A designer in Singapore created a functional SNES inside a wearable Nike sneaker

Have you ever been roaming around collecting bananas in Donkey Kong Country on the SNES and thought to yourself, “gee, I wish I could play this game on my shoe.” Well designer Gustavo Bonzanini set out to make this dream a reality. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Super Nintendo’s launch in Japan, Bonzanini has created the AIR SNES, a throwback custom pair of Nike Air Max 90 sneakers that doubles as a completely functional SNES console.

“The idea came after looking at collaborations between sneaker brands and video games. I always asked myself: wouldn’t it be cool if these shoes that look like a video game actually double as a console?” Bonzanini said in a press release shared with Engadget.

The shoe was created using a Raspberry Pi Zero W running the RetroPie emulator, which Bonzanini customized to fit inside the sneaker’s tongue. The shoe has battery capacity for up to 30 minutes of gameplay and sports an integrated HDMI port. 

For those with nostalgia for old-school display connectors, the shoe also has a small analog converter for RCA connectors. As for controllers, the shoe is compatible with an original SNES gamepad, but you can also use an 8BitDo Mod Kit that connects to the Raspberry Pi wirelessly over Bluetooth.

“This art project was my way of celebrating both and pushing the idea of what sneaker culture and tech can become when they merge,” said Bonzanini. Unfortunately for all of us that would pick up a pair of these in a heartbeat, the AIR SNES is just a one-time creation to celebrate 35 years of one of the greatest consoles ever made.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/a-designer-in-singapore-created-a-functional-snes-inside-a-wearable-nike-sneaker-192907456.html?src=rss

Pentagon Cited Alibaba on China Military Aid in Oct. 7 Letter

An anonymous reader shares a report: The Pentagon concluded that Alibaba Group, Baidu and BYD should be added to a list of companies that aid the Chinese military, according to a letter to Congress sent roughly three weeks before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a broad trade truce.

Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg informed lawmakers of the conclusion in the Oct. 7 letter, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg News, to the heads of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. It wasn’t clear whether the companies have been formally included in the the Pentagon’s so-called 1260H list, which carries no direct legal repercussions but serves as a major warning to US investors.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

This Fun-Sized Bose Portable Speaker Is 40% Off This 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. 


Bose is known for its warm, bass-y sound quality, and this Black Friday has some great deals to bring that signature soundscape into your home. The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ (Series II) is available at 40% off during Amazon’s Black Friday 2025 sale, and it’s a really good product at that price. I have the original SoundLink Revolve speaker, and I love its minimalist looks, how small it is, and how easily it slots into any corner of my room. I don’t always like speakers that have a flashy design, so this Bose product is great for me.

With the Revolve+, Bose has kept the same design language as the original, but now there’s a convenient strap for you to pick it up and carry it around, making it even more portable. The sound quality is pretty good for the price, too, and you can actually link two of these speakers together to create an easy stereo setup. If you’re looking for a fuss-free Bluetooth speaker with good sound quality, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ is a great choice.

My only major complaint is that it still uses an ancient micro-USB port for charging, which is a big oversight from Bose. Fortunately, you can rectify that annoyance by buying the Bose SoundLink Revolve charging cradle ($30). With that, you can drop the speaker on the cradle to charge it, which is a lot easier than fiddling with a micro-USB cable.

I’ll also say that, being smaller, this isn’t the best product if you want the loudest speaker on the market. You’d probably want to go towards Bose’s SoundLink Max for that (but good news: it’s also on sale). Instead, this is a great speaker for those who live in compact spaces and want something that can play relaxing, bass-y music just loud enough to fill the room they’re in. Or, if you have two of them, they also work well for movies. Note that the Revolve+ also has an aux port, which means that you can use it as a wired speaker with your laptop or PC.


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 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

I’ve Never Seen the AirPods 4 This Cheap

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.


