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We won't have to wait too much longer to find out which game will follow the wonderful Astro Bot's triumph at last year's edition of The Game Awards. The 2025 ceremony takes place on December 11 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. In between a cavalcade of video game trailers and announcements, the show will squeeze in some actual awards. We now know what the contenders for The Game Awards 2025 are after Monday's announcement of the nominees.Those vying for the top prize of game of the year are:

Generally speaking, there are two ideal periods to buy a TV: the late spring stretch when new models are announced and last year's sets are heavily discounted to clear out inventory, and the holiday shopping season, right around Black Friday. We're firmly in the latter now, so if you've been thinking about making that big living room upgrade, it's OK to take the plunge.

Google's DeepMind just released WeatherNext 2, a new version of its AI weather prediction model. The company promises that it "delivers more efficient, more accurate and higher-resolution global weather predictions." To that end, it should be able to provide accurate forecasts up to two weeks out, including information on temperature, pressure and wind.It should also be able to better predict tropical storm tracks, according to researchers. This means that predictions of a hurricane's path should be accurate up to three days out. The previous model only predicted things up to two days ahead of the storm.The model also brings hourly forecasts into the mix. All told, Google says this new model is eight times faster than the previous iteration. This should help businesses like energy traders make more precise decisions, according to a report by Bloomberg."It gives you a more granular forecast," DeepMind AI researcher Akib Uddin said. "Many other industries are quite interested in these one-hour steps. It helps them make more precise decisions. Their goal is, how can they make their business more resilient to weather?"Google The improvements here stem from a new approach to weather models, as explained in this recently-published research paper. Older methods demanded the use of machine learning models that were built for image and video generation. This required repeated processing to ensure an accurate result. The new model only requires a single processing step, which also reduces reliance on costly AI computing systems.AI may not be great at everything, despite what proponents want you to believe, but it is great at predicting the weather. Newer models typically outperform traditional prediction methods, even those that rely on supercomputers.These models aren't perfect, however, as even Google has acknowledged that WeatherNext 2 will likely struggle to predict outlier rain and snow events. This is due to gaps in the training data. "It's one limitation of our forecast, but one that we are working on improving," DeepMind research scientist Ferran Alet told Bloomberg.AI weather prediction is becoming a crowded field. Companies like NVIDIA, Microsoft, AccuWeather and Huawei are all throwing their hats in the ring in one way or another.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepmind-releases-a-new-weather-forecasting-model-for-more-accurate-predictions-175451228.html?src=rss

Now is arguably the best time of year to sign up for a VPN, or gift a subscription to someone. Black Friday VPN deals are already available, with one of the best being on our favorite VPN overall. Proton VPN is offering two years of access to its VPN Plus tier for $59.76, which works out to $2.49 per month.That's a discount of 75 percent compared with the regular price of $10 per month. Overall, you'd save $180.Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN overall because it checks all of the boxes it needs to. There is a free plan with unlimited data, but with that you can only connect to servers in a few countries and the connection might not be fast enough for you to watch anything from your preferred streaming service's library in that locale. The VPN Plus tier unlocks a lot more options, such as the ability to connect to 15,000 servers across more than 120 countries and simultaneous protection for up to 15 devices.The apps are well-designed - Proton has clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android - and it's easy to find a feature or setting you're looking for. In our testing, Proton VPN Plus had a relatively small impact on browsing speeds. Our download speeds dropped by 12 percent and uploads by 4 percent, while the global average ping remained below 300 ms (which is especially impressive if you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet).Perhaps, most importantly, though, it's Proton's commitment to privacy that helps make its VPN an easy recommendation. There's a no-logs policy, meaning it does not log user activity or any identifiable characteristics of devices that connect to the VPN. Proton's servers use full-disk encryption to bolster privacy as well.Proton VPN is not the only service to offer a Black Friday VPN deal this year, of course. There are plenty of others available on services we like. Here are the best of the bunch if you're looking for an alternative to Proton VPN.

It's 2025, so chances are you have at least one person who works remotely on your gift list. While the work-from-home life has its perks - nobody likes a long commute - it certainly comes with its own set of challenges, from missing out on pro-level equipment to dealing with annoyances around the house. If you're looking to buy a gift for someone who spends much of their time in their home office, we've rounded up a few techy ideas that should make their days a little more delightful - or at least easier to manage. Best gifts for remote workers Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-22-best-gift-ideas-for-the-remote-worker-in-your-life-140037336.html?src=rss

Nintendo gear is always sought after during the holiday shopping season, but this year likely more so than others. The Nintendo Switch 2 is the console launch of 2025 and it will undoubtedly be at the top of many wish lists for both kids and adults alike. If you were hoping to save a bit on the console during the Black Friday shopping season, you may be disappointed. The Nintendo Black Friday sale was just announced, and unsurprisingly, there aren't a lot of true "deals" to be had. This is typical of Nintendo - legit Nintendo Black Friday deals are hard to come by - but there are ways to at least get the best value for your money if you're going to pick up a Switch 2 before the year is out. As has been the case for many years, the marquee Nintendo deals for the holidays come in the form of console bundles. When the Switch 2 launched earlier this year, it was available as just the console only for $449 or bundled with Mario Kart World for $499. Both options are still available now, but there's a new bundle to consider as well - the console with the new Pokemon Legends: Z-A game, which also costs $499. Considering the games by themselves cost $70 each, you do save a bit by picking up a console bundle. you can pick up the console and its bundles at most retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and others. When it comes to deals on Nintendo Switch 2 games, the Nintendo eShop will have Cyber Deals starting on November 20, running through December 3. The shop will feature "holiday offers on select games," so it appears we'll all just have to go to the online store on November 20 to see the games on offer. Starting on November 23, select retailers will have discounts on some physical Switch games including Princess Peach: Showtime!, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Luigi's Mansion 3 and Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. Those will each be $40, while other games like Super Mario Odyssey,Nintendo Switch Sports, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Splatoon 3 will be $30. Even if you can't get huge discounts on Nintendo consoles or new games this year, that doesn't mean you can't find decent deals on other Nintendo gear. There are plenty of great ideas for gifts for the Nintendo fan in your life, and Engadget's Sam Rutherford got to see a bunch of them in person when he attended Nintendo's holiday showcase. From collectibles to clothing to plushies and holiday decor, there's really a ton to choose from - but you may want to pace yourself if you're also a Nintendo fan finding things that you want to pick up for yourself in the process of looking for good gifts. Here are just some of the best Nintendo gift ideas that you can look out for during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/nintendo-black-friday-deals-switch-2-bundles-switch-game-deals-discounted-accessories-and-more-holiday-offers-available-now-155223935.html?src=rss

Google has introduced some new tools in AI Mode alongside the expansion of others. The beta for Flight Deals, the AI-powered search tool that operates within Google Flights, is expanding globally. The tool works to find the best deals on flights in response to natural-language prompts from the user. The company is also expanding AI Mode's agentic capabilities to more users across the US, helping to book restaurants, event tickets and beauty or wellness appointments.The search giant is also adding a new feature to AI Mode called Canvas. This tool offers an organized space for users to build plans or projects. It can also help plan trips. Within the Canvas environment, users can describe the kind of trip they want to book, and the various tools will suggest destinations, hotels and bookings.Last week, Google also added a host of new AI-powered shopping features, including an agentic checkout that helps find and buy an item at a specific price. Shoppers can have Google track the price of an item and give the AI permission to purchase it once it hits the desired discount.Google has been rolling out a slew of AI features across its product suite, including Google Photos, Google Messages and Android.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-expands-ai-modes-flight-and-event-booking-features-170017656.html?src=rss

