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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: 1 hour 35 min ago

This Black Friday Xbox Game Pass deal comes with way more than just a membership, and youll save over $50

Fri, 11/29/2024 - 02:06

SAVE $51.98: As of Nov. 28, Amazon is offering $51.98 off an Xbox Game Pass bundle that comes with one month of the service, an Xbox controller, and a Fire TV Stick 4K. This Game Pass Black Friday deal was also a hot Amazon Prime Day deal, so don't miss your second chance at snagging it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1 month) + Xbox Core Wireless Controller + Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K bundle $74.99 at Amazon
$127.96 Save $52.97 Get Deal

If you have even the smallest interest in video games, you already know that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is one of the best, if not the best deals in gaming. It's basically the Netflix of gaming, offering you access to a massive library of titles to download from and play at your leisure for a relatively reasonable monthly price. You also get exclusive discounts in the Microsoft Store, the ability to play online with friends, and more. That's a way better deal than buying all of your games individually at $70 a pop.

If that sounds good to you, then we've found a Black Friday deal that'll probably be of interest: Amazon is offering a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Core Wireless Controller, and a Fire TV Stick 4K for just $74.99 (that saves you $51.98). This deal was also available during Amazon Prime Day 2024, so don't waste your second chance if you missed it the first time around.

SEE ALSO: Playing the "storage shuffle" with your new console? Pick up a portable SSD on sale this Black Friday.

And before you ask, no, you actually don't need an Xbox console to make this bundle useable. You can stream your Game Pass titles directly from the Fire TV Stick 4K, no Xbox required (assuming you have a decent WiFi connection). If that doesn't sell you on this bundle, we don't know what will.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazons official Black Friday sale is live — find all the best deals here

Fri, 11/29/2024 - 01:31

It seemed that Amazon was playing the long game this year, but now, its Black Friday sale has officially started.

The monster retailer announced the official dates for its Black Friday sale weeks later than the other big stores, and the official Amazon Black Friday event itself didn't start until Thursday, Nov. 21. If you're at all familiar with the way Black Friday works nowadays, you know that a Black Friday sale starting a week before Thanksgiving isn't all that early — considering Best Buy, Walmart, and Target had all already unveiled a first round or two of official Black Friday deals by the time Amazon started using that language.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

But by now, any seasoned Black Friday shopper probably also knows that the lack of official Black Friday nomenclature doesn't mean a lack of early Black Friday deals. Amazon had been quietly dropping some pretty good discounts on products in main categories like robot vacuums, Apple products, and Fire TVs throughout all of November. But now that Amazon's legit Black Friday sale is underway after that post-October Prime Day limbo period, expect deals to get explosive.

We're tracking all of the noteworthy deals live in the days before Thanksgiving, and will be refreshing our list of Amazon deals on a daily basis, because that's how often Amazon is dropping new deals.

As you assess your purchase options, definitely keep an eye on our coverage of the other big retailers to see how their deals compare to Amazon's — Walmart, Best Buy, and Target are going hard, and the variety out there deserves some consideration. Another smart shopping strategy is to drop the listing URL into Amazon price history tracker Camelcamelcamel to see if the current deal is a good one, or add the item to your wishlist to get notified as soon as it goes on sale.

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

Best Black Friday Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $154.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"The new batch of 2024 Kindles is the fastest yet, turning pages quickly and with less delay when switching between books in your library. The Kindle Paperwhite and Signature Edition both have bright, high-contrast screens, so you can read in any environment. While I prefer the Kindle Paperwhite over the Signature Edition most of the time, right now you can't beat the SE's Black Friday price.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is 23% off, bringing it down to $154.99. That's some big savings ($45 to be exact) on a device that's usually $200. You get everything you love in the Paperwhite, lightweight and waterproof design, with the added benefits of double the storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting brightness." — Samantha Mangino, Shopping Reporter

More Kindle deals at AmazonBest Black Friday Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Pop 🔥 $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For less than $20, why not add the convenience of being able to ask Alexa anything in any room of your home? Even if you can't see yourself being a full-screened Echo person, the Pop can subtly squeeze into any living situation. You won't even know it's there — until you're making dinner and can simply ask Alexa for measurement conversions out loud rather than actually figuring out the math. Then you'll definitely know it's there.

More Echo deals at AmazonBest Black Friday Fire Tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 🔥 $74.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet is a lot friendlier on the wallet than an iPad. With a 10.1-inch screen, it's similar in size, but it's also a fraction of the price. In our review of the Amazon Fire HD 10, we delighted in its lightweight design and long-battery life. The biggest downside to Amazon's Fire tablets are the limited selection of apps offered, especially compared the the Google Play or Apple stores.

That being said, it's still not a bad choice for those who want a tablet for streaming or reading through the Kindle app —especially when the Fire HD 10 is down to its lowest price ever of $74.99. That's a generous 46% off for $65 in savings." — Samantha Mangino, Shopping Reporter

More Fire Tablet deals at AmazonBest Black Friday robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S 🔥 $459.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $340.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"I think of the Roborock Qrevo S as the diet version of my favorite self-emptying robot vacuum right now, the Roborock Qrevo Master. And unless you're open to spending $1,000 or more on a robot vacuum, you can probably live without the Qrevo Master's fluff features like a livestream pet camera or extending side mop — especially when, at this price, you could buy a Qrevo S for two stories of your home for less than the price of one on-sale Qrevo Master.

Opting for the cheaper Qrevo is still a solid move: Compared to other 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop combos also on sale for Black Friday, the Qrevo S is one of the rare options under $500 that washes and dries its mopping pads." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More robot vacuum deals at Amazon

Robot vacuum and mop combos

Best Black Friday TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL Our pick: TCL 75-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV🔥 $549.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

"Many people looking to finally replace their old, slow LED TV are looking for the happy medium between the cheapest possible TV and the fanciest possible TV. TCL's base tier QLEDs fall right in this sweet spot, and we're particularly drawn to the $549.99 price point on this huge 75-incher.

Though the 27% discount itself isn't as steep as the 30% or 40% off ones we're seeing in our list, it has to be noted that the TV is already ridiculously modestly priced to start with. $549.99 looks even sweeter in context when put beside the 65-inch version of Amazon's in-house Omni QLED is also on sale for the same price — so you're getting 10 more diagonal inches of screen for the same amount of money.

Even as one of the more basic QLEDs on the market, you'll immediately notice the change in brightness and color of the Q65 over the regular LED you've been watching. The difference comes from a layer of quantum dots laid over the LED backlight, which provides an overall punchier picture that's much better for gaming or watching sports." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More TV deals at Amazon

43-inch TVs

50- to 55-inch TVs

65-inch TVs

75-inch TVs and up

Best Black Friday Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 🔥 $1,399.00 at Amazon
$1,599.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Considering the M4 MacBook Pro hasn't even been on this plane of existence for a full month (it was announced at the Apple Event at the end of October), already getting a $200 discount on the base configuration model is pretty major. That's Black Friday season for you.

