Best Black Friday 2025 Gaming Monitor Deals For Big Savings

Best Black Friday 2025 Gaming Monitor Deals For Big Savings
It’s Black Friday 2025, and we’ve sifted through the chaff in order to find the best gaming monitor deals currently available. High-refresh rate monitors are now dominated by OLED panels, which are superb in terms of image quality but have historically been quite expensive, so deep Black Friday discounts are very welcome. We didn’t focus solely

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Workout Headphones Are $45 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.


Thanksgiving is a week away, but Black Friday sales are already here. This year, Amazon’s Black Friday deal event is taking place from Nov. 20-28, and Lifehacker will be here with all the best deals throughout the mega-sale. Right now, one of them is on my absolute favorite headphones for running—the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. They’re currently $124.95, a 31% discount off their list price of $179.95.

If you’re unfamiliar with the world of bone conduction headphones (BCH), let me try to convert you. I love noise-cancelling tech when I’m in the gym, sure. But when I’m exercising outside, I’m grateful for BCH technology to keep my ears open to traffic, other runners, and reckless cyclists—all without sacrificing audio quality. As my colleague Daniel Oropeza reviews in-depth here, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the best set of BCHs that either of us have ever tried.

With these Shokz, I’ve experienced little to no ear fatigue, even during 20+ mile runs. I’ve worn these headphones for over a year now, through humid summer runs and unexpected downpours, and they’re holding up great. Most important for me, their battery life holds up, lasting even my longest training runs. Even if I forget to charge the night before a run, a quick five-minute charge gives me around 1.5 hours of listening time. Shokz is a go-to brand for a reason, and this 31% discount could be the nudge you need to snag the OpenRun Pro 2 headphones for yourself.

If you’re still shopping around, I recommend checking out guides like our live blog, where we use price trackers to make sure you’re really getting the best deals this Black Friday. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.


How long do Black Friday deals really last?

Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and sales 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 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 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

Europe Fears It Can’t Catch Up in Great Power Competition

European leaders have spent years warning that the continent risked falling behind the U.S., China and Russia in the global contest for economic, technological and military dominance, and officials now believe they have reached that point.

The mood darkened over the summer when Europe found itself on the sidelines as Washington and Beijing negotiated a reset of global trade rules, and turned bleak this month when the White House presented a Ukraine cease-fire plan without consulting European capitals. In July, the EU accepted a trade deal allowing the U.S. to impose 15% tariffs without retaliation.

President Trump ignored European calls to pressure Moscow before meeting Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August, telling reporters “this is not to do with Europe, Europe’s not telling me what to do.” Germany has eased its debt brake to pour $580 billion into a decade-long rearmament program, and the EU has set a 2030 rearmament goal — defense spending across the region is set to exceed $560 billion this year, double what it was a decade ago. “Battle lines for a new world order, based on power, are being drawn right now,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in September. “A new Europe must emerge.”


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Someone Is Trying To ‘Hack’ People Through Apple Podcasts

Apple’s Podcasts app on both iOS and Mac has been exhibiting strange behavior for months, spontaneously launching and presenting users with obscure religion, spirituality and education podcasts they never subscribed to — and at least one of these podcasts contains a link attempting a cross-site scripting attack, 404 Media reports. Joseph Cox, a journalist at the outlet, documented the issue after repeatedly finding his Mac had launched the Podcasts app on its own, presenting bizarre podcasts with titles containing garbled code, external URLs to Spotify and Google Play, and in one case, what appears to be XSS attack code embedded directly in the podcast title itself.

Patrick Wardle, a macOS security expert and creator of Objective-See, confirmed he could replicate similar behavior: simply visiting a website can trigger the Podcasts app to open and load an attacker-chosen podcast without any user prompt or approval. Wardle said this creates “a very effective delivery mechanism” if a vulnerability exists in the Podcasts app, and the level of probing suggests adversaries are actively evaluating it as a potential target. The XSS-attempting podcast dates from around 2019. A recent review in the app asked “How does Apple allow this attempted XSS attack?”

Asked for comment five times by 404 Media, Apple did not respond.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

AI horror, a dinosaur platformer and other new indie games worth checking out

Welcome to our latest roundup of what’s going on in the indie game space. Even though it’s a truncated week in the US with the long holiday weekend, there’s still been a spate of new releases and news on upcoming games. There’ll be plenty more over the next couple of weeks too, with The Game Awards, Day of the Devs and several other showcases in the pipeline. 

