mercredi 12 octobre 2022

The best Prime Day deals on Amazon devices

The Kindle Paperwhite lying on a bunch of physical books while turned on. — *Amazon’s latest, ad-supported Kindle Paperwhite starts at $99.99 right now instead of $139.99.* | Photo by Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge

If you missed out on the steep discounts we saw on Amazon devices during Prime Day, it appears you have another chance. That’s because many of the same deals we saw in July are currently resurfacing in the run-up to Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale (aka, Prime Day 2.0).

What’s more, Amazon’s current discounts are some of the steepest we’ve seen this year, which isn’t all that surprising given Amazon recently announced a slate of new devices during its fall hardware event. That makes now a good time to snag an older Echo Show model, the last-gen Echo Dot, or even Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite.

Like with our Prime Day coverage, we’ve curated a list of the best discounts available on Amazon devices ahead of Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale. We’ll also be updating this piece as more deals become available and others fall out of stock, so keep checking back.

Amazon Prime Early Access Sale deals

The best Prime Day Kindle deals

Amazon’s latest ad-supported Kindle Paperwhite with 8GB of storage is on sale for $99.99 instead of $139.99 at Amazon and Target, which is just $5 shy of the discount we saw during Prime Day. You can also buy the ad-free model for $119.99 ($40 off). Read our review.
If you prefer to buy the newer Kindle Paperwhite model with 16GB of storage, you can buy it with ads for $104.99 ($45 off) or in an ad-free configuration for $124.99 ($45 off). The ad-free Signature Edition with 32GB of storage is also on sale for $134.99 ($55 off).
Amazon is discounting last year’s kid-friendly Paperwhite, too. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids, as it is known, is on sale right now with 8GB of storage for $109.99 or with 16GB of storage for $114.99, which are some of the best prices we’ve seen on the popular e-reader.
The Kindle Oasis comes with page-turning buttons and is currently on sale with ads and 8GB of storage for $179.99 ($70 off), while the ad-free model is discounted to $199.99 ($70 off). You can also buy it with ads and 32GB of storage for $199.99 ($80 off) or without ads for $219.99 ($80 off). Additionally, Amazon is selling the LTE-enabled Kindle Oasis with 32GB of storage for $269.99 ($80 off). Read our review.

The best Prime Day smart display deals

Amazon’s second-gen Echo Show 8 — our favorite smart display — is currently on sale at Amazon and Target for just $69.99 ($60 off). ~~Amazon is also offering Prime subscribers a discounted bundle that includes~~ ~~two Cync A19 smart bulbs~~, ~~saving you $83.99~~. The latest Echo Show 8 offers all the standard features you’d expect from an Alexa-enabled display along with the ability to make Zoom calls, stream shows, and more. Read our review.
Amazon’s wall-mountable Echo Show 15 is $169.99 during this sale ($80 off). It was already handy for watching along with recipes, but it’ll soon be even handier as it will be able to operate as a Fire TV device.
Amazon is currently discounting the first-gen Echo Show 8 from 2019 to $54.99 ($55 off), though it’s not as fast as the latest model and doesn’t center you in the frame during video calls. Read our review.
For a smaller smart display, look to Amazon’s second-gen Echo Show 5, which is on sale with an Amazon Smart Plug for $34.99 ($50 off). ~~You can also~~ ~~pick it up with two A19 smart bulbs for the same price~~ ~~if you’re a Prime member, saving you $73.99~~. The Show 5 makes for a good bedside companion given its small stature and simple functionality, though it lacks support for Zoom calls. Read our review.
You can also buy the kid-friendly version of the second-gen Echo Show 5 with parental controls for just $39.99 ($55 off) or with a color-changing Echo Glow smart light for $50.99 ($73.99 off).
You can buy Amazon’s Echo Show 15 with a second-gen Echo Show 5 for $204.98 ($130 off). Unlike most Echo smart displays, the 15.6-inch Echo Show 15 is a wall-mounted display you can use as a bulletin board or a decent TV for your kitchen. Read our review.