So, what's the difference between the M3 and M4 MacBooks, aside from the fact that the M4 powered one is the fastest MacBook that's ever existed? All of your creative projects and gaming will not only benefit from zippier performance of the chip, but will display more responsive motion and gush brighter colors through the M4 MacBook's new quantum dot Liquid Retina display.

More Apple deals at Amazon

MacBooks

Macs

iPads

Apple Watches

AirPods and speakers

AirTags

Best Black Friday headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 $298.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM5.

"If you want headphones that have great noise cancellation and incredible (adjustable) sound, then the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones won't let you down. Out of the noise-cancelling headphones we've tested, these are our top pick for audiophiles. It can be a little annoying that the ear cups don't fold in, but with 30 hours of battery life, you'll probably find yourself wearing them more often than not. Dropped down to $297, these headphones are at a dollar cheaper than their Prime Day price. Our guess is that this means they'll drop even lower on Black Friday, but if you want to pick up a pair early, this is a decent price." — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More headphones deals at Amazon

Noise-canceling over-ear and on-ear headphones

Noise-canceling earbuds

Best Black Friday fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm, WiFi) 🔥 $279.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Just released in August, this is the first time the new Google Pixel Watch 3 has ever gone on sale for less than $300. Unfortunately, the larger 45mm screen is still at full price, but even this 41mm model has a 10% larger display than the same size Pixel Watch 2, thanks to smaller bezels. The Pixel Watch 3's display is also just brighter and zippier in general, without sacrificing that 24-hour battery life.

On that screen, you'll be able to swipe through a more detailed running dashboard than the previous generation, check your heart rate changes from sleep, to regular daytime chilling, to a legit cardio workout, make payments via Google Wallet, and more.

More fitness tracker and smartwatch deals at Amazon

Smart rings

Best Black Friday kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Double Oven and Air Fryer with FlexDoor (DCT402BK) 🔥 $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

We know some version of the Foodi immediately comes to mind when you think of Ninja deals, but Ninja makes other feature-stuffed countertop appliances that also deserve consideration. For instance, one of the new and improved versions of Ninja's iconic air fryer ovens, which whips up food up to 65% faster than your traditional oven, is subtly chilling under $200 for Black Friday. This countertop air frying oven, specifically model number DCT402BK, has a double stack design that can cook two separate food items on different settings or at different temperatures simultaneously. In total, there are 13 cooking presets, including bake, broil, toast, whole roast, and dehydrate.

More kitchen deals at Amazon

Instant Pot

Air fryers and pizza ovens

Coffee makers

Eco-friendly kitchen gear

Beauty tech deals Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex 🔥 $179.00 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If a multi styler like the Airwrap or FlexStyle feels like it'll be overkill for your hair routine, you might consider a nice (but still multifaceted) hair dryer like the Shark SpeedStyle. It's one of Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard's favorite Dyson Supersonic dupes, particularly for smoothing — its QuickSmooth brush in particular not only dries hair quickly, but "keeps things from looking too windswept and more styled and volumized." This version also comes with a diffuser for defined curls, a concentrator for sleek, straight styles, and a FrizzFighter finishing tool.

More beauty tech deals at AmazonDeals under $25 at AmazonPet deals at Amazon

Check out our sister site PCMag's best Black Friday deals list for more options.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday tech deals in Australia for 2024

Fri, 11/29/2024 - 01:05
Top Black Friday deals I've spotted today... Best Robot Vacuum Deal Eureka E10s A$499 at Amazon AU (was $1,099, 55% off) Get Deal Best Appliance Deal KitchenAid K400 Variable Speed Blender A$309 at Amazon AU (was $549, save 44%) Get Deal Best Earbuds Deal Anker Soundcore Space A40 A$79.99 at Amazon AU (was $159, 50% off) Get Deal Best Headphones Deal Bose QuietComfort SC A$299 at Amazon AU (was $499.95, 40% off) Get Deal Best TV Deal Hisense U7NAU A$1,195 at The Good Guys (was $1,695, $500 off) Get Deal Best Laptop Deal Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 14” A$2,154.56 at Lenovo Australia (was $3,619, 40% off) Get Deal Black Friday robot vacuum dealsBlack Friday laptop dealsBlack Friday headphone and speaker dealsBlack Friday wearable tech dealsBlack Friday TV and home cinema dealsBlack Friday VPN and security deals

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The biggest shopping day of the year is here again! That's right, it's Black Friday. And for us in Australia, that means a full day of lowest prices on just about everything (online, of course, meaning you won't have to fight off an angry crowd of Americans lining up at Walmart). With so many deals to wade through on the internet, we've done the hard work for you. Above, you'll find the biggest savings we've seen on everything tech, from all the major Aussie retailers, including Amazon, The Good Guys, Bing Lee and more. Happy hunting!

Is there a Black Friday in Australia? What is it?

Black Friday is 100% in Australia, with most retailers in the country partaking in the sales. Traditionally a single day of sales, it has become the term used to describe most sales in late November.

"Black Friday" originally comes from the United States, where in the 1950s, shops would offer huge discounts on all stock in order to clear their shelves following Thanksgiving. It also gave shoppers the chance to get on top of their holiday shopping early, and save some valuable dollars to boot. In the 70-odd years since then, Black Friday has grown into a global shopping bonanza. And the growth of e-commerce and online shopping has made it more accessible than ever.

How about Cyber Monday?

You may have also heard the term "Cyber Monday", which is a more recent event falling on the Monday straight after Black Friday. It was supposed to be more of an online thing, and typically features big savings on software, particularly security software like VPNs and antivirus.

These days, the whole month of November sees huge deals, with many retailers advertising their sales during "Black Friday Month" or "Black Friday Week". That said, you'll still often find the best prices on the official Black Friday day.

When is Black Friday in 2024?

Today! November 29, 2024. As we mentioned above, retailers have lately been referring to the whole week as "Black Friday Week", which kicked off on Monday, November 25, and concludes on Cyber Monday (December 2).

What should I buy on Black Friday? Any other shopping tips?

Thanks to the Black Friday hype, November is a great month to score some solid discounts on pretty much anything you need. That said, during Black Friday Week there are some especially low prices on the more expensive tech items, such as TVs, robot vacuums, laptops and electronics. Even a small percentage discount on some of these items can translate to hundreds of dollars in savings, so we definitely recommend buying any big-ticket items you need (or plan to gift, you lovely human), as opposed to getting too enticed by big percentage discounts on less expensive items. Definitely keep an eye out for the following sorts of products, as they're often marked down on Black Friday.

  • TVs: We expect pretty much all the leading tech retailers to be marking down prices on TVs quite significantly, since they'll be making room for next year's stock. In fact, The Good Guys and Bing Lee have both already kicked off their Black Friday sales. The good deals on top brands like Samsung, LG and Sony go very quickly, so be sure to get on it!

  • Appliances: You can save literally hundreds of dollars on whitegoods and appliances like fridges, freezers, dishwashers and more, with even relatively small percentage discounts. If you need to replace or upgrade your home appliances, do it today!

  • Games consoles: It's been easier to get the PS5 and Xbox Series X in Australia than in the past years, but that means we can finally expect some pretty good discounts on these. Consoles and games make fantastic gifts, and we've already spotted some pretty great bundle prices on the latest games with new consoles this past month. If you're in the market for one, definitely keep an eye out!

