Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro Is $250 Off for Cyber Monday, and It Just Came Out

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. 

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are 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. 


Apple’s new MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is a stunningly good computer. If I hadn’t bought my M4 Pro MacBook Pro last year, this is what I would probably get right now. The M5 chip is a substantial upgrade over the M4, especially in the AI department. And for Cyber Monday, Amazon is discounting the already fresh M5 MacBook Pro down to $1,349. That’s down from the sticker price of $1,599, a savings of $250.

At that rate, the M5 MacBook Pro becomes attractive for anyone who wants a Mac laptop that is going to last for ages. The M5 MacBook Pro is a sizable upgrade over the MacBook Air, too, thanks to its superior 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (after using this, going back to my 4K monitor is really tough, I’ll tell you that). This XDR display has Mini-LED backlighting, a ProMotion 120Hz display, and 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness.

The M5, meanwhile, is a new 10-core CPU that Apple says is 15% faster than the M4. The real gains are in graphics and AI. The new 10-core GPU comes with a neural accelerator integrated into each core. This boosts on-device AI workflows by up to 3.5 times. It’s a sizable jump if you’re running third-party on-device AI models as well. Graphics are better by up to 30%, too, with Apple’s third-gen ray tracing tech. Gaming on the Mac might finally be a no-compromise affair (although compatibility is still limited depending on the title).

Along with 16GB RAM, there’s a 512GB SSD and a massive 24-hour battery life. The battery on my M4 Pro MacBook Pro isn’t as great as I’d want it to be. The M5 is more efficient, lasts longer and runs cooler as well. You can also use it for intense workflows like photo editing and video editing, and it can handle sustained thermal loads thanks to its built-in fan cooling. There’s also a nice 12MP Center Stage webcam up top, and a six-speaker sound system with Spacial audio. The speakers are genuinely amazing. When my wife and I watch something in bed, we no longer need to connect to Bluetooth speakers (like we do when using my wife’s MacBook Air).

If you’re looking for something cheaper, or lighter, take a look at the M4 MacBook Air, which is deeply discounted to just $738 for Cyber Monday, another staggering deal.


Does Apple do Cyber Monday?

Yes, Apple participates in Cyber Monday, 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 Cyber Monday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever.

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.

How long do Cyber Monday 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. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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

Colleges Are Preparing To Self-Lobotomize

The skills that future graduates will most need in an age of automation — creative thinking, critical analysis, the capacity to learn new things — are precisely those that a growing body of research suggests may be eroded by inserting AI into the educational process, yet universities across the United States are now racing to embed the technology into every dimension of their curricula.

Ohio State University announced this summer that it would integrate AI education into every undergraduate program, and the University of Florida and the University of Michigan are rolling out similar initiatives. An MIT study offers reason for caution: researchers divided subjects into three groups and had them write essays over several months using ChatGPT, Google Search, or no technology at all. The ChatGPT group produced vague, poorly reasoned work, showed the lowest levels of brain activity on EEG, and increasingly relied on cutting and pasting from other sources. The authors concluded that LLM users “consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels” over the four-month period.

Justin Reich, director of MIT’s Teaching Systems Lab, recently wrote in The Chronicle of Higher Education that rushed educational efforts to incorporate new technology have “failed regularly, and sometimes catastrophically.”


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Space CEO explains why he believes private space stations are a viable business

It’s a critical time for companies competing to develop a commercial successor to the International Space Station. NASA is working with several companies, including Axiom Space, Voyager Technologies, Blue Origin, and Vast, to develop concepts for private stations where it can lease time for its astronauts.

The space agency awarded Phase One contracts several years ago and is now in the final stages of writing requirements for Phase Two after asking for feedback from industry partners in September. This program is known as Commercial LEO Destinations, or CLDs in industry parlance.

Time is running out for NASA if it wants to establish continuity from the International Space Station, which will reach its end of life in 2030, with a follow-on station ready to go before then.

