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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Updated: 3 hours 47 min ago

A ton of awesome Lego deals are live before Cyber Monday

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 21:25

UPDATE: Dec. 1, 2024, 3:05 p.m. EST This post has been updated to reflect the latest pricing on Black Friday and early Cyber Monday Lego deals live on Sunday, as well as out of stock notices for a few deals. New deals at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy on DREAMZzz, Minecraft, Christmas and more 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 / Cyber Monday weekend 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 already starting to drop for Cyber Monday and more on their way.

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 and Cyber Monday Lego deals live as of Dec. 1st. 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 early Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals of 2024 — record-low prices are still live

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 21:08

UPDATE: Dec. 1, 2024, 3:00 p.m. EST This post has been updated with the most recent sale pricing and stock of all of the Apple Watches still on sale the weekend after Black Friday, including a $20 further discount on the 2nd gen GPS + Cellular Apple Watch SE (compared to its initial sale price before Thanksgiving).

Early Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals: Best Series 10 deal Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) $359 at Best Buy (Save $70) Get Deal Best Ultra deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) $719 at Amazon (Save $70) Get Deal Budget Pick Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (40mm, GPS) $149 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

Black Friday itself is finished, but you can still score Apple Watch deals as we head into Cyber Monday. The big retailers are bringing the best prices we've seen on Apple Watches all year.

As of Sunday, Dec. 1st, the Apple Watch SE is at the low price of $149 (although only in select colorways.) If you prefer to stick with the current-gen, the recently released Series 10 watch is also on sale, and at its lowest-ever price. And for shoppers who are really ready to splurge, you can still grab the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $70 off at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: MacBook deals are going extremely hard this Black Friday — here are the best deals live now

Below, you'll find each of those picks, along with more of the best Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals. If you've got more Apple gadgets on your holiday wishlist, we're tracking all of the latest Apple deals as well. Just be warned: select sizes, colors, and configurations of the most popular Apple products are already very low in stock.

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 Apple Watch deal before Cyber Monday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) $359.00 at Best Buy
$429.00 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).

Last year, the Series 9 dropped to $359 during Black Friday, so it's pretty impressive to be able to snag the next-gen Apple Watch for the same amount of money — especially when that next-gen watch has a bigger, crispier 46mm display (but a thinner design overall) and an inbuilt speaker for playing audio directly from your watch. If you'd be fine with a smaller screen, you can save an extra $30 and opt for the 42mm Series 10, which is on sale for $329 at Best Buy.

The best Black Friday Apple Watch deals

Series 10

Series 9

SE

Ultra

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Nintendo Switch deals live before Cyber Monday

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 21:08
The best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals at a glance Best Nintendo Switch console deal Nintendo Switch OLED 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' Bundle 349 Get Deal Best Nintendo Switch game deal 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' $30 (save $39) Get Deal Best Nintendo Switch accessory deal CRKD Nitro Deck $49.99 (save $20) Get Deal

Good Nintendo Switch deals are pretty hard to come by. For some reason, Nintendo just generally doesn't like to list their consoles, games, or accessories at steep discounts, even during big sales events. But Black Friday changes people, and this year, the iconic gaming company is actually offering up some competitive, worthwhile deals from store to store. Now that this year's sale is officially on, there's a slew of great deals on the console itself as well as games to play on it to take advantage of now.

Whether you can stumble across those Switch deals before they sell out is another story. So far, we've already seen several games and Mario Kart 8 bundles completely scooped up, so don't hesitate to jump on an enticing deal if you see it in stock.

SEE ALSO: Do not sleep on these Cyber Monday streaming deals

Below, find our favorite Nintendo Switch-centric deals still available just before Cyber Monday, including any price cuts we can find on Switch consoles and console bundles, individual games, and accessories like controllers, cases, microSD cards, and more.

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 Nintendo Switch console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch OLED 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' Bundle at Walmart
Get Deal Why we like it

The Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch bundle is pretty much a Black Friday staple at this point, and 2024 is no different. During Black Friday, the bundle was $50 off at Walmart, but that quickly sold out. It's hard to find post-Black-Friday, but Target still has some in stock ahead of Cyber Monday. Because it's such a hot item, we'd say finding one at all (even at full price) is a deal in itself.

More Nintendo Switch console dealsBest Nintendo Switch game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' $30.00 at Walmart
$69.00 Save $39.00 Get Deal Why we like it

There's a large group of people who would say that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom isn't just one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever made, but one of the best games ever made in general. And you know what? We'd have a hard time making a case against that. In other words, it's a must-play, and now is the best time to buy a copy if you haven't experienced it yet — for Black Friday, Walmart has Tears of the Kingdom listed at just $30, down from $69. That's the best deal we've seen on this game yet, so don't hesitate to lock in your purchase.

More Nintendo Switch game dealsBest Nintendo Switch accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: CRKD CRKD Nitro Deck $49.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Look, we aren't Joy-Con haters around these parts, but it's no secret that they aren't perfect. The CRKD Nitro Deck may be the controller upgrade you've been craving, and it's $20 off ahead of Cyber Monday at Amazon, just $49.99. The Switch fits seamlessly within the handheld device, and the whole thing can be docked for TV gaming sessions.

More Nintendo Switch accessory deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Whats going on with ChatGPT and the name David Mayer?

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 20:43

For some unknown reason, typing the name "David Mayer" prompts an error message from ChatGPT. The internet is trying to figure out why.

The issue first bubbled up a few days ago with one Redditor on the r/ChatGPT subreddit posting they asked "who is david mayer?" and got a message saying, "I'm unable to produce a response."

