Feed aggregator

Amazon easily has the best Cyber Monday robot vacuum deals — shop record-low prices still live

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 19:32
The best Cyber Monday robot vacuum deals at Amazon at a glance Best Roomba deal iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ $399 at Amazon (save $330.99) Get Deal Best self-emptying, self-cleaning robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo S $459.99 at Amazon (save $340) Get Deal

Cyber Monday robot vacuum deals at Amazon are mostly just Black Friday robot vacuum deals that have rolled over — and those discounts just happen to be on most of my favorite robot vacuums that I've tested this year. That said, a handful of the best deals have finally sold out, so making your upgrade ASAP is crucial.

As unlikely as it sounds, Amazon doesn't have the best deals in every single category on shopping holidays (TVs ring a bell). But Amazon consistently leads the pack in robot vacuum deals. While the other big retailers have a few, Amazon easily has the best variety of Cyber Monday robot vacuum deals, both in terms of the brands and models up for grabs and the actual spectrum of price points. As someone who tests robot vacuums and tracks their prices for a living, I would know — but if you want some cold, hard numbers, just plug any URL into Amazon price history tracker Camelcamelcamel. You'll see that almost every robot vacuum on sale has dropped to a new record-low price.

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

I'm tracking all of the Cyber Monday robot vacuum deals still live at Amazon below, and will be refreshing the list throughout Cyber Week as deals eventually start to fade and sell out. Note: Any deal marked with a 🔥 has dropped to a record-low price at Amazon

Best Cyber Monday Roomba deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ $399.00 at Amazon
$729.99 Save $330.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Though my previous favorite Roomba deal this Black Friday season, the $299.99 Roomba Combo i5, has sold out, it wasn't hard to pick a new top pick. I've crowned the Roomba Combo j5+ as the best Roomba value when it's on sale, and guess what: It's definitely on sale. The nearly 50% off price slash 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 basic Roomba doesn't mop, can't smart map specific rooms in your home, and certainly can't steer clear of small obstacles like phone charges and pet waste. The Combo j5+ does all of those things for $150 more, which is a small jump in cost that I think you'll be thankful you made when your Roomba isn't getting stuck everywhere.

If you live in a small space where a robot vacuum won't scrounge up a ton of debris during every cleaning session (or are otherwise fine with manually emptying the dust bin), the standalone Roomba Combo j5 that doesn't self-empty is at a similarly stellar sale price: $284.98, a record low.

Best Cyber Monday robot vacuum with self-cleaning station at Amazon 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

The robot vacuums that not only mop and self-empty but also wash and dry their own mopping pad, were the number one type of robot vacuum that I was looking forward to seeing on sale this season — because they're typically the most expensive. The Roborock Qrevo S is the best combination of features and price, offering so many types of automation for just over $450.

I think of the Roborock Qrevo S as the diet version of my favorite self-emptying robot vacuum right now, the Roborock Qrevo Master. The main difference between the two is that the Qrevo S skips the fluff like a livestream pet camera or extending side mop. But when the difference in sale price is $459.99 versus the Qrevo Master's $899.99, one choice works better for a ton of people.

More robot vacuums (that don't mop) on sale at AmazonRobot vacuum and mop combos on sale at AmazonRobot vacuum and mop combos with self-washing station on sale at Amazon

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 3

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 19:15

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 3 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Sin

  • Green: Crummy

  • Blue: Hoops no more here

  • Purple: Horses

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Transgression

  • Green: Not at One’s Best

  • Blue: Former NBA Cities

  • Purple: Triple Crown Winners

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #68 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

  • Transgression - FOUL, INFRACTION, PENALTY, VIOLATION

  • Not at One’s Best - COLD, OFF, OUT OF FORM, RUSTY

  • Former NBA Cities - BUFFALO, KANSAS CITY, SEATTLE, VANCOUVER

  • Triple Crown Winners - CITATION, JUSTIFY, OMAHA, SECRETARIAT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

Elon Musk’s $50 Billion Tesla Pay Can’t Be Reinstated, Delaware Judge Rules

NYT Technology - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 18:28
The judge said she would not reverse her decision to strike down the package after Tesla shareholders approved it a second time.

