Mashable

It took the Farrelly brothers 10 years to make Dear Santa, Here they talk about the pieces that had be just right and why Jack Black needed to be their 'Santa'.

Dear Santa is now streaming on Paramount+.

When Disney first announced Moana 2 in February 2024, I was apprehensive. Here was a surprise announcement, mere months out from a November release, that a Moana TV show had been reworked into a feature film. Did that mean Moana 2 was a rush job for Disney to recover from some of its 2023 box office disappointments, like The Marvels and Wish? And if so, would that mean sacrificing quality for a swift turnaround?

SEE ALSO: Disney's 'Moana 2' trailer expands on the lore of the original

Thankfully, Moana 2 soothed my worries and then some, thanks to its blend of epic adventure and its deeply felt story about family ties. Yes, there are elements that don't hit as hard, including a cookie cutter villain and some songs that just don't pass muster when compared to Moana's. But most of Moana 2 measures up to (and occasionally even surpasses) what came before — and that's due in no small part to the growth of its incredible heroine.

Moana 2 reminds you that Moana is a certified star Credit: Disney

Even if you haven't rewatched Moana since 2016, Moana 2 wastes no time in reminding you that Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho, Mean Girls) is a total badass. In the film's opening sequence, she runs through a dense rainforest forest, leaps across a ravine, and climbs a steep rock face with her trusty pig Pua on her back. Seconds later, we get a classic hero shot: Moana, hair streaming in the wind, atop an island mountain, surveying the vast ocean around her. She takes a deep breath, blows a welcoming call into her conch... and no one answers. Turns out, despite Moana's expert wayfinding skills, she hasn't been able to find any other humans who live in the ocean.

Moana's island home of Motunui is thriving, though — and Moana is nothing less than a "living legend" there. Young girls dress and do their hair like her, going as far as to find their own version of Pua. (The film dubs them "Moanabes.") Everyone calls her "the future of Motunui." Her father Tui (Temuera Morrison, The Book of Boba Fett), Motunui's chief, even wishes to bestow the title of Tautai upon her, an honor for a skilled navigator and leader that hasn't been held for many, many years.

SEE ALSO: 'Flow' review: An animated animal adventure unlike anything you've seen before

But when Moana gets a desolate vision of Motunui's future should they not reconnect with other humans, she faces a difficult choice. She could strike out for the legendary island of Motufetu, which used to connect all the ocean's pathways and peoples. Yet it's farther than Moana or any of her ancestors have ever gotten (not to mention cursed by the human-hating god Nalo). If she goes, she risks not coming back to her family or her beloved island.

Here's where Moana 2 really shows us how far Moana has grown. With age and greater status in Motunui, she's become far more aware of the stakes of her potential failure. Plus, she's terrified to lose her family — especially her scene-stealing little sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda). With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Moana sets a course for Motufetu, along with an upgraded canoe and a new crew.

Moana 2's new characters make an exciting adventure even better. Credit: Disney

Moana may be used to wayfinding by herself, but in Moana 2, she's got to share a canoe with three newbies. Keen-eyed inventor Loto (Starstruck's Rose Matafeo) brings an endearing enthusiasm to the squad, even if her tendency to take apart the canoe in her efforts to improve it is concerning. As the oldest member of the crew, you might expect farmer Kele (David Fane, Our Flag Means Death) to bring elder wisdom to the journey, but he's more the crotchety complainer type. Rounding things out is Motunui legend expert Moni (Hualālai Chung), who doubles as the canoe's resident Maui (Dwayne Johnson) fanboy. (Yes, he paints "fanfic" of him and Maui being best friends.)

So imagine Moni's sadness when he realizes Maui isn't along for the ride. While Moana could desperately use his help, Maui's actually in a pickle of his own. He's trapped by Nalo's accomplice, the goddess Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), whom I can only describe as a "bat diva." Constantly surrounded by a cloud of the winged creatures, and even sporting bat fangs herself, Matangi exudes vampiric aura. She almost gives Moana's shiny crab Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement) a run for his money.

SEE ALSO: 'Spellbound' review: Netflix's animated adventure finds its magic right at the end

But Matangi isn't the only foe Moana and co. will have to conquer. The coconut pirates known as the Kakamora are back to wreak havoc, while a giant, island-sized clam risks swallowing our heroes whole. With so many colorful creatures to face, it's a shame that Moana 2's Big Bad Nalo is basically a nonentity, reducing the (otherwise very cool) final set piece to a faceless confrontation with inclement weather. Contrast Moana 2's magical waterspouts with Moana's expressive lava monster Te Kā to get a sense of how detached the sequel is from its villain. (Except for a mid-credit scene that somehow implies he's Moana Thanos.)

Luckily, Moana 2 finds plenty of connection elsewhere, from Moana's friendships with Maui and her crewmates to her continued relationship with her ancestors. Gramma Tala (Thor: Ragnarok's Rachel House) is back to pass along some wisdom — and give us a good hard cry along the way. Elsewhere, Moana's steadfast belief in bringing the people of the ocean back together makes for a necessary counterpoint to Nalo's hopes to sow discord and isolation. (At least, what little we learn of it through exposition.) Moana's optimism and determination proves there's power in connection, which we get to see firsthand as her crew begins to gel at sea.

Moana 2's songs are fine, but they're no match for Moana's. Credit: Disney

With its beautiful, textured animation and its propulsive adventure to the far ends of the ocean, Moana 2 is another win for Disney animation. The only major letdown? The film's songs, which are totally OK, but certainly nothing special compared to Moana's greatest hits.

Moana composers and songwriters Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i have returned for Moana 2, but one key member of the first film's team is missing: songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. Taking his place are Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the Grammy-winning team behind The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. Even so, Miranda's presence is greatly missed, with songs often feeling like lackluster rehashes of the first film's songs.

