IT General

What Is the Linux Kernel, and Why Does It Matter?

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 21:16

The Linux kernel is the beating heart of every Linux installation. We look at where it came from, what its purpose is and why, without the kernel, there would be no Linux.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Targets Black Friday sale is still live — check out our favorite deals

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 21:07
Best Target early Black Friday deals Best Tablet Deal Apple iPad Air 11-inch, 6th generation (M2 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $499 (Save $100) Get Deal Best headphone and speaker deal Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones $199.99 (Save $150) Get Deal Best speaker deal JBL Flip 6 Speaker $79.99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best TV and Soundbar deal TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Google TV $239.99 (Save $110) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, Sport Band, GPS + cellular) $679.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best Kitchen and Home deal KitchenAid 5.5-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer $279.99 (Save $170) Get Deal Best Toy Deal 50% off board games and toys at Target $10.99 (Save $11) Get Deal

Black Friday isn't over yet — at least not at Target. A day after the big event, we're still seeing awesome discounts across categories including headphones, TVs, robot vacuums. Check out our favorite deals that are still live further down the page.

When did Target's Black Friday sale start?

Black Friday 2024 officially began on Friday, Nov. 29. Target started the month with an early Black Friday, a 48-hour mad dash of deals to kickstart your holiday shopping. Now, that Black Friday has finally arrived, the deals are coming back around. Target's Black Friday sale is live now and runs until Saturday, Nov. 30.

Plus, the retailer is offering a holiday season price match. If you purchase an item at Target and it goes on sale leading up to Dec. 24, the brand will refund you the difference. It's also price-matching competitors' pricing within 14 days of your purchase.

What are Target's Black Friday hours?

Unlike Amazon, which operates entirely online, you can shop Target deals online and in-store. If you're looking forward to shopping in person this season, Target is a great place to do just that.

Note: All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing. Any deal marked with a 🔥 has dropped to a record-low price at Amazon, or matches Amazon's lowest price.

Best tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 11-inch, 6th generation (M2 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $499.00 at Target
$599.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"This Apple tablet is our favorite for most people, thanks to its versatility. It works just as well for artists as it does for students. The M2 chipset makes it a more viable laptop replacement than other tablets while costing you a few hundred dollars less than a supercharged iPad Pro." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More tablet dealsBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones $199.99 at Target
$349.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While our very favorite Sony headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM5s, their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM4s are also fantastic. Plus, they're $100 cheaper.

They're phenomenal headphones with active noise cancellation that truly tune out the world. If you like to crank up the volume, these are headphones for you because the audio quality is just so good. Plus, unlike the XM5s, the XM4s fold up for easy storage and toting around.

Right now, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are down to $199.99, saving $150 for 43% off during Target's unofficial early Black Friday deals.

More headphone dealsBest speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 6 Speaker $79.99 at Target
$129.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

JBL makes our go-to Bluetooth speakers. They're waterproof and portable with battery life to last for days. So we always have our eyes peeled for deals on JBL speakers during shopping events. At Target, you can find the JBL Flip 6 Speaker for well under $100.

It lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge and is both dustproof and waterproof. It's equipped with dual pumping bass radiators to deliver JBL's Pure Bass Sound to really get things bumping.

During Target's Black Friday sale, it's down to $79.99, saving you $50 on this top-notch speaker. That knocks 38% off the price.

Speaker dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Google TV $239.99 at Target
$349.99 Save $110.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Black Friday conjures images of doorbusting deals, with shoppers racing to the TVs to fight over the inventory. Luckily, you don't have to be in the stampede for TV deals with Target's early Black Friday sale.

This TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Google TV is just $239.99, knocking $110 off the price for 31% savings. It provides 4K picture and a built-in Google interface, so you don't need an extraneous streaming device.

More TV dealsSoundbar dealsBest smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, Sport Band, GPS + cellular) $679.99 at Target
$749.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The latest Apple Watch is getting a holiday discount. During Target's holiday sale, find the Apple Watch Series 10 for $70 off, marking it down to $679.99.

The Series comes packed with all the essentials for fitness tracking, playing music, and even taking calls. This model comes equipped with cellular, so you can send texts or take calls without being near your iPhone. It's waterproof too, meaning it can come along as you swim laps.

This limited time deal is available for 9% off ahead of Black Friday.

More smartwatch dealsBest home and kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kitchenaid KitchenAid 5.5-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer $279.99 at Target
$449.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're getting ready to whip up dozens of Christmas cookies, don't even think about doing it all by hand. Sure, it will be a great arm workout, but at what cost? Upgrade your kitchen tools ahead of the holiday season with the KitchenAid 5.5-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer. It has twice the power of KitchenAid's standard tilt head mixer and can mix batches of 11 dozen cookies at a time. This mixer is no joke.

You can beat the savings ahead of Black Friday as it's marked down to $279.99, saving you $170 for 38% off.

