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The Black Friday shopping season has officially begun, and the deals we're seeing on Bluetooth speakers are starting to reflect that.
Though it may not be the best time of year to take a Bluetooth speaker poolside, it's always great to think ahead and save some money. Plus, having a quality speaker is never a bad idea if you're planning on hosting any holiday parties.
SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Early holiday deals are already here.So far, savings have cropped up the most at Amazon and Best Buy, bringing deals on speakers from Ultimate Ears, JBL, Beats, and Sony. It's a pretty solid roundup (nearly all of our favorite speaker brands are represented), but as Black Friday proper — Nov. 29 — draws nearer, we'll be updating this list with any new deals that crop up.
Best Bluetooth speaker deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $79.99 at AmazonThe Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is the best speaker we've tested under $100: it doesn't take up much space, has 14 hours of battery life, gets as loud as a larger speaker without losing much clarity, and can be taken on the go to pretty much any situation thanks to its IP67 rating. While it drops to $79.99 throughout the year, its still a fantastic deal for a speaker that we think is well worth it at full price, and at the time of writing, each of the four colorways is available on sale.
If you're in the market for a new Bluetooth speaker, one of the only reasons we'd say to pass on this one is if you already own the Wonderboom 3 (it's incredibly similar) and want to pair up with another Wonderboom speaker to use stereo mode (none of the UE speakers are backwards compatible for stereo mode).
More Bluetooth speaker dealsAnker Soundcore 2 — $29.99 $39.99 (save $10 with on-page coupon)
Sony XB13 — $38 $59.99 (save $21.99)
Anker Soundcore Motion 300 — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20 with on-page coupon)
Sony ULT Field 1 — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)
JBL Flip 6 (Martin Garrix colorway) — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)
Ultimate Ears Boom 4 — $122.25 $149.99 (save $27.74)
Beats Pill — $129.95 $149.95 (save $20)
Sony XG300 — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)
Ultimate Ears Epicboom — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50)
Sony XV500 — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)
Hot on the heels of launching new iPhones and MacBooks, Apple is reportedly brewing something entirely new in the kitchen.
In a post on Medium, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the company is working on its first smart home camera.
SEE ALSO: Apple defended its oddly placed M4 Mac mini power button — here's my take as a new owner Apple smart home camera: Everything we knowAccording to Kuo, the rumored Apple smart home camera will launch in 2026.
Kuo also made two other predictions about the device that aren’t particularly surprising. One is that Apple intends for this camera to interface with other Apple products via wireless connection — a standard feature for all smart home tech in 2024. The other is that it will have Siri and Apple Intelligence features, but Kuo didn't say what those might be.
Beyond that, all we can do is speculate. It’s unclear what form this camera will take or what its intended purpose might be. Is it a doorbell security camera like Ring, or something a little less reminiscent of a surveillance state? In 2026, we will hopefully find out.
SAVE $35.04: As of Nov. 12, get the JBL Clip 4 for $39.95 at Walmart, down from its usual price of $74.99. That's a discount of 49%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart JBL Clip 4 $39.95 at WalmartIf you're the type of person who likes to take your music with you on the go, a great portable speaker is a must. While summer days are long gone by now, fall is still a great time to head out on a walk and enjoy the crisp, cool weather while enjoying tunes or a good podcast. And if you're having family or friends over during the holidays, you can play some music to improve the ambiance, too. Right now, you can score a great deal on a speaker that's not only perfect to carry around wherever you go, but it's up for an excellent price as well.
As of Nov. 12, you can get the JBL Clip 4 portable speaker for $39.95. That's $35.04 off its original price of $74.99 and a discount of 49%. This price currently applies to all of the colorways available, except for White. It's also on sale, but you'll have to pony up $43.98 for that model instead if you want it.
The JBL Clip 4 is a literal clip – it looks like a carabiner – and you can add it to your bag, purse, belt loop, or whatever you travel with. It's lightweight, rugged, and a self-contained speaker that has no moving parts to have to worry about losing. You can choose your favorite hue, clip it on your stuff, and go, all while listening to songs, podcasts, or whatever comes to mind. It also happens to be one of our favorite portable speakers of 2024.
It may be small, but it's mighty. You get punchy, bass-laden sound and up to 10 hours of listening time with each charge, which is a surprising amount of power and quality for a speaker this size. It's up for grabs at a great price now ahead of Black Friday, so if you're planning on getting one, now's the time to snag yours.
