Engadget

29.11.2024 18:41 If someone on your gift list this year is a big techie, you may want to get them something from Apple, Google, Samsung or another big brand. But once you look at the price tags of their most popular devices, you may get discouraged. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a tech gift for someone that has all the cachet of a brand they know and love. These are some of the best gifts you can get from Apple, Samsung, Sony and other big tech companies that come in at $100 or less. Remember: you can often find alternatives that are just as good than these, but for the people in your life for which brand names really do matter, these gifts will speak to them. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-best-tech-gifts-under-100-from-apple-samsung-google-and-others-130038600.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 18:41 If you’re looking for a gift for the aspiring vlogger in your life, or you want to try your hand at making more content for social media, this Black Friday deal may have just what you’re looking for. The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 smartphone gimbal has dropped to only $89; that’s a 36 percent discount and an all-time-low price on the camera-stabilizing device. For the uninitiated, this product keeps a steady lock on smartphones so as to provide smooth camera and video footage. The Osmo Mobile 6 is a step up from its predecessors in nearly every way. It features a newly-designed handle that’s more comfortable to hold and a larger clamp to accommodate all of those modern giant phones. The clamp can also wrap itself around smaller phones in bulky cases. This model boasts a built-in extension rod, so it doubles as a selfie stick. It also features the company’s ActiveTrack software. This allows for increased stability over longer distances and will actually track subjects as they turn, spin or move. Another new feature is Quick Launch for iPhone models. This automatically forces the phone into the camera view when the gimbal is unfolded. There’s a built-in status panel to check battery levels, a timelapse feature, gestural controls and a whole lot more. It’s a nifty little gadget. On the downside, this is a lot of money for a smartphone clamp, even at $89. This is for people who prioritize top-tier footage. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-dji-osmo-mobile-6-gimbal-is-down-to-the-lowest-price-weve-seen-for-black-friday-161257632.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Black Friday is finally here, even though the deals have been flowing for nearly a month at this point. Many of the best deals are ones we saw earlier this month, but that doesn’t make them any less enticing now. For instance, the M2 MacBook Air is available on Amazon for just $749. The regular price is $1,000, so this is a discount of 25 percent. This version even boasts 16GB of RAM, and it's just one of many Apple Black Friday deals available this year. This model easily made our list of the best MacBooks, even with the presence of the newer M3 MacBook Air. Here are the takeaways. This laptop, obviously, includes Apple’s proprietary M2 8-core CPU, which is more than fast enough for basic tasks and fine for even many advanced tasks, like music-making. We called it "Apple's near-perfect Mac" in our official review. This is not the bare-bones standard model, as it comes with 16GB of RAM. Most versions ship with 8GB of RAM. The multitasking bona-fides are strong with this one. The M2 MacBook Air also ships with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness and support for the P3 wide color gamut. It’s thin and light. It’s a MacBook Air. This thing weighs around 2.7 pounds. The battery life is solid, at around 18 hours of use per charge. The four-speaker sound system can get surprisingly loud, so headphones are not a requirement when watching random YouTube videos or listening to music. So what’s the downside? There isn’t one. Not really. This isn’t the M3 MacBook Air, so those looking for the latest and greatest model may be let down. The model does only ship with a 256GB solid state drive, but it’s easy enough to plug in an external. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-m2-macbook-air-with-16gb-of-ram-is-25-percent-off-for-black-friday-161500550.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Black Friday deals are popping up all over the place and there are some good offers on charging gear. An Anker 3-in-1 foldable magnetic charger, which is primarily designed for Apple devices, has dropped to a record low price. Both the white and black models of the MagGo 3-in-1 are available for $82.49, which is a 25 percent discount. This charger features on our list of the best Apple Watch accessories. It can simultaneously charge your smartwatch, MagSafe-compatible iPhone and, if you have a wireless charging case, AirPods. It's handy when power outlets are at a premium or you want to keep your nightstand or desk as clutter-free as possible. The MagGo is compact — it's similar in size to Apple's Magic Mouse and weighs 6.9 oz. Anker says it can charge an Apple Watch Series 9 from zero to 47 percent capacity in 30 minutes. The charger comes with a 40W USB-C adapter and a five-foot cable. You can snap up the MagGo as part of a broader sale on Anker devices. There's another good deal on one of the best power banks around. A 3-in-1 model with a 10,000mAh capacity has dropped to $30, but only for Prime members. That's a $9 discount. The charger has a built-in AC plug and USB-C cable. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/anker-black-friday-deals-include-this-3-in-1-foldable-magnetic-charger-at-a-record-low-price-155939150.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Let’s cut to the chase. The chaos of Black Friday sales is here, and for the last week, we’ve been detangling the best deals on some of the best tech. We’ve got guides for specific categories, like cameras, Apple gear, gaming and more, but we’ve also pulled together 50 of the best discounts right here. After so many years of BF sales, mileage varies, but here are some of my cherry-picked highlights: AirPods Pro 2 are at $154, an all-time low price Disney+ Hulu bundle one-year subscription is $36 Elden Ring for PS5 for $20 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $30 Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer for $280 Dyson V15 Detect Absolute cordless vacuum for $550 I already own four of those picks, so I’m regretting this Friday morning. — Mat Smith Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The biggest tech stories you missed Canada’s Competition Bureau sues to break up Google’s ad business The best instant cameras for 2024 The best MacBook accessories for 2024 Tencent’s new game looks like a blatant Horizon ripoff Big robot dinosaurs and a very familiar art style. Tencent A post-apocalyptic world of humans in primitive-style garb battling giant dinosaur-like robots: We’ve definitely seen this before. This isn’t another Horizon game from Guerrilla. Oh, no, no. This is an initial look at a game called Polaris Quest from a Tencent subsidiary. I mean, sure, we had Dinobots in the ’80s, but this looks bafflingly close to Aloy’s adventures. One image shows a trio of human characters using bows and spears to tackle a mammoth-style machine. Even the game’s logo font looks like Horizon. Continue reading. CRKD’s Nitro Deck+ keeps its best features and adds typical stick layout Extra buttons and firmware tweaks add to the upgrade. Engadget CRKD’s Nitro Deck turned my OLED Switch into an OLED Switch Lite, in a way. It added chunkier grips to both sides of the screen, a more logical USB-C charging passthrough and substantial triggers. It felt like a proper controller. The Nitro Deck+ is largely the same premise: a handheld deck for your Switch slate, no detachable Joy-Cons programmable buttons and — I hate to write this — a better hand feel. Continue reading. How to watch the 2024 Black Friday NFL game The Las Vegas Raiders going up against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs host the Raiders in a game the home team is unsurprisingly the favorite to win. But last holiday season, the two teams faced off at Christmas, and the Raiders dealt a win in a shocking upset — so anything could happen. The game kicks off at 3PM ET on Amazon Prime Video and locally on KSHB-TV 41 if you want to be retro about it / don’t want to pay Amazon. You can tune into pregame coverage from 1:30PM ET. Continue reading. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-the-best-black-friday-deals-of-2024-121544704.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Black Friday deals are in full swing on Apple products, with sales on everything from the 2024 iPad Pro to the Apple Watch Series 10 . However, one of the best discounts we’re seeing is on the Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones, which are a whopping 50 percent off and down to $100. That’s a record low, and the discount applies to all color options. The Beats Solo 4 headphones came out in April and received a 79 in our review. They're a solid item, especially for 50 percent off, and offer features like over 50 hours of battery life. They also have solid sound quality and clarity, especially with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. However, they aren't the most comfortable of headphones on the market and don't have automatic pausing. The overall sale includes the Beats Pill, a portable bluetooth speaker, that's also down to $100, from $150 — a 33 percent discount. The Pill can wirelessly connect to your Android or Apple device or to a laptop through a USB-C cable. It also holds 24 hours of battery and can charge your phone and other devices through that USB-C cable. Plus, it has an IP67 dust and water resistance rating so it's shouldn't have issues if you use it outside. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/beats-solo-4-headphones-are-100-off-on-amazon-for-black-friday-150722832.