Even with no brains, jellyfish can learn from their mistakes

Image of a largely transparent jellyfish with relatively thick tentacles.

Enlarge / No brain, but still some smarts. (credit: Bielecki, et. al.)

They don’t have a brain or spinal cord. They float around in a way that often appears aimless. Though jellyfish lack a central nervous system, these gelatinous creatures again show that they might think more than we think they do.

Jellyfish, or medusae, belong to the group Cnidaria, members of which are already known to be capable of associative learning. This is how they can maintain awareness of their surroundings (and possible predators). Now, an international team of scientists has found that the cnidarians are capable of a slightly more advanced type of associative learning known as operant conditioning, which entails remembering the positive or negative effects of a previous action. Despite lacking a brain, Caribbean box jellies (Tripedalia cystophora) can still learn from their mistakes to avoid a potentially disastrous outcome.

Damage control

T. cystophora are about the size of a human fingernail, and while they are much less complex than vertebrates such as humans, they still have a rather sophisticated visual system for a jellyfish. The jellies have 24 eyes around their bodies—and they need them. They live in mangrove swamps where crashing into long roots is almost inevitable in murky water, and a jelly might do serious damage to its delicate body in these encounters. Its vision assists it in navigating among the roots and can be especially useful for hunting around these gnarly tangles.

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Source: Ars Technica – Even with no brains, jellyfish can learn from their mistakes

Scavengers Reign's Writers on Creating a Beautifully Hostile Sci-Fi Show

In 2016, Adult Swim aired Scavengers, an eight-minute animated short about a pair of human survivors on a hostile alien world. It wasn’t long before co-directors Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner and production company Green Street were given the green light to make the short into its own full-fledged show, Scavenger…

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Source: Gizmodo – Scavengers Reign’s Writers on Creating a Beautifully Hostile Sci-Fi Show

How to Not Break Your Phone by Photographing the Solar Eclipse

Your phone’s camera is a lot like your eyes. They both view the world around you, take in massive amounts of light and are quite sensitive. Importantly, both your camera and your eyes can be severely damaged by being pointed straight at a solar eclipse. So maybe don’t do that on Saturday.

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Source: Gizmodo – How to Not Break Your Phone by Photographing the Solar Eclipse

NASA Launches Psyche, a Mission To Explore a Metal Asteroid

Is the asteroid Psyche really a hunk of mostly metal? Is the object, which is nearly as wide as Massachusetts, the core of a baby planet whose rocky outer layers were knocked off during a cataclysmic collision in the early days of the solar system? Right now, all that astronomers can say is maybe, maybe not. NASA launched a spacecraft on Friday morning, also named Psyche, on a journey to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to find out. From a report: “We’re really going to see a kind of new object, which means that a lot of our ideas are going to be proven wrong,” said Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a professor of earth and space exploration at Arizona State University who serves as the mission’s principal investigator.

Being proven wrong, she added, “is, I think, the most exciting thing in science.” That voyage in search of answers kicked off Friday at 10:19 a.m. Eastern time. Falcon Heavy, the largest of SpaceX’s operational rockets, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending the massive spacecraft on a journey that will last about six years and travel billions of miles. Friday’s flight overcame early, unfavorable weather forecasts for a seemingly flawless flight. About eight minutes into the flight, the rocket’s upper stage entered a 45-minute coasting period during which it will prepare to deploy the spacecraft on its flight away from Earth. The asteroid named Psyche has long been a curious enigma. Spotted in 1852 by Annibale de Gasparis, an Italian astronomer, it is named for the Greek goddess of the soul, and it was just the 16th asteroid to be discovered. In the early observations, it was, like the other asteroids, a starlike point of light that moved in an orbit around the sun, and not much more.

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Source: Slashdot – NASA Launches Psyche, a Mission To Explore a Metal Asteroid

Dealmaster: Amazon Prime Day is over but these tech deals are still active

Dealmaster: Amazon Prime Day is over but these tech deals are still active

Enlarge (credit: Vitamix)

Amazon’s Prime Day may be over this year, but not all the deals are gone. Whether you’re looking for Sony’s latest WF-1000XM5 headphones to Apple’s AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case, AirTags to Peblebee trackers, or home gear like Dyson, Vitamix, and Theragun, there’s plenty to choose from if you missed Amazon’s shopping event earlier this week.

