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When it comes to shopping for the best cheap laptops, you can do a lot with $1,000. (Heck, even $500 cuts some mustard nowadays.) But you'll probably have to make some compromises along the way to stay below that price point.
That doesn't mean you have to settle for a total clunker that doesn't tick any of the boxes on your must-have specs list. It just means you have to shop a little smarter than someone with unlimited funds.
That's where we come in. The Mashable team is constantly reviewing new laptops with different operating systems and use cases, and we recommend several affordable machines that meet most, if not all of our performance and build quality standards.
Our top picksAs of Nov. 2024, we believe the best cheap MacBook is the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air powered by the previous-generation M2 chip. It's speedy enough for most people, it lasts all day, has an excellent keyboard, and it starts at $999 (though it's often on sale for well under $900). What's more, it just got a welcome base configuration bump to 16GB of RAM.
Among Windows PCs, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) is currently the best laptop under $1,000 that we've tried. It has a peppy processor and a good battery life, it doubles as a tablet, and it starts at $899.99.
If you're really into Microsoft machines, look into the Surface Laptop Go 3. The company's current cheapest offering is a super portable notebook with a chic look and a clicky keyboard — though I'd encourage shoppers to find it on sale, given its older CPU. It otherwise starts at $799.99.
SEE ALSO: The best laptops of 2024, tested and approved by Mashable staffThe best cheap Chromebook is the $499 HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, with its big, vibrant display and competent everyday performance. It also supports some useful AI features and multimedia editing apps.
Cheap gaming laptops don't get much better than the Acer Nitro V 15, which combines a cool design with cool Triple-A performance for $999 as tested. (The base model is only $749.) We also now recommend the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE as an even cheaper "cheap gaming laptop" pick — which shouldn't be a huge surprise, given how much we liked its very similar predecessor. It costs the same $649, too.
Other cheap laptops on our radarWe currently have the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 in hand for testing (specifically, the 2023 model with a 12th-generation Intel processor that retails for $399.99). If it feels like a better value than HP's Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, it could be a new "best cheap Chromebook" contender.
We'll also test the Asus Vivobook S 14, a new Copilot+ PC with a Lunar Lake CPU and an OLED display, as well as the latest Framework Laptop 13, a repairable laptop that seems like a solid long-term value. We were big fans of an older version.
Look for extra-cheap laptops on Black FridayTech retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, HP, Dell, and Lenovo save the bulk of their year-round lows for Black Friday season. (That's why we've deemed it the best time of year to score a great deal on a laptop.) For the next couple of weeks, we expect our favorite cheap laptops to be even cheaper than usual.
SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday laptop deals on Apple, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and moreDon't want to scour the myriad listings yourself? Bookmark Mashable's guide to the best Black Friday laptop deals. We'll be updating it constantly throughout the holidays with vetted discounts on MacBooks, gaming laptops, Chromebooks, and more.
Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best cheap laptops of 2024. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.
Apple is reportedly working on an upgraded version of AirTags.
In his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, prominent Apple insider Mark Gurman revealed that the first hardware update for AirTags is expected to arrive in mid-2025.
Apple AirTags debuted in April 2021. While a four-year hardware update might typically promise significant new features, Gurman suggested that this may not be the case for the upcoming revision.
SEE ALSO: Apple makes iPhone 6s Plus and XS Max vintage as obsolete list updated Apple AirTags: Updates to expect in 2025According to Gurman, the next-generation AirTags will reportedly offer improved range, but the standout feature will be a design tweak making it harder to disable the onboard speaker — a key safeguard for detecting unknown AirTags placed on you. Gurman also said the new AirTags will improve privacy in general, but it's difficult to know right now if there will be other measures beyond protecting the speaker from removal.
Other than that, it sounds like the new AirTags will be a more incremental revision than some might like. The new model will also reportedly look similar to the old ones, so you won't even get a visual upgrade. But at least Apple is fixing the speaker issue.
SAVE UP TO 58%: As of Nov. 18, you can score up to 58% off select board games at Amazon.
Best board game deals as of Nov. 18 Best board game deal overall Operation $12.49 (save $7.50) Get Deal Best runner-up board game deal Twister $10.99 (save $9) Get Deal Best budget board game deal Sorry! $5 (save $6.99) Get DealWith Thanksgiving coming up in just a week, you might be scrambling to find something for the kids to do (that doesn’t involve a screen) while relatives visit or to keep everyone occupied and entertained as you host friends and family for the upcoming holiday season.
SEE ALSO: The best board games that we played and lovedLuckily, Amazon has a pretty sizeable selection of board games currently on sale — from family-friendly classics to the latest strategy and party games. And as of Nov. 18, you can score up to 58% off popular titles like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Twister.
Here are the best board game finds that caught our eye:
Best board game deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Operation $12.49 at AmazonOperation is a game of skill and precision that’s fun for kids and adults. In this classic game (which I also had growing up), players use a pair of metal tweezers to carefully remove tiny plastic body parts from the patient's body without touching the sides and setting off the buzzer. Each successful removal earns them a paper $50 or $100, and the player who racks up the most dough by the end of the game wins.
Pro tip: This also makes for a fun drinking game for older crowds!
Best runner-up board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Twister $10.99 at AmazonTwister is a party game that ties you up in knots (literally!). To play, you spin the wheel and twist your body to put your hands and feet on whatever color it lands on. It's perfect for rainy days, family game nights, or any time you need a good laugh and a bit of a stretch, and with up to four players, it’s ideal for small groups or a double date. It’s also portable and 45% off right now, so you can’t lose (monetarily, at least).
Best budget board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Sorry! $5.00 at AmazonFor just $5, you and your friends or family can get in on Sorry! — a classic that teaches strategy, planning, and friendly competition. This game board includes 12 pawns, 44 cards, and instructions. Just be warned: If you can’t take a joke or are a sore loser, this might not be the game for you.
More board game dealsCandy Land Kingdom Of Sweet Adventures — $8.99 $11.99 (save $3)
Guess Who? — $10.49 $16.99 (save $6.50)
Monopoly (Token Vote Edition) — $14.97 $21.99 (save $7.02)
the Uzzle — $49.99 $70.99 (save $21)
Black Friday is back, babes.
This year, Amazon is hosting a "Black Friday Week" savings event that kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 21, and runs through Friday, Nov. 29 — aka Black Friday proper. Later that day, the mega-retailer will shift into Cyber Monday mode, which will run through Monday, Dec. 2. Expect to see "millions of deals across more than 35 categories" throughout the event, including all-time low prices on brands like Yeti, Beats, and Ninja.
