Comcast is upgrading its residential cable internet service to offer upload and download speeds of up to 2 Gbps through decades-old coaxial cables. The company says it’s the first ISP in the world to offer multi-gigabit symmetrical speeds to customers through DOCSIS 4.0 technology, which it’s powering through the Xfinity 10G network.

The zippy X-Class Internet service will first be available in some neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, Colorado starting next week. It will arrive in parts of Atlanta and Philadelphia soon, and then in other markets over the next few years.

Comcast says DOCSIS 4.0 connections are already available in tens of millions of homes across the US. Multi-gigabit download speeds have been possible via cable for several years. Upgrading to DOCSIS 4.0 will not only improve download speeds but make it possible to deliver symmetric uploads while minimizing lag and avoiding any impact to downstream service.

Comcast has been working on this technology for several years and it aims to offer 2 Gbps symmetrical service in more than 50 million homes by the end of 2025. Since they’ll be able to access faster connections through existing coaxial cable infrastructure, many consumers won’t need to wait for Comcast to connect their home to a fiber network before they can make the most of multi-gigabit upload and download speeds.

What’s more, DOCSIS 4.0 is capable of supporting up to 10 Gbps downstream and up to 6 Gbps upstream speeds, so coaxial cables may be able to carry even faster internet connections in the future. In a test last year, Comcast achieved download speeds of 6 Gbps and upload speeds of 4 Gbps.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/comcast-starts-squeezing-2-gbps-symmetrical-internet-speeds-through-decades-old-coaxial-cables-143657830.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Comcast starts squeezing 2 Gbps symmetrical internet speeds through decades-old coaxial cables

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event included many discounts on Nintendo Switch games and accessories, but one thing we didn’t see on sale was the console itself. Now, though, Amazon subsidiary Woot has rolled out a new deal that brings the Nintendo Switch OLED down to $315. That’s $35 off Nintendo’s list price. While this isn’t the largest price drop we’ve ever seen, discounts on Switch consoles are relatively uncommon, so any opportunity to save is usually a good one. Woot says the offer applies to both the White and Neon Blue & Red versions of the console, and that it’ll run for nine days or (more likely) until the consoles sell out. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll get free shipping.

We gave the Switch OLED a review score of 89 when it arrived in late 2021. As a refresher, it’s the highest-end model in the Switch lineup, with a 7-inch OLED display that’s larger, brighter and more vibrant than the panels on the original Switch or Switch Lite (both of which remain available at lower prices). Despite the bigger screen, the machine itself is virtually identical in size to the standard model. 

Beyond that, the Switch OLED has a larger and far less flimsy kickstand around the back, and its built-in speakers are generally louder and clearer. Its included dock is a bit more convenient, as it features a LAN port and an easily removable back plate. There’s also double the internal storage at 64GB, though you’ll pretty much need a microSD card either way. All that said, there’s no difference in actual performance between the three consoles, and Nintendo rates the OLED and standard models with the same 4.5 to nine hours of battery life.

The big caveat to this or any other Switch deal right now is that the console seems very likely to be nearing the end of its cycle. The original device arrived nearly seven years ago, and a follow-up is widely expected to arrive sometime in 2024. A recent Eurogamer report, for one, said that Nintendo demoed a potential “Switch 2” for game developers during the Gamescom trade fair in August. So if you aren’t itching to play anything on the Switch today, it seems safe to wait. 

However, the Switch is still home to a tremendous library of games, with promising titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and the Super Mario RPG remake still on the way. (Yours truly is currently obsessed with F-Zero 99, another recent release.) For now, the Switch OLED is the best way to enjoy all of them, so this is a nice chance to save if you’ve wanted to catch up. 

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

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-nintendo-switch-oled-is-35-off-at-woot-141708664.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The Nintendo Switch OLED is off at Woot

At Kia’s EV day event, the automaker has launched its upcoming electric vehicle, the EV5, and introduced two new concepts meant to make the technology more accessible. The company says it aims to offer people a wide-ranging EV lineup that includes the EV6 and the newer EV9, which promises Level 3 autonomy and a 336-mile range. It’s hoping to sell the EV5 and, eventually, the EV4 and EV3 at prices ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 “to accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs.”

The EV5 SUV is the third purely electric vehicle in its lineup. Kia designed it on top of E-GMP, its dedicated EV platform, and currently plans to manufacture and sell them in China and Korea. Its specifications differ for each market, with China getting a standard, a long-range and a long-range AWD variant. China’s standard model will come with a 64kWh battery pack, along with a 160kW motor, and is expected to have a range of 530 km or 329 miles. 

Meanwhile, the long-range version will have a bigger battery that can reach a range of 720 km or 447 miles on a single charge. The AWD model will have a range of 650 km or 404 miles and will come with a fast-charging capability. As for the Korean models, their range will apparently be tailored to meet market demands. Kia says a GT variant with performance features will also be unveiled at a later date. 

While the EV5 is very much a real product that will initially be available for sale in the Chinese market later this year, the other electric vehicles Kia unveiled during its event are still a concept at this point. The EV3 (pictured above), if it turns out exactly as the automaker has envisioned, will be a compact and accessible version of the EV9. Kia’s EV4 (below), on the other hand, will be a sedan with a low nose, sharp lines and a futuristic cocoon-like interior. It remains to be seen whether Kia can achieve a $35,000 price point, which seems to be a common target among EV makers, for any of the aforementioned vehicles.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/kia-debuts-the-ev5-suv-alongside-two-new-affordable-electric-concepts-122040979.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Kia debuts the EV5 SUV alongside two new affordable electric concepts

Two weeks have passed since the Writers Guild of America reached a deal to resume working, but things aren’t looking good for its counterpart, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Talks broke down Wednesday night with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) due to “bully tactics,” with CEOs reportedly walking away without any proposed counteroffer, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee said in a statement. CEOs such as Disney’s Bob Iger and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos started personally meeting with SAG-AFTRA negotiators in early October. 

The committee is working to reach an agreement for actors, striking since mid-July. “We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began,” SAG-AFTRA added. “These companies refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue your work generates for them.”

The AMPTP claims a requested cut in streaming revenue would cost $800 million a year, a figure SAG-AFTRA says is inflated by 60 percent after “big, meaningful counters” from the union. According to SAG-AFTRA, this tactic is an attempt to fool members and break down support. The union also claims AMPTP is requiring day one AI consent from actors to use their likeness across an entire franchise. For now, SAG-AFTRA encourages its members to continue showing up at picket lines and solidarity events. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sag-aftra-accuses-studios-of-bully-tactics-after-talks-break-down-114617412.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – SAG-AFTRA accuses studios of ‘bully tactics’ after talks break down

The reviews keep coming this week. After all the AI tricks, rock-climbing and specification barrage we saw at Google’s big Pixel reveal event, how do Google’s flagship smartphones stack up?

Pretty well, according to our reviews of both the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8. The surprise highlight is AI, using machine learning and its homemade Tensor G3 chip in a tangible and practical way compared to services like ChatGPT or Midjourney. This includes making your photos look better, videos sound better and adds interactive robo-voice panache to call screening.

Both devices once again have incredibly capable cameras, with 5x optical zoom on the Pixel 8 Pro (matching the iPhone 15 Pro Max) and new pro controls too. According to Engadget’s Sam Rutherford, the Pixel 8 Pro feels like the most powerful smartphone camera on the market.

If there is one caveat, both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro cost $100 more than their predecessors. In the review, we break down all the new AI features and test the cameras out at that classic photo event — a coworker’s wedding.

(We also reviewed the Pixel Watch 2, but it’s less of a ringing endorsement.)

— Mat Smith

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California’s right to repair bill is now California’s right to repair law

Governor Newsom signed the legislation Tuesday.

California is the third state to pass a right to repair consumer protection law, following Minnesota and New York. The California Right to Repair bill was originally introduced in 2019.

“This is a victory for consumers and the planet, and it just makes sense,” Jenn Engstrom, state director of CALPIRG, told iFixit. “Right now, we mine the planet’s precious minerals, use them to make amazing phones and other electronics, ship these products across the world and then toss them away after just a few years’ use.”

There are exceptions to the rules. No, it doesn’t cover your PS5 — not even that new skinny one. Nor are alarm systems or heavy industrial equipment that “vitally affects the general economy of the state, the public interest and the public welfare.”

Continue reading.

EU official gives Mark Zuckerberg 24 hours to respond to Israel misinformation concerns

It comes a day after a similar letter to X owner Elon Musk.

The European Union’s regulatory commissioner posted a single-page correspondence to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, giving the Facebook founder 24 hours to respond. The letter acknowledges areas where Meta’s content moderation has improved but raises concerns about misinformation (including deepfakes) on the company’s social platforms as the Israel–Hamas conflict continues.

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires social companies, like Meta, to moderate and remove illegal and harmful content. The law requires platforms operating in the EU to police malicious material proactively. It can levy fines of up to six percent of any infringing companies’ total revenue.

Continue reading.

NASA reveals what it found on the asteroid Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx even returned ‘bonus asteroid material.’

In a livestream show-and-tell, NASA scientists outlined what they’ve discovered so far. The big news here is that samples from the 4.5-billion-year-old Bennu asteroid contain not only carbon, but also water. These are the building blocks of life on Earth and, likely, everywhere else. These samples have only been on the planet since September 25, and initial studies just began. NASA also noted it got “bonus asteroid material” covering the outside of the collector head, canister lid and base.

Continue reading.

Microsoft might owe $28.9 billion in back taxes

It needs to check its spreadsheets again.

Microsoft owes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $28.9 billion in back taxes, not including penalties and interest, at least according to the tax authority. The tech giant has revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it received a series of Notices of Proposed Adjustment (NOPAs) from the IRS for the tax years 2004 to 2013. Microsoft has been working with the IRS for nearly a decade to address the questions about how it distributed its profits among countries and jurisdictions. The result is this multi-billion-dollar tax bill. The company disagrees, as expected, and said newer tax laws could reduce the back taxes it owes from this particular audit by $10 billion. That’s still $18.9 billion, though.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-our-verdict-on-googles-pixel-8-pro-111554730.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The Morning After: Our verdict on Google’s Pixel 8 Pro

Linda Yaccarino, X’s CEO, says the company has redistributed its resources and has refocused internal teams, which are now working round the clock to address the platform’s needs related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Yaccarino talked about the measures the website has taken so far to contain fake news about the Hamas attacks on Israel, along with hateful posts in support of terrorism and violence, in her response to EU officials. 

On October 10, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton sent Elon Musk an “urgent letter,” calling his attention and reminding him of X’s content moderation obligations under the region’s Digital Services Act. Breton said the EU had indications that the platform formerly known as Twitter is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation. Some of the images being circulated on the website, Breton said, were manipulated images from unrelated armed conflicts. Others, including supposed footage of military action, were taken from video games. 

Indeed, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) researchers told Wired that they’d been inundated with false information on the website, making it difficult to rely on X for information gathering. In the past, posts from news outlets on the ground and reputable sources quickly showed up on people’s timelines. But now, the website’s algorithm is boosting posts by users paying $8 a month for their blue checkmarks, even if they’re misleading content and lies. It didn’t help that Musk himself endorsed two accounts that had previously been proven to post false information to those who want to follow details about the war. One of those accounts also openly post antisemitic comments. 

In her response, Yaccarino claimed that X has removed or labeled “tens of thousands of pieces of content” since the attack on Israel began. She also said that X has deleted hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts from the platform so far, and that it continues to work with counter-terrorism organizations to prevent further distribution of terrorist content on the website. 

According to Yaccarino, the platform now has over 700 Community Notes, the website’s crowd-sourced fact-checking tool, related to the attack. And since even media posts can now get notes, around 5,000 posts containing images and videos have been marked with the crowd-sourced messages. The CEO said that notes appear for media and image posts within minutes of them being created and for text posts within a median time of five hours, but X is working to make them show up on posts more quickly. 