The best Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals at Amazon

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 18:08
Amazon's best Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals at a glance: Top pick Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i9-13900H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $929.99 (save $220) Get Deal Best splurge Alienware M18 (Intel Core i7-14700HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,699.99 (save $600) Get Deal Simply the cheapest gaming laptop on Amazon Asus TUF Gaming A15 (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $649.99 (save $150) Get Deal

Amazon was the dark horse of this year's Cyber Weekend laptop deals, undercutting other tech retailers when it came to discounts on popular Apple MacBooks and Microsoft Surface devices. The gaming laptop deals it's still offering on Cyber Monday aren't quite as competitive as those you'll see at Best Buy, which has a better selection of models at a variety of price points. (That includes a $480 Lenovo LOQ, the cheapest gaming laptop of the past two days.) However, Amazon's options are still worth considering: I've looked them all up on the price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel, and most of them are sitting at record lows.

SEE ALSO: The best Cyber Monday deals in 2024 — new low prices are live

Read on for a comprehensive list of Amazon's best Cyber Monday deals on gaming laptops — including an unprecedented discount on a variant of Mashable's current favorite budget machine.

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

Best gaming laptop deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i9-13900H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 🔥 $929.99 at Amazon
$1,149.99 Save $220.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Acer Nitro V 15 (2023).

Former Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon tested a $999.99 configuration of the Acer Nitro V 15 last year and rated it a 4.7/5, applauding its quiet keyboard, its sharp design — "the perfect balance of fun and serious," she wrote — and its solid performance. (It ran well and stayed cool even while playing Cyberpunk 2077.) It's a Mashable Choice Award winner and our No. 1 gaming laptop under $1,000.

The model that Amazon has on sale as a Cyber Monday deal has a better CPU and GPU than our testing unit, the same amount of RAM, and half the storage. It's priced at $1,149.99 on Acer's website, which makes Amazon's listing a tad misleading: It's really $220 off, not $270 off. Still, $929.99 is a solid deal: That's the lowest price it's ever hit there since it was first listed in early fall.

Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals under $1,000Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals over $1,000

The best Cyber Monday Samsung deals make it easy to upgrade to the latest tech

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 17:05

Shop our favorite Samsung sales this Cyber Monday below:

Samsung Cyber Monday Deals Best Samsung TV Deal Samsung 65-inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV 1299.99 (Save $700) Get Deal Best Samsung Phone Deal Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 1069.99 (Save $350) Get Deal Best Samsung Tablet Deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ 849.99 (Save $150) Get Deal

The Cyber Monday deals are coming in fast and furious, and if you're looking to snatch up some excellent deals on tech, now's the time to do it.

We've already tracked some seriously great deals among just about every category you can think of, but if you're looking for a new smartphone, TV, or some earbuds, Samsung is one brand where you'll find an abundance of deals during this sales event.

Below, find some of our favorite deals from Samsung that you can shop right now as part of Cyber Monday.

Best Samsung TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Samsung 65-inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $700.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you've been looking for the perfect TV to add to your living room or bedroom, look no further than the 65-inch model of Samsung's The Frame TV. You can get it for just $1,299.99 right now at Best Buy, which marks $700 off its original price of $1,999.99. Not only does it offer excellent picture quality, but it can double as a "frame" as its name implies, which lets you display artwork or photos when the TV is not in use. That makes it a stunning TV and a setpiece you'll love showing off to visitors.

More Samsung TV dealsBest Samsung phone deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $1,069.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking to add a new smartphone to your tech arsenal, you can't go wrong with an Android phone from Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is on sale at Amazon for a great price. It's 25% off, making it just $1,069.99 right now – and that's one of the lowest prices we've seen for the 512GB model. With a stunning screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and 3120 x 1440 resolution, this is one phone you'll want to switch over to pronto at this price.

More Cyber Monday Samsung phone dealsBest Samsung tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ $849.99 at Samsung
$999.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're interested in adding a top-of-the-line tablet to your tech stack, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ is a model you won't want to pass up. It's available for $150 off right now through Samsung's website proper, and boasts a 12.4-inch display, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It's a great alternative to an iPad if you're shopping.