  • Smartphones: Need a new phone? Now is the time to snag one for cheap. Apple iPhones notoriously rarely go on sale, but we've spotted some hefty Apple deals on Amazon Australia.

  • Smart home tech: Ever thought about upgrading your home to the future, with a robot vacuum, video doorbell or smart lock? You'll find some especially good deals on everything smart home this Black Friday, especially on Amazon Australia.

  • Cybersecurity software: Cybersecurity software, such as antivirus and a VPN, is a must have in the modern online climate. If you need to renew or update your security set up for the new year, we suggest doing it now since the prices are so low as part of the aforementioned Cyber Monday sales.

Categories: IT General, Technology

There are seriously so many good self-emptying robot vacuum deals for Black Friday

Fri, 11/29/2024 - 00:16

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 6:15 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect the latest Black Friday sale pricing on self-emptying robot vacs as of Thanksgiving night, including a new Shark robot vacuum deal under $250.

A quick look at the best self-emptying robot vacuum deals ahead of Black Friday Best under $300 Shark IQ RV2303AE 248 (save $251.99) Get Deal Best Roomba deal iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ 399 (save $330.99) Get Deal Best hybrid deal with self-cleaning mopping pads Roborock Qrevo S 459.99 (save $340) Get Deal

The majority of robot vacuums you'll see on sale this Black Friday will be self-emptying ones, and there's a reason that feature is more common than not nowadays. Having a robot vacuum typically means you'll be vacuuming more often, and that means a fuller dustbin faster — but thanks to the universalization of the self-emptying dock, you won't have a hard time outsourcing dustbin duty for more than $300 or $400.

SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The guide to deciding which Roomba to buy on Black Friday

This wasn't the case even a few years ago, when automatic emptying was a feature reserved for the high-end robot vacs from a select few brands that were ahead of the game. Now, there are tons of options on both ends of the spectrum, including super affordable, compact options that barely take up more room than a non self-emptying option.

If your budget is a little more flexible, you can squeeze more out of your $500 to $1,000 during Black Friday and secure not only automatic emptying, but automatic water refilling and automatic mopping pad washing and drying. All of the big brands like iRobot, Shark, Roborock, and Eufy all have at least one robot vacuum and mop combo that deals with its own dust and dirty mopping pads all in the same dock, and nearly all of them have gotten a groundbreaking discount for Black Friday 2024.

SEE ALSO: Why Eufy's X10 Pro Omni is the most surprising robot vacuum I've tested all year

And by "groundbreaking discounts," I mean new record-low prices across the board, giving you plenty of options to treat yourself to hands-off cleaning amid holiday stress. I'm tracking the best self-emptying robot vacuum deals below and will be refreshing this list as more options pop up throughout Cyber Monday. 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 self-emptying robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q Revo S $459.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $340.00 Get Deal Why we like it

I think of the Roborock Qrevo S as the diet version of my favorite self-emptying robot vacuum right now, the Roborock Qrevo Master. And unless you're one of the few open to spending $1,000 or more on a robot vacuum, you can probably deal with the Qrevo S skipping the Qrevo Master's fluff features like a livestream pet camera or extending side mop.

And anyway, the most important aspect about the Qrevo S is that it has that coveted self-washing and drying mopping pad feature baked into its self-empty dock. I also have to give Roborock credit for arming this Qrevo with the same dual spinning mopping pads as the Qrevo Master, which I feel do a more detailed mopping job than a singular pad that lays flat across the bottom of the vacuum.

If it sweetens the deal at all, just know that I had already honed in on the Roborock Qrevo S as one of the best early Black Friday robot vacuum deals when it originally went on sale for $549.99 in early November. Now, it's almost $100 cheaper than that.

More self-emptying robot vacuums (that don't mop) on saleSelf-emptying robot vacuum and mop combos on sale
Categories: IT General, Technology

Lots of Roombas are on sale for Black Friday, but only a few are worth your money

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 23:46

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 5:46 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the current best Black Friday Roomba deals at Amazon as well as iRobot's website, including several budget-friendly mopping and smart mapping options.

A quick look at the best Black Friday Roomba deals Best standalone Roomba deal iRobot Roomba Combo j5 $299.99 (save $230) Get Deal Best self-emptying Roomba deal iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ $299 (save $250.99) Get Deal

So many robot vacuums go on sale for Black Friday that decision fatigue is imminent — unless you're specifically set on a Roomba, that is.

Roombas do tend to run slightly more expensive than competitors with the same features, so November is a wise time to buy one — Black Friday has been known to trigger new record-breaking discounts on several Roomba models. In terms of where that happens, Amazon is the best place to find a Roomba on sale despite the flop of the acquisition of iRobot by Amazon (though iRobot's own website has good options, too). Because iRobot doesn't debut new models for the year at CES in January like many other big robot vacuum brands do, you can also be confident that the Roombas on sale during Black Friday won't be phased out in a month or two.

SEE ALSO: 4 best robot vacuums and mops to buy on Black Friday, tested

So yeah, there are quite a few Roombas on sale for Black Friday — mainly at Amazon's Black Friday sale, with a few other deals scattered at iRobot's website (and a few matched deals at Target and Best Buy). But while most of those deals look good in terms of the percentage off that you're getting, many of them just aren't worthwhile when you consider the features you're securing, especially when taking into the bigger list of robot vacuum deals from other brands this Black Friday.

For instance, the base-tier Roomba Vac Essential being on sale for $149 sounds great until you realize that this Roomba doesn't have smart mapping, which means it can't clean specific rooms on command. When robot vacuums that do have smart mapping like the Shark IQ Ultra or Eufy L50 are on sale for $148 and $159, respectively this Black Friday, that particular Roomba Vac deal is far less exciting.

SEE ALSO: I've tested over 20 robot vacuums — here are the top 5 to shop on Black Friday

This doesn't mean there aren't any Roomba deals that I think are worth it this Black Friday. The i series and j series Roombas under $500 that are currently live are stellar — multiple models are nearly 50% off, with both self-emptying and mopping being optional depending on your needs. (As you get into the more expensive j series Roombas, the deals start to become less appealing. Premium robot vacuums from other brands simply do more than something like the Roomba Combo j9+ for less money.) For a deeper dive into these features, check out my guide that unpacks the differences between the main Roombas.

This story will be updated any time a new noteworthy Roomba deal drops between now and the end of Cyber Week. While you can be pretty certain that the Roombas on sale now are at their Black Friday pricing, Amazon or iRobot could very well drop completely new Roomba deals over the next few days — I'll keep you posted. Note: Any deal marked with a 🔥 has dropped to a record-low price at Amazon.

Best early Black Friday Roomba deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo i5 $299.00 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250.99 Get Deal Why we like it

This nearly 50% discount on the Roomba Combo j5+ already looks great on its face, but it's an even sweeter deal when compared to the current sale price on the cheapest self-emptying Roomba, the Roomba Vac 2. For $249.99, the ultrabasic Roomba Vac 2 doesn't mop and can't smart map your house. For $299 — just $50 more — the Roomba Combo i5+ can mop and can smart map to clean specific rooms in your home on command. If $300 is your budget cap for a new robot vacuum, spending that extra $50 is a no-brainer.