Gear Ars readers bought that’s still on sale

  • Sony WF-1000XM5 for $278 (was $300) at Amazon
  • Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) for $200 (was $249) at Amazon
  • Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender for $290 (was $350) at Amazon
  • Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp, LED Corner Lamp for $60 after coupon (was $100) at Amazon
  • Apple AirTag 4 Pack for $89 (was $99) at Amazon
  • Ergonomic Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support for $117 (was $190) at Amazon
  • Catan (Base Game) Adventure Board Game for Adults and Family for $27 (was $49) at Amazon
  • AeroGarden Harvest with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit for $90 (was $165) at Amazon
  • Apple iPad (9th Generation) for $270 (was $379) at Amazon
  • Anker USB-C Docking Station, PowerExpand 9-in-1 PD Dock for $120 (was $150) at Amazon
  • AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D Desktop Processor for $302 (was $320) at Amazon
  • Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 Earbuds for $142 (was $280) at Amazon
  • Apple MagSafe Charger (official) for $35 (was $39) at Amazon
  • PNY 512GB Turbo Attaché 3 USB 3.2 Flash Drive for $33 (was $37) at Amazon
  • 160W USB-C 6-Port Fast Charging Station for $30 (was $40) at Amazon
  • Asus ROG Strix Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition Gaming Graphics Card for $910 (was $1,050) at Amazon
  • Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening for $43 (was $60) at Amazon
  • Lutron Caseta Deluxe Smart Dimmer Switch (2 Count) Kit with Caseta Smart Hub for $170 (was $256) at Amazon
  • Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip for $899 (was $999) at Amazon
  • Soundcore by Anker A20i True Wireless Earbuds for $30 (was $40) at Amazon
  • Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope – Standard Edition for $30 (was $60) at Amazon
  • Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones for $100 (was $200) at Amazon
  • Vitamix 5200 Blender for $410 (was $550) at Amazon
  • Theragun PRO 5th Gen for $479 (was $599) at Therabody
  • Theragun mini for $169 (was $199) at Therabody
  • Theragun Elite for $319 (was $399) at Therabody
  • Theragun Prime for $209 (was $299) at Therabody
  • Theragun PRO 4th Gen for $349 (was $599) at Therabody
  • DeWalt 20V Max Batteries, Compact, 4.0-Ah, 2-Pack for $129 (was $239) at Amazon
  • Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for $279 (was $299) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit for $169 (was $249) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max Impact Driver, 3-Speed, Battery and Charger Included for $169 (was $219) at Amazon
  • Beats Studio Pro for $180 (was $350) at Amazon
  • 100PCS Reusable Cable Ties for $7 (was $14) at Amazon
  • Keychron C3 Pro QMK/VIA Custom Gaming Keyboard for $37 (was $46) at Amazon
  • Google Pixel Tablet with Charging Speaker Dock for $419 (was $499) at Amazon
  • Logitech MX Keys Mini Combo for $150 (was $200) at Lenovo
  • Logitech MK750 Wireless Solar Keyboard and Mouse for $68 (was $85) at Lenovo
  • Logitech Lift for Business (Graphite) mouse for $56 (was $70) at Lenovo
  • Dyson V8 Absolute vacuum for $300 (was $520) at Dyson
  • Dyson V15 Detect Absolute vacuum for $600 (was $750) at Dyson
  • Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute vacuum for $450 (was $650) at Dyson
  • Dyson Outsize Plus vacuum for $450 (was $600) at Dyson

Lenovo laptops

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 (14-inch, Intel Core i7-1365U) for $1,615 (was $3,229) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (14-inch, Intel Core i7-1270P) for $1,443 (was $3,609) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (13-inch, Intel Core i7-1355U) for $1,094 (was $2,189) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 4 (14-inch, AMD Ryzen 7 5825U) for $1,204 (was $2,189) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (16-inch, Intel Core I5-1335U) for $797 (was $1,449) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo Yoga 7i (16-inch, Intel Core i5-1340P) for $855 (was $1,140) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (15-inch, AMD Athlon Gold 7220U) for $280 (was $400) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 (16-inch, AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS and RTX 4060) for $1,400 (was $1,680) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (14-inch, Intel Core i5-1345U) for $1,490 (was $2,709) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 2 (16-inch, Intel Core i7-1360P and RTX A500) for $1,529 (was $2,789) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (16-inch, Intel Core i7-13700HX and RTX A1000) for $2,139 (was $3,899) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 (16-inch, Intel Core i7-13700H and RTX A2000) for $2,409 (was $4,389) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 4 (14-inch, Intel Core i7-1360P and RTX A500) for $1,859 (was $3,389) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (16-inch, Intel Core i9-13950HX and RTX A5000) for $5,469 (was $9,939) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo Slim Pro 7 (14-inch, AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS and RTX 3050) for $1,085 (was $1,450) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 8 (16-inch, Intel Core i5-13500HX and RTX 4050) for $1,100 (was $1,480) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkBook 15 Gen 4 (15-inch, AMD Ryzen 7 5825U) for $764 (was $1,469) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (15-inch, AMD Ryzen 3 7330U) for $440 (was $650) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo 3i Chromebook (15-inch, Intel Pentium Silver N6000) for $310 (was $440) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook (14-inch, Intel Core i3-N305) for $400 (was $550) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2 (13-inch, Intel Core i5-1145G7) for $729 (was $3,089) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkBook 14 Gen 4 (14-inch, Intel Core i5-1235U) for $730 (was $1,404) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo LOQ (16-inch, Intel Core i5-13500H and RTX 4050) for $850 (was $1,200) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (14-inch, AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7540U) for $907 (was $1,649) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo LOQ (15-inch, Intel Core i7-13700H and RTX 4050) for $1,050 (was $1,400) at Lenovo
  • Lenovo Legion Slim 5i Gen 8 (16-inch, Intel Core i5-13500H and RTX 4050) for $1,050 (was $1,350) at Lenovo

