Cyber Monday gaming deals for 2024: The best sales for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PC

Another Black Friday has come and gone, but many of the better gaming deals we saw last week are still kicking. If you’re looking to pad out your backlog, pick up a new console or refresh your desktop with new peripherals, we’ve rounded up a few Cyber Monday gaming deals that are genuinely decent.

The selection includes a ton of popular Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox and PC games at their lowest prices to date, $75 off PS5 consoles and several discounts on accessories we’ve tested and recommended. We’ve dug through reviews and used price history trackers to ensure each offer below is a genuine deal, and we’ll update this post if prices change as the day rolls along.

PlayStation 5 (slim) for $424 at Amazon ($76 off MSRP): This isn’t the absolute biggest price drop to date for Sony’s console, but larger discounts have been extremely uncommon over the past year. This bundle throws in a few Fortnite skins and V-Bucks; if it runs out of stock, the standalone console is available for the same price. Walmart and Best Buy, meanwhile, have separate bundles that pair the machine with the recent RPG Dragon Age: The Veilguard or one of EA’s sports games for $450. Also available at Best Buy, Target, GameStop and PlayStation Direct, among others.

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (slim) + NBA 2K25 bundle for $374 at GameStop ($76 off): If you have no interest in buying physical media, you can save an extra $50 upfront by going with the PS5’s disc-less model. This bundle comes with the latest NBA 2K game as a freebie. If it runs out of stock, you can grab the same Fortnite bundle noted above for the same price. The console alone is $75 off as well. It’s a good price either way, though it’s difficult to get too excited given that the Digital Edition once sold for $400 before this “slim” revision launched with a $50 price hike. Also at Target, Amazon, Best Buy and PlayStation Direct, among others.

Xbox Series S (512GB) for $250 at Xbox ($50 off): The entry-level Xbox has had a difficult time keeping up with the technical demands of some new games, and the 512GB of storage in this model can run out fast. That said, it still has value for casual players or Game Pass subscribers who don’t care about high frame rates and just want a cheap way to play the latest stuff. This $50 drop isn’t an all-time low, but it makes the console a bit more palatable. Just remember there’s no disc drive. Also at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Target

Meta Quest 3S (128GB) + $100 Target digital gift card for $300 at Target ($100 off): Meta only released the Quest 3S last month, so while this isn’t a cash discount, any sort of bonus is worth noting. The device itself is the budget pick in our guide to the best VR headsets: Its older Fresnel lenses certainly aren’t class-leading, but they’re good enough for those new to VR, and the whole thing is just as fast and comfortable as the pricier Quest 3. Most importantly, it can play the same wide array of apps and games. Amazon previously had a similar offer that included a $75 digital credit, but that appears to be out of stock.

PlayStation VR2 + Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for $349 at Amazon ($251 off): To be candid, it’s difficult to widely recommend the PlayStation VR2: The hardware is excellent, but Sony’s software support has been weak. Like the Meta Quest, you can use the headset on PC with an optional adapter, but some reviewers have said that getting that to actually work can be a hassle. So, we’re mostly noting this deal for posterity. But if you do have cash to burn and want to dive into games like Gran Turismo 7, Tetris Effect or the Horizon spin-off bundled here, this deal matches the lowest price we’ve seen. If the bundle goes out of stock, the standalone headset is on sale for the same price. Also at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop and PlayStation Direct, among others.

Valve Steam Deck (LCD, 512GB) for $337 at Steam ($112 off): The Steam Deck tops our guide to the best gaming handhelds. Its SteamOS software is much simpler to pick up and use than Windows, and it’s still powerful enough to play loads of games that just can’t run on devices like the Switch. That said, it’s starting to have trouble keeping up with the most graphically demanding titles, and the design has always been rather chunky. This deal matches the lowest price to date for the version with an LCD display and 512GB of storage. The OLED model (not on sale) is better across the board, but this is a fantastic value if you can’t pay the extra $200. The discount comes as part of Steam’s Autumn Sale, which includes many of the game deals we highlight below.

ASUS ROG Ally X for $700 at Best Buy ($100 off): The ROG Ally X is the top Windows pick in our gaming handhelds guide. It’s better-equipped to handle recent AAA fare than the Steam Deck, and its 120Hz VRR display does wonders to keep those games looking smooth. Windows itself remains something of a UI tire fire on handheld devices, but it does give you the flexibility to play games from any PC client. This $100 drop isn’t massive but nevertheless ties the handheld’s all-time low.

Retroid Pocket 4 Pro for $150 at Retroid ($49 off): The Pocket 4 Pro is the “best under $200” pick in our gaming handhelds guide. It’s an Android device primarily aimed at emulating retro games, so it takes some legwork to get the most out of it. If you’re willing to tinker, though, it can run many games up to the PlayStation 2 and GameCube range fairly comfortably, which is rare at this price. Its responsive buttons and bright 4.7-inch display are nice, too, though you might want to grab Retroid’s grip add-on to make it a little more comfortable. Retroid recently launched the bigger and slightly more powerful Pocket 5 — which we’re currently testing — but this is a strong value for about $70 less. This discount is a new low. A few lower-power Retroid handhelds are on sale as well.

PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller for $54 at Amazon ($21 off): While Sony’s official PS5 controller has sold for less in the past, steeper discounts have been fairly uncommon over the past year, so this is an decent time to stock up if you need a spare. The offer applies to several different color options, though a few are priced $5 higher than the others. Also at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, PlayStation Direct and others.

PlayStation Plus 12-month membership for 30 percent off at PlayStation: Sony’s online service became a worse deal with last year’s sizable price hikes, but it’s still required if you want to play PS5 games online or use cloud saves. This year’s holiday deal is geared more toward upgrading than saving on your current plan, annoyingly, but those just signing up can grab an annual membership for 30 percent off. That brings the standard “Essential” tier down to $64. If you’ve been thinking of stepping up from the base service to the higher “Extra” or “Premium” tiers, you can take 25 or 30 percent off the usual cost of that upgrade. You can check Sony’s overview page for a refresher on what perks are included with each tier.

Xbox Wireless Controller for $35 at Lenovo ($25 off): This is another deal we’ve seen in the past, but it’s a decent $10 or so off the Xbox pad’s typical street price. Use the code BFCMXBOX at checkout to see the final price. Also at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and others for $40, with other colorways available for $45 or $50. Just remember that each one requires a pair of AA batteries or a separate pack for power.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for $50 at Walmart ($20 off): Nintendo’s Pro Controller is far more comfortable to hold and satisfying to press than the standard Joy-Cons, so it’s a fine buy if you mainly keep your Switch docked up to a TV. Its 40-hour battery life is great, too, though fighting game and Tetris diehards will likely find its d-pad too imprecise. This discount matches the lowest price we’ve seen in the last couple of years. Also at Best Buy, GameStop and Target.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers for $60 at Walmart ($20 off): Between their beady buttons, lack of analog triggers and longstanding drift issues, the Joy-Cons are far from Nintendo’s finest product. Still, they’re the Switch’s default controllers. If you need to restock, this is about as cheap as they’ve been in recent years. Also at Target, Best Buy and GameStop.

Astro Bot for $50 at Walmart ($10 off): The wonderfully inventive 3D platformer Astro Bot is the closest thing the PS5 has to a modern Super Mario game, even if it is a bit too reverential to the PlayStation brand. Engadget Senior Editor Jessica Conditt called it nothing less than “one of the best games Sony has ever made” in her review. The game was briefly available for $43 at Amazon, but this is the best price we’ve seen otherwise. Also at PlayStation, Best Buy, Target and others.

Elden Ring for $20 at Amazon ($40 off): There isn’t much we can say about Elden Ring that hasn’t already been said. Its world runs almost unfathomably deep and feels lived-in (died-in) in a way few games ever have. It’s both haunting and darkly funny (hello, Ordina). It is unafraid to test your resolve and make its quest matter, yet it grants you the freedom to simply walk in a different direction and find new paths forward. It’s great, and this deal brings it down to the best price we’ve tracked. Also at Bandai Namco, Walmart and Best Buy, though stock has been spotty. If you want to double up with the game’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, a copy that comes with that DLC is on sale for $52.

Metaphor: ReFantazio for $50 at Amazon ($20 off): It’s about as subtle as you’d expect a game named “Metaphor” to be, but the latest from the minds behind Persona 5 is a fantasy JRPG through and through: bombastic, stylish and deeply earnest. (And long.) This deal is a new low. Also at PlayStation and Xbox for $2 more.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $40 at Amazon ($30 off): Engadget UK Bureau Chief Mat Smith gave this grandiose action-RPG a favorable review earlier this year, and it’s one of the year’s highest-rated games overall. You need to have played its predecessor — and, ideally, the original PS1 game — to really get where it’s going, but it’s absolutely stuffed with things to do (for better and worse), and its combat system is still a rush. This is a new low for the PS5 exclusive. Also at Best Buy, or PlayStation for $2 more.

Helldivers 2 for $30 at GameStop ($10 off): The co-op shooter Helldivers 2 straddles the line between Starship Troopers satire and genuinely rousing, strategically engaging action. You could do much worse if you want a multiplayer game you can hop in and out of at your leisure. This deal matches the lowest price we’ve seen for the PS5 copy. Also at Amazon, Target and Best Buy, or at PlayStation for $2 more.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for $30 at Walmart ($40 off, in and out of stock): Spider-Man 2 is essentially “more Spider-Man, but bigger.” It might not be the most creatively daring thing, then, but leaping from skyscrapers and stylishly beating the tar out of bad guys remains a joy, and none of it is overly self-serious. This discount is another new low. If Walmart’s listing goes out of stock, Target, Best Buy and PlayStation have it on sale for $40, which is the second-best price we’ve seen.