More Cyber Monday Samsung tablet deals

These are the best Apple deals at Amazon on Cyber Monday

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 16:41
The best Apple deals at Amazon for Cyber Monday: BEST AIRPODS DEAL Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $154 (save $95) Get Deal BEST MACBOOK DEAL Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 (save $200) Get Deal BEST IPAD DEAL Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $499 (save $100) Get Deal BEST APPLE WATCH DEAL Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $329 (save $70) Get Deal

Apple runs a similar gift card promo during Cyber Week every year. This year, through the end of Cyber Monday, you can get a gift card worth up to $200 with the purchase of select iPhones, MacBooks, AirPods, etc. To be honest, it's not anything all that special. If you're looking for more immediate savings, head over to Amazon instead.

Amazon offers much better deals on Apple products than Apple itself on most days, so you can imagine how dramatic the Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings are. We've been keeping track of all the best Apple deals across retailers — here are the best ones you can find at Amazon on Cyber Monday.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) $154.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With impressive ANC, six hours of battery life per charge, balanced sound, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration, the AirPod Pro 2 continuously top our favorite headphones lists. During Cyber Week, they've dropped to a record-low $154 across multiple retailers, including Amazon. I'd grab them ASAP, though, if I were you; we've seen them go out of stock quite a few times already.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

More Cyber Monday AirPods deals at AmazonBest MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple deciding to make 16GB RAM the new standard on MacBooks is the best decision its made it years. For the same price as the old base model with 8GB RAM, you now get double the memory. For Cyber Monday, you can grab the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air with 512GB of storage on sale for $1,099 instead of its usual $1,299 — that's 15% in savings. It's not as good as the Black Friday discount on the base model that's now sold out, but it's still $200 off.

You'll get 15% more power than the M2, WiFi 6E, and support for up to two 5K, 60Hz external displays. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon writes: "The M3 MacBook Air continues to blur the line of the Air and Pro models."

Read our full review of the M3 MacBook Air.

More Cyber Monday MacBook and Mac deals at Amazon

MacBook Air (13-inch)

MacBook Air (15-inch)

MacBook Pro

Mac

iMac & Apple Studio Displays

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

Our favorite iPad for most people, the 2024 iPad Air is powerful enough that can keep up with the big dogs — including some of our favorite laptops. Its battery life is also fantastic; we found it to last even longer than it promise on paper. Aesthetically, it doesn't look much different than the previous model, but as Mashable's Kim Gedeon noted in her review, "The M2 chip brings sweet energy efficiency and a performance uptick." Slash $100 off the list price on the 128GB model with WiFi during Amazon's Cyber Monday sale. That's just a dollar shy of its lowest price on record.

Read our full review of the M2 iPad Air.

More Cyber Monday iPad deals at Amazon

iPad

iPad Air

iPad mini

iPad Pro

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

A new record-low for — checks notes — the third time this month, the Apple Watch Series 10 is now just $329 for the 42mm, GPS model. That's a savings of 18%. Compared to previous models, the Series 10 boasts a thinner and lighter design, a larger display with a built-in speaker, faster charging (a major selling point for our reviewer), and new health and fitness features like sleep apnea alerts and water temperature and depth sensing.

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

More Cyber Monday Apple Watch deals at Amazon

Series 10

SE

Ultra

More Cyber Monday Apple deals

Apples Lightning AirPods Max are only $380 in this unprecedented and unmatched Cyber Monday deal

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 16:18

SAVE $169.01: As of Dec. 2, the space gray Apple AirPods Max (Lighting) are on sale for only $379.99 during Best Buy's Cyber Monday sale — a record-setting 31% discount on their $549 MSRP.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) $379.99 at Best Buy
$549.00 Save $169.01 Get Deal

Best Buy may have just squashed our four-year-old beef with Apple's over-ear headphones.

