Since Apple never bothers to put its own products on sale, we have to rely on third party retailers to do it for them. Amazon Prime Day is always a good bet for Apple deals (as long as you're not looking for new, unlocked iPhones) and this October event is no different. Right now, Apple's over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, have returned to $395. That's a record low on the Lightning models and one we first saw during July's Prime Day sale. The new USB-C version of the headphones is also on sale for $500, which is $50 off their regular price.
During the iPhone 16 event in September, Apple announced new standard AirPods but didn't reveal a new pair of over-ear phones. Instead, the AirPods Max were given a couple of new colors and an upgrade to a USB-C port. Those models aren't seeing the same discount, however. If you're fine using an older charging method and don't need one of the new colors, you can save a decent amount of cash. We should also point out that new Max headphones may come next year, but they aren't likely to be near this price.
Internally, the models are the same, with the same balanced audio and solid active noise cancellation we experienced during our review of the cans back in 2020. Our reviewer, Billy Steele, noted that the Max headphones are on the heavy side at 385 grams but that the design makes them feel remarkably light. The onboard controls are also a joy to use and the integration with Siri is helpful.
Our main complaint with the Max is the high asking price. At $395 that issue is mitigated a bit, putting them around the same price as the top pick in our headphone guide. Still, for Apple fans who crave the brand's premium build and aesthetic, this is a pretty good deal.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-prime-day-deals-include-the-apple-airpods-max-for-their-lowest-price-yet-072754303.html?src=rss
Plenty of the tech we cover costs less than $50. And some gadgets hovering close enough to that price just need a decent discount to put them in range. Now that Amazon's Prime Day is coming to a close, we're surprised to see that many of our picks for the best tech deals under $50 are still live.
If you need to pick up microSD cards, power banks, digital streamers or even a smart speaker, now’s the time. As always, these Prime Day picks are drawn from our own testing, coverage and reviews. Here are the best Prime Day Tech deals under $50.
Best Prime Day tech deals under $25
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
If you’ve got $25 and some change in an account somewhere, you can get something decent from Amazon’s sale (particularly if you’re a Prime member and don’t have to pay for shipping). We searched for the most useful tech we could find and came up with smart home speakers, cameras and plugs, plus a mouse, a streaming stick and some cable — all for less than $25.
Anker Nano USB C Cable (240W, 6 ft) for $19 ($6 off): If you're tired of cables that conk out or can't handle fast charging, this is a better option. It can handle up to 240 watts and the six-foot length is just long enough for most places. I use this one to test power banks and like it a lot.
Apple AirTag for $25 ($4 off): Apple’s popular Bluetooth tracker is close to an all-time low. It anonymously pings nearby iPhones to create a crazy-vast finding network to help locate your lost keys, luggage or anything else you attach one to (using an accessory, of course).
Amazon Smart Plug for $13 ($12 off): I was impressed how well this plug works with my Echo Dot speaker. It was easy to set up and stayed reliably connected in my tests. And this is close to an all-time low price.
Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug (EP40A) for $17 ($13 off): One of the best ways to schedule and control your holiday lights is with an outdoor plug. We tried this one and found it to be easy to connect with Siri, who doesn’t always play nice with smart devices.
Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable (240W, 6ft) for $12 ($5 off): Stocking up on things like cables is a Prime Day must-do — you’ll always need more of them so snag them while they're cheap. Anker’s cords are solid and this one is rated to 240W with a just-right, six-foot length.
Blink Mini 2 for $20 ($20 off): I’m currently testing this camera for an upcoming guide and I’ve been impressed with the accuracy of its person detection — though that feature requires a subscription, which you get to try free for 30 days.
Amazon Echo Pop Kids for $23 ($50 off): The Echo Pop Kids comes covered in either Marvel heroes or Disney princesses and ships with a year of access to Amazon Kids+.
Amazon Echo Dot for $23 ($27 off): Amazon is matching last year’s Black Friday low on the Echo Dot — and beating July’s Prime Day price, too. It’s the top smart speaker on our list and puts out impressive sound for its size. I rely on mine daily for weather updates and smart light control.
EarFun Free 2S Wireless Earbuds for $24.99 ($15 off): You don’t always get much for less than $25 when it comes to earbuds. But we found these to have a comfortable fit and lively sound. Good enough for a knock-around pair.