More home deals

Kitchen

Robot vacuums and stick vacuums

Best toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon 50% off board games and puzzles at target Get Deal Why we like it

Time's up on screen time. Turn to old school entertainment this holiday season and stock your cabinets with board games and puzzles. Target is offering up to 50% off board games and puzzles during their Black Friday sale. Get Hasbro's The Game of Life for $10.99, knocking 50% off.

More toy deals

Legos

Board games, Barbies, action figures, and more

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Show Image Alt Text on Threads for Accessibility

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 21:00

You can enable alt text in the Threads app to view image descriptions and enjoy a more accessible, inclusive experience. It's a small change that makes a big difference to your browsing experience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buys Black Friday sale is still live — find all the best deals here

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:52

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 2:44 p.m. EST This story has been updated with new gift card and smart home deals.

Best Buy's top Black Friday deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $329 (save $70) Get Deal Best 4K TV deal Hisense 75-inch QD6 QLED 4K Google TV $449.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Dell XPS 13 9350 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best headphone/earbud deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds $229 (save $70) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Oura Ring Gen3 Starting at $249 (save up to $200) Get Deal Best gaming deal HP Victus 15-fb2063dx (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, AMD Radeon RX 6550M, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $429.99 (save $370) Get Deal Best action camera deal GoPro Hero13 Black Bundle $449.99 (save $100 + free $25 Best Buy gift card) Get Deal

After dropping oodles of early deals in the first few weeks of November, Best Buy officially kicked off its 2024 Black Friday sale on Thursday, Nov. 21. The event runs for 10 days on its website, mobile app, and in stores through Saturday, Nov. 30.

The electronics retailer is serving up two kinds of side dishes with its main course. First, its Black Friday deals are joined by revolving rounds of doorbusters that are up for grabs throughout the holiday season. New waves of them get listed on its website every Friday through Dec. 20, with first dibs the Thursdays prior for paid My Best Buy members (Plus and Total tiers).

The latest batch of doorbusters includes free $75 gift cards with the purchase of the Meta Quest 3 or the Xbox Series X (2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition); discounts of up to $400 on Apple's new M4 MacBook Pros; and a 65-inch 4K Roku TV that's only $299.99. The deals are now live for all shoppers.

SEE ALSO: The best Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

Best Buy is also releasing rapid-fire "Flash Deals" as part of its Drops program this Black Friday. These offers are available in limited quantities for a short while exclusively on the Best Buy mobile app starting at 9 a.m. ET. Shoppers can preview them in the app or on the homepage of Best Buy's website — look out for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Copper/Nickel Dyson Corrale.

The Mashable Shopping team is tracking and vetting Best Buy's Black Friday deals as its sale progresses, and you can check out our running list of the best offers below. Keep in mind that Best Buy offers a Holiday Price Match Guarantee, so if anything you buy there gets cheaper later on, you can request a price adjustment. (We've spotted a Ninja air fryer and several Logitech gaming accessories that have dipped in price since the sale started.) The retailer's extended holiday return and exchange period is also in effect.

Note: All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🚪 next to them are this week's limited-time doorbusters. Struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $329.00 at Best Buy
$399.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

Best Buy is kind of getting clobbered in several categories of Apple deals this Black Friday — MacBooks and AirPods, for two — but it is offering one of the best discounts on a current-gen Apple Watch. The new Series 10 model has a thin, lightweight design with a large display and a built-in speaker, health/fitness features like sleep apnea detection and water depth sensing, and speedy charging. If you own a Series 8 or older, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder recommends upgrading to it for that last reason alone. (No need to do so if you already have a Series 9.)

The 42mm size sans cellular connectivity is on sale at Best Buy for $329, which is 18% off its normal list price and its lowest price to date (and also matched at Amazon). Take your pick from three colorways: jet black/black, rose gold/light blush, and silver/denim.

If you'd prefer a slightly bigger case, the 46mm Series 10 is only $30 more this Black Friday.

More Black Friday Apple deals at Best Buy:

AirPods

Apple Watches

iPads

Unlocked iPhones

Macs

MacBooks

Best 4K TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch QD6 QLED 4K Google TV $449.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

Black Friday is all about huge discounts on huge TVs, and this 75-inch Hisense model is a perfect case in point: At just $450, it's far cheaper than any other TV of its size right now. (Walmart had a 75-incher listed for $378 during its first Black Friday Deals event, but it's long sold out.) The fact that it has a bright and vibrant QLED display, not a standard 4K screen, sweetens the deal even further.

Kind of surprised this one wasn't chosen as a doorbuster, TBH. Let's call it a hidden gem.

More Black Friday 4K TV deals at Best Buy:

43- to 50-inch 4K TVs

55-inch 4K TVs

65-inch 4K TVs

75-inch 4K TVs and larger

Streaming devices and media players

Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell XPS 13 9350 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999.99
$1,399.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

For early adopters, the all-new Dell XPS 13 is one of two Lunar Lake PCs featured in Best Buy's Black Friday sale — the other one being the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition; they come equipped with Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors designed for AI. We haven't tested them ourselves just yet (it's in the works), but their battery life is apparently ridiculous. This is the base configuration with a FHD+ non-touch display, and Dell has rated it at up to 26 hours per charge.