Apple’s AirPods remain the benchmark standard for sleek wireless earbuds that perform really well (provided you’re in the Apple ecosystem). And right now, the Apple AirPods 4 are significantly cheaper than I’ve even seen them—a record-low $70 (originally $130). Around 47% off for a current generation Apple product is wild.

The AirPods 4 have Apple’s H2 chip, relocated to the stem to improve acoustics and airflow and deliver better sound (they offer “Personalized Spatial Audio,” which enables a more immersive experience). They also have design upgrades from their predecessor, like a more angled contour and a smaller charging case.

While they don’t have the active noise cancellation or advanced features of the pricier AirPods 4 with ANC, PCMag notes that they deliver excellent sound and bass response compared to other buds on the market, with clever features like a Personalized Volume function that gradually adjusts sound level based on how noisy your environment is, and hands-free Siri with gesture-based interactions.

Battery life is around 5 hours (closer to 4.5 for talk time), and the charging case will add another 25 hours to that. A five-minute charge provides up to an hour of playback, or 45 minutes of talk time. There’s no dedicated app for these earbuds as they work natively with iOS, which is a big perk for Apple users (and really, who else is buying AirPods?).


What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?

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

Are Black Friday deals worth it?

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

Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?

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

Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)



$69.99

(List Price $139.99)


Sony WH-1000XM5



$248.00

(List Price $399.99)


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus



$24.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

The Midnight Walk Will Get Physical Edition On PS VR2

Claymation adventure The Midnight Walk will receive a physical edition on PS5 and PlayStation VR2.

For the unfamiliar, The Midnight Walk is MoonHood’s dark puzzle adventure game where you play as the Burnt One, working together with a lantern creature called Potboy as you explore this strange fantasy world. Originally released digitally in May with optional PC VR and PS VR2 support, it’s now getting a PS5 physical edition via Pix’n Love.

� Pix’n Love, MoonHood, and Fast Travel Games are thrilled to announce the arrival of The Midnight Walk in a physical PS5 edition! The nightmare is only just beginning! �

�Pre-orders open on December 2, 2025 at https://t.co/iJt1L7xbqx@MoonHoodStudios @fasttravelgames pic.twitter.com/nKgcRs0uK2

— Pix’n Love Games (@pixnlove_games) November 25, 2025

While pre-orders go live on December 2, it’s currently unclear when the physical publisher intends to ship these editions. A reversible cover will be included, though it’s unclear whether this release comes with any additional extras; the store page hasn’t been listed yet on Pix’n Love’s website.

We had significant praise for The Midnight Walk in our 4/5-star review. Though we thought it would benefit from more in-depth puzzles, we praised MoonHood for delivering a “memorable adventure” and had considerable praise for its visuals. A film and TV adaptation is also in development.

Pre-orders go live through Pix’n Love’s website on December 2. Otherwise, The Midnight Walk is available now digitally on Steam and PS5.

The Midnight Walk Review: Beautifully Dark Clay Adventure
With its gripping dark fantasy world and beautiful claymation visuals, The Midnight Walk is a memorable journey in VR.
UploadVRHenry Stockdale

The Best Beginner-Friendly Fitness Trackers 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. 


If you’re new to the world of fitness wearables, you might be a bit overwhelmed by all the trackers and watches that are on sale for Black Friday. Here I’ll pick out the ones that are best for beginners, and help you choose among them. There are tons of great options from Fitbit, Garmin, and more.

The best budget fitness tracker for beginners

Fitbit’s Inspire 3 is $69.95 right now, down from the regular price of $99.95. The Inspire 3 can count your steps, track your heart rate during exercise, and give you feedback on your stress and sleep. It’s like a pared-down version of the Charge 6, which I reviewed here. Compared to the Charge 6, the Inspire 3 is missing a built-in GPS, but that’s fine if you take your phone with you on runs and walks. It also doesn’t have the Google apps for music and payment, but again, if you normally have your phone with you, you’ll be fine without those.

The best running watch for beginners

If you want to see your pace, distance, and other metrics while you run, it’s worth getting a watch that focuses on features for runners. There are great entry-level models from pretty much every brand on sale right now, and I have a list here if you’d like to compare those offerings. But if you’d like me to choose one for you, there’s an easy pick: the Suunto Run. I enjoyed it when I reviewed it. It’s lightweight, with a bright screen that’s easy to read in all kinds of conditions.

It’s got dual-band GPS for accuracy, and you can either use it to control the music that’s playing on your phone, or store music on the watch itself and leave your phone at home. It’s normally $249, but is on sale right now for $199.

The best screenless tracker for beginners

For those who would rather not have a screen on their wrist, Whoop is the king of screenless trackers, and you can read my review of the latest model here. The catch is that you have to pay yearly for a subscription, but if you can afford that, you really cannot beat the data and experience you get from Whoop’s app. Of the different tiers of membership Whoop offers, the best deal is Peak (the middle tier), which is currently available for $199. That price includes both the device and a 12-month membership. They also offer a budget tier, which you can get for either $129 or $179 depending on the device.

The best smart ring for beginners

The Oura Ring 4 is at its lowest price ever, and it’s another best-in-class tracker that is hard to beat. Prices vary by color, but the black and silver models are $249, which is more than 25% off the regular price of $349. Matte black and brushed silver are $299 down from $399, and gold and rose gold are even more deeply discounted: $349 instead of $499. You can read my review of the Oura ring 4 here, and my takeaways from using it for four solid years. Oura charges a $6.99/month subscription.

The best everyday watch for beginners

All of the trackers above are great, but maybe you just want something that looks and acts like a normal watch, while still being able to track some fitness metrics on the side. I’d recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 6, which is $249.99 right now, down from a regular price of $299.99. You can read my review here. It does almost everything that a running watch can do, but with a smoother, touchscreen-based appearance. You do still have physical buttons to stop, start, and lap your activities, which I feel is essential for any running watch. That’s a sign of how well it bridges the fitness and lifestyle worlds. The previous model, the Vivoactive 5, is also on sale, and it’s $189.95.


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

“Fresh Outta ’25” ZRacing Series Details (December 2025)

Zwift’s “ZRacing” is the platform’s most popular ongoing race series, and in December, riders will take on 5 standout routes released in 2025.

Read about this month’s races below, along with details on the bonus XP now on offer!

December’s Routes

Here are the routes we’ll be racing in December:

  • Stage 1 (Dec 1-7): Prospect Park Loop
    • 4 laps (21.90km, 149m)
    • Powerups: Draft, Aero
  • Stage 2 (Dec 8-14): Scotland Smash
    • 1 lap (18.0km, 167m elevation)
    • Powerups: Feather, Aero
  • Stage 3 (Dec 15-21): Hell of the North
    • 1 lap (20.1km, 241m)
    • Powerups: Feather, Draft
  • Stage 4 (Dec 22-28): London Uprising
    • 1 lap (20.8km, 357m)
    • Powerups: Feather, Anvil
  • Stage 5 (Dec 29-Jan 4): Gentil 8
    • 1 lap (23.7km, 248m)
    • Powerups: Feather, Draft

See upcoming Range 1 events >
See upcoming Range 2 events >
See upcoming Advanced events >
See ALL upcoming events >

New XP Bonuses

Zwift has just replaced the achievement badges you could formerly earn for completing every race in a ZRacing series with XP bonuses. You will now earn a 1000 XP bonus for completing stage 1, then additional bonuses for each stage thereafter.

Zwift says you will “earn up to 1500 XP in a four-week series or 2000 XP in a five-week series.”

GC Leaderboards

Zwift’s web-based leaderboards are used for tracking the monthly GC competition for the ZRacing series. Unlike past years, no ZwiftPower registration or use is necessary.

Access the ZRacing leaderboards at zwift.com/racing/zracing >

Your GC ranking is based on your best finishing time for each stage, and you can race each stage more than once to try for a better time.

Category Options

Zwift schedules three different flavors of ZRacing events in order to encourage “Fairer, more competitive racing for everyone.” They each use different racing score ranges for categorization and are titled Advanced, Range 1, and Range 2. Click banners below to see upcoming events for each:

Questions or Comments?

Post below! 

Beyond Good & Evil 2 is somehow still under development

With the gaming industry’s recent rash of layoffs, closures and cancellations, it would be easy to assume Beyond Good and Evil 2 is toast. After all, the game looked like vaporware even before the extreme cost-cutting trend started. But here we are in late 2025, and — lo and behold — Ubisoft is hiring for the prequel.

The job listing (via Eurogamer) is for a technical sound engineer. But aside from revealing that the game is apparently still in the works, the description doesn’t tell us anything new. “Beyond Good & Evil 2 is an action-adventure open world game set in a captivating space opera universe and the direct prequel to the 2003 cult classic,” the posting reads. “Based on a breakthrough technology driven by the proprietary Voyager engine, Beyond Good & Evil 2 aims to offer a seamless experience of exploration and space piracy across a solar system full of exotic locations, colorful characters and mysteries to uncover, solo or with friends.”

Ubisoft first teased the prequel in 2008, then officially announced it in 2017. Engadget even watched a closed-door gameplay presentation the following year. We described what we saw as “wildly ambitious,” perhaps to a concerning degree, given the technical challenges tied to that scope. Those worries appear to have been warranted, as we still hang onto tiny nuggets of hope (look, a job posting!!) over seven years later.

In 2022, Bloomberg poured more cold water on its timeline, reporting that the game was still in pre-production. Engadget contacted Ubisoft for comment on its current status, and we’ll update this story if we hear back. In the meantime, you can revisit the surge of hope that was the game’s 2018 cinematic trailer.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/beyond-good–evil-2-is-somehow-still-under-development-185230052.html?src=rss

Solar’s growth in US almost enough to offset rising energy use

Worries about the US grid’s ability to handle the surge in demand due to data center growth have made headlines repeatedly over the course of 2025. And, early in the year, demand for electricity had surged by nearly 5 percent compared to the year prior, suggesting the grid might truly be facing a data center apocalypse. And that rise in demand had a very unfortunate effect: Coal use rose for the first time since its recent collapse began.

But since the first-quarter data was released, demand has steadily eroded. As of yesterday’s data release by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), which covers the first nine months of 2025, total electricity demand has risen by 2.3 percent. That slowdown means that most of the increased demand could have been met by the astonishing growth of solar power.

Better than feared

If you look over data on the first quarter of 2025, the numbers are pretty grim, with total demand rising by 4.8 percent compared to the same period in the year prior. While solar power continued its remarkable surge, growing by an astonishing 44 percent, it was only able to cover a third of the demand growth. As a result of that and a drop in natural gas usage, coal use grew by 23 percent.

Read full article

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OpenAI Needs At Least $207 Billion By 2030 Just To Keep Losing Money, HSBC Estimates

OpenAI will need to raise at least $207 billion in new funding by 2030 to sustain operations while continuing to lose money, according to a new analysis from HSBC that models the company’s cloud computing commitments against projected revenue. The bank’s US software team updated its forecasts after OpenAI announced a $250 billion cloud compute rental deal with Microsoft in late October and a $38 billion deal with Amazon days later, bringing total contracted compute capacity to 36 gigawatts.

HSBC projects cumulative rental costs of $792 billion through 2030. Revenue growth remains strong in the model — the bank expects OpenAI to reach 3 billion users by decade’s end, up from roughly 800 million today — but costs rise in lockstep, meaning OpenAI will still be subsidizing users well into the next decade. If revenue growth disappoints and investors turn cautious, the company’s best option might be walking away from some data center commitments.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Just-Released Apple Watch Series 11 Is Already 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. 


It’s not easy to find good deals on current-gen Apple products, but the just-released Apple Watch Series 11 is already on sale ahead of Black Friday 2025. It’s the best non-Ultra smartwatch for your iPhone and, in my experience, its fitness-related features are excellent. This Black Friday deal brings the Series 11 down to $339 (15% off), which is an excellent price for a brand new Apple Watch.

The Series 11 is available in two sizes: 42mm and 46mm; and two variants: GPS, and GPS+Cellular. At time of writing, the best deal is on the 42mm GPS variant. All other variants are more lightly discounted, but be aware that your favorite color may not be discounted during this Black Friday 2025 sale.

The key to finding great Apple deals is to buy from third-party retailers, and that’s true for this Apple Watch Series 11 deal as well. Amazon’s Black Friday 2025 sales have it cheapest right now.

Lifehacker’s Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt said she loves the Apple Watch Series 11, but admittedly, she doesn’t recommend it to those who already have a Series 10. If you have an Apple Watch that’s a few years old, the Series 11 is worth buying, but it’s hasn’t taken a big enough leap ahead to justify annual upgrades.

The Series 11 is thin, light, and plenty comfortable to wear all day. It has support for hypertension notifications, ECG recording, built-in GPS for tracking outdoor workouts, and an Ion-X display that’s more scratch resistant than that of older Apple Watch models. It also has improved battery life compared to the Series 10.

While it’s common knowledge at this point, I still think it’s worth mentioning that the Apple Watch only works with iPhones. You can’t even pair it with an iPad or a Mac, so this device is only for iPhone users. If that sounds like you, this is a great opportunity for an upgrade.


Does Apple do Black Friday?

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

What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers 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. 

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

RFK Jr.’s new CDC deputy director prefers “natural immunity” over vaccines

Under ardent anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham as its new principal deputy director—a choice that was immediately called “dangerous” and “irresponsible,” yet not as bad as it could have been, by experts.

Physician Jeremy Faust revealed the appointment in his newsletter Inside Medicine yesterday, which was subsequently confirmed by journalists. Faust noted that a CDC source told him, “I heard way worse names floated,” and although Abraham’s views are “probably pretty terrible,” he at least has had relevant experience running a public health system, unlike other current leaders of the agency.

But Abraham hasn’t exactly been running a health system the way most public health experts would recommend. Under Abraham’s leadership, the Louisiana health department waited months to inform residents about a deadly whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak. He also has a clear record of anti-vaccine views. Earlier this year, he told a Louisiana news outlet he doesn’t recommend COVID-19 vaccines because “I prefer natural immunity.” In February, he ordered the health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations, including flu shots, and barred staff from running seasonal vaccine campaigns.

Read full article

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The Ultimate Black Friday Gift Guide for Content Creators

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. 


Creating digital content is harder than it looks. I’ve dabbled in it myself, only to realize I severely underestimated what a big difference quality gear can make. Luckily, plenty of my friends are successful (or aspiring) online creators, and they’ve educated me on the tech that has truly elevated their creative journey.

Whether they’re YouTubers, podcasters, streamers, or Instagram influencers, the content creator in your life needs the right tools that help them produce better work. Here are your best options, sorted by price and type of content.

Budget-friendly content creator essentials under $50

Not every gift needs to break the bank. To get started, these smaller items still make a real difference, and all of them are currently on sale for Black Friday:

  • Green screen backdrop (around $30) for easy background removal

  • Pop filter or foam windscreen (around $15) to reduce breath noise

  • USB hub with multiple ports (around $40) for connecting all their gear

  • Cable management clips and ties (around $15) to tame the inevitable cable chaos

  • Ring light kit (around $30) for flattering, even lighting

  • Phone tripod mount (around $20)

  • Camera lens cleaning kit (around $20)

Tech for better audio quality

  • Blue Yeti USB Microphone (normally $139.99, currently on sale for $94.99). The gold standard for beginner to intermediate content creators—if you weren’t familiar before, now you’ll start to see it every time you watch a video essay. This plug-and-play USB mic delivers professional sound quality without requiring an audio interface. Perfect for podcasters, YouTubers, and streamers who want crisp, clear audio.

  • Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones (normally $399.99, currently on sale for $248). These are the best headphones your money can buy if you’re looking for a great audio experience. Their noise cancellation makes these perfect for editing on the go or recording in less-than-ideal environments.

Lighting that makes a difference

  • Elgato Key Light (normally $179.99, currently on sale for $139.99). This is an app-controlled LED panel lighting that’s become ubiquitous in the streaming and YouTube world. The adjustable color temperature and brightness make it easy to achieve that professional look.

  • Aputure MC RGB Light (normally $90, currently on sale for $72). A pocket-sized powerhouse that’s perfect for adding creative accent lighting or bringing scenes to life with color. Its portability makes it ideal for creators who film in multiple locations.

Camera and stabilization gear

  • DJI Osmo Mobile (normally $69, currently on sale for $55).A smartphone gimbal that transforms shaky footage into smooth, professional-looking shots. Essential for vloggers and creators who film while moving.

  • Sony ZV-E10 (normally $899.99, currently on sale for $798). Now, this is perhaps too much of a big ticket item for a holiday gift, but it’s good to know about nonetheless. This mirrorless camera designed specifically for content creators, with features like product showcase mode, excellent autofocus, and a flip-out screen for vlogging.

  • GoPro Hero 12 Black (normally $369, currently on sale for $299). The classic action camera for adventure creators, travel vloggers, and anyone who needs durable, waterproof shooting capabilities.

Productivity and workspace upgrades

  • Anker PowerCore Power Bank (normally $89.99, currently on sale for $54.99). For creators who film on location, running out of battery is a nightmare. This high-capacity power bank keeps cameras, phones, and accessories charged all day.

  • CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock (normally $449.95, currently on sale for $303.99). One hub that connects their laptop to multiple monitors, hard drives, and accessories. It’s the kind of quality-of-life upgrade that makes their workspace infinitely more functional. On that note…

  • Corsair TC500 Luxe Gaming Chair (normally $549.99, currently on sale for $424.99). Another investment piece, but content creators spend hours at their desks. Proper ergonomic support prevents pain and fatigue during those marathon editing sessions.

Remember to add a personal touch

The best gifts show you understand their specific niche. A cooking creator might love new props or kitchen tools for their videos. A gaming streamer might appreciate custom keycaps. A travel vlogger might need packing cubes or a travel-friendly tripod. Or maybe they’re good on hardware, and could really use a subscription to Canva Pro.

Pay attention to what they complain about or wish they had in their setup. The gift that solves a specific pain point they’ve mentioned will mean more than the most expensive item on this list.

Content creation is both art and craft, requiring creativity and technical skill. Any gift that helps them produce better work, stay organized, or simply enjoy the process more will be genuinely appreciated. After all, you’re not just buying them gear, but showing them you’re also invested in their creative journey.


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

China’s Dual Squeeze on European Industry Intensifies

European manufacturers are facing a two-front assault from China that has German industry associations warning of deindustrialisation: on one side, artificially cheap Chinese goods are flooding into Europe, and on the other, Beijing has demonstrated its willingness to abruptly cut off access to critical inputs like rare earths and semiconductors.

The alarm intensified in October when China added five rare earths to its export-licensing regime and then banned exports of computer chips made by Nexperia, a Dutch-headquartered but Chinese-owned chipmaker that supplies numerous European carmakers, according to The Economist.

Several European firms warned of production stoppages, and some German companies put workers on leave without pay. Germany’s trade deficit with China hit $76.52 billion last year and is expected to surge to around $100.87 billion this year, The Economist reported, driven by collapsing German exports and a rush of imports in categories like cars, chemicals, and machinery that were once German specialties. Chinese brands now account for 20% of Europe’s hybrid market and 11% of electric vehicle sales. German cars command just 17% of the Chinese market, down from 27% in 2020.