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender for $23 ($27 off): If you have Wi-Fi dead spots in your home and need a low-cost solution, grab one of these at half price. We tested this model and found it was easy to set up and reliable. We named it our budget pick in Engadget’s Wi-Fi extender guide.
Meross Dual Smart Plug for $25 ($5 off): For about a dollar less than its most recent low, you can snag a two pack of our favorite dual-outlet smart plugs. These work with all four smart home assistants and each outlet can be controlled individually.
Samsung Bar Plus USB flash drive (128GB) for $13 ($8 off): The Bar Plus is a basic but dependable thumb drive if all you need is a simple stick to hold and transfer files. Over the past year, we've seen it go for between $15 and $20.
Add a few more dollars to your budget and you can snag Apple’s new fast charger or a doorbell camera to keep tabs on your front porch while you’re at work. Here’s the best gadgets for less than $30 for Prime Day.
Anker 3-in-1 (10K Fusion) portable charger for $29.99 ($15 off): Here’s a low price — though only for Prime members — on one of the top picks in our power bank guide. It has a built-in cable and built-in wall prongs so all you need to bring is this handy brick and you can charge what needs charging, no extra cables required.
Ring Indoor Cam for $29.99 ($30 off): Snag this half price deal on an indoor smart camera that was updated just last year and helps you keep tabs on any room, with 1080p and color night vision. This sale matches its all-time low price.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids for $28 ($32 off): The kids version of the smart speaker is the same basic hardware, but this one comes with a cute cover, parental controls and a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+ with kid-friendly audiobooks and more.
Blink Video Doorbell for $29.99 ($30 off): You can keep tabs on your porch from anywhere for just $30. Just note that you’ll need to hardwire it or purchase the Sync Module if you want to see video on-demand, otherwise you’ll need to wait for a motion-detection alert.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $21 ($9 off): Previous sales have dropped this tracker to $21 — and right now, Prime members can snag that all-time low. We named it the best bluetooth tracker for Samsung users and we’re particularly fond of the smooth pebble-like design.
JBL Go 3 for $28 ($12 off): The smallest JBL speaker isn't on our list of the best speakers, but many other models from the speaker company have earned high praise from our reviewers. This deal is the lowest price we've seen on this pocket sized music machine, just note that only Prime members get the full discount.
Best Prime Day tech deals under $40
LEGO
Under the $40 mark, there are power banks, streaming devices and one of our favorite speakers. There’s even an advent calendar filled with stuff that’s way more exciting than chocolate.
LEGO Star Wars 2024 Advent Calendar for $36 ($9 off): The key to advent calendars is getting one early. Wait until November and the good ones are gone. That may be the case with this one, which has Leia and Luke in Christmas sweaters and is currently 20 percent off.
Apple iPhone 16 Silicone Case for $38 ($11 off): From year to year, Apple makes just enough tweaks to the design of the iPhone that last year’s case won’t work. Those with an iPhone 16 can save a few bucks on a case that accommodates the new design and Camera Control button.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 ($25 off): This is the cheapest price yet on Amazon’s most powerful streaming stick. It supports 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos audio, plus it lets you play Xbox games without a console (but with a subscription).
UGreen Revodok Pro 109 USB C Hub for $36 ($20 off): Our favorite overall USB-C hub is down to the lowest price we've tracked. It's got a good array of ports and an HDMI hookup that supports 4K at 60Hz.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K for $34 ($16 off): That’s about $6 more than the streamer sold for last Prime Day, but if you don’t want to wait and see whether it goes for less during Black Friday, grab it now and start enjoying our favorite streaming device for free and live content.
8Bitdo Ultimate 2.4G Wireless Controller for $39.99 ($10 of): We are of the opinion that 8Bitdo makes some of the best third-party controllers out there. This one comes with a charging deck and works with PC, Android, Steam Deck and Apple products.
Best Prime Day tech deals under $50
Chris Velazco/Engadget
Items in the priciest category on this list still aren't terribly expensive. For less than $50 you can get, for example, a smart display-and-bulb bundle. Pair them up and ask Alexa to turn on the light…and make it green. Then ask to turn it off again. Then on. Then off again at 10 pm. Then have it come on tomorrow, but pink. That’s worth at least $50 right there.
Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant for $48 ($12 off): I hated this little guy as a kid; it was always brushing the legs of my plumber and killing him. But this Lego set is so adorable (and nicely priced) that I can let go of any grudges.
Amazon Echo Spot and smart bulb for $45 ($35 off): Amazon’s revamped smart speaker has a half screen to show simple details like the weather, time and the song you’re listening to. The other half houses an improved speaker for music and chatting it up with Alexa.
Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam for $49.99 ($30 off): The motorized base can rotate 360 degrees to give you a complete view of the room and captures HD video. It has the same features as other indoor Ring cams, such as Live View and two-way talk.
Echo Show 5 with TP-Link smart color bulb for $49.99 (56 percent off): The screen here is small (measuring just 5.5 inches diagonally) but it’s enough to display your Alexa-enabled smart camera feeds and show you cooking videos. Plus the included smart bulb lets your Show do tricks right out of the box.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 for $48 ($32 off): We like the smallest speaker in our guide because it packs serious sound for its size. The audio isn’t the highest fidelity, but the rubbery strap is perfect for strapping onto a pack, bike handlebar or elsewhere.
Blink Outdoor 4 + Blink Mini 2 bundle for $49.99 ($90 off): A bundle with both an indoor and outdoor camera is 64 percent off, so you can start your home-monitoring system on the cheap. As an Amazon brand, Blink works best with other Alexa-enabled smart home devices.
Anker PowerConf C200 2K webcam for $48 ($12 off): The budget pick from our webcam guide is even more budget-friendly now. It offers good video quality and does a good job of making you appear clear in low-light settings.
Anker 100W USB C charger block for $39.99 ($35 off): When you need to recharge your devices quickly, you might need more than that 25-watt brick you have lying around. This one from Anker is speedy and just $40 for Prime members.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-prime-day-deals-under-50-in-the-final-hours-of-amazons-big-deal-days-091634975.html?src=rss
In the waning hours of Amazon's October Prime Day sale, we're still seeing plenty of discounts on products in just about every category — that includes kitchen tech and cooking gadgets. While prices may go lower on Black Friday, that won’t help you with Thanksgiving dinner prep. Or maybe you just need something now, and aren't worried about minor price fluctuations.
If so, here's a list of the best October Prime Day kitchen deals we could find on gadgets and accessories from brands like Instant Pot, Vitamix, Ninja and Breville and more. These are all pulled from the multiplebuyer’sguides, reviews and personal purchases conducted by the many food-obsessed editors on staff at Engadget.
Best Prime Day deals on air fryers and Instant Pots
Corsori
Of all the kitchen gadgets in my home, my favorite is my Instant Pot air fryer. Food I would otherwise microwave comes out crisp and far tastier in not much more time. In second place for cooking MVP has to be the classic Instant Pot, which I rely on to keep me in beans and curry. I picked up both after reading our buyer's guides (to air fryers and kitchen tech, respectively) — but I foolishly paid full price. Reader, don’t make my mistake.
Cosori 9-in-1 air frier for $85 ($35 off): This newer air fry from Cosori has nine preset cooking modes and a six-quart capacity that makes it just the right size to cook a good amount of food without taking up too much space on most countertops. It's the runner up in our guide.
Ninja DZ401 Foodi 10-quart air fryer for $200 ($30 off): Our recommendation for a good dual-zone air fryer is best for larger kitchens and big meals. It went as low as $150 for Black Friday last year, and may hit that price again this year, but if you don’t want to wait, the Foodi won’t disappoint.
As Engadget’s Avery Ellis found out recently, sous vide machines can do far more than just cook a steak. To use her words, they are “Millennial crockpots,” whipping up low-effort meals as needed — and fancier fare when called for.
Anova Culinary Sous Vide 3.0 for $120 ($80 off): This is the best overall sous vide in our buyer’s guide and this price beats the one from July. We like the easy digital controls and the high flow rate that maintains water temperature better. Also the companion app is stuffed with recipes.
For soups, sauces, soothies and more, there’s not really a substitute for a good blender. Prime Day is a fine opportunity to upgrade an aging model — or snag one for a home cook you know that could use the extra muscle. A juicer can make it easier (or at least tastier) to get your vitamins. And the one we recommend isn’t a pain to clean.
Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender for $330 ($50 off): We recommend this in our guide to kitchen gadgets thanks to the powerful motor that makes even the toughest ingredients smooth and creamy. This discount matches July’s sale, but the blender went as low as $290 just after Black Friday last year, and may do so again.
The best Prime Day deals on kitchen tech
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Here you’ll find all the harder-to-categorize gadgets that make home cooking simpler and more enjoyable. These are the smaller and more specialized devices we’ve tested that have proven their mettle in our own kitchens, or in the case of the pizza oven, the backyard.
Meater 2 Plus for $100 ($30 off): The Trager-owned company, Meater, updated its latest meat thermometer with additional sensors, increased heat resistance and overall durability. We liked what we saw in our official review.
Fellow Tally coffee scale for $148 ($37 off): Coffee snobs (a term we use with love) will enjoy the precision of the Tally, as we make clear in our guide to the best gifts for coffee lovers. $148 is the lowest price we've seen this year, just note that you’ll have to be a Prime member to get the deal.
Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle for $56 ($14 off): This matches July’s Prime Day price and a decent price on a kettle that earned a spot on one of our editors’ tiny countertop. It has different built-in temperature settings for different types of drinks and an elegant gooseneck pour.
SodaStream Art Bundle for $90 ($60 off): If you want to make soda at home, you may be interested in this Prime-member-only deal that's cheaper than ever. The set includes the sparkling water machine, two 60-liter CO2 cylinders, two dishwasher-safe bottles and two bottles of flavor drops.
Breville Juice Fountain Plus for $112 ($68 off): This is the best price of the year on the juicer that impressed us with its extraction abilities. It’s relatively easy to clean if you do it right away and the motor inside is remarkably powerful, though it takes up space.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 (14 ounce) for $98 ($52 off): The mug that magically keeps your hot beverage at the ideal temperature is now cheaper than its ever been — but only for Prime members. We recommend it in our guide to gifts for teachers, though any one can appreciates its utility (just please don't put it in the microwave).
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-amazon-prime-day-kitchen-deals-are-up-to-54-percent-off-during-october-big-deal-days-085751938.html?src=rss
During the last day of Amazon's October Prime Day sale, Apple's current-model iPad mini is still going for just $350. That's $30 less than it sold for during Prime Day in July and marks a new all-time low for the smallest Apple tablet. The 30-percent discount takes a $149 off the $499 sticker price. Though, you'll notice the deal only applies to Prime members, so you'll need to have that subscription in place to get the full discount.
It's important to note that a new iPad mini may be announced soon — possibly during a yet-to-be announced October Apple event. But that new tablet isn't likely to be discounted. Plus, what you buy now should get years of support, considering the 4th generation of the iPad mini got five years of OS and security updates after it was discontinued in 2019, and the 5th-gen iPad model is still supported after getting dropped from the official lineup in 2019.
We name the mini the best (and only) compact option in our guide to the best iPads. As far as where the model lands on Apple's tablet continuum, on one end there's the massive, 13-inch, M4-equipped, professionals-only, computer-replacing iPad Pro. Over at the other end is the mini. It's good at things like showing cooking videos, handling FaceTime calls and playing games — almost like a giant iPhone.
The diminutive slab has an 8.3-inch screen that's pretty easy to hold in one hand, thanks to bezels that split the difference between screen real estate and giving your fingers a comfortable place to grip. It's equipped with Apple’s A15 Bionic system on a chip (SoC), which makes it technically faster than the standard 10th-gen iPad. And It's compatible with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil USB-C.
When it came out back in 2021, Engadget's Valentina Palladino gave it a respectable review score of 89, praising the portability, that lead her to use it more often that she thought she would. She also found the updated 12MP front camera to be particularly nice for FaceTime calls, particularly with the Center Stage feature that keeps you in focus as you move about your space.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-newest-apple-ipad-mini-falls-to-a-new-low-of-350-for-october-prime-day-072832605.html?src=rss
In our review of the OnePlus 12, we said the smartphone's affordability was one of the best things about it. Now, thank's to Amazon's upcoming Prime Day sale, that's an even more compelling point. A 19 percent discount drops the price to $650 for the model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That's a a new all-time low (it's gone for $700 a few times previously). The model with 16GB/512GB is also $150 off and down to $750.