If smartphones and tablets are the stars of the tech world, Anker is the faithful costar. We're big fans of the brand's charging gear and accessories - Anker has earned kudos in a number of our buying guides, from power banks to wireless chargers. Now for Black Friday, a whole slew of the company's gear is on sale, and some are hitting the best prices we've seen this year. So if you're looking for dependable sidekicks and supporting players to keep your heavy hitters in business, check out the best Anker Black Friday deals we could find. Just note that some of the deals from Amazon require you to be a Prime member. Others are open to anyone. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Power banks Power banks revive dead phones, let you work longer while away from an outlet and let you play with your tablet/ereader/gamepad while it charges without being tethered to the wall. Anker power banks are among the best. After testing out brands from a slew of different makers, our picks just keep coming back to Anker. The mix of value, capacity and clever features make Anker batteries just a little bit better than most brands out there. Anker makes the Laptop Power bank, which our reviewer (me) called the culmination of all the best battery features. The brand is also responsible for our top MagSafe battery pick (the MagGo Qi2) thanks to its clever stand, excellent charging speeds and generous capacity. Many of the other banks we've tested and tried are also on sale for Black Friday, so consider this your opportunity to make sure your phone never goes dead on you again. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Wireless chargers A rats nest of cables on your desk is not the loveliest look. Now that phones, earbuds, smartwatches and even ereaders can refill on a charging coil, wireless chargers are a tidy solution. There are options that'll let you view your phone while it charges, as well as some that will charge three devices at once. We've tested units from dozens of brands for our buying guides and keep putting Anker on our lists of winners. The brand makes some of the top picks in both our wireless charger guide and our list of the best multi-device chargers. Now, thanks to Black Friday, you can keep your devices topped off with quality accessories that are an even better value than usual. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Power adapters While wireless charging is faster than it's ever been, cords are still the fastest way to charge your phone. Bigger devices like your laptop will reup faster on a high-wattage brick than on a dinky 20-watt adapter and if you want to keep your outlets more streamlined, go for a multi-port power adapter that will let you charge multiple devices at once. Again, after testing many brands, some of our most reliable picks continue to be from Anker. It shows up three times in our guide to the best fast chargers and we recommend the brand in a number of our accessories guides. Now that Black Friday is here, some of our favorite Anker power adapters are on sale - so we rounded them all up here. Best Black Friday Anker deals: Soundcore audio We mostly think of Anker as a charging accessory brand. But they've expanded their scope by getting into audio equipment - and the effort was a success. You might not immediately pick up that these are Anker speakers - Soundcore shows up on the products themselves, but it's the same company. We recommend a couple Soundcore music makers in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. With Black Friday deals, these are the best Anker Soundcore deals we could find. More Anker Black Friday deals My personal favorite USB-C cable is made by Anker. It's rated at 240 watts, has a durable build, plus it's long enough and has a handy right angled connector at one end. Anker of course also makes plenty of other gear, from webcams to mice - that continually show up in our guides to the best accessories. Here are the best Black Friday deals on Anker gear that don't quite fit into the categories above. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/anker-black-friday-deals-are-here-early-power-banks-wireless-chargers-and-other-tech-accessories-164907851.html?src=rss

Black Friday has become the time to buy the hottest tech of the year. Whether you're shopping for yourself or stocking up on gifts for the holidays, Black Friday deals next week are sure to bring the best prices of the year to things like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, phone accessories and everything in between. You don't even have to wait until Black Friday proper to save a ton of money. Over the past few years, we've seen Black Friday tech deals start earlier and earlier - to the point where the entire month of November is packed with discounts.

Amazon Autos is offering a wider array of options starting today, as you can buy a pre-owned Ford vehicle through the platform. Folks in Los Angeles, Seattle and Dallas (and more markets in the future) can see what's available at a local dealer through Amazon's website, take care of most of the paperwork there and then pick a time to collect the automobile. Financing options are available too.Certified pre-owned vehicles that Ford dealers sell through Amazon Autos include a money-back guarantee. You can return the vehicle within 14 days or before you've driven it for 1,000 miles - whichever of the two you'd reach first.There's a certification program for these pre-owned vehicles too. The gold certification process is for Ford vehicles that are less than six years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles on the clock. These are given a 172-point inspection and have a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. There's a separate program for Ford EVs with the same benchmarks, though electric vehicles undergo a 127-point inspection.The blue certified program is for Ford vehicles (and ones from other brands) that are less than a decade old and have driven fewer than 150,000 miles. These undergo a 139-point inspection and have a 90-day/4,000-mile warranty.Amazon Autos started offering used and certified pre-owned cars in August. The platform has been around for less than a year, as it debuted in December 2024 with Hyundai vehicles.

You can already get a solid deal on a Roomba robot vacuum before Black Friday kicks off in earnest. iRobot's entry-level Roomba 104 Vac robot vacuum is available for 40 percent off right now, taking its normal $250 price to a record low of $150. A number of other Roombas are on sale for Black Friday, too. In iRobot's lineup of robot vacuums, the Roomba 104 sits on the low end, adept at vacuuming up dust and hair, but without the mopping ability of its more expensive Max, Plus or Combo counterparts. The Roomba 104 Vac makes for a great first robot vacuum all the same, though, because of its four levels of powerful suction, and easy-to-use app. Like iRobot's other vacuums, the Roomba 104 maps and navigates your home with LiDAR, which helps it avoid obstacles. And using the Roomba Home app, you can schedule it to clean specific rooms, and even spot-clean particularly dirty spots. An earlier version of the Roomba Vac is Engadget's favorite budget robot vacuum, and you'll get the same great performance out of the newer Roomba 104 Vac. That includes a specialized brush for cleaning the hard-to-reach corners of your home, and also a charging dock that the vacuum can automatically return to once it's down charging. This sale on Roomba vacuums comes at an admittedly difficult time for iRobot at large, with the company dealing with a serious financial shortfall as of its last earning statement. Regardless of what happens to iRobot, though, the Roomba 104 Vac's offline mode should mean that it can clean your home and charge itself without the need of an app or an internet connection.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/pick-up-this-entry-level-roomba-robot-vacuum-for-only-150-for-black-friday-191506087.html?src=rss

If you already picked up a Switch 2, you're probably looking for deals that can help you kit out your new console without spending too much money. While maybe not the most exciting thing, a microSD Express card will be a key component for long-term gaming bliss. SanDisk's 256GB microSD Express Card for the Switch 2 is on sale for the first time ahead of Black Friday, down to $60 right now. This model is also available in storage sizes of 128GB and 512GB, but at the moment, only the 256GB model has a discount. This particular model easily made our list of the best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2. It even made our list of the best Switch 2 accessories. It just gets the job done. We loved the speed on offer here. It was the fastest of all the cards we tested when transferring games and loading games. We also found that it performed admirably at just about every test we threw at it. The card was always consistently right near the top, thanks to outstanding sequential read and write performance. This was backed up by benchmark testing with PC tools like CrystalDiskMark. The Switch 2 only works with SD Express cards, so this covers that. Luckily, this card isn't just for Nintendo's latest console. It'll work with just about everything, if you ever find it outstays its usefulness as a storage container for Mario and friends. Elsewhere when it comes to microSD Express cards on sale: PNY's 128GB card is down to $40. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sandisks-microsd-express-card-for-switch-2-is-cheaper-than-ever-with-this-black-friday-deal-151331711.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals are starting to flood the internet. If you're starting to think about the gifts you have to pick up for everyone in your life, you may be able to save already on some of them - including tech. One of the standout deals we've found so far is on the 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and Charging Dock. It's 39 percent off right now and down to $43 - a new record-low price. The controller comes with perks such as the charging dock, 22 hours of battery per charge and compatibility with everything from Steam Deck to Switch. The deal is only for the white model. Earlier this year, 8Bitdo released a new version of this $70 controller, aptly called the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth. We rated it as one of the best controllers for the Nintendo Switch 2. While the upgraded model brings you features like more precise and sensitive joysticks, this sale brings the original Ultimate Controller back into view - and our shopping carts. Plus, it also works well with the Nintendo Switch 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-8bitdo-ultimate-controller-is-39-percent-off-for-black-friday-133023602.html?src=rss

