Blogroll

The best Black Friday Amazon Echo deals in 2024

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 17:45

UPDATE: Nov. 29, 2024, 7:15 a.m. EST As of Nov. 28, Black Friday deals are live on Echo devices. We're tracking the latest prices and noting as products come in and out of stock.

SAVE UP TO 55%: Amazon's Black Friday sale is live, and so are the deals on Amazon Echo devices. Find the lowest prices ever on Echos, including 55% off the Amazon Echo Pop, which is back down to $17.99, saving you $22.

Best Echo Device Deals Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Pop 🔥 $17.99 at Amazon (Save $22) Get Deal Best Echo Show deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $44.99 at Amazon (Save $45) Get Deal Best Echo alarm clock deal Amazon Echo Spot 🔥 $44.99 at Amazon (Save $35) Get Deal Best Echo Kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids 🔥 $22.99 at Amazon (Save $27) Get Deal

"Alexa, when do Black Friday deals start?" They've been happening!

It's finally Black Friday, and deals are available across all categories. If you're looking to make your home a little smarter, now's the time to shop Amazon's Echo devices.

Echos are some of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to upgrade your smart home. They help you do everything from playing music to setting daily lighting routines. Just one month ago, we were tracking deals during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days and saw the lowest price ever on Echo Devices.

Here are the best deals on Amazon Echo Devices to shop this Black Friday.

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 Echo device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop 🔥 $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Echo device line-up is sprawling. You can find everything from a multitasking smart speaker to a touchscreen smart home hub. The absolute best deal on Echo devices right now is the Amazon Echo Pop. This small but mighty device has a quality speaker and built-in assistant, so you can play music just by calling out to Alexa.

Currently, it's down to $17.99 — its lowest price ever. That knocks 55% off the regular price for $22 in savings. While we expect this price to hang around through Black Friday weekend, you can rest assured you're getting it at a great deal when you buy now.

More Amazon Echo deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday iPad deals live: Save over $100 on new models

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 17:44

UPDATE: Nov. 29, 2024, 10:00 a.m. EST This article has been updated to reflect the official start of Black Friday, as well as the latest pricing details on iPads.

The best Black Friday iPad deals at a glance: Best overall deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $499 (Save $100 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 64GB) $259 (Save $90 at Amazon) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, WiFi, 256GB) $499.99 (save $149.01) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) $849 (save $150 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

Black Friday is officially here, although deals have likely been flooding your inbox for weeks.

Apple deals, particularly on iPads, started rolling in once major retailers kicked off their official sales programming earlier this month. We've been seeing prices at or near record lows for days (weeks, even!), from the iPad Air at $100 off, the 10th generation iPad at $90 off, and the new iPad mini at $99 off (which is now sold out).

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

There aren't many significant price changes now that Black Friday is actually here. Aside from a $20 price drop on the 10th generation iPad with boosted storage, the iPad deals largely remain the same as the pre-Black Friday shopping event. Given that these prices are some of the best of the year, that's hardly a disappointment. These deals are good no matter which way you slice it.

We'll be keeping an eye out for any new deals to drop as Black Friday slowly morphs into Cyber Monday over the weekend. As for now, here are all the best iPad deals currently live.

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

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

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

More iPad deals

iPad

iPad Air

iPad mini

iPad Pro

Categories: IT General, Technology

TikTok owner ByteDance sues intern for $1.1 million in damages for ‘sabotaging’ AI project

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 17:22

TikTok parent company ByteDance is going after a former intern for allegedly sabotaging an AI training project.

According to The South China Morning Post, ByteDance is seeking 8 million yuan (about $1.1 million) in damages and a public apology from ex-intern Tian Keyu. The case, which has already been accepted by Haidian District Court in Beijing, centers around accusations of Tian tampering with code related to an AI training project. ByteDance also owns AI chatbot Doubao, which is the company's answer to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

SEE ALSO: TikTok execs know exactly how many videos it takes to get addicted to its platform

Tian was fired in August because he "maliciously interfered with the model training tasks," according to a statement from ByteDance. In the same statement, ByteDance disputes rumors that the tampering involved 8,000 GPU cards and lost the company tens of millions of dollars, saying those claims are "seriously exaggerated." The company also said Tian claimed to be a part of the AI Lab, but he was really part of a separate commercial technology team.