Other than being a great value for a flagship phone, the OnePlus also has solid cameras that take sharp and clear images. Just note that the camera module is strikingly bulky and you'll see a watermark from Hasselblad (the camera company OnePlus partners with) unless you opt to remove it.
The battery life is another win. We measured a lifespan of over 26 hours in our video rundown test. And after just 10 minutes of wall charging, the phone got from 10 to 55 percent. It refilled to 37 percent in the same amount of time sitting on a OnePlus wireless charger, which is available separately for $50.
The design is pleasingly "retro" (if you can apply that term to an aesthetic that harkens back a mere five years) with the rounded corners and tapered edges of something like the Galaxy S10+. The OnePlus 12 also takes notes from the past when it comes to AI — in that it mostly forgoes the buzzy new tech in favor of basic (but solid) smartphone functionality.
The screen and processor are fully modern, however, with a super bright and crisp 120Hz screen and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip that we found to offer fluid performance, despite clocking in a tad low on some benchmarks.
Elsewhere, Amazon is also selling the OnePlus Open for $1,300, which is a $400 discount on the phone we named the more affordable pick for a flagship foldable. That's a price the Open has hit previously, as recently as last month.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-oneplus-12-smartphone-drops-to-a-record-low-of-650-for-prime-day-220729473.html?src=rss
Meta announced its new mixed reality headset during the 2024 Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday. The Meta Quest 3S will start at $300 and represents a more affordable, yet higher-specced option between the $500 Quest 3 from last year and 2020's (soon to be discontinued) Quest 2.
The new model has the same processor as the Quest 3, as well as the same full-color external cameras to enable mixed reality features. The per-eye resolution matches that of the Quest 2, instead of the 4K pixel dimensions of the Quest 3. The 3S is also equipped with Fresnel lenses like the second model — the slimmer pancake lenses are reserved for the pricier set. Along with the new device, Meta also announced a price change for the existing Meta Quest 3; It now comes in just one storage capacity, 512GB, but that configuration goes for $500 instead of $650.
The Meta Quest 3 is our current pick for the best VR headset overall, so it'll be interesting to see whether the Meta Quest 3S improves upon the previous generation's winning formula of relative affordability combined with useful mixed reality, realistic VR immersion and support for a healthy library of games. Engadget's Devindra Hardawar gave the both the Quest 3 and Quest 2 positive reviews upon their debuts and our verdict on the Quest 3S will come soon, once we've had a chance to test the new set.
But if you can't wait until then, here's a quick rundown of how the specs of Meta's three consumer-grade VR headsets compare side by side (while omitting the overly expensive yet underwhelming Quest Pro, which will also go the way of Quest 2 once current inventory runs out). Pre-orders for the Meta Quest 3S open on September 25 and the headset will hits shelves October 15.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/the-meta-quest-3s-vs-meta-quest-2-and-meta-quest-3-finding-a-happy-medium-171820494.html?src=rss
Meta announced its new mixed reality headset during the 2024 Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday. The Meta Quest 3S will start at $300 and represents a more affordable, yet higher-specced option between the $500 Quest 3 from last year and 2020's (soon to be discontinued) Quest 2.
The new model has the same processor as the Quest 3, as well as the same full-color external cameras to enable mixed reality features. The per-eye resolution matches that of the Quest 2, instead of the 4K pixel dimensions of the Quest 3. The 3S is also equipped with Fresnel lenses like the second model — the slimmer pancake lenses are reserved for the pricier set. Along with the new device, Meta also announced a price change for the existing Meta Quest 3; It now comes in just one storage capacity, 512GB, but that configuration goes for $500 instead of $650.
The Meta Quest 3 is our current pick for the best VR headset overall, so it'll be interesting to see whether the Meta Quest 3S improves upon the previous generation's winning formula of relative affordability combined with useful mixed reality, realistic VR immersion and support for a healthy library of games. Engadget's Devindra Hardawar gave the both the Quest 3 and Quest 2 positive reviews upon their debuts and our verdict on the Quest 3S will come soon, once we've had a chance to test the new set.