It's pretty weird to live in a world in which there are sales on the price of not being bombarded with advertisements but, alas, here we are.
On Tuesday, Meta announced that it is reducing the price of a monthly subscription for its ad-free tier in the EU by 40 percent, from €9.99 to €5.99 on the web and from €12.99 to €7.99 on iOS and Android. Each additional Facebook or Instagram account will be charged €4 on the web and €5 on iOS and Android.
SEE ALSO: I tried out Facebook's ad-free tier. Here's what it's like.The company also announced that it would "offer people in the EU an additional new choice to use Facebook and Instagram for free with less personalized ads."
Meta adds that it will use "significantly less data to show ads," which means the ads will likely be less relevant to someone's interests. The company notes that it's offering this option despite studies showing that "people and businesses prefer personalized ads." Personalized ads, the company notes, "will always be the cornerstone of a free and inclusive internet."
SEE ALSO: Meta allegedly considering ad-free, paid version of its EU apps"Over the coming weeks, people in the EU who choose to use Facebook and Instagram for free with ads will be able to choose to see 'less personalized ads,'" Meta said in a blog post. "This less personalized ads option relies on less data, so we’ll show ads based only on context – what a person sees in a particular session on Facebook and Instagram – and a minimal set of data points including a person’s age, location, gender, and how a person engages with ads."
This comes a year after Meta first announced it would be offering a monthly subscription fee to use Facebook and Instagram without any ads for users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
SAVE $120: As of Nov. 12, get the Shark Clean and Empty Cordless Vacuum for $199 at Walmart, down from its usual price of $319. That's a discount of 37%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Shark Clean and Empty Cordless Vacuum $199.00 at WalmartHaving trouble keeping up with all the dirt and debris in your home? That's understandable, especially if you have kids or pets. Make sure you have a reliable tool to help you handle all that mess, like a good cordless vacuum. If you're looking for one right now, it would be a good idea to head over to Walmart to take advantage of this early Black Friday deal.
As of Nov. 12, you can get the Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum for $199, down from its usual price of $319, at Walmart. That's $120 off, or a discount of 37%.
SEE ALSO: 4 best robot vacuums and mops to buy on Black Friday, testedThis cordless vacuum comes with its own base that automatically empties itself and charges up after each use. It's a svelte, lightweight cleaning apparatus that's tough on dirt and other messes (like pet hair), and it's 30% lighter than one of Shark's most lightweight vacuums, the Shark Vertex Pro. If you need it to be even more portable, you can remove the stick to turn it into a handheld vacuum for cleaning all over your home. It can even auto-adjust to multiple floor types, so you don't have to lift a finger.
It has 40 minutes of runtime, which should get you through most vacuuming sessions, and, when you're finished, all you have to do is return it to your base for an easy top-up and empty. You'll have to empty the base when it gets too full, but if one of your least favorite things is making sure your vacuum isn't too full of dirt to do its job, you'll love this Shark. Grab one now and tidy up before the holidays get here, and you'll be ready for all the parties and get-togethers.
Like any good story, BookTok itself is reaching what feels like a climax in its newest conflict. The once-unified community has become a battleground over politics and how it intersects with writers, influencers, readers, and the books themselves.
In a viral video that has since been taken down, TikTok creator @Kenzies, who deleted their account in the aftermath, said they wanted people to "do better" and "leave politics out of BookTok" because it is meant to be a "safe space." It might sound like they're encouraging people to separate the art from the artist, one side of a classic debate. But many creators don't see a way to critique and engage with books — the core use of BookTok — without acknowledging the politics of them. And this is all bubbling up to the surface while political book bans and accusations of anti-intellectualism further polarize the community.
Some of the most-viewed videos advocating for a "politics-free" BookTok tend to come from creators who have openly supported Donald Trump and say they've significant backlash. For instance, one creator, @jacobsreadingg, shared a video with over 200,000 views using an audio clip of an expletive-filled rant to express the intense reaction he allegedly received after disclosing his political stance.
SEE ALSO: Why does BookTok care about the NHL?The comment section is understandably divided. The most-liked comment comes from a reader who typically reads fantasy, arguing that "most of the books I read are about people rebelling against the government or kingdom or some corrupted power," which is inherently political. But the second most-liked comment argues that the politicization of BookTok has made her feel unwelcome. There is no consensus.