The Last of Us Part I for $30 at Target ($40 off): The PS5 version of Naughty Dog’s tense zombie drama may be the most unnecessary remake ever made, but if you’ve never given it a try, it’s still the best way to jump in. This deal is a new low, and it comes as part of a wider suite of discounts on first-party PS5 games, including Gran Turismo 7, Returnal, God of War Ragnarök, Demon’s Souls and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart for $30 a pop. Also at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and others.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 for $40 at Amazon ($30 off): Another one of the year’s highest-rated RPGs, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is unusually opaque and unforgiving for a major-studio release, but it owns that. If you can deal with some jank and hate the glut of self-serious hand-holdy “adventures” that’ve come out in recent years, it should be worth the occasional frustration. Don’t bother if you didn’t like the first one, though. This the biggest discount to date for the PS5 and Xbox versions. Also at Target, or at Xbox for $2 more.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $30 at Walmart ($40 off): Its story may run in place at times, but Tears of the Kingdom remains a prime example of an open-world game done right. Its world doesn’t kowtow to the player at every turn, and its delightful contraption-building mechanics provide a similar sense of freedom in solving puzzles. This discount is a new low, though as of this writing it only applies to a digital copy. If Walmart runs out of stock, Best Buy also has the game for $40, which is the second-best price we’ve tracked.

Portal: Companion Collection for $5 at Nintendo ($15 off): Portal and Portal 2 are two of the most fully actualized games ever made, a pair of human-lab-rat simulators overloaded with wit and mind-opening puzzles. The second is also one of our favorite couch co-op games. This discount ties the lowest price we’ve seen for the Companion Collection, which bundles both games for the Switch, and it comes as part of a wider range of digital game deals at Nintendo’s online store.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition for $5 at Steam ($55 off): The Mass Effect trilogy doesn’t hold up perfectly — the original is very much a game from 2007, while the overarching “morality” system feels ancient in a post-Baldur’s Gate 3 world — but it remains as accessible and deeply entertaining as any action-RPG series out there. The Legendary Edition remasters all three titles, and this discount brings the compilation down to its lowest price to date. Also at Epic.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon for $20 at Bandai Namco ($40 off): Armored Core VI is a big loud action game about building a mech and using it to blow up everything in sight. It rules. Yet it’s not mindless: Its many boss fights are genuine duels, and it’s deeply flexible in how it lets you tweak your death machine to tackle stages in different ways. This price is another new low. Also at GameStop.

Unicorn Overlord for $30 at Best Buy ($30 off): Unicorn Overlord’s story leans a little too hard on RPG tropes, but it’s gorgeous, and its battle system should satisfy those who pine for classic Fire Emblem or (especially) Ogre Battle games from yesteryear. Engadget Senior Writer Sam Rutherford called it a “must-play for tactics fans” in his review. This discount is the largest we’ve seen for the PS5 and Xbox editions, and it ties the all-time low for the Switch copy. Also at Amazon and GameStop.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 for $20 at Best Buy ($20 off): Few games take the responsibility of entertaining you as seriously as the Metal Gear series; even fewer have as clear of a voice and point of view. The Master Collection may not go as far as it should in updating the landmark stealth games for modern consoles, but if you’ve yet to give them a try, you really ought to take the ride. This deal comes within $1 of the lowest price we’ve tracked for the Switch copy.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for $40 at GameStop ($20 off): The moody action-RPG Cyberpunk 2077 started as a technical disaster, but years of patches have ultimately left it in a healthy place, one that lets it more easily lean on its surprisingly pointed narrative and dirty-techno-future art style. This is a new low for the game’s Ultimate Edition, which includes last year’s well-regarded Phantom Liberty expansion. Also at Best Buy.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for $25 at Amazon ($45 off): Infinite Wealth is the kind of goofy, playful and wholly excessive RPG that’s come to define the series formerly known as Yakuza. It can border on “too much,” and you’ll need to have played past entries to get the most out of it, but its turn-based combat is fun, and it’s more endearing than obnoxious in the end. This discount ties the best price we’ve seen for the next-gen versions of the game.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10 at Xbox ($30 off): This matches the all-time low for The Master Chief Collection, which gathers five of the venerable FPS series’ essential games in one package. It also includes Halo 4 (we kid). Also at Steam.

Pentiment for $10 at Xbox ($10 off): Pentiment remains one of the Xbox’s true gems, a gorgeous and unusually soulful 2D adventure/visual novel that examines the nature of truth itself. This deal for the Xbox version represents an all-time low. Several other digital Xbox games are on sale as part of Microsoft’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.

Psychonauts 2 for $6 at Steam ($48 off): Another entry on our list of the best Xbox games, Psychonauts 2 is a distinctly eccentric, wonderfully written 3D platformer that tackles heavy themes with real warmth. This is another all-time low. Also available for $12 at Xbox and PlayStation.

Tekken 8 for $30 at Amazon ($20 off): Tekken 8 may not be the most accessible fighting game to complete beginners, but it’s far from impenetrable, and its battles can be thrilling once you start plumbing the mechanics of its many characters. Best of all, two of those characters are big goofy bears. This is the lowest price yet for the PS5 and Xbox versions of the game. Also at Walmart, Target and others.

Madden NFL 25 for $30 at Amazon ($40 off): Madden could pretty badly use a creative reset, but it’s ultimately still Madden, so there’s fun to be had if you’re in the football mood and feel like denying Patrick Mahomes a championship in at least one realm of existence. This is the best price to date for this year’s latest installment. Also at Walmart, or at PlayStation, Xbox and Steam for $5 more.

EA Sports FC 25 for $30 at Amazon ($35 off): We’re not going to sit here and tell you the series formerly known as FIFA is good — AI defending is still a mess, and the Ultimate Team mode still blends grinding with gambling to mind-numbing effect — but we realize that many people just want to mess around as their favorite footy team. This is a new low for the PS5, PS4 and Xbox editions. Also at Walmart, or at PlayStation, Xbox and Steam for $5 more. The Switch version is down to $30, too, though it won’t run as well.

WWE 2K24 for $24 at Amazon ($11 off): We acknowledge that this is a new low for the physical PS5 and Xbox copies of the latest WWE game, which should scratch the itch for most people looking to do some fantasy booking and digital powerbombing. Just don’t be surprised if you run into a few bugs every now and then; this is a 2K game, after all. Also at Walmart, Target and Best Buy, for $1 less at Xbox, or for $20 at Steam. The last-gen versions are on sale for a few bucks less as well.

NBA 2K25 for $30 at Walmart ($40 off): NBA 2K has its own longstanding issues with pay-to-win online modes and occasional glitchiness, but its on-court play is generally rock solid if you’re looking to play through a season or run some offline games with friends. This is a new low for the PS5 and Xbox copies of the game. Also at Target, Best Buy and Amazon. Nintendo has the Switch edition for $3 less, though that version is generally slower and more watered-down than the others.

WD Black C50 Expansion Card for Xbox (1TB) for $99 at Amazon ($59 off): It’s aggravating, but the only way to fully increase the storage of an Xbox Series X/S is to use a proprietary expansion card. Only two of those currently exist, but the C50 is one, and this discount drops the 1TB model to a new low. It’s normally sold for about $40 more in recent months. Is this still expensive compared to a normal SSD with the same capacity? You bet. But any extra savings should be welcome. A 512GB model is a couple bucks above its all-time low at $67 as well. Also at B&H and Best Buy.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S (2TB) for $200 at Amazon ($160 off): Seagate makes the other official storage expansion card for the Xbox Series X/S. This discount isn’t the best we’ve ever seen, and it’s been live for most of the month, but it’s still roughly $35 below the 2TB model’s typical street price. There’s little performance difference between this and the C50, so which is best merely comes down to how much space you need and whatever one costs less.

Crucial P310 (1TB) M.2 2230 SSD for $70 at Amazon ($102 off): The P310 is a small-size SSD you can slot into handheld PCs like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. It uses cheaper QLC memory, not the faster and more durable TLC, but other reviews suggest that it still performs well for what it is. This is a new low for the 1TB model. The 2TB version is down to its best price yet at $140 as well. Also at Crucial and B&H.

Backbone One mobile game controller for $70 at Amazon ($30 off): The Backbone One is a nifty mobile gamepad that makes playing console-style games on your phone feel a little more natural. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked for the second-gen model. Both the USB-C and Lightning versions are discounted. Note that the PlayStation-branded version officially supports Sony’s Remote Play app on both Android and iOS, while the standard model only supports it with the latter. Also at Backbone, Walmart and Best Buy.

8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller for $48 at Amazon ($12 off, Prime only): We’ve raved about this wireless gamepad for Switch and PC in the past. It’s on the small side, but it’s comfortable, and its durable Hall effect joysticks should avoid the “drift” sensation that plagues many modern controllers. This discount isn’t the absolute lowest price we’ve seen, but it’s a solid $12 off the device’s typical street price. It’s exclusive to Prime members at Amazon, but Best Buy has the pad for the same price. If you don’t need Bluetooth support, a version that only connects over a USB dongle and uses Xbox-style face buttons (instead of Switch-style ones) is on sale for $40.

Turtle Beach Atlas Air wireless gaming headset for $135 at Amazon ($45 off): The Atlas Air is our pick for the best gaming headset. It’s one of the few wireless pairs with an open-back design, which helps it create a wider, airier and more natural sound than most of its competition. It’s exceptionally comfortable on top of that, though it lets in and leaks noise fairly easily, so you should only buy it if you normally play in a quiet environment. This deal marks the headset’s all-time low. Also at Best Buy.