But if you can't wait until then, here's a quick rundown of how the specs of Meta's three consumer-grade VR headsets compare side by side (while omitting the overly expensive yet underwhelming Quest Pro, which will also go the way of Quest 2 once current inventory runs out). Pre-orders for the Meta Quest 3S open on September 25 and the headset will hits shelves October 15.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/the-meta-quest-3s-vs-meta-quest-2-and-meta-quest-3-finding-a-happy-medium-171820494.html?src=rss
End-of-summer and back-to-school sales have mostly expired and, while we know Amazon will have another Prime Day sale in October, we don't know when just yet. That makes this just another week of our team hunting and searching for deals all across the world wide web. We actually found quite a few worth considering, with discounts on products pulled from our extensive and growing list of buyer's guides and reviews.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (in its original color) is $110 off and the LCD Steam Deck is seeing a rare discount. One of our favorite power banks from Baseus is on sale with a 40 percent coupon. And an Amazon Fire Tablet that makes a great communal device for casual use is just over half off. Here are the best deals from this week that you can still get today.
Discounts on Apple gear
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The iPhone 16 launch event revealed four new iPhones, one new Apple Watch and a new pair of AirPods. iPhones don't tend to get standalone discounts, but Apple is offering healthy trade-in deals, including up to $650 credit towards a new handset (if you happen to be done with your iPhone 15 Pro Max). A new Apple Watch Ultra 3 was not announced, but a new black color for the Ultra 2 was. If you're happy with the original titanium, you can grab a $100 discount on that model. The new AirPods 4 aren't discounted yet, but the AirPods Pro 2 are currently $60 off. That's about $20 more than their all-time low, but could still be worthwhile considering the useful upgrades a software update will enable in a month or so.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $689 ($110 off): The high-end performance smartwatch is down to $689 at Amazon, which is less than it went for during Amazon Prime Day in July. That's a savings of $110, which is one of the best discounts we've seen yet.
Apple M3 MacBook Pro for $1,300 ($200 off): The laptop we named the best MacBook for creatives is on sale at Amazon — also for less than it went for last Prime Day. The 14-inch base model comes with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM and usually goes for $1,500.
Apple black Magic Mouse for $85 ($15 off): The white version of Apple's popular accessory is still cheaper at $68, but the black colorway rarely goes on sale. Both mice pair quickly and are relatively light with responsive touch gestures.
Apple iPad (10th gen) for $299 ($50 off): The base model iPad didn't get a refresh in Apple's latest iPad release but it did get a permanent price drop from $449 to $349. It's selling for a further $50 below that at Amazon right now. That's a price it has hit often recently, but is still the cheapest we've seen on our favorite budget iPad.
Apple Pencil (1st gen) for $69 ($30 off): The 10th generation iPad is the only tablet in Apple's current lineup thats compatible with the first-generation stylus. Many of the older slabs still work with it too. We've seen this discount for a couple of weeks now, but it's still $10 below the average sale price. It's also discounted at Walmart.
Streaming subscription deals
I have at least three subscriptions that I need to cancel right now — yet I'm somehow tempted by the half off Paramount+ deal. Go figure. If you too are in the market for another monthly service plan, here are a few discounts to peruse.
Disney+ Basic plan (with ads) for $2 per month: New and returning customers can take advantage of the sale price for three months. That tier is usually $8 per month and includes all Disney+ content, but with commercial breaks. The plan will automatically renew — and the regular price increases to $10 per month starting on October 17.
Paramount+ annual subscriptions for 50 percent : The Essential plan (with ads) is only $30 for your first year, while the upgraded plan with access to Showtime, your local CBS station, and fewer ads costs just $60 for the year. The plans will automatically renew at the full price.
The big news in gaming hardware this week was Sony's announcement of the PS5 Pro coming in November with pre-orders starting on September 26. There's not likely to be any sort of discount on the hefty $700 price tag for a while. But here are three bits of recommended gaming gear that is on sale — including a rare discount on a Steam Deck.
Valve Steam Deck (LCD, 512GB) for $337 ($82 off): Our recommendation for the best handheld PC gaming system is seeing a rare sale on Steam. The entry level model with the older LCD screen and 64GB of storage is 15 percent off. You can take 25 percent off the 512GB model. The sale runs through September 26 while supplies last.
ASTRO Gaming A40 TR wired gaming headset for $100 ($30 off): Our pick for the best gaming headset is $30 off (though overall we recommend going with headphones and an external mic). This a price it's hit a number of times over the past year and isn't an all-time low. We found these to be comfortable with better sound than many headsets, but the mic performance is only OK.
Three of the personal audio devices we recommend are seeing some good discounts this week. Could be a good time to make sure you have a good burner pair for the gym (the Jlab Go), a pair you won't stress too much about leaving on the bus (the Anker buds) or a quality set of buds that'll encourage you through your next run (the Beats).
Beats Fit Pro Earbuds for $160 ($40 off): Our overall favorite pair of earbuds for running are on sale at Best Buy for $40 off. They've hit this price point often over the past few months, but it's a decent discount on buds we found to be comfortable with a secure fit and great audio quality.
JLab Go Air Sport for $20 ($10 off): Engadget’s favorite pair of budget running headphones are 33 percent off at Best Buy and direct from JLab, that's the same price it went for at Amazon during Prime Day. These buds surprised us with a combination of affordability, good sound quality and long battery life.
Tech accessory deals
Logitech
All the small things that boost the big ticket devices are the unsung heroes of the tech world. This week we found savings on some extra storage, a better webcam, and a charging station that can power up your phone, buds and watch at once.
Logitech Brio 500 Full HD Webcam for $93 ($37 off): The model that came out on top in our testing for the best webcams you can buy is seeing a 29 percent discount at Amazon. That's not an all-time low, but is the best price we've seen over the past few months. It has a wide field of view, auto-light correction and shoots 1080p video.
Anker Docking Station 575 for $140 ($30 off): This budget option got an honorable mention in our guide to the best docking stations and could make a good pick for use with Windows laptops. It didn't perform well when using a MacBook Pro. It's also fairly lightweight so might not stand up straight with heavy or a lot of cables attached.
Lexar Play microSD card (1TB) for $66.49 ($63.50 off): This high-capacity microSD card is nearly half off right now. It's compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck and other systems, making it a great option for additional storage.
Anker 100W USB-C (GaN II) fast charger for $40 ($35 off): If you need a wall charger that can keep up with your fast-charging devices, you might appreciate the 100 watts of power this Anker brick can deliver (just make sure you're pairing it with an cable that's up to the task).
Power bank deals
Amy Skorheim for Engadget
You're far less likely to end up with a dead phone if you buy (and remember to bring) a power bank. Here are two from our guide that are on sale this week.
Anker 6,600 mAh folding Qi2-certified power bank for $30 ($40 off): This folding bank from Anker is more than half price with a discount and a clickable $10 coupon. It should give most smartphones a full charge, plus a little extra. The design lets you use/watch your Mag-Safe iPhone in landscape orientation as it wirelessly charges.
We checked yet again this week — there's still no all-in-one housekeeper/butler robot that can manage your home for you. While we wait on this to happen, there are devices that can help you manage your lights, boost your Wi-Fi and keep your floors clean.
Kasa Smart Plug EP25 (4-pack) for $34 ($16 off): These are the best smart plugs you can buy, according to our guide on the subject. They work with all four smart home ecosystems, are easy to set up and stay reliably connected. This price is close to an all-time low and the cheapest we've seen this year.
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender for $23 ($27 off): The best budget Wi-Fi extender from our guide is more than half off at Amazon. It's basically sold for that price over the past few months, but it's nevertheless an all-time low and a good deal on a simple way to help eliminate dead zones in your home's wireless coverage.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $40 ($20 off): As it has been for most of the past year, Amazon's most powerful streaming stick is back down to $40. We like it as a retro gaming emulator and it even lets you play current games through XBox Game Pass cloud gaming. You could also use it for its original intention and stream shows.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-top-magsafe-compatible-power-banks-is-40-percent-off-plus-the-rest-of-this-weeks-best-tech-deals-173038865.html?src=rss
Last year, I experienced my first iPhone launch cycle at Engadget and the fanfare got to me. It seemed I couldn’t call myself a respectable member of the tech world if I didn’t own any of the shiny new tech. So I headed to the Apple store on the iPhone 15’s opening weekend and put my name in to buy one. As I waited my turn, I idly played with the display model. Holding it up to my iPhone 11, my enthusiasm dimmed. A bright grid of apps, softly rounded corners, one button on the right, two buttons and a toggle on the left… These two phones were the same. Sure, the pill-shaped thing on the screen was new, but, so what?