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 If you’ve been patiently waiting to buy a robot vacuum for your home, one of Engadget’s favorites is on sale for Black Friday. Amazon has discounted the Shark AI Ultra by 50 percent to $300. With the price cut, the AI Ultra is only $5 more than it was for Prime Day in July. What’s more, the model that’s on sale comes with a docking station that can store up to 60 days, instead of 45 days, of dirt and debris. As mentioned, the Shark AI Ultra is one of Engadget’s favorite robovacs; in fact, it’s the model our reviewer thinks most people should buy. The AI Ultra offers reliable cleaning performance, accurate in-home mapping and an app that makes it easy to get the most out of your new vacuum. Another consideration is the AI Ultra comes with a base station that features a bagless design. In our view, that’s one of the primary reasons to buy Shark’s robovac over competing models. While some of the AI Ultra’s rivals will cost you less upfront, over the lifetime of one of those devices you may end up spending more due to their potential reliance on proprietary garbage bags. The AI Ultra is also great if you value a vacuum that’s quiet. In our testing, Shark’s model produced significantly less noise than some of the other robovacs Engadget tested. It also did a commendable job of avoiding cat toys and other obstacles, with an object detection feature that allows the robovac to detect things as small as four inches. As long as you don’t need a built-in mop, the Shark AI Ultra is a great purchase, especially at $300 off. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sharks-excellent-ai-ultra-robot-vacuum-is-half-off-for-black-friday-120022146.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Believe it or not, there are solid budget wireless earbuds out there and now’s a great time to look for them since many will be discounted for Black Friday. Case in point: the latest Echo Buds, a pair of our favorites, which are half off and down to only $25 as part of Amazon’s Black Friday deals. Amazon released its most recent generation of Echo Buds in 2023 and impressed us with its level of quality for an open earbud option. The semi-in-ear style allows for more ambient noise and might be more comfortable depending on your ear shape. The earbuds have some solid perks such as multi-device connectivity and a solid five hours of music playback. You can increase their life by another hour if you turn wake word off. You'll get up to 20 hours of charge with the case. As an Amazon device, the Echo Buds are also equipped with Alexa, so you can ask the assistant to play music, call someone, set a reminder or one of the many other standard tasks. Plus, you can use the Alexa app to set tap controls for muting your mics and changing your music. Speaking of music, these earbuds have 12mm drivers and a crisp overall sound . Be careful, though, when working out as their low IPX2 water resistance rating means sweat could be a problem. The Echo Buds are just one of the many Black Friday deals available for under $50. If you want to expand your Echo family then check out Amazon's Echo Dot speaker for $23, down from $50 or the Echo Show 5 and Echo Spot — each down to $45. Anker is another company with great options under $50 on Black Friday, Shop deals like the Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $28, down from $40 or the Soundcore by Anker Space A40 wireless earbuds, available for $45, down from $70. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-black-friday-deals-include-the-echo-buds-for-only-25-100030182.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Black Friday gaming deals are plentiful this year, including consoles, video games and accessories. If you need more storage space on your Xbox, or want to preemptively pick up more storage for that new Series X you just purchased, there’s a great deal on Seagate’s expansion card you can get right now. The 2TB version is on sale for a record low of $193 right now, or 46 percent off its regular price. Seagate's version is one of our picks for the best Xbox Series X/S accessories. The 2TB version should give you ample space — at least until you start filling it up with all of the huge Call of Duty games that have started hitting Game Pass. Let's face it, proprietary storage stinks, but the choice for Series X/S owners looking for more space is largely between Seagate's Storage Expansion Card and WD's Black C50. It's possible to store Series X/S games on a regular external drive, but you'll need to move them to internal storage or an expansion card anyway to actually play them. If you don't want to deal with shifting large files around and waiting for transfers to complete, or you don't want to delete and download games more than is necessary, an expansion card is the way to go. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/xbox-black-friday-deal-get-the-seagate-2tb-expansion-card-for-193-180119240.