Of course, it's Amazon, so plenty of early deals are already live. And there's a chance that thing you've been eyeing is already on sale. If you want to ensure you score the best deals on your must-have items this Black Friday season, we've got a shopping hack for you: Create a wishlist.
Curating your personal list of must-have items and setting price alerts can help you stay on track and avoid adding things to your cart just because they were on sale.
Get your scroll on and find out how to create an Amazon wishlist for Black Friday.
SEE ALSO: Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which day is better for shopping? Tip No. 1: Organize your Amazon wishlistIf it’s news to you that Amazon even offers such a feature, here’s how it works:
Every product page on the retail giant’s website has a little “Add to List” button right near “Add to Cart.” Click on the list button and you can add said product to your personal Amazon wishlist, or any other saved list that you’ve created on your profile.
Do this with all of those items that you've been eyeing, but can't seem to make a move on unless they're on sale. Then, you can view your definitive list at a glance, or even rank each item based on how badly you want it.
Then — and here's the important part — be sure to check back on your wishlist when Black Friday 2024 kicks into high gear. You’ll be able to see which products have gone on sale and snatch them up before they’re gone.
WARNING: Only add the necessities to your wishlist or risk critical failure and end up with mass shipments of stuff you don’t need, never needed, and will never need.
Tip No. 2: Turn on wishlist alertsThat’s not where the perks of "wishlisting" cap out. If you download Amazon’s mobile companion app, you’ll be granted the added benefit of "wishlist alerts."
These alerts notify you when an item on your wishlist becomes a “lightning deal,” as well as when a sold-out item on your wishlist goes back in stock.
This isn’t a notification setting that's turned on by default, so you’ll have to go in and check it off yourself. All you have to do is open up the Amazon app, go into your settings, then to your notifications, and click on “your watched and waitlisted deals.”
It's this one. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon Tip No. 3: Turn on Alexa's advanced deal alertsAs it turns out, newer Echo smart speakers are good for more than just bumping out your playlists. They can also notify you of a sale on an item in your wishlist, shopping cart, or "saved for later" queue up to 24 hours before it even goes live.
Open up the Alexa mobile app to turn on the advanced deal alerts feature. You'll find it under More > Settings > Notifications > Amazon Shopping
Once you're there, click Shopping Recommendations and then Deal Recommendations. Since you already have your wishlist organized and ready to go, that's all there is to it.
You'll see a pop-up alert or a yellow ring light on your Echo device whenever Alexa finds out about an upcoming deal on products in your wishlist. Ask, "Alexa, what are my notifications?" to get the scoop.
You can either have Alexa let you know once the deal is live or even give her the go-ahead to order it for you ("Alexa, buy it for me"). Your default payment and delivery address on file will be used automatically.
Voilà — now you’ll never miss a deal for something you want. Your Amazon wishlist is one of the most useful tools that you have at your disposal to ensure a successful shopping experience.
When you're done curating your list, you can even share it with your friends. You can also view wishlists created by other Prime members. Just click the "Invite" button in your wishlist or click over to the "Your Friends" tab in your profile.
Bonus tip: Get ready for Black Friday 2024 with MashableWe like to think we're just as on top of tracking deals on the stuff you care about as a wishlist is. Follow along with our Black Friday and Cyber Monday coverage (which has already started!), where we'll be highlighting all of the most important intel from the sale, from record-low price alerts to any invite-only deals for Prime members that may pop up to giant lists of the best deals in categories like TVs, Apple stuff, robot vacuums, headphones, and kitchen gear.
Meta announced yet another pair of smart glasses back in September — and now we have an idea of what researchers are doing with it before it's ready for consumers.
As part of its research-focused Project Aria initiative, Meta released a list of research projects that are being performed with its Orion smart glasses that were revealed at Meta Connect a couple of months ago. Orion isn't even close to being available to the public yet, but when it is, there are a few things that it might be able to do to help you out in daily life.
Here are four of the most interesting research projects being done with Orion right now via Project Aria.
SEE ALSO: Meta Quest 3S vs. Meta Quest 3: What are the differences? Meta Project Aria: Four futuristic things Orion might be able to doThis will encompass pretty much everything Meta talked about in its project list, but they're all worth knowing about.
Driving assistanceResearchers at IIIT Hyderabad in India are using machine learning and Orion to help people ideally become better drivers. For example, they are able to use the glasses to detect what the user is and isn't looking at. What this means is that the glasses could potentially be able to warn you before you take a right turn into a pedestrian you didn't see.
Help for the visually impairedInvestigators at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have also done some work with Project Aria. What they showcased in Meta's post is tech that can help those with visual impairments navigate complex indoor spaces using audio cues. The example given was that they were able to create a 3D indoor map of Pittsburgh's airport — and someone wearing the Orion glasses would theoretically be able to get around and find where they're going, thanks to the onboard audio assistant.
Help for those with hearing lossAt the University of Iowa, Orion research is seemingly a little more straightforward, but no less useful in everyday life for some people.
Researchers in Hawkeye country have come up with a way to use the Orion glasses to provide visual cues for those with hearing loss. For instance, if a noise is made, the glasses could use their HUD to show the user which direction the noise came from. It's not the most complicated or out-of-this-world application of Orion technology, but it's one that could easily become important for some users — if it's done properly.
Help with performing complex tasksFinally, researchers at the University of Bristol have captured data from "highly skilled people" (think chefs and mechanics), which can be used to help the less-skilled among us perform complex tasks with visual aid. For example, in the future, Orion could guide you step-by-step on which components to install, the order to install them, and their exact placement.
Currently, Orion is just a prototype, so don’t expect a consumer version anytime soon. If it’s any consolation, a market-ready version should be available by 2030 at the latest.
Get $200 off: As of Nov. 18, This 75” Samsung Smart TV Black Friday deal is available for $549.99. Get it now to take 27% off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75” Class DU6950 Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV $549.99 at Best BuyAt Best Buy, Black Friday has basically already begun. No need to wait — this Smart TV deal was registered to go live on Thursday, November 28th as a Black Friday doorbuster, but the sale price is already available three days early. Be quick and get this sneaky deal on a behemoth TV.
If you’re looking for an exceptional screen for a once-a-year price this UHD 75” smart TV packs all the visual juice your eyes crave. With 4K resolution, it delivers the crispness you expect in 2024, and even upscales content to 4K so that you can take advantage of its Crystal detail on older, lower resolution content.
SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Early holiday deals are already here.HDR 10+ pairs with a wide color gamut to ensure that video looks striking in all light conditions. For those who play games, the TV delivers 60Hz screen refresh times, ensuring it can keep up with the action.
Get the Samsung 75” Class DU6950 Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV now for $549.99 and take advantage of early Black Friday sale pricing for $200 off.