In his letter, Breton said that the EU received reports from qualified sources that there were “potentially illegal content” circulating on X despite flags from relevant authorities. Yaccarino addressed that directly in her response, writing that the website has not received any notice from Europol and urging the European Commission to provide more details so that it can investigate further. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-ceo-responds-to-eu-officials-over-handling-of-israel-hamas-disinformation-103956726.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – X CEO responds to EU officials over handling of Israel-Hamas disinformation

A new bill out of New York is targeting the thing we all have a love-hate relationship with on social media: the algorithm. Governor Kathy Hochul joined lawmakers in introducing the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, which would require a parent or guardian’s consent to access algorithm-based feeds on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. In her statement of support, Hochul called for adults to protect their children and villainized algorithms as technology that “follows” and “preys” on young people.

Lawmakers pointed to a range of studies demonstrating social media’s association with poor mental health and sleep quality in young people — especially with excessive use. “Social media platforms are fueling a national youth mental health crisis that is harming children’s wellbeing and safety,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James said. “Young New Yorkers are struggling with record levels of anxiety and depression, and social media companies that use addictive features to keep minors on their platforms longer are largely to blame. This legislation will help tackle the risks of social media affecting our children and protect their privacy.”

While pages like TikTok’s For You face restrictions, the legislation would allow young people to view content from people they follow without permission. This setup means they can still see accounts with dangerous misinformation or ideals — such as promoting harmful eating habits — as long as they click the follow button. However, the law would also allow parents or guardians to limit the number of hours a person can spend on each app and to restrict access and notifications completely between midnight and 6 AM. Social media platforms that fail to enforce these policies could owe up to $5,000 in damages.

Lawmakers proposed an identical fine for violations of the New York Child Data Protection Act, which was introduced alongside the SAFE for Kids Act. This legislation would ban “collecting, using, sharing or selling” anyone under 18’s personal data unless they receive consent or can prove it absolutely necessary.

SAFE for Kids Act’s sponsors, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, could bring it before the New York legislature as soon as early 2024. The bill has already faced opposition from Meta and TikTok, as well as Tech:NYC, which represents more than 800 tech companies. Concerns range from restricting free speech to losing out on community-building.

The first state-led bill of this kind passed in Utah earlier this year, requiring anyone under the age of 18 to obtain a parent or guardian’s consent to create a social media profile — not just to explore the algorithm. Arkansas enacted a similar law soon after, but a judge blocked it from taking effect in September. Utah’s legislation is set to take effect in early 2024. Each of these cases would require more comprehensive age verification on the part of social media companies, likely reviewing an ID of some sort — not something every early adolescent has.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-york-lawmakers-are-cracking-down-on-kids-exposure-to-social-media-algorithms-095838157.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – New York lawmakers are cracking down on kids’ exposure to social media algorithms

Logitech is bringing together two acquisitions over the past few years in its quest to provide live streamers the tools they need: The company has just launched a Streamlabs desktop plugin for Loupedeck consoles. If you’ll recall, the company purchased Streamlabs — a popular livestreaming software that offers a robust set of tools for broadcasting on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook — back in 2019. And in July this year, it acquired Loupedeck, which makes video streaming consoles that rival Elgato’s Stream Deck.

The Streamlabs Desktop Plugin 1.0 turns the Loupedeck Live and Live S devices into external controllers for the streaming software. Creators can use the consoles’ dials to control audio more precisely, and they can activate Streamlabs’ desktop commands and view the status of their livestream straight from their Loupedeck device. They can also set up scenes, sources, audio sources and scene collections in Loupedeck’s software, effectively freeing up more space on their monitor, which could instead be used for views of other things, such as their gameplay or chat. Logitech says the new plugin is rolling out with software update 5.8 today and will come preinstalled on all new Loupedeck devices.

“When we acquired Loupedeck earlier this year, we had a goal of providing a more seamless experience for Streamlabs creators from onboarding to everyday use with presets available out of the box for Loupedeck devices,” Ujesh Desai, Logitech G’s general manager said in a statement. “This 1.0 release is our first offering, which accelerates our goal to bring an ecosystem of hardware and software to creators everywhere, enabling them to focus on doing what they do best, which is make amazing content.”

It’s worth noting that Streamlabs and Loupedeck aren’t the only companies Logitech purchased over the past few years as part of its efforts to go all in on streaming. It also purchased Blue Microphones in 2018, and it announced a few months ago that it’s going to start selling Blue’s Yeti mics under the Logitech G branding going forward.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/logitech-launches-a-streamlabs-plugin-for-loupedeck-consoles-070159158.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Logitech launches a Streamlabs plugin for Loupedeck consoles

Microsoft owes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $28.9 billion in back taxes, not including penalties and interest, at least according to the tax authority. The tech giant has revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it received a series of Notices of Proposed Adjustment (NOPAs) from the IRS for the tax years 2004 to 2013. In its filing, it said that it’s been working with the IRS for nearly a decade to address the authority’s questions about how it distributed its profits among countries and jurisdictions, and this is the agency’s decision after a lengthy investigation. 

To be exact, the IRS audit centered around a practice known as “transfer pricing,” which legally allowed companies to allocate profits and expenses between their operations in different regions. Microsoft explained that a lot of large multinational corporations practice this cost-sharing scheme to reflect “the global nature of their business.” In its case, its subsidiaries shared in the costs of developing some IPs, which means that they’re also entitled to the related profits. As AP notes, though, critics of the regulation argue that companies frequently use it to minimize the taxes they have to pay by reporting lower profits in high tax countries, and vice versa. 

Microsoft explained that the issues raised by the IRS are only relevant to those aforementioned years, because it has since changed its corporate structure and practices. Nevertheless, the IRS believes Microsoft owes $28.9 billion in back taxes. The tech giant disagrees, as expected, and said that newer tax laws could reduce the back taxes it owes from this particular audit by $10 billion. Based on its plan of action shared with the SEC, the company intends to contest the decision to the best of its ability: Microsoft said that it will pursue an appeal within the IRS, which typically takes years to complete, and will even “contest any unresolved issues through the courts” if needed. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-reveals-irs-notice-asking-for-289-billion-in-back-taxes-055326006.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Microsoft reveals IRS notice asking for .9 billion in back taxes

We’ve reached the last day of Amazon’s October Prime Day sale and if you’re in the market for some deals that won’t break the bank, here are 29 deals that are all under $50. We’ve found plenty of the less expensive gadgets that we’ve tested and tried recently. Many, like the JOBY Gorillapod and the JBL Go 3 make excellent stocking stuffers, and there are deals on smart plugs (for indoors and out) that will make your holiday light management far simpler. Amazon is surfacing strong deals on its own Echo smart speakers and Fire TV sticks. Plus you’ll find iPhone accessories, chargers, smart home devices which not only make nice gifts for the hard-to-shop-for, they’re nice to keep for yourself too. Here are the best Amazon Big Deal Days discounts for under $50.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon’s Echo Dot combines the typical utility of Alexa with surprisingly decent sound. It usually retails for $50, but for Big Deal Days, it’s down to $23, which is 54 percent off and matches the all-time low price we saw last Prime Day. We named this one the best sub-$50 smart speakers you can buy — and if you get two, you can make them a stereo pair. The version with a built-in clock is also discounted at $45.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids

The Kids edition of the Echo Dot is usually $60 but is down to $28 for October’s sale. That’s the same price it went for during Amazon’s July sale. It’s basically the Echo Dot, but with a kid-friendly owl or dragon-themed exterior. It also comes with a parental dashboard and a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes a selection of kid-appropriate audiobooks, stories and songs.

Amazon Echo Show 5

Amazon updated the Echo Show 5 back in May. It went for half off last Prime Day, but October’s sale is bringing the price down further, to $40 after a 56 percent discount. This is a smaller display that works best as a bedside alarm clock, complete with a snooze button. It’ll also work in smaller spaces as a display-enabled controller for all your connected smart home devices.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids

The revamped Echo Show 5 for Kids didn’t make the cut for this list last Prime Day, as it only dropped to $60, but now a steeper discount has brought it down to $45. It’s similar to the regular Echo Show 5, but comes with a cosmic-themed fabric covering and includes a year of Amazon Kids+ with shows, music and audiobooks that are all child-appropriate.

Amazon Echo Pop

Amazon’s smallest Echo smart speaker came out last May and went down to $18 for July’s Prime Day sale. The half-sphere Echo Pop is back down to that all-time low for this October sale, which is a 55 percent discount. A Kids version of the Pop will be released soon, though not until after this Prime sale is over.

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite usually goes for $30, but a 40 percent Prime Big Deal Days discount has dropped it to just $18. This is the budget pick in Engadget’s streaming device guide and is one of the cheapest ways to make a smaller or secondary TV smart. It supports 1080p streaming with HDR and comes with an Alexa voice remote, though it can’t control the volume or power on your TV.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Amazon just updated the Fire TV Stick 4K, adding more processing power and support for Wi-Fi 6. Unfortunately that model isn’t on sale and sticking to its $50 price point. The previous Fire TV Stick 4K, however, is more than half off and down to $23, the same as it went for during the last Prime Day sale. If you don’t have Wi-Fi 6 anyway, you may be happy with this dongle as it still handles 4K video, HDR including Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

We like the straightforward interface of Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K and named it the top recommendation in our guide to the best streaming devices. Normally priced at $50, it’s $12 off for the October Prime Day sale — though it went lower last Black Friday (and may do so again). Still, for the price this streaming dongle provides a lot of features, including the vast Roku channel, a helpful universal search function and a private-listening feature via the Roku app. If you only need the budget 1080p version, you can get the Roku Express dongle for $22, which is about $4 more than it went for last November.

TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug

Outdoor smart plugs will make turning your holiday lights on and off far easier. In our smart plug guide we found the Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug to be the best pick for Apple HomeKit users. It actually worked great with all smart home assistants, but it was pricier than the Wyze plug that only works with Alexa and Google Home. Now that the Kasa plug is down to $20 — its lowest price ever — that price discrepancy isn’t as large.

Nestout Portable Charger

We tested the Nestout Portable Charger in ways we wouldn’t typically test a battery pack. But since it claims to be waterproof and drop-resistant, we dunked it in water and smacked it down on several hard surfaces. It held up — and it’s currently our pick for the best outdoor-worthy portable battery pack. It’s usually $80, but this sale drops it by 37 percent to just sneak under the $50 mark.

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K

We’re in the process of testing Anker’s new Nano Power Bank 10K for our battery pack buying guide and are so far impressed with its clever design, which includes a built-in USB-C cable plus two additional ports for USB-C and USB-A. It’s usually $50, but Amazon’s October sale knocks it down to $35.

Anker PowerConf C200 2K Webcam

The runner up in our guide to the best webcams is Anker’s PowerConf C200 2K. The list price is $60, but is discounted to $48 as part of a Prime Big Deal Days Lightning deal. It’s easy to set up, has a built-in lens cover for privacy and captures sharp and clear 2K resolution video with a 95-degree field of view. Since this is a Lightning deal, though, be warned that stock is likely to run dry sooner rather than later.

TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Light Bulb

Our favorite budget smart light bulbs are TP-Link’s Kasa Smart WiFi Bulbs, which are 35 percent off right now for a four-pack. Installation is easy, and the lights stayed reliably connected during our tests. TP-Link’s companion app is simple to navigate as well.

Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

Prime members can get the latest Echo Buds for $35 instead of $50 right now. In Engadget’s review, we were surprised how much these semi-open earbuds can get you for the price. We also named them the best open-design pick in our guide to the best budget earbuds. Note, though, that our top pick in that guide, Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are also on sale for $54 instead of their usual $80. Though that’s technically more than our price threshold here, it’s still a great deal on buds that belie that low price.