The only downside to choosing the Combo i5+ over the more advanced Combo j5+, which is also at an amazing sale price of $399 for Black Friday, is that the i series Roombas don't have the small obstacle avoidance technology that helps dodge things on the floor like charging cords or pet waste. However, if your home is already pretty tidy as it is, or you're down to deal with tidying up ahead of vacuuming, the Combo i5+ is a total steal at this price.

Other Roomba deals at AmazonOther Roomba deals at iRobot.com
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday TV deals in Australia

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 23:01

Need a new TV? You will find the lowest prices, and biggest cash savings, during Black Friday! Here are the best TV deals we've found in Australia.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 55" OLED EVO G4 4K Smart TV A$2,977.00 at The Good Guys
A$4,199.00 Save A$1,222.00 Best Overall Black Friday TV Deal Get Deal Best LG Black Friday dealsBest Sony Bravia Black Friday dealsBest Hisense Black Friday dealsBest Samsung Black Friday dealsBest TCL Black Friday dealsWhat is Black Friday?

Black Friday, originally a U.S. tradition, has steadily grown in popularity in Australia over the past few years. Since the 1950s, American stores have offered substantial discounts on their merchandise the day after Thanksgiving. This tradition has evolved into a global shopping event, with Black Friday now recognised worldwide.

Cyber Monday, a more recent addition to the holiday weekend, emerged as online retailers aimed to capitalise on the Black Friday frenzy. As the distinction between traditional and online shopping fades, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have merged into a unified week of deals.

When is Black Friday in 2024?

Black Friday 2024 takes place today, on Friday, Nov. 29, and Cyber Monday takes place on Monday, Dec. 2. However, the whole week prior has now become informally known as 'Black Friday Week', and early deals begin to pop up throughout this week and even earlier. Amazon, for example, kicked their sale off on Nov. 19, and are running deals into Cyber Monday.

What TV deals will Australians see in 2024?

We are expecting a huge range of TV deals from leading retailers this year, so get excited to see heavy discounts on TVs from the likes of Sony Bravia, Hisense, LG, and many more top brands. You will likely be able to find deals on small screens, enormous 8K models, and everything in between.

Pretty much every leading tech retailers will start dropping deals from the start of November, so be sure to look at the likes of Amazon, The Good Guys. Bing Lee and JB Hi-Fi, all of whom have a history of impressive Black Friday TV deals. But it isn't just these retailers: Pretty much every site will offer some big savings during this busy shopping season, so if you don't see what you are looking for from one retailer, stay calm and move onto the next. Patience is key during the Black Friday season.

What are the best items to buy on Black Friday/Cyber Monday?

You should expect huge discounts on big-ticket items like laptops, Hi-Fi, consoles and TVs. There also seems to be a slant towards gadgets and gift items, which makes sense with the holidays around the corner. Online retailers like Amazon, Kogan and Ebay will have strong deals in all categories. However, keep an eye out specifically for the following products:

  • Appliances: Retailers like The Good Guys and Bing Lee always go big on Black Friday, dropping prices on pretty much everything they stock. You can expect deals on washing machines, fridges, freezers, kettles, toasters, and much more. If you're looking to stock up on appliances for your home, these sites should be your first stop.

  • Games consoles: Finding consoles has been a proper headache over the last couple of years, but things are definitely improving in Australia, with PS5 bundles being readily available on Amazon. That means there should be opportunities to pick up deals games and accessories for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5 this year.

  • Smartphones: Amazon always offers plenty of impressive deals on all sorts of smartphones.

  • Toys: Black Friday is probably the best time of the year to shop for toys. The most in-demand toys will sell out fast in the run-up to Christmas, so this is a great opportunity to get in early. We recommend checking out Amazon for the best deals on Lego, especially for the massively popular Star Wars and Harry Potter sets.

  • TVs: Black Friday is all about big deals on the biggest products, and that means TVs. We expect pretty much all of the leading retailers to offer fantastic deals on TVs of all sizes from top brands like Sony, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. It's best to shop around for the best TV deals, because there are going to be so many, but you can't go wrong with The Good Guys, Bing Lee or Kogan.

  • VPNs: Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are a fairly new addition to the Black Friday shopping scene, but there are some good deals available, especially by Cyber Monday. Cybersecurity is increasingly important, and VPNs offer online protection for your identity and data. All the leading services are likely to offer discounted rates over the week, and you should be able to find good deals on the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, ExpressVPN, PureVPN, and CyberGhost VPN.

Be sure to also be on the look out for deals on travel, subscription services, and laptops, because these are likely to feature heavily throughout this shopping season.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab a gaming laptop on sale for Black Friday if a full gaming PC desktop is too committal

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 22:58
Best Black Friday gaming laptop deals 2024 Best gaming laptop deal Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best budget gaming laptop deal Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal

If you can believe it, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here. We know, it seems like we just got done with another massive sale in Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event, but there's simply no rest for dedicated deal hunters. So, let's keep the momentum going, shall we?

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

SEE ALSO: Alienware m16 R2 review: The best RTX 4070 gaming laptop

If you're one of those people eyeing a gaming PC setup in the form of a laptop, take a look at the best Black Friday gaming laptop deals that we've handpicked. Big brands like Razer, Asus, and HP are in there, with options spanning from gaming laptops under $100 to several hundred dollars shaved off the pricey, premium options. Note: All newly added or updated deals have been marked with a ✨, while struck-through deals were either sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Best gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,399.99 at Best Buy
$2,799.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Asus is known for its high-quality gaming laptops, and the ROG Zephyrus line is one of the very best to come from the lineup (we loved the G14). The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 comes packed with some great internals right out of the box, including an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU and a sizeable 1TB SSD for storage. Better yet, this model features a stunning OLED display that'll have all of your games looking their best, whether you're playing at home or out in the wild.

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

The sub-$20 gift Im buying everyone this Black Friday

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 22:38

SAVE $10.40: The Anker Zolo portable charger (10,000mAh) is on sale for $15.59 during Amazon's Black Friday sale — a savings of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo portable charger $15.59 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $10.40 Get Deal

I've been a die-hard Pokemon Go player since the game came out in 2016 (remember how beautiful that summer was?), and I finally got my boyfriend to start playing this year. We've been raiding and following routes and spending entire days catching Pokemon during events and community days.

This is all very fun for us, that is, until one of our phones dies. It's usually his as he has an iPhone 13 mini. Just this past weekend, we had to head home early because our phones were running out of juice. I knew I had to buy us some power banks if we were going to get the most out of the game.

That's where this Black Friday deal comes in. The Anker Zolo is small, has a built-in USB-C cable, and can charge a phone from 0 to 57 percent in half an hour. Plus, it comes in some cute baby pink and blue colors in addition to white and black. It's on sale for about $15 at Amazon as an official Black Friday deal. My boyfriend and I will each be getting one in our stocking this year — and maybe some of my other family members, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Check out some of the best Nintendo Switch deals weve seen this Black Friday

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 22:10

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 4:10 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the latest pricing and availability on Black Friday Nintendo Switch console, game, and accessory deals, plus new deals on "Bluey: The Video Game" and "Animal Crossing: New Horizons."