Read full article

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The AirPods Pro 2 Are Nearly Half Off for Cyber Monday 2025

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. 

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are 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. 


The AirPods Pro 2 are one of the best audio products Apple’s launched. Since their release in 2022, the AirPods Pro 2 have received multiple software updates to add features such as controlling Siri with head movements, reduced latency, improved call quality, and more. Even today, they remain a fantastic pair of earbuds, especially now that the Cyber Monday 2025 sale has dropped the price to a record low.

During Amazon-owned Woot’s Cyber Monday 2025 sale, the AirPods Pro 2 are going for $135, which is 46% off the list price of $250. Sure, some of you are going to want the latest and greatest product in the lineup, the AirPods Pro 3 ($220, 12% off, during Cyber Monday 2025), but for most people, the AirPods Pro 2 are an amazing choice at this price.

Every time I’ve used the AirPods Pro 2, I’ve been impressed by their comfort and noise cancellation features. The ANC cuts out a lot of noise in loud places, including concert venues, and for me, they’ve been a great companion on long flights.

The AirPods Pro 2 work best with Apple products, but they’re also compatible with other Bluetooth devices such as a Windows PC or an Android phone. Having said that, if you want to make the most of the AirPods Pro 2, you should pair them with your Apple devices for the seamless device switching, instant pairing, and host of software features that don’t work with other platforms.

I’ve used the AirPods Pro 2 during workouts at the gym, for cycling, and while running half-marathons. They’ve have never disappointed me through all these situations. I love recommending slightly older products when they’re heavily discounted, and with the AirPods Pro 2 getting such a good deal during Cyber Monday 2025, you’re basically getting a current-gen product at last-gen prices.


Does Apple do Cyber Monday?

Yes, Apple participates in Cyber Monday, 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 Cyber Monday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever.

How long do Cyber Monday 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. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. 

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 Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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

This Quirky Wallet-Sized E-Reader Is Under $50 for Cyber Monday

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are 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. 


For two years now, I’ve been obsessed with the Boox Palma for one primary reason: Because it has the form factor of a phone, it’s easy to slip into my pocket and carry it with me wherever I go. This helps me read more and use my phone-shaped phone a lot less, which goes a long way toward justifying the $270 price tag. So of course I’m intrigued to learn that there’s a new, even smaller e-reader on the market, and you can pick one up for around $50—or even less with a Cyber Monday coupon.

Like the Palma, the Xteink X4 is a Chinese-made gadget with an e-ink screen similar to the one you’ll find on the Amazon Kindle. Unlike the Palma, which is loaded up with high-end features like a temperature-adjustable front light, a camera, an Android-based operating system with access to the Google Play store, and a ton of internal storage, the Xteink X4 is about as basic as it gets. There’s no lighting, no touch screen, and the onboard software is so basic, calling it an operating system feels like an overstatement. There’s not even any internal storage—instead, it ships with a 32GB SD card.

I love it.

The Xteink X4 is truly easy to carry with you—more so than even phone-sized e-readers. It even has a magnetic ring on the back that you can use to attach it to the back of your phone, provided your phone is large enough (don’t be fooled by the pictures on the Xteink website that show it clipped to an iPhone; it’s too big for my iPhone 14 and some research confirms it doesn’t really align with the larger “Max” iPhone models either). But even standing alone—even in its tiny magnetic cover (an extra $9)—you’ll barely notice the Xteink X4 is in your pocket, so you’ll have no excuse not to carry it everywhere so you can read instead of doomscroll.

Just the basics

Xteink reader next to a credit card

Credit: Joel Cunningham

I should start off with a big caveat: Unless you’re at least mildly tech-savvy and you enjoy fiddling around with gadgets, the Xteink X4 is not for you. While it’s fairly easy to get up and running, it does come with a learning curve, because it’s designed for basic functionality over a good user experience. I this this is kind of great, but I’m someone who reviews e-ink devices regularly, so I’m not exactly a neophyte. (In any case, the r/xteinkereader Reddit community is already thriving and can help get you started.)