Moft Sit-Stand Desk

The Sit-Stand Desk from Moft has a clever folding design that lays flat when not in use but unfurls to lift even heavy laptops to a standing height off your desk. It folds into three other laptop-supporting positions as well, and we named it one of the best MacBook accessories you can buy. Usually $60, it’s down to $48 for the sale.

Samsung Pro Plus microSD card

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

Samsung Evo Select microSD card

We named the Samsung Evo Select, meanwhile, the best value model in our microSD card guide. Right now its 128GB version is down to $10, which matches its lowest price ever. It may not have the fastest write speeds, but it’s good for giving you extra room for your files on the cheap.

SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch

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

Blink Video Doorbell

October Prime Day has chopped the price of the Blink Video Doorbell in half, making it just $30. You can install this using your existing doorbell wires or use it battery-powered. It sends 1080p video to your phone or smart display, triggered by motion. To peek at your front door on-demand, you’ll either need to hardwire the device or get a Sync Module 2. To save clips, you can use the Module or a Blink subscription plan.

Ring Video Doorbell Wired

As the name suggests, you’ll have to hook the Ring Video Doorbell Wired up to your existing doorbell wires. Once you do, you’ll get 1080p video sent to your phone or smart display when motion is triggered, or you can check the feed on-demand whenever you’d like. But again, to save and share clips, you’ll need a Ring subscription. The device is on sale for $35, which is $30 off the list price. 

Blink Mini smart security camera (2-pack)

The Blink mini security cameras are wired, indoor cams that will let you check in on your living spaces whenever the mood strikes. A two-pack goes for $65 most days, but for October Prime, the set is down to $40. These motion-activated smart cameras can send live 1080p video to your smartphone or smart display and allow for two-way audio so you can tell the dog to get off the couch.

Amazon Smart Plug

As noted in our smart plug buying guide, we think Amazon’s Smart Plug is your best bet if you use Alexa as your smart home helper. At a deal price of just $13, it’s currently 48 percent off and $2 cheaper than the lowest price we’ve tracked. This plug’s setup is so simple as to be almost automatic, and its control of lamps, fans and other smart home devices is reliable. Programming schedules in the Alexa app is super simple and may get even easier with future updates.

OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank

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

Jabra Elite 3

Jabra’s Elite 3 earbuds are a few years old at this point, but they earned an Engadget review score of 88 for their impressive sound quality, good battery life, reliable touch controls and comfortable fit. They’ve dropped to $50, or $30 off their list price.

Anker 511 Charger

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

Kasa Smart Plug EP25 (4-pack)

The best smart plug you can buy according to our testing is Kasa’s Smart Plug EP25. It went down to $35 last Prime Day but is down to $33 for October’s sale. We found this plug to be reliable and relatively easy to set up. It works not just with Alexa and the Google Assistant, but also Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit.

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The best budget gaming headset you can buy, according to our testing, is the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. Listed at $50, and often selling for $40, the Prime Day sale drops it down to $35, which matches its all-time low. The sound quality isn’t what you’d get with premium headphones, but the fit is comfortable and the mic is decent.

JBL Go 3

We didn’t test the JBL Go 3 for our Bluetooth speaker guide, but JBL is a brand we recommend often. This diminutive speaker is 40 percent off for the October Prime Day sale, bringing it to $30. The Go 3 is waterproof, includes a hook for hanging and is rated for five hours on a charge. Elsewhere, the Clip 4 portable speaker is down to $45 instead of $80 for the sale.

JOBY Gorillapod 3K Stand

In our tech gift guide, we called the Joby Gorillapod 3K stand “a bargain for such a versatile tool” when it was $45. Now it’s down to just $35. It grips on to poles or stands on its own making it a great vlogging or photography companion.

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-amazon-prime-day-deals-under-50-225732996.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The 29 best Prime Day deals under to snag before the day ends

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale is turning out to be a great opportunity to pick up some new gaming gear. We’re now into the second (and last) day of the sale, but we’re still seeing a number of discounts on games and accessories we like. Notable deals include lower-than-usual prices on Nintendo Switch and PS5 exclusives, as well as savings on mice, keyboards, headsets and more. So if you’re looking for new titlesto play on your Nintendo Switch, mechanical keyboards for your PC or a decent gaming headset for multiplayer matchups, you’ll find those deals and more below. As a reminder, Amazon’s “October Prime Day” sale runs until midnight tonight. After that many of the sale prices may disappear (though they may return for Black Friday).

Nintendo Switch games

A number of worthwhile Nintendo Switch exclusives are discounted for Prime Big Deal Days. The offers include the charming turn-based strategy game Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope for $20, the tactics RPG Fire Emblem Engage for $30, the wild hack-and-slasher Bayonetta 3 for $37, the tense side-scroller Metroid Dread for $40 and the workout RPG Ring Fit Adventure for $50. Mario Golf: Super Rush and Super Mario Maker 2 are available for $40 each as well. Most of these games are a few years old, and not every deal is an all-time low, but each is at least $10 cheaper than usual.

PlayStation 5 games

Along those lines, various PlayStation games are also on sale, including several entries on our list of the best PS5 games. The giant action game God of War Ragnarök is down to $50, the gorgeous PS5 remake of The Last of Us is down to $46, while the popular open-world games Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition and Horizon Forbidden West are both down to $40. The haunting roguelike Returnal, punishing action-RPG Demon’s Souls, accessible shooter Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and samurai adventure Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut are all available for $10 less than that. The PS4 copies of some of these games are discounted as well; in Horizon’s case, you can save a little cash by using that to get a free PS5 upgrade. Again, we’ve seen all of these deals before and most aren’t quite all-time lows, but this is still a decent chance to save.

Other video game deals

A few noteworthy non-exclusives are priced a little lower than normal too. The widely acclaimed Elden Ring is down to $40, for example, while the more old-school RPG Octopath Traveler II is down to $28 and the remake of PSP classic Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is available for $25. (The latter is a PS4 copy, but you can get a free upgrade to the PS5 edition.) The dungeon crawler Diablo IV is $20 off at $50, while Prime members can grab a free copy of Ghostwire: Tokyo for the PC. The same caveats as above still apply here.

Backbone One

The Backbone One is a well-built gamepad that snaps around the sides of your phone and works immediately with just about any game that supports controller input. It’s also convenient for cloud streaming games from a console or PC. Right now both its USB-C and Lightning models are down to $70, which is $30 off. That’s not an all-time low, but discounts on the device are relatively uncommon. We gave the One a positive review last year, and we currently highlight it in our guide to the best handheld gaming systems. Backbone says the USB-C models will work with Apple’s new iPhone 15 lineup as well.

$100 PlayStation Store Gift Card + $10 Amazon credit

Here’s a simple one: If you buy a $100 PlayStation Store digital gift card and use the code PSN100 at checkout, you can get an extra $10 Amazon credit to use on future purchases. If you often use Amazon and plan on picking up new PS5 games, renewing a PlayStation Plus subscription or buying any other content through the PlayStation Store anyway, it’s effectively a bit of free money. 

Razer Basilisk V3

The Razer Basilisk V3 is down to $44, which is a few bucks more than its all-time low but still $6 less than its usual street price. This is the “best for most” pick in our guide to the best gaming mouse, as its sturdy shape should be comfortable for each grip type and all but the smallest hands. (Provided you’re a righty.) It has 11 customizable buttons, including a “sensitivity clutch” for more precise aiming, and its thumb wheel supports both left-right tilt and a faster free-spin mode. That wheel is somewhat noisy, and the whole thing is too heavy for competitive-minded players, but it still tracks accurately and glides smoothly.

WD and Seagate Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox Series X/S

It’s unfortunate, but the only way to fully expand the storage of an Xbox Series X/S console is to buy a proprietary expansion card. If your Xbox is hurting for space, the 1TB version of WD’s Black C50 card is at least a little cheaper than usual at $125. That’s a $25 discount and a new low. If you need more room, the 2TB model of Seagate’s Storage Expansion Card is also on sale for an all-time low at $230. That’s $50 off. (The 1TB Seagate card is available for $130, but there’s little reason to buy that when the WD model is cheaper.) Both of these are still pricier than a comparable SSD, but any bit of savings should be welcome.

Sony PlayStation VR2

Prime Big Deal Days has brought the first significant discount on Sony’s PlayStation VR2 headset, which the company released this past February. It’s currently down to $509, which is $41 off its list price. That’s still a good chunk of change for a VR headset that doesn’t have a super extensive game library on the PS5, but if you’ve been on the fence about picking the device up, it’s at least a little more palatable. We gave the PSVR2 a review score of 84 at launch, as we were impressed by its excellent dual OLED displays, (relatively) comfortable fit and well-built controllers.

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

The top budget pick in our guide to the best gaming headsets, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2, is on sale for $35. That’s just a modest $5 discount but matches the lowest price we’ve seen. The Cloud Stinger 2 doesn’t have the most balanced or detailed sound, but its V-shaped signature gives action scenes a nice level of impact, and its mic quality belies the dirt-cheap price. The design is comfortable too, though it’s made from cheap-feeling plastic.

HyperX Cloud Alpha

If you’re willing to pay a little more, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is another decent value at $60, which is $15 or so lower than its typical street price. We note this as an honorable mention in our guide: It’s been around for a few years now, but it’s comfortable, and its detachable mic is solid. It’s better built than the Cloud Stinger 2 as well. At this price, they don’t sound bad either, though an underemphasized treble means they aren’t especially detailed.

Logitech G535

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

Sennheiser HD 560S

If you don’t need a mic, a good set of wired headphones will often provide more detailed sound than a dedicated gaming headset. The Sennheiser HD 560S is a good example of this, and right now it’s on sale for $150. While not an all-time low, that’s about $35 below the pair’s typical street price. We recommend the HD 560S in our guide to the best gaming headphones: Its open-back design lets in and leaks a ton of noise, but its wide soundstage and balanced signature lend games a pleasing sense of immersion. It’s comfortable to wear for extended periods as well. Just don’t expect much in the way of deep sub-bass.

Razer Huntsman V2 TKL

The Razer Huntsman V2 TKL is available for $90, which is $30 or so off its average street price. This is a pick in our guide to the best gaming keyboards, as we like its crisp PBT keycaps, sturdy frame, clean RGB lighting, included wrist rest and steady performance. The catch is that this deal applies to the model with Razer’s Clicky Optical switches, which we found to be noisier and harsher-sounding than its linear counterpart. Neither model is hot-swappable either. But if you can live with a louder typing sound, there’s plenty to like. Razer recently released a higher-end Huntsman V3 Pro line, but those aren’t discounted.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless is down to $175, which is within a dollar of its all-time low and $75 off its list price. This is the top wireless pick in our gaming keyboard buying guide, mainly due to its magnetic OmniPoint switches, which enable a range of helpful gaming features. For instance, you can raise or lower the actuation point of individual keys — setting a high point to make typing more comfortable or a low one to make presses more responsive — and use a rapid trigger mode to repeat inputs faster.

The rest of the keyboard is satisfactory as well, with multiple connection options and a useful OLED display for adjusting settings, though you’d buy this for its gaming features more than its typing experience. In general, we think the Wooting 60HE is a better option for gaming enthusiasts, but that one isn’t on sale; the Apex Pro is a close-enough substitute if you need to go wireless. The smaller Apex Pro Mini Wireless is also discounted for $15 less.

ASUS ROG Azoth

Another high-end wireless gaming keyboard, the ASUS ROG Azoth, is on sale for $210 in various switch configurations. While that isn’t an all-time low, it’s about $20 less than the device’s usual going rate since it arrived earlier this year. We highlight the ROG Azoth as an honorable mention in our gaming keyboard guide. It’s expensive, but it’s supremely well-built, with enthusiast-level touches like a gasket-mounted design — which gives keystrokes a softer feel — and a toolkit for lubing switches right in the box. It doesn’t have the flexible gaming features as the Apex Pro above, but it’s decidedly premium all the same.