Apple gear

  • Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) Wireless Earbuds for $200 (was $249) at Amazon
  • Apple AirPods (3rd Generation, Lightning) Wireless Earbuds for $150 (was $170) at Amazon
  • Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones for $480 (was $549) at Amazon
  • Apple MacBook Air 13.6-inch Laptop M2 chip for $899 (was $1,099) at Best Buy
  • Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Laptop M1 for $899 (was $999) at Amazon
  • Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) for $559 (was $599) at Amazon
  • Apple iPad (9th Generation) for $270 (was $329) at Amazon
  • Apple 2021 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 64GB) with AppleCare+ (2 Years) for $339 (was $398) at Amazon
  • Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation) for $469 (was $499) at Amazon
  • Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) for $1,049 (was $1,099) at Amazon
  • Apple AirTag 4 Pack for $89 (was $99) at Amazon
  • Apple iPhone 14 Plus Leather Case with Magsafe for $28 (was $59) at Amazon
  • Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for $96 (was $129) at Amazon
  • MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop – M2 chip 16GB Memory for $1,449 (was $1,699) at Best Buy
  • MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop – M2 chip 8GB Memory for $1049 (was $1299) at Best Buy
  • AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB‑C) for $200 (was $250) at Best Buy
  • Apple Mac mini Desktop – M2 Chip 8GB Memory for $499 ($599) at Best Buy
  • AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case for $150 (was $170) at Best Buy

Apple accessories

  • Pebblebee Clip 2-pack for $55 (was $60) at Peblebee | 4-pack for $100 (was $120) at Peblebee
  • Pebblebee Card & Clip Multi-pack for $80 (was $120) at Peblebee
  • Chipolo CARD Spot 1-pack for $60 (was $70) at Chipolo
  • Apple MagSafe Charger – Wireless Charger with Fast Charging Capability for $33 (was $39) at Amazon
  • Apple iPhone MagSafe Battery Pack – Portable Charger with Fast Charging for $94 (was $99) at Amazon
  • Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand – 2nd Gen for $127 (was $150) at Amazon

DeWalt tools

  • DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit for $169 (was $249) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max Battery Pack with Charger, 3 Ah, Extra Long Run Time for $97 (was $179) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max Circular Saw, 6-1/2-Inch, Cordless, Tool Only for $149 (was $219) at Amazon
  • DeWalt Powerstack 20V Max Battery, Rechargeable, 5Ah, Lithium Ion, 2-Pack for $250 (was $349) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill Combo Kit, 3-Tool (DCK340C2) for $170 (was $271) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max XR Rotary Hammer Drill, D-Handle, 1-Inch, Tool Only (DCH133B) for $169 (was $249) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max Batteries, Compact, 4.0-Ah, 2-Pack (DCB240-2) for $129 (was $239) at Amazon
  • DeWalt 20V Max Impact Driver, Cordless, 3-Speed, Battery and Charger Included for $169 (was $219) at Amazon

Greenworks tools

  • Greenworks 80V 20-inch Snow Blower, and 730 CFM Handheld Blower for $650 (was $1,200) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 80 Volt Pro Rapid Battery Charger for $68 (was $100) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 80 Volt 12-Inch Single Stage Cordless Brushless Snow Shovel for $276 (was $350) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 10-inch 80 Volt Cultivator/Tiller for $334 (was $400) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 80 Volt 2Ah Battery for $129 (was $150) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 24-Volt 22-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer for $130 (was $150) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 24-Volt 22-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer for $70 (was $80) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 24 Volt 2000 Lumen LED Work Light AC/DC for $62 (was $70) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 80 Volt 20-Inch Single Stage Cordless Brushless Snow Blower for $446 (was $500) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks TORQDRIVE 24-Volt 12-Inch Cutting Diameter Straight Shaft Grass Trimmer and Edger for $120 (was $130) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks Multi Tool w. 2AH battery, 2A charger for $103 (was $110) at Best Buy
  • Greenworks 48-Volt 14-Inch Cordless Brushless Chainsaw for $250 (was $260) at Best Buy