The rare earth controls were suspended for a year after the US and China struck a trade deal on October 30th, but the EU found itself a bystander to negotiations that directly affected its economy. Writing in the Financial Times, Robin Harding argues that China’s explicit goal of self-sufficiency leaves Europe with few options. “There is nothing that China wants to import, nothing it does not believe it can make better and cheaper,” he wrote, concluding that large-scale protectionism may be unavoidable if Europe wants to retain any industry at all.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Get a Wireless Fast Charger for All Your Apple Devices at a Great Black Friday Price

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. 


Anker is mostly known for its external batteries, but it also makes some fun iPhone accessories, and one of those is the Anker Prime 3-in-1 wireless charging station. It’s a convenient way to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods wirelessly and all at once. This Anker Prime charging station is among the most expensive of its kind, but I also think that it’s the best one you can buy. With this year’s Black Friday deals, it’s finally more affordable, making it a great time to snag one.

The Anker Prime is down to $150 this Black Friday, which is a cool $80 off the list price, and the lowest price it’s ever had. While you can still find lots alternatives for around $50-$100, this product has plenty of reasons to splurge on it. Aside from conveniently charging all your Apple devices at once, it supports fast 25W wireless charging, has a fan for active cooling to protect the battery, and it has a tiny screen on the front that lets you switch charging modes, check how much power each device is drawing, and see what your charging temperatures look like.

As for why 25W charging is worth it, while wireless charging is generally a lot slower than wired charging, that’s starting to change. You can now charge your iPhone 16 or 17 series devices at 25W wirelessly, up from 15W for previous models. This means that your iPhone will charge a lot faster with a compatible fast wireless charger, and the Anker Prime is one of the few multi-device charging stations to support 25W fast charging for your iPhone. It can also fast charge your Apple Watch Series 7 or newer device and Apple Watch Ultra. If you have an Apple Watch SE or an older Series model, the charging speeds will be slower.

It’s worth noting that you need AirPods with a wireless charging case if you want to use them with the Anker Prime. Also, remember that the iPhone 16e does not have support for wireless charging, so it’s not compatible with this product. And while you also theoretically may be use the Anker Prime to charge your Android phone or other devices that support wireless charging, Anker doesn’t recommend doing so, as this product has been designed specifically for Apple products.

My biggest worry with these products is overheating and fan noise. Thanks to active cooling, the charging station will keep your iPhone’s temperatures in check. And while the fan will kick in while fast charging, that won’t be a problem during a slow overnight charge.


Does Apple do Black Friday?

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

What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?

Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers 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 Tech 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

Beat Saber OST 8 Adds Six Free Songs Today On Quest

Beat Saber receives six free songs with OST 8 on Quest, though the PC VR launch is delayed due to a “serious technical issue.”

Previously teased last month before last week’s artist reveal, Beat Saber’s latest major free update has now arrived with OST 8. Featuring returning artists like DragonForce, Lindsey Stirling, and Camellia, this multi-genre soundtrack also includes two new acts making their Beat Saber debut, auvic and dark cat.

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/0:51

Release trailer

Now live on the Meta Quest platform, here’s the full OST 8 tracklist:

  • auvic – “Overload”
  • Camellia – “Badly (feat. VIVI ZENA)”
  • dark cat – “STARLIGHT (feat. juu)”
  • DragonForce – “Dragon Smash Goblin (feat. Nekrogoblikon)”
  • Lindsey Stirling – “Monday Not Sick Anymore”
  • Teminite x Boom Kitty – “The Master II: Blades of Chaos”

However, anyone looking to play OST 8 on PC VR will have a longer wait. In a separate post, Beat Games confirmed that it encountered “a serious technical issue affecting AMD graphics cards,” stating it’s working with AMD to resolve this “as quickly as we can.” As such, a release date on Steam and Meta Quest Link is currently unconfirmed.

Beat Saber: OST 8 is out now on Quest, and it’s coming soon to PC VR.