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.

The best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals at a glance Best Nintendo Switch console deal Nintendo Switch OLED 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' Bundle $299 (save $50) 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

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: A ton of Pokémon items, including cards, are 30% off at Target for Black Friday

Below, find our favorite Nintendo Switch-centric deals still available as of Thanksgiving, including any price cuts we can find on Switch consoles and console bundles, individual games, and accessories like controllers, cases, microSD cards, and more. Keep checking back with us throughout Cyber Monday, too — we'll be updating this page regularly as new offers pop up. 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 $299.00 at Walmart
$349.00 Save $50.00 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. You can snag the Nintendo Switch OLED model for $50 off at Walmart ahead of Black Friday. That's just $299 for the best version of the Switch yet, plus one of the very best Nintendo Switch games of all time.

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 Black Friday 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

A dog climbed an Egyptian pyramid — and things just got weirder from there

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 22:09

A bizarre story out of Egypt has shed light on not only the untrustworthiness of many viral videos, but the plight of stray dogs in that nation's capital.

Last month, American paraglider Alex Lang was utilizing a motor and wing attached to a backpack to soar above the Giza complex near Cairo. At the top of the 448-foot tall Pyramid of Khafre, Lang spotted a dog near the apex of the structure and managed to film the adorable and bizarre spectacle.

After landing, Lang showed the footage to other paramotorists, including a man named Marshall Mosher. According to the New York Times, Mosher then took the footage, edited it so it appeared Mosher was in the air (and not Lang), and posted it on Instagram without Lang's permission. Not surprisingly, the clip went viral (28 million views and counting) and Mosher soon received interview requests and financial opportunities.

“It’s my video edit, my post, and I’m not required by any legal or moral rules to tag him,” Mosher told the Times.

Mosher did end up sharing some of the proceeds of the video with Lang, who seemed mostly unbothered by the wannabe influencer's machinations.

About that dog

The dog captured atop Khafre — Apollo — was actually a stray, though he was well known around the Giza complex. Apollo and his brood, along with many other stray dogs, often hang around the pyramids. A group known as the American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation has long cared for Apollo and his pack, feeding, vaccinating, and spaying and neutering most of them (Apollo has not been neutered, according to the Times). Like his canine companions, Apollo is still wild and often bolts to the top of Khafre when someone from the rescue foundation tries to capture him.

Egypt has long been filled with unhoused pups, with the population now estimated at 15 million. While dogs and humans lived harmoniously for centuries, Napoleon helped change that. Upon entering Egypt in the late 18th century, would-be French conquerors viewed the dogs as a nuisance at best, a danger at worst, and began shooting and poisoning them. The practice of poisoning stray dogs continued until the modern era, though it's now technically illegal.

Organizations like the American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation have stepped in to help these animals, housing hundreds of them and finding permanent homes for them all around the world.

“The society here considers street dogs to be varmints,” the foundation's Vicki Michelle Brown told the Times. “Fortunately, strays are increasingly gaining acceptance and grass-roots support.”

Categories: IT General, Technology

A ton of Pokémon items, including cards, are 30% off at Target for Black Friday

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 21:44
Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon cards Pokémon cards and action figures 30% off at Target Shop Now

Lego and Pokémon have cemented themselves as pillars of Black Friday toy shopping because both icons have the rare dichotomous appeal to kids and adults. If anyone on your list is more of a Pokémon person — whether that's a 10-year-old just beginning their phase or a 30-year-old still religiously playing Pokémon Go (yes, we exist) — Target is the place to find Pokémon deals this Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: Found it: Here's the cheapest 55-inch QLED TV so far this Black Friday

Target's Black Friday sale on Pokémon stuff offers 30% off Pokémon cards (including several premium collections), action figures, kids' apparel, Squishmallows, and more. We've pulled out some of the best steals below, but you might want to peruse the full six pages of Target Pokémon deals yourself.

And if you happen to find a better deal on something Pokémon (or any other item, for that matter) at Amazon or Walmart, Target's Black Friday price matching policy will come in clutch — the item just has to be identical to the one sold at the other retailer.

Best Pokémon deals at Target
Categories: IT General, Technology

Pretty much all of the best robot vacuums out there are at new record-low pricing for Black Friday

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 20:37

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 2:30 p.m. EST This story has been updated with current pricing on robot vacuums on sale during all of the big retailers' Black Friday sales, including a new top pick for the best robot vacuum deal without self-emptying: a mopping, smart mapping Shark model under $150.

The best Black Friday robot vacuum deals at a glance Best non self-emptying deal Shark IQ Matrix 2-in-1 RV2402 $148 at Walmart (save $231.99) Get Deal Best budget self-emptying deal iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ $299 at Amazon (save $250.99) Get Deal Best premium deal Roborock Qrevo S $459.99 at Amazon (save $340) Get Deal

Yet another Black Friday is (somehow) here, with its arrival often bringing flashbacks to last year's frantic shopping — including the items that you didn't end up buying, and then wished you had all year. If a robot vacuum didn't make the cut last year, let Black Friday 2024 be the time to finally ditch your current clunky vacuum and treat yourself to a significantly shorter chore list.

Black Friday deals are making high-end vacs super accessible

The robot vacs getting attention deals-wise this Black Friday are packed with high-end features — ones you may have previously been fine to settle without just because, at full price, they're a really intimidating investment. I'm personally eyeing the number of options that bring home smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance (no more eaten phone chargers) and self-washing and drying mopping pads in the $500 to $700 range.

Considering the latter two features in that trio I just rattled off were once so newfangled that they were only available in the $1,000+ range, these sale prices are ones to hop on without hesitation. And FWIW, several robot vacuums are already beating their previous record-low pricing that we saw during October Prime Day — and unlike Prime Day, no membership is needed to access these deals.

SEE ALSO: I've tested over 20 robot vacuums and these are the best for every budget in 2024

Below, I'm tracking the robot vacuum deals live throughout Black Friday weekend and into Cyber Monday. Though most of the robot vacuum deals in this list are for sure at their Black Friday prices (as Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target are in official Black Friday mode as of Thanksgiving), it's not impossible for a few new robot vacs to go on sale as Cyber Week approaches — so if you can be patient, checking back later wouldn't be a bad idea.

Deals are organized into two sections: robot vacuums that don't mop and robot vacuum and mop combos, with self-emptying docks noted when applicable. Within each category, all robot vacuum deals are ordered by price from cheapest to most premium. (Need help deciding which robot vacuum to buy? I have some guidelines.)

Note: Any deal marked with a 🔥 has dropped to a record-low price at Amazon.

Best robot vacuum deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ $299.00 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250.99 Get Deal Why we like it

This nearly 50% off discount on the Roomba Combo j5+ is stellar at first glance, but it looks like an even sweeter deal when compared to the current deal on the cheapest self-emptying Roomba, the Roomba Vac 2. For $249.99, that bare-bones Roomba doesn't mop and can't smart map your house. For $299 — just $50 more — the Roomba Combo i5+ can mop and can smart map to clean specific rooms in your home on command. If $300 is your budget cap for a new robot vacuum, spending that extra $50 is a no-brainer.