Astro A40 TR gaming headset for $90 at Amazon ($40 off): The A40 TR is our favorite wired gaming headset. It’s not quite as comfy or spacious-sounding as the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, our top overall pick, but its open-back design still makes games sound like they’re happening all around you instead of feeling confined in your head. Just know that it won’t block much outside noise, and its mic isn’t the best. Also at B&H.

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 gaming headset for $30 at Amazon ($20 off): The Cloud Stinger 2 is the budget pick in our gaming headset guide. It’s comfortable, with a solid mic and full-bodied bass, though you shouldn’t expect a particularly accurate sound or exceptional build quality. This deal ties the headset’s all-time low. Also at Target and Best Buy.

Keychron Q3 Max mechanical keyboard for $182 at Keychron ($32 off): The Keychron Q Max is the top pick in our guide to the best mechanical keyboards, pairing an upscale (if heavy) aluminum case with a lovely typing experience and extensive customizability. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for the tenkeyless model, but other size layouts are similarly discounted. Also at Amazon for $6 more, but only for Prime members.

Keychron V3 Max mechanical keyboard for $87 at Amazon ($22 off, Prime only): The V Max is our favorite mechanical keyboard in the $100 range. It has a plastic frame and suffers a bit more from rattling in the larger keys but otherwise carries most of the same perks as the Q Max line. This Prime-exclusive deal marks the best price we’ve tracked for the tenkeyless model, but other size options are 20 percent off too. Also at Keychron.

Keychron C3 Pro mechanical keyboard for $22 at Amazon ($15 off, Prime only): If you want to pay as little as possible for a decent mechanical keyboard, the C3 Pro is the budget pick in our buying guide. Its keycaps are a bit slick, but its typing feel and sound are still levels above the membrane boards you usually find in this price range. This is a new low for the model with Keychron’s linear Red switches. Be aware that this version isn’t hot-swappable and only has a red backlight; if you’re willing to pay extra, a more customizable version with RGB lighting is also on sale for $33.

Razer Basilisk V3 gaming mouse for $40 at Amazon ($30 off): We recommend the Basilisk V3 in our gaming mouse buying guide for those who don’t mind using a cable and prefer a more ergonomic right-handed shape. We’ve seen this discount several times before, but it matches the device’s all-time low. Note that Razer released an revised version with an improved sensor a few months ago, but that one costs $40 more, and it’s not a massive upgrade in practice. Also at Target, Best Buy and others.

Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite MMO gaming mouse for $50 at Amazon ($30 off): The Scimitar RGB Elite is the top MMO pick in our gaming mouse guide. It has 12 customizable side buttons, which make it easier to pull off strings of actions in games like Final Fantasy XIV or World of Warcraft. This deal comes within a couple bucks of the lowest price we’ve seen. A wireless model with an upgraded sensor is also on sale for $89, which is the second-best price we’ve tracked for that variant.

Alienware M18 R2 gaming laptop for $2,300 at Dell ($500 off): The M18 R2 is an iteration of the top 18-inch pick in our gaming laptop buying guide. It’s an absolute tank, but it’s put together well, and this configuration can blow through new games at high settings in 1080p or 1440p. It comes with a 165Hz 2,560 x 1,600 panel, an Intel Core i9-14900HX chip, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. This deal is $100 more than the price we saw on Black Friday, though it’s still a good ways off the notebook’s usual going rate. A lower-spec model is on sale for $1,900, though that one will run into issues sooner with more demanding games. Also at eBay via Dell.

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) gaming laptop for $1,615 at Amazon ($285 off): While not a top pick in any of our guides, this configuration of the ROG Strix G16 should be a solid value for those in search of a 16-inch all-rounder gaming notebook. It includes an Intel Core i9-14900X chip, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, which should be enough to run many games at high-ish settings without much hassle. The overall build doesn’t feel cheap, and the 2,560 x 1,600 240Hz display is both sharp and fast. The RAM and storage are user-upgradeable, too, though the battery life and 720p webcam aren’t ideal. This deal matches an all-time low. Another model with a 1080p panel, a Core i7-13650HX chip and a RTX 4060 GPU is on sale for a low of $1,100, but you’ll have to turn down game settings more frequently to get decent frame rates with that one.

LG 32GS95UV-W 32-inch gaming monitor for $1,000 at Amazon ($400 off): This is a variant of the “no-compromise” pick in our guide to the best gaming monitors. It’s a premium OLED panel with a sharp 4K resolution and a fast 240Hz refresh rate, though it can jump to a super-smooth 480Hz if you drop to 1080p (and own a PC that can handle that). That’s great if you spend a decent chunk of time in esports-style games like Counter-Strike 2. Being an OLED monitor gives it excellent contrast with deep black tones, though it’s not quite as vivid as the handful of QD-OLED monitors that use quantum dots to boost colors. Still, it’s well worth a look if you have cash to burn and know you’ll use the dual refresh rate modes. This deal has been live for a month but represents an all-time low. Also at LG and Best Buy. Compared to the recommendation in our guide, the only differences with this model are that it has a white finish and its built-in speakers aren’t as strong.

MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 27-inch gaming monitor for $500 at Newegg ($200 off): This is within $20 of the lowest price we’ve seen for MSI’s QD-OLED monitor, which blends the high contrast and inky blacks typical of OLED displays with color-enhancing quantum dots. It has a 1440p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, which should be sufficient for most, though like many OLEDs it’ll look better in dim lighting than a bright room. Also at Best Buy.

ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM 32-inch gaming monitor for $999 at Amazon ($300 off): The PG32UCDM is larger high-end monitor with a gorgeous QD-OLED panel, a 4K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. Some reviewers we trust say it can get brighter than rival monitors with similar specs, plus it supports the popular Dolby Vision HDR format. It also includes a KVM switch and a USB-C port that can deliver up to 90W of charging power. It’s certainly not cheap, but this discount still represents a new low. Also at B&H and Best Buy.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/cyber-monday-gaming-deals-for-2024-the-best-sales-for-playstation-5-nintendo-switch-xbox-and-pc-180738558.html?src=rss 

The 70 best Cyber Monday tech deals under $50

Most tech costs a fair chunk of change (the PS5 Pro and iPad Pro jump to mind), but some smaller electronics are (almost) as exciting. Now that Cyber Monday is here, we’ve found dozens of deals on inexpensive electronics and accessories that cost less than $50. 

Unlike other lists you may find today, this one is made up of items we’ve tested, reviewed or otherwise recommend in our buying and gift guides — so we think they’re actually worth your money. Read on for the best Cyber Monday tech deals for under $50 from retailers across the web.

Cyber Monday tech deals under $20

Amazon

Amazon Echo Pop (2023) for $18 ($22 off): Amazon’s smallest Echo will fit in any room in your home, so Alexa can add things to your shopping list, set a timer, or answer questions (like “What’s a bomb cyclone?” or “Who is Penelope Cruz married to?”) from anywhere.

Anker Nano Charger 30W USB-C for $13 ($7 off): This compact 30-watt wall charger is smaller than others of its wattage and can speedily juice up an iPhone or Android handset. Anker is one of Engadget’s most recommended accessory brands and this is the model we picked for our fast charger guide. Get the same deal at Anker with an auto-applied code.

Anker Nano power bank with built-in USB-C connector for $16 ($4 off): It’s the size of an old-timey lipstick case but packs enough juice (and its own USB-C plug) to get a dying smartphone back in service with at least a half charge. It’s one of the winners in our guide to power banks. Also direct from Anker with an auto-applied code.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10 ($30 off): As part of the Xbox sale, you can save up to 55 percent on titles (some titles are going as low as $5). A number of our top picks for the best Xbox games are included in the sale, including this Halo collection, Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, Street Fighter 6 and Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred. And if you’re looking for more deals on game titles, check out Jeff Dunn’s gaming roundup.

Glocusent Tri-head clip-on book light for $16 ($4 off): Glocusent’s book light can stand on a desk or clip to a book and casts a wide swath of light across the widest of pages. It’s a pick in our book lovers gift guide.

Beshon European travel plug adapter (two-pack) for $13 ($6 off with Prime): If you’re planning any trips abroad, take one of these, as Engadget’s Valentina Palladino recommends in our gifts for travelers guide. They come in versions made for Ireland, China and Japan, too.

Elden Ring (PS4,PS5, Xbox) for $20 ($40 off): One of our favorite games is down to the best price we’ve tracked. It feels impressively handmade despite its epic scale that feels big but never superfluous. Also at Best Buy.

Amazon Smart Plug for $13 ($12 off): If you rely on Alexa as your smart home assistant, this is an affordable and reliable way to control your lamps, fans and Christmas lights. It was one of the more reliable and fuss-free plugs I tested.

Anker Nano II 713 Charger (45W) for $20 ($20 off): This 45-watt charger has a single USB-C port and will let you take advantage of the faster charging speeds newer devices offer (just make sure you have an equally robust cable). It’s one of the picks in our iPad accessories guide. Also at Anker with an auto-applied code.

Chipolo ONE for $20 ($5 off): Our favorite Bluetooth tracker overall is loud, compact and readily tells you when you’ve left your keys (or whatever else you attach them to) behind. If you’re looking for a finding network to locate things you’ve lost out in the wild, this isn’t the one to get, but for everyday locating misplaced keys in the house, this is great. 

Belkin Apple AirTag secure holder for $15 ($5 off): AirTags are great, and we recommend them for iPhone users, but they have no built-in method for attaching them. This is one of the gizmos we recommend in our guide to secure the tag to your luggage and more. Also at Amazon.

Elevation Lab TagVault (2 Pack) for $16 ($4 off with Prime): Another recommendation from our guide, Elevation Labs fabric mount is ideal for sticking an AirTag inside your coat, backpack or anything else you want to track. Also at Elevation Lab without Prime.

PopSockets Phone Grip for $15 ($15 off): You can save 50 percent on the Pop Socket we recommend in our guide to iPhone accessories. Many other PopSockets are on sale directly from PopSocket for Cyber Monday.

J-Tech Digital Ergonomic Mouse for $17 ($8 off): The best budget ergo mouse has a vertical grip that’s a little wider than others of its ilk, which we found to be more comfortable. There are RGB lights, which can be fun. But which can also be turned off.

WAVLINK USB-C hub for $13 ($13 off): The budget pick in our guide to USB-C hubs has an HDMI port, three USB connections (two type-A and one type-C) plus a generous 10-inch cable to give you more options when plugging into your laptop or tablet.

Anker USB-C 240W Bio-Braided cable for $12 ($5 off): A fast charger won’t do much if the cable isn’t rated to handle the wattage. This 240W Anker cable is pulled from our list of the best iPhone accessories and will charge those devices (or any other rechargeable item with a USB-C port) as quickly as the brick and device will allow.

Peak Design Packable Tote for $16 ($4 off): We recommend this handy bag in our gift guide for travelers. We like that it zips shut, is water resistant and has a padded shoulder/hand strap. Plus it packs into itself and takes up just a little more room than a deck of cards.

The Best Cyber Monday subscription deals under $50

Max / Engadget

Disney+ Hulu bundle (one-year) for $36 ($96 off): This Disney+ Cyber Monday deal gets you the ad-supported tiers of both Disney+ and Hulu (known as the Duo Basic bundle) for only $3 per month for one year. It’s one of the best streaming deals of the seasons since it gives you the ability to catch up on all those classic Disney holiday movies, and the thousands of episodes of TV that Hulu has.

Max subscription for $18 (six months) ($42 off): You can get six months of Max with Ads for $2.99 monthly instead of the usual $9.99. The subscription will automatically renew at that rate each month until the end of the promo period, when it’ll automatically renew for the full $10. New and returning subscribers are eligible through Max.com, Roku, Apple and other streaming ecosystems, but is only open to new subscribers via Amazon Fire TV.

Paramount+ Showtime (two months) for $6 ($20 off): New and former subscribers can get two months of Paramount+ Essential (with ads, usually $8 monthly) or Paramount+ with Showtime (ad-free, usually $13 monthly) for just $3 per month. It’s one of our favorite streaming services and the best place to watch as much Star Trek as you want. As with all subscriptions, remember the standard pricing will auto-renew after two months.

Peacock (one year) for $20 for ($75 off): New and returning subscribers can get a full year of Peacock for just $20. It’s also one of our favorite streamings services and has some excellent shows like Mrs. Davis, Poker Face and Killing It. Note this is the ad-supported tier, it is only available through Peacock’s website and will auto renew after the year is up. 

Audible Premium Plus (3-month) for $1 ($29 off): If you don’t currently subscribe to Audible you can get three months of the audiobook service’s Premium Plus plan for $1. The service is usually $15 per month after a 30-day free trial. Premium Plus gives you access to the Audible Plus library, and lets you keep one title from a curated selection of audiobooks each month.

Amazon Kindle Unlimited for $0 for one month ($12 off): Amazon’s ebook subscription service gives you access to a selected catalog of thousands titles for unlimited reading as well as some Audible audiobooks and magazines. Prime members can get two months for only $5.

Headspace annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Our top pick for the best meditation app has tons of courses that address specific anxieties and worries, a good in-app search engine that makes it easy to find the right meditation you need, and additional yoga routines, podcasts and music sessions to try out.  

Cyber Monday tech deals under $30

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) for $23 ($27 off): The Dot is Amazon’s most popular Echo speaker, delivering Alexa’s helpful assistance in a softball-sized package that puts out surprisingly decent sound. We named it the best smart speaker under $50. It also has an internal sensor that can tell you the temp in the room and trigger connected thermostat functions. You can also get it with a free smart bulb for the same price. 

Amazon Echo Dot Kids for $28 ($32 off): The kids version is basically the same smart speaker but comes in a cute dragon or own skin and includes a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $21 ($9 off): If you have a Samsung smartphone, this is the tracker we recommend. The finding network isn’t as vast as Apple’s, but in our tests, the accuracy was good and the physical design is one of the best of its kind.

Loop Experience 2 ear plugs for $28 ($7 off): Engadget’s Billy Steele reviewed the Loop Switch 2 earbuds at a concert and was impressed by what he heard (and didn’t hear). While the Switch model has three settings, these plugs just offer one level of noise dampening — and the “Experience” setting is the one Billy liked best.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K for $29 ($21 off): On our list of the best streaming devices we named the Roku Streaming Stick 4K the best pick for those wanting an ocean of free and live content. By combining Roku’s own free channels with content from other FAST apps this simple stick turns any screen into a portal to a near-infinite amount of movies and shows that you won’t pay a dime for. Also at Target and direct from Roku for $1 more.

Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $28 ($12 off): Anker’s Soundcore brand proves the accessory brand can make some excellent electronics and we named a number of Soundcore audio devices to our buying guides. This is one of the smaller and more affordable models from Anker and it’s currently back to one of its lowest prices yet.

Anker Nano 3-in-1 10K portable charger for $30 ($15 off): A top pick in our best power banks guide, this 10K brick has a built-in USB-C cable so you don’t need to remember to bring one with you, plus it has an extra USB-C port for charging other devices. Also at Anker within an auto-applied code.

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 gaming headset for $30 ($20 off): Though we ultimately recommend getting an external mic along with your wired headphones if you need to chat while playing, the Cloud Stinger 2 is our pick for a budget gaming headset. Also at Best Buy and direct from Hyper.

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A (4-pack) for $30 ($20 off): Our favorite smart plug overall connects to all the major smart home platforms, including from Apple, Google and Amazon. It’s perfectly simple to set up, stays connected and makes it easy to make your lights do what you want them to. Also at B&H Photo

EarFun Free 2S wireless earbuds for $25 ($15 off): These don’t sound as sharp as other budget earbuds we recommend and there’s no noise cancellation or transparency mode, but if you need a pair of earbuds under $50 (or under $30 now) these are decently comfortable with a sound that’s a bit richer than others in its price range.

Amazon Echo Buds for $25 ($25 off): Our favorite budget earbuds with an open ear design are made by Amazon. They don’t go all the way in your ear so you’ll hear more of what’s going on around you. The sound is decently separated, though we recommend tweaking the EQ in the Alexa app to bring down the treble a touch.

Anker USB-C Hub 341 for $25 ($10 off): Anker’s seven-port hub lets you use a range of extras with your tablet, which is why we named it one of the best accessories for an iPad. In addition to extra USB connections, you also get a microSD and standard SD card slots.

Logitech Signature M650 wireless mouse for $30 ($5 off): This portable mouse is great for anyone who changes locations when they work because it connects quickly and easily slips in a pack. It’s one of the gifts we recommend in our stocking stuffer guide. Also at Staples and direct from Logitech.

Baseus 30W Magnetic Power Bank for $25 ($20 off): An honorable mention in our battery guide, this small Baseus bank delivers a fast charge either wirelessly for MagSafe compatible iPhones or via the attached USB-C cable.

Betrayal at The House on The Hill board game for $30 ($26 off): This one made the list in our board game gift guide as a good pick for horror fans. Three to six players explore a haunted mansion, working together until one player reveals themselves as the traitor. It comes with 50 scenarios to keep you entertained evening after evening. 

Settlers of Catan board game for $25 ($19 off): It’s hard to find anyone into board games who hasn’t yet played Catan, but this trading and settling game is a classic for a reason. Get it and prepare for some lively sheep bartering.   

Ransom Notes board game for $28 ($7 off with Prime only): Engadget’s Karissa Bell recommends this party board game in our gift guide thanks to its hilarity-inspiring appeal. It forces players to communicate complex concepts using a given number of word magnet tiles. 

Cyber Monday tech deals under $40

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Xbox Wireless Controller for $40 ($20 off): We’ve seen this deal before, but it’s a decent discount on a necessary accessory. The brighter colors are $45, but if you’re happy with the standard-issue black or white, you’ll save the most. Also at Best Buy and Target.

Anker 525 charging station for $36 ($30 off): This is one of the handy items that makes working from home easier, as we recommend in our WFH gift guide. It offers four USB ports up front (both Type-A and Type-C) and three extra AC plugs in the back. 

Blink Mini 2 (two-pack) for $35 ($35 off): The newest Blink Mini wired security camera came out earlier this year and it supports 1080p video recordings, a wider field of view than the previous model and improved low-light performance. It may be wired, but you can use it outside with the $10 weather-resistant adapter.

JBL Go 4 for $40 ($10 off): JBL’s smallest portable speaker has up to seven hours of battery life on a charge, has an IP67 waterproof rating and has a tiny built-in carry strap so you can bring it wherever you go. Also at JBL and Best Buy.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $33 ($27 off): Amazon’s most powerful dongle supports 4K streaming with Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6E and live picture-in-picture mode so you can see security camera feeds directly on your TV as you’re watching a show or movie. In addition to being a solid streamer, it also makes a good retro gaming device.

Anker 633 Magnetic Battery for $40 ($15 off): Choose from a MagSafe option or the 20W Power Delivery port via a USB-C cable (which charges things faster). The handy kickstand means you can look at your phone while it charges and that port lets you charge non-MagSafe devices too.

Blink Outdoor 4 (2023) $38 ($52 off): Amazon’s latest outdoor Blink camera works well (and only) with Alexa, letting you check on your surroundings using the app or a compatible display (like an Echo Show or a Fire TV.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $40 ($30 off): Engadget’s Mat Smith gave this title a favorable review earlier this year. It helps if you’ve played its predecessor and it’s absolutely stuffed with things to do. This is a new low for the PS5 exclusive.

Govee Smart LED Light Bars for $30 ($20 off with coupon): We like Govee’s playful smart lights and recommend the brand in our guide to smart bulbs. These light bars made the list in our stocking stuffer gift guide thanks to their versatility (they can stand up, lay flat or be mounted) and there’s no end to the multiple colors and sequences you can program.

Razer Basilisk V3 ergonomic gaming mouse for $40 ($30 off): This is the gaming option in our guide to the best ergonomic mice. It’s super light and glides across multiple surfaces. The buttons are customizable and the thumb rest is comfortable. Also at Amazon.

UGREEN Revodok Pro 109 USB-C hub for $38 ($16 off): The top pick in our buying guide to USB-C hubs has a good array of ports, the ability to support two 4K monitors, and a nice long host cable so you can easily arrange it on your desk.

Moft Tripod iPhone Wallet for $40 ($10 off with Prime): Moft’s origami-inspired accessories tend to be clever and surprisingly useful. This one is no different, combining a single-card wallet with a dual-height stand. I was impressed with the sturdiness of the stand in such a thin package. If you don’t need to carry a single card, the wallet-less version is $32 right now.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $40 ($30 off): Nintendo announced its Black Friday deals early, but they didn’t go live until November 25. The big callout here is Tears of the Kingdom. We found the game to be an absolute delight as it builds on all of the concepts and story introduced in Breath of the Wild. Also at Walmart

Keychron C3 Pro mechanical keyboard for $33 at Amazon ($25 off, Prime only): Here’s a decent mechanical keyboard that’s surprisingly affordable. The C3 Pro is the budget pick in our keyboard buying guide. We found the keycaps a bit slick, but its typing feel and sound are still levels above the membrane boards you usually find in this price range.  

Sony SRS-XB100 wireless Bluetooth speaker for $38 ($20 off): We named this compact speaker in our guide to holiday gifts under $100. It delivers impressive bass for its size, has an IP67 rating, making it dust- and waterproof, and goes for 16 hours on a charge.

Cyber Monday tech deals under $50

Amazon

JBL Clip 5 for $49.95 ($30 off): JBL makes a good number of the winners in our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. We didn’t review this one formally for our guide, but it’s one of the more affordable models the brand makes and the clip plus dunkable water resistance makes it easy to bring JBL’s signature dynamic range just about anywhere. Also at Walmart.

Twelve South AirFly Pro for $44 ($11 off): Some in-flight screens let you connect your AirPods via Bluetooth. Some don’t. TwelveSouth’s handy gadget will help if you get stuck in the latter situation. It plugs into the 3.5mm jack and sends the audio to your earbuds wirelessly. Of course it’ll also work when you’re on the ground too. We recommend it in our gifts for dad’s guide.

Ring pan and tilt security camera for $50 ($30 off): This security camera joined the Ring lineup only a few months ago, and this is the best price we’ve seen on it. It’s part of a larger Ring sale that discounts home security gear by up to 50 percent (though many of those deals hit above the $50 mark).

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2023) for $45 ($45 off): The newest Echo Show 5 made our list of the best smart displays because it doubles as a “stellar alarm clock” with the auto-dimming screen, tap-to-snooze feature and a sunrise alarm. Plus the tiny, five-inch screen is perfect for a nightstand. Also, oddly, at Best Buy.

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) $45 ($35 off): The mini display just shows simple data like the time, weather or song that’s playing while the other half of the circle plays music. It’s an updated version of a model Amazon discontinued a couple of years ago and now it’s back.

Elecom Nestout power bank 15,000mAh for $48 ($12 off): For outdoor charging, this is one of the few portable batteries that can handle a dunk in water (as long as you’ve remembered to screw on the port covers). We recommend it in our guide and particularly like the handy accessories like a tripod stand and light that you can buy to go on it. Also at Nestout for $1 more.

8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller for $48 at Amazon ($12 off, Prime only): Engadget’s Jeff Dunn raved about this wireless gamepad for Switch and PC, calling it comfortable with durable Hall effect joysticks that should avoid the “drift” sensation that plagues many modern controllers. Also at Best Buy.

Soundcore by Anker Space A40 wireless earbuds for $45 ($35 off): Our top budget wireless earbuds are just $5 shy of their all time low. They have outstanding active noise cancellation for the price and offer a warm and pleasant default sound.

Ultimate Ears Mini Roll for $50 ($30 off): This less-than-a-pound sound maker came out at the same time as the Everboom and is the smallest speaker in UE’s lineup. It’s IP67 rated to be dust- and waterproof and can crank out 85 decibels of volume — impressive for something so small. Also at Amazon and B&H Photo.

Tribit StormBox Micro 2 for $45 ($38 off with coupon): This is the smallest speaker in our guide and it can go with you anywhere with the built-in strap. It pumps out impressive volume for its size and can go for 12 hours on a charge. The audio isn’t the highest fidelity, but this is more about bringing the vibes than emitting flawless musical clarity. Also directly from Tribit (see price in cart).

Anker PowerConf C200 2K webcam for $48 ($12 off): The budget pick in our buying guide to webcams is back down to a low it’s hit a few times before. We like the excellent video clarity and easy set up and customization. Also at Anker with a coupon code.

Thermacell Mosquito Repeller for $43 ($8 off): The mosquitos may be gone for the winter, but we all know they’ll be back next year. This is one of the few mosquito-repelling products we recommend, so grab one now for a less irritating summer next year. 

Lego Star Wars: A New Hope Boarding The Tantive IV for $44 (20 percent off): This set recreates the scene in which Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers battled the Rebels, and it includes seven Star Wars minifigures. Also at Target

MOFT Folding Laptop Standing Desk for $48 ($12 off with Prime): It’s a little heavy, but this clever folding contraption supports even large laptops at three different levels, including a standing desk configuration that’s surprisingly sturdy. It’s a pick in our MacBook accessories guide

Expired Cyber Monday deals

Mysterium board game for $30 ($25 off): Our own Valentina Palladino recommends this game to anyone who loves a good mystery. It takes Clue to the next level and is best played with friends and family on a dark and stormy night.

OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank 20,000 mAh for $32 ($23 off): This is the larger-capacity model of the mid-range battery we recommend in our guide to power banks. Not only does it look cool, it’s durable and charges up a phone quickly through either the USB-C or USB-A port.

TP-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Extender (RE315) for $23 ($27 off): This is our pick for the best budget Wi-Fi extender. It’s easy to set up and offers good performance for the price. Just keep in mind it has smaller (1,500 square-foot) coverage and no support for Wi-Fi 6e.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-70-best-cyber-monday-tech-deals-under-50-181516184.html?src=rss 

Amazon Cyber Monday deals: The best sales on Kindles, Echo speakers, Ring doorbells and more

Aside from Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times of year to pick up an Echo speaker, a Fire tablet or a Kindle ereader from Amazon. While the online retailer typically saves all of the best discounts on its devices for the members-only sale events, it’s a safe bet that those deals will come back around for Cyber Monday. This year is no different: we’re seeing record-low prices (or close to them) on all of Amazon’s gadgets. These are the best deals you can get on Amazon devices for Cyber Monday 2024.

Echo for $55 ($45 off): We consider this to be the best smart speaker for $100 or less at the moment thanks to its loud audio with good bass quality, the ability to pair two together for stereo sound and Alexa’s utility.

Amazon Echo Spot for $45 ($35 off): This recently revived smart display is billed as a smart alarm clock, and it features a customizable screen, big sound for its size and all the perks for Alexa voice commands. You can also grab it bundled with a free Amazon Basics smart light bulb.

Echo Dot for $23 ($27 off): This is one of the best smart speakers you can get right now thanks to its compact design, physical button controls that compliment voice commands and its solid sound quality for its size.

Echo Pop for $18 ($22 off): One of Amazon’s newest smart devices, the Pop sports a 1.95-inch front-facing speaker, a physical mic mute switch for extra privacy and eero compatibility.

Echo Show 8 for $80 ($70 off): This is our current top pick for the best smart display with Amazon’s Alexa thanks in part to its 8-inch touchscreen, 13MP camera that supports auto-framing for better video chats and its built-in Zigbee smart home hub.

Echo Show 5 for $45 ($45 off): This is one of our favorite smart displays thanks to its compact design, ambient light sensor and sunrise alarm feature, all of which make it an excellent smart alarm clock. Amazon improved the speaker quality on this latest model, which gives sound deeper bass and clearer vocals.

Echo Dot Kids for $28 ($32 off): The kids version of the Echo Dot uses the same basic hardware, but comes with a cute dragon or owl cover, plus parental controls and a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+ that can play kid-friendly audiobooks and more.

Echo Buds for $25 ($25 off): These are one of our top picks for the best budget wireless earbuds you can get right now thanks to their comfortable design, pocket-friendly case, automatic wear detection, multi-device connectivity and, of course, built-in Alexa voice controls.

Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Kindle Scribe for $270 ($70 off): The original version of Amazon e-paper tablet earned a top spot in our best E Ink tablet guide, but it’s about to be replaced with an update model. Nevertheless, this is a good discount if you can forgo the latest updates.

Kindle Paperwhite (2024) for $130 ($30 off): The latest version of the Paperwhite has speedier performance, a higher-contrast screen, a built-in warm light and 12 weeks of battery life.

Kindle (2024) for $85 ($25 off): The 2024 base Kindle is lighter than ever before, and it has a 6-inch, glare-free screen with an adjustable front light, 16GB of storage, speedier performance and six weeks of battery life.

Blink Mini 2 (two-pack) for $35 ($35 off): The newest Blink Mini wired security camera came out earlier this year and it supports 1080p video recordings, a wider field of view than the previous model and improved low-light performance. It may be wired, but you can use it outside if you wish provided you have the separate $10 weather-resistant adapter.

Blink Outdoor 4 + Blink Mini 2 bundle for $50 ($90 off): It’s almost a guarantee that Blink security systems will be on sale for Cyber Monday and this time is no different. This bundle is 64 percent off, and there are a bunch of other bundles on sale that include cameras, video doorbells and more.

Ring pan and tilt security camera for $50 ($30 off): This security camera joined the Ring lineup only a few months ago, and this is the best price we’ve seen on it. It’s part of a larger Ring sale that discounts home security gear by up to 50 percent.

Ring Video Doorbell (2024) for $60 ($40 off): This entry-level security doorbell records 1080p video, supports motion detection and privacy zones and has a built-in, rechargable battery and can be hardwired to your doorbell wiring.

Ring

Fire HD 8 tablet for $55 ($45 off): Amazon just released this new version of the HD 8 tablet, which includes more RAM, a better camera and new AI features not found on the previous model.

Fire HD 10 tablet for $75 ($65 off): This slab has a 10-inch FHD touchscreen, improved camera for video calls, 13 hours of battery life and it works with a stylus (although you have to buy that separately). If you’re looking for a cheap tablet that doesn’t compromise too many of the basics, this is a good option.

Fire Max 11 tablet for $140 ($90 off): Amazon’s most powerful tablet sports an 11-inch 2,000 x 1,200 touchscreen, an octa-core processor, up to 128GB of storage and 14 hours of battery life. It also works with a number of optional accessories, including a stylus and keyboard case.

Fire HD 10 Kids tablet for $110 ($80 off): Designed for kids aged three to seven, this tablet comes with full parental controls plus one year of Amazon Kids+ for free with the tablet purchase. It also has a 10-inch FHD touchscreen, an octa-core processor and 13 hours of battery life, plus it comes with a two-year warranty and a protective case.

Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet for $110 ($80 off): This model is designed for kids aged six to 12 and comes with a slimmer protective case, a two-year warranty and one year of access to Amazon Kids+. Otherwise, you get a very similar experience here that you would with the non-Pro version, including parental controls, a 10-inch touchscreen, solid performance and a 13-hour battery life.

Fire TV Stick streamer for $18 ($22 off): This dongle ups the ante on the TV Stick Lite by adding support for Dolby Atmos audio, plus it comes with the regular version of the Alexa Voice Remote. It also supports Wi-Fi 5 and comes with 8GB of internal storage.

Fire TV Stick 4K streamer for $22 ($28 off): This mode is the cheapest Fire TV Stick you can get to stream 4K content, plus it has support for Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Vision and Atmos. With its live picture-in-picture feature, you can view security camera feeds right on your TV while you’re watching your favorite show or movie.

Fire TV Stick 4K Max streamer for $33 ($27 off): In addition to 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Atmos support, the 4K Max dongle includes Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, 16GB of built-in storage and live picture-in-picture capabilities.

Fire TV Cube set-top box for $100 ($40 off): This model will provide the best performance of any Fire TV streaming device, and it supports 4K HDR content, Dolby Vision and Atmos and an enhanced version of the Alexa Voice Remote. Along with live picture-in-picture view and the Fire TV ambient experience, you can also hardware other devices to the Fire TV Cube including a cable box or a game console.

Amazon

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-cyber-monday-deals-the-best-sales-on-kindles-echo-speakers-ring-doorbells-and-more-182151425.html?src=rss 

The best Cyber Monday speaker deals for 2024: Big savings on JBL, Sonos, Echo, Marshall and more

We’ve tested hundreds of speakers over the years, and we put the best ones into our buying guides — namely the ones for soundbars, portable Bluetooth speakers and smart speakers. Now that Cyber Monday has arrived, we’re seeing notable discounts on many of our top picks. 

So if you need a soundbar to make the dialogue on your TV clearer or want to take your music out on the porch once the weather warms back up, this is a good time to grab a new music maker. And if you need a speaker to do your bidding (like turning on your smart lights or reminding you to take out the trash) you can save on a smart speaker, too. Here are the best Cyber Monday speaker deals we could find.

The best Bluetooth speaker Cyber Monday deals

JBL

Portable Bluetooth speakers make it easy for you to bring the music where plugs don’t reach — a picnic, the front stoop, an aimless wander along the Pacific Crest Trail. And right now for Cyber Monday, we’re seeing plenty of Bluetooth speaker Cyber Monday deals. Below is the best of what’s on sale, all pulled from our Bluetooth speaker guide as well as our reviews and news coverage.

The best JBL speaker Cyber Monday deals

JBL Clip 5 for $50 ($30 off): It’s tiny, portable and brings its own clip along with it. You’ll get 12 hours of listening from its waterproof body and the whole thing weighs just over half a pound.

JBL Flip 6 for $80 ($50 off): This is the one I bought after reading our guide and I love it. The crowler-sized speaker has great sound quality, is durable as heck and can either sit on its end or on its side. Plus it’s waterproof, dustproof and packs 12 hours of playtime. Also at Amazon and Walmart.

JBL Xtreme 3 for $250 ($80 off): We compare the size of the Xtreme 3 to a football, but since it weighs over four pounds JBL includes a strap for easier carrying. Like most portable speakers it’s waterproof and dust-proof. The lively highs and hefty lows sound great outside, but really the speaker really shines when it can resonate indoors. Also at JBL.

JBL Go 4 for $40 ($10 off): JBL’s smallest portable speaker has up to seven hours of battery life on a charge, has an IP67 waterproof rating and has a tiny built-in carry strap so you can bring it wherever you go. Also at JBL and Best Buy. The previous generation, the JBL Go 3 is down to $30. 

The best Marshall Cyber Monday deals

Marshall Emberton II for $100 ($70 off): This is the smallest Marshall speaker in our guide. Its dual 10-watt drivers and passive radiators create an impressive, 360-degree sound. While it’s not super loud, we think the output is nicely balanced. You’ll get up to 30 hours of play on a charge. Also at Best Buy and directly from Marshall.

Marshall Middleton for $200 ($100 off): The aptly named Middleton is the mid-range Marshall speaker in our guide. The four-pound box puts out excellent sound from the dual woofers and tweeters located at the front and back, and passive radiators along each side. And the classic Marshall look is pretty stylish. Also at Best Buy and directly from Marshall.

Marshall Willen for $60 ($60 / 50 percent off): This is close to an all-time low price on a tiny music box that we named one of our favorite gadgets from last year. Engadget’s Sarah Fielding thinks it’s perfect, saying, “The sound quality is great and it stays connected to my phone regardless of where I go in my little house (the range is 30 feet). Plus, the battery is great, with a playtime of over 15 hours.”

Marshall Acton III for $200 ($80 off): This is the speaker on Sarah’s holiday wishlist. The six-pound speaker needs to be plugged in and isn’t waterproof, so it’s intended to play indoors. But this is a good one to get if you want a retro-looking box for your living room that can emit Marshall’s signature warm and balanced sound. Also at Amazon

The best Bose Cyber Monday deals

Bose SoundLink Home for $199 ($20 off): It’s a smaller speaker at just two pounds but Bose promises premium sound from the SoundLink Home. We haven’t had the chance to test it ourselves just yet, but if the sleek good looks are calling to you, this discount might be a good time to invest. Just note that it’s not waterproof as the “Home” moniker suggests.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd gen) for $119 ($30 off): When Bose announced the release of the SoundLink Home, the company also introduced this revamped Flex. The first generation is one of the picks from our Bluetooth speaker guide. This newer generation works with the Bose app and has a new programmable button. Also at Bose and Best Buy. The first generation model is on sale for the same price.

Bose SoundLink Max for $299 ($100 off): The largest portable speaker Bose makes is part of the new SoundLink lineup which Bose announced in May. Also at Amazon and Target.

Bose Smart Soundbar for $399 ($100 off): The latest Bose soundbar came out just a couple months ago and is already on sale. It’s a smaller model that supports Dolby Atmos and has an AI Dialogue Mode as well as a Personal Surround feature if you happen to own a pair of the Ultra Open Earbuds. Bose says the AI smarts make voices easier to hear while retaining the audio’s immersive qualities. Also at Amazon.

The best Ultimate Ears speaker Cyber Monday deals

Ultimate Ears Everboom for $200 ($50 off): The Everboom is a new speaker in the lineup, which UE announced back in June. We reviewed it shortly after and deemed it worthy of inclusion in our guide. Not only does it float, it puts out loud, 360 degree audio and packs 20 hours of listening in a unit that’s just over two pounds. Also at Best Buy

Ultimate Ears Mini Roll for $50 ($30 off): This less-than-a-pound sound maker came out at the same time as the Everboom. It supplanted the Wonderboom as the smallest speaker in UE’s lineup and even sports a built-in, flexible strap to attach to just about anything. It’s IP67 rated to be dust- and waterproof and can crank out 85 decibels of volume — impressive for something so small. Also at Amazon and B&H Photo.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for $79 ($21 off): We put the Wonderboom 3 on our guide to the best speakers and this next-gen model includes a new podcast mode EQ for crisp vocals and is made from more recycled plastics. Like its predecessor, it’ll go for 14 hours on a charge and packs a waterproof build into its mini barrel-like shape. Also at Ultimate Ears for $1 more.