Samsung Evo Select

The 512GB version of Samsung’s Evo Select microSD card is on sale for $28, which is an all-time low and $7 below its usual rate. The 128GB model, meanwhile, is down to $10, which is another low. The Evo Select is the “best value” pick in our microSD card buying guide: It’s not the most performant option we tested — that’d be the Samsung Pro Plus — but it’s perfectly serviceable for running games on a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-amazon-prime-day-gaming-deals-for-playstation-nintendo-xbox-and-more-224132297.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The best Amazon Prime Day gaming deals for Playstation, Nintendo, Xbox and more

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is almost over, but a number of quality TV deals are still available. While Black Friday generally remains the best time to go TV shopping, Amazon’s latest Prime Day-style sale has brought well-reviewed sets from LG, Samsung, TCL and Hisense down to some of the lowest prices we’ve tracked. A new big-screen is no small purchase, so to help you avoid wasting cash, we’ve sorted through the noise and rounded up the best TV deals we could find below. If you want to spruce up your living room with a new media streamer, we’ve included a handful of deals on those devices as well. Just note that you’ll need to be a Prime member to see at least some of the deals.

LG C2

The 55-inch LG C2 is down to $1,097, which is $100 more than the lowest price we’ve seen for the OLED TV but still $100 less than its usual sale price these days. The C2 is a 2022 model, but various reviews suggest that LG’s new C3 TV is only a marginal upgrade. The older set still provides the kind of high contrast, wide viewing angles, rich colors and smooth motion you’d expect from a good OLED panel, plus it has four HDMI 2.1 ports capable of playing 4K video at 120Hz. A QD-OLED set like the Samsung S90C will deliver better brightness and color saturation, but the C2 should satisfy if you keep it out of a brightly-lit room. LG’s OLED TVs also support Dolby Vision HDR, while Samsung TVs do not.

Samsung S90C

Speaking of the Samsung S90C, the 55-inch version of that OLED TV is on sale for $1,448. While not cheap, this is an all-time low and about $125 off the TV’s average street price. As noted above, the S90C’s QD-OLED panel delivers excellent picture quality in most lighting environments, and it has just about all the gaming features expected from a modern set, including four HDMI 2.1 ports that can reach up to 144Hz in 4K. It won’t get as bright as the best LED TVs with HDR content, but it’ll provide superior contrast, motion handling and viewing angles for those willing to pay a premium.

LG B2

The LG B2, meanwhile, is down to $847 for a 55-inch model. That’s a new low and roughly $150 off its average street price in recent months. The B2 is the step-down model from the C2, as it’s not as bright or color-rich with HDR content, it runs on a slower processor and it has two fewer HDMI 2.1 ports. That said, its contrast, colors and motion performance will still be a significant upgrade if you’re upgrading from a more basic LED TV. LG’s new B3 TV promises a cleaner webOS interface, but it’s priced a good way higher as of this writing. If you want an OLED TV for less than $1,000, the B2 should be a better value.

Hisense U8K

The 65-inch Hisense U8K is available for $998, which ties the lowest price we’ve seen and comes in about $100 below its usual going rate. The 55-inch model is available for $200 less. This is one of Hisense’s new TVs for 2023, and various reviews say it’s one of the better values in the mid-priced bracket, with impressive brightness and good contrast for an LED panel. It runs the easy-to-use Google TV interface and comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 144Hz. It has other gaming-friendly features like VRR and ALLM too, plus it supports all the major HDR formats. It still won’t look as rich or fluid in motion as a good OLED set, and its viewing angles are worse, but the relatively low price should help make up for that.

Hisense U6K

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

Hisense’s U7K TV is also on sale, with prices ranging at $550 for a 55-inch model to $1,500 for an 85-inch model. As the name suggests, this set’s performance sits between the U6K and U8K, so it should suffice if it aligns more closely with your budget.

Samsung The Frame TV (LS03B)

Samsung’s The Frame TV is down to $998 for a 55-inch set with an included bezel cover. That’s a hefty $550 less than this bundle’s average street price. Several other sizes are discounted, from the 32-inch model for $548 to the 85-inch set for $3,498. The Frame TVs lack local dimming and mini-LED backlighting, so their picture quality, while decent, isn’t as high-end as the price tag might suggest. Instead, as we’ve noted before, you’d buy this QLED TV for the aesthetics. It’s designed to look like a piece of art you can mount against a wall, and when you aren’t watching something, you can use it to display artwork and photos. A few pieces come included, while others are sold with an optional subscription.

TCL Q6

The 75-inch TCL Q6 is available for $680, which is about $70 off its usual street price and an all-time low. This budget-level set lacks the local dimming and mini-LED backlight of the Hisense U6K, and recent reviews suggest that it performs worse as a result. The main reason we list it here is because it supports a 120Hz refresh rate — albeit only in 1080p or 1440p, not 4K. But if you can live with the lower resolution, this is a relatively affordable way to get a more fluid image with game consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. This model uses Amazon’s Fire TV OS, so you’ll get the most out of it if you use Amazon services like Prime Video with some regularity.

TCL S4

The TCL S4, meanwhile, is down to $250 for a 55-inch set and $380 for a 65-inch set. Both discounts represent all-time lows. The S4 is an entry-level 4K TV, so it doesn’t offer much in the way of contrast, brightness, gaming features or HDR performance. Most people are better off paying a little bit more for the Hisense U6K. That said, maybe you just want a secondary TV for dirt cheap. In that case, the S4 should at least be serviceable. As with the TCL deal above, this version of the S4 runs on Amazon’s Fire TV interface.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is available for $37, which isn’t an amazing deal — we’ve seen it drop as low as $25 in the past — but still takes about $8 off the device’s usual street price. This is the top pick in our guide to the best media streamers, as it’s quick to load apps, it supports all the major streaming platforms and HDR standards, and it works with Apple AirPlay. Roku’s UI is blander than competing options from Google, Apple and Amazon, but it remains dead simple to navigate, and its search function does well to find shows across different apps. We also like the Roku app’s private-listening feature, which lets you listen to shows through a mobile device. Just note that we may see a better deal on Black Friday.

Roku also sells the $70 Streaming Stick 4K+, which adds an improved voice remote with a rechargeable battery, a lost remote finder, two custom shortcut buttons, and a headphone jack for private listening without the app. That model isn’t on sale as of this writing, however.

Roku Express 4K+

The Roku Express 4K+ provides the same general experience as the Streaming Stick 4K, but it can’t plug directly into your TV’s HDMI port. It also has slightly slower Wi-Fi and lacks support for Dolby Vision HDR. But it’s cheaper, and right now it’s on sale for $29. That’s a few dollars more than its all-time low but roughly $8 below its average street price. If you have a solid internet connection at home and just want to save a few bucks, it could work. For older or secondary TVs, the 1080p Roku Express is also on sale for $22.

Roku Streambar

The Roku Streambar is down to $100, which is a deal we’ve seen several times before but still falls about $15 below the device’s average street price. This is a 14-inch soundbar that doubles as a 4K media streamer. It’s a compact, 2.0-channel model, so it doesn’t sound especially clear or powerful, but it’s still an obvious upgrade over the speakers built into most TVs. If you’re on a tight budget and want to upgrade a smaller TV outside the living room, it’s worth a look. Just note that it doesn’t support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, though it does work with AirPlay 2. We gave the Streambar a review score of 86 back in 2020.

Amazon Fire TV Cube

Another hybrid-style device, the Amazon Fire TV Cube blends a 4K media streamer with a hands-free Alexa speaker. It’s back down to $110, which is $30 off and ties an all-time low. The Cube is Amazon’s most powerful Fire TV streamer, and its HDMI pass-through lets you connect a cable box or game console and integrate it with an Alexa overlay. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6E. Fire OS’ frequent ads and nudging toward Amazon services may be hard to accept on a pricier device, though. The HDMI input is also limited to 60Hz video.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Amazon’s Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite are on sale for $20 and $18, respectively. Neither deal is an all-time low, but both are a few bucks less than their common sale prices. You’d buy one of these dongles if you wanted to add streaming content to an older 1080p TV and frequently use Amazon services like Prime Video. They aren’t especially quick, and neither supports Dolby Vision, but they get the job done. Between the two, the standard Fire TV Stick’s remote includes app shortcuts and TV controls for volume and power, while the Lite’s remote does not. Both provide easy access to Alexa though.

The Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale too — but only the previous-generation model, not one of the refreshed 4K or 4K Max sticks Amazon unveiled in September, so we’d hold off.

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

It’s taken three years, but Polar is finally ready with a new iteration of the Vantage watch: the Polar Vantage 3. The V3 can track more than 150 sports. That includes tools that cater to more serious athletes, and not just the run of the mill consumer, like triathlon training.

There are also unique metrics like Training Load Pro, which tells you how much strain you place on both your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system during your workouts. There is also Wrist-Based Running Power, which calculates how much “power” you need to fight gravity and friction during a run. Lastly, Energy Sources tells you how the food you eat, from fats to carbohydrates, are being utilized during each workout session. Which kind of sounds like a glorified calorie tracker.

The company has also focused on improving the specs sheet for the one-size fitness multisport watch. CPU speed is now at 275 MHz, up from the V2’s 120 MHz. The manufacturer claims it will have 129% faster speeds when compared to its predecessor. Plus, it has 37 MB of RAM, which is dramatically up from the V2 and has roughly 32 GB of storage, squashing the V2’s 32 MB cap.

The case is still aluminum and the top Gorilla Glass, but the screen is bigger now at 1.39 inches. The AMOLED display has a resolution of 454 × 454, nearly double the V2’s MIP display, which had a 240 × 240 resolution. Oddly enough, the waterproof ranking was downgraded to WR50, the V2 had a WR100 mark on the other hand. Other changes to the watch’s overall function include: Bluetooth 5.1 and USB-C connectivity and a 488 mAh battery that will supposedly deliver up to 140 hours of training time.

The Vantage 3 also features new biosensors that are worth mentioning. There’s now a skin temperature sensor and Polar says the sensors are better at measuring blood oxygen levels. Plus there’s ECG function, along with what the company claims is the “most advanced optical heart rate” in its wearables to date.

The tracker that can be pre-ordered in sky blue, night black or sunrise apricot for $600. You can also buy the watch in a bundle set with the Polar H10 heart rate strap monitor for $50 more. Deliveries will begin on October 25.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/polars-vantage-v3-fitness-watch-is-a-big-upgrade-that-costs-600-212824347.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Polar’s Vantage V3 fitness watch is a big upgrade that costs 0

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale is starting to wind down, but there are still a handful of good iPad deals to be had. The company’s second Prime Day-style sale this year has knocked down the prices of many Apple tablets, as well as slabs from other tech giants like Amazon, Google and Microsoft. To help those looking to upgrade from an older iPad or just get a bit of holiday shopping done early, we’ve sorted through the offers to find the ones that are most worthwhile. Here are the best iPad deals, plus the best deals on other tablets, that we’re still seeing for Amazon’s October Prime Day event.

Apple iPad (9th gen)

Apple’s most affordable tablet, the 10.2-inch iPad, is on sale for $249 right now. It may have an old-school design that won’t work with all the latest iPad accessories, but it’s still the best iPad for people on a budget, as it has most of the crucial features you’d expect from an Apple tablet. It earned a score of 86 from us for its solid performance, sharp screen, TouchID-capable Home button and good battery life. The only major downside to this model right now is that it still sports Apple’s old Lightning port rather than USB-C.

Apple iPad (10th gen)

The new base iPad has dropped to $399 for October Prime Day. It has an updated design that makes it look more like an iPad Air or Pro, with slim bezels and no Home button. We gave it a score of 85 for its improved performance, new landscape-oriented front-facing camera, USB-C charging and solid battery life.