Instead of splurging, I left the store with my old phone. One year later, as this week’s iPhone 16 event approached, the thought of upgrading my phone hadn’t really crossed my mind. I was more concerned with the real-time transcription abilities I’d need to help cover the event.
But then Apple went and announced a brand new feature for the iPhone 16. While rumors suggested the DSLR-like focus button (now known as the Camera Control) would grace only the Pro models, every iPhone announced this year actually got the fancy new thing. And the Action button from the 15 Pro would now be on the base model as well. Additionally, there’s a new “fusion camera” that combines a 48MP sensor with a 2x telephoto lens. I may not know what that really means, but anything that might help me take better pictures of cityscapes is a plus.
Of course, the new button was likely added because it’ll serve as the interface for October’s upcoming Visual Intelligence, Apple’s AI-fueled feature that interprets the real world through the lens of Apple Intelligence. Given that shareholders insist AI’s buzz be shoved into everything, it’s not surprising that Apple’s best selling product would have all the tools it needs to embrace the tech fully. AI isn’t something I need, but two new buttons? And one that seems potentially pretty cool? It’s enough to lure me to upgrade.
I’m not much of a shopper. I wear six-year old t-shirts, own seven pairs of shoes and still carry an iPhone 11. I’m not necessarily proud of these facts; the experience of buying A New Thing often just leaves me cold, particularly when the stuff I have still works just fine.
Up until now, every iPhone I’ve replaced was for a good reason: Three years in, the battery on my iPhone 3GS stopped holding a charge. After the same amount of time, my iPhone 7 got so slow I’d forget what I was trying to do before an app would open.
Conspiracy theories once abounded that Apple purposely built planned obsolescence into their handsets, but I think a saner reason was that battery and chip technology just weren’t where they are now. With the release of iOS 17, Apple dropped feature update support for the iPhone 8, but a security update went out as recently as last month. That’s nearly seven years of reasonable use (and I have family members with iPhone 8s who have no plans to upgrade anytime soon).
My iPhone 11 outside its case. Still quite shiny.
Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
I got my iPhone 11 in early 2020 and, four and a half years later, it’s still an entirely serviceable device. I can play my daily games, waste time on Reddit, keep in contact with friends and family using their various preferred methods and take pictures of tall buildings and overhead wires that turn out pretty decent. The battery won’t last through a whole day if I’m relying heavily on navigation, though that’s not a huge problem for me — I have far too many power banks laying around to ever end up with a dead phone. But it won’t last forever.
The new iPhone 16 costs $799 — the same price as the iPhone 15 went for — and it comes in a new ultramarine color. It’s sort of a purply royal blue that I’m very drawn to and represents just the sort of superfluous, consumerist frivolity that provokes post-shopping dejection. But it’s so pretty! Granted, I'll never really see that deep, blue-hour shade. The moment I get this new phone, it’s going directly into a case, where it will stay until the next time I upgrade — maybe around 2030 or so.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/my-iphone-11-is-perfectly-fine-but-the-new-buttons-on-the-iphone-16-are-compelling-133045569.html?src=rss
Before announcing new handsets during the It's Glowtime iPhone 16 launch event in Cupertino, Apple execs talked up the company's latest suite of smartwatches. Rumors suggested we could get an Apple Watch X instead of the Apple Watch Series 10, if the company were to borrow the naming scheme from its 2017 iPhone. But that didn't happen, it's indeed the Apple Watch Series 10.
In addition to the flagship wearable, we also saw the announcement of a new finish for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Unfortunately, after a two-year wait, the Apple Watch SE has not been updated to a third generation. Here's how you can pre-order the new Apple Watch Series 10, which should start shipping on Sept 20.
A new Apple Watch SE was not announced during the event, though it remains part of the official lineup. Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still the company’s most recent high-end wearable, only getting an additional shiny black colorway instead of a new model.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/how-to-pre-order-the-new-apple-watch-series-10-173004323.html?src=rss