ByteDance has been busy with its AI-focused projects. It has introduced several features for TikTok including, AI-generated digital avatars and AI tools for advertising. It also reportedly has a powerful web crawler called Bytespider that's gobbling up content on the internet for LLM training.

Meanwhile, the TikTok ban deadline is coming up in January, making its future in the U.S. uncertain. That said, President-elect Donald Trump, who is now on TikTok, said he wants to overturn the ban.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday headphone and speaker deals in 2024 — AirPods Pro and Bose headphones at record-low prices

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 17:08

UPDATE: Nov. 25, 2024, 4:30 p.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest headphones and earbuds deals in the days leading up to Black Friday.

Best Black Friday headphone and speaker deals Best headphone deal Sony WH-1000XM4 $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $148.01) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $153.99 at Amazon (Save $95.01) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $78.96 at Amazon (Save $21.03) Get Deal

Black Friday is finally here, and we're seeing headphones at record-low prices.

The start of Best Buy's Black Friday sale has brought the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones down to one of the lowest prices we've ever seen them at $199.99, while Walmart's sale brought the Apple AirPods Pro to record-low price at Walmart and Amazon (they love to stay competitive). Essentially, every major audio brand, including Bose, JBL, Sennheiser, and Beats has headphones and earbuds down at record-low prices.

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

Check out our top picks below for the best headphone and speaker deals below:

Best Black Friday headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 $199.99 at Best Buy
$348.00 Save $148.01 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 nearly $150 especially good. Because they're older, they no longer have top-of-the-line noise-cancelling or sound quality, but they still more than get the job done. Plus, unlike the newer Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, the XM4 ear cups fold in, potentially making them a better option for folks who travel frequently.

More headphone dealsBest Black Friday earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $153.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $95.01 Get Deal Why we like it

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

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

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

More speaker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

8BitDo's Newest Xbox Edition Keyboard Has RGB Lighting

How-To Geek - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 17:02

In tradition with the rest of its eccentric hardware, 8bitdo has also launched a lot of eccentric keyboards. The latest one is a new “Xbox edition” keyboard, and it's very green.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy phones are at record-low prices for Black Friday

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 16:48
The best Black Friday Samsung Galaxy phone deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB, Unlocked) $941.43 (save $358.56) Get Deal BEST FOLDABLE PHONE DEAL Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (256GB, Unlocked) $1,389.98 (save $510.01) Get Deal BEST BUDGET PHONE DEAL Samsung Galaxy A35 (128GB, Unlocked) with Galaxy Buds FE $357.97 (save $142.01) Get Deal BEST MID-RANGE PHONE DEAL Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256GB, Unlocked) $743.93 (save $256.06) Get Deal

Black Friday is always a treat for anyone shopping for new tech — and 2024 is no different. If a new phone is on your wishlist, 'tis the season to grab one. Samsung Galaxy phones, in particular, are popping off with Black Friday deals a day before the official shopping holiday begins. All of the best Galaxy phones, including the S24 Ultra and Z Fold 6 are seeing record-low prices. Yes, even better than Prime Day.

We've rounded up our top picks below for the best Samsung Galaxy phone deals and will update the list as any new ones roll in.

Best Samsung Galaxy phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB, Unlocked) $941.43 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $358.56 Get Deal Why we like it

Released in early 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was dubbed "the best Android phone" by Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon. It's a close rival to the iPhone 15 Pro Max (maybe even better in certain categories) and packs a rear telephoto lens with outrageous zoom capabilities, a bunch of neat AI features, and a durable titanium design. And, of course, it comes with the S Pen stylus we know and love that doubles as a remote. Beating out its Prime Day price, the 256GB, unlocked version is down to just $941.43 at Amazon for Black Friday. That's a savings of 28% on the titanium gray model. If you prefer another shade, it'll cost you a few bucks more — most other colors are down to $949.99 at both Amazon and Best Buy.