A Tizen operating system lives within, giving you access to apps, games, and streaming services natively. This smart TV has two speakers built-in, but uses virtual surround sound to create atmosphere. It’s optimized for connection to Samsung sound bars for more immersive sound.
Trump is running down his list of administration appointees, landing this week on Brendan Carr as the new pick for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair.
Carr, current FCC commissioner and its top Republican member, was nominated for the FCC by Trump in 2017 after serving as general counsel and as an advisor to former Chair Ajit Pai. His term has since been extended to 2029, and in the seven years he's served on the commission, Carr has been a vocal, partisan opponent to Net Neutrality and the Biden Administration's tentpole broadband subsidies.
Carr is also the author behind the controversial Project 2025 mandates for the FCC, focused heavily on Communication Act's Section 230 and content moderation online — he's also buddies with leader of the new "Department of Government Efficiency" Elon Musk.
SEE ALSO: PSA: Your Twitter/X account is about to change foreverCalling Carr a "warrior for Free Speech" in a battle against "regulatory Lawfare" — a phrase used by Carr to refer to the revocation of a $885 million FCC grant to Musk's Starlink — Trump applauded the commissioner's plan for a revamped FCC landscape. "He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America," the president-elect wrote.
Tweet may have been deletedSo where does the new Chair stand on the big issues?
Net Neutrality and Section 230The new Trump appointee was a central opponent to the FCC's restoration of landmark Net Neutrality laws, previously repealed during Trump's first administration and former chair Pai. Carr argued at the time that such regulations would have a negative impact on rural areas, increasing rates and slowing down infrastructure builds. The increasingly partisan issue has drawn clear lines between Republican and Democrat FCC members, and as the fate of Net Neutrality gets batted back and forth in court, many proponents of an "Open Internet" fear a Republican-controlled FCC could doom its fate.
Carr has also taken a hard line against the immunities included in Section 230. Included among a list of Project 2025 recommendations, the commissioner wrote, "The FCC should work with Congress on more fundamental Section 230 reforms that go beyond interpreting its current terms. Congress should do so by ensuring that Internet companies no longer have carte blanche to censor protected speech while maintaining their Section 230 protections. Reforms that prohibit discrimination against core political viewpoints are one way to do this... [Congress] could focus legislation on dominant, general-use platforms rather than specialized ones. This could include excluding comment sections in online publications, specialized message boards, or communities within larger platforms that self-moderate."
Carr singled out tech giants like Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft as a "censorship cartel," pledging to take them on under a new administration. Additionally, Carr has backed a total federal ban on TikTok.
Free speech, diversity, and accessibilityShortly after the announcement, Carr posted to X that he would end its promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, the agency's "second-highest strategic goal" outlined in its recent budget proposal. "When it comes to the FCC's promotion of DEI, I have just one thing to say: Afuera!" added Carr.
Tweet may have been deletedCarr has previously echoed Trump's stance against "political bias" and moderation within "mainstream media." After the announcement, Carr posted: "We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans."
One potential hit? Broadcast media's use of public airwaves. In yet another X post, Carr wrote, "Broadcast media have had the privilege of using a scarce and valuable public resource—our airwaves. In turn, they are required by law to operate in the public interest. When the transition is complete, the FCC will enforce this public interest obligation."
The commissioner has publicly aligned himself with Trump's desire to slash regulations, revoke licenses, and punish media networks for publishing with "bias."
Tweet may have been deletedGarmin might have just spilled the beans on its next project, which is big news for outdoor enthusiasts.
A leak from Garmin Spain’s website has unveiled key details about the Instinct 3, the latest addition to its lineup of adventure-ready smartwatches.
SEE ALSO: The Garmin fēnix 7 Pro is at its lowest-ever price at AmazonThe Instinct series has long been a favorite for hikers, climbers, and survivalists. It combines durability with Garmin’s knack for hardcore outdoor tech. If the leaked repair codes are anything to go by, the Instinct 3 will have the following trio of features: a 45mm case, a solar-charging option, and a classic black design.
As reported by Fitness Tracker Test, this marks the second Instinct 3 leak in just a matter of days. The earlier leak hinted at a significant new feature: support for rucking, a growing fitness trend where participants hike with weighted backpacks. It also teased a potential release timeline, suggesting the Instinct 3 might hit shelves before the end of this year.
With Instinct 2 celebrating its two-year anniversary, it wouldn’t be surprising if these rumors were on point. Garmin seems poised to refresh its lineup. If these leaks are accurate, the Instinct 3 could bring some serious upgrades for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Shop Purple, Nectar, and more mattresses ahead of Black Friday. Check out our top picks:
Best mattress deals ahead of Black Friday Best mattress deal overall Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress $949 (save $1,337) Get Deal Best runner-up mattress deal Purple Mattress $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Best budget deal Casper The One Premium Foam Mattress $799 (save $200) Get DealBlack Friday is still over a week away, but we’re already seeing crazy deals on everything from laptops to home goods. If you’ve been putting off getting a new mattress, now might be the perfect time to take advantage of early sales.
Score $1,000+ off a brand-new mattress before Black Friday hitsWouldn’t you like to cash in for a restful night before the stress of the holidays sets in? Thanks to these early Black Friday mattress deals, you can skip the post-Thanksgiving shopping wars and still score a top-of-the-line mattress at a deep discount — we’re talking $1,000 (or more) off premium mattresses from brands like Nectar, Purple, Casper, and more across major retailers like Amazon, Mattress Firm, and Wayfair.
SEE ALSO: Best Buy Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy onlineBelow, we’re tracking the best mattress deals ahead of Black Friday. Deals are organized by brand, and all deals within each category are ordered by price from the most affordable to the most expensive.
We’ll be updating this list in the days leading up to Black Friday week, so be sure to check back regularly. New offers may become available, or existing deals may change.
Best mattress deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Nectar Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress (Queen) $949.00 at NectarWe’re shocked by how many mattress deals are popping off this early in the game. While there are great discounts across the board, the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress (Queen) has our vote as the best deal ahead of Black Friday.
This 13-inch-thick mattress has twice as much pressure-relieving memory foam as the Nectar Classic, 60% more cooling, and is currently 50% off. With five layers of premium OEKO-TEX-certified materials, this mattress will provide an incredibly comfortable and supportive night's sleep. There’s also a 365-day trial and forever warranty, so if you don’t absolutely love it, you can return it.
