Amazon Faces FAA Probe After Delivery Drone Snaps Internet Cable In Texas

Amazon’s drone-delivery program is under federal scrutiny after an MK30 aircraft clipped an internet cable in Texas. CNBC reports: The incident occurred on Nov. 18 around 12:45 p.m. Central in Waco, Texas. After dropping off a package, one of Amazon’s MK30 drones was ascending out of a customer’s yard when one of its six propellers got tangled in a nearby internet cable, according to a video of the incident viewed and verified by CNBC. The video shows the Amazon drone shearing the wire line. The drone’s motor then appeared to shut off and the aircraft landed itself, with its propellers windmilling slightly on the way down, the video shows. The drone appeared to remain in tact beyond some damage to one of its propellers.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, a spokesperson confirmed. The National Transportation Safety Board said the agency is aware of the incident but has not opened a probe into the matter. Amazon confirmed the incident to CNBC, saying that after clipping the internet cable, the drone performed a “safe contingent landing,” referring to the process that allows its drones to land safely in unexpected conditions. “There were no injuries or widespread internet service outages. We’ve paid for the cable line’s repair for the customer and have apologized for the inconvenience this caused them,” an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC, noting that the drone had completed its package delivery.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Common Desktop Environment “CDE” 2.5.3 Released After Two Years

Two years and one week since the prior point release, Common Desktop Environment 2.5.3 is now available as the latest iteration of this Unix desktop environment built around the Motif toolkit. CDE has been open-source for more than a decade now but its development not exactly brisk. But for those resisting the likes of Wayland and other modern display tech — especially with KDE announcing today Plasma 6.8 will be Wayland-exclusive — CDE 2.5.3 is now available…

Greek Cybercrime Unit Shuts Down IPTV Pirates, 68 End Users Face Fines

Greek authorities shut down an IPTV piracy operation on Santorini, arresting a reseller and referring 68 end users for prosecution. TorrentFreak reports: A new legal framework to tackle online infringement in Greece went live just a couple of months ago, and reports of prosecutions are already coming in. Early September, it was reported that a man from Sparta faces prosecution and a fine of up to 6,000 euros for two IPTV piracy offenses. The suspect, reportedly a cafe owner, was targeted at his workplace on a Saturday, allegedly in front of customers. One told local media that they believed that complaints of the cafe engaging in “unfair competition” preceded the untimely visit.

The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate launched their operation in the early hours of November 19. The Athens-based unit targeted a network that sold illicit access to premium pay-TV via IPTV subscriptions. The raid, conducted on Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands, resulted in the arrest of a 48-year-old, who, from police reports, appears to be a reseller for a larger network. Customers were reportedly charged 50 euros for 3 months subscription or 100 euros for 6 months. Sales and management were handled by the 48-year-old via an online platform known as a ‘panel,’ while remote and in-person support were available as part of the service.

The impact of the raid was visible on the islands, locals said. According to a local report, hundreds of users in hotels, cafes, and residences on Santorini and beyond, found themselves suddenly without access to cheap TV. Apparently few areas were untouched by the disruption, such was local reliance on illegal streams.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Google’s AirDrop Support For Pixel 10 Likely Exists Because of EU’s Apple Ruling

Last week, Google surprised the tech world when it announced AirDrop support on Pixel 10 devices — all without Apple’s involvement. “While it initially seemed like this was a rogue move made by Google to coerce Apple into another boundary-breaking decision, it might actually be part of the repercussions that also led to USB-C on iPhone and the adoption of RCS,” reports 9to5Google. From a report: As reported by Ars Technica, the answer to this week’s mysterious Quick Share upgrade lies in the EU’s interoperability requirements designed for the DMA. The ruling out of the European Commission pushed Apple to begin supporting interoperable wireless standards beginning with this year’s set of OS upgrades, replacing the previous proprietary standard the company used to power its various Continuity features. That forced Apple to add support for the Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi Aware standard of multi-directional file sharing, at the cost of completely phasing out its previous walled-in protocol.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Newegg Sparks Debate With New PayPal-Integrated AI Shopping Push