Check out Mashable's full review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Best Samsung Galaxy foldable phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (256GB, Unlocked) $1,389.98 at Amazon
$1,899.99 Save $510.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 6 made a big splash at the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event over the summer. It's seen a few discounts since its debut, but none this big: for Black Friday, you can slash 27% off and get the 256GB model for only $1,389.98 (in select colors, pink and navy) instead of $1,899.99 at Amazon. The Z Fold 6 stuck to its original winning formula when it comes to the fundamentals — cameras, battery capacity, and memory. But a few tweaks and add-ons make this phone even better than the Z Fold 5 (which we already loved), including a thinner, wider, and brighter display with enhanced resolution, a boost in Snapdragon power, and a boat load of AI-powered tools from the Galaxy AI suite. Need more storage? The 512GB version is also on sale for $1,479.68 (down from $2,019.99).

More Samsung Galaxy phone deals at AmazonMore Samsung Galaxy phone deals at Best Buy
Categories: IT General, Technology

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

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 16:27

UPDATE: Nov. 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m. EST This story has been updated with new doorbusters and two new top picks in the TV and gaming categories.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Black Friday Apple deals at Best Buy:

AirPods

Apple Watches

iPads

Unlocked iPhones

Macs

MacBooks

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

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

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

More Black Friday 4K TV deals at Best Buy:

43- to 50-inch 4K TVs

55-inch 4K TVs

65-inch 4K TVs

75-inch 4K TVs and larger

Streaming devices and media players

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

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

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

More Black Friday laptop deals at Best Buy:

Windows laptops

2-in-1 laptops

Chromebooks

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

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

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

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

More Black Friday headphone/earbud deals at Best Buy:

Earbuds

Headphones

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Black Friday gaming deals at Best Buy:

Video games

Gaming consoles and bundles

Gaming laptops

Gaming controllers

Gaming headsets

Gaming mice

Gaming keyboards

Gaming monitors

Storage expansion cards

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

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

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

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

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

Google

Motorola

OnePlus

Samsung

Vacuum deals

Robot vacuums

Stick vacuums

Kitchen appliance deals

Air fryers

Coffee makers and espresso machines

Ice makers

KitchenAid mixers

Miscellaneous

Beauty tech dealsSpeaker dealsSmart home deals

Home security equipment

Mesh WiFi systems

Smart lighting

Smart plugs

Categories: IT General, Technology

This bumper MacBook Air bundle is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 16:21

SAVE $305: As of Nov. 29, the 2024 MacBook Air with AppleCare+ bundle is on sale for $1,223 at Amazon. That's a 19% saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2024 MacBook Air AppleCare+ Bundle $1,223.00 at Amazon
$1,528.00 Save $305.00 Get Deal

If a laptop upgrade is on the horizon, look no further than Amazon's Black Friday sales to grab a great bargain. There are many options discounted this year, but we love this deal on the 2024 MacBook Air. Beloved by students and workers alike, it's no surprise it was named one of Mashable's best laptops of the year.

And as of Nov. 29, this MacBook is reduced by over $300 to $1,223 at Amazon. This price is for the 16GB model with a 256GB capacity. You can choose from the colors midnight, space grey, silver, and starlight. This deal also includes three years of AppleCare+. This is an extended warranty for Apple devices, covering repairs for accidental damage, technical support, and battery service.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Black Friday deal: Get 4 Apple AirTags for $26 less

The 2024 model of the MacBook Air benefits from the new and improved M3 chip, which, according to extensive Mashable testing, is about 20% faster than the previous generation M2 chip. It also boasts an 18-hour battery life, perfect for working or studying away from home when you don't have access to a charging outlet.