Even more early Black Friday mattress dealsHere are the best early Black Friday mattress deals across a selection of top brands:
AvocadoAvocado Eco Organic Mattress (Queen) — $1,169 $1,299 (save $130)
Avocado Green Mattress (Queen) — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)
Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress (Queen) — $3,679 $4,599 (save $920)
Bonus Avocado Mattress deals:
Brooklyn BeddingBrooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential Mattress (Queen) — $652.40 $932 (save $279.60)
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress (Queen) — $1,585.50 $2,265 (save $679.50)
Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite Mattress (Queen) — $1,679.30 $2,399 (save $720)
Casper The One Premium Foam Mattress (Queen) — $799 $999 (save $200)
Casper Snow Cooling Hybrid Mattress (Queen) — $1,745 $2,495 (save $750)
Casper Snow Max Cooling Hybrid Mattress (Queen) — $2,620 $3,745 (save $1,125)
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress (Queen) — $1,499 $1,999 (save $500)
Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid Mattress (Queen) — $2,099 $2,799 (save $700)
Leesa Reserve Hybrid Mattress (Queen) — $2,774 $3,699 (save $925)
Purple Mattress (Queen) — $1,299 $1,499 (save $200)
Purple Plus Mattress (Queen) — $1,599 $1,899 (save $300)
Purple RestorePlus Hybrid Mattress (Queen) — $2,599 $2,999 (save $400)
JBL portable speakers are on sale for Black Friday, with deals up to 40% off or more from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon.
Best early Black Friday JBL portable speaker deals: Best large JBL portable speaker deal JBL - PartyBox 310 $349.99 (Save $170) Get Deal Best small JBL portable speaker deal JBL Go 4 $39.95 (Save 20%) Get Deal Best budget JBL portable speaker JBL Go 3 $29.95 (Save 40%) Get DealJBL is the brand for portable outdoor sound. Whether you’re looking for an amped-up speaker like the JBL - PartyBox 310 to bring the party to your dock or campsite, or a clip-on like the JBL Go 4 that will transport the vibe with you as you bike through the city, JBL is the pick.
JBL's portable Bluetooth speakers have become a modern classic, but the brand is also known for solid headphones, which offer another approach to portability. Whatever you choose, early Black Friday deals offer standout opportunities to save on portable sound.
Best large JBL portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL - PartyBox 310 $349.99 at Best BuyWhen you’re looking for big-sound outdoors, the JBL - PartyBox 310 is the one. With 240 watts for up to 18 hours, this portable Bluetooth speaker stays booming. Splash proof, you won’t have to worry about it getting a little wet, so beach and boat parties are fair game. This speaker connects with Bluetooth or auxiliary. The same versatility applies to its battery: just plug it in to keep going when the 18 hour battery life runs low.
A customizable light show is part of the package with the PartyBox 310. Lights will pulse to the music with different settings that will augment your playlist, whatever the energy is. Right now, the JBL - PartyBox 310 is available for $349.99 for a savings of $170.
Best small JBL portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 4 $39.95 at AmazonWhen you’re looking for maximum portability, the JBL Go 4 is an easy choice. Made to clip onto a backpack or bike, this portable waterproof speaker sports 7 hours of battery life. It will follow you into the backcountry, or keep you energized while you cruise the city.
Today, you can get the JBL Go 4 from Amazon for $39.95 and save 20%.
Best budget JBL portable speaker Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 3 $29.95 at WalmartThe JBL Go 3 is also a great pick. With a similar clip-on design, this Bluetooth speaker may be one generation behind the 4, but it's certainly not left behind. It sports 5 hours of battery life and the same IP67 weather resistance that you'll find on the JBL Go 4. A generation behind the 4, you can often find it for less. That's true now: take advantage of Walmart’s early Black Friday sale and get the JBL Go 3 for $29.95, saving 40%.
While Black Friday isn't technically until Nov. 29, Amazon's official sale kicks off in just a couple of days. But, as per usual for the mega retailer, deals have been popping up left and right for days (weeks, even!). You can jump start your shopping and grab gadgets from top brands like Samsung, Garmin, Oura, and JBL at record-low prices.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Nov. 18. Be sure to keep an eye out the rest of the week as well — we'll be selecting new deals every day.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Clip 5 $49.95 at AmazonThe definition of portable, JBL's Clip 5 speaker can "clip" onto any bag, belt loop, or keyring with its built-in carabiner, which has been redesigned on the latest model with a wider opening. That means it can clip onto even more stuff. The newest iteration of our favorite portable Bluetooth speaker, it boats up to 12 hours of battery life, a "Playtime Boost" mode that gives you an extra 3 hours of listening, an IP67 waterproof and dust-proof rating, and impressively loud and crisp sound for its size. Usually $79.95, it's on sale ahead of Black Friday for only $49.95. That's 38% in savings and its lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring 3 Horizon $349.00 at AmazonRead our full review of the Oura Ring 3.
Now that the Oura Ring 4 is out, it's no surprise that the Oura Ring 3 is seeing some big discounts. The latest drops the price of the Horizon style Oura Ring in gold down to just $349 instead of $449. That's the lowest price we've seen on this particular model, although we saw a few other colors drop to this price on October Prime Day. The third-generation ring is still very much worth grabbing. It features a low-profile design and offers in-depth info about sleep, workouts, recovery, mindfulness, and more through a variety of sensors, though sleep tracking is truly where it shines.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch LS03D The Frame QLED 4K TV $897.99 at AmazonGone are the days of having a boring black rectangle that hangs on your wall when your TV is switched off. The Frame has revolutionized the TV experience with its ability to look like artwork hung on the well when it's not in use. The 2024 version also added some noteworthy upgrades to make it even better, most importantly a new eco-friendly setting that kicks down the refresh rate in art mode from 120Hz to 60Hz. It won't affect the image, but it could save you some money on your energy bill. The updated Art Store also includes 20 new complimentary pieces of art per month. The price is still steep — $1,497.99 for the 55-inch version — but as of Nov. 18, you can slash 40% off. That brings the price down to just $897.99 at Amazon — its lowest price to date and $2 cheaper than at the Samsung store.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $199.99 at AmazonIt may not be as fancy as the Venu 3, but the Garmin vívoactive 5 is still a powerful smartwatch. We haven't reviewed it yet, but we have tested the previous model and loved it. As per our reviewer: "The vívoactive 4 is an excellent smartwatch for active people wanting to be more in tune with their bodies, and for less active individuals who have the desire but need a little nudging to stick to their goals." The newer model adds even more fancy features, an upgraded AMOLED display, improved heart rate sensor, upgraded sleep and stress coaching, and over 30 sports apps. It's usually $299.99, but as of Nov. 18, it's on sale for just $199.99. That's 33% in savings and its lowest price on record — it even beats its Prime Day price by $50.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Instagram is reportedly moving Story Highlights to its very own dedicated tab on your profile grid, similar to Reels.
