frame and maybe even underwater, this deal is worth considering.


Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.

What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. 

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. 

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)


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$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5


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$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus


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$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Challenger bike computer brand enters the WorldTour in partnership with Groupama-FDJ

iGPSPORT will join the WorldTour in 2026 thanks to a new partnership with the Groupama-FDJ cycling team.

The agreement will see the Chinese bike computer and accessories brand supply the French team with bike computers, heart rate monitors and rearview radar bike lights.

According to iGPSPORT, its goal is to “bring ​​the most advanced cycling computers to the team, offering reliable technical support to help them achieve outstanding results”.

iGPSPORT at the Tour de France

Groupama-FDJ riders at the Tour de France
iGPSPORT will be present at the Tour de France alongside Groupama-FDJ.

As well as entering the WorldTour, iGPSPORT’s partnership with the historic French team (which was founded in 1997) will also see it debut at the sport’s most important race – the Tour de France.

iGPSPORT will provide Groupama-FDJ with a full range of advanced cycling equipment, including the BiNavi Bike Navigator, a new-generation cycling computer with full-scale navigation capabilities; the BSC300T, an ultra-slim touchscreen cycling computer; and upgraded accessories such as the HR50 heart rate strap and the SRmini radar taillight.

The brand notes that “Professional racing has always been the ultimate testing ground for cycling technology”, and that devices used at the highest level must prove they can deliver under the most challenging circumstances.

iGPSPORT BiNavi Bike Navigator computer
Groupama-FDJ riders will use iGPSPORT’s BiNavi Bike Navigator computer for racing and training. iGPSPORT
iGPSPORT SR mini smart radar taillight
As well as the SR mini smart radar tail-light. iGPSPORT

A spokesperson for Groupama-FDJ said: “We are always committed to providing our riders with the highest-quality equipment.”

“We have already been using the BiNavi Bike Navigator in training and races, and have been impressed by its stability, comprehensive data display, and adaptability to our specific needs.”

Cementing its place on the world stage

JINGXI, CHINA - OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Clement Davy of France, Remy Rochas of France and Team Groupama - FDJ and a general view of the peloton competing during the 6th Gree-Tour Of Guangxi 2025, Stage 2 a 178.9km stage from Chongzuo to Jingxi 741m on October 15, 2025 in Jingxi, China. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
iGPSPORT is taking steps towards becoming a global player in professional road racing. Tim de Waele/Getty Images

This development builds on iGPSPORT’s partnership with four-time Tour de France Champion, Chris Froome, who was announced as a global ambassador for the brand last year.

As we’ve come to expect of such partnerships, iGPSPORT says this partnership will not only “significantly enhance” its reputation on the sport’s biggest stage, but also “inject fresh momentum” into future product developments.

Nevertheless, the brand says this partnership “goes beyond commercial cooperation – it is also about promoting global cycling culture.”

Sony’s A7R IV and A7R V cameras are on sale for all-time-low prices for Black Friday

Sony’s A7 IV and A7R V cameras are top picks in Engadget’s camera buying guide and they’re both now on sale at all-time lows for the holidays. Sony’s A7 IV, which I said has “the best combination of image quality, performance and video powers” is on sale for $1,998, or 26 percent off the regular price. And the A7R V, which shoots beautiful 61MP images and offers fast and accurate autofocus, has hit at an all-time low of $3,298 or 21 percent ($898) off. 

With a superb score of 90 in my review, Sony’s A7 IV is still one of the best hybrid cameras you can get thanks to the high resolution, fast shooting speeds and 4K 60p video. Autofocus is incredible for both video and stills, and it comes with in-body stabilization to help smooth your shots. And for photographers, image quality has never been better thanks to the high dynamic range and enhanced resolution compared to the previous model. Although it does see occasional discounts, I’ve never seen it drop below $2,000, so if you’ve been looking, now is a perfect time to buy.

Sony’s A7R V garnered a similarly superb Engadget review. With a 61-megapixel sensor, it shoots sharp and beautiful images at a very respectable speed for such a high-resolution model (10 fps). It has equally fast and reliable autofocus, the sharpest viewfinder on the market and in-body stabilization that’s much improved over the A7R IV. Video has even improved, with 8K and 10-bit options now on tap. Again, there’s never been a better time to buy one, as Sony told me this is the lowest price it has ever been sold at. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonys-a7r-iv-and-a7r-v-cameras-are-on-sale-for-all-time-low-prices-for-black-friday-132107036.html?src=rss