Apple iPad Air

Apple’s iPad Air is on sale for $500 right now. It’s arguably the best iPad for most people thanks to its solid performance rendered by the M1 chipset, big 10.9-inch display, USB-C charging and second-generation Apple Pencil support. M1 might not be the latest Apple chipset, but it’s powerful enough to handle pretty much any task you throw at it — and since the Air works with keyboard accessories, it could be a decent laptop replacement when on the go.

Apple iPad mini

The Apple iPad mini has dropped to $400 for October Prime Day. It’s the best small tablet on the market right now and really your only option if you want a true one-hand-friendly iPad. It’s powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip and sports a TouchID-toting power button, solid cameras, a good battery life and a USB-C port for charging.

Google Pixel Tablet

The Google Pixel Tablet is down to $409, which is a new low and $90 off Google’s list price. If you need more space, the 256GB version is down to $509. The Pixel Tablet doesn’t quite topple Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 (which isn’t on sale) strictly as a tablet, but its big selling point is its included charging speaker dock. Hook the slate up to that, and it becomes a smart display similar to Google’s Nest Hub Max. Its display, processor and design are all up to the mark as well. The device earned a score of 85 in our review this past June. 

Amazon Fire 7

Amazon’s Fire 7 tablet is on sale for $40 for October Prime Day. It’s the cheapest Fire tablet in the lineup, and it’s really only a viable option if you have a strict budget to adhere to since other Fire tablets provide much stronger performance. The Fire 7 includes a 7-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen, up to 32GB of storage and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Amazon Fire HD 8

The Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet has dropped to $60 for Prime Big Deal Days. It’s a solid step-up from the Fire 7 if you can spend a little bit more money. You’ll get an 8-inch HD touchscreen, a hexa-core processor, a 5MP rear-facing camera in addition to the selfie cam and a battery that should last up to 13 hours on a single charge.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus

For a bit more than that, the Fire HD 8 Plus adds an extra gigabyte of RAM (for 3GB total) and wireless charging support. It’s down to $70, which is $5 more than its all-time low still $50 off its normal street price. This tablet still isn’t blazingly fast, but the extra memory can make navigating Fire OS just a bit smoother. And if you grab Amazon’s wireless charging dock, you can use the tablet like a smart display.

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

The 2021 Fire HD 10 tablet has dropped to $75 for Prime Day. One of the more powerful slabs in Amazon’s lineup, the HD 10 provides a 10.1-inch FHD touchscreen, an octa-core processor, up to 64GB of internal storage and a 12-hour battery life. This year’s Fire HD 10 is up for pre-order now and it includes a 25-percent bump up in performance, an improved front-facing camera and a lighter design.

Amazon Fire Max 11

Amazon’s new Fire Max 11 tablet is on sale for $150 for Prime Day. The slab has an 11-inch 2000 x 1200 touchscreen, an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, up to 128GB of built-in storage and up to 14 hours of battery life. It can also work with a detachable keyboard and stylus, so you could use it like a 2-in-1 laptop.

Amazon Fire HD Kids tablets

The Kids versions of various Amazon tablets are also discounted. The Fire HD 8 Kids and Kids Pro are each down to $75, while the Fire HD 10 Kids and Kids Pro are down to $120 apiece. Each of those deals matches an all-time low. As a reminder, these tablets come with the same base hardware as their “normal” counterparts, but add a protective case with a built-in kickstand, two-year warranties, simpler default software and a year’s subscription to Amazon’s Kids+ service, which includes a selection of child-friendly content. The Kids models have more substantial rubbery cases, while the Kids Pro are meant for bigger kids and use slimmer, hard plastic cases.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Speaking of 2-in-1s, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is down to $1,800 for a high-end configuration with a Core i7-1265U CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. While that’s still a good chunk of change, it’s about $100 off this model’s typical street price. The Surface Pro 9 isn’t all that different from its predecessors, but it’s hard to do better if you want a tablet that works like a laptop. Currently, it’s the top Windows pick in our tablet buying guide. Just be aware that there’s no stylus or keyboard included with this deal.

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-prime-day-ipad-tablet-deals-available-right-now-212742623.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The best Prime Day iPad & tablet deals to shop for right now

We’ve now hit the second day of Amazon’s October Prime Day sale (aka Prime Big Deal Days) and it’s proving to be a great time to pick up a new camera. Vloggers, photographers and other creators will find plenty of good discounts on new and recent gear and accessories. We’re seeing discounts on mirrorless cameras, action cameras, photo accessories and more, so if you want to update old equipment or are just picking up your first mirrorless, now’s a good time to shop. And if you’ve got a budding photographer on your holiday gift list, a few deals fall in the sub $1,000 mark and could make a great introductory camera. You can see the full lineup of our recommendations in our camera guide. 

One notable deal is GoPro’s Hero10 Black Action camera, which is still among the best action cameras on the market, for just $250, saving $200. On the mirrorless camera side, Sony has some great deals across its lineup, marking the popular A6600 down to just $998, for a savings of $402 or 29 percent off. The A6100 with an 18-50mm kit lens is now just $698 ($152 off), while the newish A7 IV is back down to its July Prime Day price of $2,398, saving you $100. Not to be left out of the fun, Panasonic is selling its full-frame Lumix S5 camera for $1,298 (28 percent off) and the recent GH6 for $1,698 instead of $2,200, a $502 savings. We’re also seeing deals on Panasonic camera and lens bundles.

Nikon’s DX-format Z30 is available for $697 with a wide-angle zoom lens, while the full-frame Z5 is just $1,097, which is $303 (22 percent) off. Canon also has a stellar deal on its relatively recent R3 powerhouse camera, marking it down by a full $1,000 to $5,000, while its EOS R10 vlogging kit is $1,200 ($100 off). And it’s not just cameras — you’ll also find sales on memory cards, bags, and other accessories. 

GoPro Hero 10 action camera

Though it’s been displaced by the Hero 11 and 12, GoPro’s Hero 10 is still the third-best action camera available. The GP2 processor enables features like HyperSmooth 4.0 (which stabilizes footage), tone mapping, noise reduction and a 5.3K maximum resolution at up to 60fps. It can also shoot in 4K at 120fps and 2.7K at 240fps. Like the previous model, the Hero 10 Black has a front screen to make it easier for you to shoot video of yourself, and it supports new horizon leveling options and faster navigation.

Nikon Z 30 with 16-50mm zoom lens

Nikon’s Z30 is a DX (APS-C) camera designed for vloggers and creators. It offers 4K using the full width of the sensor, 120fps slow-mo at 1080p, a flip-out display and AI powered hybrid phase-detect AF. It also offers outstanding image and video quality, with dynamic range on par with more expensive cameras. The drawbacks are the lack of an EVF and autofocus performance that’s not on par with Sony’s devices.

Sony A6600

As Sony’s former flagship APS-C camera (until the A6700 came along), the 24.2-megapixel A6600 still has a lot to offer. It comes with features like real-time AF tracking, a pop-up screen, in-body stabilization, solid battery life and generally excellent photo quality. It’s also a great travel camera thanks to its compact size. It is a bit old now, having come out in 2019, but it’s an attractive option at this relatively low price.

Canon EOS R3

Canon’s EOS R3 can shoot bursts at up to 30 fps with autofocus enabled, so it’s ideal for sports and action. It’s a very solid option for video, offering 6K at up to 60 fps in Canon’s RAW LTE mode, or 4K at 120 fps. Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus is excellent, and it offers eight stops of shake reduction, a flip-out display and even eye detection autofocus. However, the resolution is limited to 24 megapixels, so it’s not as great for wildlife or landscapes as Sony’s A1 or the R5. The other drawback is the $6,000 price, but Amazon’s sale makes it more palatable.

Panasonic Lumix S5

With the arrival of the Lumix S5 II, Panasonic is offering some stellar deals on its predecessor, the S5. It’s smaller and costs less than the Lumix S1, but it actually delivers better video features. That includes a flip-out display, five-axis in-body stabilization and 10-bit 4K recording at up to 60 fps. The autofocus is faster and more accurate than the S1, but not as good as Sony and Canon’s systems for video. Still, at this price, it’s one of the best cameras currently available for content creators.

Nikon Z5

The 24-megapixel full-frame Nikon Z5 is a stellar deal right now. It’s mostly aimed at photographers, with features like hybrid phase-detect autofocus and Nikon’s excellent color science. And for such a budget option, it has desirable features like five-axis in-body stabilization, dual fast UHS-II card slots, a 3.69-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a tilting touch display. Video isn’t a strong point, but it can handle 4K 30p with a crop and 1080p at 60fps.

Sony A6100

The A6100 is a few years old now, but its autofocus system is still among the best thanks to its intelligent face- and eye-tracking, along with 4K 30 fps video. The color science and low-light capabilities are excellent, so photos are sharp and color accurate, even in dimly-lit environments. The drawbacks are bad rolling shutter and a low-resolution EVF. Still, the A6100 is the best camera in its price range.

Canon EOS R10

Canon’s 24-megapixel EOS R10 is the company’s second APS-C camera to launch in the EOS R mount ecosystem. It offers some nice features for its price range, like 4K 60p, 1080p 120p, a flip-out display, a built-in flash and very fast shooting speeds. The main drawback is excessive rolling shutter that can warp the image, but it’s ideal for casual users who are likely to buy it for vacations, kids sporting events and more thanks to the reliable AF. With features aimed at creators, you can grab it in a kit with a stereo microphone, tripod grip, wireless remote and an S18-45mm lens — saving you $100 in total. 

Panasonic Lumix GH6

The Panasonic GH6 is aimed at content creators and largely does a good job of replacing the ultra-popular GH5. It has no-compromise video specs including ProRes support for 5.7K 30p video, 4K at up to 120 fps and full V-log support. With a new 25-megapixel sensor, the highest resolution yet on a Micro Four Thirds camera, it’s a better camera for photography. The GH6 still uses contrast detect only autofocus, though, and while improved, it lags behind rival Sony and Canon cameras. 

Other notable camera and accessory Prime Day deals

Those products are just a smattering of what’s available, but there are others as well. Sony also has its ZV-1 vlogger camera on sale for $648 ($102 off), while the A7 III is marked down to $1,698 ($302 off). It’s also got deals on a large number of lenses — to see more, check out its Amazon camera store. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for the latest Panasonic cameras in a bundle, the company has a few solid deals, and Nikon has multiple bundles as well. 

There are some notable deals on accessories, too. Lexar’s V60 II memory cards (250MB/s read and 120MB/s write) are up to 35 percent off, with a pair of the the 128GB models priced at just $57 and the 256GB model in a two-pack at $105. If you need faster V90 cards, PNY’s 128GB EliteX-Pro90 Class is marked down $20 to $75, while the 64GB cards are just $48 (20 percent off). MicroSD cards for drones or action cameras are also on sale, including SanDisk’s Extreme 512GB model for $32 (or 71 percent off). More camera deals could arrive later, so stay tuned. 

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-prime-day-camera-deals-on-gopro-nikon-sony-canon-and-more-211234791.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The Best Prime Day camera deals on GoPro, Nikon, Sony, Canon and more

As we move through the second day of Amazon’s Prime Day sale in October, the deals on Apple devices are still going strong. If you’ve been waiting to by a pair of AirPods, this is a good time to do so as those are down to $189. That includes the new USB-C version Apple recently announced. One of the better offers from Prime Day back in July was on the 9th-generation iPad, which dropped to $250 — now it’s a down to $249, which represents its lowest price yet. If you’re looking for the smartwatches Apple announced last month during its iPhone event they’re both here and on sale (with the Apple Watch Ultra seeing a much better deal than the Series 9). Amazon doesn’t sell new, unlocked iPhones, so you won’t find those, but if you want to save on an iPad, AirPods or an Apple Watch, grab them while they’re still on sale during these waning hours of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.