The 2020 AirPods Max with Lightning charging are on sale for $379.99 during the tech retailer's Cyber Monday sale, which is live online, in stores, and on its mobile app through 12:59 a.m. ET tonight. That's a 31% discount on the premium cans' usual retail price of $549 and a new record low. (Note that it only applies to the space gray variant; all of the other colors are $399.99.)

Amazon briefly matched Best Buy's deal earlier this afternoon, but it was sold out at the time of writing. Elsewhere, the AirPods Max are stuck at $399 at Target.

SEE ALSO: A bunch of new Apple deals just dropped for Cyber Monday

That sky-high MSRP is the main reason why the AirPods Max have stayed off Mashable's guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones, but as things currently stand, they feel way easier to recommend. Former Tech Reporter Brenda Stoylar rated them a 4.25/5 for their "excellent audio quality, easy-to-use controls, and good battery life" despite the fact that they weren't super comfortable for her to wear for hours at a time. Glasses-wearers and those with small heads might have the same problem; if you or a giftee wind up needing to return them, you've got until Jan. 14, 2025 under Best Buy's extended holiday return policy.

This year's updated AirPods Max with USB-C charging are also on sale this Cyber Monday, but they'll cost you an extra $120 compared to the Lightning version. On a totally unrelated note, Apple's USB-C to Lightning adapter costs $29.99.

G.M. Will Sell Stake in EV Battery Plant to LG

NYT Technology - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 16:16
LG Energy Solution will now solely own a factory in Michigan that it had planned to operate through a joint venture with General Motors.

Home Depots Cyber Monday sale is cutting prices up to 71%

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 16:15

Home Depot's Cyber Monday sale is posting huge savings on tools, accessories, appliances and more for up to 71% off.

The best Home Depot Cyber Monday deals: Best tool deal Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lith-Ion Brushless Cordless Compact Hammer Drill/Impact Combo Kit $244 (save $245) Get Deal Best accessories deal M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion (4) High Output Battery Pack $279 (save $340) Get Deal Best appliances deal Frigidaire 31.5 in. 17.6 cu. ft. Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, brushed steel $1098 (save $901) Get Deal

This winter is for home improvement. Home Depot has thrown a wrench into our budgeting plans, offering steep price cuts up to 71% off on tools, accessories, and even large appliances that are hard to say no to.

There are some deals you can take or leave, but when a sale like this comes up and you need to replace a tool, there’s little sense in waiting.

The best Home Depot Cyber Monday tool deals Opens in a new window Credit: Milwaukee Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lith-Ion Brushless Cordless Compact Hammer Drill/Impact Combo Kit $244.00 at Home Depot
$489.00 Save $245.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This is one stacked combo kit. Part of the M18 System, this bundle comes with three tools: a compact brushless 1/2" hammer drill, brushless 1/4" impact driver, and a grinder. To keep these tools running, the kit also supplies two battery packs, a charger, and a contractor bag.

Whether you’re a pro-contractor refreshing your toolkit before the new year, or you’re looking for a present for your home handyman for this holiday season, this Milwaukee M18 Combo Kit is a great buy. Get it now for $244 and save $245 or 50%.

More tool dealsThe best Home Depot Cyber Monday accessories deals Opens in a new window Credit: Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion (4) High Output Battery Pack $279.00 at Home Depot
$619.00 Save $340.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Now is a great time to refresh your tool kit with a new set of batteries. If you use the Milwaukee M18 system then this 4 pack of batteries will fit right in. With long run times, the M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion (4) High Output Battery Pack will keep you going longer without having to swap out.

Order now to get four batteries for $279 and save $340 or 55%.

More accessories dealsThe best Home Depot Cyber Monday appliance deals Opens in a new window Credit: Frigidaire Frigidaire 31.5 in. 17.6 cu. ft. Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, brushed steel $1,098.00 at Home Depot
$1,999.00 Save $901.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Cyber Monday / Black Friday is one of the year’s best savings opportunities on large appliances like washers, dryers, or French door refrigerators like the Frigidaire 31.5 in. 17.6 cu. ft. Counter Depth Refrigerator which is currently on sale for $1098. Get it now to save $901, or 45%.