BrianFagioli writes: Newegg’s new partnership with PayPal is another sign that mainstream e-commerce is shifting control from users to AI-driven intermediaries. Instead of shoppers visiting Newegg directly, PayPal’s agentic commerce system pushes product discovery through AI platforms like Perplexity where recommendations, checkout, and fraud checks all happen inside someone else’s controlled environment. Newegg stays the merchant of record, but the real influence shifts to the platforms that decide which products their AI agents mention. That may sound convenient, but it also means discovery becomes guided by training data and commercial integrations rather than user intent.

Slashdot readers will likely notice the other issue. This setup puts PayPal deeper into the shopping pipeline at a time when many users already avoid the company over account freezes and dispute policies. An AI-mediated shopping experience where PayPal becomes the silent gatekeeper by default is not going to sit well with everyone. And with AI agents shaping purchasing decisions based on behavior and context, the concept of intent-driven shopping starts to look a lot like quiet nudging rather than empowerment. Newegg may see this as the future, but the community will probably ask whether users truly want AI systems and PayPal deciding how they shop.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

ULA aimed to launch up to 10 Vulcan rockets this year—it will fly just once

Around this time last year, officials at United Launch Alliance projected 2025 would be their busiest year ever. Tory Bruno, ULA’s chief executive, told reporters the company would launch as many as 20 missions this year, with roughly an even split between the legacy Atlas V launcher and its replacementthe Vulcan rocket.

Now, it’s likely that ULA will close out 2025 with six flights—five with the Atlas V and just one with the Vulcan rocket the company is so eager accelerate into service. Six flights would make 2025 the busiest launch year for ULA since 2022, but it falls well short of the company’s forecast.

Last week, ULA announced its next launch is scheduled for December 15. An Atlas V will loft another batch of broadband satellites for the Amazon Leo network, formerly known as Project Kuiper, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This will be ULA’s last launch of the year.

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10 Pocketable Tools That Make Great Stocking Stuffers

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

The key to any successful DIY job is having the right tools—which can be a problem when you’re away from your toolbox. While the handy folks on your holiday shopping list probably already have all the tools they need, they probably only have the full-sized or powered-up versions. Instead, go small and gift them one (or more) of these awesome, pocket-sized tools designed to be carried around everywhere.

Snowflake multitool


$11.89
at Amazon
$15.99
Save $4.10

Stocking Stuffers for Men Snowflake Multitools - 20 in 1 Multi Tool Christmas Gifts for Men Women Adults Teens, Unique Ideas Gadgets Gifts for Dad, Pocket Size Mini Portable Screwdriver Bottle Opener


$11.89
at Amazon
$15.99
Save $4.10

Pocket Leatherman


$49.95
at Amazon
$54.95
Save $5.00

LEATHERMAN, Micra, Keychain Multi-tool with Grooming Tools, Mini Pocketknife for Everyday Carry (EDC), Hobbies & Outdoors, Built in the USA, Cappuccino


$49.95
at Amazon
$54.95
Save $5.00

Hoto Snapbloq Pocket Drill and Electric Screwdriver


$191.99
at Amazon
$299.97
Save $107.98

HOTO SNAPBLOQ 3-in-1 Master DIY & Repair Tool Kit, Brushless Motor, Magnetic Attachment System, 114 Extensive Accessories, Mini Tool Kit for 3D Printer Sanding, Electronics, PCB, Jewelry, DIY Crafts


$191.99
at Amazon
$299.97
Save $107.98

Palmer Clear Utility Knife


$39.00
at Amazon

JAMES° The Palmer Clear Utility Knife, 100% Recycled PCTG Handles, Buttery Smooth Action, Refined Tool Free Blade Changes, Electric Green Grip


$39.00
at Amazon

Acebeam Keychain Flashlight


$29.74
at Amazon
$34.99
Save $5.25

ACEBEAM Rider RX 700 High Lumens EDC AA Flashlight Rechargeable, Pocket LED Flashlight with Clip, Super Bright Mini Flash Light, 519A-V1 LED 90+ High CRI Small Flashlight for Camping, Home