The era of holiday shopping is coming and there are a lot of great tech gift options for loved ones or as a treat for yourself. That includes the new Apple Watch SE 3, which you can snag for only $200 right now. We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch, and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well. The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight. Also discounted is the high-end Apple Watch Ultra 3, which you can snag for $100 off. The sale model comes with 64GB of storage, a 49mm screen and GPS and cellular service. Notably, it's also only available with the one size, adjustable band and in two colors: a Black titanium case with Black Ocean band and a natural titanium Case with Anchor Blue Ocean band. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 came out in early September and is one of the first smartwatches to support satellite communications. This feature means you can call, send messages or share your location with emergency services through the watch - even if you don't have a connection. The new Ultra 3 also has a larger screen thanks to thinner bezels and a battery that can last for up to 42 hours. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-new-apple-watch-se-3-drops-to-a-record-low-price-for-black-friday-133057044.html?src=rss

Black Friday deals are starting to pop up across the web, and a great one to check out is at Dyson. While we still think you have the best shot to get the steepest discounts the closer to Black Friday we get, some of the discounts on Dyson's site right now are some of the best we've seen. One of those is $600 off the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum, which is down to a record low of $400. Dyson was pretty late to the robot-vacuum party, but its entry was (and remains) one of the strongest in the category. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like a self-emptying base or mopping capabilities, but it makes up for that by having probably the best suction power of any robovac we've tested. All kinds of debris will fall in its path: dirt, dust, food crumbs, pet hair and more. It also has excellent obstacle avoidance, so you'll rarely - if ever - have to dislodge it from getting stuck on the edge of a carpet or wedged in between furniture. Dyson's mobile app is easy to use as well, so if you're looking for a robot vacuum that does its main job incredibly well and you don't mind skipping on some extras, the 360 Vis Nav is a great option. Cordless vacuums are also a part of the sale. Take the Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum on sale for just $270 at both Dyson and Amazon, which is a discount of $330. That's more than half off. Dyson devices are all over our list of the best cordless vacuums, and for good reason. The company makes effective products. The V9 Motorbar has been designed to clean all floor types, in addition to upholstery. It's also been engineered to squeeze into tight spots, which is great for hitting those oft-neglected parts of the home. The suction power is on point and the battery lasts for 40 minutes before requiring a charge. That's just enough time to vacuum a standard-sized home if you don't stop for too many breaks. The V9 is getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. If you want a newer model, the V11 Extra is on sale for $400, which is a discount of $260. This one boosts the suction power and increases the battery life to 60 minutes. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/dyson-black-friday-deals-include-600-off-the-360-vis-nav-robot-vacuum-173533374.html?src=rss

For as long as humans have traveled, they've carried gear with them to make long journeys easier. Airplanes may have made travel faster, but crossing states and countries can still be exhausting. If you have a friend or family member who loves exploring the world, they'll appreciate things that will save them stress when they're far from home. So let Engadget help you find the perfect gift for the person in your life with wanderlust. Best travel gifts Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-travel-gifts-for-2025-141009086.html?src=rss

Following months of rumors, Valve finally announced the new Steam Machine earlier this week. And while I might question the company's decision to ship a system with only 8GB of VRAM in 2026, I believe the "Gabecube" will do more for PC gaming than anything Microsoft has done in the last decade.With SteamOS and Linux, Valve has polished away many of the things that make PC gaming unapproachable to some people. Want to set a frame limit to extend your Steam Deck's battery life? It's an easy-to-find option in the Performance overlay, not something you need to dig through multiple menus to find. Want to suspend a game? That's possible on SteamOS.And now with the Steam Machine, Valve is poised to bring the fun of PC gaming to an entirely new audience: home console gamers. Even though I don't plan to buy one, selfishly I hope it's a runaway success. Like a lot of PC gamers I imagine, I'm ready to leave Windows behind. Over the last few years, Microsoft has proven to be a poor steward of the platform. The company seems more interested in pushing AI features few care for, rather than solving the issues that have plagued Windows for years. After all, it was only recently that Microsoft said it would tackle shader stutter, a problem that has plagued many recent AAA games. Worse yet, that solution may take years to fully implement.I want the Steam Machine to be the revolution that brings SteamOS to desktop PCs, but before that can happen, Valve must solve Linux's cheating problem. Right now, the Steam Deck covers two of the three pillars of PC gaming: indies and singleplayer AAA games. For some people, that's enough, but it leaves out a huge section of the PC market. Nearly four years after its release, you can't play some of the most popular competitive games, and it's all because of how easy it is to make cheating software for Linux-based operating systems.In a 2024 interview with The Verge, Riot's Phillip Koskinas summarized the issue concisely. "You can freely manipulate the kernel, and there's no user mode calls to attest that it's even genuine," he told the outlet. "You could make a Linux distribution that's purpose-built for cheating and we'd be smoked."When Valve released the Steam Deck at the start of 2022, there was some hope games like Fortnite and Rainbow Six Siege would eventually be playable on the handheld, and for a while things looked positive. Toward the end of 2021, Valve announced Proton compatibility with BattlEye. A few months later, the company did the same for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat. There's also Valve's in-house solution, VAC, which is fully supported and means the company's own games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, are playable on Steam Deck.However, despite Valve's support for some of the most popular anti-cheat solutions on the market, many studios chose not to bring their competitive games to SteamOS, citing cheating concerns. Some notable examples include Fortnite, Valorant and PUBG. Those games have never been playable on Steam Deck. In fact, last fall EA withdrew Linux and Steam Deck support for Apex Legends, one of the few competitive shooters you could play on Valve's handheld."In our efforts to combat cheating in Apex, we've identified Linux OS as being a path for a variety of impactful exploits and cheats. As a result, we've decided to block Linux OS access to the game," the company said at the time. "We believe the decision will meaningfully reduce instances of cheating in our game."For EA, Riot, Epic and developers of other popular competitive games, the issue is two-fold: Cheating software is harder to detect when it's used on Linux. More importantly, for many of them there aren't enough Linux players to justify the resources needed to secure their games for every Linux distribution. For example, when Riot made its Vanguard software a requirement to play League of Legends in 2024, the studio said there were just over 800 daily users playing the game on Linux. For context, millions of people League every day. Put another way, it's a chicken and egg problem.The Steam Machine represents an opportunity for Valve. According to Are We Anti-Cheat Yet, a crowd-sourced database listing games that require anti-cheat software and whether they work through Linux or Valve's Proton compatibility layer, 682 games don't work for one reason or another. That means more than half of the 1,136 games that require anti-cheat software can't be played on SteamOS.With the nature of Linux being what it is, it's unlikely Valve could make even the most popular kernel-level anti-cheat apps work across every Linux distribution, and based on the company's approach, it doesn't have an interest in doing that. However, if Valve made a better sandbox for developers to secure their games, we could absolutely see a SteamOS version of Valorant, for instance.Studios will go where their players are. The Steam Deck has proven that. And if the Steam Machine becomes popular enough to warrant companies like EA to bring their games to SteamOS and Linux, the PC gaming landscape will suddenly be very different.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/for-the-steam-machine-to-change-pc-gaming-valve-must-solve-linuxs-anti-cheat-problem-130000088.html?src=rss