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 According to my imprecise calculations, there are approximately a zillion speakers on sale for Black Friday. So how can a mere human know which ones are worthy and which will make music sound like it's emanating from a tin can? We’ve done our part by testing and reviewing dozens of different options and putting the best of the lot into handy buying guides for smart speakers, soundbars and portable Bluetooth speakers. This is an even more rarefied list, made up of the speakers we recommend — that are also seeing notable discounts. If you need a new way to listen to music, a soundbar to help suss out the dialogue on your TV or a smart speaker to fulfill your demands, read on for the best Black Friday speaker deals. The best Bluetooth speaker Black Friday deals JBL Portable Bluetooth speakers make it easy for you to bring the music where plugs don’t reach — a picnic, the front stoop, an aimless wander along the North Country Trail. And right now for Black Friday, we’re seeing plenty of Bluetooth speaker black Friday deals. Below is the best of what’s on sale, all pulled from our Bluetooth speaker guide as well as our reviews and news coverage. The best JBL speaker Black Friday deals JBL Clip 5 for $50 : It’s tiny, portable and brings its own clip along with it. You’ll get 12 hours of listening from its waterproof body and the whole thing weighs just over half a pound. JBL Flip 6 for $80 : This is the one I bought after reading our guide and I love it. The crowler-sized speaker has great sound quality, is durable as heck and can either sit on its end or on its side. Plus it’s waterproof, dustproof and packs 12 hours of playtime. Also at Amazon and Walmart. JBL Xtreme 3 for $250 : We compare the size of the Xtreme 3 to a football, but since it weighs over four pounds JBL includes a strap for easier carrying. Like most portable speakers it’s waterproof and dust-proof. The lively highs and hefty lows sound great outside, but really the speaker really shines when it can resonate indoors. Also at JBL. JBL Xtreme 4 for $300 : The latest generation of our recommended JBL Xtreme adds around nine hours of battery life and a replaceable battery. It’s also made from more recycled content and throws in some AI-powered tuning. Also at Target. The previous generation model is $250. JBL Go 4 for $40 : JBL’s smallest portable speaker has up to seven hours of battery life on a charge, has an IP67 waterproof rating and has a tiny built-in carry strap so you can bring it wherever you go. Also at JBL and Best Buy. The best Marshall Black Friday deals Marshall Emberton II for $100 : This is the smallest Marshall speaker in our guide. Its dual 10-watt drivers and passive radiators create an impressive, 360-degree sound. While it’s not super loud, we think the output is nicely balanced. You’ll get up to 30 hours of play on a charge. Also at Best Buy and directly from Marshall. Marshall Middleton for $200 : The aptly named Middleton is the mid-range Marshall speaker in our guide. The four-pound box puts out excellent sound from the dual woofers and tweeters located at the front and back, and passive radiators along each side. And the classic Marshall look is pretty stylish. Also at Best Buy and directly from Marshall. Marshall Willen for $60 : This is close to an all-time low price on a tiny music box that we named one of our favorite gadgets from last year. Engadget’s Sarah Fielding thinks it’s perfect, saying, “The sound quality is great and it stays connected to my phone regardless of where I go in my little house . Plus, the battery is great, with a playtime of over 15 hours.” Marshall Acton III for $200 : This is the speaker on Sarah's holiday wishlist. The six-pound speaker needs to be plugged in and isn't waterproof, so it's intended to play indoors. But this is a good one to get if you want a retro-looking box for your living room that can emit Marshall's signature warm and balanced sound. Also at Marshall. The best Bose Black Friday deals Bose SoundLink Home for $199 : It’s a smaller speaker at just two pounds but Bose promises premium sound from the SoundLink Home. We haven't had the chance to test it ourselves just yet, but if the sleek good looks are calling to you, this discount might be a good time to invest. Just note that it’s not waterproof as the “Home” moniker suggests. Bose SoundLink Flex for $119 : When Bose announced the release of the SoundLink Home, the company also introduced this revamped Flex. The first generation is one of the picks from our Bluetooth speaker guide. This newer generation works with the Bose app and has a new programmable button. Also at Bose and Best Buy. The first generation model is on sale for the same price. Bose SoundLink Max for $299 : The largest portable speaker Bose makes is part of the new SoundLink lineup which Bose announced in May. Also at Amazon and Target. Bose Smart Soundbar for $399 : The latest Bose soundbar came out just a couple months ago and is already on sale. It’s a smaller model that supports Dolby Atmos and has an AI Dialogue Mode as well as a Personal Surround feature if you happen to own a pair of the Ultra Open Earbuds. Bose says the AI smarts make voices easier to hear while retaining the audio’s immersive qualities. Also at Amazon. The best Ultimate Ears speaker Black Friday deals Ultimate Ears Everboom for $200 : The Everboom is a new speaker in the lineup, which UE announced back in June. We reviewed it shortly after and deemed it worthy of inclusion in our guide. Not only does it float, it puts out loud, 360 degree audio and packs 20 hours of listening in a unit that’s just over two pounds. Also at Best Buy. Ultimate Ears Mini Roll for $50 : This less-than-a-pound sound maker came out at the same time as the Everboom. It supplanted the Wonderboom as the smallest speaker in UE’s lineup and even sports a built-in, flexible strap to attach to just about anything. It’s IP67 rated to be dust- and waterproof and can crank out 85 decibels of volume — impressive for something so small. Also at Amazon and B&H Photo. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for $79 : We put the Wonderboom 3 on our guide to the best speakers and this next-gen model includes a new podcast mode EQ for crisp vocals and is made from more recycled plastics. Like its predecessor, it’ll go for 14 hours on a charge and packs a waterproof build into its mini barrel-like shape. Also at Ultimate Ears for $1 more. Other Black Friday Bluetooth speaker deals Beats Pill for $100 : Beats came back to the Bluetooth speaker market with the completely redesigned Pill — and we think it was worth the wait. The durable unit earned a spot on our Bluetooth speaker guide and an 83 in our review. It offers much improved sound quality with impressive bass and full mids. You also get a long, 24-hour battery life and lossless audio over USB-C. Also at Walmart. Sony ULT Field 1 for $98 : Earlier this year, Sony waved goodbye to the Extra Bass and XE-Series products, folding them into the new ULT Power Series branding. This 1.4-pound unit has a 12-hour battery life and IP67 rating. This matches the all-time low. It's two dollars more at Best Buy and direct from Sony. Anker Soundcore Motion 300 for $56 : Weighing in at less than two pounds, Anker’s speaker has a bright, punchy output with a crisp high end and thumpy bass. Plus it’s waterproof and goes for 13 hours on a charge. No wonder it made our list of the best speakers. Also direct from Soundcore. Anker Soundcore Motion+ for $69 : A few Anker Soundcore speakers made our best list and this one weighs just over two pounds. It delivers a bright and bassy output, can play for around 12 hours on a charge and the build is solid with an attractive metal grille. Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $28 : Anker’s Soundcore brand proves the accessory brand can make some excellent electronics, too. This is one of the smaller and more affordable models and it’s currently back to one of its lowest prices yet. Tribit StormBox Micro 2 for $45 : This is the smallest speaker in our guide and it can go with you anywhere with the built-in strap. It pumps out impressive volume for its size and can go for 12 hours on a charge. The audio isn’t the highest fidelity, but this is more about bringing the vibes than emitting flawless musical clarity. Also directly from Tribit with an auto-coupon. The best Black Friday smart speaker deals Nathan Ingraham / Engadget The first thing to decide before you buy a smart speaker is who you prefer to do your smart home-related bidding: Do you want Alexa’s wry yet efficient manner, Google’s info-packed know-how, or Siri’s dreamy presence? Then check out these Black Friday deals so you can get that smart home help at a discount. The Best Sonos smart speaker Black Friday deals Sonos Era 100 for $199 : The Sonos Era 100 is our pick for the best midrange smart speaker. We like the excellent sound quality plus it pairs well with other Sonos devices. It has Alexa built-in, so it can handle regular smart home duties, but it’ll also make your music sound far better than any spherical Echo can. Sonos Era 300 for $359 : This is a return to a low we've tracked before on one of Sonos's larger speakers. It went all-in on spatial audio, but as we found in our review, those results are hit or miss. However, the speaker itself delivers excellent sound quality, is easy to set up and has a line-in option as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Also at Adorama. Sonos Roam 2 for $139 : Sonos also makes the best portable smart speaker, according to our guide. We like the good sound quality and strong bass, as well as the fact that it connects via both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Also at Sonos. Sonos Move 2 for $359 : The Move is an upgrade on the Roam in every way . It earned an 80 in our review. We like that it’s a nice upgrade over the previous Move, with two tweeters for more detailed sound. The battery lasts a full 24 hours on a charge and the touch controls up top are very nice. It also has a line-in jack via USB-C, so you can hook up a turntable. Also at Sonos. The best Amazon Echo smart speaker Black Friday deals Amazon Echo Dot for $23 : The Dot is Amazon’s most popular Echo speaker, delivering Alexa’s helpful assistance in a softball-sized package that puts out surprisingly decent music for its size. It gets our vote for the best smart speaker under $50. It also has an internal sensor that can tell you the temp in the room as well as trigger connected smart thermostat functions. Amazon Echo Dot Kids for $28 : The kids version is basically the same smart speaker but comes in a cute dragon or own skin and includes a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+. Amazon Echo for for $50 : If you plan to listen to a lot of music through your Echo, you may want to go with the larger model. The Echo has an upward-firing woofer and dual tweeters for sound that we said delivers “impressive bass thump and powerful mid-range frequencies.” It can