$29.74
at Amazon
$34.99
Save $5.25

RAK Multitool Pen


$17.99
at Amazon
$25.99
Save $8.00

RAK Multitool Pen 2-Pack - Fathers Day Gift, Multi-Tool Pens with LED Light, Flathead & Phillips Screwdrivers, Level, Ruler, Bottle Opener, and Stylus. Cool Gadgets Gifts for Men, Dad, EDC Pen Tool


$17.99
at Amazon
$25.99
Save $8.00

9-in-1 Pocket Adjustable Wrench


$23.75
at Amazon
$32.99
Save $9.24

Small Multitool Wrench 9 in 1 Pocket Adjustable Wrench for Screw with Mini Pry Bar Nail Puller Keychain Tool Caliper Measuring Ruler Glass Breaker EDC Gadget Survival Gear for Men Cycling Hiking


$23.75
at Amazon
$32.99
Save $9.24

RoverTac Camping Multitool


$19.99
at Amazon
$23.99
Save $4.00

RoverTac Camping Essentials, Multi Tool Axe Hatchet Camping Gear, 14-in-1 Multitool Knife Hammer Pliers Saw Bottle Can Opener Screwdriver, Multitool for Camping Hiking Survival, Gifts for Men Him Dad


$19.99
at Amazon
$23.99
Save $4.00

Folding Hex Key Set


$7.99
at Amazon
$24.99
Save $17.00

12-Piece Large Folding Hex Key Set Metric (1.5-12mm), Heavy Duty Allen Wrench Set, Portable Tool for Archery, Bike Repair, Furniture, and Basic Home Maintenance (Blue)


$7.99
at Amazon
$24.99
Save $17.00

Mini Ratchet Set


$16.98
at Amazon

Klein Tools 65200 Ratchet Set, 5-Piece Mini Ratchet Set with Phillips, Slotted, and Adapter for Other Socket Sizes, For Tight Spaces


$16.98
at Amazon

The Snowflake multitool does it all

Most pocket multi-tools are a little bulky, making the snowflake multitool an awesome little gift for anyone who can’t resist a little light DIYing wherever they go. It’s a wrench, an Allen wrench, a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, a box opener, and bottle opener all in one, and it will slip into your pocket easily. Bonus: It can hang on the tree like an ornament, and it’s currently 26% off for Black Friday.

A keychain version of the famous Leatherman

You can’t discuss pocket tools without mentioning the Leatherman, one of the most reliable and useful multitool brands out there. The Micra is a keychain-friendly version of this classic, offering a knife, tweezers, screwdrivers, scissors, bottle opener, file, and a ruler in a tiny, compact build that feels hefty and reliable. It’s also almost 10% off right now.

The Hoto Snapbloq is a miniature power screwdriver

At more than a third off, this is a steal that will change your entire approach to DIY on the run. Imagine having a drill, rotary tool, and power screwdriver in your pocket at all times—that’s the Hoto Snapbloq. Sure, you’re not going to be hanging drywall with this, but you can make repairs to electronics and effect quick repairs to just about anything without having to run home for your toolbox. It’s also ideal for hobbyists, as the rotary tool can be a polisher, engraver, etcher, or spot sander.

The Palmer is a super useful pocket razor

A utility knife is one of the most useful things you can have in your pocket. From opening boxes to cutting straps, having the Palmer in your pocket means you’ll never be reduced to trying to break something with your teeth, or cut something with a steak knife lifted from the kitchen.

The Acebeam Rider is a great keychain flashlight

So many DIY jobs require a flashlight, you absolutely need to have one in your pocket or on your keychain. The Acebeam Rider is light, compact, and powerful, offering five brightness levels and running off of a rechargeable AA battery. Next time you’re bent over a tiny project in a dim room, you’ll have all the light you need—and it’s 15% for Black Friday.