Social media expert Lindsey Gamble posted on Threads on Sunday that the feature is currently testing but should go live on Tuesday. Instagram did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.
"Creators will be able to choose which Highlights appear and can remove Highlights from their main grid," Gamble posted.
SEE ALSO: Instagram gets rid of annoying disappearing video 'rug pull'As Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a recent AMA, the choice is likely due to the platforms efforts to consolidate the user profile.
"We're trying to figure out a way to improve the profile and try to get more of the content above the fold and simplify it," Mosseri said on an Instagram Live. "And one of the ideas we're exploring is integrating highlights into the grid."
He admits that "this one is contentious" and that he "might not be able to make it work."
It makes sense. Instagram users are much more likely to post on their Story than they are to post on their grid, and from personal experience, users don't often watch someone's highlights. Adding in another tab on a profile, similar to Reels, increases the amount of time you might spend snooping around someone's profile.
SEE ALSO: Instagram launches new way to share your profileThere are complaints that it takes away the ephemeral nature of an Instagram Story, but a Highlight already does that — this just makes it easier to see.
Apple has updated its list of vintage and obsolete devices, relegating some of the older iPhone and Apple Watch models to officially "old" status.
The list of vintage iPhone models now includes the iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone XS Max. The smaller iPhone XS and iPhone 6s still count among the active models. But as MacRumors reported, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus with 32GB configurations were previously moved to the obsolete list. As for the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 2 models made from aluminum and stainless steel were moved to the obsolete list.
SEE ALSO: Apple's new iPhone update is locking law enforcement out of phonesVintage and obsolete status refers to whether Apple and Apple-certified repair services can fix devices with expired warrantees and supply parts for those models. A vintage model is when it "stopped distributing them for sale more than five and less than seven years ago," according to Apple.
Those models can be repaired as long as supplies for relevant parts are available. Obsolete models are devices that haven't been distributed for over seven years. Hardware for obsolete products are discontinued and service providers can no longer order parts for them.
Active Apple devices that aren't on the vintage or obsolete lists are still supported by OS updates. However, some new capabilities, like Apple Intelligence, aren't compatible with the older still-active models. The iPhones that support Apple Intelligence are the full iPhone 16 generation and iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
ESPN is working on a plan to add generative AI to its SEC football coverage. The network recently debuted an AI avatar dubbed FACTS, which is set to be tested with ESPN's college football show SEC Nation.
ESPN debuted FACTS at its Edge conference in New York late last week. The network didn't commit to a timeline for when it'll fully integrate the AI avatar into its broadcasts — in other words, we don't know FACTS will actually be on our TV screens. But the plan, ESPN noted, was to use it as a supplement the network's analysts. Basically, the idea is for the avatar to present some of the more complicated stats and analytics from ESPN.
SEE ALSO: People really don't like Coke's AI holiday commercial"FACTS is designed to test innovations out in the market and create an outlet for ESPN Analytics’ data to be accessible to fans in an engaging and enjoyable segment," Baron Miller, coordinating producer, SEC Network/ESPN, said in a blog on ESPN's press site. "It complements our journalists and on-air talent, providing additional insights."
Tweet may have been deletedESPN's chief stressed at the Edge conference that it was not planning to use AI to replace its journalists.
"There are ways for us as an enterprise to really benefit from AI. And don’t get me wrong, AI is disruptive, but I see it as disruptive in a good way and kind of pushing the sports fan experience forward. I do not see this as displacing jobs," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said during his opening remarks, according to The Wrap.
The actual avatar for FACTS, in case you were wondering, is a somewhat nerdy looking cartoon guy with an athletic build. He has glasses, a tie with numbers on it, and a pencil behind his ear. So, at some point, you can expect that cartoon to tell you all about the detailed stats in SEC football. Personally, I prefer my college football analysts to simply yell "run the dang football," but I'm open to new things.
SAVE $801.99: As of Nov. 18, Sony's 85-inch Bravia 7 4K TV has dropped to $2,498 at Amazon. This is a 24% discount from its $3,299.99 list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia 7 85-Inch 4K TV $2,498.00 at AmazonBlack Friday is a great time of year to invest in a new TV. Several retailers offer incredible discounts on them during this time, so you can save big on some high-end models. While their official Black Friday sale hasn't kicked off yet, Amazon has quite a few TV deals available now that are still worth your time, like this discount on a massive Sony Bravia 7 TV.
If you've been looking to upgrade to an even bigger TV, look no further than this discount on the huge 85-inch Sony Bravia 7 4K TV. It's currently marked down to $2,498 at Amazon, 24% off its list price of $3,299.99. This also marks the lowest-ever price for this TV, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, which is a massive bonus.
SEE ALSO: Kohl's Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy onlineIt's got the specs to make it worth the price tag, too. Alongside its extra large size, which is perfect for those who want a cinematic experience for their next movie night, it also features QLED technology and XR Triluminos Pro, alongside 4K resolution, to bring you crisp and colorful images across your screen.
Not to mention, you're also getting smart features with this TV as it comes with Google TV. With this, you can access all of your favorite apps in one place, which is incredibly convenient. And since its a Sony TV, it's also a perfect pairing with a PlayStation 5 console, offering Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for better picture quality.
Deals like this one don't come around often. Amazon even has it listed as a "limited-time deal," so jump on this 85-inch Sony Bravia 7 4K TV offer before it's gone.
If you're curious when the official Black Friday sales kick off at Amazon, you can expect to see the first wave of deals drop on Nov. 21. Retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart are also offering some early discounts that are worth checking out ahead of the big Black Friday sale event. Keep your eyes out for even more deals dropping over the next week.
Beyoncé fans, consider this your Christmas gift. Say thank you.
The music monarch and Cowboy Carter icon is set to headline Netflix's first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday, announced by the streaming service on Instagram on Sunday.
View this post on InstagramNetflix will show two NFL games on on Dec. 25 from 1 p.m. ET — Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens — with Beyoncé performing at 4:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 GMT between them.
In an absolute treat for fans, Beyoncé will perform songs from her latest album live from Houston, Texas; the first time the 11-time Grammy-nominated Cowboy Carter has been performed live. Plus, special guests featured on the album are set to join, with names TBC. It's being produced by Netflix and Beyonce's own Parkwood Entertainment.
Beyonce has plenty of NFL history on the shelf already; she headlined Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 with Destiny’s Child joining her onstage, and also Super Bowl XV in 2016, with Bruno Mars and Coldplay. It's not her first Netflix foray either, with the artist landing a three-project deal with Netflix worth $60 million in 2019. Her 2018 Coachella performance behind-the-scenes film Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé still one of the best music documentaries on the platform.