The only downside to choosing the Combo i5+ over the more advanced Combo j5+ that was on sale last week is that the i series Roombas don't have small obstacle avoidance technology, so they can't dodge things on the floor like charging cords or pet waste. However, if your home is already pretty tidy as it is, or you're down to deal with tidying up ahead of vacuuming, the Combo i5+ is a total steal at this price.

More robot vacuums (that don't mop) on saleRobot vacuum and mop combos on sale
Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop a bunch of stunning tablet deals the day before Black Friday

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 20:02

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 12:53 p.m. EST This article has been updated with the latest live tablet deals on Thanksgiving Day.

Best early Black Friday tablet deals at a glance: Best iPad deal Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199.99 (Save $129.01) Get Deal Best Samsung tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE $299.99 (Save $220) Get Deal Best Google tablet deal Google Pixel Tablet $279 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Amazon tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $139.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $154.99 (save $45) Get Deal

If you're doing any travel this holiday season, do yourself a favor and grab a tablet. It will certainly be a better way to stay occupied than whatever in-flight entertainment you may (or may not) get stuck with. Plus, family can be a lot, so after a big holiday meal, we don't blame you if you want to hide away with a comfort film.

Tablets simplify your tech while traveling since they can double as a laptop, e-reader, and gaming device. Luckily, with Black Friday around the corner, the deals are already rolling in. Plus, more than just iPads are up for grabs: Amazon Fire and Samsung Galaxy tablets are on sale too.

Explore the best early Black Friday deals on tablets available now:

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199.99 at Best Buy
$329.00 Save $129.01 Get Deal Why we like it

An iPad under $200 is a true gift this holiday season. Apple's 9th generation model is down to $199.99 at Best Buy, less than a dollar short of its lowest price ever. While there might be newer generations available, this is the most budget-friendly model, especially now that it's $129.01 off.

The 9th generation Apple iPad comes with the A13 bionic chip, which provides plenty of processing power for streaming, gaming, or working. The 10.2-inch retina display gives plenty of space for your creative pursuits, as it's compatible with the first generation of Apple Pencil.

Now is the right time to shop, as you can find the Apple iPad 9th generation for 39% off.

More iPad dealsiPadiPad AiriPad ProBest Android tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE $299.99 at Amazon
$519.99 Save $220.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for an Android tablet, Samsung delivers with its Galaxy tablets. With a 10.9-inch screen, this is one of the largest tablets on this list. Plus, it comes with the S Pen, to let you get to work whether you're illustrating or taking notes.

Plus, you can save over $200 ahead of Black Friday on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE. Find it on sale for $299.99, saving 42%.

More Android tablet dealsAmazon Fire tablet dealsKindle deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

A running list of Targets best Black Friday deals

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 19:59

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the latest pricing and stock of Target's best Black Friday deals live on Thanksgiving, plus new deals on Pokémon cards, Legos, and vacuums.

Best Target early Black Friday deals Best Tablet Deal Apple iPad Air 11-inch, 6th generation (M2 chip, 128GB, WiFi) 499 (Save $100) Get Deal Best headphone and speaker deal Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones $199.99 (Save $150) Get Deal Best speaker deal JBL Flip 6 Speaker $79.99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best TV and Soundbar deal TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Google TV $239.99 (Save $110) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, Sport Band, GPS + cellular) $679.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best Kitchen and Home deal KitchenAid 5.5-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer $279.99 (Save $170) Get Deal Best Toy Deal Pokémon Trading Card Game: Charizard ex Super-Premium Collection $55.99 (Save $24) Get Deal

This year, if you want to get your holiday shopping done by Thanksgiving, it's certainly possible. With Black Friday falling at the very end of this month, it's no surprise that retailers started their sales way earlier. Now that Black Friday week is officially here, the deals are in full force. If you've run through Amazon and Best Buy's sales, turn your attention to Target.

Target's deals are just about as good as it gets. We're seeing discounts across categories including headphones, TVs, robot vacuums. Ahead of Black Friday, start shopping these deals on Apple, Bose, Ninja, and more.

When does Target's Black Friday sale start?

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

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

What are Target's Black Friday hours?

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

Target stores will be opening at 6 a.m. local time on Nov. 29, for those looking forward to joining the crowds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaker dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Google TV $249.99 at Target
$349.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

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

This TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Google TV is just $249.99, knocking $100 off the price for 29% savings. It provides 4K picture and a built-in Google interface, so you don't need an extraneous streaming device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More home deals

Kitchen

Robot vacuums and stick vacuums

Best toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon 30% off Pokémon cards and action figures Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you're buying for your Pokémon-obsessed child or your Pokémon obsessed inner child, Target's selection of Pokémon stuff on sale for Black Friday is hard to pass up. Pokémon cards, Pokémon action figures, kids' Pokémon apparel, and even Pokémon Squishmallows are 30% off.

More toy deals

Legos

Board games, Barbies, action figures, and more

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon has up to 50% off premium gifts from top brands like Dyson, Samsung, TheraGun, and more

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 19:22

SAVE UP TO 50%: Amazon has marked down gifts from premium brands like Dyson, Ninja, Le Creuset, and more during this year's Black Friday event.

Best premium gifts on sale at Amazon's Black Friday event Best tech deal Amazon Echo Buds (wired charging case) $34.99 at Amazon (save $85) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Foodi XL 2-Basket Air Fryer $129.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best self-care deal TheraGun Prime massage gun $199 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

This year, the retailers did not make us wait to start holiday shopping until after we've had massive turkey dinner. Instead, sales dropped earlier in November and are still coming in hot before the official Black Friday date hits. And honestly, this isn't such a bad thing. Not only does shopping early give you more time to find great deals on the perfect gifts, it frees up the holiday after Thanksgiving to spend time with friends and family.

Amazon's no stranger to awesome Black Friday deals and this year, the retailer has set aside some special daily deals. Ahead of the official day, Amazon has the discounted premium gifts for anyone in your life who deserves something extra special. By shopping these deals, you'll be able to get a truly special gift for a non-premium price. Think premium brands like Dyson, Ninja, Vitamix, Samsung, and more are all included in today's sale.

Check out some of our favorite premium gift options so you'll be able to wow someone with an awesome present they would never expect or splurge on for themselves.

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds (wired charging case) $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Everyone deserves to have a great pair of earbuds that offer both high-quality sound and prove to be comfortable to wear for hours. Enter the second generation Amazon Echo Buds. While they usually cost $119.99, Amazon has marked them down for Black Friday to just $34.99, which means you'll be getting a massive 71% discount.

With the charging case, expect to get about 20 hours of battery life, which is perfect for anyone who's traveling this holiday season. The Echo Buds are also sweat-resistant, great for active friends who head off to the gym a few times each week.