The RAK multitool pen hides five mini-tools

Almost every DIY project requires a writing implement, and this nifty pen is also a multitool. It includes a ruler, a bubble level, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, and an LED light—and it’s the size of a standard pen, so you can slip it into a shirt or jacket pocket and not even notice it’s there until you suddenly need a quick tool to get something done. And it’s a tick over 30% off right now.

This multitool wrench is as tiny as it is useful

Nothing stymies an impromptu DIY repair like a bolt—unless you’re abnormally strong, the chances of getting a bolt loose without a tool are grim, so this tiny multitool wrench will likely be one of the most useful things you have in your pockets at any given time. Not only is it an adjustable wrench, it’s also a ruler, a caliper, a bottle opener, a nail remover, and even a tiny prybar for getting in-between and under small, tight spaces. At nearly 30% off for Black Friday, it’s a must-have stocking stuffer.

The RoverTac is a camping tool you’ll want to carry everywhere

This is more of a survival or camping tool than an everyday DIY carry, but the idea of having a small hammer that slips into a jacket pocket or glove compartment is compelling. But this thing is also a hatchet, a pair of pliers, and a multitool with a knife, bottle opener, saw, screwdriver, and file. At almost 20% off, it’s a great little gift for the DIYer in your life.

A metric hex tool will to replace all those IKEA wrenches

Carrying 15 random Allen wrenches in your pockets isn’t practical, so this tiny pocket-sized hex key set will make any spot tightening an easy job. Whether it’s a loose bit of furniture or a bike repair, you’ll never be caught out when an Allen screw presents itself. Plus, at 20% off, this little tool will actually replace all those loose Allen wrenches you’ve been collecting since you bought your first IKEA product.

A mini ratchet set to give you torque on the go

Any DIYer will be absolutely delighted to have an entire ratchet set in their pockets. Not only is it small enough to carry around with you while being strong enough to tackle any job, it’s also going to be useful in any situation where you need torque in a tight spot where a standard-sized ratchet won’t be able to fit.

Meta Launches Smart Glasses Trade-In Program & Gives Credit For AirPods

Meta now has a trade-in program for its displayless smart glasses in the US.

The company’s online store offers credit for trading in either Gen 1 Ray-Ban Meta glasses or recent models of AirPods, Beats, or Galaxy Buds wireless earbuds.

Here’s the full list of eligible devices to trade in:

  • Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1)
  • Apple AirPods Pro 2
  • Apple AirPods 4
  • Apple AirPods 3
  • Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
  • Beats Studio Buds +
  • Beats Fit Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds3
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE

You can trade one of these devices in when buying any of Meta’s smart glasses except for Meta Ray-Ban Display. That means the program applies to the two Ray-Ban Meta generations, Oakley Meta HSTN, and Oakley Meta Vanguard.

Traded-in devices must be “in working condition and include the charging case to properly charge the device”, Meta’s policy states. After an inspection to verify this, you’ll be issued the credit to the payment method you used to buy the glasses.

How much credit you’ll get depends on which device you trade in, with Ray-Ban Meta fetching up to $113 depending on the exact variant, while wireless earbuds will get you up to $70.

As Ray-Ban Meta Sales Skyrocket, Quest Sales Are Down Again
Meta Reality Labs revenue rebounded in Q2, up 5% compared to 2024. But this was driven by the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, while Quest headset sales were again down.
UploadVRDavid Heaney

The Gen 1 Ray-Ban Meta Glasses are currently on sale at $239 in the company’s Black Friday sale. But according to Meta’s terms, the trade-in program “cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, bundles, or coupons”, so it looks like you can’t combine the sale and the trade-in.