add stuff to your shopping list and set a timer but is also capable of producing room-filling sound. Amazon Echo Pop for $18 : The smallest Echo speaker is the Pop, a half sphere that’s probably best suited to small rooms where it’ll primarily be used as a smart assistant, as opposed to a dedicated music maker. The money you save here could be used for the compatible wall mount if you want to save some counter space. Amazon Echo Pop Kids for $23 : The kids version is basically the same smart speaker but comes in a Disney princess or Marvel hero skin and includes a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+. Amazon Echo Spot for $45 : The Spot is technically still a speaker, though half of it is a display. Amazon discontinued this model for a few years, but brought it back in July. The half-moon screen can display the time, weather and the song that’s playing. Other Black Friday smart speaker deals Samsung Music Frame for $248 : Samsung first announced its Music Frame back in January at CES 2024. It takes its cue from the Frame TV that disguises itself as art. This wireless speaker has room for your own photo within its frame, along with two woofers, two tweeters and two mid-range drivers to spit out sound from your favorite streaming services. Also at Best Buy and directly from Samsung for $2 more. Google Pixel Tablet with speaker dock for $459 : The speaker dock is what qualifies what's really a tablet for this list. The charging dock sort of turns the tablet into a smart display, like an Echo Show. You can also use it as a standalone slab, but as we found in our review, it's far more exciting as a home hub than a tablet. Google Nest Audio for $50 : It’s more than four years old at this point, but the Nest Audio offers a decent ratio of sound quality to price, according to our review, and it’ll put the best of the Google Assistant’s assistance at your service. Also at Google. Black Friday soundbar deals Devindra Hardawar for Engadget For our guide to the best soundbars, our audio expert Billy Steele picked six winners out of the dozens of home theater speakers he and other Engadget staffers have tested over the years — and one of them is on sale for Black Friday . This is a great chance to improve greatly upon the audio from your TV. Sonos Ray for $169 : A soundbar doesn’t have to be huge to make a big difference in the sound quality coming from the direction of your TV. Billy recommends this one for smaller rooms and for people who want an easy setup. I personally got one of these last year and immediately noticed a difference in dialogue clarity. Also at Amazon. Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini for $500 : We billed the Ambeo Mini as another premium option if the Samsung option doesn’t work for you. It requires a subwoofer to maximize the speaker’s potential, but once you do the immersive sound is truly impressive — especially for the size. Sonos Beam for $369 : It only has one HDMI port and no upward-firing drivers, but the Beam delivers solid sound quality with support for Dolby Atmos, and of course, it pairs nicely with other Sonos speakers. Plus it’s relatively compact. Also at Amazon and Adorama. Samsung HW-Q990C for $1,049 : The top spot in our soundbar guide isn’t cheap, but this Black Friday deal helps. And, for the price, you get a complete home theater audio setup complete with soundbar, subwoofer and two rear surround speakers. Samsung’s HW-Q990C may not have the prettiest name, but the sound quality is a thing of beauty, earning it an 89 in our review. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-speaker-deals-for-2024-big-savings-on-jbl-sonos-echo-marshall-and-more-172645275.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 Now isn’t a bad time to try our pick for the best VPN service for 2024. ProtonVPN is on sale for 70 percent off 12-month subscriptions, bringing the one-year cost down to just under $36. You can also save on Proton Unlimited, which includes VPN access along with access to all of Proton's other services like Mail and Calendar. ProtonVPN is Engadget’s favorite VPN service of 2024. Although most services passed our tests with high marks, Proton’s service stood out for its independently audited no-logs policy, a proven record of refusing law enforcement requests, open-source code and a peer-review program that discloses potential vulnerabilities. We also liked its user-friendly interface. The company offers a limited free plan, but ProtonVPN Plus gives you access to 6,500 servers in more than 110 countries. It also includes the company’s high-speed servers, BitTorrent support, a built-in ad blocker and the option to route your connection through multiple servers. Other Proton services are also on sale. That includes Proton Mail, the company’s fully encrypted email service that put it on the map. You can get 12 months for 60 percent off or 24 months for 30 percent off . ProtonMail recently added an AI-powered writing feature to its mail service. Even if you aren’t a fan of robots putting words into your mouth, the service still gives you up to 10 email addresses , smart filters and labels, one-click unsubscribe and dedicated mobile and desktop apps. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-vpn-deals-for-2024-include-70-percent-off-proton-vpn-membership-plans-192530208.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 If you’ve been curious to try Meta's Smart Glasses but their $329 price has put you off from buying a pair, now is a great time to take the plunge; Amazon has discounted a handful of the Wayfarer models by 20 percent and is offering a $90 promotional credit until November 30. Combining the two deals together, it’s possible to buy the glasses for just over $173. Included in the sale are the Matte Black and Shiny Caramel models, which feature transition lenses. You can save a bit of money by going for a pair with polarized lenses, but if you want to use your new smart glasses indoors, your best bet is to spend a bit more for one of the two colorways mentioned above. Engadget Senior Editor Karissa Bell reviewed the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in 2023, awarding them a score of 85 at the time. Compared to Meta’s original Ray-Ban Stories glasses, she found the newer wearable was a more polished product. Not only does the new device feature a slimmer frame and charging case, but Meta also managed to improve audio and camera quality. Additionally, the option to livestream to either Instagram or Facebook makes the Meta smart glasses feel genuinely more useful. Earlier this year, the company released a substantial software update that greatly improved the capabilities of the wearable’s Meta AI. For instance, Meta added a feature that allows users to look at something in their surroundings and ask the software to send a reminder about it. The company also made the AI more conversational. Considering Meta AI was one of the weaker features of the smart glasses when they first arrived in 2023, the update makes it easier to recommend the wearable. As long as you feel like you’ll get enough use out of the Meta Smart Glasses to justify their price, it’s hard to imagine finding a pair for less than they’re on sale for right now. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/metas-ray-ban-smart-glasses-are-20-percent-off-for-black-friday-110053946.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 It’s not hard to understand why Lego sets are some of the most sought-after gifts for the holidays. We’re big fans of the building blocks here at Engadget, and we know they make particularly good gifts this time of year. Whether it’s a Super Mario starter set or a mammoth Star Wars collectible, there are dozens of Lego sets to consider shopping for right now — be it for yourself or for someone on your gift list. And no, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good set as some come in at $50 or less. These are the best Black Friday deals on Lego sets you can get this year. Most of these deals are on Amazon, but you can find the same pricing direct at Lego and other retailers like Target. The highlights for Black Friday include a couple of Lego advent calendars: one for Disney fans and another that's more general for all kids. Lego makes a bunch of other advent calendars in addition to these, and we expect to see more of them go on sale in the coming days. There's also the beautiful Insect Collection, which when completed, includes three life-size, posable models of a butterfly, Hercules beetle and Chinese mantis. Even as someone who detests bun appreciate the elegance of this set and how striking they'd look sitting on a shelf. Star Wars, Super Mario and Harry Potter sets have been discounted as well. For example, this Star Wars set recreates the "boarding the Tantive IV" scene from Star Wars: A New Hope in which the Rebels battle Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers. This Super Mario expansion set includes a brick-built Bowser and his muscle car, and once complete, you can pull the lever on the car to make its hood ornament move. We'll be updating this post through the entire Black Friday and Cyber Monday time period, so check back for the latest offers. Black Friday Lego deals Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696 for $25 Lego Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit Building Set 42179 for $60 Lego Ideas The Insect Collection 21342 for $64 Lego Star Wars: A New Hope Boarding The Tantive IV Fantasy Toy 75387 for $44 Lego Star Wars Droideka Model 75381 for $52 Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Ambush on Mandalore Battle Pack 75373 for $17 Lego Star Wars: The Clone Wars Coruscant Guard Gunship 75354 for $119 Lego Star Wars The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter 75325 for $48 Lego Star Wars: The Clone Wars Captain Rex Y-Wing Microfighter Building Set 75391 for $10 Lego Star Wars Spider Tank 75361 for $40 Lego Super Mario Bowser’s Muscle Car Expansion Set 71431 for $24 Lego Super Mario Adventures with Interactive Mario, Bowser Jr.’s Clown Car Playset 71439 for $40 Lego Super Mario Penguin Family Snow Adventure Expansion Set 71430 for $11 Lego Super Mario Yoshis’ Egg-cellent Forest Expansion Set 71428 for $7 Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant 71426 for $48 Lego Harry Potter Hedwig at 4 Privet Drive 76425 for $16 Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Owlery Toy 76430 for $36 Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 for $136 Lego Marvel Dancing Groot 76297 for $36 Expired Black Friday Lego deals Lego Friends Advent Calendar 42637 for $21.19 Lego Harry Potter Expecto Patronum Collectible 2-in-1 Building Set 76414 for $56 Lego Disney Advent Calendar 43253 for $20 Lego Super Mario Nabbit at Toad’s Shop Expansion Set 71429 for $12 Lego Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Mos ESPA Podrace Diorama 75380 for $60 Lego Super Mario King Boo's Haunted Mansion 71436 for $60 Lego Super Mario Peach’s Castle Expansion Set 71408 for $104 Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/lego-black-friday-deals-get-up-to-45-percent-off-star-wars-and-super-mario-sets-150013859.