With that out of the way, here are the details on this super simple device:

  • a 4.3-inch e-ink screen (somewhere between the size of a credit card and a standard iPhone)

  • 220 ppi resolution

  • 32GB of storage via a microSD card (expandable up to 512GB)

  • Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth

  • 650mAh battery with USB-C charging (good for ~14 days on a single charge)

  • 114mm x 69mm, 5.9mm thick

  • Physical power, navigation, and page-turn buttons

  • 74g weight

  • compatible with: TXT, EPUB, JPG, BMP files; BIN fonts

And that’s it. Even as e-readers go, the Xteink X4 is dead simple. Navigating around the bare-bones menus requires using the physical buttons on the right side and lower bezel. It will take you some time to get familiar with which button does what, and to figure out what the different options in the settings and e-book menus actually do, but once you’ve got it figured out, you’ll realize that if all you want is an e-reader that makes it easy to read wherever you are, it does the trick.

Easy, that is, once the books are on the device.

Getting started

xteink ereader with settings menu open

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Actually getting your books onto the Xteink X4 can be slightly tricky, starting with the fact that you need to have a collection of e-books in DRM-free EPUB or TXT format to read anything at all.

Only DRM-free e-books will work

Many e-book retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, generally only sell ebooks with DRM (which stands for “digital rights management”), anti-piracy software designed to ensure you can only read books purchased legally. Though DRM can be stripped from your files with tools you can find online, it’s technically illegal (stern frowny face emoji) so you’ll need to either purchase books without DRM or download public domain titles from sources like Project Gutenberg.

Loading files is a bit fussy

Once you do have your files ready, you can get them on the device in a couple of different ways. You can remove the SD card, stick it into a card reader, and mount it to your computer (this wasn’t an option for me, however, as my work laptop won’t let me mount external drives). You can also transfer files via wifi by logging the Xteink X4 into your wifi, then setting it up as a hotspot, connecting your computer, and typing a specific URL into a browser window, which will open up some simple file-sharing options that allow you to upload books, fonts, and image files.

The reading experience

Reading outdoors on the Xteink X4

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Once you’ve got your books loaded up, the reading experience is better than you’d expect it to be. At 220ppi, the screen is crisp enough to be easily readable, though as with a paper book, there’s no lighting, so you’ll need to provide your own (I recommend light bulbs, but the sun works well if you’re outdoors during the day).

Your books won’t look great—there are only two pre-installed fonts, and as of this writing, formatting options are extremely limited, so you won’t be able to see any embedded images or use hyperlinks to jump from the table of contents to a specific chapter (there are workarounds for this in the e-book navigation menus, but they are pretty clunky). Also, text styling like paragraph indents, italics, bold, and underlining are currently non-functional, which can make some books tricky to parse, but the developers promise to do their best to continue making the software better via over-the-air updates.

Who the Xteink X4 is for

If you’ve got a huge Kindle library or you’re the type of person who just wants their tech to work without a hassle, get an Amazon e-reader. If you own a lot of books from different sources and want to read them all on the same device, an Android-based reader like the Boox Palma 2 or Boox Go 7 will serve you well.

But if you’re a minimalist, or a techie who likes fiddling around with weird gadgets, I think you’ll find this little guy incredibly endearing. Though there are about 10 different e-readers scattered around my home and I’ve recently been reading everything on the $400 Boox Palma 2 Pro, all weekend I found myself reaching instead for the Xteink X4, and I’m already trying to figure out who I’m going to gift one for the holidays.

How to get the Xteink X4 at a Cyber Monday discount

Currently, the Xteink X4 isn’t sold via Amazon, but you can pick one up in two different ways.