The best Prime Day Echo and Echo Dot deals

The fourth-gen Echo comes with a built-in smart hub and offers great sound quality. You can also use it to set alarms, control other smart home products, and carry out a host of other actions. Right now, the spherical smart speaker is on sale for just $59.99 ($40 off), matching its best price to date. Read our review.
The third-gen Echo Dot, offers decent sound and the same Alexa functionality. Prime members can buy it right now with a month of Amazon Music Unlimited for $9.98 ($39 off) or with a free Amazon Smart Plug for $17.99 (about $47 off). Read our review.
Amazon is offering a discounted bundle on its fifth-gen Echo Dot, which includes a temperature sensor and doubles as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender. For a limited time, you can buy the new Dot with an Eero Mesh Wifi router for $99.99 ($19 off), though you won’t get it until after the smart speaker launches on October 20th.

The best Prime Day Fire TV and Fire TV Stick deals

You can buy Amazon’s excellent Fire TV Stick 4K Max at Amazon ~~and~~ ~~Target~~ for just $34.99 ($20 off) right now. The streaming stick offers Wi-Fi 6 support, a large app selection, and better performance than its last-gen predecessor. Read our review.
If you prefer something more affordable, you can also buy the Fire TV Stick 4K for $24.99 at Amazon and Target, which is a 50 percent discount. It doesn’t feature Wi-Fi 6 support, but it does support Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10 Plus. Read our review.
Amazon’s Fire TV Cube functions as both a streaming device and an Alexa-enabled smart speaker. Normally $119.99, it’s on sale on Amazon for $59.99. Just note this is the last-gen model, which differs from the forthcoming one in that it lacks an HDMI input and support for Wi-Fi 6E. Read our guide to the best streaming devices.
Amazon is currently discounting various configurations of its last-gen Fire TV Omni lineup. Right now, for example, you can buy the 55-inch model for $509.99 instead of $559.99, which is a far cry from the TV’s all-time low of $308.34. The 4K TV isn’t as capable as the forthcoming Fire TV Omni QLED, but it offers good integration with Amazon Alexa and support for two-way video calling. Just keep in mind that only the 65-inch and 75-inch models support Dolby Vision. Read our review.

The best Prime Day Fire tablet deals

Of all the budget-friendly tablets in Amazon’s current Fire lineup, the Fire HD 10 is the one we typically recommend thanks to its sharp 1080p display and relatively good performance. You can currently buy it with ads and 32GB of storage for $74.99 at Amazon and Target, a 50 percent discount, or without ads at Amazon for $89.99 ($75 off). Read our review.
You can also buy the ad-supported, 32GB Fire HD 10 Plus — which features support for wireless charging and more RAM than the base model — for $104.99 ($75 off) at Amazon. The ad-free model is also on sale at Amazon for $119.99 ($75 off).
If you prefer a cheaper tablet, the 32GB Fire HD 8 is on sale at Amazon and Target with ads for $44.99 ($45 off), or without ads at Amazon for $59.99 ($45 off). You can also buy the ad-supported Fire HD 8 Plus for $54.99 ($55 off) at Amazon. The latter charges faster than the base model, supports wireless charging, and features 3GB of RAM. The ad-free model is also on sale at Amazon for $69.99 ($55 off). Read our Fire HD 8 Plus review.

The best Prime Day home security deals

Ring’s hardwired Ring Video Doorbell is on sale at Amazon ~~and~~ ~~Target~~ for $39.99 ($25 off), while the battery-powered model from 2020 is on sale at Amazon for $69.99 ($30 off). Each comes equipped with a 1080p HD video doorbell, night vision support, and custom motion detection zones, though you’ll need to pay extra to access some Ring features.
You can also buy Ring’s Floodlight Cam Wired Plus, which also comes with a 1080p camera and custom motion detection zones, for $139.99 ($60 off) at Amazon and Target. Again, Ring features like video recording, however, are only available if you pay an additional fee.
Amazon is currently discounting a host of budget-friendly Blink cameras. For example, you can pick up a Blink Outdoor camera with an add-on solar charger mount for $74.98 ($55 off). The camera comes with support for motion detection and 1080p video.
If you’re looking for an indoor camera, Amazon is selling a two-pack of wired Blink Minis for $29.99 ($35 off). Read our Blink Mini review.