With specially designed crispers, whole gallon storage in the doors, and a freezer with 3 different compartments, this fridge loads in a lot of perks for the price. Finished in stainless steel, this French door fridge will add polish to your kitchen.

More appliance deals

Get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for less than a dollar

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 14:37

SAVE $34.98: For Cyber Monday, new subscribers can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for just $0.99. Usually $11.99 per month, that's a massive savings of 97%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for three months (save $34.98) Get Deal

As a child, I was a bookworm, but somewhere along the way I fell into a slump in the reading department. In 2024, I finally got back into reading. Besides the ultra-low priced books at the local thrift store, I owe a big part of my rekindled love for books to subscriptions like Kindle Unlimited. If you're in a slump, Kindle Unlimited puts thousands of books in nearly every genre imaginable at your fingertips. And for Cyber Monday, you can score it for an absolutely outrageous price.

Usually $11.99 per month, new subscribers can sign up for three months of Kindle Unlimited for only 99 cents. Not $0.99 per month, but $0.99 total. That ends up being a total savings of $34.98 or 97%. There's currently no date listed as to when this deal ends, but we suggest snagging it ASAP, as it could be gone as soon as Cyber Monday ends.

Kindle Unlimited gives you access to over 4 million digital book titles, from classics to recent bestsellers, thousands of audiobooks, and even magazine subscriptions like People Magazine, Travel + Leisure, and Runner's World. And the best part? You don't even need a Kindle device to access Kindle Unlimited, although we highly suggest snagging one of the new Kindles while they're down to record-low prices for Cyber Monday. You can download the Kindle app on an iPad or even on your phone to enjoy a seamless reading experience anywhere.

Your subscription will automatically renew at full price — $11.99 per month — once your promotional period ends, so be sure to set a reminder to cancel if you want to avoid those charges. Although, you might be sold after seeing your TBR list finally start to shrink.

Cyber Monday Kindle deals

Apple AirTag 4 Packs are priced at an all-time low for Cyber Monday

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 14:19

GET $29.01 OFF: As of Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, get an Apple AirTag 4 Pack for $69.99 and save 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4 Pack $69.99 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $29.01 Get Deal

What’s more Cyber Monday than Airtags? Today’s Apple AirTag 4 Pack deal is the cheapest we’ve ever seen. Order today and get 4 AirTags for $69.99 saving you $29.01.

These Apple trackers ensure you’ll never lose your things again. Useful for travel, keys that like to disappear, and dogs who always seem to be sneaking out of the back yard, Apple AirTags are innovative miniature devices that your Apple devices can track using the Find My app.

SEE ALSO: A bunch of new Apple deals just dropped for Cyber Monday

Simple to connect and precise to track, AirTags will lead you right to them. New iPhone models will be able to track AirTags with the greatest precision, but AirTags are impressively precise no matter what phone you have.

AirTags emit a BlueTooth signal that can be picked up and transmitted through the Apple network. With millions of Apple devices around the world, they would have to go quite far afield indeed to lose contact with the network.

Don’t miss Cyber Monday and your chance to get an Apple AirTag 4 Pack for $69.99 and save $29.01.

Place AirTags in your luggage so that you don’t lose it while you travel, or leave one in your car so you never forget what block you parked on.

Robloxs new Party feature makes Discord obsolete

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 14:02

Since its founding, the gaming platform Roblox had a considerable drawback: Friends who wanted to play the same game together couldn't do so easily. Typically, they'd have to use a third-party app, like Discord, to coordinate a session. Then landing together in the same game server required tiresome logistical planning.

Roblox announced Monday that those days are in the past with the launch of its new Party feature, which allows friends to gather, select a game, and arrive in the server together. Users 13 and older can also chat with each other while playing.

SEE ALSO: Roblox launches numerous new safety features

Garima Sinha, Roblox's vice president of product, told Mashable ahead of Party's debut that the feature is a "huge step" toward the company's vision of reimagining the way people come together.

"It's a seamless way for people to connect, coordinate, and co-experience with their friends, all within Roblox," Sinha said.