Order from AliExpress

AliExpress is an e-commerce platform that largely sells items direct from China. It might look a little off, but it’s a legit website, and it’s the only third-party retailer where you can currently order the Xteink X4 for shipment to the U.S. Just make sure the product listing you’re looking at is for the right device and at the best price—sometimes you’ll see slightly different prices from different sellers, but if the price is ridiculously low, check the description to make sure you aren’t just buying an accessory.

For Cyber Monday, AliExpress is offering a coupon for $10 off of a $50 order, which means you can currently grab an Xteink X4 for around $41.

Order direct

If you prefer, you can also order direct from Xteink, though you’ll likely pay $15 to $20 more. On the plus side, you can easily add some cheap accessories to your order, including a magnetic cover, a magnetic clip-on reading light, and screen protectors.


Does Amazon have Cyber Monday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday 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 that 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 Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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 13-inch M2 MacBook Air Is Down to $599 for Cyber Monday

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are 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. 


For years, the M1 MacBook Air has been the default cheap MacBook recommendation every deals season. Even now, it’s available for just $549 at Walmart. But now, I think the best cheap MacBook that you can buy is the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air for just $599 during Best Buy’s Cyber Monday sale. This laptop has the same modern design as the M4 MacBook Air and even comes with the same 16GB RAM.

This isn’t the only good MacBook Air deal right now, though—if you have the money to spare, you could opt for the latest M4 MacBook Air for $738 duringAmazon’s Cyber Monday sale. For most budget-conscious users, though, the $600 M2 MacBook Air is the best deal. The M2 MacBook Air has the same 13.5-inch Retina Display (with wide P3 color gamut and sharp resolution at 2560×1664), the same latest design, MagSafe connection, fast Touch ID, and nicer speakers, not to mention 16GB RAM, which is twice as much as the M1 MacBook Air. It supports Apple Intelligence as well, though that 16GB RAM will come in really handy in day-to-day tasks and will help with longevity as well.

The M2 chip is also no slouch. Compared to the M1 chip, you get 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and 40% faster Neural Engine. It’s more than capable for your daily work, email, and web browsing, and it can even take over some intense photo editing and video editing workflows. There’s 18 hours of battery life (15 when you’re web browsing). Again, that’s more than enough to last a full workday, and then some. The M2 MacBook Air is also thin and light, as you’d expect, weighing in at 2.7 pounds (and just 1.13 cm thick).

If you’re looking for a larger laptop, the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air is down to $769.99. The two laptops are virtually the same, down to the processor and quality of screen. The 15-inch model, of course, has a larger screen, and because of the extra space, has better speakers too. The weight is a different story though, with the 15-inch model weighing in at 1.51 kg, which is quite a bit heavier than the 13-inch MacBook Air.


What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday 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 that 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 Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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

Netflix quietly drops support for casting to most TVs

Have you been trying to cast Stranger Things from your phone, only to find that your TV isn’t cooperating? It’s not the TV—Netflix is to blame for this one, and it’s intentional. The streaming app has recently updated its support for Google Cast to disable the feature in most situations. You’ll need to pay for one of the company’s more expensive plans, and even then, Netflix will only cast to older TVs and streaming dongles.

The Google Cast system began appearing in apps shortly after the original Chromecast launched in 2013. Since then, Netflix users have been able to start video streams on TVs and streaming boxes from the mobile app. That was vital for streaming targets without their own remote or on-screen interface, but times change.

Today, Google has moved beyond the remote-free Chromecast experience, and most TVs have their own standalone Netflix apps. Netflix itself is also allergic to anything that would allow people to share passwords or watch in a new place. Over the last couple of weeks, Netflix updated its Android app to remove most casting options, mirroring a change in 2019 to kill Apple AirPlay.

Read full article

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Top Consultancies Freeze Starting Salaries as AI Threatens ‘Pyramid’ Model

Major consulting firms including McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group and Bain have frozen starting salaries for the third consecutive year as AI reshapes how these companies think about their traditional reliance on large cohorts of junior analysts. Job offers for 2026 show undergraduate packages holding steady at $135,000-$140,000 and MBA packages at $270,000-$285,000, according to Management Consulted. The Big Four — Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC — haven’t raised starting pay since 2022.