The best Prime Day Eero deals

Eero’s newest router, the Eero Pro 6E, is back on sale for $179. That’s a $120 discount on the router, which is also Eero’s first to support Wi-Fi 6E and offer support faster than gigabit speeds. Read our review.
If you can get by with slower speeds, the Eero Pro 6 from 2020 is on sale by itself for $148 ($81 off), as a two-pack for $259 ($140 off), or as a three-pack for $389 ($210 off). It’s an older model but it still supports Wi-Fi 6, which is useful given most devices don’t support Wi-Fi 6E yet. Like the Pro 6E, it also comes with two ethernet ports and can cover up to 2,000 square feet. Read our review.
The Eero 6 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh router can cover up to 1,500 square feet and is suitable for those with under 500Mbps speeds. For a limited time, it’s discounted on Amazon to just $75 ($14 off), one of its best prices to date.

Miscellaneous deals

You can pick up a pair of Amazon’s second-gen Echo Buds with a wired charging case for $69.99 ($50 off). These are a solid pair of true wireless earbuds that sound good, offer noise cancellation, and feature Amazon Alexa support. You can also buy them with a wireless charging case for $20 more. Read our review.
Amazon’s Smart Plug is on sale right now for just $12.99, which is a 50 percent discount. Just be aware this plug is only compatible with Alexa, and you can only use it indoors.
Amazon’s Luna Controller is on sale for $39.99 ($30 off). The controller works with Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming service and comes with a separate Wi-Fi connection.

Best podcasts of the week: Kim Kardashian, reality star turned legal activist, pivots to true crime

In this week’s newsletter: the reality star examines the case of Kevin Keith in The System – can she pull off another rebrand? Plus: five of the best podcasts about money

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Kim Kardashian’s The System: The Case of Kevin Keith
Spotify, episodes weekly

mardi 11 octobre 2022

‘I love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it’: will jail silence Jeremy Vine’s stalker?

Alex Belfield’s online harassment made life misery for BBC presenters Jeremy Vine, Liz Green and many others. Why did it take so long to bring him to justice? Why do the four women involved feel let down? And what did he mean by: ‘We will be back’?

When Alex Belfield was sent to prison for five and a half years last month for online stalking, his accusers cried with relief. Finally, respite from what for some had been a decade of near-constant abuse. No more waking up in the middle of the night filled with dread about what he might have said about them to his then 373,000 YouTube subscribers or in bitter emails to their bosses or clients.

For the TV presenter Jeremy Vine, the most high-profile target of arguably Britain’s most prolific troll, it would be the first time in several years that he could host a live phone-in without worrying that one of Belfield’s acolytes would hijack the programme to confront him with Belfield’s lies.

The Verge Guide to Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

Amazon Prime Day is no longer a once-per-year shopping event. This year, the company is hosting a second deal extravaganza for Prime members called the Prime Early Access Sale, which kicked off today, October 11th, and runs through tomorrow, October 12th. Like the two-day shopping blitz that is Prime Day, it’s filled with some of the lowest prices we’ve seen on 4K TVs, Amazon Echo devices, noise-canceling headphones, gaming accessories, laptops, and more. We also expect to see competing deals at retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart, all of which we’ll cover during the 48-hour window.

Like we’ve done in the past with Prime Day, we’re rounding up all of the details regarding Amazon’s fall sales event here, including our ongoing news coverage and our definitive post on the best deals happening at Amazon. We’re also highlighting a slew of useful how-to guides, so you’ll be in the know regarding how to get the best deals and price-match sales at other retailers.

Whether you were expecting Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale or not, it looks to be a great opportunity to get the jump on your holiday shopping — after all, no one wants to be forced to do all of their shopping during Black Friday and Cyber Monday if they can help it. November 25th should be for sleeping in, not shopping.

BMW uses QR codes and your phone to control casual games on its big in-car screen

BMW car interior showing steering wheel and digital dashboard that has a kart racing game playing on it, plus a guy peering through the rearview mirror. — *AirConsole running on BMW’s latest curved display.* | Image: BMW

BMW is the latest automaker trying to get gaming to happen on vehicle infotainment screens while you’re charging or otherwise waiting around in your car. The company plans to add AirConsole, a party game service that normally runs on devices like Android TV or PC, into cars equipped with the curved infotainment display at the heart of its iDrive 8 system.

AirConsole delivers games over the internet, with controls handled by smartphones instead of dedicated controllers. The library of over 180 games available on the PC version aren’t exactly heavy hitters, like GoKart Go Air, Mega Monster Party, and Let’s Cook Together, which seem heavily inspired by Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Party, and Cooking Mama, respectively. Absent are any recognizable games, including ones that also use smartphones, like Jackbox games.

Screenshot of the game Mega Monster Party, displaying a grim reaper next to a campfire. — Mega Monster Party *for AirConsole.*

By comparison, Tesla has had a growing library of pre-installed games on its infotainment system since 2019, starting with titles like Cuphead and Beach Buggy Racing 2 and later adding others like Sonic the Hedgehog and Stardew Valley. In July, Elon Musk claimed Steam integration was on its way “probably next month,” but that hasn’t happened yet. Musk has also promised high-end PC games like Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 are coming to newer Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with a discrete AMD RDNA 2 graphics processor.

BMW doesn’t quite have the same gaming computer power. In an email to The Verge, publicist Bilal Mahmood said AirConsole would first arrive in the new BMW 7-series since it’s the automaker’s only current vehicle capable of handling the games. This appears to indicate that some current vehicles with the new curved display, like the iX XDrive 50, won’t get the games via an over-the-air update — but does not rule out the possibility of a hardware retrofit. New cars BMW ships next year that have the latest hardware will get AirConsole, said Mahmood.

With massive screens popping up in more cars, we can expect more automakers to follow the path already walked by Tesla. Though with handhelds like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck readily available, smartphone games that have high-res 3D graphics, and enough cloud gaming services to let you take your pick, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would choose a watered-down Smash Bros. clone just because it’s built-in to their BMW.

The best gaming deals from Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

Razer Basilisk V3 — *The best deals on gaming accessories you can find during Prime Day Early Access* | Photo by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge

Amazon’s Prime Day Early Access Sale is here, so let's scope out some sweet deals on gaming headsets, keyboards, and other cool accessories. Whether you’re gaming on a console or PC, there are plenty of awesome odds and ends to round out your setup at home. For a better view of what’s currently on sale make sure to check out our best deals from Amazon’s Prime Early Access sale.

We’re not holding our breath for discounts on next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, but we’re already finding great deals on gaming keyboards from Razer, HyperX headsets, and Bluetooth controllers from 8BitDo. Of course, we’ll be looking out for deals on anything that can make your gaming experience just a little more awesome. Let’s go!

The best gaming deals from Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

The best gaming keyboard deals

The Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed with clicky switches is discounted to $94.99, down from its usual price of $179.99 at Amazon. The BlackWidow V3 Mini can connect to your desktop via its USB-C connection, but also supports Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. Naturally, the Mini features per-key RGB lighting, but also comes packaged with PBT keycaps to prevent visible wear.

The 65-percent Asus ROG Falchion gaming keyboard with linear switches is normally priced at $149.99, but is discounted to $99.99 at Amazon. The Falchion is equipped with PBT keycaps, per-key RGB lighting, and can be used wirelessly using the included 2.4Ghz wireless dongle. Another interesting feature of this keyboard is the touch bar along its left side, which is used to control volume and media playback.
Logitech’s G915 is typically available for $249.99, but is currently discounted to $159.99. This configuration of the low-profile gaming keyboard is equipped with linear switches and five dedicated macro keys, in addition to its full-size layout. The wireless keyboard also includes dedicated media playback controls and the ability to quickly swap between profiles. You can also find the wired version, the Logitech G815, with linear switches discounted to $139.99 (normally $199.99).
Originally $249.99, the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is now discounted to $179.99 at Amazon. The Huntsman V2 is virtually identical to older versions of the Huntsman gaming keyboard but includes analog switches that can have their actuation point modified with the Razer Synapse software. The full-size keyboard is also equipped with PBT keycaps, dedicated media playback buttons, and a magnetic wrist rest.

The best gaming mice deals

A wired optical gaming mouse with a couple of interesting twists, the Asus ROG Chakram is normally priced at $79.99 but is discounted right now to $49.99. The Core is equipped with your usual array of buttons, but also features an omnidirectional analog stick situated under your thumb. Rounding out its list of features are a 16K DPI sensor, adjustable weights, and hot-swappable switches.
A solid wireless gaming mouse, the Asus ROG Pugio II is currently available for $54.99, instead of its usual price of $99.99. The Pugio II uses an ambidextrous design with side buttons that can be added or removed based on which hand you use. Like several other mice from Asus, the Pugio II has hot swap switches and features a 16K DPI optical sensor. It can also pair with devices via Bluetooth or with its 2.4Ghz wireless dongle, and reportedly lasts up to 100 hours on a single charge.
The Razer DeathAdder V2 X Hyperspeed originally cost $59.99, but is on sale for just $39.99. The ergonomic, wireless gaming mouse is powered by either a single AA or AAA battery and can pair with devices using Bluetooth or 2.4Ghz wireless. The V2 X retains the curvaceous shape of older DeathAdder models but includes an extra pair of buttons on the periphery of the left mouse button, and features an upgraded 14K DPI optical sensor.

Normally $69.99, the Razer Basilisk V3 is a gaming mouse with a little more flair that is currently discounted to $47.49. The Basilisk V3 has a slick RGB underglow, but also features 11 programmable inputs and a 26K DPI sensor. However, its coolest feature has to be its HyperScroll wheel, which can be moved in incremental steps but will scroll continuously if you give it a gentle nudge in either direction.

The Razer Basilisk Ultimate and its accompanying charging dock typically retail for $169.99 but are discounted to $84.99 at Amazon right now. The Basilisk Ultimate, the wireless version of the original Razer Basilisk, keeps the same 20K DPI sensor and claw-shaped design but includes a charging dock to top it off between sessions.
Normally $99.99, the Steelseries Aerox 3 Wireless is currently on sale for $49.98, matching the best price ever for the lightweight gaming mouse. The Aerox 3 sports the popular honeycomb design and weighs in at just 68 grams, but still packs an 18K DPI sensor.
Another slick lightweight option, the HyperX Pulsefire Haste is discounted to just $59.99 in its white colorway (normally $79.99). The honeycomb shell on the Haste reduces its weight to a paltry 62 grams, making it one of the lightest wireless gaming mice available.

The best gaming headset deals

The HyperX Cloud Alpha S is a wired gaming headset that features 7.1 digital surround sound for PCs and is currently discounted to $79.99 ($50 off). The Cloud Alpha S shares a similar design to other HyperX Cloud headsets with a design that’s mostly aluminum with plush leatherette covering the contact points. The Alpha S uses a 3.5mm breakaway cable with inline audio controls that let you adjust game and chat volume balance in addition to toggling its 7.1 digital audio.
Multiple colorways of the second-generation Astro A10 gaming headset are currently discounted to $49.99 from their usual price of $59.99. The wired, cross-platform headset features 32mm drivers, inline volume controls, and an integrated boom mic.

Razer’s Kraken V3 wired gaming headset is on sale for $79.99 instead of $99.99. The V3 is compatible with PC, and PlayStation consoles, has inline audio controls, and supports 7.1 THX surround sound on PC. The design of the Kraken V3 features oversized earcups to support its 50mm drivers that each have an RGB addressable Razer logo. The Kraken V3 connects with devices with a USB-A connection and also comes equipped with a detachable boom mic.

If you’re looking for a gamer-centric pair of earbuds, you can currently find the second-gen Razer Hammerhead True Wireless discounted to $79.99 for Prime members (normally $129.99). The wireless in-ears sport an AirPods-like design with their capsule-shaped charging case and a microphone extending from each earbud. The earbuds are also equipped with active noise cancellation and have RGB logos that can be customized through the Razer Audio app.

The excellent Logitech G535 is available at Amazon for $79.99 instead of its usual $129.99. The wireless gaming headset features inline volume controls and is compatible with PC and PlayStation consoles via its 2.4Ghz wireless dongle.
The wired version of the Razer BlackShark V2 Gaming Headset is on sale for $66.49 (normally $99.99). This aviator-style headset features a detachable boom mic and a volume control knob on the left earcup. The 3.5mm audio cable also makes the BlackShark V2 compatible with any device, but you can only use its THX Spatial Audio feature with PCs.
You can also find the wireless Razer BlackShark V2 Pro on Amazon for $113.99 instead of its usual price of $179.99. The V2 Pro has the same fit and finish as the wired model, but also features 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity.

The best controller deals

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick is an excellent choice for fighting game fans that is currently discounted to $71.99 ($18 off). The peripheral features a massive “lollipop” joystick and eight individual buttons. Capable of pairing with either Windows PCs or the Nintendo Switch via Bluetooth or 2.4Ghz wireless, the Arcade Stick also has a software suite for recording macros onto its hardware.
What the 8Bitdo Zero 2 Bluetooth controller lacks in size, it makes up for in cuteness. Normally $19.99, you can currently get it in the yellow, pink, and turquoise colorways for $17.60 when you clip the on-page coupon. No bigger than a keychain, the Zero 2 is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, Windows, Android, and macOS devices.

Amazon has discounted Razer’s quick-charging stands for Xbox and PlayStation controllers. The red and blue colorways of the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox are on sale for $27.99 (normally $39.99), while the black and red colorways of the Razer Quick Charging Stand for the PlayStation 5 are discounted to $27.99 (normally $39.99).

The best deals on games

The digital version of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is currently discounted to $39.99 from its usual price of $59.99.

If Tony Hawk did a kickflip that landed squarely in the pastel-tinted world of Adventure Time, you’d end up with Olli Olli World. Normally priced at $29.99, you can get a Steam code for just $19.99. More of a rhythm game than a skateboarding title, Olli Olli World brings some fun wrinkles into the genre by focusing on the fundamentals and making you feel extremely cool in the process.
Yoshi’s Crafted World is usually priced at $59.99 but you can currently get a digital code for the adorable platformer for just $39.99.

Physical versions of Dying Light 2: Stay Human for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X are currently discounted to $29.99 from the usual price of $59.99.
You can currently grab a digital code for New Pokémon Snap for just $39.99 (normally $59.99).
Digital codes for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury are currently discounted to $39.99 from $59.99. A rare discount on the remastered platformer.

The best deals on other accessories

The Asus Strix Arion is a quick and easy way to adapt any M.2 SSD into a beefy flash drive. Normally available for $59.99, you can currently get the RGB-enabled SSD enclosure for $39.99. The Arion doesn’t come with its own storage, but it’s compatible with just about any M.2 SSD without a heatsink, allowing for up to 4TB of accessible storage.

If you’re looking to add a little accent lighting to your setup, the Govee DreamView G1 Pro Gaming Light is currently on sale for $89.99 when you clip the on-page coupon, down from its usual price of $179.99. A handy little kit for anyone that can never have enough RGB lighting, the G1 Pro features a pair of accent lights and a light strip that attaches to the back of your monitor. The lighting can be controlled via the Govee app or dynamically reflect on-screen gameplay with its sensor on top of your monitor.

The best smart plug deals from Amazon’s fall Prime Day event

A photo of the iHome Smart plug with a hand plugging in a power cord — *Smart plugs are handy gadgets that can help automate older appliances.* | Image: iHome

Smart plugs are a simple and inexpensive way to automate gadgets around your home that may be a little older or weren’t built with home automation in mind — just plug them into an available outlet and use their corresponding app to link them with your home network. Beyond just allowing you to toggle the power for a specific outlet using virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa, models like the iHome Flow Smart Plug are capable of monitoring the power usage of specific devices over time if you’re looking for ways to conserve energy.

Here, we’ve gathered a number of smart outlets that are currently discounted as part of Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale (and competing sales elsewhere). If you’re looking for a broader picture of what discounts are available, be sure to check out our roundup of the best smart home deals and the best deals from Prime Early Access deals overall.

The no-frills Amazon Smart Plug adds Alexa automation to a dumb appliance, and it’s just $12.99 ($12 off) at Amazon and Best Buy right now.
If you have existing outdoor lights you want to make smart, the Kasa Outdoor Smart Dimmer Plug is on sale for just $17.99 today at Amazon. This is a great option and one of the only outdoor smart plugs that can also dim your string lights. It works over Wi-Fi, so no hub is required, and it can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant but is not compatible with Apple HomeKit.

A four-pack of Kasa Smart Plug Minis usually retails for $29.99 but is currently discounted to $23.99 at Amazon. This model of the Kasa Smart Plug is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa but isn’t compatible with Apple HomeKit. It also monitors your energy usage.

Normally $21.99, you can currently get a two-pack of iHome Flow Smart Plugs for $17.59 at Amazon. The Flow Smart Plugs offer the same smart home integration seen with other models but allow you to monitor the power usage of anything you’ve plugged in.
Combining the function of six Kasa Smart Plugs into a single power strip, the Kasa HS300 Smart Plug Power Strip normally costs $79.99 but is currently discounted to $44.99 at Amazon. The HS300 is equipped with six individual, Wi-Fi-enabled outlets that work just like the Kasa Smart Plug but also includes surge protection and a trio of USB-A outlets.

The Philips Smart Plug Surge Protector is discounted to $21.98 at Walmart (normally $27.98). This surge protector combines three always-on outlets with a pair of smart outlets, so you get the best of both worlds. Plugging directly into any double outlet, the surge protector will automatically trip if it detects any sudden jumps in voltage, helping prevent damage to anything that might be plugged in.

Honda’s bringing a $4.4 billion EV battery plant to Ohio

Photo by Vlad Savov / The Verge

Honda first announced plans to partner with LG Chem to build a $4.4 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant back in August, and the two companies confirmed today that the factory’s coming to Fayette County, Ohio. Establishing a US-based EV plant will allow Honda’s upcoming line of plug-in vehicles to qualify for the country’s EV tax credits.

Construction on the factory will begin early next year, with mass production of EV batteries set to start by the end of 2025. Honda says the factory will have an annual production capacity of 40GWh and will supply about 2,200 jobs.

In addition to the joint venture with LG Chem, Honda’s also investing $700 million to retool three of its existing Ohio-based car plants for EV production. The move will create 300 jobs and will involve converting Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP), and the Anna Engine Plant (AEP) into hubs for building EVs.

Another win for America: Honda and LG committed over $5 billion toward electric vehicle battery manufacturing and factory retooling across Ohio.

Thanks to my economic plan, we're leading the world again — rebuilding our supply chains, infrastructure, and manufacturing at home.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 11, 2022

In August, President Joe Biden signed off on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which provides $7,500 in tax credits for EVs assembled in North America. This excludes EVs made outside the region, such as the Hyundai Ionic 5 and Kia EV6, sparking backlash from foreign automakers.

“Thanks to my economic plan, we’re leading the world again — rebuilding our supply chains, infrastructure, and manufacturing at home,” President Biden said on Twitter. Other carmakers, like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, are also looking to build EV battery plants throughout the US.