Sony's still excellent WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are down to $250 for Black Friday. That's $150 off the list price and equal to the all-time low (give or take a single cent) we saw on Prime Day. They may no longer be Sony's flagship noise-canceling headphones, but if the WH-1000XM6 are out of your price range, these former Engadget favorites are well worth considering at this heavily reduced price. We awarded the WH-1000XM5 a score of 95 in our 2022 review, praising the supremely comfortable redesign, sound quality and powerful ANC. Battery life is also very respectable at 30 hours. We found the punchy bass an improvement over their predecessors, and the overall sound deeper and more immersive than the M4 headphones. As for noise-canceling, Sony's decision to double the number of microphones and processors used for ANC means an improvement in blocking higher frequency sounds, such as human voices. They aren't entirely baby scream-proof, but then few headphones are. Naturally, the WH-1000XM6 that this year replaced the M5 as Sony's flagship model offers even better sound quality and noise cancellation, while remaining extremely comfortable throughout long listening sessions. But they're also a lot more expensive at $450, and if you're deal-hunting this Black Friday, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are the ones to go for.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonys-wh-1000xm5-headphones-are-152-off-for-black-friday-124434564.html?src=rss

Jeff Bezos is spearheading a new AI started called Project Prometheus, focused on his current interests in space and engineering,The New York Times reports. The company, which has yet to be made public, will reportedly have $6.2 billion in funding. Part of that sum will come from Bezos, who will act as co-CEO.Project Prometheus will reportedly focus on creating AI systems that gain knowledge from the physical world, rather than just processing digital information, like AI chatbots. In particular, the company will reportedly explore how AI can support engineering and manufacturing in areas such as vehicles and space technology. Bezos founded space technology company Blue Origin more than two decades ago. The company's New Glenn rocket had a successful second flight last week.He is joined by Vik Bajaj as co-founder and co-CEO. Bajaj is a physicist and chemist who worked on projects at Google X including Wing and what became Waymo. In 2018, he co-founded Foresite Labs, which supports entrepreneurs in the fields of AI and data science. Bajaj is still named as CEO of Foresite Labs on the company's website and his LinkedIn page - the latter of which also shows his new titles at Project Prometheus. Bajaj lists his involvement in the new company as starting this month and puts San Francisco, London and Zurich as its locations.On its bare LinkedIn page, Project Prometheus' overview states only "AI for the physical economy." It also lists itself as a "Technology, Information and Internet" company with 51-200 employees. According to The New York Times, Project Prometheus has hired nearly 100 people, with some employees coming from fellow AI companies like OpenAI and DeepMind.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/jeff-bezos-will-head-a-new-engineering-focused-ai-startup-called-project-prometheus-122115977.html?src=rss

The EcoFlow Black Friday sale is in full swing, knocking thousands of dollars off portable power stations and their accessories. One of the best discounts at the moment is on the Delta Pro 3, which is 37 percent off and down to $2,299. That's the lowest we've seen it and, considering it typically costs $3,699, it's a great deal. Amazon's matching the sale price as well. The Delta Pro 3 topped Yahoo's list of the best portable power stations, and for very good reason. This thing is a beast. It boasts a 4,096Wh capacity, so it can power an average 500-watt refrigerator for over 24 hours. That's with continuous use. It can be stretched out to two or three days by only running the appliance during daylight hours. There's even a discounted bundle that includes an extra battery for $3,599. It includes four standard 120V AC outlets and a single 240V outlet. It could potentially be a temporary hub of a whole-home battery backup. There are numerous charging options here, including a standard AC outlet, solar panels and, interestingly, a cigarette lighter. The only potential downside here is the Delta Pro 3 really pushes the boundaries of what can be considered portable. It weighs 113 pounds, though it does have wheels and a telescoping handle. The Delta Pro 3 is just one of the products on sale right now. The Delta Pro Ultra, which is intended as a whole-home backup, is down to $3,999. This represents a savings of more than $2,000. Another Yahoo top pick, the Delta 2 Max, is $1,000 off and down to $899. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/ecoflow-black-friday-deals-save-up-to-42-percent-on-portable-power-stations-130041396.html?src=rss

Budgeting can be a stressful, challenging and uncomfortable experience. While it's completely possible to do it on your own, we've become fans of a few great budgeting apps. Take our favorite budgeting app Quicken, which is having a 50 percent off sale for Black Friday. The Quicken Simplifi app is down to $3 monthly from $6 monthly, adding up to $36 for the year. Quicken Classic, the company's "original desktop software" for "experienced investors" is also half off at $6 monthly, down from $12 monthly. The sale starts today and is available until Wednesday, December 3. One of the many things that sets Quicken Simplifi apart from its competitors is its sleek, easy to use interface. The setup is pretty straightforward and it allows for your spouse or financial advisor to act as co-manager of the account. It also clearly shows figures like net worth, recent spending, upcoming recurring payments and more. Plus, there's an option to say if you're expecting a refund. Quicken Simplifi unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial so testing it out with a discount means less money invested if it's not for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-50-percent-off-our-favorite-budgeting-app-for-black-friday-160025803.html?src=rss

Gaming laptops have gone from being ugly bricks to sleek machines that can match the power of desktops. If you're looking to get crazy high framerates, or if you just want to revel in the glory of real-time ray tracing, you'll definitely be able to find a gaming laptop that suits your needs. And it's also easier than ever to connect them to TVs and monitors for big-screen gaming.

Secret Santa gift exchanges can be chaotic in the best way. One minute you're drawing a name from a hat, the next you're scrambling to figure out what they'd actually like. The trick is finding something that's thoughtful, gets a laugh or feels useful without going over budget. Luckily there are plenty of gifts that do exactly that, whether you're shopping for the office exchange, a family swap or a friend group tradition. From clever gadgets to playful desk toys and little luxuries, these ideas prove you can spend less than $50 and still land the perfect Secret Santa present. Best Secret Santa gift ideas Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-secret-santa-gifts-for-2025-affordable-gift-ideas-from-apple-lego-yeti-and-others-130014741.html?src=rss

Advent calendars aren't just about chocolate anymore. Recent years have shown that the countdown to Christmas Day can be packed with fun surprises. Whether you're into building Lego sets, adding more minifigures to your collection or curiously intrigued by scientific experiments, advent calendars can fill that desire (and they make for great gifts, too). Each door hides a new surprise that brings a bit of joy, nostalgia or nerdy fun to the holiday season. Best advent calendars for 2025 Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-2025-advent-calendars-you-can-still-get-our-favorites-from-lego-pokemon-funko-pop-and-more-120042568.html?src=rss

Black Friday is a great time to take a look at what subscriptions you may be able to save on. From video streaming services to budgeting apps, many services will have some Black Friday promotion you may be able to take advantage of. One of the best we're tracking is for Audible. You can sign up and get your first three months for just $3 in total, plus get a $20 Audible credit on top of that. This breaks down to $1 per month for the first three months, which is a boon for audiobook fans. Just make sure to cancel before the 90 days are up, as the subscription will auto-renew at $15 per month. That's not the worst deal in the world, given the vast number of titles available on the platform, but still. Audible has a diverse catalog that goes beyond audiobooks. It also hosts podcasts and Audible Originals. Subscribers get to choose one audiobook each month to keep in their collection for free, including best-sellers or new releases. Users also get unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, which houses thousands of audiobooks. Finally, active members get discounts on many audiobooks when looking to purchase. Winter is coming and this is a good way to make sure you have plenty to listen to throughout the next three months. This deal does have a time limit. It expires on December 16.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-audible-black-friday-deal-gives-you-three-months-of-access-for-only-3-140010742.html?src=rss

We may deliberate for days when buying a laptop or computer or spend hours lining up the most comfortable and stylish keyboard before aimlessly adding a utilitarian mouse to our basket. The impact of a good, feature-rich and - perhaps most importantly - ergonomic mouse can be huge. Not just to your productivity, but to the quality and comfort of your worklife overall. A good mouse has long offered some level of configuration and customization, but more modern options go beyond that with the ability to automate repetitive tasks or convoluted keypresses at the click of a button. Unsurprisingly, even mice haven't escaped the wave of AI hype, with many flagship models bringing services like ChatGPT or Copilot to your fingertips.