The Netflix Christmas Day games will also stream through the NFL+ app and air on broadcast TV in team cities. It's a major sports move for Netflix, which has announced NFL games for 2025 and 2026. The platform just streamed the high profile boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which saw issues during the match but nonetheless saw a reported 60 million households tuning in.
It's the last year of school at Netflix's Heartbreak High, with the bell soon set to ring for the series' third and final season. Even so, it looks as though the social lives of Hartley High's students won't be getting any less complicated as they approach graduation.
Mashable visited Heartbreak High's set at South Sydney High School in late October to observe day three of filming for Season 3, wandering the grounds, having lunch with the cast, and learning what made the production uniquely Australian. Fittingly, there was a pervasive sense of sentimentality akin to a real school graduation, with both the cast and crew reflecting on their growth since first coming together to film Season 1 in 2021.
SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Territory' review: 'Yellowstone' meets 'Succession' in the Australian outback Heartbreak High sends you back to Hartley High School one last time Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixLocated in Maroubra, South Sydney High School was only at two thirds capacity during Heartbreak High's first season, which left many areas open for the production's use. Executive producer Carly Heaton speculates that most local students opted to attend one of the many private schools in the area, the public school being located in Sydney's affluent Eastern Suburbs.
"Public school is very well subscribed in this country, it's just particular socioeconomic bands [have different preferences], as I'm sure it's the same everywhere," says Heaton.
Enrollment at the school has risen in the years since, leaving Heartbreak High's crew with less room to work with for its final season. Fortunately, the production is now well-practiced at filming while class is in session and has become a familiar sight on school grounds, forgoing the large fences which cordoned off the production in Season 1. They also try to film outside school hours as much as possible.
Featured Video For You 'Heartstopper’s Joe Locke and Kit Connor talk teenage vulnerability"We're a little bit more integrated with how the school works [compared to Season 1], but just being really sensitive right now," Heaton tells us, noting that South Sydney's Year 12 students are currently in the middle of doing their final Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams.
Heaton credits South Sydney's principal Janice Neilsen with helping Heartbreak High's production run smoothly without disrupting the school's normal operations. Neilsen also inspired some aspects of Hartley High's principal Woodsy (Rachel House), her pet dog serving as the basis for the character's own pup Joan of Bark.
Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixReal South Sydney students in green and white uniforms enjoy their lunch break as we walk through the school, some playing on half of the astroturfed volleyball court while the other side is taped off for the film crew. Children play handball in the concrete quad, one of the key features that solidified the production team's choice of South Sydney as Heartbreak High's set.
"I think for us it was getting it to be quintessentially Australian," says Heaton. "And for us that was a concrete quad. Sounds ridiculous, [but] that's the memory we all have as kids."
'Heartbreak High's third season aims to tackle even more classic elements of Australia's education system, specifically those relating to graduating.Heartbreak High's third season aims to tackle even more classic elements of Australia's education system, specifically those relating to graduating. When the series left off last season, the students were at the end of their second term in Year 11. Season 3 jumps forward to the beginning of Term 4 in Year 12, with the group about to go through the rites of passage that come with leaving school.
This includes taking their HSC exams, but also more enjoyable activities such as Muck-Up Day, when graduating students get to play pranks and go a little wild (Nerf guns will certainly be involved, with Hartley High's students set to cause some chaos). There's Schoolies as well, when graduates take off for wild, alcohol-fuelled celebratory trips with their friends.
Then there's looking towards the future, whether it's applying to university, considering trade schools, entering the workforce, or whatever else fresh graduates may choose to do.
"All the different characters will have a journey they want to go on," says Heaton. "Something we're trying to be really conscious of is not dictating the hierarchy of choices for after a school career, and that's something that the cast will grapple with, is what they want to be, what they want to do, and what the path is to get there, and do they have to decide now?"
Heartbreak High's final season is about consequences and class Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixEvery season of Heartbreak High focuses on a theme, with Season 1's being consent and Season 2 examining toxic masculinity. Bucking the trend, Heaton tells Mashable that the series' third season actually has two themes: consequences and class.
"In Season 3, we're like, 'What are we going to talk about? What's current? What's pertinent for kids?’" says Heaton. "So at the end of the year, what is that experience like when you realise it's going to come to an end and you're not going to see these people every day. And what does that mean in becoming an adult and what are the consequences?"
"The other big driver was class," Heaton continues. "That was a key driver of the original series, and something we hadn't touched on too much yet. We had a little bit with the [St.] Bruno's private school stuff, but that plays more of a role in this season. As you know, we ended the previous season with a bit of a school fire. So there's a bit more reliance from the public school on the private school for resources."
Unlike the U.S. or UK, Australian universities don't offer generalist degrees. Prospective students must decide on a major during the application process, meaning Australian high school graduates' choices carry a different weight. Of course, graduates' choices will vary greatly depending not only on their personal interests, but also upon their differing individual circumstances.
"There's a lot of fear and I think tension around those end of year exams everywhere around the country," says Heaton. "And [the show portrays] how they deal with it, and [asks] do you need to have it all sorted out at that age?"
Sitting at the cool kids' table at Heartbreak High Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixWe sit with the cool kids at lunch — or rather, they sit with us. Heartbreak High cast members Ayesha Madon, Chloé Hayden, and James Majoos join our aluminium picnic table for a casual chat as we take advantage of the on-set catering, the rice, chicken, and gado gado undoubtedly more nutritious than the meals from my old high school's canteen.
Dressed in full costume as their characters Amerie, Quinni, and Darren respectively, the trio reminisce about getting started on Heartbreak High when they were comparatively less experienced actors.
"I feel like what was so cool and why we had that lightning in a bottle moment here was because [the production was] so willing to take a chance on new talent," says Madon, wearing a cute green bodycon dress unlikely to fly in a regular high school. "Like, we learned to act on camera almost. Which was so vulnerable, but so amazing. I feel like the fact that it was all of our first thing, we weren't jaded, we were so excited, and everyone was so dedicated to making this thing work."
"There's something really nice and comfortable about sitting with a character for five or so years and sitting with a show that's really broken into some really cool spheres that we never expected globally," says Majoos. "We're such a close ensemble cast, and it’s really set the standard, I think, for whatever the next job will be."
Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixMajoos emphasises the collaborative nature of Heartbreak High's production, noting that while the writers are open to hearing the actors' thoughts, the cast has faith they will do the characters' justice.
"I think we feel really heard, and also we really trust our writers as well to sort of lead the way," says Majoos.