Best Buy marked it down from $1,399.99 to $999.99, which is a 29% savings and its biggest discount since launching in October. The same deal is available on Dell's website during its own Black Friday sale.

More Black Friday laptop deals at Best Buy:

Windows laptops

2-in-1 laptops

Chromebooks

Best headphone/earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds $229.00 at Best Buy
$299.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like them:

Read Mashable's full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

Mashable contributor Timothy Beck Werth deemed Bose's QC Ultra buds "impressive in every way": They have unrivaled ANC, they last six hours at a time (which you can bump to 24 hours with their included charging case), and they fit as nicely as their name implies. They also have an Immersive Audio feature that shifts sound around you as you move — it's not a game-changer, but it's still "really cool," said Beck Werth, who ultimately rated the QC Ultra Earbuds a 4.6/5. They're our No. 1 noise-cancelling earbuds and a Mashable Choice Award winner.

They usually retail for $299, but you can snag them on sale at Best Buy for $229 — a 23% savings and their lowest price since launching last fall. Amazon and Bose's online storefront were both matching that discount when we last checked, FYI.

More Black Friday headphone/earbud deals at Best Buy:

Earbuds

Headphones

Best fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring Gen3 (Horizon, Silver) $249.00 at Best Buy
$299.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

Read Mashable's full review of the Oura Ring Gen3.

The previous-gen Oura Ring is an excellent fitness wearable with heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, temperature and activity tracking, and a multi-day battery life — all wrapped up in a sleek, durable titanium design. It's on sale at Best Buy this Black Friday for $50 to $200 off, depending on the style and finish (starting from $249.99).

More Black Friday fitness tracker and smartwatch deals at Best Buy:Best gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Victus 15-fb2063dx (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, AMD Radeon RX 6550M, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 🚪 $429.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $370.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

This entry-level HP Victus 15 is our only sub-$500 gaming laptop sighting of Black Friday 2024 so far. It's equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS CPU, AMD Radeon RX 6550M graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage — nothing special, but perfectly suitable for a younger gamer or someone who sticks with undemanding games like Fortnite or CS2. (Consider putting your savings toward a RAM bump, if anything.) Its 144Hz display and backlit keyboard are nice touches for the price.

Best Buy has it on sale for just $429.99 (normally $799.99) as one of its Black Friday doorbusters, which works out to a juicy 46% discount.

More Black Friday gaming deals at Best Buy:

Video games

Gaming consoles and bundles

Gaming laptops

Gaming controllers

Gaming headsets

Gaming mice

Gaming keyboards

Gaming monitors

Storage expansion cards

Best action camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: GoPro GoPro Hero13 Black Bundle $349.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $100.00 Includes free $25 Best Buy gift card Get Deal Why we like it:

Read Mashable's full review of the GoPro Hero13 Black.

Yet another Mashable Choice Award winner, GoPro's latest action camera "is way better than a $400 video camera has any right to be," wrote Beck Werth (who gave it a 4.7/5). Highlights include "insanely good motion stabilization," a slow-motion burst mode in 5.3K at 120 fps, and a better battery life than its predecessor. This accessory bundle tacks on a spare Enduro battery, a hand grip, a 64GB microSD card, two curved adhesive mounts, and a camera case.

Best Buy has it on sale for $349.99 (or $100 off) and throws in a free $25 gift card you can put toward other Black Friday deals. Considering the camera itself is on sale separately for $339.99 (typically $399.99), you're basically robbing Best Buy blind. Note that the GoPro website was offering the same deal at the time of writing, but there's no gift card freebie offered there.

More Black Friday action camera deals at Best Buy:Unlocked phone deals

Google

Motorola

OnePlus

Samsung

Vacuum deals

Robot vacuums

Stick vacuums

Kitchen appliance deals

Air fryers

Coffee makers and espresso machines

Ice makers

KitchenAid mixers

Miscellaneous

Beauty tech dealsSpeaker dealsSmart home deals

Home security equipment

Mesh WiFi systems

Smart lighting

Smart plugs

More smart home

Gift card deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Friday outdoor deals are going strong at Amazon: Save on Coleman and Yeti gear

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:45
The best Black Friday outdoors deals at a glance Best camping deal Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent $48.99 at Amazon (Save $51) Get Deal Best hiking deal Osprey Tempest 20L Women's Hiking Backpack $119.95 at Amazon (Save $40) Get Deal Best water bottle deal Stanley All-Day Slim Bottle $22.50 at Amazon (Save $7.50) Get Deal

Black Friday isn't just for tech savants. It's also an excellent opportunity for outdoors enthusiasts to stock up on Yeti coolers, Coleman camping tents, and tons of hiking gear—often at their lowest prices of the year.