AirPod Prime Day deals

AirPods Pro (2nd gen, USB-C)

Last month, Apple followed the announcement of the new USB-C-capable iPhones with the introduction of AirPods Pro that recharge with the same cable. The USB-C AirPods Pro aren’t a total redesign, so they have the same design and much improved audio as the second-generation buds — though now they’re slightly more waterproof. Amazon’s sale brings them down to $189 instead of $249, which is $10 less than they went for in July. Of course for those who prefer the Lightning version, that one is also down to $189 from $249.

We called the AirPods Pro the best bet for iPhone users in our earbuds guide. They are a big improvement over the first generation and have an excellent transparency mode that keeps you aware of the sounds around you as you listen to music or podcasts. And of course they pair nicely with iPhones, iPads and Macs, making good use of Siri as they do so.

Engadget’s Billy Steele gave the buds an 88 in his review, noting that the sound quality was both immersive and detailed while remaining clear lower volumes. Apple promises six hours of battery life and we got about 15 more minutes than that in our tests. Plus the battery case will deliver three more charges.

Read Billy’s full review of the AirPods Pro. 

AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max headphones didn’t make the cut in our best headphones guide, but these premium headphones combine the best features of AirPods — like excellent noise cancelation and transparent audio — with over-ear comfort and reliable controls. They’re just too expensive to recommend. But now that Amazon has cut the price down to $480 instead of $549 for October’s Prime Day, they make a little more sense.

MacBook Prime Day deals

MacBook Air (15-inch)

The 15-inch MacBook Air came out in June and is Apple’s latest laptop to date. The base model is on sale for $1,049 for the 256GB model, instead of the usual $1,299. If you want something a little more beefy, Apple’s M2 models with 16GB of RAM are enjoying similar discounts, coming down from $1,499 to $1,299 for October Prime Day. Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham gave it a high score of 96 in his review noting that the larger screen really makes a difference and lets you get the most out of the M2 processor. He calls it a great choice for getting work done and casual entertainment. Though we should note that the M3 chip, along with a few refreshed MacBooks, may arrive later this year or early 2024.

MacBook Air (M1)

Students and anyone on a budget might be more interested in the MacBook Air with the M1 chip. The 256GB base model is just $750 for the October Prime sale. It’s the budget pick in our buyer’s guide to MacBooks and earned a high score of 94 in our review.

Apple Watch Prime Day deals

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple released the Apple Watch Ultra 2 alongside the Apple Watch 9 last month. The $799 list price is the same as for the original Apple watch, but Amazon’s sale brings it down to $749, which is a new low. The new S9 SiP (system-in-package) is the same as the Series 9, so you get that on-board processing of Siri requests and support for the Double Tap once that launches. GPS and cellular connectivity come standard with the Ultra 2 (though you’ll need to pay for a separate cell plan) and the large 49mm case accommodates lots of information. 

Check out our thoughts from our hands-on time with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Apple Watch Series 9

When the new Apple Watch 9 came out last month, it promptly replaced the Apple Watch Series 8 as our favorite overall smartwatch. Amazon’s sale drops the price on the new wearable from $399 to $390 for the 41mm case. That’s not a huge drop, but $9 cheaper than you’ll see it on Apple’s storefront, and likely the best you’ll do with an Apple product that’s this new. The new processor inside allows for on-board (read, faster) Siri responses and will support a new feature rolling out at the end of this month called Double Tap. We awarded the Series 9 a solid review score of 92, praising the comprehensive health and fitness tracking and carbon-neutral manufacturing.

If you’d rather go for the previous generation, you can grab the Apple Watch Series 8 for $300 instead of $399 for the 41mm GPS model. That’s not an all-time low price and we thing the step up to the Apple Watch 9 is worthwhile, but if you’d like to save on a smartwatch that works well with an iPhone. We called it “superb watch that makes a great multipurpose wearable with excellent health and fitness tools.”

Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 9.

Apple Watch SE

Apple’s budget smartwatch didn’t get a refresh like its other watches this year, so the second-generation Apple Watch SE is still the most recent. It starts at $250 but October’s Prime day knocks $50 off that price. Engadget’s Cherlynn Low called it “the best smartwatch $250 can buy” in her review and awarded it a respectable score of 89. It doesn’t have an always-on display, nor can it track your blood oxygen levels, temperature or give EKG readings. But it still extends the utility of your iPhone while gathering useful health and fitness data.

Apple iPad Prime Day deals

iPad Air

The iPad Air is now in its 5th generation and it’s currently down to $500 after a $99 discount off its $599 price tag, thanks to Amazon’s latest Prime sale. In our guide to iPads, we named the 2022 Air the best pick for most people as it gives you the speed and processing power of Apple’s own silicon, in this case the M1 chip, plus a top-notch build quality and design. The 10.9-inch display is sharp and the battery life is admirable, getting about 12 hours in our tests. It earned a review score of 90 from Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham.

The tablet is great for playing games and watching shows, but when you pair it with accessories like a keyboard and mouse, it’s powerful enough to handle basic productivity tasks. Emailing, using Slack, writing and even modest photo editing are all well within iPad Air’s capabilities. Plus it’s cheaper than the iPad Pro, which may be overkill for many users.

Read the Apple iPad Air review, in which we call the tablet “almost future proof.”

iPad (9th gen)

The 9th-generation iPad is still part of Apple’s official tablet lineup and is now down to $249, which is $80 of the $329 MSRP, though Amazon regularly sells it at a discount. This is a full $1 cheaper than it went for last Prime Day, so it can officially be said that this is the lowest price ever. We named it the best budget pick in our guide to the best iPads as it’s the most affordable way to snag one of Apple’s tablets. It might not make sense as a productivity machine, as the accessory support isn’t as vast as it is for newer iPads, but for couch browsing, playing games and watching shows, it’s a great pick.

The latest standard iPad is the tenth generation and it’s down to $399 for the 64GB size, which is a price it’s hit many times in the recent past. It has a bigger screen and a newer chip than the 9th generation, but not Apple’s own M-series silicon. It also doesn’t have a home button and no headphone jack either, so if you want to hardwire your headphones, you’ll need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.

Here’s our original review of the 9th generation iPad.

iPad mini

The iPad mini gives you a bit more on-screen room than your phone does, but is easier to carry around than a full-sized tablet. For Amazon’s latest Prime sale, the diminutive slate is down to $400 instead of its usual $489. Engadget’s Valentina Palladino gave the mini an 89 in her review because of its new redesign and solid performance. It also pairs nicely with the second generation Apple Pencil, turning the mini into a portable digital notebook. We also named it the best iPad for one-handed use. 

Read our full review of the iPad Mini.

Apple accessories Prime Day deals

Magic Keyboard

One of our favorite iPad accessories is Apple’s own Magic Keyboard. The version that fits newer iPad Airs and the 11-inch iPad Pro is now just $269 which is $31 off its $300 list price. It acts as both a keyboard and cover, wrapping around the tablet and magnetically attaching to the back. In use, it “floats” the screen above the keyboard. As we noted in our iPad Pro review, we noted the Magic Keyboard “provides the best typing experience” for Apple’s tablets. 

Check out all the iPad accessories we recommend.

Apple Studio Display

Apple’s Studio Display is pretty pricey at $1,600, but for October’s Prime Day sale, Apple’s only monitor is down to $1,399. We think the display is ideal only for the Apple faithful, everyone else would be better served by another monitor. That said, the A13 Bionic chip inside lends some smarts to drive its webcam and mics and the build is solid, the speakers are good, and the screen is bright and accurate.

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-12-best-apple-deals-from-october-prime-day-airpods-ipads-apple-watches-more-203138675.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The 12 best Apple deals from October Prime Day: AirPods, iPads, Apple Watches & more

Elon Musk isn’t the only billionaire CEO receiving stern letters this week from Thierry Breton, the European Union’s regulatory commissioner. Following a similar one to Elon Musk, Breton posted a single-page correspondence (via CNBC) he penned to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg today, giving the Facebook founder 24 hours to respond. The letter acknowledges areas where Meta’s content moderation has improved but raises concerns about misinformation (including deepfakes) on the company’s social platforms as the bloody Israel-Hamas war continues.

“In light of a number of serious recent developments, let me recall the precise obligations regarding content moderation under the EU Digital Services Act,” Breton wrote in the letter. “Firstly, following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we are seeing a surge of illegal content and disinformation being disseminated in the EU via certain platforms,” Breton wrote.

“I would ask you to be very vigilant to ensure strict compliance with the DSA rules on terms of service, on the requirement of timely, diligent and objective action following notices of illegal content in the EU, and on the need for proportionate and effective mitigation measures,” the commissioner wrote. “I urgently invite you to ensure that your systems are effective.”

Agencja Wyborcza.pl / reuters

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires social companies like Meta to moderate and remove illegal and harmful content. The law, passed in 2022, mandates that platforms operating in the EU be more proactive in policing malicious material. It can levy fines of up to six percent of infringing companies’ total revenue, enough to effectively serve as a “stick” against the deep-pocketed social behemoths.

Breton acknowledged the company’s improvements in certain areas. “We have noted steps taken by Meta to increase mitigation measures in the run-up to the recent elections in Slovakia — such as increased cooperation with independent authorities, improvements in response times, and increased fact-checking,” the letter reads.

However, it raises concerns about deepfakes and other digitally altered content with potential real-world ramifications. “We have also been made aware of reports of a significant number of deep fakes and manipulated content which circulated on your platforms and a few still appear online,” Breton wrote. “I remind you that the DSA requires that the risk of amplification of fake and manipulated images and facts generated with the intention to influence elections is taken extremely seriously in the context of mitigation measures.”

Breton asked Zuckerberg to communicate with the commissioner’s team “without delay” on the details of measures the company has taken to mitigate deepfakes and counter election-related misinformation.

“My team will follow up shortly with a specific request on a number of other issues of DSA compliance that deserve immediate attention,” the letter closed. “The DSA is here to protect free speech against arbitrary decisions, and at the same time protect our citizens and democracies.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/eu-official-gives-mark-zuckerberg-24-hours-to-respond-to-israel-misinformation-concerns-202919590.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – EU official gives Mark Zuckerberg 24 hours to respond to Israel misinformation concerns

We’re nearing the end of Amazon’s October Prime Day event, but if you need a new microSD card for your camera or Nintendo Switch, a PS5 storage boost or an external drive for your travels, there are still numerous deals on offer. Yes, Black Friday is right around the corner, but Amazon has been using its October sales event to kick off the holiday shopping season since last year. The prices we’re seeing on storage gear may come back around for everyone in a month’s time — but if you’re a Prime member who wants to ensure they’re getting a good deal today, now’s a good time to shop. We’ve combed through the plethora of storage deals available for Amazon’s October Prime Day sale and highlighted the best we could find below, including discounts on some of the best SSDs and microSD cards we’ve tested.

Samsung Evo Select microSD

The Samsung Evo Select microSD card is on sale for $10 for October Prime Day. It’s not quite as good as our top pick in our microSD card guide, mostly due to its slower sequential write speeds, but it’s arguably the best value microSD card you can get right now. If you need more space, the 512GB model is down to an all-time low of $28 as well.

Lexar Professional 1066x microSD

The 256GB Lexar Professional 1066x microSD card has dropped to $18 for Prime Day. It’s a good alternative to our top pick in our microSD card guide, even if its overall speeds are a bit slower.

Samsung T7 Shield

The 2TB Samsung T7 Shield has stayed at a low price of $100 for October Prime Day. Samsung makes some of our favorite SSDs available right now, and the T7 Shield is the most durable of the company’s offerings. This portable drive has an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, and it can withstand drops from up to 10 feet high. On top of that, its 1,050/1,000 MB/s read/write speeds should be enough for most people’s needs.