These comments cut to the core of the debate on BookTok: Can someone support President-elect Donald Trump while claiming their political views don’t influence their reading choices or are reading and politics inherently linked? For New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, the answer is simple.
"If you're gonna hold up that argument of 'let's keep politics out of BookTok' but then also not allow people to talk about the politics of those said books, not to actually critically engage in the books, then I'm not quite sure what we can use BookTok for at all," Aveyard said in a TikTok video. "I don't know how we're having any kind of disagreement over whether or not books are political because...no piece of art, no book, is written in a vacuum because no artist, no writer, no person exists in a vacuum. We are all products of our upbringing, of our environment, of our context, of our awareness, and of our perspective."
The political tensions on BookTok aren't new. TikTok creator Raghad (@finepressedition) highlighted that discussions around "anti-intellectualism" began surfacing in the community about two years ago. The debate centered on whether readers who approach books purely for enjoyment, without critical analysis, promote anti-intellectualism. But, as Aveyard points out, there are complexities to this argument.
"Even if you're someone who admittedly or proudly says, 'My books are no thoughts, just vibes,' I hate to tell you this, that is still a thought," Aveyard explained on TikTok. "You are still having thoughts even when you are writing 'no thoughts, just vibes.' Everything is a choice, everything is a product of your perspective, everything is a part of something you want to say, whether you think it is or not… You cannot have a piece of art that is divorced from the environment in which it was created." Aveyard argues that discussing politics on BookTok should be a given because it's inherently tied to the craft of writing and how one’s perspective shapes one's work.
Additionally, the right to read is under attack. BookTok is, at its core, a celebration of the consumption of books — and any conversation about consumption needs to include an interrogation of access. Financially, books can be a hefty expense, and libraries make them far more equitable — but libraries are facing stark funding cuts across the country. Multiple states have legislation that allows librarians and library workers to be prosecuted, and, according to EveryLibrary, 73 individual libraries were on the ballot in 2024. Many people literally voted on books this year.
Book bans are a political reality, and voting — or political engagement — is one way to combat them. While the conservative party attempts book banning more often than the democratic party, neither is innocent of attempts. According to PEN American and the ALA, conservative groups tend to target books written by or about people of color and LGBTQ people, such as The Hate U Give, The Bluest Eye, Gender Queer, and All Boys Aren't Blue. Liberal groups tend to target books with racist themes, like Of Mice and Men and some Dr. Seuss titles that use racist imagery and language.
"We’re seeing organized political attacks on our libraries and on our school libraries, intending to limit books to what is politically approved, morally approved, that fits the narrow agenda of the groups that are bringing these challenges," the director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom Deborah Caldwell-Stone told MSNBC in 2023.
It is important to note that even though both parties seek to ban books in some way, the number of books liberals want to ban is dwarfed by the huge swath of books conservatives look to ban.
Ultimately, the rift on BookTok seems to be shrinking an already niche community into even smaller factions.
People who view books as inherently political have divided into distinct groups: one for Trump supporters, another for those who favor Democratic figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, and perhaps a third for those who choose not to vote at all. Meanwhile, creators who believed that books and politics could be kept separate carved out their own space. This fracturing of BookTok mirrors the world outside — highlighting the polarization and lack of curiosity that often defines today’s discourse. The result has been a wave of blocking and unfollowing, dubbed by some as an "unfollow party," leaving others saddened by the loss of community and not leaving anyone particularly thrilled.
"Y'all asked for BookTok not to be a place that is political," Mrs. Yang (@them_yangs) said in a TikTok with nearly 700,000 views. "And people honored your boundary and blocked you so you would no longer see them on your feed, and now you are crashing out because strangers on the internet don't want to be friends with you. OK, beloved."
The conversations among writers, editors, readers, and BookTok influencers echo broader societal divides — between those who feel they can compartmentalize politics from other aspects of life and those who argue that even seemingly apolitical choices, like the books we read or how we discuss them, carry ideological implications. Is it possible to create a space for book lovers if political issues are excluded? Or is the concept inherently flawed since art, literature, and community are inseparably intertwined with politics?
Creators and audiences are left to grapple with whether a space for "just books" can ever really exist — or if that very goal undermines what makes literature powerful and unifying in the first place.