This model includes all the essential MacBook Air features, such as a backlit keyboard, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster wireless connections. Plus, its stunning 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display supports an impressive 1 billion colors.

Don't miss out on this great Black Friday deal, head to Amazon now.

Best Black Friday deals you need to shop right now:
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Apple iPad (10th Gen) just got a bonus discount in Amazons Black Friday sale

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 16:19

SAVE OVER $99: As of Nov. 29, the Apple iPad (10th Gen) is on sale for $249.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale with the additional money-off coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (10th Gen) $249.99 at Amazon
$349.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal

The big day is finally here, the retail holiday of all holidays, Black Friday (queue the choir chorus). But unlike Black Fridays of the past, this year the discounts have been going on for weeks at some retailers. And that includes Amazon, which kicked off its sales over a week ago.

And one of the top discounts the retailer has been offering is this great deal on the Apple iPad (10th Gen), currently reduced to $259, its lowest-ever price. And Amazon has now treated us to an extra Black Friday discount by adding an additional $9.01 coupon to the listing. Just tick the orange coupon box below the price, head to the checkout and see your discount applied.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday Apple deal: Get a MacBook Pro 14-inch with M4 Pro chip for $250 off

However, there is one small catch, if you can call it that. The coupon is only available on the silver and blue options. Pink and yellow are still at the discounted price of $259, but you won't see the additional coupon offer.

But if blue or silver are your favorite colors, you can enjoy a sleek, modern design with the iPad (10th Gen). It's perfect for work or entertainment on the go and it has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and the A14 Bionic chip that delivers a super powerful performance for multitasking, whether you're browsing, gaming, or working.

The battery life is seriously impressive and will keep you going all day. And let's not forget the cameras, the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera is ideal for video calls — it keeps you centered during video calls, so you always look your best. The back camera is also 12MP and can shoot 4K video.

The Apple iPad (10th Gen) also supports the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio, so it's a versatile option for note-taking, sketching, and all your creative needs.

Amazon's Black Friday sale ends on Dec. 2, so don't miss out on this great deal.

Best Black Friday deals you need to shop right now:
Categories: IT General, Technology

Stock up on hundreds of romance books with the Black Friday Stuff Your Kindle Day

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 16:17

$0.99 BLACK FRIDAY EVENT: Until Dec. 2, you can stock up on a wide range of romance books for under $1 in the Black Friday Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Think Black Friday isn't for bookworms? Wrong. It's the best time to shop for deals on books and Kindles, with literally hundreds of deals to consider.

And Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again to join the party, but this time things are slightly different. We're used to free giveaways of hundreds of books, but this time you do need to pay $0.99. It's not all bad: This Black Friday event is running until Dec. 2, you've got plenty of time to stock up on all the romance titles on your wishlist.

SEE ALSO: The Kindle Paperwhite made me enjoy reading books again

The Black Friday Stuff Your Kindle Day is an author-organized event that drops the price of hundreds of romance e-books to under $1. And the books that you choose to download are yours to keep. This latest event is a romance-focused book blast hosted by Romance Book Lovers.

Want to make the most of this Black Friday Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've read ahead and lined up everything you need to know about this latest event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Bookworms have been treated to a number of Stuff Your Kindle Days this year. This latest Black Friday event takes place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. The best way to find out about dates hosted by Romance Book Lovers is to join the free reader alert email service.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The great thing about these events is that anyone can participate in a Stuff Your Kindle Day. You don't even need to own a Kindle to get involved. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these free e-books. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.

Which e-books are $0.99?

Sourcing these free romance e-books is straightforward thanks to Romance Book Lovers. Everything is organized by genre, so you can find exactly what you want. Peruse the selection of $0.99 books in genres like Steamy Romance, Science Fiction, Historical Romance, Erotica and Erotic, and more.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.