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT Search: iPhone users can now leverage the AI search engine with ‘Shortcuts’ support Tweet may have been deleted

Since then it has kicked off a flurry of attempts to try and get ChatGPT to even say the name, let alone explain who the mysterious man is. People have tried all sorts of tricks, like sharing a screenshot of a message including the name or changing their profile name to David Mayer and prompting ChatGPT to recite it back. But nothing has worked.

Of course the big question is who is David Mayer and why does the utterance of his name break ChatGPT? Numerous theories have already cropped up. As the online world quickly figured out, googling "David Mayer" results in David Mayer de Rothschild, heir to the famed Rothschild banking family, who is an adventurer and environmentalist.

But users discovered that ChatGPT could talk about "David de Rothschild," and notable figures with the last name "Mayer" and the first name starting with "D," but would crash once it seemed to be typing "David Mayer."

Others were able to prompt ChatGPT to offer a possible explanation for why it blocks certain responses. It could be some kind of bug or "specific filter or rule in the system that blocks certain names from being processed." So for some reason, the name David Mayer might have been blacklisted either by accident or on purpose, which lead to further speculation. Maybe the heir to the Rothschild fortune has the means of preventing his name from being generated by ChatGPT?

Another theory is that it's a different David Mayer, like the historian who was mistaken for a Chechen terrorist with the same alias, and is somehow blacklisted from being mentioned.

The likeliest theory is that someone named David Mayer has done a good job of scrubbing his internet presence. In some jurisdictions like the EU, where there are strict privacy and Right to be Forgotten laws, users can request the removal of their personal information from ChatGPT training data. One user (via Justine Moore on X) found other names that "trigger the same response."

Tweet may have been deleted

Mashable has reached out to OpenAI for explanation and will update this story with a response.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Were deals experts and this is the tech wed actually buy from Amazons Cyber Monday sale

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 20:13

The Mashable Shopping team spends every morning year-round writing about the best deals of the day. That means we're extremely familiar with historical sale pricing for all of the products we cover. We also spend all year testing products for our reviews and buying guides. So, when Black Friday rolls around, we're equipped to tell you which products are truly worth buying and whether you're actually getting a good deal on them.

We're tracking all the best Black Friday deals in one place, as well as in breakouts by category, including laptops, headphones, TVs, and so much more. But since Amazon officially kicked off its Cyber Monday sale on Saturday (classic Amazon), we thought we'd comb through and find the best deals on the products we've tested or use in our daily lives.

Here are 13 Amazon Cyber Monday deals we recommend shopping:

Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac $84.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

"My work from home life can be organized into two distinct periods: Before the Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac and After the Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac. When I bought it, it felt excessive to spend $100 on a mouse. But the comfort, the perfectly muted click sound, the 2.4 GHz dongle that allows me to connect it to my Bluetooth-less gaming PC and my work computer via Bluetooth and switch between the two effortlessly makes it worth every penny — and especially so if you can grab it for $15 off." —Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

Loftie alarm clock Opens in a new window Credit: Loftie Loftie smart alarm clock $119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

"OK, I know this is an incredibly expensive alarm clock, even on sale. However, I’m also a firm believer in investing in the items you use every single day (see: the Logitech mouse blurb). As someone who is a.) very much not a morning person despite her best efforts and b.) works East Coast hours, I decided to bite the bullet and get this alarm clock a few months back. While I got mine for a bit cheaper as it was refurbished and on sale, after months of using it, I would happily buy it for $120. The alarm sounds are so much less abrasive than a standard iPhone alarm (which made me realize how much the iPhone alarm sounds made me feel like the worst version of myself first thing in the morning). The app is easy to use, but you also don’t need it to use the clock to its fullest. Plus, it looks really good on my nightstand." —BA

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise-cancelling headphones $299.00 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal

"While these aren’t the headphones I use personally, I spent a few months with the Bose QuietComfort Ultras last year when I tested them out for Mashable’s headphone coverage. I wore them through entire work days, on plane rides, and even in a pinch, to edit a couple of podcast episodes. My lasting impression of them is that they are the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve ever used — an opinion that Mashable Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino and Lead Shopping Reporter Dylan Haas agree with. I own Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for my daily use, and though I think the Sonys are better with sound quality and switching between multiple devices better, the Bose’s are definitely more suited to all day wear, while still offering solid sound quality and noise cancellation. And at $299, they’ve hit a new record low for Black Friday (the Sony headphones, on the other hand, is good but not exceptional, having dropped down to their $298 sale price for every other shopping holiday this year)." —BA

Dreame Gleam hair dryer Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame Gleam hair dryer $64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

"It’s officially a thing that vacuum companies also make hair dryers, and after testing the Dreame Gleam for Mashable’s Dyson Supersonic dupes guide, I’m glad this trend exists. This hair dryer is the most affordable dupe we’ve spotted, coming with two speeds and three heat settings. It’s lightweight, small enough that it won’t be a pain to travel with or store when you’re not using it, and does really well at drying hair in a short period of time. It sticks to the basics, coming with only one attachment and no special hair care settings you might find on pricier dryers, but if you’ve been meaning to upgrade from an older dryer and aren’t all that into the idea of dropping a few hundred bucks, the Dreame Gleam is a great budget option at full price and an even better one at 35% off." —BA

Philips Hue smart bulbs Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Hue Philips Hue A19 white and color smart bulbs $75.98 at Amazon
$134.99 Save $59.01 Get Deal