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 In addition to all of the gadgets and gear you can find on sale during Black Friday, there are also a number of subscription deals you can get, too. VPNs are included in this, and there’s a good deal on one of our favorites right now. ExpressVPN’s Black Friday deal gives US-based customers up to 61 percent off various plans. The one-year plan, which includes four extra months, costs $6.25 per month, billed at a total of $100, and the 2-year plan costs just $4.99 per month, billed at a total of $150. Those are much better rates than the $12.95-per-month rate you’d pay regularly. Engadget deemed ExpressVPN the best for streaming services, frequent travel and gaming. Its biggest drawback is generally considered to be the price — higher than most rivals in the space — so this is a great time to get it at a discount. Since we conducted our review, ExpressVPN has added some additional features making it more of a full-service suite, including a password manager and ad blocker. More recently, it's added ID alerts , as well as a data removal service . Some notable caveats: The data removal service is only available on the 30-month plan, and the ID alerts, insurance and data removal features are only applicable to subscribers in the US. Furthermore, these discounts are applicable only to new ExpressVPN customers. And the service will automatically renew at the standard rate after the initial discount period expires. It goes without saying that ExpressVPN is compatible with nearly all major operating systems, with support for connecting 8 devices at a time. And its no-logs policy means your online activity is as anonymous as can be. If you're looking for a dependable VPN that now has a bevy of additional privacy features, ExpressVPN is worth checking out. But don't delay: This offer is only good through December 6. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/expressvpn-black-friday-deal-30-month-plans-are-up-to-61-percent-off-120441117.html?src=rss

29.11.2024 14:02 iPhone users who want the smartwatch experience without shelling out a fortune have a great option in the Apple Watch SE, and the wearable is cheaper than ever right now thanks to a Black Friday deal. The Apple Watch SE has dropped to $149 at Amazon. That's a discount of 40 percent or $100 off — the best discount we've seen. The Apple Watch SE is a good choice for iPhone users who have yet to hop into the smartwatch ecosystem or perhaps are clinging onto a much older Apple Watch but don't need a flagship model. If you're looking for something more advanced, you'd be better off with the Apple Watch Series 10, which is also currently sitting at a record low price for Black Friday and is our pick for the best smartwatch overall. The second-gen Apple Watch SE is our pick for the best budget Apple Watch and we gave it a score of 89 in our 2022 review. It has the same chipset as the Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8, and it should feel faster if you're coming over from, say, a Series 6 or earlier model. The SE shares some, but not all features with flagship Apple Watches. It supports crash detection, heart rate monitoring and emergency calling, and it is water resistant to 50 meters. We felt that the screen was easy to view, even when the sun was shining brightly. Fitness tracking is accurate . Perhaps most crucially, the Apple Watch SE is light and easy to wear. The Ion-X glass isn't quite as robust as the sapphire crystal on other recent Apple Watch models, so you'll likely want to be extra careful with it. Other features present on other Apple Watch devices that are missing here include an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring and temperature sensor. The very handy Double Tap feature isn't available here either. While we feel that this is a good price for the second-gen Apple Watch SE, it's worth bearing in mind that a new model could arrive in the coming months. Apple is reportedly working on an Apple Watch SE with a plastic casing in a bid to reduce the price and allow for bolder color options. It's unlikely that Apple will announce this model before next year, though. There are plenty of other Apple Black Friday deals to check out. We've put together a list of the best ones from across the web. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-apple-deals-for-2024-the-watch-se-is-40-percent-off-and-down-to-a-record-low-183924297.html?src=rss