The best Black Friday Kindle deals Best Black Friday deals you need to shop right now:

Categories: IT General, Technology

Unlocked Motorola, Samsung, and Apple phones are on sale for Black Friday

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 15:49

Shop Motorola, Samsung, and more this Black Friday. Check out our top picks:

Best Black Friday unlocked phone deals Best unlocked phone deal Motorola Razr (128GB, Sage Green) 🔥 $349.99 (Save $350) Get Deal Best Apple iPhone deal Apple iPhone 14 Plus (128GB, Midnight) $629.99 (Save $100) Get Deal Best Samsung phone deal Samsung Galay A35 (128GB, Navy) $299.99 (Save $100) Get Deal

Black Friday is here, and the deals are already live! We're tracking all the best discounts across major retailers like Amazon and Target, and there's no better time to make that big purchase you've been putting off.

SEE ALSO: 2024 Black Friday ads: Best deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, and more

If you're in the market for a new phone, consider going unlocked. Unlocked phones give you the freedom to switch carriers whenever you want, without being tied down by contracts. And the good news is, you can find amazing deals on unlocked phones from top brands like Motorola, Samsung, and Apple right now – with some models up to 50% off!

Best unlocked phone deals Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr (128GB) 🔥 $349.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you didn't get to experience the Motorola Razr the first time, the 2023 version is here for you. Available in pink or sage green, this updated model has a touch screen that still folds in half. It has a high-res camera plus a POLED screen, whether you want to capture video or stream it.

This Black Friday, you can get the unlocked Motorola Razr for half off, bringing it down to $349.99. That saves you $350 for a brand-new phone.

Even more Black Friday unlocked phone deals

Looking for even more incredible deals on unlocked phones? We've got you covered! Explore amazing offers from top brands like Motorola and Apple, all organized by brand and price for easy browsing.

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.

Apple Motorola Samsung
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch F1 live streams online for free

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 15:10

TL;DR: Watch 2024 F1 live streams for free on ORF or ServusTV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Do you love watching incredibly talented drivers in unbelievably fast cars? Who doesn't?

F1 brings together the best of the best to battle it out on the track. Sure, Max Verstappen has dominated the field in recent years, but the tide has been slowly turning. McLaren finally found some pace, with Lando Norris making a late surge towards the top of the standings. Of course, in the end Max Verstappen proved too good this time around.

If you are interested in watching F1 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

2024 F1 calendar

The 2024 F1 season features 24 races held all over the world between March and December:

  1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir) — March 2

  2. Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah) — March 9

  3. Australian GP (Melbourne) — March 24

  4. Japan GP (Suzuka) — April 7

  5. China GP (Shanghai) — April 21

  6. Miami GP (Miami) — May 5

  7. Emilia Romagna GP (Imola) — May 19

  8. Monaco GP (Monaco) — May 26

  9. Canada GP (Montreal) — June 9

  10. Spain GP (Barcelona) — June 23

  11. Austria GP (Spielberg) — June 30

  12. United Kingdom GP (Silverstone) — July 7

  13. Hungary GP (Budapest) — July 21

  14. Belgium GP (Spa) — July 28

  15. Netherlands GP (Zandvoort) — Aug. 25

  16. Italy GP (Monza) — Sept. 1

  17. Azerbaijan GP (Baku) — Sept. 15

  18. Singapore GP (Singapore) — Sept. 22

  19. USA GP (Austin) — Oct. 20

  20. Mexico GP (Mexico City) — Oct. 27

  21. Brazil GP (Sao Paulo) — Nov. 3

  22. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas) — Nov. 23

  23. Qatar GP (Lusail) — Dec. 1

  24. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina) — Dec. 8

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. China, Miami, Austria, USA, Brazil, and Qatar will each host a sprint weekend this season.

How to watch F1 for free

The good news is that it is possible to stream F1 for free in 2024. The following platforms are offering free coverage of this season:

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from outside the country of origin. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access these streaming services to watch F1 for free from anywhere in the world.