Party, which rolls out Monday globally on desktop and iOS and Android devices, appears to be a major win for the platform's nearly 90 million daily users. The feature makes it easy to join the same instance of a game or experience. If someone needs to stop playing momentarily, they can rejoin the Party. A group of players can also travel together across Roblox's different games and experiences.

Party lets a group of users communicate and play together. Credit: Roblox

Roblox's data shows that Party boosts engagement, too. When friends play together, their sessions are an average of 1.9 times longer than sessions of users playing by themselves.

Sinha said that a Party-specific Application Programming Interface (API) launching early next year will give developers the opportunity to create custom experiences for groups playing together. A developer, for example, might give a Party a custom magic power or a secret space in their game's universe. Roblox hopes these extras will make the Party feature particularly attractive to users.

Importantly, Party is only available to use between players who are already friends, which may help address longstanding safety concerns regarding Roblox's youngest and most vulnerable leaving the platform for Discord or other communication apps and encountering predators or bad actors.

Players who are younger than 13 will not be able to chat in a Party, for now. Sinha said that the company is exploring ways to safely let young players communicate in the future. Parents can use Roblox's new parental controls to turn off the Party feature altogether, if they wish.

Roblox's Party feature has certain safety settings for users under 13. Credit: Roblox

Those who are 13 and older can text chat with each other via Party. Eventually, the product will include voice chat as well. All chats are moderated by Roblox.

If a Party wants to play a game or experience that exceeds an individual user's maturity label — a setting selected by a minor's parent — that player will have to get permission to change the setting to participate.

Players can turn off Party, block users, edit their friend list, and leave a Party chat.

Sinha said that, partly for safety reasons, the company wanted to make sure users weren't leaving Roblox to coordinate their playtime.

"This will give them a really structured, contained way of playing on Roblox," she said.

Wazes killer feature finally coming to Google Maps

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 13:54

Way back in 2013, Google acquired the map startup Waze. Fast forward just 11 years and one of Waze's stand-out features is finally being rolled out to Google Maps.

As first noticed by 9to5Google, users are reporting that community reports from Waze are starting to roll out within Google Maps as well. The feature has long-earned Waze a specific fanbase that preferred this smaller startup directions and maps app over products from its much larger competitors like Google and Apple.

SEE ALSO: Apple Maps finally comes to the web

Basically, this Waze feature allows users to share when they come across new or temporary incidents that have occurred, warning other users of potential issues that may arise in their similar travels.

Credit: Truckin_18 on Reddit

For example, a Google Maps user has shared an alert it received from within the Google Maps app that warned about "Police reported ahead." The alert included a "From Waze drivers" addendum in the notification. The alert within Google Maps asks "Are they still there?" and the user can tap "Yes" or "No' to share whether the police are still located where other Waze drivers reported seeing them.

Google has been more closely integrating Google Maps and Waze specific features in recent months. As 9to5Google points out, Google shared that Google Maps would utilize Waze community reports within its app in a future update.

"Google Maps will surface reports from our drivers with attribution to Waze directly in the app," Waze announced on its website in July.

As of now, the update appears to be in the midst of rolling out, so some Google Maps users just might not seem them just yet. But soon, all Google Maps users will have access to a beloved feature that keeps many Waze users on Waze.

Save up to $70 on Skylight Calendar and Frame deals for Black Friday and organize your entire life

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 12:47

SAVE UP TO $70: The Skylight Calendar, Calendar Max, and Skylight Frame are on sale for up to 22% off on Black Friday from Best Buy and Skylight.

The best Skylight Black Friday deals: Best Calendar deal Skylight Calendar $249.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best Frame deal Skylight Wifi Digital Picture Frame $109.99 (Save $30) Get Deal Best large Calendar deal Skylight Calendar Max $569.99 (Save $30) Get Deal

Skylight specializes in well-designed smart tech for the home with specific purposes. Their Calendar series aggregate and display collaborative family calendars where you can see and interact with them, while the Frame ensures your digital photos are a part of your day-to-day life.