Take "Beyond," essentially a toned-down evolution of "How Far I'll Go," where Moana readies herself to go back out into the ocean. Cravalho's delivery is gorgeous, and I could listen to her sing for hours, but do I remember a single line of that song beyond "I'll go beyond"? Then there's Maui's "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?," a patter song that will make you miss the fast-paced wordplay of "You're Welcome." (A flaming conch solo does lend it some extra flair.) The patter extends to travel song "What Could Be Better Than This?" While I adore Matafeo's lightning-fast delivery of Loto's science-themed rap, it all feels like imitation Miranda. Awkward rhythmic moments and some obvious rhymes further highlight how much of an asset he was on Moana.

Even the funky "Get Lost," my beloved bat diva Matangi's big number, is a letdown. Based on her character introduction, you might expect something in the vein of a dark Bond theme. Instead, you get a pop tune that, despite Fraser's serious pipes, feels fairly generic. (The slowed-down piano beginning also can't help but remind me of The Princess and the Frog's "Almost There," although I'm sure other similarities abound.) All I'm saying is, if the previous film's villain song featured a giant coconut crab doing a David Bowie tribute, you've got to aim higher.

At least Moana 2's less-than inspired songs get a boost from their accompanying animated sequences. "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?" drops us into a god-tier obstacle course, while "Get Lost" features some pretty rad bat choreography. "What Could Be Better Than This?" also scores laughs from Kele's annoyance at Moana, Moni, and Loto's increasingly excited dances, which low-key read like they're trying to get him to join their ocean-loving cult. That's the magic of Moana 2: Even when the songs aren't hitting, something else will elevate them, turning a decent number into a great experience.

Moana 2 hits theaters Nov. 27.

OpenAI has added a "SearchGPT" Shortcut to the ChatGPT app for iPhones.

First spotted by MacRumors, when you go to Shortcuts, there's now an option to directly invoke the web search option of ChatGPT. Next to other ChatGPT commands like "Ask ChatGPT," "Start a voice conversation," and "OpenChatGPT," there's a new command that says "Open SearchGPT." This will automatically start a new ChatGPT conversation with the search function turned on.

A new "SearchGPT" Shortcut is available on iPhone with the latest ChatGPT update. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable How Apple is integrating ChatGPT into iOS

OpenAI officially called the AI-powered search engine "ChatGPT Search," but in pre-release testing, the prototype was referred to as "SearchGPT," hence the name of the Shortcut command. Mashable has reached out to OpenAI for clarification and will update this story with a response.

SEE ALSO: How to replace Google with ChatGPT Search as your default search engine

OpenAI launched ChatGPT Search in October, which performs real-time web searches in addition to traditional ChatGPT responses. Tapping the globe icon connects ChatGPT to the web, which provides answers with relevant sources linked in and contextualized in its responses. Meanwhile, Apple's partnership with OpenAI brings ChatGPT to its suite of AI-powered features called Apple Intelligence. The December iOS 18.2 release will be the first update to include ChatGPT integration. But the Shortcut provides an easy way to access ChatGPT even without the upcoming iOS update.

The SearchGPT Shortcut became available with the latest release of the ChatGPT iOS app which was released on Monday. So if it's not showing up for you, check to make sure you have the most up-to-date version.

ChatGPT Search is currently only accessible for users with ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Teams subscriptions, with plans to roll out to free accounts in the coming months.

UPDATE: Nov. 26, 2024, 11:35 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the best iPad deals available ahead of Black Friday, including a $100 price cut on the iPad Air and new iPad Pro deals.

Best iPad deals ahead of Black Friday Best overall deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $499 (Save $100 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 64GB) $259 (Save $90 at Amazon) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A17 Bionic, WiFi, 128GB) $399.99 (Save $99.01 at Amazon with on-page coupon) Get Deal

If you don't want to wait until the actual day of Black Friday to shop, iPad deals aren't waiting either.

In these days before Black Friday, every major retailer has started some version of their sale programming. That means we're seeing prices at or near record lows already, from the iPad Air at $100 off, the 10th generation iPad at $90 off, and the new iPad mini at $99 off.

SEE ALSO: All the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

As for whether you'll score significantly better prices during Black Friday, it's hard to say, especially as these prices currently are some of the best of the year. What we can say is that we'll be updating this post with any iPad price drops leading into, on, or following Black Friday. As of Nov. 26, here are the best iPad deals already available:

Best iPad deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $499.00 at Best Buy
$599.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We consider the iPad Air the best Apple tablet for most people: it has the flexibility to be a good school companion as it can be a laptop replacement or art tablet. The M2 chip also powers some older Pro models, but you'll be saving a few hundred bucks (especially with this iPad deal).

At $499, this iPad is just a dollar away from its record low pricing, making it an excellent time to pick it up ahead of the holidays. If you're looking to score the most savings possible, even if that means wading into the chaos of Black Friday, you might want to hold off — the Air initially dropped to this price about a week ago, so there is a chance that it drops even more come Black Friday. At the time of writing, this deal is available at Target, Best Buy, and Amazon, with the latter two having all four colors available.

More iPad deals

iPad

• Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (9th generation, WiFi, 64GB) — $199.99 $329 (save $129.01)

• Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 64GB) — $259 $349 (save $90)

• Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (9th generation, WiFi, 256GB) — $349.99 $479 (save $129.01)

• Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 256GB) — $429 $499 (save $70)

iPad Air

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $699 $799 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $799 $899 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 1TB) — $999 $1,099 (save $101)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

iPad mini

• Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) — $349.99 $499 (save $149.01)

• Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, WiFi, 256GB) — $499.99 $649 (save $149.01)

• Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A17 Pro) — $399.99 $499 (save $99.01 with on-page coupon)

iPad Pro

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $849 $999 (save $150 with on-page coupon)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,049 $1,199 (save $150 with on-page coupon)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

SAVE $25: As of Nov. 26, you can get the new Amazon Kindle (16 GB) for $84.99, down from $109.99. That's a 23% discount, or $25 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (16 GB) $84.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

The holiday shopping season is officially here, and retailers are rolling out doorbusters and discounts galore. We’re even seeing some of the most popular tech products reach their lowest prices of the year, including the newest Amazon Kindle e-reader.