This Black Friday, brands like Osprey, Coleman, Solo Stove, and Stanley are all on sale at Amazon and other retailers. Snag a new backpack for your next expedition, cozy up in a brand-new (and dry) tent, or opt for a tumbler that works as well in a car cupholder as it does on the trail.

We'll update this list as availability changes and new Cyber Monday deals drop. Looking for other finds? Check out our comprehensive list of the year's best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

The best Black Friday camping deals Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent $48.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $51.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Coleman tents are becoming a hallmark of shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday. Amazon always discounts its supply of Coleman camping gear, and 2024 is no exception. This practical Coleman tent is easy to set up, take down, and transport. It also has a rainfly to keep the elements where they belong—the great outdoors. It's a solid pick at a good price.

More Black Friday camping dealsThe best Black Friday hiking deals Opens in a new window Credit: Osprey Osprey Tempest 20L Women's Hiking Backpack $119.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a new hiking backpack, you can't do much better than this Osprey pick. It's breathable, lightweight, spacious, and extremely adjustable, so you (especially your spine) can stay comfortable on the trail.

More Black Friday hiking dealsThe best water bottle and mug deals Opens in a new window Credit: Stanley Stanley All-Day Slim Bottle, 20oz $22.50
$30.00 Save $7.50 Get Deal Why we like it

Yes, this Stanley water bottle is a little guy, but it's also super slim and packable—ideal for day hikes. It'll keep your water cold, too, so that first sip on a hot day won't be lukewarm and underwhelming.

More water bottle and mug dealsMore Black Friday outdoors deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Speakers and headphones are still on sale post-Black Friday — grab record-low prices before theyre gone

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:32
Best post-Black Friday headphones and speakers deals Best headphone deal Sony WH-1000XM4 $198 at Amazon (Save $148.01) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $154 at Amazon (Save $95) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $78.96 at Amazon (Save $21.03) Get Deal Best Premium Headphones Deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones $299 at Bose (save $130) Get Deal

Black Friday brought the usual excellent deals, and we saw headphones at record-low prices. Over the Black Friday weekend, all of our favorite headphones and earbuds are still on sale. Yes, all of them.

Amazon has the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones down to just $198, while the Apple AirPods Pro fell to a new low price at Walmart and Amazon (they love to stay competitive). And in a Black Friday surprise, Bose dropped the price of its QuietComfort Ultra headphones all the way down to $299, which even caught us by surprise. Prefer Sonos, JBL, Sennheiser, Beats, or Dyson headphones? Yup, they're on sale, too.

SEE ALSO: The best Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

Check out our top picks below for the best Black Friday headphones deals, with some bonus speaker deals thrown in for good measure:

Best Black Friday headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 $198.00 at Amazon
$348.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While these headphones hit the market back in 2020, they're still a decent option to pick up, especially if you're looking to spend no more than $200. While they do go on sale throughout the year, they typically drop about $100, making this Black Friday discount especially good. Sure, the newer (and more expensive) Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are also on sale, but they don't justify the higher price. At least, not while this sale lasts. Plus, the XM4 ear cups fold in, potentially making them a better option for folks who travel frequently.

You can pick these up on sale at Amazon and Best Buy, but Amazon has the better price by a whopping $1.91.

More headphone dealsBest Black Friday earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $154.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This is not a drill: The AirPods Pro are down to a brand-new record-low price this Black Friday. In October, Prime Day brought the popular Apple earbuds down to a record-low of $168.99, which dropped lower to $159 last week. With Walmart's second Black Friday kicking off on Nov. 25, the retailer dropped the price of these earbuds down to another new record-low of $154, which Amazon had to match. In other words, if you've been waiting to buy the AirPods Pro, this is a really good time to buy them.

More earbuds dealsBest Black Friday speaker deals Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $78.96 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $21.03 Get Deal Why we picked this

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is our favorite speaker under $100 at full price, so we think this deal is especially worth it. Despite its relatively compact size, this speaker reaches impressive volumes, can be taken pretty much anywhere you want to go thanks to its IP67 waterproof rating, and has 14 hours of battery life. That said, this isn't the first time we've seen this speaker drop down in price. Even shortly after its release this past June, it dropped down to $79.99.

More speaker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

You’re Using Browser Tabs Wrong

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:30

Browser tabs and windows are supposed to be pages you are actively using, not pages you saved several days (or weeks, or months) ago and might need again. If you’re piling up browser tabs, using bookmarks could give you a productivity and organizational boost.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Best Portable Power Stations of 2024

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:15

You never know when an emergency will strike, so it's always best to be prepared. The best portable power stations fulfill a variety of roles, from keeping a household running when things go awry to adding convenience to outdoor excursions.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Friday fitness tracker deals are still live — here are all the best ones left

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:14
Best Black Friday fitness tracker deals Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Charge 3 $69.95 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch $149 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal

2025 is nearly upon us, and we can already feel those New Year's resolutions brewing. If your resolution has anything to do with becoming more active, you may want to consider picking up a fitness tracker to assist you in achieving your goals next year. Luckily, Black Friday deals are at their peak, so now's the time to pick one up at a discount whether you're looking for something more basic or something high-tech like a smartwatch.