In the spirit of the season, one thing I’m thankful for is indie studios being able to make the games they want despite external pressures. We’ve seen both extremes of that in recent months. This week, the team at Santa Ragione said it respects players enough to release its latest game, Horses, as intended. However, Valve has blocked the horror title from Steam in what seems to be quite a messy case. As a result of not being able to sell Horses on the biggest PC games storefront, Santa Ragione said it’s at risk of closure.

On the other end of the scale, Team Cherry was able to take all the time in the world to make Hollow Knight: Silksong because of the success of its previous game, which has sold more than 15 million copies. Although Hollow Knight fans spent years clamoring for updates on Silksong, the small team had the financial freedom to spend as long as it wanted crafting and polishing the sequel. The devs were able to just keep their heads down and do that until Team Cherry announced a release date just two weeks in advance.

Those are two very different stories. Still, they both resulted in fully realized games based on seemingly uncompromised visions. 

New releases

A.I.L.A — from Pulsatrix Studios and publisher Fireshine Games — has a decent-enough concept. It’s a first-person horror title in which you take on the role of a VR game tester. The games that the protagonist plays are crafted by an AI (which, by itself, is a horrifying prospect) and adjusted based on your feedback. In a stunning development, the AI begins to tap into your character’s deepest fears and blur the virtual and real worlds. It sounds like a blurb for an airport novel, but it’s a solid-enough foundation on which to base a game.

The structure of A.I.L.A allows for Pulsatrix to craft a few distinct experiences in various horror subgenres within a larger game. You’ll encounter a cult, zombies, aliens, creepy mannequins, puzzles and more as you play through chapters rooted in the likes of psychological horror and survival horror. There are a lot of ideas packaged together here. I’ve played a chunk A.I.L.A and it’s okay so far, even if it does feel a bit like a tribute band playing the hits of yesteryear. A.I.L.A is out now on Steam (usually $30, but there’s a 20 percent discount until December 9), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

If you can’t get enough of fairly lengthy open-world action RPGs, Of Ash And Steel might be one for you to sink your teeth into. Fire & Frost and publisher tinyBuild claim there’s over 45 hours worth of main story material to dig into here.

One interesting thing about Of Ash And Steel is that there are no quest markers. Exploration is a major factor and you can mark locations on your map. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay attention to things like what other characters are saying to figure out where to go. Also, the trailer’s final shot shows a pair of titans that seem ready to battle, and that has me intrigued too.

Of Ash And Steel typically costs $30. There’s a 20 percent discount until December 8 on Steam and GOG.

Young Suns is the latest project from Ko_Op (Goodbye Volcano High). When the team announced the game this week, it immediately became available on all Game Pass tiers as a game preview on Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Cloud. If you’d prefer to buy it outright, you can also do that for $20.

This is (appropriately enough) a co-op life sim for up to four players. The team readily admits that Young Suns is still in development and that means some features and quest content aren’t available in the current version of the game. However, as game director Graeme Lennon wrote in an Xbox Wire post, “The game is playable and fun for its intended pattern of play: checking in for an hour or two daily, slowly building up your perfect ship-home and making new friends.”

The game is set on Jupiter and you can explore space stations, planetoids and ruins. You can collect resources and other items to help upgrade your ship/home. There are 30 characters (more are on the way), and most have “over two months of unique daily chat content.” Young Suns is also coming to Steam down the line.

Dinopunk: The Cacops Adventure is the first of two dinosaur games in this week’s roundup. This one is an adorable-looking retro platformer from The Dude Games and publisher Meridiem. It’s said to pay tribute to classic games like Wonder Boy, Alex Kidd and Contra. 

As an amphibian dinosaur, you can collect special items to upgrade your attacks. There are arcade-style minigames as well. My favorite thing from the trailer, though, is a boss called Gatling Saurus. Love it. Dinopunk: The Cacops Adventure is out now on Steam. It usually costs $8, but there’s a 10 percent discount until December 1.

Upcoming 

Ferocious is a very different kind of dinosaur game. This one is a first-person shooter from OMYOG and tinyBuild in which you have a device that allows you to communicate with and control dinos. Sending a rampaging triceratops into combat or riding on the back of one looks pretty fun. You can even take charge of a T. rex.