More premium tech deals at AmazonBest kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi XL 2-Basket Air Fryer $129.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Good air fryers allow you to cook multiple things at once. Great air fryers have two completely separate baskets that allow you to cook multiple things in multiple ways at once. That's where the Ninja Foodi XL 2-basket air fryer takes the cake. Its two independent baskets let you whip up a main and a side at the same time. With a 10-quart capacity total, it's a solid pick for large family meals — you can fit up to eight pounds of chicken wings. No more waiting around for your chicken to finish cooking so you can make the fries. Thanks to Smart Finish, it can even ensure your two separate baskets finish cooking at the same time. Usually $229.99, it's on sale for just $129.99 for Black Friday — that matches its record-low.

More premium kitchen deals at AmazonBest self-care deal Opens in a new window Credit: TheraGun TheraGun Prime massage gun $199.00 at Amazon
$299.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

It's likely that every single person in your life (and on your holiday shopping list) could benefit from a great massage. The TheraGun Prime is a deep-tissue massage gun that can aid in back, shoulder, leg, neck, and really any body pain that crops up.

The TheraGun Prime comes with four foam attachments that are ideal for targeting specific areas of the body. The Thumb attachment is great for trigger points or lower back pain, while the Cone is optimal for helping with foot and hand pains. It also connects to the Therabody app, which takes the guesswork out of how to use the TheraGun to ease pains that come from common ailments like plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and sciatica.

While the TheraGun Prime usually sells for $299, it's on sale at Amazon today for $199, which means you'll be getting a 33% discount on a gift that your loved ones can use every day of the year.

More premium self-care deals at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best deals from Best Buys Black Friday sale: Sony earbuds, our favorite gaming laptop, and more

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 19:04

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated with a new top Apple deal and several new deals on Shark and Dyson hair tools (including the Strawberry Bronze/Blush Pink Airwrap).

Best Buy's top Black Friday deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $329 (save $70) Get Deal Best 4K TV deal Hisense 85-inch QD6 QLED 4K Google TV $649.99 (save $450) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Dell XPS 13 9350 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $999.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best headphone/earbud deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds $229 (save $70) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Oura Ring Gen3 Starting at $249 (save up to $200) Get Deal Best gaming deal Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best action camera deal GoPro Hero13 Black Bundle $449.99 (save $100 + free $25 Best Buy gift card) Get Deal

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

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

The current batch of online doorbusters includes a $179.99 55-inch Toshiba 4K Fire TV, $129.99 Beats Powerbeats Pro, a $749 M2 Apple MacBook Air, and a $200 JBL soundbar. Best Buy also surprise-added two Nintendo Switch bundles as doorbusters last weekend, though they're only available in stores.

The next round of doorbusters will feature the Xbox Series X (2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition), M4 MacBook Pros, the Meta Quest 3, and 65-inch Samsung and Roku TVs. Members can shop the offers now, but everyone else has to wait until tomorrow (aka Black Friday proper).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Black Friday Apple deals at Best Buy:

AirPods

Apple Watches

iPads

Unlocked iPhones

Macs

MacBooks

Best 4K TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-inch QD6 QLED 4K Google TV $649.99 at Best Buy
$1,099.99 Save $450.00 Get Deal Why we like it:

Black Friday is all about huge discounts on huge TVs, and this 85-inch Hisense model is a perfect case in point: Now just $650, it's far cheaper than any other TV this big — not just at Best Buy, but at Amazon and Walmart, too. (And abnormally-cheap-for-their-size TVs are really more Walmart's thing.) The fact that it has a bright and vibrant QLED display, not a standard 4K screen, sweetens the deal even further.

Kind of surprised this one wasn't chosen as a doorbuster, TBH. Let's call it a hidden gem. If you want to downsize slightly, Best Buy's Black Friday deal on the 75-inch version drops it down to $449.99 (normally $699.99).

More Black Friday 4K TV deals at Best Buy:

43- to 50-inch 4K TVs

55-inch 4K TVs

65-inch 4K TVs

75-inch 4K TVs and larger

Streaming devices and media players

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

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

Best Buy marked it down from $1,399.99 to $999.99, which is a 29% savings and its biggest discount since launching in October. For comparison's sake, the same model is $100 pricier on Dell's website during its own Black Friday sale.

More Black Friday laptop deals at Best Buy:

Windows laptops

2-in-1 laptops

Chromebooks

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

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

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

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

More Black Friday headphone/earbud deals at Best Buy:

Earbuds

Headphones

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

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

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

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

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

The m16 R2 is a 16-inch PC from Dell's high-end gaming line. This exact configuration is Mashable's favorite gaming laptop of 2024 (and there's a lot of competition out there) — it's "the ultimate RTX 4070 beast of a gaming laptop you can get," said Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. She commended its solid mid-range performance, nice build quality, great keyboard, ample port selection, and its support of Nvidia's Advanced Optimus feature, which lets users switch to its integrated graphics for everyday (non-gaming) tasks to conserve battery life. She rated it a 4.5/5, which secured it a Mashable Choice Award.

The m16 R2 is now just $1,299.99 at Best Buy (or 32% off its $1,899.99 MSRP), which is a record-low price and an amazing value.

More Black Friday gaming deals at Best Buy:

Video games

Gaming consoles and bundles

Gaming laptops

Gaming controllers

Gaming headsets

Gaming mice

Gaming keyboards

Gaming monitors

Storage expansion cards

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

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

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

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

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

Google

Motorola

OnePlus

Samsung

Vacuum deals

Robot vacuums

Stick vacuums

Kitchen appliance deals

Air fryers

Coffee makers and espresso machines

Ice makers

KitchenAid mixers

Miscellaneous

Beauty tech dealsSpeaker dealsSmart home deals

Home security equipment

Mesh WiFi systems

Smart lighting

Smart plugs

Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ Black Friday gift card deals for just about anyone on your list

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 18:58
The best Black Friday gift card deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL DoorDash $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEAL Vudu $50 gift card $40 (save $10) Get Deal BEST RESTAURANT GIFT CARD Chipotle $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal BEST GIFT CARD DEAL FOR KIDS Save 15% on Roblox gift cards with Target Circle 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. We've already found some pretty solid deals this year, which we've rounded up below, but we'll have our eyes peeled for any more that pop up as Cyber Week continues.

Here are the best Black Friday gift card deals so far.

Best gift card deal overall 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.

Runner up gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Vudu Vudu $50 gift card $40.00 at Best Buy
$50.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Before new theatrical hits head to streaming services, they make their digital debut on demand on services like Vudu. Cinephiles in your life will love having a $50 gift card to spend on movies directly from the theater. Meanwhile, you'll love only having to spend $40. It's a win-win. Unlike the DoorDash gift card, this one is only available in the digital format. You'll get instant delivery via email after purchase with instructions on redemption.

More gift card deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Stock your digital library ahead of Black Friday with these impressive Kindle book deals

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 18:43

SAVE UP TO 93%: Ahead of Black Friday, shop Kindle books up to 93% off. Find 2024 releases like Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe on sale for just $1.99, knocking 87% off.