Personal care

  • Beurer Bluetooth Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor for $35 (was $60) at Best Buy
  • Beurer Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor for $25 (was $35) at Best Buy
  • Beurer Insect Bite Healer for $23 (was $30) at Best Buy
  • Beurer Abdominal Muscle EMS Belt for $46 (was $60) at Best Buy
  • Beurer Pulse Oximeter for $31 (was $40) at Best Buy

Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

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Source: Ars Technica – Dealmaster: Amazon Prime Day is over but these tech deals are still active

Apple's M2 Mac Mini is just $499 right now

While most Apple chatter tends to concern the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Macbook lines, the company is hardly neglecting those who prefer a desktop Mac. The Mac mini is a capable piece of kit, especially now that the company is shoving its Apple Silicon chips into them. Those interested in picking up a Mac mini may be interested to learn that an M2-powered model is currently on sale at B&H. It has dropped by $100 to $499 to match a solid deal that popped up in August.

This model includes an M2 chipset with an eight-core CPU, 10-core GPU and 16-core neural engine, along with 8GB of unified RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. It has a pair of Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports, two USB-A slots and one each for Ethernet and HDMI. The M2 Mac mini supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack too.

We gave the M2 Mac mini a score of 86 in our review back in January. We appreciated the machine’s performance and variety of ports, as well as its quiet operation. We liked the design too. While it largely looks similar to earlier models, this Mac mini has a slightly elevated base to improve airflow.

We didn’t have any major reservations with this version specifically, though upgrades are expensive and the more advanced M2 Pro model is too pricey. Our main quibble was not having any front-facing ports. Ultimately, there’s not a ton to dislike about the M2 Mac mini.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-m2-mac-mini-is-just-499-right-now-163023701.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Apple’s M2 Mac Mini is just 9 right now

Apple Watch Series 9 Review: The Best Smartwatch for iPhone Users Gets a New Gesture

You should have an Apple Watch if you use an iPhone. It is the defacto accessory, perfectly tailored to the iPhone user’s needs and, presumably, wants. I say “presumably” because Apple’s idea to add the Double Tap gesture is such a distinctive, niche feature to add to a wearable. And yet, it fulfills such a need. At…

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Source: Gizmodo – Apple Watch Series 9 Review: The Best Smartwatch for iPhone Users Gets a New Gesture

CD Projekt Red used AI to include a deceased actor's voice in Cyberpunk 2077 DLC

Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed it used AI voice cloning software to reconstruct the voice of a deceased actor for its Phantom Liberty DLC. Actor Miłogost Reczek voiced the character Viktor Vektor in the Polish version of the game and would have been tapped to reprise the role for the DLC, which came out last month, but he died in 2021 before its production. The developer told Bloomberg it decided to go this route as a way to “pay tribute to his wonderful performance,” and was given permission to do so by his family.

Instead of replacing Reczek outright, CD Projekt Red worked with Respeecher, the Ukraine-based voice tech company known for deaging Mark Hamill’s voice in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett to create a young Luke Skywalker. Another actor was hired to speak the new lines, and Respeecher’s software reworked them into Reczek’s voice, CD Projekt localization director Mikołaj Szwed told Bloomberg. Reczek, who Szwed described as “one of the best Polish voice talents,” had also voiced major roles in The Witcher series.

AI has become a contentious topic in the entertainment industry, and striking Hollywood actors are currently fighting for more protections around the use of their likenesses, among other things. In September, SAG-AFTRA voted in favor of a strike authorization for video game actors, too, whose jobs could be threatened by studios’ increasing reliance on AI. Zelda Williams — Robin Williams’ daughter — recently slammed the practice of emulating deceased actors using AI, saying that they cannot consent. In this case, CD Projekt Red says Reczek’s family was “very supportive.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cd-projekt-red-used-ai-to-include-a-deceased-actors-voice-in-cyberpunk-2077-dlc-161521634.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – CD Projekt Red used AI to include a deceased actor’s voice in Cyberpunk 2077 DLC

Apple Accused of Not Doing Enough to Stop AirTag Stalking in Class-Action Lawsuit

Apple received a class action lawsuit filed last week from people who claim its AirTag tracking devices allegedly led to “multiple murders.” The lawsuit claims stalkers or would-be killers use AirTags to track their victims by slipping them into a bag, in a car or directly on the individual. It adds that Apple hasn’t…

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Source: Gizmodo – Apple Accused of Not Doing Enough to Stop AirTag Stalking in Class-Action Lawsuit

Microsoft finally owns Candy Crush as it closes $69B Activision Blizzard deal

Microsoft, Activision, Blizzard, King,

Enlarge / The crucial part, you see, is You. (credit: Microsoft / Activision Blizzard)

It has been a long road since January 2022 when Microsoft first announced its intentions to buy the gaming conglomerate Activision Blizzard King. But after overcoming a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit and appeasing UK antitrust authorities, it’s official: Microsoft owns the makers and publishers of Call of Duty, Fallout, Overwatch, WarCraft, Diablo, Candy Crush, and many more titles.