Only two and a half weeks separate us from Black Friday, but deals have steadily been streaming in for days already (weeks, even!). If you're looking to start your shopping while saving some money, Amazon has early holiday deals on major brands like Apple and Google worth grabbing. We've rounded up a few of our favorites on Nov. 12 to help you out.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If you don't see anything that sparks your interest, check back tomorrow for all new picks.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (4-pack) $69.99 at AmazonAirTags are a must for iPhone users who travel a lot. As long as there's an Apple device with Find My nearby, you'll be able to keep track of whatever you put your AirTag on — suitcase, keys, purse, guitar case, backpack, etc. You'll be able to see where you are in proximity to your stuff with an accuracy of just a few feet. Typically, a single AirTag costs $29, which would add up to $116 if you bought four separately. With this four-pack deal, however, you'll pay just $69.99 at Amazon. That's 29% in savings, the lowest price we've ever seen, and gets you more than one and a half for free.
Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 (Unlocked, 256GB) $549.00 at AmazonThe Google Pixel 9 dropped back in August at the Made by Google 2024 event, alongside the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon had some hands-on time with the phone and wrote: "Overall, this year's Pixel 9 series proves that Google is serious about competing against the major players in the mobile industry — and this bold move will challenge Samsung and Apple's dominance like never before." And when tech reporter Alex Perry fully tested it, he added that while the AI features are getting out of hand, it still has a fantastic battery life, high-quality cameras, and adequate performance. If you're a Pixel fan, you won't be disappointed. Snag an unlocked Pixel 9 with 256GB at Amazon for only $549 as of Nov. 12. That's 39% in savings. Right now, this deal is only available in pink for the 256GB version of the phone.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV $149.99 at AmazonIt may not be the fanciest TV on the market, but Amazon's 2-Series Fire TV is still a fine choice for anyone seeking a no-frills smart TV on a budget. As of Nov. 12, the 40-inch model is on sale for only $149.99. That's 40% in savings and matches its lowest price on record. While it doesn't support 4K resolution (check out the 4-Series or Omni Series for that feature), it does offer all the smart capabilities from the Fire TV experience, hands-free control through on on-board Alexa, and support for HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Audio.
Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm, WiFi) $279.99 at AmazonAlso released at the Made by Google event in August, the Google Pixel Watch 3 introduced lots of new features. Some of those include more accurate heart rate tracking, advanced running features, loss of pulse detection, a brighter display with smaller bezels (more screen real estate), and two different size display options. As of Nov. 12, the 41mm option with WiFi only is down to just $279.99 at Amazon. That's 20% in savings and the lowest price we've seen since its release.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
SAVE UP TO 50% ON TABLETS: Ahead of Black Friday, find early savings on tablets. Get the 9th generation Apple iPad for just $199.99 or the Amazon Fire HD 10 for $74.99.
Best Early Black Friday Deals Best iPad deal Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199.99 (Save $129.01) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire Tablet Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet $74.99 (Save $65) Get Deal Best Samsung tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus $169.72 (Save $50.27) Get DealIf you're doing any travel this holiday season, do yourself a favor and grab a tablet. It will certainly be a better way to stay entertained than whatever in-flight entertainment you may (or may not) get stuck with. Plus, family can be a lot, so after a big holiday meal, we don't blame you if you want to hide away with a comfort film.
Tablets simplify your tech while traveling since it can double as a laptop, e-reader, and gaming device. Luckily, with Black Friday around the corner, the deals are already rolling in. Plus, more than just iPads are up for grabs: Amazon Fire and Samsung Galaxy tablets are on sale too.
Explore the best early Black Friday deals on tablets now:
Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 9th generation (A13, 64GB, WiFi) $199.99 at AmazonAn iPad under $200 is a true gift this holiday season. Apple's 9th generation model is down to $199.99, less than a dollar short of its lowest price ever. While there might be newer generations available, this is the most budget-friendly model, especially now that it's $129.01 off.
The 9th generation Apple iPad comes with the A13 bionic chip, which provides plenty of processing power for streaming, gaming, or working. The 10.2-inch retina display gives plenty of space for your creative pursuits, as it's compatible with the first generation of Apple Pencil.
Now is the right time to shop, as you can find the Apple iPad 9th generation for 39% off.
More iPad dealsApple iPad, 10th generation (A14, 64GB, WiFi) — $299 $349 (save $50)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, 128GB, WiFi) — $549 $599 (save $50)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, 128GB, WiFi) — $735 $799 (save $64)
Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 2TB, WiFi) — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)
Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet is a lot friendlier on the wallet than an iPad. With a 10.1-inch screen, it's similar in size, but it's also a fraction of the price. In our review of the Amazon Fire HD 10, we delighted in its lightweight design and long-battery life. The biggest downside to Amazon's Fire tablets are the limited selection of apps offered, especially compared to the Google Play or Apple stores.