Meditation app Headspace is bringing back one of its biggest annual deals this Black Friday. Through December 4, you'll be able to get 50 percent off the regular annual subscription price, bringing a full year of guided meditations, sleep sounds and mindfulness tools down to $35 per year. If you've been looking to build a better daily routine, this discount makes it easier to start. Headspace has become one of the most recognizable names in digital mindfulness. The app blends practical meditation guidance with structured courses and calming soundscapes designed to make everyday stress easier to manage. Its programs cover everything from beginner-friendly introductions to mindfulness to focused content on topics like anxiety, productivity and sleep. Subscribers get access to hundreds of guided sessions led by the Headspace team, including short daily practices that can be completed in a few spare minutes, plus longer courses that help build consistency. The app's Sleepcasts and soundscapes are unique, designed to create a steady nighttime routine that promotes better rest. For mornings, there are breathing exercises and motivational mini-sessions that can help set focus for the day ahead. Headspace also includes personalized progress tracking, mood check-ins and optional reminders that make it easier to stay consistent with your new mindfulness habits. For anyone new to meditation, the app's clear structure is a major strength. You don't have to know where to start, since it suggests sessions based on your goals or current mood. This annual deal is ideal for users who want to stick with mindfulness practice over time, or anyone interested in incorporating a new habit into their lives. Paying for the year upfront typically saves money compared with the monthly plan, and the discount brings that cost down even further. Whether you're learning the basics of meditation or refining an existing routine, the full library provides enough variety to keep things engaging throughout the year. If you're still comparing wellness apps, check out our guide to the best meditation apps to see how Headspace stacks up against other options. But for those ready to commit to a calmer routine, this annual offer is one of the simplest ways to start the habit at a lower cost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-one-year-of-headspace-for-only-35-in-this-black-friday-deal-163051844.html?src=rss

Rivian's electric mobility spinoff Also announced a $3,500 starting price for its first e-bike called the TM-B. The startup unveiled the shapeshifting e-bike last month, with options for a limited Launch edition, a Performance version or a base model. During the reveal, Also said both the Launch and Performance TM-B models would start at $4,500, but only hinted at the base model's price tag being less than $4,000.While the base model TM-B is more than $1,000 cheaper than the other choices, it comes with several compromises, like a lower max range of 60 miles, a weaker 5x power assist, coil fork suspension and only a standard ride mode. In comparison, the higher-end TM-B options have up to a 100-mile range, a 10x power assist, air fork suspension and the choice between sport and standard ride modes. Also is only offering the base model TM-B in all gray, meaning you won't get the transparent shell that highlights the virtual drivetrain called DreamRide.While the TM-B's starting price is more affordable than we first thought, it's still a premium price tag for an e-bike. The TM-B base model is available for preorder with a $50 refundable deposit and will start shipping in late 2026, according to Also.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/rivian-spinoff-reveals-a-3500-starting-price-for-its-first-e-bike-195949124.html?src=rss

Google is getting ready to spend $40 billion to increase its data center footprint in Texas. In an announcement posted on its website, Google said it's planning to build more infrastructure for its cloud and artificial intelligence operations in the state. The plans call for three new data centers, one in Armstrong County and two in Haskell County, according to Google.According to a press release from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, this is Google's largest investment in any US state. The tech giant's investment in the Lone Star State dates back to 2019, when it built a data center in Midlothian, Texas. Google later expanded its presence in the state with the development of another data center in Red Oak, bringing the company's total investment into Texas to $2.7 billion. According to Google, the latest $40 billion investment will be made through 2027.Google isn't the only major tech company developing more AI infrastructure in the US. Earlier this year, NVIDIA announced plans to build manufacturing space for AI supercomputers in Houston and Dallas. More recently, Meta said it would invest $600 billion to build AI data centers across the US without specifying which states.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-plans-to-invest-40-billion-towards-building-data-centers-in-texas-183056066.html?src=rss

Meta's entry-level VR headset, the Quest 3S, is down to an even more budget-friendly price than usual in a deal on Amazon right now. The 128GB Meta Quest 3S is 17 percent off in an early Black Friday deal, bringing it to a record-low price of $250. It normally goes for $300. With the purchase, you also get the game Gorilla Tag for free. There's also a 256GB option, which is on sale as well and comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow. That version costs $330, down from its usual price of $400. The Meta Quest 3S is an impressive VR headset for the price, and scored a 90 in Engadget's review, landing it among our picks for the best VR headsets around right now. It's comfortable to wear, gets over two hours of battery life before needing to be recharged and offers a 96-degree field of view. While its 1,830 by 1,920 pixel per eye screen doesn't quite achieve the sharpness of the Quest 3, it does have the same chip - the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 - as the pricier model, making for fast performance. It also comes with 8GB of RAM. The Quest 3S also comes with the Touch Plus controllers, which have button and joystick controls as well as motion controls. It can also connect to gaming PCs and stream gameplay to Chromecast and AirPlay devices. Despite being relatively inexpensive, the 3S offers a great experience. In his review, Engadget's Devindra Hardawar said the 3S is "the best $300 standalone VR headset we've ever seen."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-meta-quest-3s-vr-headset-drops-to-a-record-low-price-for-black-friday-180911805.html?src=rss

The wait for a new Mac Pro may take a lot longer, according to the latest Power On newsletter. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the Mac Pro has an uncertain future within Apple's desktop strategy and isn't likely to see a refresh in 2026.According to Gurman, Apple is no longer working on the M4 Ultra chip, which was meant to be offered in a refreshed Mac Pro. Instead, Apple is planning for the M5 Ultra to be its "high-end desktop chip," which will only be available on the Mac Studio so far, according to Gurman.Despite earning a solid reputation amongst creatives looking for a Mac desktop, the Mac Pro has fallen out of favor even after sporadic refreshes between 2013 and 2023. Apple experimented with some risky redesigns, including the "trash can" style, but the current Mac Pro model returns to a modern cheese grater look while also upgrading to Apple silicon with the M2 Ultra chip. However, Apple customers seeking the most powerful desktop options might be more likely to opt for the latest Mac Studio with the M4 Ultra. Gurman also reported that Apple is internally shifting towards the Mac Studio as the focus of Apple's professional desktop offerings.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-mac-pro-could-be-the-latest-addition-to-apples-product-purgatory-165609102.html?src=rss

Action cams make great gifts, or if you're a photographer, a solid addition to your kit. Black Friday deals usually mean you can pick up new cameras and accessories for less, and this year is no different. One of the best deals we've found is on the GoPro Hero 13 Black action cam, which is down to $310 for Black Friday. That's a discount of 23 percent or $90. This model topped our list of the best action cameras, and for good reason. It's a fantastic device with all kinds of bells and whistles. It's the most versatile Hero camera that GoPro has ever made. There's a new family of modular lenses and it can shoot up to 5.3K and handle 2X optical zoom. The battery is bigger than ever before and offers around 90 minutes of continuous shooting in 4K/30FPS. The camera is waterproof up to 10 millimeters, so don't worry about puddles. The full-color front screen is vivid and makes it easy to review footage without getting a computer involved. There's no internal storage here, but it accepts microSD cards. There's a camera bundle on sale right now that includes a 64GB microSD, three batteries, a dual charger and a case. That pack costs $349, which is a discount of 30 percent. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-gopro-hero-13-black-action-camera-is-cheaper-than-ever-for-black-friday-160154726.html?src=rss