There’s even a trailer for it—a trailer for a corporate acquisition. It features iconic moments from Microsoft’s prior acquisitions, including Halo and Fallout, and Activision Blizzard’s titles, including a meme-friendly StarCraft moment, stripped of its “Hell” preface.

Microsoft’s trailer for purchasing Activision Blizzard.

“Whether it was late nights spent playing the Diablo IV campaign with friends from start to finish, gathering the entire family in the rec room for our weekly Guitar Hero night, or going on an epic streak in Candy Crush, some of my most memorable gaming moments came from experiences their studios have created,” said Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, in a press release. “It is incredible to welcome such legendary teams to Xbox.”

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Source: Ars Technica – Microsoft finally owns Candy Crush as it closes B Activision Blizzard deal

Prime Day is over, but these are the 23 best tech deals that are still available

Amazon’s October Prime Day sale officially ended on Wednesday, but a few of the deals are still live as we head into the weekend. If you were hoping to check off a few more names from your holiday gift list or buy something for yourself at a discount, see what remains on sale below. We combed through our coverage over the past few days to find the best of what’s left. While Amazon has returned most of their own devices, like Echos and Kindles, back to their full prices, a handful of products from other brands like Google, Samsung and Anker, have maintained the lows they hit on Prime Day. Here are the best deals from Prime Big Deal Days that you can still get right now. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 went down to $269 for October Prime Day and it’s still on sale. That’s lowest price we’ve seen since it came out a few months ago. You can’t get a better smartwatch than this one if you have an Android phone (bonus points if you have a Samsung phone), and it’s smaller and lighter than previous versions. Samsung brought back the spinning bezel on the Classic version, which is which makes the software’s UI easier to navigate, plus it has improved performance and updated health and fitness tracking tools.

Apple MacBook Air M2 (15-inch)

The 15.3-inch version of Apple’s MacBook Air is still down to $1,049 for an entry-level model with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. That matches the best price we’ve seen and takes $250 off Apple’s list price. The MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and we gave the 15-inch model a review score of 96 earlier this year, as it covers just about all of the things we look for in a quality mainstream notebook. Compared to the 13.6-inch version, it also includes a more powerful speaker system and a slightly upgraded GPU. The SSD in this base configuration is technically slower than the one in higher-capacity SKUs, but that shouldn’t be a major problem unless you’re looking to do more complex work. In general, you wouldn’t buy the Air for things like high-res media editing, though its M2 chip is still plenty powerful for everyday tasks.

If you do need more storage space, the 512GB model with 8GB of RAM is on sale for a low of $1,249. Variants with double the RAM are up to $250 off as well. Meanwhile, the 13.6-inch MacBook Air isn’t discounted on Amazon, but it’s down to $899 at Best Buy. That’s $200 off the notebook’s list price.

Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds went down to $278 for Prime Day and are still going for that price today. That’s a $22 discount and their best price yet. We think these are the best wireless earbuds on the market right now. Sony improved upon it’s already remarkable buds with a more comfortable fit, better sound quality and features likes adaptive sound and Speak-to-Chat.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The previous generation of Fire TV Stick 4K dropped to $23 for the sale and is one of the few Amazon devices still on sale. It has the same processor, RAM and storage as the standard Fire TV Stick, but it can stream 4K HDR content in all its glory. It also supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, while a picture-in-picture live view feature can show you feeds from compatible security cameras right on your TV screen.

Do note, though, that this is the previous model of the streaming stick. The newly refreshed Fire TV Stick 4K isn’t sale but has a faster processor and supports Wi-Fi 6.

Anker Soundcore Motion +

One of the top Bluetooth options in our speaker guide is Anker’s Soundcore Motion +, which gives out good sound for its price point. The $100 MSRP is discounted to $70 if you clip the on-page copuon. That’s a 30 percent discount and an all-time low. It has a bright and bassy output and offers EQ customization in the app. Plus it’s water-resistant, so you can take it to the park or on a hike and share your good taste in music with whoever is nearby.