Right now, Skylight Calendars and Frames are majorly on sale for Black Friday. The deals even include a promotion for the newly released Calendar Max. Save up to $70 on our top picks below:

Best Calendar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Skylight Skylight Calendar $249.99 at Best Buy
$319.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

When life gets complicated, your calendar comes to the rescue. The Skylight Calendar 15-inch Touchscreen Smart Calendar and Chore Chart is designed to lift digital calendars off the phone screen and bring them right into the home — multiple calendars.

With a brilliant interactive touchscreen, the Skylight syncs digital calendars for the whole family and assigns each calendar a different color so that it’s simple to tell them apart. Mounted on a kitchen wall or freestanding in the kitchen, it’s a simple way to update the kitchen calendar for the digital age.

Right now, the Skylight Calendar is $270 for Black Friday at Amazon — order now and save $70. 

Best Frame deal Opens in a new window Credit: Skylight Skylight 10-inch Wifi Digital Picture Frame $139.99 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

The Skylight Frame syncs with your smart device to make a digital photo library into a staple of your home.

Simple to set up, photos wirelessly load onto the frame. Those looking for a gift can even preload photos in advance, without unboxing the frame. The 10.7 x 9-inch frame easily sets up on a side table or desk. 

Take advantage of Black Friday to order this frame for $30 off.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy's Black Friday sale is live — find all the best deals here Best large Calendar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Skylight Calendar Max $569.99 at Skylight
$599.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Love the idea of a collaborative whole-family calendar but want more space? This is the pick for you.

The Skylight Calendar Max is a huge 27-inch version of the Calendar with room for more detail. Whether you’re buying for a business or a home, it comes equipped with enough space to make sense of even the densest calendars.

Right now, Skylight is offering the Calendar Max for $569.99, for a savings of $30 when you sign up for the Skylight Plus plan at $39 a year.

Tesla update adds Apple Watch connectivity, fart on contact options

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 12:21

Tesla dropped a number of new features, among them was quite useful Apple Watch compatibility. Also among the features — because Elon Musk seemingly runs Tesla with a juvenile edgelord's sensibilities — was a "fart on contact" feature that effectively turns any seat into a whoopee cushion.

SEE ALSO: Here's all the ways you can make your Tesla fart

Tesla announced its over-the-air holiday update, which made a number of improvements and added a bunch of features. Perhaps the biggest update is an app for Apple Watch that'll let you control a number of Tesla features via your wrist. For instance, an Apple Watch can be used as a key, view the car's battery level, set a temperature, and open the frunk.

A look at the Apple Watch Tesla app. Credit: Screenshot: X / @Tesla

While the Apple Watch updated will likely prove useful for many folks, the "fart on contact" feature will likely get a bit of use, too. It allows you to set any seat to "fart on contact," which means a fart sound will play when someone sits on that seat. It's a digital whoopee cushion and the third such fart feature from Tesla, which also has "fart on demand" and "fart on turn signal" settings.

Fart jokes. Credit: X / @Tesla

Those are far from the only new features announced by Tesla. A post on X — Elon Musk's version of Twitter — has the full details. Among the notable updates include the ability to set a preferred battery level upon arrival at your destination, a new alert for cross-traffic while in reverse, and Cybertruck's "Santa Mode" that turns your car's avatar into a sleigh.

Santa's sleigh looks a bit odd these days. Credit: X / @Tesla

Santa Mode is a neat little feature but it might not ease the sting of the Cybertruck's many recent recalls. Let's just hope those recalls don't stop Old Saint Nick from getting presents out to kids on Christmas.

Ronan Farrows simple tips for keeping spyware off your phone

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 12:21

Investigative journalist Ronan Farrow has one tip for those worried about their devices being hacked: Turn your phone off more often.

Appearing on the Daily Show a week after the release of his new documentary feature, Surveilled, Farrow argued that the general public should be "freaking out" more about the insidious use of government sanctioned surveillance technology on citizen's personal devices. And, as part of that awareness, more of us should be safeguarding our tech.

"Restart your phone everyday," he advises Daily Show correspondent Desi Lydic and the show's viewers. "That's one practical piece of advice. A lot of forms of this kind of spyware will be foiled by a reboot... Keep everything updated, is the other thing."