Crucial P3 Plus

The Crucial P3 Plus SSD with 4TB of storage is down to $180 — but only for Prime members. If you do subscribe to Amazon’s service, you’ll pay 20 percent less than the $225 starting price. It claims sequential read speeds of up to 5000MB/s and Crucial says it performs up to 43% faster than Gen3 NVMe SSDs.

Crucial X8

Crucial X8 portable drive is on sale for $48 right now. It supports read speeds up to 1,050 MB/s and drop protection from up to 7.5 feet. It also comes with a USB-A adapter for its included USB-C cable, so you can use it with a variety of devices.

Corsair MP600 Pro LPX

The jumbo-sized, 4TB version of the pick in our best PS5 SSDs guide, Corsair’s MP600 Pro LPX drive, is now on sale for $280. It checks all the boxes you’d want in a good drive for your console: it’s fast, with read speeds of up to 7,100MB/s, it comes with a pre-installed heatsink and it’s protected by a five-year warranty. Plus, it’s not the most expensive drive to begin with, which makes it a great value — especially when on sale like this.

Crucial MX500

The Crucial MX500 internal drive is on sale for $46 right now. It’s been a longtime favorite of ours for its sequential read speeds of 560MB/s and standard 2.5-inch design that should make it easy to swamp in for your desktop’s or laptop’s used-up drive. If you want something more spacious, the 4TB model is also on sale for $165.

Crucial P5 Plus

The Crucial P5 Plus SSD has stayed low at $54 for October Prime Day. It’s already our favorite affordable SSD for the PS5, so it’s an even better buy when you can get it at a discount. It has read speeds rated up to 6,600MB/s and the main downside to it is that you’d need to provide and install your own heatsink with this model to get it to work with Sony’s console. However, Crucial also makes a version with a heatsink integrated, and the 2TB version of that drive is down to $98 for Amazon’s sale.

Samsung 980 Pro

The Samsung 980 Pro SSD has been discounted to $50 for Prime Day. It’s a good option for the PS5, but keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a heatsink by default — but you can buy a version of it with an included one, or spring for your own. The 980 Pro has read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and reliable thermal controls.

WD Black SN850X

WD Black’s 1TB SN850X is on sale for $60 right now. It has the right read/write speeds to be a good option for the PS5, plus you can get it (or it’s slightly slower counterpart, the SN850) with a heatsink included.

Your Fall Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-ssd-storage-deals-prime-day-october-2023-201934920.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The 10 best Amazon Prime Day SSD deals we recommend for upgrading your storage

TikTok is making changes to its Effect Creator Rewards program. In a recent blog post, TikTok outlined the upcoming changes, which will include a lower threshold to join, and a new payment structure.

The Effect Creator Rewards program was first announced in May with roughly $6 million set aside to pay the creators of effects and filters. Prior to the program’s launch creators were essentially making filters, mini games and more for little to no reward — despite being integral to the success of the platform. Creators were previously required to have their filters used in at least 500,000 videos. That threshold has now been lowered, requiring creators to have just five filters published on the platform with at least three of them being used in 1,000 videos.  This may open up the program to smaller creators.

The program will also expand geographically. Creators in Brazil, Australia, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam are now eligible. While this is a step towards more inclusivity, there’s no indication of when the program may become open globally.

TikTok went on to announce it would be taking a new approach to payouts. Under the new rules, the pay rate will now be variable instead of a flat fee for all creators. TikTok says the payment each creator receives will be based on a few things, such as “the region where the video was created.” As of right now, it remains unclear whether this will be a good or bad thing for creators. If TikTok takes local cost of living into account, we could see creators in the United States pocketing a proportionally  larger amount of the $6 million fund  more than those in developing nations for the same amount of effort.We’ve reached out to TikTok for additional details on how the new pay structure will work and will up update if we hear back.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-is-changing-how-it-pays-filter-creators-200028299.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – TikTok is changing how it pays filter creators

We’re now deeply into day two of Amazon’s second Prime Day sale event for 2023. Most of the deals we’re tracking are still live, making this a great opportunity to shop early for the holidays — or to buy something for yourself. If you missed out on the deals from the company’s Prime Day event in July, this year’s “Prime Big Deal Days” sale has brought back many of the all-time low prices. Amazon even added a few brand new deals, just for October. We’re finding strong sales on our recommended headphones, tablets, TVs, video games and many other gadgets. We’ve rounded up the highlights below, and we’ve been adding new offers to our list every hour or two today. We’ll continue to do so until the sale closes, so keep checking back. For some (but not all) of the deals, you’ll need a Prime membership, but if you want to shop some great Prime Day tech deals ahead of Black Friday, here’s the best of what we’ve found.

Apple AirPods Pro

The second-generation AirPods Pro have dropped to $189 for Prime Day. Apple made a ton of small but noticeable improvements to these models, so now they have better sound quality, noise cancelation and Transparency Mode. There remains no competition if you have an iPhone and live within the Apple ecosystem — these are the best earbuds to get if you fall into that category.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is on sale for $199 right now. It’s the best smartwatch to get if you’re new to the wearable world, or you just want a basic, relatively affordable watch that has all of the basic features you’d need. On top of comprehensive health and fitness tracking, iPhone notifications and dozens of fun watch faces, you’ll get features like crash and fall detection, noise monitoring and Emergency SOS.

Apple 10.2-inch iPad

Apple’s most affordable tablet, the 10.2-inch iPad, is on sale for $249 right now. It may have an old-school design, but it’s certainly the best iPad for people on a budget and it has most crucial features you’d expect in an Apple tablet. It earned a score of 86 from us for its solid performance, sharp screen, TouchID-capable Home button and good battery life. The only major downside to this model right now is that it still sports Apple’s old Lightning port rather than USB-C.

Apple iPad Air

The iPad Air is on sale for $500, which is $99 off the MSRP. Apple may refresh the Air at some point soon, but for now, we think the existing iPad Air is the best blend of price and performance in Apple’s tablet lineup. This model only has 64GB of storage, however, and its display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. We gave the iPad Air a review score of 90 last year. And it’s our top overall iPad pick for most people 

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is down to $270 for October Prime Day, which is the lowest price we’ve seen since it came out a few months ago. You can’t get a better smartwatch than this one if you have an Android phone (bonus points if you have a Samsung phone), and it’s smaller and lighter than previous versions. Samsung brought back the spinning bezel on the Classic version, which is which makes the software’s UI easier to navigate, plus it has improved performance and updated health and fitness tracking tools.

Kindle Kids

If you’re looking for a good gift for a kid, the Kindle Kids edition is a great idea. It’s basically the same as the standard Kindle (which we named the best budget ereader you can buy) with a few extras. You also get a colorful protective case, a two-year warranty, and a year of Amazon Kids+, which grants access to thousands of kid-appropriate titles and hundreds of audiobooks. Even more helpful for parents, the kids edition syncs up with a parent dashboard that lets the grownups set time limits, add books and track their kid’s reading progress. The Kindle Kids usually goes for $120, but now it’s $80 instead. That’s $5 more than last Prime Day, but the lowest price we’ve seen outside of that sale.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids and Kids Pro

The previous generation of the Fire HD 10 Kids and Kids Pro are on sale for $120 each, which matches their all-time lows. Amazon recently launched new versions of these devices, so the company is likely offloading old stock here. Still, this is the version we recommend as the best pick for kids in our guide to the best tablets. It comes with a protective case that doubles as a stand as well as a two-year warranty and a free year of subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes kid-appropriate games, shows and songs.  

Apple MacBook Air M2 (15-inch)

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

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

MacBook Air (M1)

If you want to spend the least amount possible on a new MacBook, go for the MacBook Air with the M1 chip. It’s still part of Apple’s official lineup of laptops, and we named it the best buy for students and anyone on a budget The base, 256GB base model is just $750 right now. That deal has been around for a while, but is continuing to hold strong during the October Prime sale. We gave it a high score of 94 in our review and called it “stunningly fast” at the time — keep in mind that the M2 chip is on the scene and the advent of the even faster M3 chip is imminent. But still if you need a laptop that will do the basics for a number of years to come, this is a decent buy.

Here are all the best laptop deals we found for Prime Day in October. 

Apple iPad mini

The Apple iPad mini has dropped to $400 for October Prime Day. It’s the best small tablet on the market right now and really your only option if you want a true one-hand-friendly iPad. It’s powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip and sports a Touch ID-toting power button, solid cameras, a good battery life and a USB-C port for charging.

Sony WF-1000XM5

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are on sale for $278 for Prime Day, which is their best price yet. These are the best wireless earbuds on the market right now, and Sony improved upon it’s already remarkable buds with a more comfortable fit, better sound quality and features likes adaptive sound and Speak-to-Chat.

Anker Soundcore Space A40

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is on sale for $54, which matches its all-time low and comes in $25 less than usual. The Space A40 is the top pick in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, as it includes a host of features that belie its price: adaptive ANC, multi-device pairing, wireless charging, a transparency mode and up to 10 hours of battery life. Its audio quality and ANC aren’t quite as powerful as more expensive pairs, but both are more than effective enough for the money. Unlike many budget wireless headphones, its default sound doesn’t completely blow out the bass. Just note that its call quality is mediocre, and it lacks wear detection, so it won’t auto-pause when you remove an earbud.

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones have dropped to $230 for October Prime Day, which is about $80 cheaper than their usual selling price. These cans earned a spot in our best wireless headphone guide thanks to their comfortable, if a little dated, design, excellent ANC and balanced audio.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

The Google Pixel Buds Pro have dropped to $120 for Prime Day. The company got a lot of things right after years of making pretty standard earbuds; the Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s best wireless earbuds yet. These will be great for Android users who want buds with punchy bass, good ANC, reliable touch controls and wireless charging.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon has knocked the price of the latest Echo Dot down to $23 right now. It’s one of the best smart speakers you can get thanks to its orb-like design, surprisingly good sound quality for its size and handy Alexa integration. The Dots can also act as Eero WiFi boosters, adding up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to your existing Eero system.

Amazon Echo Show 5

The latest Echo Show 5 is on sale for a record low of $40. The Show 5 has been one of the best smart displays available for quite some time, and it’ll be particularly good for anyone who wants an Alexa-capable smart display that won’t take up a lot of space. It also makes for a good alarm clock thanks to its sunrise alarm and tap-to-snooze features.

Tile Pro (2-pack)

The Tile Pro has a replaceable battery and taps into a decent finding network to locate lost items. Right now, Prime members can get a two pack for $42, which is about $2 more than it’s gone for on Amazon previously. It’s our pick for the best Bluetooth tracker for Android users. While the Tile finding network isn’t as vast as Apple’s (and likely not as large as Google’s upcoming network), the Pro still reliably allowed us to track down our missing backpack in a crowded pub for our guide.

Chipolo ONE

The Chipolo One is our pick for the best overall Bluetooth tracking device. It’s currently down to $25 for the single tag, or you can get a 4-pack for $60. In our guide, we found the Chipolo to reliably and consistently inform us when we’d left our keys behind. It also has the loudest ring of the trackers we tried, which makes it easier to find lost keys and other items when they’re nearby.  

Amazon Kindle

The standard Kindle has dropped to $75 for October Prime Day. This model saw a lot of improvements when it was updated in 2022. Capacity was doubled to 16GB and the screen resolution jumped up to 300 ppi for much clearer text. We named it the best budget option in our ereader guide because its perfect entry point to reading and borrowing ebooks and audiobooks.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite, meanwhile, is down to $95 for an 8GB model. That’s $5 more than it went for during July’s Prime Day event but still $45 off its MSRP. The Paperwhite gets you a few extra perks over the standard Kindle, including a larger 6.8-inch screen, a more comprehensive front light and IPX8-rated waterproofing. This deal applies to the ad-supported version (which displays ads for Kindle books and services on your lock screen); it you want no ads on your device, you’ll need to pay $20 more.