The gist is that an evil corporation is out to change the world in its favor with the help of these prehistoric reptiles, and it’s up to you to stop this cabal. Ferocious will hit Steam on December 4 for $25.

Engadget’s UK bureau chief Mat Smith got to try out There Are No Ghosts at the Grand back at Gamescom, and now you can check it out too. Friday Sundae has released a demo for the odd-looking “spooky, cozy musical mystery” on Steam.

After you inherit a rundown hotel, you have 30 days to fix it up using talking power tools (such as a furniture cannon)… or else. At night, you’ll have to fend off ghosts. Maybe the title of this game is a bit of a misdirect! 

There Are No Ghosts at the Grand seems a bit strange, but I’m on board with it. It’s coming to PC and Xbox Series X/S next year and it will be a day-one addition to Game Pass. It will hit other platforms later.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ai-horror-a-dinosaur-platformer-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-180000059.html?src=rss

The Two Best Streaming Services for Movie Nerds Are Discounted 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.


On Netflix right now, you can stream the 2025 Richard Linklater film Nouvelle Vague, a low-key hangout movie about the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 French New Wave masterpiece Breathless, but you cannot stream Breathless itself. This is because Netflix owns the rights to the former, but doesn’t much care about licensing the latter. And that’s the modern streaming landscape in a nutshell.

While I would never suggest streaming hasn’t been great for the true cinephiles out there—if I can think of a film, there’s a very good chance there’s a way I can start watching it within seconds, even if I have to pay for a rental or buy a digital copy—the major streaming services haven’t always done right by film fans. While Netflix grows increasingly uninterested in hosting anything that isn’t a Netflix exclusive, the likes of Warner Bros. and Paramount are removing many classics from their streaming services to emphasize newer “content.”

But all is not lost—if you look beyond the major media corporations, there are great niche streaming options out there for film freaks. And right now, annual subscriptions to two of the very best are heavily discounted for Black Friday.

The Criterion Channel and MUBI are indispensable for film fans

I’ve written before about my love for The Criterion Channel, the streaming offshoot of The Criterion Collection, a boutique media label that has spent more than four decades cultivating a reputation as the ultimate tastemaker for movie obsessives, releasing top shelf home video editions of “important classic and contemporary films” spanning the last century and the entire world. In 2019 Criterion launched The Criterion Channel, which brings the same selective film snob ethos to a monthly streaming service.

MUBI, meanwhile, is a British streaming service-turned-film distributor that actually got its start with the help of Criterion back in the mid-2000s. While it has recently become well-known for bringing art house fare like The Substance and Die My Love to theaters, it also operates a highly curated streaming service focused on independent world cinema.

It’s hard to choose between the two streaming services, because they have such a different focus: The Criterion Channel is essential if you’re interested in developing a broad knowledge of classic cinema, with an ever-changing catalog spanning decades, while MUBI tends to be focused on more recent but also more obscure films from around the globe.

So why choose?

Both are $75 for Black Friday

Usually a subscription to The Criterion Channel will run you $100/year (or $11/month), while MUBI is a bit pricier at $120/year (or $15/month). As I try to keep my monthly streaming budget to a reasonable level, I usually limit myself to one of these, but thanks to their concurrent Black Friday sales, I’m going all out in 2026.

Right now, you can get a year of either service for a cool $75, or $6.25 per month annualized. That means you can get both for $12.50, or $6 less than the cost of a month of HBO Max without ads.

  • From now through Dec. 1, MUBI’s deal is $75 for an annual subscription, with the deal accessible directly from its homepage (though note that you’ll auto-renew next year at the usual $120 price). The deal is open to all new and past subscribers.

  • Also through Dec. 1, The Criterion Channel is also $75, but you’ll need to use the code BLACKFRIDAY25 at checkout. Your subscription will start after a 7-day free trial, and will auto-renew next year at the usual $100 rate. One caveat: This deal is for your “first year,” so if you’re a current or former subscriber, you’re out of luck unless you want to create a new account with a different email and credit card, and sacrifice your watch history.

Whichever option you choose (again, I suggest going big and getting both if you can swing it), you’ll have a great year of movie-watching ahead of you.


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 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 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.


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

Australia’s Streaming Quotas Become Law

Australia’s streaming quotas have become law. Legislation requiring the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max to spend a portion of their local earnings on original Australian content has been passed in parliament, and now comes into effect. From a report: The quotas were announced earlier this month. This will see global streamers with more than one million Australian subscribers made to spend 10% of their total Australian expenditure — or 7.5% of their revenues — on local originals, whether they are dramas, children’s shows, docs, or arts and educational programs.