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The top budget pick in our gaming headphones buying guide, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2, is on sale for $36. That’s a dollar more than it went for on Prime Day and only a modest $4 discount over its street price recently, but it’s still close to lowest price we’ve seen. The Cloud Stinger 2 doesn’t have the most balanced or detailed sound, but its V-shaped signature gives action scenes a nice level of impact, and its mic quality belies the dirt-cheap price. The design is comfortable too, though it’s made from cheap-feeling plastic.

Shokz OpenRun Pro

The Shokz OpenRun Pro is down to $125 for Prime Big Deal Days, which is $25 more than the lowest price we’ve tracked but still $55 below its usual going rate. This is a recommended pair of bone conduction headphones, which means it hugs the side of your head and delivers sound by passing vibrations through your skull. (It’s not as uncomfortable as it sounds.) The main benefit is that this leaves your ear canals completely open, so you can enjoy a playlist or podcast without being shut out from the outside world. The downside, usually, is that you don’t get as full a sound as you would with a traditional pair. That’ll still be the case here, but we’ve found the OpenRun Pro to deliver more low-end depth than most of its peers. They’re fairly comfy and get up to 10 hours of battery life beyond that.

Logitech G535

If you’re looking for a wireless headset, the Logitech G535 is back down to $80, which is about $25 below its average street price. This is an honorable mention in our gaming headsets guide, as we like its lightweight design, Bluetooth support and agreeable, relatively well-balanced sound. It forces you to crank the volume to reach a listenable level though, and its mic makes voices sound a little too thin. It also doesn’t work with Xbox consoles. But if you really want a wireless gaming headset for less than $100, it’s well worth a look.

Samsung Smart Monitor M8

The Samsung Smart Monitor M8 is down to just $500, which is $200 off its starting price (though it regularly sells for $600) and the lowest price we’ve seen thus far. This 32-inch display has built-in apps and allows you to access streaming services, just like you would on a smart TV. It can also act as a smart home hub, showing you your smart camera feeds and more. This discounted model is the updated 2023 version of the monitor that launched at CES 2022.

Google Indoor Nest Security Cam

A slew of Google Nest home security devices are still on sale the day after Prime, including the battery-powered Nest Cam that can go inside or outside your home. Typically priced at $180, the security cam dipped down to $120 for Amazon’s October Prime Day event. The Nest Cam works with smart speakers and displays enabled with Alexa or the Google Assistant and can last up to seven months depending on how much activity it picks up. Its weather-resistant build and magnetic mount should make it easy to install on most surfaces. It sends live alerts to your phone and will even allow for on-demand check-ins without a subscription, though it only stores the last three hours for free. For six months of stored footage, you’ll need a Nest Aware membership.

Google Nest Thermostat

In other Google deals, the Nest Thermostat is on sale for just $90, which is only about $10 more than the lowest price we’ve tracked and $40 off Google’s MSRP. This is Google’s entry-level smart thermostat, but it still lets you control your heating and cooling from anywhere, suggests tweaks to help you save money, and in some cases, can entitle you to rebates from your utility provider. It’s all relatively easy to program, and it works with Google’s Nest Hub and other smart displays like the Echo Show.

Beats Studio Pro

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are on sale for $180 right now. which is a dollar more than they sold for on Prime Day and still a sizable $170 discount. We reviewed these back in July when they came out and gave them a decent review score of 81. Unfortunately they didn’t push any of the top picks from our our best headphones list off their pedestals. They aren’t bad, however, offering pleasant, even-handed sound and good noise cancellation. Though Beats is now owned by Apple, these headphones still play nice with Android. There’s no wear detection and the mostly plastic design isn’t super premium, but at this price, you may not care.

Tribit StormBox Micro 2

The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 is another small speaker we like that puts out decent volume for its size, and for Prime day it went down to $48, which is $12 off its usual going rate. Right now it’s on sale for $60, but an on-page 15 percent coupon brings it back to that Prime Day low. This device has a strap on its back that works well on belts, backpacks, or even bike handlebars, so it’s easy to take on the road. And “on the go” is where the StormBox Micro 2 performs best, as it’s more about portable volume than pure fidelity.

Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E

The Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E is holding strong at $300 right now for a pack of three routers. That’s within a dollar of the lowest price it’s sold for on Amazon. It’s one of the best Wi-Fi 6 router systems you can get at the moment thanks to its easy setup process, convenient Google Assistant integrations and Matter and Thread support. If you’re looking for a not-too expensive way to upgrade your home Wi-Fi system, and one that will take little time to set up, Google’s is the one to get.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Our favorite streaming stick, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, remains at $37 after the sale. It packs a ton of features into an affordable package, including 4K HDR streaming capabilities, Dolby Vision, AirPlay 2 and private listening when you have a pair of headphones. And since it’s so small, it makes for a great travel entertainment device too.