While there are lots of great Black Friday sales on cheaper devices, it's the big ticket items that really make a world of difference. Take Apple's 2024 Mac mini M4, which has dropped to $499 from $599 as part of early Black Friday deals. The 17 percent discount brings Apple's mini desktop computer with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD to only $30 more than its all-time low. We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review, in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors. However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $690, down from $799. Then there's the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $890, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal. If you're looking to build a desktop setup from scratch, there's a small but notable discount on Apple's Magic Trackpad as well. It's down to $120, which is only seven percent off its usual price but it's the cheapest we've seen it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-deals-include-the-mac-mini-m4-for-100-off-150749079.html?src=rss

Black Friday might still be a few weeks away, but there's no need to wait if you're in the market for a new air fryer, as one of our longtime favorite models is currently $50 off. The Ninja DZ401 is $180 right now, which is a saving of 22 percent on its usual price. Admittedly, we have seen this model a bit cheaper in the past, but if you're on cooking duty for Thanksgiving, you might not have the option of waiting until what could be a deeper discount on Black Friday. And the DZ401 is the perfect air fryer for the holiday season, owing to its trademark dual baskets, which allow you to cook up two completely different foods simultaneously. It takes up a fair amount of space, but it's worth it if you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed. This 10-quart fryer includes a smart cook thermometer and six cooking modes, including air broil, roast and dehydrate alongside the default air fry mode. The spacious baskets are quick and easy to clean, and you're safe to throw the plates into the dishwasher if they're particularly messy after cooking up chicken wings or some brownies for dessert. The Ninja DZ401 has had the title of best dual-zone air fryer in our buying guide for a long time for a reason. An air fryer like this isn't for everyone, especially those with smaller kitchens, but for a Thanksgiving dinner you'll struggle to find better. A number of other Ninja devices are on sale for Black Friday right now. If you don't need quite as big of a machine, the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer/multicooker could be a better option. It's down to $160 right now. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-is-the-ninja-air-fryer-to-buy-on-sale-ahead-of-black-friday-170959924.html?src=rss

Whether you or someone on your gift list has trouble keeping track of their stuff, you can't go wrong by picking up an AirTag for assistance. For Black Friday, you can save on Apple's Bluetooth trackers - a four-pack is on sale for $65 right now, which is just about the lowest price we've seen. Bear in mind that this deal brings the price per AirTag down to $16 if you were to buy them individually, and when not on sale they usually cost $29. If you use Apple devices and are prone to losing stuff, AirTags are the obvious choice of Bluetooth tracker to buy. Adding one to your account requires little more than a single tap, and with Apple's Find My network offering such extensive coverage these days, it's never been easier to find missing belongings. Tracking down a still nearby misplaced item is as easy as using your iPhone to trigger a sound from the AirTag's built-in speaker, or alternatively you can use Precision Finding to pinpoint its location through Find My. You just follow the instructions on your iPhone's screen, paying attention to its vibrations as you get closer. If you only need a single AirTag, they're also on sale right now for $18, another record low. It works out a bit better as a deal if you purchase the four-pack, but if you just want to attach one to your keys or backpack, $65 might seem like a stretch. Just remember that AirTags can't be attached to items right out of the box. You'll need to add an accessory in order to turn one into a keyring, or even attach it to your pet's collar. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-black-friday-deals-include-a-four-pack-of-airtags-for-65-161756634.html?src=rss

It can be tough to find a good gift for tech obsessives. Since they keep up with the latest releases, they probably already have the new high-profile gadgets out there. Luckily, Engadget staffers keep their eyes peeled all year long for the truly unique stuff. We travel to CES, attend product launches, cover major and minor tech events - we also can't help but buy ourselves any zany, clever, addictive or productive tech we happen to stumble across. In short, we've got some ideas about good gifts for tech nerds (which we are). Here are the best tech gifts and gadgets for 2025. Best tech gifts and gadgets Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-best-tech-gifts-and-cool-gadgets-for-2025-140052697.html?src=rss

If you, like me a few months ago, didn't know fabric shavers existed, I'm willing to bet you're not alone. Not too long ago, I went looking for something, anything, that could help get rid of the pilling on some of my most loved pieces of clothing. I stumbled upon the Philips Fabric Shaver in my search and was pleasantly surprised to learn such a device existed - and in such a cute, compact form. I decided to give it a shot and now it's an essential piece of tech in my house. Thanks to Black Friday deals, you don't have to pay as much as I did for it now that it's on sale for only $13. Sure, it may not seem revolutionary - especially if you already knew of the wonders of such devices - but it was for me. I have a lot of T-shirts, joggers, sweaters and more that I've had for at least three years and wear regularly. We also have a bunch of throw blankets around the house, partially because I love a good throw, and partially because my cat demands soft spots on which to sleep. All of those well-worn, well-loved fabrics have pilled over time, and I was tired of picking at the pills myself. This Philips Fabric Shaver makes it so I never have to do that anymore. It runs on two AA batteries, has a simple on-off switch and a shaving head with three sized holes that, as you glide it over your sweater or blanket, catches the pills and shaves them right off. It's literally as simple as that; after I tried it the first time on a pair of joggers, I spent far too much time running around my house and through my closet de-pilling as many things as I could. All the little fabric bits collect in a removable chamber that you simply empty as often as you need into the trash. If you're like me and try to make the most of the wardrobe you have and not buy new clothing all the time, this little gadget will keep the pieces in your closet looking fresh.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/you-need-a-fabric-shaver--my-favorite-is-on-sale-for-only-13-thanks-to-black-friday-163402621.html?src=rss

Black Friday Apple deals are already trickling in, and one of the best we're tracking is on the AirPods 4. They're down to $85 right now, which is a new record low. While these buds don't provide active noise cancellation, they're still a great option for those who want all of the conveniences of a pair of Apple earbuds in an affordable package. The Apple AirPods 4 are the best budget AirPods you can get in 2025, with Apple's H2 audio chip to support some of the more advanced audio features from more expensive models. They offer Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and more. If you get the model without active noise cancellation, you won't have features like Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness, or Apple's hearing health tools. But, the entry-level model still offers great sound quality for the price. This model also features the redesigned shape, which makes for a more comfortable and secure fit so you don't have to worry about them falling out of your ears. A force sensor on the stem allows for basic touch controls, including play and pause, play next track, previous track and answer a call. You can also summon Siri by pressing and holding the stem. You can expect to get up to 5 hours of battery life on a charge with the non-ANC model, and up to 30 hours using the USB-C charging case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/airpods-4-are-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-in-this-black-friday-deal-162917137.html?src=rss

Walmart is offering its Walmart+ subscription at half off for new sign-ups, and it includes a choice of either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential. The deal for new subscribers is just $49 for the first year, marked down from $98. The real value is in selecting Peacock Premium, which would normally run you $110 per year on its own. With the current discount on a Walmart+ subscription you are essentially getting half off on your streaming subscription for that year. Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube TV, so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful. Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart's drone delivery program in a handful of select cities.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-hack-can-get-you-one-year-of-peacock-for-49-before-black-friday-192739978.html?src=rss

Monarch Money is one of our favorite budgeting apps and, fittingly enough, there's a way for newcomers to save money on a subscription right now. If you use the code MONARCHVIP at checkout, you can get an annual plan for 50 percent off. It typically costs $100, but you can get 12 months of access for $50 with this code. There are some key caveats here. The discount is only for new users, and it can't be combined with other offers. The code only works when you sign up through the web. You can't redeem it through the Monarch mobile app. We feel that Monarch has a steeper learning curve than some other budget trackers and that certain aspects of the app are slightly more complex than they probably need to be. But it offers a great deal of customization and granularity, which outweighs our misgivings. On the main dashboard, you'll see your net worth along with your latest transactions, spending versus the previous month, your income so far for the month and details about upcoming bills, your investments and goals you've set. There's also a link to a month-in-review page, which offers an in-depth overview of what's been happening with your money that month. You'll also be able to take a peek at how your net worth has changed over time. Monarch can connect to your bank and track Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings accounts. It can pull in your transactions and balance history automatically and detect your recurring expenses and income. The app can even keep your car valuation up to date. While it might take a little work to set up Monarch (and you might have to tweak things here and there), it's a detailed budgeting app that can help you keep better track of your income, expenditure and net worth. If you're a former Mint user (RIP), Monarch Money is a great alternative if you haven't yet found a Mint replacement. But it's worth mentioning that our favorite Mint replacement service, Quicken Simplifi, also has a sale going on right now. It's offering 50 percent off when you sign up for an annual subscription, billed at $3 per month with the discount. That comes out to $36 for the first year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-half-off-one-year-of-access-to-our-favorite-budgeting-app-for-black-friday-174011012.html?src=rss