That being said, it's still not a bad choice for those who want a tablet for streaming or reading through the Kindle app. Ahead of Black Friday, the Fire HD 10 is down to its lowest price ever of $74.99. That's a generous 46% off for $65 in savings.
More Amazon Fire tablet dealsAmazon Fire 7 Tablet — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)
Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet — $109.99 $189.99 (save $80)
Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet — $139.99 $229.99 (save $90)
If you're in the market for an Android tablet, Samsung delivers with its Galaxy tablets. With an 11-inch screen, this is the largest tablet on this list. Plus, quad speakers deliver Dolby Atmos sound, making this the ideal tablet for streaming.
Plus, it's under $200 ahead of Black Friday. Find the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Plus on sale for $169.72, saving 23%.
More Samsung tablet dealsSamsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite — $229.99 $268.99 (save $39)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Plus — $574.99 $699.99 (save $125)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 — $644.49 $799.99 (save $155.55)
SAVE $105.99: The Shark Pet Pro cordless stick vacuum is on sale at Walmart for just $144, down from the usual price of $249.99. That's a 42% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet pro cordless stick vacuum $144.00 at WalmartPet owners understand the uphill struggle of keeping pet hair off of...well, everything. Depending on how much your pet(s) shed, your home could need weekly vacuuming or even daily. If you take your dog to the park via the car, that might need a good vacuuming too. If your current vacuum isn't getting the job done when it comes to pet hair, check out this model that's on sale at Walmart.
As of Nov. 12, the Shark Pet Pro cordless stick vacuum is on sale at Walmart for $144, marked down from the standard price of $249.99. That means you'll be saving $105.99 and getting a 42% discount.
The Shark Pet Pro focuses on powerful suction to remove stubborn pet hair, dirt, and debris. The cordless stick vacuum weighs a bit over seven pounds, making it easier to maneuver around and under furniture where pet hair tends to accumulate. The LED lights help when vacuuming in low-lit areas too like under the bed or behind the couch. The self-cleaning brushroll is designed to never tangle with pet or long hair.
This model is also ideal for vacuuming the car or cleaning hard to reach places like blinds on high windows. Adding to the convenience, the Shark Pet Pro has an extra large dust bin that you can empty easily without getting hands dirty.
If you're dealing with pet dander and shedding as we head into cooler weather, upgrade to the Shark Pet Pro. Thanks to Walmart's Black Friday sale, the lightweight stick vacuum is on sale for just $144 which is a 42% discount off the usual price.
SAVE $45.99: The Roku Ultra LT streaming device is on sale for just $34 at Walmart, down from the normal price of $79.99. That's a 57% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra LT streaming device $34.00 at WalmartWinter weather is coming. Darkness descending at 4 p.m. can feel daunting unless you have something to look forward to during the evening. Sure, you could go to the gym or join a book club or meet friends for dinner. But you could also cozy up on the couch and catch up on all those shows people have said are incredible but you haven't gotten around to. If that sounds ideal for a winter activity, check out this deal at Walmart today.
As of Nov. 12, the Roku Ultra LT streaming device is on sale for just $34 at Walmart as part of the retailer's Black Friday sale, down from the list price of $79.99. That means you'll be getting a 57% discount.
With the included high-speed HDMI cable, the Roku Ultra LT streaming device works as an all-in-one hub for your streaming services. From the Roku, heading into Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, and more to stream your favorite shows and movies. The Roku Ultra LT can connect to your home's WiFi network or get a stable connection with an Ethernet cable.
The Roku Ultra LT comes with a convenient remote control with quick access to your favorite streaming apps while also controlling your TVs power and volume. There's also voice control on the remote which allows you to search, play, or pause for a more hands-off experience.
This Roku model also comes with headphones that plug into the remote which is perfect if anyone in your home prefers to watch TV while others are asleep. If you'd rather, you can also use you own Bluetooth-enabled headphones or earbuds with the Roku mobile app.
If your winter plans involve streaming shows and movies, snag this Black Friday deal at Walmart and get the Roku Ultra LT for just $34 which is an awesome 57% off the normal price.