"If you buy one thing this Black Friday, let it be Philips Hue bulbs. I don't think I'm being dramatic when I say having smart lights in my home has changed my life. I pop these suckers into every socket I can so I never have to use The Big Light. I control my lights from my phone or with Alexa commands, and I have a world of colors and scenes at my fingertips. I love using the natural light setting when I'm working from home or creating moody red or purple lighting while watching movies. I would (and have) 100 percent pay full price for Hue bulbs, so I without a doubt recommend buying them while they're on sale for Black Friday. P.S. Amazon has them for $4 cheaper than Philips' official website." —Miller Kern, Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor

Amazon Echo Spot Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"I live in an Echo household. I'm obsessed with my Echo Show 10 in my kitchen/living room area, and my Echo Show 5 is a staple on my desk. I upgraded from a studio to a one-bedroom apartment a couple of months ago, so I needed another Echo speaker for my bedroom. The Echo Spot is a perfect addition to my nightstand. I can see the time and weather at a glance, and the audio quality is surprisingly good for such a small speaker. Plus, I've connected it with my Philips Hue bulbs, so I can be cozy in bed and ask Alexa to turn the lights off or on." —MK

Kindle Paperwhite Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) $129.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

"I'll be honest, I haven't tried out the brand-new Kindle Paperwhite, but I do use my previous-gen Paperwhite religiously. (FWIW, my colleague, Samantha Mangino, tested the new Paperwhite and said it's the only Kindle you need.) I never thought I would be an e-reader person, but I'm fully on the dark side now and would recommend the Kindle Paperwhite to everyone. It's super portable, this new model is even faster than the last, and it's waterproof — which means I get to take it to the beach, pool, and bath without worries. Now, $30 off is not a spectacular deal, but Kindle deals haven't been mind-blowing in quite some time. With their growing popularity in the last couple of years, Amazon has gotten stingy with Kindle discounts. So, take any deal you can get with these e-readers." —MK

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones $298.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

"I've tested my fair share of headphones for Mashable, and there are others that I like more for specific features, but if I were to recommend one solid, all-around pair of noise-cancelling headphones, it would easily be Sony's flagship WH-1000XM5s. They're comfortable and stylish, and Sony's audio quality is insanely hard to beat. The noise cancellation is solid, too. You could definitely opt for a more expensive pair of headphones with the Sonos Ace or Dyson OnTrac, both of which I tested and loved. But for the average person, the XM5s are some of the best overall headphones you can buy. FYI, the smoky pink color is ever-so-slightly cheaper at $297.48." —MK

Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed gaming earbuds Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed wireless multi-platform gaming earbuds $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

"I love a comfy over-ear gaming headset, but sometimes it can feel just a little too cumbersome to wear one for hours on end. That’s why I’m extremely thankful for these gaming earbuds from Razer, which give my sore ears a break from one of my many traditional headsets. They work basically just like AirPods, have pretty decent ANC, and are extremely low-latency for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds. My friends tell me they sound great on the receiving end, too!" —Dylan Haas, Lead Shopping Reporter

TheraGun Pro massage gun Opens in a new window Credit: Therabody TheraGun Pro Get Deal

"I train Muay Thai at least three days per week, and as I get older, it’s getting tougher on my body. After suffering a hip injury last year, I thought I’d have to take extended time off from my favorite hobby, but thanks to my Theragun Pro (and some physical therapy), I was able to recover much faster and without as much pain. Now, I use it every time I warm up before training to loosen up my hips, and it helps me feel like I’m actually 29 years old instead of 80." —DH

Zojirushi rice cooker Opens in a new window Credit: Zojirushi Zojirushi rice cooker (NS-LGC05XB) $135.59 at Amazon
$194.50 Save $58.91 Get Deal

"I recently got this rice cooker as a wedding gift from a friend, and it has very quickly become my favorite kitchen appliance in my home. It’s so easy to use, and my rice comes out literally perfect every time now. I also love that it plays 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' each time I start it up. Just adorable! Now that I’ve experienced the Zojirushi magic for myself, I fear I can never go back. I can’t believe I was ever making rice in a pot. That sucked so bad in hindsight." —DH

Anker Zolo power bank Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo power bank (20,00mAh) $25.19 at Amazon
$35.99 Save $10.80 with on-page coupon Get Deal

"My boyfriend is a touring musician with a several generations-old iPhone. So, needless to say, it doesn't hold a charge as well as it used to. Not to mention, it sees a lot of use on long travel days. I bought him this exact power bank before his last tour and he's still raving about it. The 20,000mAh battery could resurrect his dead phone several times before needing a recharge itself. Plus, it features 30W two-way fast-charging, so it doesn't take a million years to bring your phone back to life. For those with newer phones, it also has a built-in USB-C cable for convenience. It's currently on sale for only $25.19 with an on-page coupon — a no-brainer, TBH." — Christina Buff, Shopping Reporter

Sansi clip-on grow light Opens in a new window Credit: Sansi Sansi Small Pot Clip-on Grow Light $13.49 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $6.50 with on-page coupon Get Deal

"These 5W clip-on grow lights from Sansi have made the transition to 5:00 p.m. sunsets a breeze for my smaller potted plants. Instead of disturbing your plant's roots with a metal rod (like most other small grow lights), the Sansi lights clamp onto the side of practically any pot. The 360-degree adjustable gooseneck allows you to direct the light however you choose and there's four different brightness levels to cycle through. Set a timer for three, six, or 12 hours and forget about it. My only regret about my purchase is that I picked them up before they went on sale." — CB

Categories: IT General, Technology

I track laptop deals for a living. These are the 4 Cyber Monday sales I cant stop thinking about.

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 19:59

UPDATE: Dec. 1, 2024, 1:59 p.m. EST I've added one new deal on a Lenovo LOQ from Best Buy's Cyber Monday sale. It's the cheapest gaming laptop I've spotted so far.

The best early Cyber Monday laptop deals at a glance: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB) $844 at Amazon (save $255) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499 at Amazon and the Microsoft Store (save $500.99) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 (save $400 at Dell.com) 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 Cyber Weekend 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 Black Friday's unusually late timing this year, offering deep discounts on flagship laptops all November long. With Cyber Monday now nearly upon us, all-time lows on some of Mashable's best-reviewed machines are still up for grabs.

Cyber Weekend laptop deals are 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 proper). 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: The Cyber Monday deals we're already obsessing over

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'll sometimes list different MSRPs than major retailers if I find different numbers on manufacturers' or brands' direct websites.) 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 early Cyber Monday 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 sales continue.

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. (It's now $899 there.) 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 shipping times for all four finishes are pushed into December and January. I think it's worth the wait at this price.

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 record low last week. I'm calling this one the "Stop! He's already dead!" special.

In early November, Amazon put this Surface Laptop 7 back 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 immediately drop by 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 an unprecedented $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 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 at Dell.com
$1,699.99 Save $400.00 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 back at full price at Best Buy after dropping to $1,299.99 there on Black Friday (or $600 off), a popular deal that sold out several times over the weekend. However, another model with a slightly better processor and a slightly worse GPU is on sale for the same price on Dell's website during its Cyber Monday sale — a $400 savings.

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 currently has it on sale for $100 off — its first-ever discount.

More Chromebook deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Earn double points on Kindle Rewards through Cyber Monday

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 19:38

EARN DOUBLE POINTS: Through Cyber Monday, enjoy double rewards on all Kindle book purchases. Shop this year's best titles and earn while you spend.

Shop the Kindle Store Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $154.99 at Amazon (Save $45) Get Deal Shop this year's best books "Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar $6.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop this year's best books "James" by Percival Everett $14.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop this year's best books "Intermezzo" by Sally Rooney $14.99 at Amazon Shop Now

There are a lot of perks to Kindles. They're lightweight and portable, and the 2024 models are the fastest yet. Plus, through Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Amazon dropped prices on Kindles, providing early discounts on the latest tech. However, once you get your Kindle, you've got to stock your Kindle's library. That's where Kindle Rewards comes in.

Still in its beta phase, Kindle Rewards is a loyalty program, where you can earn points on every Kindle book purchase. For every 300 points earned, you get $3 back to use on your next purchase in the Kindle store. Typically, you earn three points for every dollar spent, but for during Amazon's Cyber Monday sale, you can earn twice that. Now, for every dollar spent, get six points through Dec. 2.

You can make the most of it by shopping all the best deals on Kindle books during Cyber Monday. Or finally catch-up on this year's award winning novels like James by Percival Everett.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Join Kindle Rewards Earn double points on every dollar spent through Dec. 2. Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Tired of pop-ups? Get AdGuard for 9 devices for just $16.

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 19:18

TL;DR: Streamline and protect everyone's online world for life with the AdGuard Family Plan — just $15.97 (reg. $79) ahead of the holidays.

Tired of bothersome ads interrupting you online? AdGuard's Family Plan offers a seamless solution with top-notch data privacy tools — for life.

This plan includes powerful ad blocking and malware protection features, making your family’s browsing safer and more enjoyable. Get protected on up to nine devices with a lifetime AdGuard subscription for $15.97 (reg. $79) through December 15.

AdGuard’s advanced ad blocker cleans up your screen, speeding up your browsing and eliminating distractions. Say goodbye to those annoying pop-ups and banners that slow you down and drive you crazy.

The malware protection feature is equally impressive. It safeguards your devices from cyber threats, ensuring your family's online safety. This protection is essential for keeping your sensitive information secure and your devices running smoothly.

AdGuard's data privacy tools are designed to work across multiple devices, providing comprehensive coverage for your entire family. Whether you're using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, AdGuard has you covered. The plan allows installation on up to nine devices, ensuring that everyone in your household benefits from enhanced privacy and security.

Customization is another key benefit. AdGuard offers user-friendly settings that let you tailor the protection to fit your specific needs. You can block inappropriate content for kids, manage tracking settings, and even create custom filters. This flexibility ensures that you get the exact level of protection you want.

Upgrade today and enjoy a secure, ad-free online experience with the best data privacy tools available.

Don't miss a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan while it's available for the super-low price of $15.97 (reg. $79) for Black Friday.

AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription - $15.97

Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$79.99 Save $64.02 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Cyber Monday subscription deals — save on streaming, Audible, and more

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 18:54
The best Black Friday subscription deals at a glance Best streaming deal Hulu (with ads) $0.99/month for one year Get Deal Best streaming bundle deal Hulu and Disney+ (both with ads) $2.99/month Get Deal Best education deal MasterClass Premium subscription $10/month Get Deal Best meditation deal Headspace $34.99/year Get Deal Best Audible deal Audible $0.99/month for three months + $20 credit Get Deal

Not to be morose, but when the holidays are over and the winter doldrums begin, you're going to want a strong roster of indoor activities.

Subscriptions can keep you busy — whether you opt for a new-to-you streaming service or an online education platform like MasterClass. This year, there are plenty of great deals out there for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, including top-notch pricing on fan faves like Hulu and Audible. It's going to be the most exciting January ever!

We'll update this article as prices change and more deals become available. For more savings, check out our giant (like, really giant) list of the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

The best Black Friday streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with ads (monthly subscription) $0.99/month for one year Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't mind ads, this deal is pretty wild: 12 months of Hulu for a mere 99 cents per month. That's less than $12 per year for access to hits like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Abbott Elementary, and Shōgun — our pick for the best TV show of the year. The movie offerings on Hulu aren't half bad, either: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Die Hard, Alien, and more.

You can also opt for a yearlong Hulu and Disney+ bundle (both with ads) for $2.99 per month. Both deals are available until December 2.

More Black Friday streaming dealsThe best Black Friday subscription deal (non-streaming) Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass annual subscription 50% off Get Deal Why we like it

MasterClass has quite a roster of expert instructors. We're talking TV writing from Shonda Rhimes, style from Tan France, singing from Christina Aguilera, and more. For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, all of the platform's subscription tiers are 50% off, which means you'll pay between $5 and $10 per month instead of $10 and $20. The Premium plan has the most bells and whistles — you can download classes for offline viewing and use up to six devices on the same account.

More Black Friday subscription deals (non-streaming)
Categories: IT General, Technology

Elon Musk files an injunction to stop OpenAI from becoming a for-profit

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 18:40

Elon Musk asked a court to stop Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, OpenAI, and other co-defendants from transitioning the ChatGPT maker into a for-profit enterprise.

Per TechCrunch, Musk filed a motion on Friday evening in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing Altman, Brockman, OpenAI board members, and stakeholder Microsoft of "violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity," and engaging in anticompetitive behavior as OpenAI seeks to convert from non-profit to for-profit status.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk announced support for OpenAI firing Sam Altman. Here’s why.

"Plaintiffs and the public need a pause," said the court filing. "OpenAI’s path from a non-profit to for-profit behemoth is replete with per se anticompetitive practices, flagrant breaches of its charitable mission, and rampant self-dealing."

Musk was an early investor and board member of OpenAI, but broke ties with the company in 2018. He later claimed Altman and Brockman violated their agreement of maintaining its non-profit status and developing open-source AI technology. In the past year, Musk has filed a lawsuit for breaching this contract, dropped the lawsuit, and then filed a new "more forceful" lawsuit based on the same claims.

Now, Musk seeks an injunction "to preserve what is left of OpenAI’s nonprofit character, free from self-dealing," according to the motion. "If not, the OpenAI promised to Musk and the public will be long gone by the time the Court reaches the merits."

Musk's injunction accuses OpenAI of engaging in behavior that merits halting the company's conversion. Allegations include an agreement obtained from OpenAI investors to not fund competitors like Musk's xAI, "exclusive arrangements" between OpenAI and Microsoft to collectively achieve market dominance of generative AI products, and Altman's "rampant self-dealing" through OpenAI contracts between companies like Stripe, Rain AI, Helion Energy, and Reddit, where he has financial interests.

In a statement to TechCrunch, an OpenAI spokesperson said "Elon’s fourth attempt, which again recycles the same baseless complaints, continues to be utterly without merit."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop 15+ Cyber Monday stocking stuffer deals before theyre gone

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 18:21
The best Cyber Monday stocking stuffer deals at a glance: A portable mini speaker JBL Go 3 $29.95 (save $10 at Amazon) Get Deal An ultra-slim fitness tracker Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 (save $30 at Best Buy) Get Deal Pocket-sized home security Blink Outdoor 4 security camera $39.99 (save $60 at Best Buy) Get Deal

It’s officially crunch time — now that the calendar has flipped to December, we’re in the thick of the holiday shopping season. If you haven’t had a chance to get out and do some shopping, don’t worry! Plenty of great deals are still out there, and they’re not just on big-ticket items.

Retailers treated most of November as "Black Friday," with waves of deals and discounts rolling out throughout the month. From Best Buy to Target to Wayfair, we’ve seen impressive price drops on tech, home goods, apparel, and more. And though Black Friday proper is technically now over, Cyber Week isn't done yet. We've still got Cyber Monday, which is typically just as good as Black Friday for snagging a sweet deal.

When you're deal shopping for gifts this season, don't forget about those stockings. We've done some digging and found the best Cyber Monday deals that would also make great stocking stuffers.

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.

A portable mini speaker Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 3 $29.95 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Portable speakers are a good gift idea for just about anyone — even better if they fit in a small bag or pocket. The JBL Go 3 is selling for $29.95 at Amazon, Macy’s, and JBL.

This tiny Bluetooth speaker delivers JBL’s signature sound in a compact, water-resistant design. It can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device and has up to five hours of playtime on a single charge. You can also get it in a variety of colors and patterns, including a special eco-friendly edition that’s made with recycled materials.

Want two? Get a pair of JBL Go 3 portable speakers for $59.90 at Amazon (that’s a savings of $20).

An ultra-slim fitness tracker Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Best Buy
$99.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the Fitbit Inspire 3.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a good starter health tracker and a solid stocking stuffer for the health-conscious giftees on your list. Plus, it’s only $69.95 (save $30) at Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

The Inspire 3 monitors heart rate, sleep, activity, and more, all in a slim, lightweight design. It has a 10-day battery life and is safe to wear in the pool or shower. This model also comes with six months of Fitbit Premium, so your recipient can take advantage of added features like guided workouts and mindfulness sessions.

Pocket-sized home security Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 security camera $39.99 at Best Buy
$99.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you still don’t know what to get your parents, grandparents, or other less tech-savvy loved ones, a simple smart home gadget like an outdoor security camera could be a great pick. (I bought one for my parents a while back, and they love it!)

The Blink Outdoor 4 camera is on sale for $39.99 at Best Buy (get a free $10 gift card with purchase), Amazon, and Target.

This battery-powered security camera is simple to set up, has a two-year battery life, and offers 1080p video, two-way audio, and person detection. It also works with Alexa, so your giftee can view the camera feed through an Echo Show or other compatible device.

More Cyber Monday stocking stuffer deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab Cyber Monday gift card deals and save on everything from streaming services to groceries

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 18:06
The best Black Friday gift card deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL DoorDash $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal ANOTHER GREAT DEAL Instacart $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal BEST RESTAURANT GIFT CARD Chipotle $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal BEST GIFT CARD DEAL FOR KIDS Roblox gift card Save 15% on Roblox gift cards with Target Circle Get Deal

Gift cards aren't exactly the most personal way of showing someone how much you care, but they're definitely more practical. At least you know they'll be used. We can't say the same about that personalized sweater you knit years prior.

Black Friday is usually a great time to find gift cards for just about anything for a steal. In years past, we've seen deals on rideshare services, streaming subscriptions, grocery delivery, travel, and more, and Black Friday definitely brought the heat, with picks from DoorDash, Lyft, and Instacart. As we continue toward Cyber Monday, you can still find most of these gift card deals at Amazon and Best Buy, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any more that pop up as Cyber Week continues.

Best Black Friday gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash DoorDash $100 gift card $85.00 at Best Buy
$100.00 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With a $100 DoorDash gift card, you can give someone in your life plenty of meals from local restaurants delivered to their doorstep. Better yet, you'll only have to pay $85 for it at Best Buy (and they'll never have to know!). The deal is valid on both physical and digital gift cards, depending on your preference. The physical gift card will be shipped to you within a few days, while the digital deal will be emailed to you immediately after purchase with details on redemption. Beyond just food delivery, you'll be giving the gift of extra time for people to enjoy the people and things they love.

The next best Black Friday gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart Instacart $100 gift card $85.00 at Amazon
$100.00 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

These days, there might be no better gift to a loved one, or yourself, than slightly cheaper groceries delivered directly to your door. With the holiday season in full swing, it's especially nice to give the option of a home-cooked meal, or just restocking the essentials, without having to brave the grocery store, especially because eating out can add up (even if you grab that sweet DoorDash deal).

More gift card deals Featured Video For You 5 best Black Friday products to shop
Categories: IT General, Technology

This Cyber Monday deal will change how you watch TV

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 18:05
Sonos Cyber Monday deals Best Sonos soundbar deal Sonos Arc soundbar $699 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best Sonos headphones deal Sonos Ace headphones $349 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

I tested Sonos's first pair of headphones, Ace, when they first came out earlier this year, and they changed the way we watch TV in my household.

The noise-cancelling headphones are impressive on their own, but when paired with the Sonos Arc soundbar, they're transformative. (The soundbar is also amazing on its own.) The two Sonos products work together to create spatial audio that's totally immersive and adapts with you wherever you go in the room.

I work from home, so on days when I'm working and my boyfriend isn't (like today), he's able to watch TV without bothering or distracting me by pairing the Sonos Ace headphones with the Arc soundbar. And he actually prefers this setup, especially for movies. As I'm typing this, he's watching soccer and I can't hear a peep.

Both the Arc and Ace are on sale for Cyber Monday, at $699 and $349, respectively. Now, I know, these are not light purchases — all together we're looking at around $1,000. But the Sonos setup is totally worth it if you're a big TV or movie buff or if you have multiple people in your household. Plus, there are tons of great Cyber Monday streaming and TV deals to pair with your new sound system.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tracking the best Cyber Monday TV deals live at Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 17:25

UPDATE: Dec. 1, 2024, 11:09 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest pricing on the best TV deals still live leading up to Cyber Monday, 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, especially with the rise of Cyber Monday. 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 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, we're gearing up for Cyber Monday on Monday, Dec. 2. Almost all of the best Black Friday TV deals are still live as of Sunday, Dec. 1. 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

2024 Cyber Monday ads: Best deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and more

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 17:19

Black Friday has been here for weeks, but as of Nov. 29, it's actually here. As always, the shopping event that takes over our TVs and inboxes promises huge discounts on TVs, laptops, headphones, speakers, and so much more.

In the battle for Black Friday, the leading names in the retail game are competing harder than ever. Some deals are price-matched across stores, while other deals on certain products are exclusive to one store or another. Where are shoppers supposed to start?

SEE ALSO: Are there any stores that price match Black Friday deals? Not officially, for the most part.

To help you shop smart this Black Friday, we've scoured all of the deals and doorbusters from the Black Friday ads of Best Buy, Walmart, Kohl's, The Home Depot, and Target, pulling out the best ones and organizing them for you by category and retailer below. For those who don't have time to scroll through pages and pages of ad scan offers from each store, this is your cheat sheet. Just use your keyboard's search shortcut to search the product or category you're eyeing.

After weeks of having early sales advertised to us, here are the best deals from Black Friday ads that you can buy online as of actual Black Friday on Nov. 29.

Best deals from AmazonBest Amazon deals on AppleBest Amazon deals on EchoBest Amazon deals on fitness trackersBest Amazon deals on headphonesBest Amazon deals on KindlesBest Amazon kitchen dealsBest Amazon deals on robot vacuumsBest Amazon deals on TVsBest Amazon deals on DysonBest deals from Best BuyBest Buy Apple dealsBest Buy deals on camerasBest Buy deals on fitness trackersBest Buy deals on gamingBest Buy deals on headphonesBest Buy deals on kitchenBest Buy deals on laptopsBest Buy deals on smart home gadgetsBest Buy deals on speakersBest Buy deals on TVsBest Buy deals on vacuums Featured Video For You 5 best Black Friday products to shop Best deals from The Home DepotBest Home Depot deals on cordless toolsBest Home Depot deals on air purifiersBest Home Depot deals on smart homeBest Home Depot deals on home securityBest Home Depot deals on ice makersBest Home Depot deals on mini fridgesBest Home Depot deals on vacuumsBest deals from Kohl'sBest Kohl's deals on Amazon productsBest Kohl's deals on home audioBest Kohl's deals on headphonesBest Kohl's deals on smartwatchesBest Kohl's deals on tabletsMore Kohl's Cyber Monday dealsBest deals from TargetBest Target deals on Apple productsBest Target deals on gaming techBest Target deals on TVsBest Target deals on kitchen appliancesBest Target deals on laptopsBest Target deals on headphonesBest Target deals on robot vacuums and regular vacuumsBest Target deals on smart homeBest Target deals on speakersBest Target deals on smartwatchesBest deals from WalmartBest Walmart deals on AppleBest Walmart deals on dronesBest Walmart deals on gamingBest Walmart deals on headphonesBest Walmart deals on laptopsBest Walmart deals on TVsBest Walmart deals on robot vacuums and regular vacuums
Categories: IT General, Technology

All of our favorite headphones and speakers are on sale ahead of Cyber Monday — grab em before theyre gone

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 17:15
The best Cyber Monday headphones and speakers deals at a glance: Best headphone deal Sony WH-1000XM4 $198 (save $148.01) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $154 (save $95) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $78.96 (save $21.03) Get Deal Best Premium Headphones Deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones $299 (save $130) Get Deal

Black Friday brought the usual excellent deals, and we saw headphones at record-low prices. As we cross the invisible line into Cyber Monday territory, 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 Cyber Monday deals we're already obsessing over

Check out our top picks below for the best Cyber Monday headphones deals, with some bonus speaker deals thrown in for good measure.

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 Cyber Monday 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 Cyber Monday earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $154.00 at Walmart
$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 Cyber Week. 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. Amazon initially matched the price, but has since sold out. 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 Cyber Monday 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

Heres how to get a free Samsung QLED TV from Verizon when you buy a new Samsung phone

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 16:45

GET A FREE SAMSAUNG QLED TV: Buy a new Samsung phone at Verizon with an Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan and get a free 50 or 75-inch Samsung TV.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Free 50 or 75-inch Samsung TV with purchase of Samsung phone sign up for an Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan Get Deal

We've been busy this holiday weekend. Like many, we debated about whether pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie is the ultimate holiday pie. But after that, we got to work. We've been scouring for the best Black Friday and early Cyber Monday sales to find you the best gifts for your loved ones and yourself. While we've found some awesome discounts, this deal at Verizon offers something impressive at our favorite price: free.

As of Dec 1, buy a new Samsung phone at Verizon with an Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan and get a free eligible 50 or 75-inch Samsung TV. To snag this deal, you'll need to buy an eligible Samsung phone like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, to list a few eligible options.

Now that we're into the chilly winter months, get ready to cuddle up and catch up on all your favorite shows with a new (totally FREE) Samsung TV. We have the new season of The White Lotus to look forward to, as well as a new season of Squid Game, and Queer Eye season 9 coming in just a few days.

What better way to enjoy these than on a brand new TV? Thanks to Verizon's early Cyber Monday sale, you can enjoy a free 50 or 75-inch Samsung TV when you purchase a qualifying Samsung smartphone which includes the Samsung S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, Z Flip6, or Z Fold6.

SEE ALSO: Do not sleep on these Cyber Monday streaming deals

You'll also need to sign up for an Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan with Verizon and keep it active for 12 months. After your initial 30 days of Verizon service, you'll be able to redeem this offer for a free Samsung TV at Samsung's online store.

Keep in mind this deal is only eligible for one Samsung TV per Verizon account, and the deal has limited supply, so you'll want to shop soon if this sounds like the best deal for your winter watching activities.

If your Cyber Monday shopping list includes a Samsung phone, why not get a free Samsung TV too? Sign up for a plan at Verizon and you'll be in for a great treat.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYTs The Mini crossword answers, hints for December 1, 2024

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 16:10

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, December 1, 2024:

AcrossFolder for unwanted files

  • The answer is Trash.

Map app suggestion

  • The answer is Route.

Country whose flag depicts a blue dharmachakra ("wheel of dharma")

  • The answer is India.

Colorful coat material?

  • The answer is Paint.

Eggy holiday drink

  • The answer is Nog.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 1 DownStumble

  • The answer is Trip.

"Brooklyn" star Saoirse

  • The answer is Ronan.

The "A" of A/V

  • The answer is Audio.

"Float like a butterfly, ___ like a bee"

  • The answer is Sting.

Spiciness

  • The answer is Heat.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best gaming monitor deals ahead of Cyber Monday will save you up to 50%

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 15:09

SAVE UP TO 50%: Gaming monitors from top brands like Samsung, LG, and Acer are on sale at Amazon ahead of Cyber Monday, saving you up to 50% off the normal price.

Best early Cyber Monday gaming monitor deals Best overall deal Samsung 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Series 4K UHD Smart Gaming Monitor $554.99 at Amazon (save $445) Get Deal Best curved monitor deal LG UltraGear QHD 34-inch Curved Gaming Monitor $239.99 at Amazon (save $160) Get Deal

A solid gaming monitor can make all the difference in how your gaming experience unfolds. For anyone who's dealt with a slow refresh rate, you know the pain that can come from missing out on the action. Since winter is one of the best times of the year to catch up on games you missed out on, check out these impressive deals on gaming monitors ahead of Cyber Monday, then read further and dive into all our favorite Cyber Monday deals.

Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Series 4K UHD Smart Gaming Monitor $554.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $445.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With a 43-inch display size, the Samsung QLED Neo G7 isn't messing around when it comes to a great gaming experience. While the monitor usually costs an eye-watering $999.99, it's marked down ahead of Cyber Monday at Amazon to just $554.99, which means you'll be saving a sweet 45%. That frees up over $400 to spend on games and accessories.

Samsung focused this model on giving users the competitive edge with a matte display screen that won't show any distracting reflections, a solid 144 Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time.

Best curved gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG UltraGear QHD 34-inch Curved Gaming Monitor $239.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If your winter gaming plans call for an immersive, curved gaming monitor, check out this deal on the LG UltraGear QHD. The 34-inch monitor is marked down during Amazon's early Cyber Monday sale to just $239.99, which works out to a 40% discount compared to the list price of $399.99.

Never miss a moment with the 160 Hz refresh rate on the LG UltraGear QHD, which gets even more impressive with the 1-millisecond Motion Blue Reduction. Plus, AMD FreeSync Premium is around to help with reducing any screen flickering or stuttering that could trip you up.

More gaming monitor deals ahead of Cyber Monday
Categories: IT General, Technology

These Cyber Monday gadget deals all make excellent gifts

Sun, 12/01/2024 - 13:55

SAVE UP TO 71%: Tech and gadgets that are perfect for holiday gifts this year are on sale at Amazon's early Cyber Monday event.

Best tech and gadget deals that make great gifts Best overall deal Amazon Echo Buds $34.99 at Amazon (save $85) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones (White) $169 at Amazon (save $180) Get Deal Best smart home deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $44.99 at Amazon (save $45) Get Deal Best wellness tech deal Oura Ring Gen3 (Horizon, brushed titanium) $261.34 at Amazon (save $87.66) Get Deal Best e-reader deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $129.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best deal for pet-owners Furbo 360° Dog Camera $129 at Amazon (save $81) Get Deal

The countdown to the holidays is on. Thanksgiving is over, Black Friday is done, and now we're approaching the final frontier of holiday sale season: Cyber Monday.

To be honest, it's pretty easy to shop a sale. See a great discount, grab the product, and then relish in your savvy shopping expertise. But shopping sales when it comes to buying gifts for others can pose a challenge.

If you struggle with finding a gift your friend or family member will enjoy, consider grabbing them a gadget that'll make life easier and more enjoyable. Not only are plenty of gadgets incredibly practical, tons fall into the category of things people would sincerely love to own, but would never consider buying for themselves. And here's where these awesome early Cyber Monday deals come into play. Check out some of our favorites that make for unforgettable gifts, then dive deeper into our holiday gifting coverage with Gift Lab.

Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We're not joking when we say everyone on your shopping list could use a new pair of reliable earbuds. Even if they already own a pair, there's something that feels so luxurious about having one pair in your tote bag and one pair that lives on the nightstand, already ready for streaming your favorite podcasts before bed.

With active noise cancellation, the Amazon Echo Buds focus on comfort and performance, offering up to 15 hours of listening time with the included case. They're also lightweight and sweat-resistant which means these could be the the pair that lives in the gym bag.

Amazon has really treated us to a nice deal right before Cyber Monday by dropping the price of the Echo Buds to just $34.99, which works out to a shockingly impressive 71% discount off the usual price of $119.99.

Best fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Even if no one on your holiday shopping list took part in the Turkey Trot 5k over the weekend, we guarantee that many would absolutely love getting the Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker. For starters, the Charge 6 gets bragging rights when it comes to battery life, getting up to seven days of life before it needs to recharge. And it's water resistant up to 50 meters, so there's no need to take if off for that pool workout.

The Fitbit Charge 6 comes with everything we've come to rely on in a fitness tracker like monitoring heart rate, counting daily steps, and giving a nightly sleep score. Not to mention, there's something so convenient about having the time on your wrist instead of needing to check your phone.

Impress your family members this year by giving the Fitbit Charge 6 which is on sale for just $99.95 ahead of Cyber Monday. That's a 36% discount off the standard price of $159.99.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones (White) $169.00 at Amazon
$349.00 Save $180.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For that someone on your list who's always finding the best new music to share, gift them the incredible Bose QuietComfort Headphones. Like the name suggests, these focus on comfort which is pretty important for anyone who wears headphones for several hours each day.

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones usually sell for $349 but during Amazon's early Cyber Monday event, they're down to just $169 in the White colorway which means you'll be saving 51%.

The soft earcups are designed to cushion (without crushing) ears while proving the noise-cancelling bliss that Bose is known for. On a single charge, the QuietComfort headphones can get up to 24 hours of battery life, which means these are also a perfect gift for any jet-setting friends who could use some serenity during long flights.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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