Researchers at MIT have been working with the South Korean beauty company Amorepacific for the past few years to develop a wearable "electronic skin" platform that can provide real-time insights about skin aging and make personalized skincare recommendations, and it's due to debut at CES 2026 as "Skinsight." Skinsight, which was announced as one of the CES 2026 Innovation Award Honorees this week, is a Bluetooth-equipped sensor patch that sticks to the skin and works with a mobile app, tracking skin tightness, UV exposure, temperature and moisture.An artist's rendering of the Skinsight patch showing various sensors and a bluetooth moduleAmorepacificBased on the readings, the AI-powered app will approximate how the different factors might contribute to or speed up skin aging, and suggest the products best suited for the job so the user can incorporate them into their skincare routine. The patch is designed to be breathable and withstand sweat so it can stay on for long periods of time. The team hasn't yet shared on Skinsight's availability and cost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/mit-researchers-and-beauty-brand-amorepacific-made-a-wearable-patch-that-analyzes-skin-aging-225125621.html?src=rss

In a longstanding and complicated legal battle between Apple and Masimo, a recent ruling from a California jury may be the first step towards a certain conclusion. As reported by Reuters, a federal jury sided with Masimo, a medical tech company known for its patient monitoring devices, when it said that Apple infringed on the company's patent for technology that tracks blood-oxygen levels.The case revolves around whether Apple violated Masimo's patent related to blood-oxygen sensors, which the jury claimed can be seen with the Apple Watch's Workout and Heart Rate apps. According to Reuters, Apple disagreed with the verdict, adding that "the single patent in this case expired in 2022, and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago." The tech giant is reportedly planning to appeal the decision.While there may be some closure with this California lawsuit, Apple and Masimo are entangled in a web of related but separate lawsuits. Masimo first accused Apple of infringing on its pulse oximeter patents, leading to Apple temporarily halting sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches. In August, Apple redesigned its blood-oxygen monitoring feature and rolled it out to the Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2. The redesign was approved by the US Customs and Border Protection, but Masimo filed a suit against the agency for overstepping its authority by allowing the sale of these updated Apple Watches without input from Masimo.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/a-federal-jury-ruled-that-apple-has-to-pay-634-million-for-infringing-smartwatch-patents-202846266.html?src=rss

Google may have to fork over 572 million euros, or nearly $665 million, to two German companies for "market abuse," according to a recent ruling from a Berlin court. First reported by Reuters, the tech giant was ordered to pay approximately 465 million euros, or approximately $540 million, to Idealo and another 107 million euros, or roughly $124 million, to Producto, both of which are price comparison platforms based in Germany. According to the ruling, Google abused its dominant market position by favoring Google Shopping in its own search results.Idealo pursued legal action against Google, claiming that the Alphabet subsidiary was "self-preferencing" its own platforms, which led to unfair market advantages that hindered competitors. The company first demanded at least 3.3 billion euros, or more than $3.8 billion, in damages in February 2025. To counter, Google said it made changes in 2017 that allowed competing shopping platforms the same opportunity as Google Shopping to display ads through Google Search.Idealo said in a press release that it will continue the legal pressure on Google, claiming that "the amount awarded reflects only a fraction of the actual damage." Albrecht von Sonntag, co-founder and member of Idealo's advisory board, added in a press release that "abuse of dominance must have consequences and must not be a profitable business model that pays off despite fines and damages."It's not the first time Google has found itself in legal trouble in Europe. Beyond Google Shopping, Google was accused of favoring its own Google Flights and Google Hotels in search results, leading the European Union to threaten massive fines for violating its Digital Markets Act. A month prior, the European Commission fined Google nearly 3 billion euros, or more than $3.4 billion, for its anticompetitive practices in the advertising tech industry.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-ordered-to-pay-665-million-for-anticompetitive-practices-in-germany-184505191.html?src=rss

According to the Financial Times, Tim Cook may be ready to leave his position as soon as next year, and Apple's board and senior executives have ramped up their preparations to secure his replacement.Cook, who has been at the helm of Apple for more than 14 years, succeeded Steve Jobs and led the company to a market cap of more than $4 trillion. Cook's tenure since 2011 has overseen the introduction of hardware, including Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro, but also services like Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. According to the Financial Times's sources, Apple's senior vice president of engineering, John Ternus, will most likely take on the CEO role, but this decision hasn't been finalized yet. Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 as part of its Product Design team and eventually stepped into a vice president role within the Hardware Engineering division, where he played a heavy role in the company's transition to Apple silicon.According to the Financial Times, Apple isn't planning to announce the new CEO before its January earnings report. However, the report also noted that this announcement would come earlier in the year to allow the leadership team to transition smoothly in time for all of Apple's annual events. Earlier this year, Apple also announced Sabih Khan as the new chief operating officer, taking over for Jeff Williams.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-replace-tim-cook-as-early-as-next-year-171407974.html?src=rss

Lego sets are probably at the top of your kid's wish list, and maybe they're at the top of your personal list, too. With so many to choose from, you'll be able to find one that makes a great gift for anyone who you know loves these little building bricks. Black Friday Lego deals are what to look for this time of year, because you can typically save at least 20 percent on a good number of sets. Yes, that often includes the most popular ones from the Star Wars, Super Mario, Harry Potter and other collections. In general, we always recommend using a price tracker when determining if a Lego deal is in fact a good one. Below, we've collected the best Lego Black Friday deals we could find right now. In general, we always recommend using a price tracker when determining if a Lego deal is in fact a good one. You'll find Lego deals across the board this holiday season at retailers like Amazon and Walmart, but don't overlook Lego's own site. If you join the free Lego Insiders program, you'll build up points with each purchase that you can redeem in the future, get special discounts and sometimes get exclusive gifts when you buy. While not a deal, arguably the hottest Lego for Black Friday will be the brand new Star Trek USS Enterprise set, which was announced recently. It has a whopping 3,600 pieces and will be a must-have for any Star Trek fans. The set will be available starting November 28 for $400. Best Lego Black Friday deals LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 43273 for $31 (32 percent off) Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 76456 for $31 (32 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo 75407 for $48 (19 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Grogu with Hover Pram Building Toy Set 75403 for $50 (50 percent off) LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable Model 75375 for $68 (20 percent off) LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 Building Toy Set 75379 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 for $136 (20 percent off) LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Magical Unicorn Toy 31140 for $7 (32 percent off) LEGO City Donut Truck Toy 60452 for $16 (20 percent off) LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Race Car 76917 for $18 (28 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $20 (13 percent off) LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid Building Set 10343 for $24 (20 percent off) LEGO Art Hokusai The Great Wave Framed Japanese Wall Art Building Set 31208 for $85 (15 percent off) LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat 21349 for $80 (20 percent off) LEGO Icons Fountain Garden Building Set 10359 for $70 (30 percent off) LEGO Dreamzzz Izzie's Dream Animals Toys 71481 for $24 (40 percent off) LEGO NINJAGO Dragon Stone Shrine 71819 for $72 (40 percent off) LEGO Harry Potter Mandrake Figure & Pot Plant Toy 76433 for $41 (41 percent off) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/lego-black-friday-deals-on-star-wars-disney-sets-and-more-are-up-to-50-percent-off-155007499.html?src=rss