Other Cyber Monday Bluetooth speaker deals

Billy Steele for Engadget

Soundboks Go for $524 ($174 off): The 20-pound party speaker is fairly easy to lug around and puts out big sound rated up to 121dB. You get clear mids and highs and a low end with significant presence. The wireless connectivity is pretty fuss-free and lets you connect up to five Sounboks speakers. It even has a swappable battery. This is the one to get for a larger crowd.

Beats Pill for $100 ($50 off): Beats came back to the Bluetooth speaker market with the completely redesigned Pill — and we think it was worth the wait. The durable unit earned a spot on our Bluetooth speaker guide and an 83 in our review. It offers much improved sound quality with impressive bass and full mids. You also get a long, 24-hour battery life and lossless audio over USB-C. Also at Walmart.

Sony ULT Field 1 for $98 ($32 off): Earlier this year, Sony waved goodbye to the Extra Bass and XE-Series products, folding them into the new ULT Power Series branding. This 1.4-pound unit has a 12-hour battery life and IP67 rating. This matches the all-time low. It’s two dollars more at Best Buy and direct from Sony.

Anker Soundcore Motion 300 for $56 ($24 off): Weighing in at less than two pounds, Anker’s speaker has a bright, punchy output with a crisp high end and thumpy bass. Plus it’s waterproof and goes for 13 hours on a charge. No wonder it made our list of the best speakers. Also direct from Soundcore.

Anker Soundcore Motion+ for $69 ($30 off): A few Anker Soundcore speakers made our best list and this one weighs just over two pounds. It delivers a bright and bassy output, can play for around 12 hours on a charge and the build is solid with an attractive metal grille.

Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $28 ($12 off): Anker’s Soundcore brand proves the accessory brand can make some excellent electronics, too. This is one of the smaller and more affordable models and it’s currently back to one of its lowest prices yet.

Tribit StormBox Micro 2 for $45 ($35 off): This is the smallest speaker in our guide and it can go with you anywhere with the built-in strap. It pumps out impressive volume for its size and can go for 12 hours on a charge. The audio isn’t the highest fidelity, but this is more about bringing the vibes than emitting flawless musical clarity. Also directly from Tribit with an auto-coupon.

The best Cyber Monday smart speaker deals

Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

The first thing to decide before you buy a smart speaker is who you prefer to do your smart home-related bidding: Do you want Alexa’s wry yet efficient manner, Google’s info-packed know-how, or Siri’s dreamy presence? Then check out these Cyber Monday deals so you can get that smart home help at a discount.

The Best Sonos smart speaker Cyber Monday deals

Sonos Five for $349 ($110 off): We think the Five is the best smart speaker for music lovers — but it’s pricey and rarely goes on sale. This is a return to the lowest price we’ve seen. This is simply one of the best sounding speakers out there. To be clear, it’s only smart insofar as it can play music from your favorite streaming services using Wi-Fi and offers smartphone app connectivity — it doesn’t have Alexa or the Google Assistant built in. But you can use an Echo or Nest speaker to control playback with your voice.

Sonos Era 100 for $199 ($50 off): The Sonos Era 100 is our pick for the best midrange smart speaker. We like the excellent sound quality plus it pairs well with other Sonos devices. It has Alexa built-in, so it can handle regular smart home duties, but it’ll also make your music sound far better than any spherical Echo can.

Sonos Era 300 for $359 ($90 off): This is a return to a low we’ve tracked before on one of Sonos’s larger speakers. It went all-in on spatial audio, but as we found in our review, those results are hit or miss. However, the speaker itself delivers excellent sound quality, is easy to set up and has a line-in option as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Also at Adorama

Sonos Roam 2 for $139 ($40 off): Sonos also makes the best portable smart speaker, according to our guide. We like the good sound quality and strong bass, as well as the fact that it connects via both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Also at Sonos.

Sonos Move 2 for $359 ($90 off): The Move is an upgrade on the Roam in every way (including the price). It earned an 80 in our review. We like that it’s a nice upgrade over the previous Move, with two tweeters for more detailed sound. The battery lasts a full 24 hours on a charge and the touch controls up top are very nice. It also has a line-in jack via USB-C, so you can hook up a turntable. Also at Sonos.

The best Amazon Echo smart speaker Cyber Monday deals

Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) for $23 ($27 off): The Dot is Amazon’s most popular Echo speaker, delivering Alexa’s helpful assistance in a softball-sized package that puts out surprisingly decent music for its size. It gets our vote for the best smart speaker under $50. It also has an internal sensor that can tell you the temp in the room as well as trigger connected smart thermostat functions.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids for $28 ($32 off): The kids version is basically the same smart speaker but comes in a cute dragon or own skin and includes a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+.

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) for $50 ($50 off): If you plan to listen to a lot of music through your Echo, you may want to go with the larger model. The Echo has an upward-firing woofer and dual tweeters for sound that we said delivers “impressive bass thump and powerful mid-range frequencies.” It can add stuff to your shopping list and set a timer but is also capable of producing room-filling sound.

Amazon Echo Pop for $18 ($22 / 55 percent off): The smallest Echo speaker is the Pop, a half sphere that’s probably best suited to small rooms where it’ll primarily be used as a smart assistant, as opposed to a dedicated music maker. The money you save here could be used for the compatible wall mount if you want to save some counter space.

Amazon Echo Pop Kids for $23 ($27 off): The kids version is basically the same smart speaker but comes in a Disney princess or Marvel hero skin and includes a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+.

Amazon Echo Spot for $45 ($35 off): The Spot is technically still a speaker, though half of it is a display. Amazon discontinued this model for a few years, but brought it back in July. The half-moon screen can display the time, weather and the song that’s playing.

Other Cyber Monday smart speaker deals

Samsung Music Frame for $248 ($150 off): Samsung first announced its Music Frame back in January at CES 2024. It takes its cue from the Frame TV that disguises itself as art. This wireless speaker has room for your own (physical) photo within its frame, along with two woofers, two tweeters and two mid-range drivers to spit out sound from your favorite streaming services. Also at Best Buy and directly from Samsung for $2 more.

Google Pixel Tablet with speaker dock for $459 ($140 off): The speaker dock is what qualifies what’s really a tablet for this list. The charging dock sort of turns the tablet into a smart display, like an Echo Show. You can also use it as a standalone slab, but as we found in our review, it’s far more exciting as a home hub than a tablet. 

Google Nest Audio for $50 ($50 off): It’s more than four years old at this point, but the Nest Audio offers a decent ratio of sound quality to price, according to our review, and it’ll put the best of the Google Assistant’s assistance at your service. Also at Google.

Cyber Monday soundbar deals

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

For our guide to the best soundbars, our audio expert Billy Steele picked six winners out of the dozens of home theater speakers he and other Engadget staffers have tested over the years. This is a great chance to improve upon the audio from your (probably thin) TV.

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini for $500 ($300 off): We billed the Ambeo Mini as another premium option if the Samsung option doesn’t work for you. It requires a subwoofer to maximize the speaker’s potential, but once you do the immersive sound is truly impressive — especially for the size.

Sonos Ray for $169 ($110 off): A soundbar doesn’t have to be huge to make a big difference in the sound quality coming from the direction of your TV. Billy recommends this one for smaller rooms and for people who want an easy setup. I personally got one of these last year and immediately noticed a difference in dialogue clarity. Also at Amazon.

Sonos Beam for $369 ($130 off): It only has one HDMI port and no upward-firing drivers, but the Beam delivers solid sound quality with support for Dolby Atmos, and of course, it pairs nicely with other Sonos speakers. Plus it’s relatively compact. Also at Amazon and Adorama.

Sonos Sub Mini for $343 ($86 off): We found this smaller subwoofer to be the perfect complement to the Sonos Ray or Beam soundbars in our review. It’s a more affordable model that’s more practical for smaller spaces than the Sonos Sub (which isn’t on sale).

Samsung HW-Q990C for $1,049 ($949 off): The top spot in our soundbar guide isn’t cheap, but this Cyber Monday deal helps. And, for the price, you get a complete home theater audio setup complete with soundbar, subwoofer and two rear surround speakers. Samsung’s HW-Q990C may not have the prettiest name, but the sound quality is a thing of beauty, earning it an 89 in our review

Expired Cyber Monday speaker deals

JBL Xtreme 4 for $300 ($80 off): The latest generation of our recommended JBL Xtreme adds around nine hours of battery life and a replaceable battery. It’s also made from more recycled content and throws in some AI-powered tuning. Also at Target. The previous generation model is $250.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-cyber-monday-speaker-deals-for-2024-big-savings-on-jbl-sonos-echo-marshall-and-more-182824313.html?src=rss 

Elon Musk asks court to stop OpenAI from becoming a for-profit

Elon Musk’s attorneys filed for an injunction against OpenAI and Microsoft on Friday accusing the two of anticompetitive practices and seeking to stop OpenAI’s conversion to a for-profit company. The filing, spotted by TechCrunch, also names OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, Microsoft’s Dee Templeton and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman as defendants. Musk first sued OpenAI earlier this year for allegedly violating its founding mission of building AI “for the benefit of humanity,” but withdrew the lawsuit a few months later. He then filed another lawsuit against OpenAI in a California federal court in August, and recently added Microsoft as a defendant.