SEE ALSO: Zoom lied about encryption in 2020. Now it wants to pay $18 million to make that go away.

Farrow's personal and professional dive into government-led tech surveillance is documented in the hour-long HBO Max exposé, a visual tour through the journalist's 2022 New Yorker investigation uncovering a web of governments using the internationally-traded spyware Pegasus.

In the feature, Farrow narrows in on the work of Catalonian activists and their families, friends, and coworkers targeted by the Israeli-owned NSO Group. Farrow and his sources explain how they were able to discover and trace back their hacked devices—some journalists and activists got around the invasions using DIY aluminum foil Faraday cages. The documentary, through interviews with the tech's anonymous buyers and sellers, as well as government officials themselves, makes the case that no one is safe from Big Brother's eyes.

"I keep getting told, by experts in this technology, that if our government doesn't curtail the use of thisand there's a lot of skepticism that the incoming administration will—you won't know if you're on some target list," Farrow told Lydic. "You won't know if your phone is being hacked or how that data is being used. It's easy to see this as a distant issue... but it can come for anyone."

Amy Adams on how she transformed into a dog in Nightbitch

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 12:00

Amy Adams goes through an incredible physical and emotional transformation in Nightbitch. She and filmmaker, Marielle Heller, reveal how they approached Amy's character in making the film.

Nightbitch is in theaters Dec 6.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger Steps Down Amid Chipmaker’s Struggles

NYT Technology - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 11:46
Pat Gelsinger stepped down after nearly four years at the helm of the company, Intel said Monday.

The Book of the Month Cyber Monday coupon code you dont want to miss

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 11:22

SAVE $30: Book of the Month (BOTM) is running a Cyber Monday sale, saving you up to $30 on memberships with a coupon code. Plus, members get a free bonus book in their next box. See codes below.

Opens in a new window Credit: Book of the Month 12-Book BOTM Membership $169.99 at Book of the Month
$199.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift this holiday season, Book of the Month (BOTM) might be able to help.

BOTM is hosting a Cyber Monday sale where you can get a six-book membership for $89.99 (save $10) with the code MITTENS10 or a 12-book membership for $169.99 (save $30) with the code MITTENS30. Bonus deal: If you’re a current BOTM member, you’ll also get a free book in your next box as a nice little “thank you” for your continued support.

SEE ALSO: The best Cyber Monday book deals

You can give BOTM as a gift in a few ways. You can buy the membership and have an email sent to the recipient, choose a fancy gift card they'll get by mail, or make a printable card to give them yourself.

If this is the first time you’ve heard about BOTM, let me fill you in. Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription service that's been around since 1926. (I’ve been a subscriber since 2021 and am a BFF Status member.) You can choose to pay monthly or annually, depending on your budget, and sign up for three-, six-, or 12-month memberships. There’s also no fee to pause your subscription, and you can cancel anytime.

Each month, you’ll get to choose one of five new book selections hand-picked by a team of experts. If you prefer audiobooks, you can also add an audiobook subscription. (The best subscription plan for this is the “2 credits per month” plan for $14.99 per credit.)

SEE ALSO: The best Kindle book deals live on Cyber Monday

The longer you’re a member, the more perks you’ll get. For instance, my BFF Status got me a BOTM tote bag, a free birthday book, and one Book of the Year finalist for free. Plus, the books themselves are much cheaper than the retail price. The BOTM app gives you access to the Virtual Book Tour, which includes bookish discussions and author chats.

With the holidays around the corner, a BOTM subscription would make a great gift for the reader in your life, especially with this Cyber Monday sale.

See also: Cyber Monday Book Deals

Fiction

Best non-fiction deals

Best YA deals

Best cookbook deals

The Moana 2 directors reveal the meaning of the "never-ending chain"

Mashable - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 10:28

Moana has introduced many of us to the idea of the "never-ending chain." The directors of Moana 2 break it down for us and explain how that idea is explored in the hit Disney films.

Moana 2 is now in theaters.

Pages

Subscribe to Page Integrity, Inc. aggregator