This collaborative spirit extends beyond the writing room, demonstrated by the production's consultation with Hayden on other aspects of the show as well. Hayden is a passionate disability rights activist who, like her character Quinni, has autism. Heartbreak High's representation of autism has been widely praised, with viewers finding it a frank, authentic depiction of people who have the disability.
"The way that I describe living with autism is, imagine if you're at a rock concert next to the speakers but you couldn't turn it off, it was just constant," says Hayden. "I've always said that, like, autism isn't a disability in the sense where we are disabled because of who we are. We're disabled because of what society [has been created to be]. If society was created for autistic people instead of neurotypical people, you guys would be the disabled ones."
Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixMadon and Hayden are eventually whisked away to makeup, presumably for touch-ups since the latter is already sporting some very cool heart-shaped eye makeup. Spider's actor Bryn Chapman Parish quickly takes their place, and is much more pleasant than the jerk he portrays on screen.
"From the start, [the writers have] always been like, if there's any line that kind of sticks in your mouth, doesn't sound right, doesn't sound like, I guess, young enough, youthful enough, then let us know," says Chapman Parish, agreeing with his castmates' statements on collaboration at Heartbreak High. The actor originally auditioned for the roles of Darren then Ca$h (Will McDonald), Heaton noting that "we knew we wanted him [but] we weren't quite sure what for."
“Heartbreak High has been a learning experience for us as well," says Majoos. "We're graduating with these characters and moving on into the unknown, and I think there's a lot of that uncertainty that we can bring into this season, which I'm actually looking forward to.
"Everyone's been learning together, which has been really, really, beautiful. It's cliche, but unfortunately it's so true: it has been an educational experience."
Heartbreak High ditches school uniforms Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixAlong with concrete quads, uniforms are an integral part of Australian high schools. Even so, Netflix's Heartbreak High chose to follow the original '90s series, ditching ties and blazers for more creative wardrobe options.
"The original didn't have it, that was the main reason [Hartley High doesn't have uniforms]," says Heaton, noting that they wanted to remain loyal to the first series in this regard. "But also it is quite aspirational, you know, seeing kids not have uniforms. Mind you, there is an Australian public school debating topic that's perennial, I'm sure you've heard it in school, 'Is it better to have uniforms or not?' I think most people think it is better because you don't have to think. You're not judged."
Climbing into the wardrobe trailer, we're met with a long row of colourful outfits that are far more fashionable than most Aussie teenagers could realistically dream of. Heartbreak High has worked with Australian designers across the country such as Emily Watson, Sorry I'm Busy, Fantastic Baby Shakalaka, and Flux 2.0, making Hartley High's students some of the most well-dressed teens in Sydney.
Darren even sported a fetching white corset top from well-known Australian designer Dion Lee during Season 1, a pricey garment that's even beyond the budget of many full-time workers. ("[They] op-shopped it!" quips Heaton. "It was a good find!")
"Collaborating with different designers is…a big part of it, and really trying to celebrate Australian designers and smaller designers," says costume designer Rita Carmody. "From Melbourne to Adelaide, people have lent us their collections, and it's been really joyful to sort of be able to play with it all."
The time jump between seasons from Term 2 in Year 11 to Term 4 in Year 12 also allowed Carmody to evolve the students' fashion sense.
"I think we have to really honour the inherent nature of each character, but then let them grow a bit and let the actors have more to explore," says costume designer Rita Carmody. "So that's the main part of the process — a lot of referencing and going through the old seasons."
Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixIn addition to plain T-shirts bearing students' scrawled farewell messages (an Australian custom), Carmody proudly presents a forest green garment covered in iron-on patches — Hartley High's leaver's jacket. Another Heartbreak High take on a classic Australian high school tradition, these garments were historically rugby jumpers with students' nicknames on the back, but have since evolved to more closely mimic American varsity jackets.
Heartbreak High finds an even more stylish in-between, Carmody collaborating with a Melbourne designer to customise one of his preexisting jackets "because all the ones from the uniform shops just look really average." The result is fashionable enough that teens would probably still happily wear it outside of school events. No prizes for guessing what Amerie's jacket says.
"Everyone's got their own custom name [and an] Aboriginal flag on each one but in different places," says Carmody, pointing out a patch of a "bin chicken," a slang term for the Australian white ibis birds which are ubiquitous in Sydney. "So every jacket has different patches."
Farewell Heartbreak High Credit: Stacey Zhu / Mashable edit: NetflixWe end our visit by watching the cast film a scene from Season 3, monitoring them through screens and headphones as they joke around between takes. The production is shooting in an area of the school dressed to look like a burnt out and off-limits construction site, the perfect place to hide from disapproving teachers' eyes. It seems even their impending graduation isn't enough to keep Hartley High's students out of trouble.
While there is some concern that South Sydney students could leak details about Heartbreak High, a ban on phones was introduced in Australian public schools before filming began, offering the added benefit of helping keep the production's secrets under wraps. Hartley High's students are rarely seen on their phones either, with social media deliberately excluded from Heartbreak High to keep the drama and emotion in real life.
"Every day we're having a little moment, a little tear about [it being] our last first whatever," says Heaton. "'This is our last cast read through!' 'This is our first last day!' It's like it's one every day."
According to Heaton, even those who weren't with the production from the beginning recognise the camaraderie they've fostered on set. She specifically noted first assistant director Tony Gilbert, who hadn't been involved in Netflix's Heartbreak High reboot prior to its final season, but had worked on the original series in the '90s.
"Everyone was going around getting all teary, and [Gilbert said], 'I don't have that in stories obviously, it's my first season. But I worked on the original, and it was the same,'" Heaton recounts. "And he goes, 'You guys are such a tight knit unit. I got a call from one of the cast members from the original the other day, and we're still like that. And that's what differentiates productions.'"
View this post on InstagramHigh school romances often don't last, while friendships can dissolve absent routine binding them together. In reality, it wouldn't be unlikely that Hartley High's graduating class eventually lose touch as they launch themselves into life beyond concrete quads and canteens.
Even so, these unruly students have proven they have no issue with bending the rules. Heartbreak High's cast and crew seem similarly determined to preserve the camaraderie they've found, proudly boasting of each other's growing lists of achievements while nurturing their friendships off set.
And of course, regardless of how Heartbreak High ends, high school breakups aren't necessarily forever. Heaton, for one, would eagerly return for a Hartley High school reunion.
"Yeah!" Heaton exclaims at the idea. "It'd be hilarious."
Heartbreak High Season 3 is coming in 2025. The first two seasons are streaming on Netflix.
The gaming platform Roblox announced a suite of new safety features aimed at protecting young users and giving parents more control over their children's accounts.