The new motion accuses OpenAI and Microsoft of telling investors not to fund OpenAI’s competitors, such as Musk’s xAI, of “benefitting from wrongfully obtained competitively sensitive information or coordination” through its relationship with Microsoft, and other alleged antitrust violations. “OpenAI’s path from a non-profit to for-profit behemoth is replete with per se anticompetitive practices, flagrant breaches of its charitable mission, and rampant selfdealing,” it states. “Allowing this course of conduct to continue until final disposition will seriously harm Plaintiffs and the public at large.”

It comes a few months after it was reported that OpenAI is making the switch to a for-profit model. In statement shared with Engadget in response to Musk’s latest filing, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “Elon’s fourth attempt, which again recycles the same baseless complaints, continues to be utterly without merit.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-asks-court-to-stop-openai-from-becoming-a-for-profit-165051728.html?src=rss 

Cyber Monday deals discount the Kindle Scribe by 21 percent

If you’re a bookworm and an avid notetaker, an ereader that doubles as a digital notebook may be just the thing for you. Amazon’s Kindle Scribe is one such device, and it’s deeply discounted for Cyber Monday. The 16GB Kindle Scribe is 21 percent off, bringing it down to $270.

While it’s not the lowest it’s ever been, the Scribe normally goes for $340, so a $70 savings is still pretty good. This discount is for the first-generation Kindle Scribe, not the new model that Amazon announced in October — if you’re holding out for an upgrade, you’ll still have to wait a few more days for that one to be released.

The Kindle Scribe, which came out in 2022, was Amazon’s first tablet to support handwriting with a stylus. It’s conveniently lightweight despite being larger than other Kindle models, with a 10.2-inch screen. And unlike some other writing-focused notebooks out there, the screen is lit so you can use it in low-light settings. It comes with the Basic Pen, and can convert your handwriting to text thanks to an update it got in 2023.

It’s a good option if you’re looking for a tablet with an e-paper display that can handle basic writing tasks on top of being a solid ereader. Taking notes on books with the Scribe can be a little clunky though. You can’t write in the margins or directly on the text in most cases, but you can create sticky notes that’ll be linked to the words you’ve selected. There are certain books you can write on directly after Amazon rolled out an update with the feature last year, and those can be found in the “eBooks you can write on” section of the Amazon’s online store.

Amazon’s upcoming Kindle Scribe solves these issues, with a more seamless way of taking notes on books and the ability to write in the margins. That model is slated for release on December 4.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/cyber-monday-deals-discount-the-kindle-scribe-by-21-percent-144838338.html?src=rss 

What we’re listening to: Celeste Secret Hideaway and The Loop

In What We’re Listening To, Engadget editors and writers share what music they can’t get enough of lately.

Rozen – Celeste Secret Hideaway

The original Celeste soundtrack by Lena Raine is a masterpiece that’s stuck around in my head ever since I played the game for the first time back in 2018. It beautifully evokes the game’s (and player’s) emotional journey scaling the eponymous magical mountain, and I find myself popping it on pretty regularly when I need some non-distracting background music to get work done or get into a creative headspace. To my delight, Rozen — a composer and arranger known for albums inspired by Studio Ghibli and other media — released an acoustic interpretation of the Celeste soundtrack at the beginning of November, and I’m loving its cozier take on the whole thing.

“The goal with Celeste Secret Hideaway is to transform the game’s iconic melodies into warm, intimate folk and acoustic arrangements, enveloping listeners in a rich soundscape that echoes the serenity of snow-covered mountains and quiet, fire-lit cabins,” Rozen said at the time of its release. 

It definitely succeeds — Celeste Secret Hideaway feels like sipping hot chocolate from the comfort of your home on a crisp winter day. It’s hard to pick a favorite because the tracks fit together so well as a complete package. This is one you can just throw on and listen to all the way through (or even on a loop, which I’ve caught myself doing), no skips. — Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend Editor

Jordan Rakei – The Loop

Jordan Rakei has always had a distinctive voice, but on his fifth full-length album, The Loop, the Kiwi singer and multi-instrumentalist delivers his most consistent collection of songs yet. Across 13 tracks, there’s no filler, with a few songs even standing out as some of the best of his career.

An early highlight comes in “Freedom,” the album’s second single. Here, Rakei melds the jazz-inspired instrumentation of his earlier work with a soulful number about the importance of staying young at heart. “Freedom likes it tough/Freedom’s had enough/Freedom calls your bluff,” Rakei sings in the song’s explosive chorus, a group of talented backup singers helping add punch to the delivery.

Another standout is “Learning,” the album’s most overtly political song. “When all the people of the world have a dream/As they’ve always longed to live in meritocracy/And the leaders of the free, are not who they claim to be,” Rakei sings in the song’s first verse. Throughout the track, there’s a beautiful contrast between the unadorned quality of his voice and the orchestra providing the song’s melody.

In an interview with Clash Music, Rakei said he wrote “Learning” after the birth of his first child. “Bringing my son into the world, I’m conscious that there’s a lot I need to teach him, but also, how much I still have to learn…” And that’s The Loop in a nutshell; it understands the challenges of living in 2024, but it never despairs or forgets that there’s so much we can do on our own. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/what-were-listening-to-celeste-secret-hideaway-and-the-loop-192517314.html?src=rss 

Fortnite is hosting a virtual concert today in tribute to the late rapper Juice WRLD

Fortnite is bringing its current chapter to a close with a live concert event featuring music from the late rapper Juice WRLD, as well as Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Ice Spice. The in-game event, Remix: The Finale, kicks off at 2PM ET, but it’s recommended that you log on early to ensure you get in on time. Fortnite’s tribute to Juice WRLD began earlier this month with a Juice WRLD skin and a number of related items.

Juice WRLD (Jarad Higgins) died in 2019 at age 21, and while the practice of using a celebrity’s digital likeness after their death generally rubs me the wrong way, he was apparently a big Fortnite fan, so this collab at least seems to make sense. His mother, Carmela Wallace, said in a statement shared by Epic that “Jarad always loved to play Fortnite — it was more than just entertainment for him, it was a way to connect with others. From a young age, video games were a part of how he bonded with friends and family, and being in Fortnite is an incredible tribute to that connection.”

Epic Games

The rapper’s estate has released three posthumous albums since his death, and another new track, “Empty Out Your Pockets,” will premiere at the Fortnite event. “I know he would be overjoyed to see how his love for games continues to bring people together across different spaces, just like his music does,” Wallace said. The event will also showcase a new single from Snoop Dogg called “Another Part of Me,” which features Sting. If you miss the live event, Epic says it plans to run an encore later in the day.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-is-hosting-a-virtual-concert-today-in-tribute-to-the-late-rapper-juice-wrld-163812994.html?src=rss 

Bluesky implements a ‘more aggressive’ impersonation policy

Bluesky has updated its impersonation policy to be “more aggressive” after third-party analysis highlighted its verification problem. The Bluesky Safety account said that the social media service is removing accounts that are impersonating other people and those squatting on handles. Bluesky doesn’t have a conventional verification system, so it’s easy for unscrupulous users to pretend to be someone else either for attention or to scam other people. That may not have been a serious problem in the past, but the recent influx of new users threw the issue into stark relief. 

While users can verify their identities on Bluesky by linking their account to a domain name, the process isn’t as straightforward as paying for a checkmark. They’d have to add a string of text to the DNS record associated with their domain so that they could claim their URL. For instance, we could claim the Engadget.com handle on Bluesky if we go through this self-verification process. Individuals can link their accounts to personal domains or pay for Bluesky’s custom domain service. In its new announcement, the platform say’s it’s working with organizations and high-profile individuals to set up their verified handles.

That said, when a user verifies their account, their old handle (typically username.bsky.social) gets freed up and becomes available to other people who sign up. Alexios Mantzarlis, the third party from Cornell Tech who analyzed the app’s userbase, found that 44 percent of Bluesky’s 100 most-followed accounts have a doppelganger. That is why Bluesky now requires parody, satire or fan accounts to label themselves as such in both their handles and their bio. If they don’t, or if they only indicate the nature of their account in one of those elements, then they’ll be treated as an impersonator and will be removed from the platform. 

Bluesky now explicitly prohibits identity churning, as well. Accounts that start as impersonators with the purpose of gaining new users, and who then switch to a different identity in an attempt to circumvent the ban, will still get booted off the app. Finally, it says it’s exploring “additional options to enhance account verification,” though they’re not quite ready for rollout. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/bluesky-implements-a-more-aggressive-impersonation-policy-130047163.html?src=rss 

Engadget Podcast: Social media’s impact and Sony’s next portable PlayStation

Senior reporter Jess Conditt joins host Cherlynn Low and producer Ben Ellman on a quiet news week to talk about the latest developments at Sony, Threads, TikTok and more. We also take a look at some gadget announcements and discuss the impact that social media and technology have had on the way we work and how we think of celebrity and success.

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you’ve got suggestions or topics you’d like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

Subscribe!

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Topics

A chill Thanksgiving week chat: Social media and how it affects all of us – 1:07

Gaming news with Jess: Sony is reportedly working on a new portable console – 21:18

PlayStation’s head of indie games Shuhei Yoshida is leaving Sony after 30 years – 28:34

Obsidian’s Avowed looks like a great reason to pick up an Xbox controller – 31:53

FTC warns that most connected devices aren’t supported for very long – 37:08

Working on – 41:14

Pop culture picks – 42:17

Credits 

Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Jessica Conditt
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/engadget-podcast-social-medias-impact-and-sonys-next-portable-playstation-213057887.html?src=rss 

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