Best Kindle Book Deals Best fiction deal "Margo's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe $1.99 at Amazon (Save $13) Get Deal Best non-fiction deal "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" by Maggie Smith $2.99 at Amazon (Save $17) Get Deal Best YA deal "Legendborn" by Tracy Deonn $1.99 at Amazon (Save $12) Get Deal Best cookbook deal "Mary Barry's Complete Cookbook" by Mary Berry $2.99 at Amazon (Save $37.01) Get Deal Best Kindle device deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $154.99 at Amazon Get Deal

For those of us with an endless appetite for reading, it can be an expensive hobby regardless of if you're a fiend for hardcovers or dedicated to the e-reader life. Luckily, there's Libby and Kindle Unlimited, which can save you a pretty penny on all the latest arrivals. However, if you want to read exactly what you want and not wait around for your library holds to come through, it pays to splurge on an e-book.

Whether you need to escape your family or are headed on a holiday vacation, a fully stocked Kindle is a good Kindle. With Black Friday is inching closer and closer, the book deals are spectacular so you don't need to splurge either. Find top best-sellers — both fiction and non-fiction — for as low as $0.99. Here are the best Black Friday deals on Kindle books.

When is Black Friday?

With Thanksgiving finally here, Black Friday is tomorrow, on Friday, Nov. 29.

However, you don't need to wait 24 hours for deals. "Early" Black Friday deals have already started to roll out, giving a jumpstart to the shopping season. While in-store deals may kick-off on Nov. 29, online sales will run all month long.

Do you need a Kindle to read Kindle books?

Yes and no. Unlike a standard e-book that can be read on any device, Kindle books can only be read on Kindle devices or the Kindle app. The Kindle app gives you flexibility so you don't need to spend a hundred dollars on an e-reader. Although we do have to say, Kindles are totally worth it.

The Kindle app is available on iOS and Android devices so you can read Kindle books on your existing smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

But the best news this Black Friday is that Amazon has marked down nearly all of their new Kindles. You can find savings up to 23% on the brand's e-readers, including the top-tier Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which is down to $154.99.

Best fiction deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon "Margo's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe $1.99 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $13.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Margo's Got Money Troubles is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. After a short-lived affair with her professor, Margo Millet finds herself 20, pregnant and alone, while navigating financial woos and upcoming motherhood. Rufi Thorpe's novel is a 2024 hit with an Apple TV+ series already in development, starring the likes of Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman.

This acclaimed novel is just $1.99 ahead of Black Friday. That knocks $13 off the price for 87% savings.

More fiction dealsBest non-fiction deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" by Maggie Smith $2.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $17.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Poet Maggie Smith rose to internet fame with her poem Good Bones, but her 2023 memoir tells the story of marriage and motherhood. Told through both poetry and prose, Smith explores the end of her marriage in You Could Make This Place Beautiful. Full of reflections on the expectations of gender roles and power dynamics, it's a moving, powerful read that you can find for just $2.99, bringing it down $17 for 85% off.

More non-fiction deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Threads might adopt Bluesky’s starter packs

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 18:34

If I had a dollar every time Meta copied its rival and yelled "innovation," I could probably buy another new chain for Mark Zuckerberg. This time, Threads is leaning into Bluesky's Starter Packs.

There was Instagram Stories, a rip off of Snapchat. There was Reels, a rip off of TikTok. There was Threads, a rip off of Twitter. Then there were smaller updates, like adding notes, templates, and music to posts, which also copied features already available on other apps. Social media is stuck in an innovation loop that, unfortunately, works. The latest in the copycat strategy? Threads wants to get in on Bluesky's growth.

SEE ALSO: X users are fleeing to Bluesky: Here’s a quick-start guide on how to sign up

Bluesky has had a monumental few weeks, and is looking like it might be the Twitter alternative we've been searching for since Elon Musk took over the company and turned it into the mush that is X. Journalist David Packman posted in Bluesky that "Mark Zuckerberg is genuinely spooked by the rapid growth of Bluesky."

And it appears that, in an attempt to slow the momentum behind Bluesky's growth, Threads is developing a feature similar to Bluesky's "Starter Packs," TechCrunch reported. Starter Packs are a list of users you might want to follow to get your feed started, grouped together by interests. Like, for instance, a digital culture starter pack or a starter pack full of Twitch code strimmers.

Threads is built into Instagram's platform, so most of your follows or followers start out mirroring your Instagram reach. So Threads doesn't necessarily need starter packs to get you started — but if a feature works for someone else, you bet Meta is going to try it out on their user base, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Holy record lows: The best Black Friday laptop deals on the M3 MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, and more

Thu, 11/28/2024 - 18:02

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 11:45 a.m. EST This story has been updated with a fresh batch of Black Friday laptop deals, including three new top picks with record-low prices.

The best Black Friday laptop deals at a glance: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB) 844 (save $255) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best Chromebook deal Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $599.99 (save $100) Get Deal

Black Friday is the absolute best time for finding good deals on laptops. (I would know: I've tracked them for Mashable since 2019.) And with retailers taking full advantage of the holiday's abnormally late timing this year, steep savings have been abundant all month long.

With Black Friday proper now basically upon us, the competition is especially intense — like, way more intense than previous years have felt. Amazon somehow managed to pull off the best MacBook and Windows laptop deals by not-small margins, while Best Buy is winning the battle for the top gaming laptop and Chromebook discounts of the holiday season thus far. I'm seeing lots of new and year-round lows between the two of them.

If neither retailer is discounting models with the specific specs you want, other Black Friday sales at Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft, Razer, and Samsung have ushered in discounts as high as $900 across their lineups.

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

As a brief aside, the Apple Store's usual Black Friday gift card offer will be live starting Nov. 29; M2 and M3 MacBooks will come with free vouchers worth up to $200. That doesn't beat any of the dollars-off discounts available elsewhere, but it could be a practical option for those enmeshed in the Apple ecosystem.

Read on for a closer look at the best Black Friday laptop deals available across the web. Bookmark this page and check back often, as I'll be updating the list continuously as we head into Cyber Weekend.

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, an all-time low, and $5 better than Best Buy's Black Friday deal on the exact same MacBook. This also puts less than $100 between it and the M2 Air, so opting for the current-gen model over the cheapest model out there feels like an easier, more obvious choice.

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) ✨ $1,499.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $500.00 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. It usually retails for $1,999.99, and Amazon has it listed for $1,549.99 earlier in its Black Friday Week sale (with the Microsoft Store matching it). But now it's down to just $1,499.99 there. That's a 25% savings and its biggest discount ever.

Amazon doesn't offer price matching if you bought the Surface Laptop 7 at a previous sale price, but you do have the option of returning it and rebuying it. The retailer's extended holiday return policy applies to most purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31.

More Windows laptop deals

2-in-1 laptops

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

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

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

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

Another model with a slightly better processor and a slightly worse GPU is on sale for the same price on Dell's website, FYI; it's typically $1,699.99 there.

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

Announced in October, this 15.6-inch Samsung Galaxy machine is the thinnest, lightest Chromebook Plus model on the market and the only one with an AMOLED display. (Translation: It's super vibrant.) It has an Intel Core 3 100U processor, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of UFS storage, and supports newer Gemini AI features like Live Translate.

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

More Chromebook deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

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