Unblock these free streaming services by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

  4. Connect to ORF or ServusTV

  5. Watch F1 races from anywhere in the world

Please be aware that Formula 1 take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of the relevant broadcasters’ terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is your responsibility to ensure that your use of a VPN is legal and Mashable does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races for free.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the best service for live streaming F1, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Austria

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch 2024 F1 for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix online for free

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 15:08

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix for free on ORF or ServusTV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Max Verstappen has finally secured his fourth F1 title. For a while there it looked like the championship was slipping out of his fingers, but he did enough in Las Vegas to seal the win.

So what now? There are two races left in the season. The title is no longer on the line, but we're still expecting a dramatic finish including the final Sprint race.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix?

The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix takes place over 57 laps of the 5.419 kilometer Lusail International Circuit. The full schedule can be found here:

  • Practice 1 — 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 29

  • Sprint Qualifying — 12:30 to 1:14 p.m. ET on Nov. 29

  • Sprint — 9 to 10 a.m. ET on Nov. 30

  • Qualifying — 1 to 2 p.m. ET on Nov. 30

  • Race — 11 a.m. ET on Dec. 1

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

ORF and ServusTV are geo-restricted to Austria, so you might need to use a VPN to access these free live streams from abroad. VPNs are tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

  4. Connect to ORF or ServusTV

  5. Watch the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix from anywhere in the world

Please be aware that Formula 1 take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of the relevant broadcasters’ terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is your responsibility to ensure that your use of a VPN is legal and Mashable does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming F1 live is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Austria

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

  • Fast streaming speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 15:05

UPDATE: Nov. 29, 2024, 8:45 a.m. EST This story has been updated with price checks, a bunch of new deals, and a new top pick.

The best Black Friday gaming laptop deals at a glance: Best gaming laptop deal Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best budget gaming laptop deal Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal The cheapest gaming laptop we've found anywhere HP Victus 15-fb2063dx (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, AMD Radeon RX 6550M, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $429.99 (save $370) Get Deal A splurge with freebies Razer Blade 16 (Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,999.99 (save $600; includes free Razer Skin, 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, "Assassin's Creed Shadows," 6-month Ubisoft+ Classics subscription, and "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" Digital Premium Edition) Get Deal

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

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

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 ranging from heavily discounted budget models under $1,000 to sizable price cuts on higher-end 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: Alienware Alienware m16 R2 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,599.99 at Dell.com
$2,099.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Why we like it

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

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

The exact configuration we tested is currently sold out at Best Buy, having fallen to a record low of $1,299.99 during its Black Friday sale (a $600 discount). But you can get a similar configuration with a better Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU for $1,599.99 on Dell's website, or $500 off. That's still better than the usual list price of our loaner.

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

Black Friday AirPods deals are live — here are the best deals in 2024

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 14:39

UPDATE: Nov. 29, 2024, 8:15 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest pricing on all available AirPods models ahead of Black Friday.

Best Black Friday AirPods deals Best AirPods Pro deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 ✨🔥 $153.99 (save $95.01) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal Apple AirPods Max $399.99 (save $149.01) Get Deal

Black Friday is finally here, and as always, the deals are coming in hot! We've already seen some early discounts, but now that it's officially Black Friday, things are really kicking into high gear. Tech is always a big focus, and this year is no exception. Speaking of which, if you've been thinking about upgrading your headphones, now's the time to check out the deals on Apple AirPods, including the lastest release, the AirPods 4.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024

We're tracking all the best Black Friday AirPods deals below. Bookmark this page and keep checking back – we'll be adding new deals as they drop.

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 AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 ✨🔥 $153.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $95.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2, which come packed with great features like ANC, hearing protection options, personalized spatial audio, and more, are selling for $153.99 at Amazon. That's $95 off and the lowest price we've seen on these earbuds yet.

Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) $399.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $149.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Max.