Hisense U6K

The Hisense U6K is one of the more affordable TVs. And the 55- and 65-inch models are still down to $400 and $548, respectively. We’ve seen these deals before, but each matches an all-time low. The U6K is has received generally positive reviews around the web, as it’s one of the few budget-level sets with quantum dots, full-array local dimming and a mini-LED backlight. All of that should help it deliver better contrast and color volume than most TVs in its price range. It’s not ideal for gaming though, as it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks HDMI 2.1 ports. In general, it can’t match the brightness or viewing angles of a more expensive set, but it looks to be a good buy if you’re on a tighter budget.

For a well-reviewed midrange model, the Hisense U8K provides much better contrast and peak brightness, plus more gaming-friendly features like ability to play 4K content at up to a 144Hz refresh rate. That one is down to $748 for a 55-inch model and $998 for a 65-inch set.

iRobot Roomba 694

iRobot’s Roomba 694 dropped to $199 for Prime Day and stayed there. While that’s still $20 more than the lowest we’ve seen it go, it’s still a good deal on our favorite cheap robot vacuum. It’s got strong suction power, an attractive design and easy to use app. It’ll be a good option for robo-vac novices, or anyone that doesn’t want to fuss too much with an automatic dirt sucker. It clears hard and carpeted floors well, and it automatically returns to its base once a cleaning job is finished so it can recharge.

Samsung Pro Plus microSD

The Samsung Pro Plus microSD card is on sale for $20 right now. It’s our top pick in our best microSD card guide because it was the most consistent of the ones we tested, with some of the best overall speeds and all of the important ratings that a good card should have: U3, V30 and A2. It’ll be a great pick for your tablet, smartphone or Nintendo Switch, and it comes with a full-sized adapter in case you need to use it with a camera or connect it to your computer.

Crucial MX500

The Crucial MX500 internal drive is on sale for $46 right now. It’s been an Engadget favorite for a while thanks to its sequential read speeds of 560MB/s and a standard 2.5-inch design that should make it easy to swap in for your desktop’s or laptop’s used-up drive.

Other great deals for after Prime Day

Anker 511 Charger

New Apple Watches don’t come with power adapters, so if you’re looking for one that can deliver a quick charge, we recommend Anker’s 511 (Nano 3) charging brick. It’s down to $20 which is a mild, $4 discount, but still a welcome price for a worthwhile smartwatch accessory.

OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank

The OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank is currently just $36 for the 15,000mAh capacity model, which is the version we tested and recommend in our portable battery guide. This pack looks sharp and delivers a fast and reliable charge via USB-C or USB-A.

SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch

If you need more room on your Switch, SanDisk’s officially licensed microSDXC card is a good pick, particularly when it’s on sale. Right now a 128GB model is within a dollar of its all-time low at just $18.

Samsung Pro Plus microSD card

Our favorite microSD card for most people is the Samsung Pro Plus. It had the fastest sequential write speeds and random performance of any card we tested, and the USB reader that comes with included with this listing helps it reach higher speeds on compatible devices. It’s listed at $38 for the set (though it often goes for $25), and now Prime Day in October brings it to $23.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-23-best-amazon-prime-day-deals-you-can-still-shop-for-today-160104086.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Prime Day is over, but these are the 23 best tech deals that are still available

Equifax Scores $13.6 Million Slap on Wrist Over 2017 Mega Breach

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Equifax a smidge over $13.6 million for severe failings that put millions of consumers at risk of financial crime. From a report: The regulator branded the entire debacle “entirely preventable” — from Equifax’s failure to promptly notify regulators to the way in which it misled the public over the severity of a security breach back in 2017. The original fine should have been greater; the true sum was $19,428,836 but the company received a 30 percent discount for agreeing to the penalty early into the proceedings. It also received a 15 percent credit for good behavior during the investigation.

After first opening the investigation in 2017, the FCA’s fine comes after the ICO wasted less time imposing a penalty of $609,092 in 2018. “Cybersecurity and data protection are of growing importance to the security and stability of financial services,” said Jessica Rusu, FCA chief data, information, and intelligence officer. “Firms not only have a technical responsibility to ensure resiliency, but also an ethical responsibility in the processing of consumer information. The Consumer Duty makes it clear that firms must raise their standards.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Equifax Scores .6 Million Slap on Wrist Over 2017 Mega Breach

Boeing’s Starliner Faces Further Delays, Now Eyeing April 2024 Launch

When it comes to the inaugural crewed launch of Starliner, it increasingly feels as though Boeing and NASA are chasing the proverbial carrot on a stick. The latest delay pushes the earliest available launch date to April 2024, a month later than planned, in what’s a seemingly never-ending succession of postponements.