Failing to comply with the rules will see streamers fined up to ten times their annual revenues in Australia. This is more than what broadcasters are liable for if they breach their quota rules laws. Streamers will be given three years to get their production operations in line.

Streamers have long opposed government-set quotas and content levies, arguing they already meaningfully invest in the production sectors of the countries in which they operate. Producers, in general, have welcomed the systems, but remain wary that they could push streaming services out of their countries.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

ModRetro launches its take on the Nintendo 64

ModRetro, the gaming company that makes modern versions of retro consoles, has unveiled its take on the Nintendo 64. It’s called the M64, and it has launched alongside ModRetro’s spin on the classic console’s trident or three-pronged controller. The M64 is a direct competitor to the Analogue 3D, which is also an ode to the N64 and can play its games. Analogue’s version is already out for sale, though it’s currently out of stock. ModRetro didn’t say when you’ll be able to purchase the M64 and how much it will cost, but you can sign up for the waitlist and get priority when it goes on sale. The consoles will come with translucent casing in three colors when it debuts: purple, green and white.

ModRetro soft launched its first console, the Chromatic, in 2024. As you can probably guess, the Chromatic can play Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, as well as proprietary cartridges. It came out months after its soft launch and will set you back at least $200. If you’re not familiar with ModRetro before this, it was founded by Palmer Luckey who also founded Oculus and designed the Rift headset. In 2017, he co-founded Anduril Industries, a military tech company that builds drones, sensors and other technologies with billions in government contracts.

ModRetro M64 controller
ModRetro M64 controller
ModRetro

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/modretro-launches-its-take-on-the-nintendo-64-170000967.html?src=rss

5 Best Black Friday 2025 CPU Deals: Big Intel & AMD Processor Savings

5 Best Black Friday 2025 CPU Deals: Big Intel & AMD Processor Savings
Black Friday is here, and we’ve been working overtime to make sure you get the best gaming CPU deals this week. Whether you’re building a new PC or upgrading an existing one, these are some of the best processor deals for a modern gaming PC.

Before getting too deep into the weeds though, we do want to take a moment to clarify how these

Hytale’s early access build drops on January 13 and costs $20

We finally have a release date for the early access build of Hytale. The fun starts on January 13. The game costs $20 and is available for PC players via Steam. Preorders go up on December 13.

This is a true early access build, so don’t go in expecting a polished experience. Developer Hypixel Studios says it’s “still very much unfinished and will be buggy for a while” but that the team is committed to perfecting the game over time. Studio co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme recently said “I don’t think the game is good yet,” so make of that what you will.

For the uninitiated, Hytale is a nifty-looking open world adventure game that looks to be visually inspired by Minecraft. It’s been on our radar for years and development goes all the way back to 2015.

It’s been a long road getting to early access, with enough twists and turns to fuel a boardroom drama. Riot bought the studio in 2020, ostensibly to continue work on Hytale. However, the company behind League of Legends soured on the concept after a few years. It shut down Hypixel Studios earlier this year and ended development of the game.

That should’ve been the end, but it wasn’t. Hypixel managed to secure funding to buy the rights back from Riot and brought Hytale back from the dead. The company rehired a bunch of staffers that were impacted by Riot’s decision and got to work. Hypixel showed off a bunch of new footage of the game just one day after it announced the acquisition. That’s what the kids refer to as a “flex.”

In any event, it’s good to get a happy ending for once. Hytale may not be a polished product when the early access is released in January, but I have full confidence that it’ll get there.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/hytales-early-access-build-drops-on-january-13-and-costs-20-164204422.html?src=rss

Before a Soyuz launch Thursday someone forget to secure a 20-ton service platform

A Soyuz rocket launched on Thursday carrying Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev, as well as NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, for an eight-month mission to the International Space Station. The trio of astronauts arrived at the orbiting laboratory without incident.

However, on the ground, there was a serious problem during the launch with the ground systems that support processing of the vehicle before liftoff at Site 31, located at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

In a terse statement issued Thursday night on the social media site Telegram, the Russian space corporation that operates Soyuz appeared to downplay the incident: “The launch pad was inspected, as is done every time a rocket is launched. Damage to several launch pad components was identified. Damage can occur after launch, so such inspections are mandatory worldwide. The launch pad’s condition is currently being assessed.”

Read full article

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My family keeps stealing my Dreo heater, so I’m buying another while it’s on sale for Black Friday

As I write this, my Dreo Whole-Room heater is swirling warm air around me in a hushed, mellow sweep. I personally paid the full $100 for the privilege but right now, you can currently snag yours for $15 less, thanks to Black Friday’s benevolence. Either way — this little guy is worth it. I bought mine a few weeks ago when the leaves started to turn and I knew winter was coming for my home office. I needed something to replace the aging plug-in radiator I used in years past and, after some research, this seemed like just the thing. 

There are no heating vents in my office, because it was once the front porch. Whoever built the addition did a solid job — including constructing the walls out of a material (brick? cinder block? titanium?) that no nail can penetrate, let alone duct work. The hand-me-down plug-in radiator I used last year wasn’t cutting it — only keeping me warm if I stood bestride it. If I’d had the budget for it, I’d have picked up my editor’s most recent heater find, but $100 felt like my limit. 

I can report that my purchase of Dreo’s heater has been worth it. It stands about a foot tall and just about as wide, but it really pumps out the heat. I originally mistook the displayed “H1” for “high,” so I thought the heat output was fine, but not great. Then I pushed the plus button and realized there’s an H2 and H3, which is where things really get spicy. 

It can oscillate left and right in a 90-degree arc, as well as nod up and down 60 degrees. It can even do both at the same time. I anthropomorphize everything, so when it swings both horizontally and vertically, I see a baby woodland owl inspecting its forest habitat in awe. 

Unlike that radiator heater, this heats up nigh-on instantaneously. Within seconds, I can feel the warmth, and within a minute my fingers defrost enough so I can type. But, since it is a ceramic heater, the heat largely disappears when you turn it off (at which point it goes through a 30 second cool-down to push the remaining heat out of the vents). The air in the room will stay as warm as your insulation allows, but I do use the remote to click it on and off throughout the day.  

The exterior is largely plastic, and I was worried it would have a strong off-gassing smell. Straight out of the box, the chemical tinge was noticeable, but after leaving it sitting out for a couple days, it calmed right down. I haven’t put the timer — or the tip-over safety function for that matter — to the test, but I’m happy to know that both are available. And, as advertised, it’s super quiet, emitting a pleasant hum that keeps me company as I work. 

It’s also quite portable. Which is why it constantly makes the rounds around my house. My kid likes to have it pointed at him when he eats breakfast before school. My husband grabs it to de-ice the bathroom during a shower. I honestly love that this little heater can help them stay comfortable without having to crank up the central heating to warm up the whole house, but I do wish I didn’t have to hunt it down at the start of a workday. I guess should just go ahead and grab another.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/my-family-keeps-stealing-my-dreo-heater-so-im-buying-another-while-its-on-sale-for-black-friday-160923723.html?src=rss

Robots and AI Are Already Remaking the Chinese Economy

China installed 295,000 industrial robots last year — nearly nine times as many as the United States and more than the rest of the world combined — as the country races to automate its manufacturing base amid rising labor costs at home and tariff threats from abroad.

The nation’s stock of operational robots surpassed 2 million in 2024, according to the International Federation of Robotics. Of 131 factories globally recognized by the World Economic Forum for boosting productivity through cutting-edge technologies like AI, 45 are in mainland China compared to three in the US.

At Midea’s washing machine factory in Jingzhou, an AI “factory brain” manages 14 virtual agents that coordinate robots and machines on the floor. The home-appliance giant reports that its revenue per employee grew nearly 40% between 2015 and 2024, and processes that once took 15 minutes now take 30 seconds. Down jacket maker Bosideng has cut sample production time from 100 days to 27 days using AI design tools, reducing development costs by 60%. At the port of Tianjin, scheduling that previously required 24 hours now takes 10 minutes, and 88% of large container equipment is automated. The port’s operator says it requires 60% fewer workers than traditional facilities.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

6 Killer Black Friday 2025 SSD Deals: Big Savings On Samsung, Crucial & More

6 Killer Black Friday 2025 SSD Deals: Big Savings On Samsung, Crucial & More
It’s Black Friday 2025 and not a moment too soon with the ongoing DRAM and storage supply crisis (especially for DRAM!), but there are still some great SSD deals available for buyers today. Below, we’ll list the best options we were able to find across all categories, maximizing price-per-gig without compromising on speed or reliability. Each

Black Friday Streaming deal: Plex is offering a lifetime pass for 40 percent off

While there are so many great physical things to buy during Black Friday sales, there are also a bunch of amazing discounts on digital subscriptions. Take Plex, which is offering 40 percent off its lifetime pass. You can use the code ANYPASS40 to get it for $150, down from $250. 

The monthly and annual Plex Pass options are also 40 percent off. You can get a year of Plex for $42, down from $70 or a monthly subscription for $4.19 each month, down from $7. The latter lets you cancel a lot more easily, but costs about $8 more for the year. 

Plex acts as a personal media server that lets you curate a digital collection from a range of platforms. It also offers its own streaming options, so you can access a mix of titles. However, the Lifetime Pass was only $120 until earlier this year, when it more than doubled. The discount will get you close to that price, but you might also want to check out other streaming sales available for Black Friday. 

  • Disney+ Hulu bundle — $60 for one year: The Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is on sale for $5 per month for one year (for a total of $60) through December 1. New and eligible returning subscribers can take advantage of this deal, and considering the bundle typically costs $13 per month, this deal represents more than a 50 percent discount on the standard monthly price.

  • Apple TV+ — 6 months for $36: Apple TV+ is offering six months of access for only $36 for Black Friday, which comes out to a discounted price of $6 per month for the six-month period. The deal is live now for new and eligible returning subscribers and runs through December 1, giving you a chance to stream shows like Silo, The Morning Show and For All Mankind for less. The biggest caveat to the deal is that you must subscribe directly through Apple and not through a third-party service.

  • HBO Max — one year for $36: HBO Max’s Black Friday deal gives subscribers one year streaming for $36 through December 1. This Black Friday streaming deal is on the ad-supported option, which normally goes for $11 per month. With this discount, you’re getting it for $3 per month for one year. You can sign up via HBO Max’s website or, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber already, via that service as an add-on.

  • Sling TV Orange — day pass for only $1: Sling TV launched Day Passes earlier this year, giving users one-day access to a variety of its packages. This deal cuts $4 off the normal price of a day pass for Sling Orange. With that, you get unlimited access for 24 hours to Orange’s more than 30 channels that includes ESPN, CNN, TBS and others.

  • Paramount+ — two months of Essential or Premium for $6: This Black Friday deal brings the monthly price of either Paramount+ tier down to just $6 for two months, or $3 per month. The obvious better deal is on the Premium plan, which typically costs $13 per month.

  • Starz — one year for $12: Pay upfront for one year and you can get more than $50 off a Stars annual subscription. There’s a month-to-month option too, which costs $3 per month for the first three months if you don’t want to commit to the full year. Either option gives you access to the entire Starz TV and movie library with offline viewing and no ads.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-streaming-deal-plex-is-offering-a-lifetime-pass-for-40-percent-off-155614379.html?src=rss

Best Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals 2025 — Huge Price Drops on ASUS, MSI & Dell!

Best Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals 2025 — Huge Price Drops on ASUS, MSI & Dell!
It’s a tough time to be a PC gaming or computer enthusiast with price hikes coming in fast and furious. As demand from AI ravages the landscape, prices on memory and storage are shooting up. And as multiple manufacturers have warned, now is the time to buy before costs and lead times go up further. Don’t despair, though, because Black Friday

This Black Friday Deal on Samsung’s 75-Inch The Frame Pro TV Knocks Its Price Down by $1,000

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

Frame TVs are famous for their unique ability to transform the big black box in your living room into a chic design feature, functioning as both an entertainment system and a framed piece of art when not in use. And right now, the usually-pricey Samsung 75-Inch The Frame Pro is on sale for $1,997.99 (originally $2,997.99) this Black Friday, marking its lowest price ever. While the other sizes are also discounted by 33%, this TV offers the biggest savings for the largest size, making it the best overall value.

With its generous screen size, this QLED TV delivers a cinematic experience and doubles as a visual conversation piece. Its 4K resolution and NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor ensure bright, sharp images with reliable color accuracy, and it supports gaming speeds of up to 144Hz. Smart features allow you to stream directly and easily connect consoles and other devices. 

Another perk is its Wireless One Connect box, which contains four HDMI ports, two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm RS-232C port, an optical audio output, an Ethernet port, and an antenna/cable connector. It wirelessly streams audio and video to the TV, meaning you only need to hide a single cable rather than a tangle of obvious cords and devices. However, this also could introduce undesirable latency for gamers.

The main draw is Art Mode: when you’re not watching TV, it transforms into a framed piece of art with customizable bezels, made even more realistic by a matte, anti-glare finish. You can purchase art through the Samsung Art Store for $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, or buy high-res art from Etsy vendors and museum or archive sites and load it onto a USB. PCMag notes that while the matte screen, dual functionality, and color performance are all excellent, black levels are less impressive, and contrast is somewhat mediocre.

If your priority is a TV that performs well for everyday viewing while doubling as a digital picture frame to elevate your interior design, the Samsung 75-Inch The Frame Pro is a great choice, especially at its current discount. However, it may not be ideal if you’re looking for an ultra-bright picture with deeper contrast or a display optimized for gaming.

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. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025.

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 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 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 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

Amazon’s Already Affordable Ring Doorbell Is 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.


A video doorbell is one of the smart home basics that can make the biggest difference, and Amazon’s Ring series offers some of the best options around—including the Ring Battery Doorbell, which is now down to $49.99 (originally $99.99) for Black Friday.

I’ve tested several Ring doorbells and cameras through the years, and have always found them to be simple to set up and reliable to use. (The accompanying app is straightforward and intuitive, too.)

Going for a battery-powered option means you won’t have to mess around with wires or drilling, though you will have to recharge it every few months or so. You get head-to-toe coverage of people arriving at your door, and a high definition 1440 x 1440 pixel video feed you can tap into from your phone whenever you like.

With support for two-way audio you can even chat to people at the door (whether you’re at home or not) and there’s color night vision here as well, so you can still see what’s happening outside during the hours of darkness. Certain extra features, including video archives and person and package detection, require a Ring subscription.

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 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

Violent Conflict Over Water Hit a Record Last Year

Researchers at the Pacific Institute documented 420 water-related conflicts globally in 2024, a record that far surpasses the 355 incidents logged in 2023 and continues a trend that has seen such violence more than quadruple over the past five years. The Oakland-based water think tank’s database tracks disputes where water triggered violence, where water systems were targeted, and where infrastructure became collateral damage in broader conflicts.

The Middle East reported the most incidents at 138, including 66 tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli military destroyed more than 30 wells in Rafah and Khan Yunis, and there were numerous reports of settlers destroying pipelines and tanks in the West Bank. The Russia-Ukraine war accounted for 51 incidents, including strikes that disrupted water service in Ukrainian cities.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Dyson’s Wildly Popular Airwrap i.d. Is $150 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. 


The Dyson Airwrap is one of those things people bookmark, revisit, and debate buying for a long time before finally pulling the trigger. So when the new Airwrap i.d. drops in price, it’s always worth noting. Right now, the hair-styling device is at its lowest price ever, according to price trackers—$499.99, down from the usual $649.99.

Even with the discount, it’s still very much a premium splurge, but the appeal of the Airwrap starts to make sense once you actually use it. This is not a simple blow-dryer: It is a multi-styler built around airflow rather than extreme heat, which matters if you style often and want to avoid frying your hair in the process. For some buyers, that alone justifies the cost, especially if they have thick or color-treated hair that reacts badly to heat plates.

The Airwrap i.d. builds on Dyson’s standard attachments and adds Bluetooth pairing through the MyDyson app, which may seem like a strange match for a hair tool. But in practice, it comes in handy when you’re figuring out what works for you by letting you save styling preferences by hair type, length, and texture. The app also offers step-by-step styling guides and recommends attachments based on your desired look. Compared with the standard Airwrap, the i.d. stands out mostly for this personalization. Where the tool falls short is the same place older versions do. It is still expensive, even with this discount, and travel cases or extra attachments raise that cost.

The kit includes six attachments: a smoothing dryer, two curling barrels (for each direction), a round volumizing brush, and two paddle brushes. It also dries and styles at the same time, which cuts down the usual back and forth with multiple tools. That said, the learning curve is real, especially if you’re used to traditional curlers. The results depend a lot on your hair texture and patience, and not everyone ends up with salon-level curls in the first week. Still, for anyone seeking gentler, customizable hair styling, this deal on the Airwrap i.d. is one of the more meaningful price drops of the season.

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. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. 

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 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 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 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