If you're not really into earbuds, the AirPods Max are a good pair of over-ear headphones that'll allow you to stay within the Apple ecosystem (we get it, we like our tech to have synergy, too). While we like them for Apple users, we do have some qualms with their shorter battery life, weird carrying case, and lack of a power button, especially at their price point. That said, it's easier to look past those flaws with a good discount, which you'll find on the Lightning pairs instead of the newer USB-C model (which is the only upgrade, other than different colorways, on the newer version of these headphones).

More Black Friday AirPods deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Raiders vs. Chiefs online for free

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 14:26

TL;DR: Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Black Friday game for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

The NFL Black Friday game is slowly becoming the best thing about the whole shopping period. Sure, we love perusing the best deals from this marathon event, but we really like checking out the best deals when there's a game on. And this year's game is a real treat, as the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

If you want to watch the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Black Friday game for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Raiders vs. Chiefs?

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Nov. 29. This fixture will be played at the Arrowhead Stadium.

How to watch Raiders vs. Chiefs for free

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but anyone can watch this game for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (not to mention a long list of Thursday Night Football fixtures).

Fans from outside the U.S. will need to use a VPN to watch the NFL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

  1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

  2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  5. Watch Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can gain access to free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term fix, but it will give you enough time to watch select NFL fixtures before claiming back your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available for $99.95 — 49% off list price. This deal includes an extra three months at no extra cost, an entire year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bluesky now displays replies by hotness

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 13:33

Bluesky replies will now default to appear by "hotness" in a contentious update to the social media platform.

Announced this week as part of the app's 1.95 software update, post replies will now appear as "hot replies first", which is the new default setting. "With this release, you can now display replies by “hotness,” which weights liked replies that are more recent more heavily," the app's official Bluesky account posted.

📢 1.95 is rolling out now (2/6) With this release, you can now display replies by “hotness,” which weights liked replies that are more recent more heavily.

[image or embed]

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) November 27, 2024 at 9:10 PM

Post reply settings also include sorting by oldest or newest replies, most liked, or a random setting labelled "Poster's roulette".

SEE ALSO: Bluesky has growing pains. Here's what it can learn from X/Twitter

But while Bluesky's announcement was delivered with excitement, a lot of users aren't happy with the addition, especially as it's now the default setting. Users protested the act of rewarding "clout farmers" and lamented this similarity to platforms like X — where many Bluesky users have fled from.

"Prioritising 'popular' like this is one of the main reasons all the other social media sites became awful and encourages shitty behaviour," wrote Phonogram author and illustrator Jamie McKelvie.

Making "hotness" the default is a terrible change. Let's not speed run to be X or FB, okay?

— Marc Ruvolo (@marcruvolo.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 10:12 PM

Most recent replied has always been the best system. It ensures that everyone's opinion gets views. popular just means whoever shouts loudest & quickest starts at the top & more eloquent or valid posts get pushed down to the bottom. May as well cut off replied after the first 20

— Stu (@galaxy4t2.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 11:33 AM

Yeah, unless it can train up on relevance, uniqueness of engagement and sound logic a post attracts, it will roll this right into those problems of amplification and clout. All the same behaviors and bots will come right along. Brand new here but I could see it happening very fast.

— Jenn Hartt (@2aspirin.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 3:19 AM

If you want to change your default setting from "hot replies first," you can switch the setting within Thread Preferences — go to Settings, then Content and Media, then Thread Preferences.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable screenshot

Bluesky is experiencing more growing pains than reply mechanics, despite recently passing the 20 million-user mark. Reports of the platform scraping a million public Bluesky posts to train AI haven't been ideal optics for the alternative to Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) and Meta's Threads. However, engagement on the platform has already been celebrated as feeling better than X, especially due to its customisable algorithm model, opt-in Feed types, and growing stan support.