SEE ALSO: Amazon actually managed to beat some of Best Buy's Black Friday laptop deals

As of Nov. 26, you can get the Amazon Kindle (16 GB) for just $84.99. (Note: This price is for the black Kindle. If you want the matcha color, it's $89.99.) This is a 23% discount and $25 off the list price of $109.99. You’ll also get three months of Kindle Unlimited free with your purchase. Once the three months are up, you can renew at $11.99 per month or cancel.

Amazon’s newest Kindle is the company’s lightest and most compact design yet. It features a glare-free 6-inch touchscreen display, up to six weeks of battery life, and 16 GB of storage for thousands of e-books, comics, and audiobooks. It’s also sustainable — it’s made with 75% recycled plastics and 90% recycled magnesium.

Start cozy reading season with a new Kindle today.

Confused by the new iOS 18 Photos app? You're not the only one.

Apple updated the default Photos app with iOS 18 earlier this fall and some folks on the internet are unhappy about it. TikTok influencer Alix Earle, for example, got hundreds of thousands of likes on a quick video denouncing the update. Put simply, Apple reorganized the Photos app, introduced several new features, and, unsurprisingly, it’s causing frustration among users.

The good news is that you can fix it — for the most part.

SEE ALSO: iOS 18.2 release date leak: Here’s when Genmoji, Image Playground could get a stable public release How to fix iOS 18 Photos app

There's good news and bad news here.

Easy! Credit: Screenshot: Apple

The bad news is that the only way to keep the old Photos app is to avoid updating your phone, but this also means missing out on the important security benefits that come with regular updates.

The good news is that you can at least de-clutter the new Photos app a bit. Here's how.

1. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the app and hit "Customize & Reorder"

2. Toggle on or off the various tabs as you see fit. You can also drag them up and down to reorder where they appear in the app

3. Hit the X button in the upper right corner

Again, the Photos app will look the way it looks no matter how much reordering you do. The old design is gone. However, you still have the option to hide the algorithmically generated content you’d rather not see.

SAVE 25%: As of Nov. 26, you can score 25% off all Ruggable products. Shop washable doormats, rugs, pillows, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable 25% off sitewide Black Friday sale Get Deal

Retailers everywhere are gearing up for Black Friday with pre-sales, doorbuster deals, and the promise of serious savings in the days to come. We’ve seen Black Friday sales from Walmart, Target, and Wayfair all weeks before the actual day.

Now, Ruggable’s getting in on the action with a 25% off sitewide sale. As of Nov. 26, you can get up to 25% off any rug, washable doormat, bath mat, pillow, or pet bed on the Ruggable site during its Black Friday sale with the code BF24.

SEE ALSO: Honest review of Ruggable: Are the washable rugs worth the price?

Ruggable is known for its machine-washable area rugs and its wide selection of designs, from modern geometric patterns to traditional Persian styles. And, according to Mashable’s RJ Andersen, they’re definitely worth the splurge if you have pets or kids.

“Ruggable has far exceeded my expectations when it comes to a versatile, durable rug, and it’s certainly been easier to clean than any of my ‘traditional’ rugs,” Andersen writes.

Of course, the appeal of Ruggable's machine-washable products extends beyond just those with furry friends or little ones underfoot. Just take a look at all of the holiday-themed rugs, door mats, and more currently on sale. (I’m personally in love with the reindeer doormat). They also have rugs of all textures, shapes, and sizes, from small 2×3s to larger 18×18s.

UPDATE: Nov. 26, 2024, 10:50 a.m. EST

Best early Black Friday keyboard deals Best keyboard deal Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk Kit $149.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best gaming keyboard deal SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gaming Keyboard $128.99 (save $51) Get Deal

Black Friday is one of the best, if not the best, times to pick up some new tech at a deep discount (rivaled only by shopping events like Amazon Prime Day). Whether you need a new laptop, TV, or gaming console, you're bound to find a great deal during the holiday shopping season. That also includes keyboards.

If your laptop or daily driver keyboard is no longer cutting it for you and you're looking to add a new one to your tech lineup, now is a good time to do it, because the early Black Friday keyboard deals are actually pretty sweet. Check out our top picks — just be sure to keep checking in, because we'll be updating this page with new discounts as they pop up.

SEE ALSO: The best early gaming laptop deals you can snag ahead of Black Friday 2024 Best keyboard deal Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk Kit $149.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If your laptop's keyboard isn't doing it for you anymore, the Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk Kit is the answer to your problems (we absolutely love it.) The kit comes with a laptop stand, wireless keyboard, and wireless mouse pad that'll serve as a serious upgrade to your work-from-home or coffee shop setup. Ahead of Black Friday, you can grab one of your own for $149.99, which is $30 off the original price. Don't miss this one.

Best gaming keyboard deal Opens in a new window Credit: SteelSeries SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gaming Keyboard $128.99 at Best Buy
$179.99 Save $51.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Gaming keyboards are awesome, but they can take up a lot of real estate on your desk. The Apex Pro Mini gaming keyboard is a fantastic compromise, featuring a smaller profile without sacrificing important functions like RGB customization, macro assignments, low latency, and more. It's one of our favorite gaming keyboards, and it's on sale for $51 off in the weeks leading up to Black Friday. If you want a top-tier mini gaming keyboard, look no further.

More early Black Friday keyboard deals

• Amazon Basics Wired Keyboard — $11.29 $13.30 (save $2.01)

• Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo — $17.99 $24.99 (save $7)

• Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo — $19.99 $27.99 (save $8)

• Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Keyboard — $19.99 $27.99 (save $8)

• Amazon Basics Rechargeable Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo — $27.09 $33.99 (save $6.90)

• Logitech G213 Prodigy Gaming Keyboard — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Logitech MK470 Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo — $39.09 $49.99 (save $10.90)

• Lenovo Legion K310 RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard — $40.70 $49.99 (save $9.29)

• Logitech G413 SE Full-Size Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $56.09 $79.99 (save $23.90)

• Logitech G PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $68.92 $129.99 (save $61.07)

• Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT Gaming Keyboard — $74.49 $79.99 (save $5.50)

• Logitech Pop Mechanical Keyboard — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Razer Huntsman Mini Gaming Keyboard — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Razer BlackWidow V3 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Corsair K70 RGB PRO Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)

• Razer Huntsman V2 Gaming Keyboard — $119.99 $199.99 (save $80)

• Logitech G713 Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard — $132.99 $169.99 (save $37)

• Logitech MX Mechanical Wireless Illuminated Performance Keyboard — $139.38 $169.99 (save $30.61)

• Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard — $149.99 $179.99 (save $30)

GET $450 OFF: As of Nov. 25, you can get a new Microsoft Surface Laptop for $1,549.99, down from $1,999.99. That's 23% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop $1,549.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $450.00 Get Deal

Meet the laptop that’s far out ahead of all other Windows machines in our testing — but meet it for less. Right now, Amazon is running a unique 23% off sale on the new machine, dropping the price way below the competition from other retailers.

As of Nov. 26, you can get the new Microsoft Surface Laptop for $1,549.99, down $1,999.99. That's $450 off, or a 23% discount, on the Copilot-enabled laptop we called the best Windows laptop for most people.

What’s Surface all about? For one, a touchscreen is at the system’s core, enabling you to play in Paint the same way you might in Procreate on an iPad. A Snapdragon X Elite core whirs inside, driving this machine to perform way beyond old intel Surface models.

SEE ALSO: All the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

But what really won our hearts is this machine’s exceptional battery life: we clocked 23 hours.

The Surface has Copilot AI built right into it and features an NPU that will run AI processes natively. Want to make wild AI-images right from your drawings? This machine will help you do just that.

When buying a laptop, what’s under the hood isn’t all that matters, and thankfully the Microsoft Surface Laptop looks great too, with a sleek form factor that comes across as effortlessly professional.

UPDATE: Nov. 26, 2024, 10:40 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the most recent price drop on the Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9, SE, and Ultra.

The best Apple Watch deals ahead of Black Friday Best Series 10 deal Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $329 at Amazon (Save $70) Get Deal Best Series 9 deal Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) $329 at Walmart (Save $100) Get Deal Best Ultra deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) $699.99 at Amazon (Save $99.01) Get Deal

Black Friday sales are in full swing, bringing some of the best prices we've seen on Apple Watches all year.

As of Nov. 26, the Series 10 is $70 in most of its configurations, the Series 9 is down to $279.99 (returning to its July Prime Day pricing), and the SE is at the new low price of $149.

If you hesitated to pick up the Series 9 deal during Prime Day because the Series 10 wasn't out yet, this Black Friday season offers you another chance to make the call between last year and this year's watches. The differences between the watches aren't too drastic, so if you're most focused on saving money, you might want to go with a Series 9, especially as we don't expect them to be available new for much longer.

SEE ALSO: Walmart's second Black Friday sale is live: Get a $149 Apple Watch SE, a $178 55-inch 4K Roku TV, and more

Of course, for those most interested in getting the cheapest Watch possible, grabbing the new discount price of $149 you'll find on the 40mm SE is a solid option.

Below, you'll find each of those picks, along with more of the best Apple Watch deals live leading up to Black Friday.

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

Read more from Mashable about the Apple Watch Series 10.

Just two months after its release, the Series 10 is down to a record-low price for the third time. Throughout November, we watched it fall in price from $355 to $349, and now, finally, $329. Last year, the Series 9 also dropped to $329 during the Black Friday. With programming running early yet again this year, it's hard to tell if Amazon, or any retailer for that matter, will drop the price even further — it would be their biggest Black Friday discount on a fall Apple Watch release if they did. Still, $329 is a great price on a newly released smartwatch that includes upgrades of a larger display, a slightly thinner watch, and an inbuilt speaker for playing audio directly from your watch.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 10

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $359 $429 (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS + cellular) — $429 $499 (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS + cellular) — $459 $529 (save $70)

Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $279.99 $399 (save $119.01)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $309.99 $429 (save $119.01)

SE

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (40mm, GPS) — $149 $249 (save $100)

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (44mm, GPS) — $179 $279 (save $100)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $219 $299 (save $80)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $249 $329 (save $80)

Ultra

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01)

More users means more problems, and social media wunderkind Bluesky is no exception. On Monday, Bluesky announced new moderation efforts to address a growth in concerning user content amid its incredible growth.

In an exclusive with Platformer, Bluesky explained that it would be quadrupling its content moderation team, currently a 25-person contracted workforce, in order to curb a worrisome influx of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and other content that violates the sites' community guidelines — cases that have so far fallen through the existing moderation systems and warrant human oversight.

"The surge in new users has brought with it concomitant growth in the number of tricky, disturbing, and outright bizarre edge cases that the trust and safety team must contend with," the company wrote. "In all of 2023, Bluesky had two confirmed cases of CSAM posted on the network. It had eight confirmed cases on Monday alone."

SEE ALSO: Leaving X for bluer pastures? What to know about Bluesky's owners and policies.

At large, the platform is navigating an explosion in user reports being handled by an extremely small company. On Nov. 15, the platform posted that it was receiving 3,000 reports per hour, compared to only 360,000 reports for all of 2023. "We’re triaging this large queue so the most harmful content such as CSAM is removed quickly. With this significant influx of users, we’ve also seen increased spam, scam, and trolling activity — you may have seen some of this yourself," the platform wrote at the time. "We appreciate your patience as we dial our moderation team up to max capacity and bring on new team members to support this load."

Bluesky's bolstering of its human workforce supplements what is often a complex and confusing world of automatic, AI-powered content moderation. In a follow-up thread, Bluesky noted issues with "short term" moderation policies put in place over the last week to tackle harmful content under high-severity policy areas, including CSAM. Responding to automatic flags and efforts from the trust and safety team, Bluesky explained, several accounts were temporarily suspended. The platform is reinstating accounts who feel they were unjustly removed.

Bluesky's in-house content moderation systems are also paired with third-party tools, like reporting tool Safer, created by child safety nonprofit Thorn. Branded as a user-powered, decentralized social network, Bluesky prioritizes an "ecosystem of third-party providers" and eschews a "centralized moderation authority" in favor of user customizability.

SAVE $99.01: As of Nov. 26, the Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) is just $399.99 at Amazon, $99.01 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) $399.99 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Black Friday is just two days away, but Amazon’s been throwing discounts left and right — there’s no reason to wait until the Big Day to score this year. From laptops to tablets, the online retail giant has slashed prices on all sorts of tech, including the newest Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro).

As of Nov. 26, you can get the Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) for just $399.99 at Amazon with the on-screen coupon. That’s $99.01 off the list price and the lowest we’ve seen this model go for.

SEE ALSO: See the best Black Friday TV deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart

The Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) features an 8.3-inch liquid retina display, 128 GB of storage, and an ultrafast A17 Pro chip. (If you need more storage, you can get it in 256 GB and 512 GB, but it’ll cost you a bit more.)

With an all-day battery life, USB-C charging, and support for the Apple Pencil, you can create, browse, watch, and work from anywhere you go. The 12 MP ultra-wide front camera and 12 MP wide back camera also make it a great device for snapping photos and video chatting.

UPDATE: Nov. 26, 2024, 10:15 a.m. EST This article has been updated with the latest Chromebook deals ahead of Black Friday 2024.

Best early Black Friday Chromebook deals Best Chromebook deal Asus Chromebook Plus XC34 (Intel Core i3-1215U, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) $329 (save $40) Get Deal Best 2-in-1 Chromebook deal Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel 13th Generation Core i5, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $449.99 (save $250) Get Deal

Chromebooks don't get the respect they deserve when most people talk about which laptops are worth buying. While Chromebooks aren't necessarily the top-tier machines many are looking for, they're still great budget options for those who don't need a technical powerhouse of a laptop. They're affordable, and they get the job done — sometimes, that's all you need.

Ahead of Black Friday 2024, Chromebooks are even more affordable, because a lot of them are on sale before the big event. If you're interested in picking up some new tech for cheap, now is the time to seriously consider your options.

SEE ALSO: HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch review: A big-screened budget laptop for the right user

Check out our favorite pre-Black-Friday Chromebook deals below, and be sure to keep checking back — we'll be updating this article as new offers go live.

Best Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Chromebook Plus XC34 (Intel Core i3-1215U, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) $329.00 at Walmart
$369.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Asus Chromebook Plus XC34 is a great laptop for those who take a more minimalist approach to their tech. It can handle all the basics with flying colors, from web browsing, to document editing, and all the other day-to-day tasks most people find themselves doing. Ahead of Black Friday, the Chromebook is only $329 at Walmart, which is a nice little $40 discount off a super affordable computer.

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (Intel 13th Generation Core i5, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $449.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Prefer versatility to everything else? You'll probably want a 2-in-1 laptop, and the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 may be one you'll want to check out. The laptop-tablet combo comes with some pretty decent specs for a budget device, and features a seamless convertible body that you can switch up at a moment's notice. This Chromebook is currently sitting at $449.99 at Best Buy, which is $250 off the original price. It also comes bundled with a convenient carrying sleeve.

More Chromebook deals

• Acer Chromebook 311 (Intel Celeron, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $109 $199 (save $90)

• Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook (Intel Celeron, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $119 $249 (save $130)

• Asus Chromebook CM1402 (MediaTek Kompanio 500 Series, MediaTek Integrated Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $129 $299 (save $170)

• Acer Chromebook 315 (Intel Celeron N4500 Dual-Core Processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $139 $179 (save $40)

• Acer Chromebook 315 (Intel Pentium N6000, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $149 $349 (save $200)

• Acer Gateway Chromebook 311 (Intel Celeron N4500, Intel UHD Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (MediaTek Kompanio 500 Series, MediaTek Integrated Graphics, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $159 $319 (save $160)

• HP 15.6-inch Chromebook (Intel Processor N200, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $179 $399 (save $220)

• Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook (MediaTek Kompanio 800 Series, MediaTek Integrated Graphics, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $269 $379 (save $110)

• Asus Chromebook Flip CX1 (Intel Celeron N6000, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $269.99 $329.99 (save $60)

• Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (Intel 12th Generation Core i3, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $279 $399 (save $120)

• Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (Intel Core i3-N305, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $299.99 $335 (save $35.01)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i (Intel Pentium N6000, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet 5 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 7CG2, Qualcomm Adreno 618 Graphics, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $349 $499 (save $150)

• HP Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3, Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $399 $629 (save $230)

• Acer Chromebook 516 GE (Intel Core i5-1240P, Intel UHD Graphics, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $449.99 $599.99 (save $150)

• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 Series 1, Intel Graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

SAVE $20: Through Dec. 4, new and returning subscribers can sign up for two months of Paramount+ Essential or Paramount+ with Showtime for just $2.99 per month. That's up to 76% in savings with this Black Friday deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ / Showtime Paramount+ with Showtime $2.99 per month for two months Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential $2.99 per month for two months Get Deal

Black Friday streaming deals are officially rolling in — and Paramount+ is the latest streamer to toss its hat in the ring. Compared to years past, however, we've got to say we're a little disappointed. While Peacock and Max basically resurrected their Black Friday 2023 discounts for 2024, Paramount+ cut back on its generosity a bit.

Through Dec. 4, new and returning subscribers can sign up for Paramount+ Essential or Paramount+ with Showtime for just $2.99 per month for two months. That's $10, or 63% in savings, if you opt for the Essential plan, and $20, or 76% in savings, if you choose the upgraded Paramount+ with Showtime plan. Once your two-month promotional period ends, you'll automatically be charged the full price of the tier you select — $7.99 per month for Essential and $12.99 per month with Showtime.

SEE ALSO: See the best Black Friday TV deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart

Last year, Paramount+ offered new and returning subscribers three months of the Essential plan for $1.99 per month or three months of the with Showtime plan for $3.99 per month. Plus, there was a code to score a free month trial to kick it off. While this year's discount is still welcome, we were hoping for a bit more.

Still, if you're hoping to watch new Paramount Pictures theatrical releases like Smile 2 (coming soon), A Quiet Place: Day One, and Transformers One, Paramount+ is the streamer for you. It's also home to local AFC games on Sundays, UEFA Champions League matches, CBS originals like Ghosts, Survivor, and Big Brother, and old Nickelodeon and MTV shows. And if you opt for the tier with Showtime (why wouldn't you when it's currently the same price?), you'll also unlock an ad-free viewing experience and the entire Showtime library, which includes some excellent shows like Yellowjackets, The Curse, and The Chi.

GET $20.99 OFF: Nov. 26, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is $49.00 at Walmart, shop now and save $20.99 with this early Black Friday deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Pro Controller $49.00 at Walmart
$69.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

Nintendo Switch is all about versatility, but what about when you want additional precision? From acing tricky skill-shots to blasting through FPS titles, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is made for games where you need an edge. Right now, early Black Friday sales are on at Walmart and it's a great time to buy.

Designed primarily for moments where your Nintendo Switch is connected to a TV, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is made of molded plastic that's comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Because of this, it’s a great pick for adult gamers with large hands, or kids engaging in a marathon run of Minecraft.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday deals Amazon vs. Walmart: Comparing the best sales

Motion controls and rumble enhance the feeling of being within the action. Two analog control sticks provide intuitive control in game, while rear triggers and buttons will be familiar to any experienced gamer.

Nov. 26, you can get the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for $49.00 and save $20.99 at the Walmart early Black Friday sale.

Whether you’re launching arrows at bokoblins in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, or unleashing lightning strikes at your friends in Smash Bros, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller gives you that final bonus you need to come out ahead.

SAVE $34.99: As of Nov. 26, you can get an Amazon Echo Pop and Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb for just $17.99 at Amazon. That's a 66% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop + Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $17.99 at Amazon
$52.98 Save $34.99 Get Deal

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly gift that’s practical and fun ahead of Black Friday, Amazon’s got a great deal on the Echo Pop right now.

As of Nov. 26, you can snag an Echo Pop with an Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb for just $17.99. That’s a smart speaker and smart bulb combo for less than $18.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Echo devices — which one are you buying during Black Friday?

The Echo Pop is Amazon’s most affordable smart speaker at $39.99, but it's currently on sale for $17.99 — an all-time low price. And, as if that wasn't enough of a bargain, Amazon is throwing in a free smart bulb to make the deal even sweeter.

The Echo Pop can do everything a typical Echo can, like play music, answer questions, and control compatible smart home devices. Its compact, spherical design comes in multiple colors, including lavender bloom and midnight teal.

The included smart bulb works with Alexa; ask her to turn on or off the light. You can also set schedules and routines via the Alexa App.

For those who are vision-impaired or who wear prescription glasses, enjoying an immersive virtual reality (VR) or mixed reality (MR) experience can be uncomfortable or impractical. Glasses can feel bulky, fog up, or get scratched from frequent headset removal and adjustment. Moreover, many users with vision impairments report experiencing vertigo, eyestrain, or headaches when attempting to play in VR/MR without their corrective lenses.

To put the fun back in gaming and make VR/MR experiences more accessible for everyone, Zenni Optical has designed custom prescription lenses made specifically for the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S headsets. These super thin lenses integrate seamlessly into the headsets, offering vision correction without the need for traditional glasses.

Opens in a new window Credit: Zenni Optical Custom Prescription Lenses for Meta Quest Headsets at Zenni Optical
Enhance your Meta Quest experience with Rx and non-Rx Zenni lenses that won’t fog or scratch Shop Now

Here are three reasons to consider leveling up your headset with Zenni’s lenses: 

1. Lenses tailored to your eyesight needs

Zenni lenses are available in prescription and non-prescription versions. Those in need of corrective vision will find the thin and lightweight inserts way more comfortable than wearing glasses under the headset. 

2. Already 20/20? Zenni’s non-prescription lenses will still enhance your gaming

Nothing will eject you from an epic battle scene faster than having to stop and de-fog your Quest headset. Zenni lenses come with a fog-resistant coating that prevents annoying condensation from forming while you play.

So even if you’ve got perfect vision, with these lens inserts, you’ll get an enhanced, more immersive Quest experience, thanks to Zenni’s anti-fog and scratch-resistant technology — designed to keep you firmly rooted in the world of your own making. 

3. An affordable and durable upgrade to your Quest headset Credit: Zenni Optical / Meta

Zenni lenses are designed to be safe and durable for VR/MR usage. They come with a scratch-resistant coating and are anti-reflective, anti-fog, and oil-resistant, providing additional protection for both your lenses and your gaming set.

Zenni lenses are super affordable, at just $49.99 for prescription options, and $29.99 for non-prescription lenses. Even better, vision insurance can be used to purchase the prescription lenses, which are also eligible for HSA and FSA payments. 

Whether you’re hoping to make your Meta Quest experience more comfortable, accessible, or just more fun and immersive, Zenni has you covered. Escape into your own world without all the annoyances by snagging yourself a pair and popping them into your headset today.

Mercury is a little-known, still mysterious world.

But one thing is certain. Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, can't actually travel backward in retrograde, and doesn't impact us on Earth. The notion of Mercury retrograde, a common reference in astrology wherein communication and travel are temporarily impaired, can, of course, be a fun musing. The event occurs when Mercury appears to start traveling the opposite direction in the sky.

But this is perceptive trickery. Mercury retrograde is apparent motion, such as when you pass a speeding car on the highway and it appears that car is moving backward. It's not an exceptional, or momentous, event.

"There's nothing unusual about it," Tansu Daylan, a physicist at Washington University in St. Louis who leads NASA telescope observations, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

It happens so regularly — three or four times a year — that some people easily associate events like misunderstandings or travel woes with the event. "People are actively searching for connections," Daylan said. It most recently started again on Nov. 25, 2024.

What causes Mercury retrograde

From our perspective, the planets, including Mercury, move west to east across the night sky, relative to the stars. Greek and Roman astronomers, in fact, referred to planets as "wandering stars."

If you, hypothetically, could look down on the sun from above, you would see the planets orbiting counterclockwise. This creates the easterly movement, from our perch on Earth. But this changes when two planets become aligned as they orbit the sun, Daylan emphasized. Then, an inner planet (Mercury) moves faster than an outer planet (like Earth), resulting in "apparent retrograde motion" — apparent because Mercury, speeding around our star at over 100,000 mph, does not suddenly start traveling backwards.

The NASA graphic below illustrates apparent retrograde motion, using Mars and Earth. A planet's appearance in the sky can change when planets align or one "overtakes" another, but the actual orbits don't change.

A depiction of apparent retrograde motion. Credit: NASA Mercury's southern hemisphere, as captured by NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft. Credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Carnegie Institution of Washington

Mercury retrograde lasts for a few weeks at a time, so don't be surprised to hear how it's connected to a multitude of events.

Though we know Mercury's orbit isn't doing anything strange in our solar system throughout the year, it will remain a world of mysteries. It's a planet that's difficult to observe from Earth, because of its proximity to the sun. "That means it can be spotted only briefly shortly before sunrise and just after sunset, and always appears close to the horizon," the European Space Agency explains. What's more, it's extremely challenging to reach — any spacecraft endeavoring there must contend with the sun's overpowering gravity. That's why Mercury is the least visited of the other inner planets. And, it's precarious to get too close to Mercury because the searing planet's surface, hot enough to melt lead, radiates heat into space. The ongoing BepiColombo mission, a joint European and Japanese endeavor, is designed to resist these extremes as it makes unprecedented flybys.

Planetary scientists hope to soon answer many questions about Mercury: Is there water? Is it geologically active? How did it get so close to the sun?

But, at least, its strange apparent motion is well understood.

"There's nothing fancy about it," Daylan said.

This story has been updated with more information about Mercury retrograde.

We all know that you can find low prices on TVs, laptops, headphones, speakers, and so much more during Black Friday. It's the busiest time of the year for online shopping, so of course you're going to find a lot of discounts on top products. That much is clear.

But which deals take priority over Black Friday? Where can shoppers find the greatest value?

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Black Friday TV deals aren't really hitting, but there are some highlights

You could make a solid case that Apple deals are the top dogs over Black Friday. Apple doesn't tend to offer discounts, so Black Friday is the best opportunity for Apple fanatics to stock up for less. It's a strong argument, but it's not going to convince us that TV deals aren't the biggest stars of this busy shopping period. A lot of products shine bright over these hectic weeks, but TV deals reign supreme.

And the good news is that there are already absolutely loads of Black Friday TV deals to consider. You can save on small budget-friendly models, huge splash-the-cash sets, and everything in between. And to save you some time over Black Friday, we have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout TV deals to get you started.

These are the best TV deals this Black Friday.

The best Black Friday TV deals at Amazon

43-inch TVs

• Insignia 43-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $169.99 $199.99 (save $30)

• Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $229.99 $369.99 (save $140)

50- to 55-inch TVs

• Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $329.99 $479.99 (save $150)

• Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $339.99 $519.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $369.99 $549.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

65-inch TVs

• TCL 65-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $698 $1,099.99 (save $401.99)

• Samsung 65-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $1,397.97 $2,197.99 (save $800)

• LG 65-inch G3 OLED 4K TV — $1,996.99 $2,796.99 (save $800)

75-inch TVs and up

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $769.99 $1,049.99 (save $280)

• TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99)

• TCL 75-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $998 $1,499.99 (save $501.99)

• Sony 85-inch X77L 4K TV — $998 $1,498 (save $500)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

• LG 77-inch B3 OLED 4K TV — $1,496.96 $2,296.99 (save $800.03)

• Hisense 85-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,799.99 (save $1,102)

The best Black Friday TV deals at Best Buy

43-inch to 50-inch TVs

• Pioneer 43-inch 4K TV — $149.99 $269.99 (save $120)

• Hisense 43-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)

• Samsung 43-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

55-inch TVs

• Hisense 55-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• LG 55-inch UT70 Series 4K TV — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 55-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)

• Hisense 55-inch S7 Canvas QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,499.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 55-inch QN90D QLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

65-inch TVs

• LG 65-inch UT70 Series 4K TV — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 65-inch QN80D QLED 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,899.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,299.99 $1,999.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 65-inch S95D OLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)

• LG 65-inch G4 OLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)

75-inch TVs and up

• Hisense 75-inch QD6 4K TV — $449.99 $699.99 (save $250)

• LG 75-inch 85 Series QNED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)

• Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $3,299.99 (save $1,500)

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,399.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• LG 77-inch C4 OLED 4K TV — $2,199.99 $2,799.99 (save $600)

• TCL 85-inch S5 Series 4K TV — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Sony 85-inch Bravia 7 QLED 4K TV — $2,499.99 $3,299.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 85-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $2,999.99 $4,299.99 (save $1,300)

• TCL 98-inch Q6 QLED 4K TV — $1,699.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,300)

The best Black Friday TV deals at Walmart

43-inch TVs

• Element 43-inch 4K TV — $138 $158 (save $20)

50- to 55-inch TVs

• LG 50-inch 75 Series QNED 4K TV — $398 $596.99 (save $198.99)

• Samsung 55-inch Q60DB QLED 4K TV — $498 $698 (save $200)

• LG 55-inch B3 Series OLED 4K TV — $798 $1,699.99 (save $901.99)

65-inch TVs

• LG 65-inch UQ7070 4K TV — $398 $476 (save $78)

• Samsung 65-inch Q60DB QLED 4K TV — $698 $898 (save $200)

• LG 65-inch B3 Series OLED 4K TV — $998 $1,299 (save $301)

70-inch TVs and up

• LG 70-inch UQ7070 4K TV — $498 $648 (save $150)

• TCL 75-inch S4 4K Roku TV — $378 $498 (save $120)

• Samsung 75-inch Q60DB QLED 4K TV — $898 $1,198 (save $300)

• Samsung 85-inch DU7200B 4K TV — $898 $998 (save $100)

Black Friday is an awesome opportunity to pick up all the products on your wishlist at reduced rates. But it can also be pretty exhausting.

You can find deals on just about everything from leading retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. That's great news for the savvy shoppers out there with a plan of attack. But most people don't have everything mapped out. Most people are frantically scanning the many Black Friday sales for something of actual value. At this point, it's OK to ask for help.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is treating most of November like Black Friday

Amazon and Walmart go hard for Black Friday, but which retailer actually offers the best deals on the most popular categories? We've done the hard work for you and checked out everything on offer from Amazon and Walmart, and lined up a selection of standout deals for your consideration. With only a handful of the very best deals to consider, it's easy to see which retailer comes out on top in each category.

These are the best Black Friday deals from Amazon and Walmart.

Best Black Friday headphone deals: Amazon vs. WalmartAmazon

• Skullcandy Hesh — $79.88 $134.99 (save $55.11)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.99 $199.95 (save $69.96)

• Sony ULT WEAR — $148 $199.99 (save $51.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 — $228 $348 (save $120)

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — $279 $399 (save $120)

• Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Beats Studio Buds — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)

• Sennheiser ACCENTUM — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $129.99 $169.95 (save $39.96)

• Jabra Elite 10 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Jabra Elite 8 Active — $169.99 $229.99 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) — $189.99 $249 (save $59.01)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $229 $279.99 (save $50.00)

• Sony WF-1000XM5 — $248 $299.99 (save $51.99)

Walmart

• JLab Go Air Pop — $9.88 $25 (save $15.12)

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $29 $79.99 (save $50.99)

• Beats Studio3 — $89 $159 (save $70)

Best Black Friday laptop deals: Amazon vs. WalmartAmazon

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,199 (save $149.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,299 (save $149.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249 $1,449 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,044 $1,299 (save $255)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,499 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,234 $1,499 (save $265)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,799 (save $400)

Walmart

• HP Chromebook 14a-nf0131wm (Intel Processor N200, 4GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $179.99 $399 (save $219.01)

• HP Laptop 15-fd0131wm (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $281.82 $549 (save $267.18)

• Lenovo IdeaPad 1i (Intel Core i5-1235U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $299 $559.99 (save $260.99)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $429 $799.99 (save $370.99)

• Asus Vivobook 15 (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) — $449.99 $649.99 (save $200)

• HP Victus 15-fa1657nr (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $849.99 $1,099.99 (save $250)

• Lenovo LOQ 15.6-inch Gaming Notebook (Intel Core i5, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $529.99 $609.99 (save $80)

• Acer 15.6-inch Nitro V 15 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-13620H, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $849.99 $1149.99 (save $300)

Best Black Friday TV deals: Amazon vs. WalmartAmazon

• Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $179.97 $279.99 (save $100.02)

• Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $229.99 $369.99 (save $140)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $329.99 $479.99 (save $150)

• Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $339.99 $519.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $369.99 $549.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $897.97 $1,497.99 (save $600)

• TCL 65-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV — $429.99 $549.99 (save $120)

• Amazon 65-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• TCL 65-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $698 $1,099.99 (save $401.99)

• Hisense 65-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,299.99 (save $500)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,297.97 $1,997.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 65-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $1,397.97 $2,197.99 (save $800)

• LG 65-inch G3 OLED 4K TV — $1,996.99 $2,796.99 (save $800)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $699.99 $1,049.99 (save $350)

• TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

• TCL 75-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $998 $1,499.99 (save $501.99)

• Sony 85-inch X77L 4K TV — $998 $1,498 (save $500)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

• LG 77-inch B3 OLED 4K TV — $1,496.99 $2,296.99 (save $800)

Walmart

• Samsung 55-inch Class Q60DB QLED 4K TV — $498 $698 (save $200)

• Samsung 65-inch Class Q60DB QLED 4K TV — $698 $898 (save $200)

• LG 65-inch Class B3 Series OLED 4K TV — $998 $2,399.99 (save $1,401.99)

• TCL 75-inch Class S4 4K Roku TV — $378 $498 (save $120)

• Samsung 75-inch Class Q60DB QLED 4K TV — $898 $1,198 (save $300)

• Samsung 85-inch Class DU7200B 4K TV — $898 $998 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Class DU6900 Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV — $298 $348 (save $50)

Best Black Friday vacuum deals: Amazon vs. WalmartAmazon

• Eufy L60 with self-empty station — $279.99 $398.99 (save $119)

• Eufy X8 Pro with self-empty station — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)

• iRobot Roomba j7+ with self-empty station — $359 $514.94 (save $115.94)

• Roborock Q7 Max — $199.99 $599.99 (save $400)

• iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ with self-empty station — $299 $549.99 (save $250.99)

• Eufy Omni C20 self-empty and mop washing station — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Narwal Freo with self-empty and mop washing station — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400)

• Eufy X10 Pro Omni with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $799.99 (save $250)

• Yeedi M12 Pro+ with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $999 (save $449.01)

• Dreame L10s Pro Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $999.99 (save $450)

• Shark RV2820YE PowerDetect 2-in-1 with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $899.99 (save $350)

• Ecovacs Deebot T30S with self-empty and mop washing station — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Narwal Freo X Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $799.99 $1,399.99 (save $600)

Walmart

• Shark IQ 2-in-1 RV2402WD — $188 $379.99 (save $191.99)

• Shark Cordless Pet Pro WZ250 — $144 (Special Buy)

• Dyson V7 Advanced — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Dyson V12 Detect Slim — $399.99 $649.99 (save $250)

• Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)

• Shark Lift-Away Upright Vacuum — $144 $329 (save $185)

• Shark Detect Pro Self-Empty Robot Vacuum — $449.99 $599.99 (save $150)

• iRobot Roomba j9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum — $599 $899.99 (save $300.99)

• iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop — $999 $1399.99 (save $400.99)

• iRobot Roomba Combo i5 Robot Vacuum and Mop — $229 $349.99 (save $120.99)