The industry’s classic “pyramid” structure, built on thousands of entry-level employees who crunch data and assemble PowerPoint decks, faces pressure as AI automates much of that work. Two senior executives at Big Four firms estimated that UK graduate recruitment would fall by about half in the coming year. PwC has already cut graduate hiring in 2025 and said in October it would miss a target to add 100,000 employees globally by 2026 — a goal set five years ago before generative AI’s rollout.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Pixel 9a Is Only $349 for Cyber Monday, and It’s My Favorite Android

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. 


Even after the release of the Pixel 10 series, the budget-oriented Pixel 9a is still the best Google phone for most people. That’s according to Lifehacker’s Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt . And I agree. I’ve used the Pixel 9a as my secondary phone for months now. For Cyber Monday, Amazon is discounting the Pixel 9a to just $349. That’s $150 off the original price, and it’s the lowest price we’ve seen yet.

The Pixel 9a is a great phone for most people because of all the things that it has, and all that it doesn’t. It only has two cameras, and it doesn’t have the Pixel 10’s fancy new AI features. But all that doesn’t matter, and you may actually prefer your phone without them.

Instead, what you have here is a solid little dependable smartphone. It’s still got the same Tensor G4 processor as the regular Pixel 9, and you still get a 120Hz refresh rate display with the latest Android 16 OS. This thing is still as fast and smooth as the day it was launched. There’s 8GB RAM, which is enough to run some Gemini tasks locally, and fast enough for day to day use. At 5,100 mAh, it has quite a large battery backup as well. Not to mention Google’s new 7-year software update promise, which also applies to the 9a.

Because it uses smaller and older sensors, the camera is admittedly just okay. Don’t expect Pixel Pro level photos here. But for regular, everyday use, the camera will be more than adequate.

The Pixel 9a has everything that a regular user would want from a smartphone, and could be a perfect gift for your parents or grandparents this holiday season. As Michelle puts it in her review, “But outside of being a good A-series phone, I also think it’s just a plain good phone.“


How long do Cyber Monday 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. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. 

Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday 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. 

What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday 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 that 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. 

Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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

These Beats Solo Headphones Are Just $79 for Cyber Monday

It’s Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are 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.


Beats’ latest on-ear headphones are on deep discount for Cyber Monday: The Beats Solo 4 are just $79 at Walmart right now, specifically the drenched grey colorway. This is the lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. The other colors, including black, pink, and blue, are listed for $129 at Walmart and $129.95 on Amazon, which is also a decent deal at 35% off.

The Beats Solo 4 offer well-balanced sound and are particularly high-value for those in the Apple ecosystem. This is because Apple-owned Beats by Dre integrated features like hands-free Siri and personalized spatial audio into this iteration of the Beats Solo. The headphones also have one-touch pairing with most Apple devices, automatic pairing via iCloud, audio sharing, and simultaneous connection with your iPhone and Apple Watch.

PCMag gives the Beats Solo 4 a “good” review. The headphones don’t have Active Noise Cancellation, an adjustable EQ option, or an Android-friendly codec.

Beats headphones, in general, are a decent affordable alternative to premium headphones from Apple and Sony. Its over-ear Studio Pro headphones are also on sale for Cyber Monday, as are the Apple AirPods Max and the Sony WH-1000XM6.

What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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

UK ‘Not in Favor’ of Dimming the Sun

The British government said it opposes attempts to cool the planet by spraying millions of tons of dust into the atmosphere — but did not close the door to a debate on regulating the technology. From a report: The comments in parliament Thursday came after a POLITICO investigation revealed an Israeli-U.S. company Stardust Solutions aimed to be capable of deploying solar radiation modification, as the technology is called, inside this decade. “We’re not in favor of solar radiation modification given the uncertainty around the potential risks it poses to the climate and environment,” Leader of the House of Commons Alan Campbell said on behalf of the government.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

My Favorite Pixel Phone Is Over 30% Off for Cyber Monday

It’s Cyber Monday, 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.