Chinese Pharma is On the Cusp of Going Global

China’s pharmaceutical industry has quietly evolved from a hub for generics and clinical trials into something more ambitious — a genuine competitor in drug discovery that Western giants are now courting to fill gaps left by looming patent expirations worth over $300 billion by 2030. In the first half of 2025, nearly a third of global licensing agreements signed by big pharma involved Chinese firms, Economist reports, four times the share from 2021. Pfizer agreed in May to pay $1.25 billion to 3SBio for an experimental cancer drug, and GlaxoSmithKline followed in June with a deal valued at up to $12 billion with Hengrui. Chinese companies now run about a third of the world’s clinical trials, up from 5% a decade ago.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sony teases the A7 V, its next flagship midrange camera

Sony appears to be ready to announce another addition to its Alpha camera lineup. The company shared an image on the Sony Alpha Instagram account with the text “Chase your dream” and the date December 2 at 9AM EST, which could be a teaser for its next mirrorless camera.

It’s possible the company has something else in mind, but the giant “V” or Roman numeral five in the background of the image seems like a clear reference to an unannounced Sony A7 V, a follow-up to the Sony Alpha 7 IV. Considering there was around a four year gap between the release of the A7 III and A7 IV, releasing the new camera in 2026 would make the timing lineup, too. 

Rumors suggest the A7 V could feature a new 33MP “partially stacked sensor” designed by Sony, along with the ability to capture 4K / 60 fps video. The company is also rumored to be announcing at least two new lenses to go with the new camera. Since the Alpha 7 IV started at $2,500, it seems safe to expect that these upgrades could cost even more when the camera is officially announced in December.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/sony-teases-the-a7-v-its-next-flagship-midrange-camera-224000370.html?src=rss

The Best Black Friday Deals on E-Readers

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. 


If you’re anything like me, you probably spend your whole workday looking at screens, only to go home and immediately turn on more screens to relax. I get it, but by the end of the day, that can be pretty hard on your eyes. That’s why I recommend getting an e-reader. These devices have the same instant access to content as more traditional screens, but use special e-ink displays with actual ink instead of LEDs, for a more relaxing and paper-like experience.

You’re probably familiar with Kindles, but these days, there are plenty of e-readers out there, and Amazon’s may not be the best for you. Here are the best e-reader deals this Black Friday, across black-and-white devices, color devices, Androids, and even e-readers that are shaped like phones.

Best Kindles and Kobos

If you want an e-reader with a snappy interface that will just take you directly to either a storefront or your books, then Amazon’s black-and-white Kindles and Rakuten’s black-and-white Kobos are probably your best bet. You can still read your own files and even library books on these devices, but they don’t have the same varied library of apps that you might expect from a phone or iPad. Still, they’re probably the simplest option for most people, and the best for reading more traditional content like novels.

There are a few different varieties of Kindle, with the base model now discounted down to $80 for Black Friday. This model has a 6-inch screen, an adjustable light, and 16GB of storage, but cuts out some bonuses like waterproofing or an adjustable color temperature. It also displays ads on the lockscreen, or you can opt for this $100 deal instead to remove them.

If you want to snag those extra bonuses, you can get the Kindle Paperwhite instead. Currently starting at $125, it bumps the screen up to 7 inches and adds in that adjustable color temperature and waterproofing. Like with the base Kindle, if you don’t want ads on your lockscreen, you’ll need to get this $145 deal instead.

For Amazon’s most premium black-and-white e-reader, you’ll want the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. This is $150 and has all the same benefits as the standard Paperwhite, but increases the storage to 32GB, adds in support for wireless charging, and has a sensor for adjusting the brightness automatically. It also doesn’t include ads by default, and for $5 more than a regular ad-free Paperwhite, is probably worth the upgrade.

There are also kids versions of both the standard Kindle and the Paperwhite, with identical hardware. The difference is that these come with six free months of Amazon Kids+, and cost somewhere in between the regular version and an adult ad-free version ($95 for the base Kindle Kids and $135 for the Paperwhite Kids). They also don’t have ads when using a kids’ profile, although some users have complained about ads on adult profiles.