SAVE $500: As of Nov. 12, get the Garmin Epix Gen 2 GPS Smartwatch for just $399.99, down from its usual price of $899.99, at Walmart. That's 55% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Garmin Epix Gen 2 GPS Smartwatch $399.99 at WalmartWe're nearing the beginning of a new year, and you know what that means: it's time to start looking ahead to those health-related resolutions we try to keep every January. What better way to do that than with this early Black Friday deal on one of Garmin's best GPS-based, fitness-focused smartwatches?
As of Nov. 12, you can get the Garmin Epix Gen 2 GPS Smartwatch for just $399.99, down from $899.99, at Walmart. That's $500 off, or a discount of 55%.
SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wristThis watch boasts a crisp, 1.3-inch always-on AMOLED display on a watch band that looks more like a real timepiece than what we've come to expect from smartwatches. But it doesn't skimp on the features, if that's something you're concerned about. Its sapphire display and titanium bezel go well with the low-profile watch band, and you've got plenty of fitness and normal smartphone-centric options to choose from when wearing this watch.
It offers 24/7 heart rate, stress, respiration, pulse ox, and sleep monitoring options, as well as built-in sports and fitness apps to keep track of your fitness journey. Plus, it uses the Garmin Coach system to offer assistance with training plans, as well as TopoActive mapping and SkiView maps at over 2,000 ski resorts for all kinds of winter activities.
If you prefer to use your normal repertoire of phone apps from your smartwatch, those are supported as well. Take calls, answer texts, and use Garmin Pay for all your contactless payments.
There's plenty to love about this smart timepiece, especially as it's $500 off right now. If you're serious about tracking workouts and the like but want a reliable watch that can handle it all for you, don't miss out on what will likely be a limited-time deal at Walmart ahead of Black Friday.
GET $100.00 OFF: As of Nov. 12, you can get a Hisense 50" Class R6 Series 4K UHD Roku Smart TV for just $138. That's 43% off the original price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 50" Class R6 Series 4K UHD Roku Smart TV $138.00 at WalmartWith long nights and cold days ahead, autumn is a great time to invest in a new TV. Snuggle into a blanket on the couch and stream your favorite show, or dive into your first playthrough of Black Myth: Wukong. You’ll have to make excuses as to why you won’t meet your friends out this weekend, but they’ll understand. You’ve got a new TV — that’s reason enough, right?
Yes. With 50 inches of 4K Ultra HD resolution, the Hisense R6 Series is as affordable as it is good looking. It has a 4000:1 contrast ratio and 8.3 million pixels. How many pixels is that per dollar?
SEE ALSO: Walmart's first Black Friday sale is live: Get $50 off the new Apple Watch, a 50-inch 4K TV for under $150, and moreBuilt-in Roku brings the smarts, enabling you to cycle between programs and streaming services intuitively.
For game aficionados, this TV delivers 60 HZ screen refresh times — which is pretty decent for a 4K TV at this price point. It also features Game Mode, which prioritizes input, reducing lag. It’s zippy enough for you to be competitive online.
Get the Hisense 50" Class R6 Series now and take advantage of this early Walmart Black Friday sale to save $100 or 43%, for a price of $138.
Entertainment isn’t only about the picture, however. The Hisense 50" Class R6 Series also prioritizes sound, with virtual Surround Sound that brings your right into the action. Pair this with a great audio system or sound bar to immerse yourself completely.
The new Mac mini, powered by the M4 chipset, was announced last month. Not only is the new M4 Mac mini arguably affordable and powerful, but it also ushered in a complete redesign for the computer. The new Mac mini is now Apple's smallest computer ever.
However, there is one pretty controversial design choice with the new M4 Mac mini: The power button.
Previously, the Mac mini was designed with the power button located on the back of the device alongside all of the computer's ports. With the redesigned M4 Mac mini, however, Apple placed the power button on the bottom of the device.
That's right. The power button for the new M4 Mac mini line of computers is located underneath the device.
SEE ALSO: M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: What are the differences? Apple respondsNow, we have some answers regarding what Apple was thinking with the M4 Mac mini power button.
Credit: AppleIn an interview with IThome, Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak and Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus addressed the location of the Mac mini's power button.
After being asked about the design choice for the Mac mini, the Apple executives explained that it was the "optimal spot" for the power button due to the redesign. According to Apple, the new location is not inconvenient. Users can just tuck their finger underneath the computer and press the power button.
In addition, the Apple executives brought up how users don't really utilize the power button on the Mac mini all that often.