The Google Pixel 10 only launched four months ago, but it’s already discounted by a significant $250 for the holiday shopping season (almost a third off). You can now pick it up from Amazon for $549, its lowest price yet.

That “lowest price yet” label does depend on the color and storage option you choose, but whichever one you pick, there are big discounts being applied for Cyber Monday. For the biggest discount, pick the 128GB lemongrass model.

I’ve been reviewing phones for decades at this point, and I’ve always loved the Pixel series (and the Nexus phones before that). They put photography and AI front and center—both high priorities for me—and they’re perfect if you spend a lot of time in Google’s various apps (from Gmail to Google Maps), which I do.

These phones are also well-built, durable, and distinctive-looking. I find them easy on the eye, though you do need to get past that camera bar (it at least ensures your phone doesn’t wobble when laid down on its back). Add in the on-board smarts of Gemini, and there’s a lot to like here.


Does Amazon have Cyber Monday deals?

Yes, Amazon has Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday 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 that 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 Cyber Monday deals worth it?

In short, yes, Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday Deals Right Now


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

India Orders Mobile Phones Preloaded With Government App To Ensure Cyber Safety

An anonymous reader shares a report: India’s telecoms ministry has privately asked all smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cyber security app, a government order showed, a move set to spark a tussle with Apple, which typically dislikes such directives.

[…] The November 28 order, seen by Reuters, gives major smartphone companies 90 days to ensure that the government’s Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on new mobile phones, with a provision that users cannot disable it. […] In the order, the government said the app was essential to combat “serious endangerment” of telecom cyber security from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable scams and network misuse.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Don’t Miss December’s Full Cold Supermoon & Geminids Meteor Shower Spectacle

Don't Miss December's Full Cold Supermoon & Geminids Meteor Shower Spectacle
December is preparing to set the stage for one last supermoon and another meteor shower that will test the patience of stargazers. Get ready for the second closest full cold moon in a few days and the Geminids shower on the night of December 13-14.

The grand curtain call of 2025’s lunar cycle ends with the full cold moon on December 4 (Thursday),

Alienware Gaming PCs Are Hundreds Off In Cyber Monday Sale

Alienware Gaming PCs Are Hundreds Off In Cyber Monday Sale
Remember the ‘Dude, you’re getting a Dell!’ pitch guy from commercials of yesteryear? If he were still making advertisements for Dell today, he’d have to slightly alter his pitch to say, ‘Dude, you’re getting an Alienware!’ because there are some seriously good bargains available for Cyber Monday, and they include discounts on both desktop

Cyber Monday Nintendo Switch 2 deals: Get $50 off the Mario Kart World bundle

Cyber Monday is here and if you haven’t decided on a present for the gamer in your life then now’s the time. There is currently a sale on the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle. You can get the system and game for just $449, down from $499. The 10 percent discount is available exclusively at Walmart. It appears you must be signed in to a Walmart account (which is free to make) and add the bundle to your cart to see the discounted price.

The long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 came out in June and somehow beat our expectations. We gave it a 93 in our review thanks to features like its larger 7.9-inch LCD screen with HCR and very polished design. We were also impressed by its 256GB of base storage, magnetic Joy-Con and overall much improved performance. 

Nintendo introduced Mario Kart World alongside the new Switch and we’re big fans. It brings wall riding and rail grinds to the Mario Kart franchise in a bright, colorful space. The game is extremely replayable and a great option for anyone looking to quickly pass the time during their travels this holiday season. 