Mashable's Chris Taylor dug into just what Bluesky can learn from its competitors, for better or worse.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Friday fitness tracker deals are live — here are all the best deals in 2024

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 13:27
Best Black Friday fitness tracker deals Best fitness tracker deal Fitbit Charge 3 $69.95 (save $30) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm) $139.99 (save $160) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

Best smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40mm, Bluetooth) $139.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Most people turn to the Apple Watch for their smartwatch needs, which isn't a bad choice, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 also might be something you want to consider. (You don't always have to go for the most popular thing!) It also packs in a bunch of great features like heart monitoring in addition to your usual activity and sleep analytics, and it's on sale for $160 off the usual price at Amazon. Pick one up ahead of the Black Friday season and secure those savings.

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

Amazon Black Friday deal: Get 4 Apple AirTags for $26 less

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 12:53

SAVE $26: As of Nov. 29, you can snag a 4-pack of Apple AirTags for $72.99 at Amazon for Black Friday. That’s a 26% discount off their $99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (4-Pack) $72.99 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $26.01 Get Deal

Don't give your partner another smug look when you can't find your keys because you didn't put them in the nice bowl they bought again. Apple Air tags have hit Black Friday on Amazon, with this handy 4-pack at a solid 26% discount off the usual $99. That's $72, or $18 per tag, a small price to avoid another school-run argument.

SEE ALSO: 2024 Black Friday ads: Best deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, and more

Apple's AirTags use the Find My network to track your items precisely. They're convenient for iPhone users, as setup takes just one tap to sync to your device. Once connected, you can use the Find My app to see your AirTags' last known location on a map or activate Precision Finding with Ultra-Wideband technology to track them down to the inch (select iPhone models only, because Apple). If your item is really MIA, you can play a sound on the built-in speaker or rely on the vast Find My network, powered by hundreds of millions of Apple devices worldwide, to locate it.

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

Each AirTag in this pack comes with a replaceable CR2032 battery, which Apple claims will last about a year. So there's your time limit for lost luggage in the wild. At $18 a tag, this deal is a cost-effective way to keep an eye on your valuables without the frantic scramble of looking for something that obviously doesn't want to be found. Maybe stick one to your kid's favorite toy that they always lose on a shopping trip?

At $72.99, this deal is a no-brainer if you've been considering adding extra tracking power to your life. It's Apple tech at its most straightforward and valuable — but act fast because deals on AirTags don't stick around long.

A $72.99 Black Friday deal is peanuts for that sweet peace of mind. It's simple Apple tech that works well and will make life easier. This deal will probably get snapped up fast, so grab yours before stock runs dry.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 13-inch Apple iPad Pro has hit its lowest-ever price this Black Friday

Mashable - Fri, 11/29/2024 - 12:45

SAVE $200: As of Nov. 29, the 13-inch Apple iPad Pro (M4) is on sale for $1,099 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. This is 15% off its list price of $1,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) $1,099.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

There's an excellent variety of Apple deals to check out during the Black Friday sale event. If you've been looking to upgrade your iPad, now's a great time to do it with so many offers available. Even the newer models have had great discounts, including the latest Apple iPad Pro.

The 13-inch 256GB Apple iPad Pro has had a very nice $200 discount during Amazon's Black Friday sale, dropping its price from $1,299 to $1,099. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this also marks its lowest-ever price, so there's truly no better time to pick it up if you've had your eye on it.

SEE ALSO: Save $800 on this stunning Samsung 65-inch TV during Black Friday

Fitted with the powerful M4 chip and a stunning Ultra Retina XDR display, the new iPad Pro is a powerful tablet. Our tech editor was blown away by it, with Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon saying, "the iPad Pro has mind-blowing endurance on a single charge. On top of that, the new iPad Pro is as svelte as a haute couture model." It has even made our list of the best tablets as a fantastic pick for graphic artists.

There's no better time than Black Friday to upgrade your iPad, so don't miss out on this 13-inch Apple iPad Pro deal at Amazon.

Amazon's not the only retailer offering up some excellent tech deals right now, either. Have a look at our roundups of the best deals at Best Buy, Walmart, and Target to see even more tech discounts that have caught our eye during Black Friday.

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker