Cyber Monday brings steep discounts on SSDs and microSD cards
Buy Crucial MX500 (1TB) at Amazon - $95
Sabrent Rocket Nano (1TB) - $120
Sabrent’s Rocket Nano portable SSD in 1TB is down to $120, which is a record low for that capacity. We like it’s compact, aluminum-alloy design that makes it smaller than a credit card and its USB 3.2 interface that allows for speeds up to 1,000 MB/s. It also comes with USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables so you can use it with just about any machine.
Buy Rocket Nano (1TB) at Amazon - $120
Sabrent Rocket Gen4 SSD (1TB) - $150
The excellent Sabrent Rocket Gen4 internal SSD returns to a record low of $150 for Cyber Monday. It’s a great bang-for-your-buck SSD even at its normal price, but it’s even better now that you can get it on sale. In addition to a standard M.2 2280 form factor, the Rocket SSD should reach read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 4,400 MB/s when paired with a Gen4 motherboard.
Buy Sabrent Rocket Gen4 (1TB) at Amazon - $150
Samsung T7 Touch (1TB) - $170
Samsung’s T7 Touch has dropped to $170 for the 1TB model, which is $60 off its normal price. Samsung debuted the T7 series earlier this year and the T7 Touch includes a fingerprint sensor on the portable SSD for extra security. Not only is the T7 nearly twice as fast as the previous T5 series, but it also has password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption.
Buy T7 Touch SSD (1TB) at Amazon - $160 Buy T7 Touch SSD (1TB) at Samsung - $160
Crucial X8 portable SSD (1TB) - $130
Crucial’s X8 portable SSD is down to an all-time low of $130 for a 1TB model. It has read speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and it works with almost any device that has a USB-C 3. 1 Gen 2 or USB-A connector. We also like its aluminum unibody that’s designed to be drop-, shock- and vibration-proof.
Buy Crucial X8 (1TB) at Amazon - $130
Samsung EVO Select microSDXC card (256GB) - $25
Samsung’s EVO Select microSDXC card in 256GB is down to $25, which is $3 cheaper than it was during Amazon Prime Day last month. While you can find microSD cards for less, EVO is a reliable brand and we like you also get a full-sized adapter with this one. There are also discounts on the same cards in 512GB and 128GB capacities.
Buy EVO Select (256GB) at Amazon - $25
SanDisk microSDXC card for Nintendo Switch (128GB) - $20
This is a record low price for SanDisk’s officially licensed Nintendo Switch microSD card. Do you need an officially licensed card? No — in fact, the Samsung EVO card listed above should also work just fine with Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite consoles. But some will inevitably prefer to have a card with that little mushroom logo on it, and if you or someone you love is that person, this deal should do the trick.
Buy SanDisk Nintendo Switch card at Amazon - $20
SanDisk iXpand flash drive (128GB) - $40
If you need to offload some photos from your iPhone but also keep them fairly accessible, SanDisk’s iXpand flash drive is a good way to do so. This handy drive in the 128GB capacity is on sale for $40 right now, which is $20 off its normal price. It fits into the Lightning port on your iPhone or iPad, allowing you to transfer photos, videos, documents and other digital stuff over to it quickly and easily. On the flip side, it has a USB-A connector so you can then move that information to your computer whenever you need to. If you like the portability of a flash drive like that but need a USB-C port instead, SanDisk’s Ultra Dual Drive in 256GB is discounted to $33 right now.
Buy iXpand flash drive (128GB) at Amazon - $40 Buy iXpand flash drive (128GB) at Best Buy - $40 Buy Ultra Dual Drive (256GB) at Amazon - $33
SanDisk Extreme portable SSD (500GB) - $90
SanDisk’s tough and tiny Extreme portable SSD is down to $90 for the 500GB model, which is $60 off its normal price. While it’s possible to pay a bit less for the same storage capacity with other brands, you’re paying for the added protection that this drive has. Not only is it small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it’s also IP55 water- and dust-resistant and it can withstand drops from up to two meters. It also has password protection and 256‐bit AES hardware encryption. The newer PRO model, which can reach speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, is also discounted to $200 for a 1TB model.
Buy Extreme portable SSD at Amazon - $90 Buy Extreme PRO portable SSD at Amazon - $200
Crucial P5 NAND NVMe SSD (1TB) - $120
Crucial’s P5 NAND NVMe SSD (1TB) has dropped to a record low of $120. This drive can reach sequential read speeds of up to 3,400MB/s and its M.2 format makes it a good option for both desktop and laptop users. If you’re looking for a storage solution that can handle hardcore gaming, intense creative work and the like, this internal SSD fits the bill.
Buy Crucial P5 (1TB) at Amazon - $120
Get the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers by visiting our deals homepage and following @EngadgetDeals on Twitter.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/best-ssd-micro-sd-card-storage-deals-cyber-monday-2020-145944311.html
Xiaomi overtook Apple in smartphone sales last quarter
Gartner added that the overall smartphone space was in better shape than it was earlier in 2020. Sales were still down 5.7 percent, but that was much better than the 20 percent drops from the first and second quarters of the year. “Near normal” conditions in China helped restore production, and there were also hints of markets reviving in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
As for why Xiaomi surged ahead? It comes down to a perfect storm of factors. On top of China’s improved conditions, Xiaomi took advantage of Huawei’s decline. Apple, meanwhile, delayed the iPhone 12 launch until October and missed out on its usual September surge. The fourth quarter results could be another story — and you might not see this happen again, especially with Huawei fading away.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/xiaomi-overtakes-apple-smartphone-sales-q3-2020-153304013.html
‘Doom Eternal’ hits the Nintendo Switch on December 8th
We weren’t necessarily expecting 2016’s beloved first-person shooter Doom to show up on the Nintendo Switch, but turns out id Software and Panic Button knew what they were doing. The whole experience worked well, no mean feat given that Doom was designed with the PS4 and Xbox One in mind. And now, we have good news for Switch fans who have been waiting to give Doom Eternal a shot: Nintendo announced this morning that the Doom sequel would hit the switch on December 8th, just over a week from now.
id Software made it clear last year that Doom Eternal would come to the Switch after it hit the PS4, Xbox One and PC, but we had no idea when, so this is a bit of surprise news for anyone looking for a new Switch title this winter. We haven’t played the Switch port yet, but given how successful the port of 2016’s Doom was, this is probably worth checking out if you enjoyed the earlier game. It might not look quite as detailed as the Xbox One or PS4 versions, but the core experience should be intact, and that’s definitely a good thing.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/doom-eternal-nintendo-switch-december-153800301.html
GM has ditched plans to build Nikola’s hybrid fuel-cell pickup
Under the terms of the original $2 billion deal, which this agreement supplants, GM was going to take an 11 percent stake in Nikola. The reworked agreement follows fraud allegations that have been laid against the company and its founder and former executive chairman Trevor Milton. Two women have accused him of sexual assault, CNBC reports.
The fate of the Badger is unclear. Nikola said that the project depended on having a partnership with a manufacturer. It will refund all order deposits for the pickup.
“The Badger is on pause,” a Nikola spokesperson told Engadget. “Heavy trucks remain our core business and we are 100 percent focused on hitting our development milestones to bring clean hydrogen and battery-electric commercial trucks to market.”
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/general-motors-nikola-badger-deal-fuel-cell-hybrid-hydrotec-ultimum-154521776.html
FCC chairman Ajit Pai is resigning on January 20th
FCC chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he’s leaving the commission as of January 20th, 2021, the same day that President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in. It’s not a major surprise, as such appointees often resign as a new administration takes over; former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler left his position when the Trump administration took over back in 2017.
Of course, Pai will always be remembered for his infamous decision to strip net neutrality protections that were put in place under the Obama presidency. The FCC voted along party lines in late 2017 to remove the “Title II” classification for broadband service, which then allowed internet service providers to practice blocking, throttling and paid prioritization as long as they disclosed those practices. It’s not clear yet who will take over at the FCC, but it’s entirely possible that a new chairperson under the Biden administration will work to bring back net neutrality protections. Whether or not those come from once again classifying broadband under Title II remains to be seen.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/fcc-chairman-ajit-pai-resigns-155414224.html
10 Cyber Monday deals you need to know about
MSRP: $149 | Discount: 66% | Sale price: $50
Spectre is TRNDlabs' most powerful and simple-to-operate drone yet. It offers an unprecedented level of control and stability with four high-speed propellers and an HD camera that makes the best smartphones envious. You can explore the world around you with its impressive 50-meter range and watch the feed live via the Spectre app. Between 360º flips and a first-person view, this drone is perfect for taking beautiful photos of hard-to-reach places, as well as capturing unbelievable footage of mid-air drone acrobatics.
2. PIQO Powerful 1080p Mini Projector
MSRP: $799 | Discount: 73% | Sale price: $215
Enjoy an immersive movie night with family or friends with the PIQO HD 1080p Projector. This device projects to a massive 240" with the sharpest picture you've ever seen, as well as comes with built-in HiFi speakers that eliminate the need for portable audio devices. Using WiFi or Bluetooth, PIQO can cast anything from any of your devices onto any surface. It's a fantastic way to enhance your viewing experience, in other words, no matter if it's day or night.
3. Altec Lansing ALT-500 Turntable
MSRP: $150 | Discount: 56% | Sale price: $65
The ALT-500 is a three-speed belt-driven turntable that allows you to indulge in music in various ways. You can play your vinyl collection with this minimalist modern turntable, stream your favorite music through this device since it has built-in stereo speakers or connect it to your at-home system thanks to its RCA outputs. It also makes a great decorative piece and conversation starter.
MSRP: $99 | Discount: 65% | Sale price: $35
Watch your home from anywhere with the Hombli Smart Indoor Camera. This camera gives you peace of mind with 24/7 home security since it features 1080p HD video, night vision, two-way audio and storage with a MicroSD card or cloud service. Even better, it's a breeze to use this smart camera. Control, monitor and schedule the smart indoor camera from anywhere in the world with the companion app.
5. PhiGolf: Mobile Home Smart Golf Simulator with Swing Stick
MSRP: $249 | Sale price w/ CODE GOLF10: $190
Sometimes, you can't make it out to the golf course because of bad weather or a busy schedule. PhiGolf is an entertaining golf simulator where you control the gameplay with your real golf swing. It features state-of-the-art sensor-and-swing tech to immerse yourself in a couple of rounds of golf from home so that you always have the chance to improve your swing.
MSRP: $149 | Discount: 88% | Sale price: $18
Your best protection against false claims when an accident does happen, whether it's a minor fender bender or something more serious, is with video evidence that captures the accident in real-time. This dash cam provides you with an extra layer of protection whenever you hop in your car and hit the road. With a seamless loop design, an energy-saving on-and-off system, and a parking assist monitor, you can rest easy knowing that you will capture and store the video evidence you need to effectively fight false claims.
7. Mobile Pixels DUEX Pro Portable Dual Monitor
MSRP: $249 | Sale price w/ CODE SAVEDUEXPRO: $180
This ultra-portable laptop accessory is the perfect solution for enhancing productivity today and in the future (think coffee shops, business trips, etc.). The DUEX Pro is a completely portable dual-screen laptop accessory that helps boost your productivity by up to 50% and allows for efficient multitasking. It's simple to use and provides flexible rotation and dual-sided sliding with 270º rotation, as well as the option for a 180º presentation mode.
8. ChronoWatch Multi-Function Smart Watch
MSRP: $199 | Discount: 82% | Sale price: $35
Get all the smartwatch functionality you need and the style you want for a fraction of the price with a ChronoWatch. It has 16 functions perfect for personal fitness and convenient communication, including an activity tracker, a sleep monitor, a blood pressure monitor, SMS/call notifications and more. Equally valuable, the smartwatch comes with a 1.4" colorful display and full capacitive touch supporting taps and swipes, so it's effortless to use. And with just three hours of charge, this smartwatch lasts for up to seven days.
9. EarFun Air True Wireless BT 5 Earbuds
MSRP: $99 | Discount: 57% | Sale price: $43
A pair of EarFun Air True Wireless BT 5 Earbuds is a perfect companion for working out, daily commutes, streaming music and answering calls. These wireless earbuds feature custom-built composite cellulose drivers for superior sound and enhanced four-microphone call technology. Meaning, you enjoy music and podcasts with crystal clear audio and get an excellent calling experience thanks to improved transparent voice quality. Lastly, the earbuds plus the included charging case provide you with up to 35 hours of battery life on the move, perfect for anyone who travels or spends days away from home at a time.
10. TREBLAB X5 True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (2020 Upgraded)
MSRP: $99 | Discount: 50% | Sale price: $50
These buds, updated to keep up with your needs, are designed to make listening to your favorite music while exercising, traveling or working an absolute dream. The pair uses expandable silicone-tips to reduce outside noise to deliver clear, crisp stereo-quality sound through its advanced 8.2mm drivers. With the included charging case, X5 lasts up to 35 hours so that you can enjoy long-lasting music and quality calls. User-friendly and featuring extremely high-quality sound, these earbuds have a solid 4.3/5-star rating on Amazon.
Prices subject to change.
Engadget is teaming up with StackSocial to bring you deals on the latest headphones, gadgets, tech toys, and tutorials. This post does not constitute editorial endorsement, and we earn a portion of all sales. If you have any questions about the products you see here or previous purchases, please contact StackSocial support here.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/must-know-cyber-monday-deals-160038917.html
Samsung’s unannounced ‘Galaxy Buds Pro’ surface at the FCC
Samsung isn’t waiting long to update the Galaxy Buds lineup, and its next model might focus on one rather important upgrade. 9to5Google reports that MySmartPrice has uncovered a certification revealing an upcoming “Galaxy Buds Pro,” with a new FCC filing for the same model number supporting those claims. Neither entry says much by itself beyond hints of a Galaxy Buds Live-style square battery case, but there may already be clues as to how the true wireless earbuds will improve.
SamMobile claims the future earbuds will “likely” add active noice cancellation (ANC) to the design you’ve seen for the Galaxy Buds and Buds+ available today. That’s not a big shock when the Buds Live already had ANC, but the technology could be much more effective in the Pro given the better in-ear seal. This would be a more direct competitor to Apple’s AirPods Pro.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-buds-pro-anc-and-fcc-162206755.html
The best laptop deals we found for Cyber Monday
Buy XPS 13 Touch (2019) at Dell - $700 Buy XPS 13 Touch (2020) at Dell - $1,450
ASUS Zephyrus ROG G15 - $1,100
One of our favorite gaming laptops, the ASUS Zephyrus ROG, is on sale for $1,100 for Cyber Monday. This is the 15-inch version with a Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and an FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate. While we generally prefer the 14-inch version of this laptop for it’s slightly more compact design, getting more screen real estate isn’t a bad thing — especially when you can do so for less.
Buy Zephyrus ROG G15 at Amazon - $1,100
HP Envy x360 13 - $750
You can get a powerful version of the HP Envy x360 13 for $250 off today, which brings the final price down to $750. It includes a Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 13.3-inch FHD touchscreen, and you’ll also get Alexa built in and a camera shutter over the webcam.
Buy Envy x360 13 at Best Buy - $750
ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo - $1,900
If you’re looking for a more unique laptop, the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo is $400 off, bringing it down to $1,900. For that price, you’re getting a 15.6-inch 4K OLED touchscreen, a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD and NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics. But the Zenbook Pro Duo’s kicker is its 14-inch 4K “ScreenPad,” which is a second display that sits just above the keyboard. We gave this notebook a score of 82 when it first came out for its lovely OLED display, powerful performance and and excellent keyboard.
Buy Zenbook Pro Duo at Amazon - $1,900
Razer Blade 15 Base - $1,450
A powerful gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15 Base, is down to $1,450 right now, which is only $50 more than the record low price we’ve seen it hit before. You’ll get a 10th-gen Core i7 processor in this model, along with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, NVIDIA RTX 2060 graphics and a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 144Hz refresh rate. It may still be a lot to spend on a notebook, but for what you get, it’s a great value at this sale price.
Buy Razer Blade 15 Base at Amazon - $1,450
Galaxy Book Flex - $1,200
The Galaxy Book Flex is one of the prettiest laptops Samsung has come out with in a while and now a high-end model is on sale for $1,200, or $200 off its normal price. This one has a 10-gen Core i7 processor, 12GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 15.6-inch QLED touchscreen. We gave the Flex a score of 87 for its lovely design, comfortable keyboard, built-in S Pen and a trackpad that can charge other devices wirelessly.
Buy Galaxy Book Flex at Best Buy - $1,200
Get the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers by visiting our deals homepage and following @EngadgetDeals on Twitter.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/best-laptop-deals-cyber-monday-2020-163059944.html
Facebook buys customer service and chatbot startup Kustomer
As for the future of Kustomer, it sounds like Facebook will exercise a light touch on the company. “Facebook plans to support Kustomer’s operations by providing the resources it needs to scale its business, improve and innovate its product offering, and delight its customers,” the company said. Facebook is also quick to note that businesses won’t have to switch to Kustomer to manage their online communication tools. “We want businesses of all sizes and across all industries to discover the value of messaging — and having a vibrant partner ecosystem is critical in providing our customers with choices.”
As the WSJ points out, Facebook is no stranger to making splashy deals, having bought up more than 100 companies and startups over its 16-year history. Its two most well-known acquisitions — that of Instagram in $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014 — have had a profound effect on the landscape of the internet. Those same purchases also recently put the company under the spotlight of the Federal Trade Commission, which announced an antitrust investigation into the company — as well as Apple, Amazon and Google — at the start of the year.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/facebook-kustomer-acqusition-175014441.html
Instagram will highlight users who donate to nonprofits on Giving Tuesday
A few ways to give back on Instagram during the holiday szn ❤️
✨ Use the donation sticker and your story will get added to a shared #GivingTuesday story where friends can see the good you’re doing. https://t.co/Gg9c3GsxqL pic.twitter.com/E6oPQtRZtk
— Instagram (@instagram) November 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Instagram is working on a more permanent way for you to create and share fundraisers on your feed. You'll be able to link to eligible nonprofits directly in a feed post, rather than having to direct your followers to a link on your profile or bio. Instagram plans to start testing this feature soon.
There are several ways for users to show support for local businesses through the app, Instagram noted. It has some shopping features through which you can buy items from a local retailer or restaurant. You might also use the Support Small Business and Buy Black stickers in your stories to encourage your followers to do just that.
🙌 Try a new way to share fundraisers for nonprofits in feed.
We'll start testing this feature soon so you can link to nonprofits directly in your post. pic.twitter.com/i2hG6XrR8e
— Instagram (@instagram) November 30, 2020
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/instagram-giving-tuesday-nonprofits-feed-stories-sticker-175556156.html