The Apple MacBook Air M4 laptop has long hovered at $799 at Amazon - a full $200 below its Apple Store price. But it just dropped down to $749, which is the lowest price we've seen since this model was introduced in March. This sale is for the model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, across all four colorways, but the 512GB model is also down to $949 - another all-time low versus the Apple Store price of $1,199. We ranked this as our favorite Apple laptop in our list of the best MacBook computers. Heck, it's even our very favorite laptop. Full stop. The performance is exceptionally snappy, thanks to the M4 chip. We appreciated the upgraded battery life, which now lasts for around 18 hours per charge. That's well beyond a full day of work. The design is lightweight, but sturdy. This has become a hallmark for modern MacBook Air computers. The screen is both gorgeous and roomy, even though it's technically just a 13-inch panel. There's support for the P3 wide color gamut and it can reach up to 500 nits of brightness. This is a near-perfect laptop, but there are a couple of nitpicks. There's no USB-C port on the right side, limiting how users can arrange accessories on a desk. Also, the screen is capped with a 60Hz refresh rate. Another potential complication is the looming specter of the M5 chip. The company has already released the MacBook Pro M5, so a new MacBook Air is likely coming in the nearish future. (Read: sometime in early 2026). If you need more screen space, you'll find a similar discount on the 15-inch MacBook Air on Amazon, too. Most color options are $250 off and down to $949 for the base model (you guessed it - another all-time low). This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/macbook-air-deal-apples-m4-powered-laptop-drops-to-750-before-black-friday-183808235.html?src=rss

Amazon Black Friday deals almost always include discounts on Fire TV devices and Fire TV sets. This year is no different, and some of the best discounts bring Fire TV streaming dongles down to near record-low prices. Case in point: the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is 41 percent off and down to only $35. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of Engadget's favorite streaming devices. The stick supports a solid mix of advanced technologies for its price: Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K and HDR10+. As long as the rest of your entertainment setup can handle it, you'll get a high-quality picture and sound. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, enabling better, faster connectivity with compatible routers. The 4K Max has the fastest processor of any Amazon Fire TV Stick, so expect zippy navigation. It also supports Amazon's Ambient Experience. This mode displays art (like on Samsung's The Frame) while the device is in standby. It's also a solid choice for gaming: It supports Xbox cloud streaming and works well as a retro game emulator, too. The UI is where Amazon appears to be subsidizing the device's low cost. Expect to see loads of Prime Video content promos, along with other ads. But for $35 (compared to its MSRP of $60), you may find it easier to justify that tradeoff. Also on sale is Amazon's Fire TV Stick HD, our pick for the best budget streaming stick. This model doesn't support 4K; instead, it limits you to 1080p at 60 fps. At $18 for Black Friday, it's certainly cheap. But if you have a 4K TV (or plan to soon), you may want to consider the slightly more expensive model. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-black-friday-deals-pick-up-the-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-for-only-35-132100145.html?src=rss

You may now have to scrutinize what you read on the internet (and event on print) more closely to determine if it's the product of AI. Sam Altman has revealed on X that if you tell ChatGPT not to use em dashes in your custom instructions, the chatbot will now finally listen to you. Previously, ChatGPT would ignore your instruction and continue using em dashes even if you tell it not to.

Apple's Family Sharing feature is designed to make digital life simpler for households that use multiple Apple devices. It links individual Apple IDs under one family group so everyone can share subscriptions, purchases and storage without sacrificing personal privacy. A single organizer manages the group and decides who's invited, what's shared and how payments are handled. Once someone joins, they can access shared Apple services like Music, TV+, iCloud+, Fitness+ or Arcade, along with any compatible third-party apps that support Family Sharing.Setting it up only takes a few minutes, but understanding how it works makes it far easier to manage long-term. Whether you're adding a new partner, a roommate or creating an Apple ID for a child, the process is similar across iPhone, iPad and Mac, and each person keeps their own private account within the shared ecosystem.Getting started with Family SharingBefore adding someone new, make sure you're the organizer of the family group. The organizer controls invitations and payment preferences, while each member uses their own Apple ID to sign in. You can manage everything from the Settings app on iPhone or System Settings on Mac. It's worth checking for software updates first, since Family Sharing menus can vary slightly between iOS versions.When you're ready, open Settings, tap your name at the top then select Family. From there, you'll see a summary of your group, any shared subscriptions and the option to add new members. Apple will ask whether you'd like to invite an existing user or create an account for a child who doesn't yet have an Apple ID. Invitations can be sent through Messages, Mail or AirDrop, and if the person is nearby, you can let them enter their details directly on your device.On a Mac, the process looks a little different but leads to the same result. Open System Settings, select your name then choose Family. You can then add a member, send an invite or set up a child account with appropriate parental controls. Once the invitation is accepted, the person automatically appears in your group list.How to manage what's shared with Family SharingWhen someone joins, they instantly gain access to the subscriptions and features that the organizer has made available. That can include Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness+, along with the shared iCloud+ storage plan if you have one. Photos, calendars and location information can also be shared through the Family section of the Settings app, letting everyone see joint reminders, events or device locations through Find My.If purchase sharing is enabled, everyone in the group can use the organizer's payment method for App Store and iTunes purchases. Each transaction is still tied to the buyer's own Apple ID, but it's billed to the organizer's payment method. It's entirely optional, and you can disable it if you'd prefer each person to pay separately. Shared purchases can still be re-downloaded by other members from their purchase history without paying again, so long as the app or media supports Family Sharing.Parents also gain access to tools like Screen Time and Ask to Buy, which give them oversight of a child's activity. These options appear automatically when you create a child account and can be fine-tuned later from the organizer's device. For example, Ask to Buy can send a notification each time a child tries to install a new app or make an in-app purchase, letting the organizer approve or decline it in real time.Inviting children and setting boundariesCreating an account for a child works slightly differently from inviting an adult. Apple requires a parent or guardian to set up the account directly from their own device, adding the child's name, birthday and Apple ID credentials during setup. The age you enter determines what privacy and parental-control features are switched on by default, such as limits on explicit music or app downloads.Once the child's account is created, it behaves like any other Apple ID but remains tied to the family group until the child reaches the minimum age to leave or until the organizer removes them. Screen Time reports, purchase requests and content restrictions can all be adjusted as the child gets older. It's a flexible way to give kids their own Apple ID and access to family-purchased content without sharing login details.Common issues and how to fix themMost people can add members without any problems, but sometimes the invitation process can stall. If the person you're inviting doesn't see the request, resend it from the Family settings and ask them to check their Messages or Mail. Invitations occasionally end up in spam folders or are filtered by older devices. If they've previously joined a different Family Sharing group, they'll need to leave that one before they can accept your invite.It's also possible to hit the group limit. Family Sharing supports one organizer and up to five additional members, for a total of six people in one group. If you try to invite more, you'll be prompted to remove someone before adding another. And if the Family menu doesn't show the option to add members at all, double-check that you're signed in with the organizer's Apple ID, as members without organizer privileges won't see those options.If someone accepts but can't see shared subscriptions, open the Subscriptions page under your Apple ID in Settings and ensure the toggle for Share with Family" is switched on. For iCloud+ storage, confirm that the plan you're sharing is large enough to include everyone's data.Why Family Sharing is worth setting upOnce everything is configured, Family Sharing can quietly simplify the way your household uses Apple's ecosystem. Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions or repeating purchases, the organizer can consolidate everything in one place. Each member keeps their personal messages, photos and preferences, but benefits from shared apps, music and cloud storage. It's also the easiest way to manage children's digital habits while still giving them independence.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/how-to-add-someone-to-an-apple-family-account-130033896.html?src=rss