Mashable's takeAs an owner of both the M1 Mac mini and the new M4 Pro Mac mini, I can attest to what Apple is saying. I've rarely had to use the power button on my old Mac mini. The most regular use for the power button was during the rare occasions where there was an issue with my computer and I had to force restart by holding the power button down. Otherwise, I'd rarely shut the Mac mini off. I just let it drift off into Sleep Mode.
As for the location of the power button on the new redesign M4 Mac minis, that's true, too. The location of the power button is not that big of a deal. It's still accessible for those rare occasions where I'll need to use it.
The location of the power button has garnered so much attention, it's reminiscent of another controversial Apple design: the Magic Mouse. Apple placed the charging port for the Magic Mouse underneath the device, meaning if you need to charge the mouse while using it, well, you're out of luck. You can't.
Unlike the Magic Mouse, though, the location of the power button on the Mac mini does not affect any use case scenario whatsoever.
SAVE $50: As of Nov. 12, a one-year membership to Target Circle 360 is on sale for $49. This is $50 off its usual price of $99, marking a discount of 50%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target Circle 360 (1-Year Subscription) 50% off first year Get DealBlack Friday is coming up soon with the holidays to follow not long after. If you've been looking for even more ways to save outside of the seasonal sale event, some retailers offer memberships that include exclusive benefits to make shopping during events like this just a little bit easier. Sometimes those memberships will get discounts of their own, which is exactly what Target's offering right now on their paid Target Circle 360 annual membership.
Normally this annual membership costs $99, but for a limited time you can get your first year of Target Circle 360 for just $49. This makes for a whopping $50 off the first year of the annual membership, which is worth jumping on if you're a frequent Target shopper who's been wanting to make use of its perks.
SEE ALSO: Get a 55-inch LG B3 OLED TV for under $1,000 in Walmart's early Black Friday saleThe big features of a Target Circle 360 membership include unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35, free two-day shipping, and an extra 30 days to return any items you purchase. It also includes the usual perks that come with the free Target Circle membership, such as exclusive access to Target Circle deals.
If you're a frequent shopper at Target, the 360 membership is a nice way to make shopping just a little bit more convenient. And if you still need to track down gifts for the holidays, this is a quick and easy way to get your shopping in ahead of time and hopefully score some nice discounts on top of what you find. This deal only lasts until Dec. 2, so don't miss out on $50 off your first year of Target Circle 360.
Target's got plenty of exciting deals planned for Black Friday which you can learn more about in our breakdown of everything you need to know about Target's Black Friday sales. Walmart and Best Buy are also offering some early discounts that are worth checking out right now, with the former already kicking off its first big Black Friday sale.
SAVE OVER $400: As of Nov. 12, the 55-inch LG B3 OLED TV is on sale for $798 as part of Walmart's early Black Friday sale. That is down $401 from its list price of $1,199.
Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 55-inch Class 4K UHD OLED Web OS Smart TV $798.00 at WalmartInvesting in an OLED TV often comes with a steep price tag. This is especially true when looking at LG's models, which are some of the best on the market right now. Thankfully, Walmart's offering an incredible early Black Friday deal on the 55-inch LG B3 OLED TV, providing a nice opportunity to get set up with a high-quality TV for under $1,000.
The 55-inch LG B3 OLED TV is currently on sale for $798. This is $401 off its list price of $1,199. Considering this model only came out last year, this is a deal that's definitely worth taking advantage of if you've been looking to upgrade your TV and make the jump to OLED. The LG B3 has the features and specs to make it worth the price tag, too.
SEE ALSO: Walmart's first Black Friday sale is live: Get $50 off the new Apple Watch, a 50-inch 4K TV for under $150, and moreThe LG B3 OLED offers vibrant colors and contrast alongside 4K resolution, making whatever you throw on the display really shine at its best quality. It's a great budget entry for gamers and movie lovers alike, offering a 120Hz refresh rate alongside features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and a Filmmaker Mode.
At this price, there's truly no better time to invest in an OLED TV. Don't miss out on this early Black Friday deal on the 55-inch LG B3 at Walmart.
There are plenty more deals where this one came from as well. Have a look at our breakdown of Walmart's first Black Friday sale to see even more excellent offers available. Best Buy and Target are also jumping in on the Black Friday action early with some sale events of their own. Check out their respective breakdowns to see what else is available right now and what they've got planned over the next few weeks.