$100 PlayStation Store Gift Card + $10 Amazon credit

Here’s a simple one: If you buy a $100 PlayStation Store digital gift card and use the code PSN100 at checkout, you can get an extra $10 Amazon credit to use on future purchases. If you often use Amazon and plan on picking up new PS5 games, renewing a PlayStation Plus subscription or buying any other content through the PlayStation Store anyway, it’s effectively a bit of free money.

Samsung Smart Monitor M8

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

Blink Mini (2-pack)

A two-pack of Blink Mini security cameras has dropped to $40 for Prime Day. That’s about $10 more than they went for last Prime Day, but still a decent 38 percent discount. While these cameras are wired, they have most of the same features as the standard wireless Blink cameras including 1080p video recordings and support for two-way talk and motion alerts.

Google Indoor Nest Security Cam

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

Google Nest Thermostat

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

Amazon Fire HD 8

Amazon’s Fire HD 8 is down to $60 for the Prime Big Deal Days event, which is $5 more than the tablet’s all-time low but still $40 off its list price. This discount applies to the model with 32GB of storage; if you need more space, the 64GB version is on sale for $75. Either way, the Fire HD 8 is likely the cheapest competent tablet for most people: It’s slower than the Fire HD 10 and its display is limited to a 1,280 x 800 resolution, but it’s lightweight, it can last more than 10 hours on a charge and it’s still quick enough for basic streaming and reading. It’s not the best value at its standard going rate, but for $60, it’s hard to do better.

Amazon Fire 11 Max

The Fire Max 11 is Amazon’s largest and most performant tablet, with an 11-inch 2,000 x 1,200 resolution display, an aluminum frame, a respectable octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM. It has the same software limitations and lock-screen ads as any other Fire slate, so it’s a tough sell at its usual $230, but now it’s on sale for $150, which matches its all-time low. If you already use a bunch of Amazon services and don’t want to shell out for an entry-level iPad, it’s a big upgrade over the Fire HD 8 — just don’t expect to get any real work done with it.

Google Pixel Tablet

The 128GB Google Pixel Tablet is down to $409, which is $90 off and a new low. The 256GB model is also on sale for $509. While we think Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 works better purely as a tablet, Google’s 11-inch slate still gets you a sharp LCD display, a speedy Tensor G2 chip and an easy-to-hold design that weighs just over a pound. Its big hook, however, is that it can attach to an included charging speaker dock and double as a Nest Hub Max-style smart display. Android still isn’t as optimized for large screens as iPadOS, but if that extra functionality sounds useful to you, the Pixel Tablet is worth a look. We gave it a score of 85 in June. (The Galaxy Tab S9, meanwhile, isn’t on sale as of this writing.)

Google Pixel 7a

The Google Pixel 7a is down to a new low of $399 for this sale event. It’s the best midrange phone you can get right now thanks to its speedy Tensor G2 chip, smooth 90Hz display and support for wireless charging. The 7a also has solid cameras and an IP67 water-resistant design.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The entire Samsung Galaxy S23 series is on sale for Prime Day, including the S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra. These are some of the best Android phones you can buy right now, and we recommend springing for the S23 Ultra if you want all of the latest features from Samsung. The Ultra runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and has a big, bold 120Hz display, built-in S Pen and an excellent main camera.

Nano Power Bank with built-in USB-C

Anker’s Nano Power Bank is a handy way to give your smartphone a little extra juice when you’re out and about and confronted with a dead battery. And it’s 25 percent off for Prime day, bringing it to $23, though only for Prime members. We’re testing this one now for inclusion in our power bank guide and so far, so good. Anker made this one with a built-in USB-C connector, which means you can use it with your Android phone or the new iPhone 15. If you’ve got a previous model iPhone, there’s a model with a built-in Lightning connector too. That model is 38 percent off, or $20. 

Sony WH-CH720N headphones

Sony’s WH-CH720N headphones are on sale for $98 for Prime Day. That’s a $52 discount and the lowest price ever, but it’s a Prime only deal. These cans didn’t get the best review from us, only earning a mild score of 79 as we didn’t love the overall plastic build that felt a bit cheap and the active noise cancelation wasn’t the best. But the fit is comfortable and the sound quality is pretty good, if you’re willing to put up with those drawbacks. Which may be easier to take at this new and improved price.  

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II have dropped to $199 for October Prime Day, which is the best price we’ve ever seen, though you’ll need to be a Prime member to get the deal. Though they’re a generation old now, they remain one of the best wireless earbuds you can buy if active noise cancellation is your main priority. On top of that, these buds have a relatively comfortable fit and pleasing audio quality.

Beats Studio Pro

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are on sale for $179 right now. That’s a sizable $170 discount. We reviewed these back in July when they came out and gave them a decent review score of 81. Unfortunately they didn’t push any of the top picks from our our best headphones list off their pedestals. They aren’t bad, however, offering pleasant, even-handed sound and good noise cancellation. Though Beats is now owned by Apple, these headphones still play nice with Android. There’s no wear detection and the mostly plastic design isn’t super premium, but at this price, you may not care.

Sony SRS-XB13

The four-inch tall SRS-XB13 is back down to $35 for Prime Big Deal Days, which matches its sale price from July’s Prime Day sale. You’ll need a Prime membership to see the deal, however. This is an older but still worthwhile model of the tiny portable speaker; Sony replaced it with the SRS-XB100 earlier this year, which is also currently seeing a 20 percent discount. Both devices are IP67-rated for water and dust resistance, and each can pair with another speaker for stereo sound.

Tribit StormBox Micro 2

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

Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6E

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

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

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

LG B2

The LG B2 OLED TV is down to $847 for a 55-inch model. That’s a new low and roughly $150 off its average street price in recent months. The B2 is the step-down model from the C2 — which is also on sale at $1,097 for a 55-inch set — as it’s not as bright or color-rich with HDR content, it runs on a slower processor and it has two fewer HDMI 2.1 ports. That said, its contrast, colors and motion performance will still be a significant upgrade if you’re upgrading from a more basic LED TV. LG’s new B3 TV promises a cleaner webOS interface, but it’s priced a good way higher as of this writing. If you want an OLED TV for less than $1,000, the B2 should be a better value.

Hisense U6K

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

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

Samsung The Frame smart TV

Samsung’s The Frame TV is down to $998 for the 55-inch set with an included bezel cover to further the illusion that the set is art when it’s off. The discount is a hefty $550 less than this bundle’s average street price. Other sizes are discounted too, including 32-inch model for $548 to the 85-inch set for $3,498. The bundle deals are just for Prime members, but if you don’t need the bezel, even non-members can snag the Frame TV alone for the same $998. The expensive sets don’t have things you may expect like local dimming and mini-LED backlighting, so their picture quality isn’t as premium as you’d expect. But the realistic art-when-it’s-off effect is convincing.

iRobot Roomba 694

iRobot’s Roomba 694 has dropped to $199 for Prime Day. It’s our favorite cheap robot vacuum thanks to its strong suction power, attractive design and easy to use app. It’ll be a good option for robo-vac novices, or anyone that doesn’t want to fuss too much with an automatic dirt sucker. It clears hard and carpeted floors well, and it automatically returns to its base once a cleaning job is finished so it can recharge.

Razer Basilisk V3

The Razer Basilisk V3 is down to $44 for Prime members, which is a few bucks more than its all-time low but still $6 less than its usual street price. This is the “best for most” pick in our guide to the best gaming mouse, as its sturdy shape should be comfortable for each grip type and all but the smallest hands. (Provided you’re a righty.) It has 11 customizable buttons, including a “sensitivity clutch” for more precise aiming, and its thumb wheel supports both left-right tilt and a faster free-spin mode. That wheel is somewhat noisy, and the whole thing is too heavy for competitive-minded players, but it still tracks accurately and glides smoothly.

Dell G15 5530 Gaming Laptop

A configuration of Dell’s G15 5530 Gaming Laptop with an Intel Core i7-13650HX processor, 16GB of RAM, an upgradeable 1TB SSD and an 8GB GeForce RTX 4060 GPU is down to $1,130 for Prime Big Deal Days. That’s roughly $270 below its usual going rate. This is an updated version of the “best budget” pick in our guide to the best gaming laptops: It’s heavy, and it can run warm, but this configuration is more than capable of playing modern games at high-ish settings, and its 15.6-inch, 165Hz, 1080p display is sufficiently bright. It is stuck with a 720p webcam though. The slightly larger Dell G16 7630 is also on sale at $1,500 for a model with a Core i9-13900HX and RTX 4070.

Samsung Pro Plus microSD

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

Backbone One

The Backbone One is a well-built gamepad that snaps around the sides of your phone and works immediately with just about any game that supports controller input. It’s also convenient for cloud streaming games from a console or PC. Right now both its USB-C and Lightning models are down to $70, which is $30 off. That’s not an all-time low, but discounts on the device are relatively uncommon. We gave the One a positive review last year, and we currently highlight it in our guide to the best handheld gaming systems. Backbone says the USB-C models will work with Apple’s new iPhone 15 lineup as well.

WD and Seagate Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox Series X/S

It’s unfortunate, but the only way to fully expand the storage of an Xbox Series X/S console is to buy a proprietary expansion card. If your Xbox is hurting for space, the 1TB version of WD’s Black C50 card is at least a little cheaper than usual at $125. That’s a $25 discount and a new low. If you need more room, the 2TB model of Seagate’s Storage Expansion Card is also on sale for an all-time low at $230. That’s $50 off. (The 1TB Seagate card is available for $130, but there’s little reason to buy that when the WD model is cheaper.) Both of these are still pricier than a comparable SSD, but any bit of savings should be welcome.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless is down to $175, which is within a dollar of its all-time low and $75 off its list price. This is the top wireless pick in our gaming keyboard buying guide, mainly due to its magnetic OmniPoint switches, which enable a range of helpful gaming features. For instance, you can raise or lower the actuation point of individual keys — setting a high point to make typing more comfortable or a low one to make presses more responsive — and use a rapid trigger mode to repeat inputs faster.

The rest of the keyboard is satisfactory as well, with multiple connection options and a useful OLED display for adjusting settings, though you’d buy this for its gaming features more than its typing experience. In general, we think the Wooting 60HE is a better option for gaming enthusiasts, but that one isn’t on sale; the Apex Pro is a close-enough substitute if you need to go wireless. The smaller Apex Pro Mini Wireless is also discounted for $15 less.

Echo Pop

The Echo Pop is Amazon’s smallest Echo smart speaker and it’s down to just $18 for Amazon’s October Prime sale, which is a 55 percent discount and the lowest price we’ve tracked. Amazon announced a Kids version of the Pop at their latest devices event, but that version won’t be out until the Prime sale is over.

Crucial MX500

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

August Smart Lock (4th gen)

August Home Smart Lock, one we’ve tried and liked, is down to $158 for Prime members right now, which is a $72 percent discount. It’s easy to install and won’t take up too much space it’s even slimmer than prior iterations. This isn’t an all-time low, as this model has dropped to $139 in the past — but this is still a solid discount. The lock should work with most existing deadbolts and it directly connects to your Wi-Fi without the need for a separate bridge. 

Here are all the deals we’ve rounded up so far:

• The best lightning deals to shop right now

• The best Prime Day laptop deals

• The best Prime Day Apple Watch deals

• The best Prime Day deals on Apple devices

• The best Prime Day deals for AirPods

• The best Prime Day deals under $50

• The best Prime Day TV deals

• The best Prime Day Kindle deals

• The best Prime Day iPad and tablet deals

• The best Prime Day gaming deals

• The best Prime Day camera deals

• The best Prime Day smartphone deals

• The best Prime Day speaker deals

• The best Prime Day deals on Google devices

Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-50-best-prime-day-deals-to-shop-while-you-still-can-from-portable-tech-to-smart-home-gear-194854033.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The 50+ Best Prime Day deals to shop while you still can — from portable tech to smart home gear