SEE ALSO: Home gym starter kit: Everything you need to work out from home

Below, we've rounded up the best Black Friday fitness tracker deals so far. Keep checking in with us, though — we constantly update our deals pages with new discounts as soon as they go live, so if you want to stay on top of it, stick with us.

Best fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 3 $69.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Fitbit is synonymous with the entirety of the fitness tracker category, and it's for a good reason: They work well, and they're affordable. The Fitbit Charge 3 has become even more affordable this Black Friday — just $69.95 for the tracker, which is $30 off the original price. If you want to track your activity, stress, sleep, and more on a budget, the Fitbit Charge 3 isn't a bad place to start.

Best smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch $149.00 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple recently released the Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2. They're seriously impressive. They're also overkill for the vast majority of us, so if you're new to wearables, start with the simpler Apple Watch SE. Unless you're a hardcore athlete or diver, you'll still get all the features you expect.

For the Black Friday weekend, you can still get the 2nd Gen Apple Watch SE for just $149. The SE doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the newer varieties, but it has all the smartwatch necessities to keep you going, like fall detection, workout metrics, texting and calling, sleep tracking, and much more. With $100 off and a $149 sale price at Walmart and Amazon, it's an easy entry point into that Apple Watch lifestyle.

More Black Friday fitness tracker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Like Keurig for Cocktails: The Bev Bartending Machine Gets $130 Price Drop

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:04

This Cyber Monday, Amazon has an unbeatable deal on the Bev by Black+Decker, a game-changing cocktail machine often dubbed the "Keurig of cocktails." If the thought of muddling, measuring, and mixing fills you with dread, the Bev by Black + Decker could be a desirable solution.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Black & Decker Bev by Black & Decker $169.99
$300.00 Save $130.01 Get Deal

With just a pod and your favorite spirits, this machine delivers bar-quality drinks without the hassle. It’s ideal for anyone who loves cocktails but not the effort—or the mess—that comes with making them.

According to Christopher Null’s 2022 WIRED review, the cocktails can be hit or miss, but at $169—its lowest price since then—it might be worth considering to elevate your happy hour routine.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tracking the best Black Friday TV deals still live at Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:02

UPDATE: Nov. 30, 2024, 12:45 p.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest pricing on the best TV deals still live the day after Black Friday, including new top picks for the best deals in each size.

A quick look at the best Black Friday TV deals still live Best 55-inch deal TCL 55-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV $299.99 at Amazon (save $98.69) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch NXTFRAME QLED 4K TV $799.99 at Best Buy (save $1,200) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $449.99 at Best Buy (save $250) Get Deal Best 85-inch TV deal Hisense 85-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $649.99 at Best Buy (save $450) Get Deal

As one of the OG items being stampeded after in those old Black Friday clips you're picturing right now, we've known for most of our adult lives that Black Friday is one of the best times of year to buy a TV.

If you've been on the internet much in the past few years, you're also well aware that Black Friday doesn't end on Black Friday, and that stampeding into stores isn't really necessary anymore. The same TV deals can be found all weekend long online.

SEE ALSO: Get both Hulu and Disney+ for $2.99 per month for Black Friday

The types of TVs spotlighted for Black Friday and Cyber Monday have shifted, however. The biggest factor when upgrading your TV this year will probably be the newfound affordability of QLED. Over the past few years, QLED TVs have officially gone from "the TV that only the fanciest people you know have" to actually accessible for the average household. Finding a 55-inch QLED under $300 or a 65-inch QLED under $500 during an event like Black Friday isn't hard at all. There are even dupes of iconic TVs like Samsung's The Frame now — TCL and Hisense both have budget-friendly art TV options for several hundred dollars less than The Frame in most sizes.

At any rate, the "best" TV deal for one household won't be the "best" TV deal for another. Rather than jumping between a mess of tabs of every store's TV doorbusters, knowing which type of TVs each big retailer tends to focus on is a way smarter strategy going in.

Are TV deals better at Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart?

In my experience, Best Buy focuses on large screens and has a bigger selection of premium QLED and OLED models from Samsung, Sony, and LG on sale. Amazon gears its TV discounts more toward 43-inch to 65-inch Fire TVs, especially its in-house models. Walmart is known for a more concise list of doorbusters that are often simply the cheapest 4K TV possible in a certain size, specifically options in the 50- to 75-inch range that are more likely to sell out than TVs at other retailers. However, there's been a bit of a plot twist with cheap 43-inch to 65-inch QLEDs this year — Best Buy is kind of stealing Walmart's spotlight on that one.