This is one of the only true Cyber Monday Switch 2 deals available this year. Nintendo announced its holiday sales back in November, and to no one’s surprise, there weren’t many actual discounts revealed. Console bundles, as usual, remain the stars, since you do save a bit on the price of the included game when you buy a Switch 2 bundle.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/cyber-monday-nintendo-switch-2-deals-get-50-off-the-mario-kart-world-bundle-150612959.html?src=rss

Airbus Says Most of Its Recalled 6,000 A320 Jets Now Modified

Airbus said Monday that the vast majority of around 6,000 A320-family jets affected by an emergency software recall have now been modified, leaving fewer than 100 aircraft still requiring work after a frantic weekend of repairs prompted by the discovery of a vulnerability to solar flares. The unprecedented recall — described as the broadest emergency action in the company’s history — came after a mid-air incident on a JetBlue A320 revealed a possible link between a drop in altitude and a space-related computer bug.

The fix involved reverting to an earlier version of software that controls nose angle, uploaded via cable from a portable device called a data loader. Some older A320 jets will need entirely new computers rather than a simple software reset, raising questions about how long those aircraft will remain grounded amid global chip shortages.

Reuters separately reported on Monday that Airbus had discovered an industrial quality issue affecting metal panels of a “limited” number of A320-family aircraft. The company told the publication that it had “identified” and “contained” the source of the issue and that “all newly produced panels conform to all requirements.”


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Netflix ends casting from mobile devices for users of newer TVs

Netflix is ending support for the ability to cast from mobile devices to many TVs. According to a help page spotted by Android Authority, “Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices. You’ll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix.” 

The company indicated that casting should still work with older Chromecast devices and TVs that support Google Cast, but only for users who are on an ad-free plan. However, if you have a Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV or a television that runs on Android TV, casting may no longer be an option in the Netflix app.

It appears that Netflix has been quietly winding down support for casting in recent weeks, as some users reported in mid-November that it was no longer an option for them. I have an ad-free Netflix plan and the latest version of the iOS app on my phone. While I can still tap the cast button, the app doesn’t list any devices for me to cast to, including my Android TV-powered television.

This is a disappointing move from Netflix as many folks find it easier to search for something they want to watch on the mobile app and then cast that to their TV. If, for instance, you dozed off while watching something, it’s also much faster to get back to the point you last remember seeing by scrolling through the episode or film on a mobile device than with a remote on a TV app.

Engadget has asked Netflix why it’s winding down support for casting on mobile devices. The company previously axed AirPlay support in 2019 because of “technical limitations.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-ends-casting-from-mobile-devices-for-users-of-newer-tvs-151921578.html?src=rss

Here are the best Cyber Monday deals we can find

After our celebration of Prime Day earlier in the year, last Friday we all somberly marked the passage of Black Friday, the day where we commemorate the passing of the great Optimus Prime during his apocalyptic battle with that foulest and most deceptive of Decepticons, Megatron (may his name and his energon both be forever cursed). But then, as everyone knows, just as our darkest hour seemed finally at hand, Optimus Prime was resurrected from death and returned to us! The long-ago Monday when this unprecedented event occurred was the day hope returned—the day everyone, human and machine alike, was united in joy. It truly was a Monday for all of Cybertron—a “Cyber Monday,” if you will.

Today in 2025, we pause to recall how the power of the AllSpark and the collective wisdom of the Primes has torn the veil of death, shattering the barrier between the living world and the world beyond—and through that power, Optimus Prime now walks among us again and it’s not weird at all! (Though I think there also might have been, like, some spores or something? I dunno, it was a long time ago.) To show our joy at the greatest transformer’s return as he takes back up the mantle of Autobot leadership from Rodimus Prime—who, let’s face it, kind of sucked anyway—it is time to do what we did on Black Friday but even harder: it is time to engage in more celebratory commerce!

Below you’ll find a short curated list of the best deals we could find for Cyber Monday. The pricing is accurate as of the time of posting, and we’ll update the list several times today as things change (keep an eye out for the “Updated” tag near the story’s timestamp). ‘Til all are one!

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