Finally, for Rakuten devices, only one black-and-white e-reader is on sale right now. That’s the Kobo Elipsa 2E. At $350 and 10.3-inches large, it’s somewhere between an e-reader and a digital notebook. It has 32GB of storage and a front light with adjustable color temperature, plus comes with a stylus and a few templates to make simple notes that you can upload to Google Drive. The note-taking experience here isn’t quite as robust as you’ll find on Android devices or on devices like the Remarkable Paper Pro, which is why I feel comfortable calling it more of an e-reader than a digital notebook, but you can sync your notes to the cloud if you’d like, including either Kobo’s own cloud storage or your Dropbox or Google Drive. Personally, I find this device is best used for reading large-format books and occasionally marking them up in the margins, which could justify the higher price tag for some users. The flip side is that, if you just want to use it to read, it’ll be just as intuitive as any Kindle.

Best color e-readers

Color e-readers are a bit more of a recent invention. They might sound like a simple upgrade, but truth be told, they’re not for everyone. That’s because the color filter they use to achieve their effect can make text look a bit less sharp, and can add a distracting sparkle to even black-and-white content. They also aren’t too vibrant when displaying color content. But if you want to read the occasional picture book or comic, they can be a fun way to get a more paper-like experience digitally than you would get on a tablet like an iPad. Just know that they may not be the best choice for dedicated novel readers.

The best color image on the market right now probably belongs to the Kindle Colorsoft, and while it used to be pretty expensive, it now comes in two different models. The standard version is currently selling for $170, and comes with 16GB of storage and all the same benefits as the base Kindle Paperwhite (a 7-inch screen, waterproofing, and a front light with an adjustable color temperature). It’s also ad-free by default.

The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, meanwhile, will run you $230. It increases the storage to 32GB, adds in wireless charging, and gives the front light the ability to adjust brightness automatically. That’s a pretty heavy premium on features some users will probably ignore entirely, but since color content can be a bit larger than black-and-white content (especially comics), it might be worth it depending on what you read.

In testing, I found the Kindle Colorsoft had higher contrast than other color e-readers I’ve tried, generally producing a more paper-like image. The high price initially threw me off recommending it to most readers, but the new, cheaper model and these Black Friday deals help to make it a more attractive buy.

That said, if you’d like a color reader that isn’t from Amazon, the Kobo Libra Colour is also on sale this Black Friday. It’ll run you $200, which is somewhere between the base Kindle Colorsoft and the Signature Edition. For that price, you’ll get a 7-inch screen, a front light with an adjustable color temperature, 32GB of storage, waterproofing, and a built-in grip with page turn buttons. You could even buy a stylus to use with the same note-taking apps as on the Elipsa 2E, although they might be a little less useful on such a small screen.

I generally found the Libra Colour’s image quality was a bit worse than the Colorsoft’s, but that extra storage and those page turn buttons are nice for the cost, and it doesn’t look too much worse.

Best Android e-readers

Android E-Readers tend to come from smaller companies, and are great for their versatility. Because they have access to the same kind of apps you’d use on a smartphone, you can use them to read Kindle books, browse the internet, load up PDFs on their own, or even log into comic apps from the likes of Marvel and DC. The downside is that they can be a little slower to use than Kindle or Kobo devices, because Android is a heavier operating system, and because these apps typically expect you to have a more responsive screen than you’ll get on an e-reader.

This Black Friday, I’ve found two book-sized Android e-readers on sale, both of which are in color and come from a company called Bigme.

The more affordable one is the Bigme B751C, which is currently $245. It has a 7-inch screen with an adjustable color temperature and a grip with page turn buttons on the left-hand side. Storage is an impressive 64GB, and RAM is 4GB, which will be important for navigating Android. You’ll be on a slightly older version of Android here—Android 11—which my colleague Joel Cunningham said was “jammed with bloatware” in his review of this device. Still, he appreciated that you can actually adjust the refresh rate to make the e-ink screen work a little better with Android apps, and the openness of Android meant he’d still choose it over a Kindle Colorsoft.

For $279, you could instead upgrade to the more recent Bigme B7, which increases the RAM to 8GB and the storage to 128GB. It also comes with Android 14, and overall, should give you a snappier experience. There’s also a 5MP camera, which could be useful for scanning in PDFs, and an included stylus that charges wireless when magnetically attached to the right side of the device.