The TV wheelhouses of these retailers don't completely bar any overlap between TV deals, though. A handful of popular models with big-name recognition (again, The Frame or LG's B3) are seeing price matches across multiple retailers, but we'll keep you posted if one retailer is able to undercut the others on one of these heavy hitters.

SEE ALSO: The best Black Friday Apple deals in 2024 — these record-low prices are live

Though actual Black Friday has passed on the calendar, almost all of the best Black Friday TV deals are still live as of Saturday, Nov. 30. The list below will be refreshed regularly throughout the weekend as it morphs into Cyber Monday, complete with a head's up when deals sell out — or when surprise new Cyber Week deals drop.

All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing. Any deal marked with a 🔥 has dropped to a record-low price at Amazon, or matches Amazon's lowest price.

One more thing: If you're getting rid of an old TV to make room for this Black Friday purchase, take it somewhere that recycles old electronics (like Best Buy) rather than trashing it.

Best Black Friday TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $449.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Shopping for a TV on the bigger end of the spectrum doesn't automatically mean you'll be paying the big bucks. Not when the best Black Friday 75-inch TV deal gets you a QLED model for less than $500. That's just more proof that QLEDs are way more accessible for the average household now than they were a few years ago. Back then, you were lucky if you found a 75-inch regular LED TV that didn't break $500.

The difference between regular LED and QLED is that "Q," stands for quantum dots. They form an extra layer of extra light particles over the traditional LED panel to pump out a wider, more saturated range of colors. QLED TVs are also significantly brighter than regular LED TVs, making them a much better choice for watching sports, especially in the daytime.

43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and upBlack Friday TV deals at Walmart43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs70-inch TVs and upBlack Friday TV deals at Amazon43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and up
Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Hidden watchOS 11 Features You May Have Missed

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 20:00

watchOS 11 packs several new features that add new functionalities to the Apple Watch and enhance its daily usefulness. While you may be familiar with the obvious changes already, there are some lesser-known ones that you may have missed. Let's uncover them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A ton of awesome Lego deals are still live after Black Friday

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 19:59

UPDATE: Nov. 30, 2024, 1:30 p.m. EST This post has been updated to reflect the latest pricing on Black Friday Lego deals still live the Saturday after, as well as out of stock notices for a few deals. New deals at Target and Amazon on DREAMZzz and Harry Potter sets have also been added.

The best Lego Black Friday deals still around Top Walmart Lego deal Lego Star Wars Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle $45 (save $34.99) Get Deal Best Amazon Lego deal Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds $135.99 at Amazon (save $31) Get Deal Top Best Buy Lego deal Lego Star Wars Mos Espa Podrace Diorama $55.99 (save $24) Get Deal

Lego is forever. Modern Lego sets span from classic worlds like Lego City, franchise collaborations with beloved characters like Harry Potter, and exciting new adventures in Lego Dreamzzz, where shark ships ply the skies. 

Lego might be forever, but Black Friday comes only once per year — at least, sort of. This year, retailers were pushing Lego Black Friday deals so early that the first few waves had already dropped and sold out before Black Friday even hit. But don't worry — Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more made sure to swap in new Lego deals that'll save you up to 40% on Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Disney collections, those iconic floral sets, and more. Many of the best deals from Black Friday have carried over into the weekend, with new ones likely dropping for Cyber Monday.

SEE ALSO: The best Nintendo Switch deals still live after Black Friday

Whether you’re a collector treating yourself to a new set or you’re looking for a gift for a kid, right now is one of the best times to buy Lego all year round. Here are the best Black Friday Lego deals live as of Nov. 30. Note: All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best Black Friday Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Star Wars Lego Star Wars Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle (75362) $45.00 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $34.99 Get Deal Why we like it

The Office Lego Set may have sold out at Walmart within a day or so of dropping, but Walmart has another Lego deal that deserves a shout out. Star Wars fans will get a huge kick out of the Lego Star Wars Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle. With a rotating cockpit, signature red wings, and four figurines including bounty hunter and Sith, this is an action-packed set. Walmart's nearly 28% discount drops this set to $45, beating Best Buy's price by $13.99 on the same model number.

More Lego Walmart Black Friday dealsAmazon Black Friday Lego dealsBest Buy Black Friday Lego dealsTarget Black Friday Lego dealsBlack Friday deals at the Lego websiteOther great Lego Black Friday deals from Kohl's, Scheels, and more
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday gaming laptop deals in 2024 — these deals are still live

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 19:52

UPDATE: Nov. 30, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST This story has been updated with price checks and a few new deals that have emerged post-Black Friday.

The best Black Friday gaming laptop deals you can still shop: Best gaming laptop deal Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best budget gaming laptop deal Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal The cheapest gaming laptop we've found anywhere HP Victus 15-fb2063dx (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, AMD Radeon RX 6550M, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $429.99 (save $370) Get Deal A splurge with freebies Razer Blade 16 (Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,499.99 (save $500 + 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership) Get Deal

While Black Friday is a good time to buy pretty much anything you're looking for, it's especially kind to gamers. From discounts on individual games, consoles, accessories, and more, you're bound to save a ton this holiday season if you're an avid player. That includes gaming laptops, too, which are a fantastic way to dip your toes into the realm of PC gaming if a full desktop situation is too much of a commitment right now.