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Source: Gizmodo – Boeing’s Starliner Faces Further Delays, Now Eyeing April 2024 Launch

Netflix is opening physical stores in 2025 as marketing ploy

Screenshot from Squid Game trailer

Enlarge (credit: Netflix)

“Netflix and chill” usually implies a cozy night in with a companion and no one else in your living room besides those on your TV screen. In 2025, the term could start taking on an opposite meaning, as Netflix opens physical stores with merchandise and activities inspired by its content.

Netflix House will debut in two undetermined cities in the US before expanding globally, Josh Simon, Netflix VP of consumer products, told Bloomberg yesterday. Netflix House will be the streaming company’s first permanent retail location and will seek to promote fandom around its original programming.

Netflix didn’t disclose many specifics about what customers will be able to do there beyond buying Stranger Things T-shirts (presumably) and other merch. By far the most exciting aspect teased is the potential for a real-life Squid Game obstacle course.

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Source: Ars Technica – Netflix is opening physical stores in 2025 as marketing ploy

Proton VPN review 2023: Why it's our top-choice VPN

Proton sells a suite of privacy products, from email to document storage, so when I used Proton VPN I was already familiar with the company. We tested nine of the best VPN services available for our overall guide, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and Tunnelbear. Proton promises “privacy by default,” but that left me wondering if the company meant rigorous security testing — and if a focus on privacy would take away from ease of use. Because it balanced all of the above, Proton VPN landed at the top of our list.

VPNs can be used for general web browsing, but I tested each one by streaming, gaming and evading geoblocking on the servers. I measured streaming speeds by watching Canadian Netflix from my home in the US, playing an online game from a UK-based VPN server and watching a live news channel on YouTube from a Hong Kong-based VPN.

How much does Proton VPN cost?

Proton offers a free, but limited, version of its VPN. It can be used on one device with access to servers in the Netherlands, United States and Japan. For $5.99 per month, Proton VPN’s paid subscription includes access to more than 3,000 servers in over 65 countries, use on up to 10 devices and an included ad-blocker and malware protection. Or for $9.99 per month, Proton sells an “unlimited” package with access to all of its mail, calendar, drive, VPN and password manager products.

Privacy and security

When I tried out VPNs, I looked for options that kept my information secure without impacting my ability to easily browse the web. Proton VPN has a no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t collect data that passes through its network. It’s passed external audits, is based on an open-source framework and it runs a vulnerability disclosure program. Proton VPN has a policy not to comply with law enforcement requests and has no forced logging requirements because it’s based in Switzerland, according to the company.

Speed and availability

There was little to no lag when I used Proton VPN for its streaming, geoblocking and gaming capabilities. I also did a ping test to measure internet latency. Without a VPN, it took 43 milliseconds, but connected to Proton VPN, it took 49 milliseconds, which is not a big difference at all.

For paid users, Proton VPN is available on more than 1,800 servers in 64 countries. It’s available across iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, streaming services and more. Because it supports up to 10 devices at once, it’s also easy to use across an entire household of tech.

Proton VPN pros and cons

Even our top choice isn’t perfect. The free version can be a bit finicky, and struggles to stay connected at times. According to Consumer Reports, it doesn’t meet password complexity requirements and didn’t offer clear protections against unauthorized access. Like many of its competitors, Proton VPN also tends to use misleading marketing language. Proton VPN makes lofty claims — like bypassing censorship, keeping you safe from hackers and surfing the web without surveillance — that can’t always be factually backed up.

The VPNs I tested were consistently good. They made it easy to browse the web securely. Proton VPN took the top spot because of its overall security and ease of use.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/proton-vpn-review-2023-why-its-our-top-choice-vpn-153046020.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Proton VPN review 2023: Why it’s our top-choice VPN

Russell T. Davies Has at Least 4 Seasons Planned For His Doctor Who Return

Russell T. Davies is well and truly back into the world of Doctor Who at this point, as we’re on the cusp of seeing just what the series has in store for its 60th anniversary next month. But it sounds like Davies is intending on sticking around for at least as long as he was the first time round.

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Source: Gizmodo – Russell T. Davies Has at Least 4 Seasons Planned For His Doctor Who Return

Cisco Can't Stop Using Hard-Coded Passwords

There’s a new Cisco vulnerability in its Emergency Responder product: “This vulnerability is due to the presence of static user credentials for the root account that are typically reserved for use during development. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using the account to log in to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to log in to the affected system and execute arbitrary commands as the root user.” Bruce Schneier adds: “This is not the first time Cisco products have had hard-coded passwords made public. You’d think it would learn.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Cisco Can’t Stop Using Hard-Coded Passwords