In a blog post published Monday, the company said that children under age 13 will no longer be able to directly message other Roblox users, outside of the games or experiences they play.
Roblox is also debuting a new built-in setting that restricts users younger than 13 from directly messaging other users in games and experiences, which parents can choose to change. Users under 13 will be able to share public broadcast messages in games or experiences by default.
Previously, this age group could send direct messages, both inside and outside games, and public broadcast within a game. Now, under 13 users can only do the latter. Online child safety advocates have argued that direct-messaging capabilities can make young users vulnerable to predation.
SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets onlineParents and caregivers will also now have access to what Roblox describes as remote management. Instead of adjusting parental controls through their child's account, adults who manage these settings can now link their own Roblox account to their child's.
In order to link the two accounts, the adult has to verify themselves using government-issued identification or a credit card. Once verified, a parent will be able to manage their child's settings via a parental control dashboard, from their own device and account. New options in that dashboard include the ability to review and approve requests to play certain categories of games based on their content maturity label, set screen-time limits, and monitor a child's friend list.
The new parental controls dashboard lets parents review their child's screen time and friends list. Credit: Roblox"We believe that these built-in protections are a critical part of our goal of making Roblox safe for all users, by default," Dina Lamdany, Roblox's senior product manager for user settings and parental controls, said in a briefing for reporters.
Lamdany noted that the changes were part of a years-long effort to enhance safety on Roblox.
Roblox worked with the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) and the National Association for Media Literacy Education, among other partners, on creating the new features.
In a statement provided by Roblox to the media, Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI, described the enhanced parental controls as a "considerable leap forward."
"By offering robust tools for non-intrusive monitoring and privacy, Roblox is providing families with the confidence they need to foster a secure and enriching online environment," Balkam said.
Concerns about child predators on RobloxRoblox, however, has also been under fire for disturbing revelations about predation and grooming that occurred or began on the platform.
Last November, a group of families filed a class-action lawsuit against Roblox for exposing underage users to inappropriate or explicit content and allowing them to engage in inappropriate encounters. The company disputed the allegations.
This summer, extensive reporting by Bloomberg Businessweek revealed how easy it can be for predators to meet and groom minors on Roblox. While the platform's policies already prohibit sexual content, as well as romantic and flirtatious gestures, bad actors have developed strategies for coercing minors into sending them explicit child sexual abuse material. They also know how to evade moderation- and filter-based detection.
In one case, a 15-year-old girl met a popular Roblox game developer on the platform, in January 2022. The girl communicated with and received gifts from him over a period of months. In May, she left her home and was transported across state lines to meet him. The 22-year-old man, later identified as Arnold Castillo, sexually assaulted the teen multiple times before police rescued her.
In the wake of that case, Roblox implemented new safety practices and created roles related to child safety investigations and child exploitation moderation, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
Roblox chief safety officer Matt Kaufman told reporters in a briefing about the new safety features that they were not in response to a specific incident, and that the company regularly updates its policy and safety systems. He noted that Roblox had introduced more than 30 improvements in 2024 so far.
Parents can set the content maturity level for their child. Credit: Roblox Minors will see a restriction notice if the content maturity level exceeds their setting. Credit: RobloxThe new safety features also include content labels that describe the maturity level of each game, instead of age-based labels. But users 13 and younger will encounter age-gating for certain experiences, based on user behavior sometimes demonstrated in those games.
Additionally, users under 13 won't be able to access experiences designed primarily for socializing with users who are not on their friends list, or that allow free-form writing or drawing.
To access the platform's most mature content, such as profanity, users have to declare themselves as 17 or older and verify themselves using a government ID.
If you are a child being sexually exploited online, or you know a child who is being sexually exploited online, or you witnessed exploitation of a child occur online, you can report it to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing Exploited & Children.
SAVE $30: As of Nov. 18, the Apple Pencil Pro is discounted to $99 at Target. This deal saves you $30 on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $99.00 at TargetThe holiday season is coming up fast and if you've been on the hunt for gifts, now's the best time to buy with Black Friday on the horizon. This massive sale event offers a wide variety of discounts from top retailers, including on incredibly popular tech products from companies like Apple. If you've been hoping to scoop up the new Apple Pencil Pro, look no further than Target.
You can score an Apple Pencil Pro for $99 at Target right now. This is $30 off its list price of $129, saving you 23%. If you've got one of the new models of iPad Air or iPad Pro, or have just picked up one on sale — there's already quite a few on offer ahead of Black Friday — this is a really nice accessory to have alongside it and can make as a great gift for someone over the holiday season.
SEE ALSO: Kohl's Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy onlineThe Apple Pencil Pro boasts several new features over its predecessor, including haptic feedback and physical interactivity. If you're curious what we thought of these new enhancements, it's worth checking out our hands-on with the Apple Pencil Pro. It's a worthy investment for those looking to elevate their iPad game.
This is an excellent deal to take advantage of ahead of the Black Friday shopping event. Don't miss out on $30 off the Apple Pencil Pro at Target.
There's plenty more to come as we get closer to Black Friday, too. Walmart and Best Buy are also offering some early discounts for shoppers ahead of the official day, and Amazon's big sale event kicks off soon on Nov. 21. If you're looking to pick up some gifts for the holidays, this seasonal sale event is the best time to do it.
Whether you're ready for the sales madness or not, Black Friday discounts are already underway. Retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are among many that have released early sales in the lead-up to the big day. Haven't you heard? November now signals the start of the savings season.
More time for discounts can only be a good thing, especially as we prepare for the festive season.
But we get it. There are so many sales, and so many retailers to browse for your TV replacement, upgraded mobile, or whatever gadget is on your wishlist for 2024. So, with this in mind, Mashable has been on the hunt for some of the best deals at the top retailers. And the latest discounts on our radar are from Kohl's.
Black Friday doorbusters are only available on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, but the retailer has treated shoppers to some early deals on top products. From Amazon products to smart home devices, take a look at some of the top Black Friday ad deals at Kohl's.
Best deals on Amazon productsAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K — $21.99 $49.99 (save $28)
Skullcandy Terrain Wireless Speaker — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
Victrola Journey+ Bluetooth Record Player — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Victrola Montauk Bluetooth Turntable System — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)
Visual Land SOUNDWAVE A1+ — $29.99 $79.99 (save $50)
Skullcandy Indy ANC — $69.99 $129.99 (save $60)
JBL JR460NC Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Kids Headphones — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)
Garmin Venu Sq 2 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)
Google Pixel — $159.99 $279.99 (save $120)
Garmin Venu 3S — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)
Garmin vívoactive 5 — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)
Garmin Forerunner 255S — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100)
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