SEE ALSO: I track laptop deals for a living. These are the 4 lingering Black Friday sales I keep coming back to.

If you're one of those people eyeing a gaming PC setup in the form of a laptop, take a look at the best Black Friday gaming laptop deals that are still live across the web. Big brands like Razer, Asus, and HP are in there, with options ranging from heavily discounted budget models under $1,000 to sizable price cuts on higher-end machines.

Note: All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599.99 at Dell.com
$2,099.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Alienware m16 R2.

A Mashable Choice Award winner, Dell's Alienware m16 R2 is a premium 16-inch laptop "that can handle both play and work," said Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. She gave it a 4.5/5 rating for its awesome performance, its sturdy, "subdued" design that doesn't hang onto fingerprints, its "satisfying" keyboard, and its port selection. She also appreciated its support of Nvidia Advanced Optimus, a feature that lets users switch on its integrated graphics for non-gaming tasks. It's our favorite gaming laptop of 2024 despite its tinny audio and unimpressive battery life (which, to be fair, is to be expected with a machine this powerful).

The exact configuration we tested keeps going in and out of stock at Best Buy, having fallen to a record low of $1,299.99 during its Black Friday sale (a $600 discount). If it's MIA when you check, a similar configuration with a better Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU is readily available on Dell's website for $1,599.99, or $500 off. That's still better than the usual list price of our loaner.

More Black Friday gaming laptop dealsUnder $1,000Over $1,000
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Create a Mail Merge in Apple Pages (for Free)

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 19:30

Mail merge helps you generate personalized postcards, invitations, and more, using contacts from your address book or a spreadsheet. Here's how you can use the feature in Apple's free Mac word processor, Pages.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Fun and Useful Ways to Use Vocal Shortcuts on Your iPhone

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 19:15

Using Vocal Shortcuts, you can record specific phrases that trigger actions on your iPhone. In many cases, there's no need for a Vocal Shortcut when you can ask Siri to perform the same action, but there are some occasions where only a Vocal Shortcut will do the job.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Two-Factor Authentication Isn't Invincible: That's Why You Need a Backup Gmail Account

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 19:00

Google's 2.5 billion registered users make Gmail a big target for hackers, and hackers always working on new ways to bypass your security—even two-factor authentication isn't invulnerable now. That's why you should consider opening a second Gmail account.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 Things Apple Keynote Does Better Than Powerpoint and Google Slides

How-To Geek - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 18:30

Your Mac has many native apps that are underutilized, and Apple's Keynote presentation software is among them. So let's look at what Keynote does better than its biggest competitors, Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to contact Target customer service for Black Friday 2024

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 18:11

After the chaos of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (we're still recovering), you may need to reach Target for order issues, returns, or product inquiries. Stolen packages, missing items, damaged goods, cracked TV screens — problems like this can add extra stress during the holiday season.

So, if you need some help, here’s how to get in touch with Target customer service.

SEE ALSO: Last chance for these Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

1. Use Target’s Live Chat
For fast assistance, visit Target.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the "Contact Us" link. From there, you can start a live chat with a representative who can help with your issue.

Target's online customer support uses a combination of automated prompts and human assistance. Fair warning, during events like Black Friday, be prepared to wait.

Support times will be longer during peak shopping days. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Target.com

2. Call Target Customer Service
You can also reach Target by phone at 1-800-440-0680. Customer service is available seven days a week, though expect longer wait times during this busy shopping season.

3. Reach Out on Social Media
Target is active on Twitter (@Target) and Facebook. A quick direct message or tweet can often get a swift response.

4. Visit a Target Store
If your issue is related to returns or exchanges, visiting a nearby Target location might resolve the problem faster. Bring the item and receipt for a smoother process.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I track laptop deals for a living. These are the 4 lingering Black Friday sales I keep coming back to.

Mashable - Sat, 11/30/2024 - 17:57

UPDATE: Nov. 29, 2024, 11:30 a.m. EST This story has been updated with price and availability checks across the board. Good news: All of my top picks are still available (for now).

The best Black Friday laptop deals you can still shop: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB) $844 (save $255) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499 (save $500.99) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best Chromebook deal Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $599.99 (save $100) Get Deal

I’m Haley, a Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who tracks laptop deals on a constant basis. When Black Friday rolls around, my job gets incredibly easy.

Major tech retailers and brands like Amazon, Best Buy, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Samsung took full advantage of the shopping holiday's unusually late timing this year, offering deep discounts on flagship laptops all month long. Black Friday proper may technically be in our rearview mirror at this point, but new and year-round lows on some of Mashable's best-reviewed machines are still up for grabs.

Black Friday laptop deals were (and continue to be) so competitive that even the famously stingy Apple Store gets involved. This year, it's doling out gift cards worth up to $200 with the purchase of select M2 and M3 MacBook Airs through Dec. 2 (aka Cyber Monday). I think most shoppers will prefer the "save money and go" approach of regular dollars-off discounts elsewhere, but this could be an option for someone who's deep in the Apple ecosystem or planning to buy other Apple gadgets.

SEE ALSO: Last chance for these Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

I realize that a new laptop is one of the biggest one-off purchases someone can make all year, even if they score a great deal, so I spend hours researching and vetting discounts. I steer clear of models that aren't reasonably future-proofed, as well as laptop deals that from third-party sellers at Amazon or Walmart. They may use different customer service or have different return policies than the sites they sell on, and I don't think expensive purchases mesh well with riskiness.

Read on for a closer look at four of the best Black Friday laptop deals I wouldn't pass up, plus more options across the MacBook, Windows, gaming, and Chromebook categories. Bookmark this page and come back later if you don't see any models with the specs you need, as I'll be updating the list continuously with new deals and price checks as Cyber Weekend continues.

Note: All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB) $844.00 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $255.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the M3 Apple MacBook Air.

Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon was impressed by the M3 Air's peppy performance, satisfying keyboard, vivid webcam, and dual-display support (if you close its lid), rating it a 4.3/5. It may not look all that different from its older M-series predecessors — there is a new midnight finish option — but we think it's the best MacBook for most people, especially now that Apple's bumped its base RAM from 8GB to 16GB.

The starting configuration with 256GB of storage is on sale on Amazon for only $844, which is 23% off its $1,099 MSRP, its biggest discount ever, and $5 better than Best Buy's Black Friday deal on the exact same MacBook. This also puts less than $100 between it and the M2 Air, so opting for the current-gen model over the cheapest model out there feels like an easier, more obvious choice. Just note that delivery times for all finishes are pushed into December and January.

More MacBook dealsBest Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.00 at Amazon and the Microsoft Store
$1,999.99 Save $500.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Microsoft's Copilot+ PC has an even longer battery life than the new M4 MacBook Pros — it lasted nearly 23 hours in our testing — and it comes with AI features that "make Windows fun again," Gedeon wrote. She gave it a 4.8/5; it's a Mashable Choice Award winner and our current favorite Windows laptop for most people, barring any ARM-related app compatibility issues.

The upgraded configuration that Gedeon tested is a 13-inch model featuring a Snapdragon X Elite processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage, and its price fell several times throughout the month before it settled on a new all-time low this week. I'm calling this one the "Stop! He's already dead!" special.

In early November, Amazon put this Surface Laptop 7 on sale at its October Prime Day price of $1,699.99. A week before Black Friday, Best Buy decided to match that deal — only for it to drop an extra $100 at Amazon and the Microsoft Store. A few days later, Amazon added $50 to its discount, which Microsoft eventually matched. Finally, on Black Friday proper, Amazon and Microsoft hammered the last nail in the coffin by bringing it down to a record-low $1,499 (or 25% off). It was still stuck at $1,699.99 at Best Buy the last time I checked. Poor guy.

For what it's worth, the Microsoft Store offers price protection if you bought the Surface Laptop 7 there at one of its previous sale prices. Amazon does not, but you do have the option of returning it and rebuying it for cheaper. The retailer's extended holiday return policy applies to most purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31.

More Windows laptop deals

2-in-1 laptops

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 at Best Buy
$1,899.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Alienware m16 R2.

This premium 16-incher is the best gaming laptop we tried in 2024 (and another Mashable Choice Award winner), earning a score of 4.5/5 from Gedeon. She was impressed by its ample mid-range power, its "springy" keyboard, and its solid build quality, as well as its "seamless" support of Nvidia's Advanced Optimus feature. That lets it switch between its discrete and integrated GPUs "to handle both play and work," she wrote.

Our testing configuration featured an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, GeForce RTX 4070 graphics, 16GB of memory, and a terabyte of storage. It's down to $1,299.99 at Best Buy, which is $600 off its usual list price there and a record-low.

If it sells out there — it briefly did on Black Friday — another model with a slightly better processor and a slightly worse GPU is on sale for the same price on Dell's website; it's typically $1,699.99 there.

More gaming laptop dealsBest Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $599.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Announced in October, this 15.6-inch Samsung Galaxy machine is the thinnest, lightest Chromebook Plus model on the market and the only one with an AMOLED display. (Translation: It's super vibrant.) "As someone who got a chance to get some hands-on experience with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus, I can confirm that it is razor thin," Gedeon wrote. "I don't even know how they managed to pack any internals inside." It has an Intel Core 3 100U processor, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of UFS storage, and supports newer Gemini AI features like Live Translate.

Typically $699.99, Best Buy has it on sale for $100 off as part of its Black Friday sale — its first-ever discount.

More Chromebook deals
Categories: IT General, Technology
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