Best phone-sized e-readers

Finally, there are e-readers that are shaped like smartphones. These also run Android, and aim for a more pocketable form factor. They’re great for one-handed reading, and could be useful for scrolling social media more intently. I wouldn’t use them for a whole book, but they could be a good alternative to endlessly doomscrolling on your phone.

The Boox Palma 2 is the favorite in this field, and will currently run you $270. It’s got a 6.13-inch black-and-white screen in a smartphone-like aspect ratio, and its front light supports both warm and cool color temperatures. You’ll get 6GB of RAM here, plus 128GB of storage and Android 13 pre-installed. There is a 16MP camera for scanning documents, a fingerprint sensor, and even a light sensor like on Amazon’s more expensive Kindles.

Alternatively, if you’re big on AI, you could opt for the Viwoods AiPaper Reader, which is currently selling for $238. This also has a 6.13-inch black-and-white screen, but has a bit less RAM than the Boox Palma, at 4GB rather than 6GB. It also lacks a camera, but does support 4G if you insert a SIM card. Probably the biggest missing feature here is a color adjustable light, but there’s still a fingerprint reader. The big selling point is the built-in AI for answering questions about whatever you’re reading on the fly, although I can’t help but feel that goes against the more intentional, less connected selling point of an e-reader.

Best digital notebooks

While a few of the devices in this article could be used as digital notebooks on the fly, only the Elipsa 2E is really intended as one, and even then, I do feel like its features are lacking compared to other options. Luckily, if you want to use an e-ink screen for writing in addition to reading, my colleague Joel Cunningham’s list of the best Black Friday deals on digital notebooks has you covered.


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

How long do Black Friday deals really last?

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

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)



$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5



$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus



$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

These Subscription-Free Fitness Trackers Are All on Sale 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. 


Whoop and Oura make great fitness trackers, but they also require that you pay them every month (or annually) to keep the data flowing. Other devices are tied to an optional subscription, but you may find yourself annoyed at paywalled features or frequent nudges to upgrade.

If you don’t want to sweat an extra monthly charge while you’re getting fit, here are some fitness trackers that, refreshingly, require none of that—and they’re all discounted for Black Friday.

RingConn Gen 2

RingConn makes smart rings, similar to Oura’s or Ultrahuman’s. The RingConn Gen 2 model impressed Nina Raemont at ZDNet with its battery life of 10 to 12 days, and solid health tracking. It comes in sizes 6 to 14, and has a charging case. The app seems like it’s a bit less sophisticated than Oura’s, but the pricing model may be well worth the tradeoff. The Gen 2 is normally $299.99, but with this deal it’s on sale for $209.

Apple Watch

We’re going to set aside Apple’s Fitness+ subscription service, since that provides workout videos but doesn’t interfere with the watch’s functionality in the least. (If you didn’t tap into the Fitness+ tab of the Fitness app, you’d never know it was there.)

All of the current Apple Watches have a wealth of fitness features that you can access through the Fitness app and the Health app. While you can pay extra for third-party subscription apps, you don’t need to spend a dime to log your workouts, close your rings, or get sleep scores or heart health notifications. There are deals going on multiple Apple Watches right now:

  • The Series 11 (the current middle-of-the-road model) starts at $339.99, which is 15% off the regular price of $399.

  • The Series 10 (one year old) starts at $279.99, 30% off the original price of $399.99

  • The SE 3 starts at $199.99, 20% off the original price of $249.99.

Coros Pace Pro

Coros makes excellent fitness and outdoor watches that rival the features of Garmins but at a much lower price. I’ve written about their Pace line of watches, and today I’d like to highlight the Pace Pro, which I’ve reviewed here. (Coros doesn’t offer subscription features, so really any of their watches could make this list.) The Pace Pro is a 46 millimeter watch with full color maps. Mapping is a premium feature that other brands charge a lot more for—but Coros puts maps in the Pace Pro for $349 normally, and only $299 with the current deal.


How long do Black Friday deals really last?

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

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

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

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

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

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)



$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5



$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus



$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team