By establishing an EV factory in Ohio, Honda and its subsidiary Acura are getting a headstart on their goal of producing 30 EVs hybrid, battery-electric, and fuel-cell vehicles by 2030. We’ve recently gotten a taste of Honda’s upcoming EVs, which include the Prologue electric SUV and Acura’s Precision EV concept. The Prologue and the as-yet-announced EV based on the Precision will both use GM’s Ultium platform when they’re released in 2024.

Elon Musk denies report he spoke to Putin about use of nuclear weapons

Tesla boss, who recently floated his own peace plan, rejects claim he talked to Russian president about the war in Ukraine

Elon Musk has denied a report that he spoke to Vladimir Putin, including about the potential for using nuclear weapons, before floating a peace plan that suggested that Ukraine cede territory to Russia.

The head of the Eurasia Group political risk consultancy, who made the original claim, had insisted that his source was Musk himself. “Elon Musk told me he had spoken with Putin and the Kremlin directly about Ukraine,” Ian Bremmer said in a tweet after Musk’s tweeted denial. “He also told me what the kremlin’s red lines were.

Roku could be setting its sights on the smart home

Stack of Roku Smart Light Strip boxes. — *A pile of unannounced Roku-branded light strips spotted by a Redditor.* | Image: u/Negative_Source_7316 / Reddit

Roku is about to make a big entrance into the smart home if a photo posted to Reddit and two shipping manifests spotted by ZatzNotFunny are to be believed.

The unannounced lineup reportedly consists of both white and color smart bulbs, a smart light strip, a smart plug, and indoor and outdoor internet-connected security cameras. Roku also appears to be planning to launch a dedicated Roku Smart Home channel, which will presumably let users control the devices from smart TVs and streaming boxes running the company’s operating system.

Not sure if anyone really cares, found some unannounced stuff the other day. from Roku

As ZatzNotFunny and several Reddit commenters have pointed out, Roku appears to be leaning on smart home company Wyze to actually manufacture this hardware before slapping Roku branding onto the boxes.

Although it’s best known for inexpensive streaming boxes, Roku has been expanding its hardware offerings in recent years with soundbars, speakers, and even a subwoofer. It’s also partnered with multiple TV manufacturers to ship televisions with its streaming platform built in. But historically Roku’s hardware has at least been tangentially related to television watching, usually by improving sound quality.

There’s no word on pricing or release dates for any of these products. But given a Redditor was able to snap a photo of an entire stack of retail boxes, we suspect an official announcement might not be too far away.

Gig Workers Are Learning Their Worth With the Para App

Gig Workers Are Learning Their Worth With the Para App A former Uber employee created an app to help drivers. The platforms that hire them are fighting back.

Couple mistakenly given $10.5m from Crypto.com thought they had won contest, court hears

Money from crypto exchange was allegedly used to buy four houses worth $4m, vehicles, art and furniture, police officer tells court

A Victorian woman accused of theft over a $10.5m mistaken cryptocurrency refund has been released on bail as she awaits trial, despite claims she allegedly tried to flee the country.

Thevamanogari Manivel and her partner, Jatinder Singh, appeared by video link from prison in Melbourne magistrates court on Tuesday when they were committed to stand trial on theft and other charges.

Why does Elon Musk want to buy Twitter? – podcast

Back in April this year, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk signed a $44bn (£40bn) takeover agreement for Twitter. But, in July, the world’s richest man said he was walking away from the controversial deal, arguing Twitter has more spam accounts than it claims. Then, last week, Musk offered to complete the acquisition in a dramatic U-turn. So what might happen next?

Ian Sample talks to the Guardian’s global technology editor, Dan Milmo, about why Musk wants to own the social media platform, hears about the twists and turns of the saga so far, and finds out if the takeover is ever likely to happen

Archive: Fox News, NBC News, Yahoo Finance, MSNBC, Financial Times, BBC News

Adult online age used by third of eight- to 17-year-old social media users

Ofcom study covers Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and YouTube, all of which have age limits of 13

A third of social media users aged between eight and 17 have the online age of an adult because they sign up with a false date of birth, according to new research.

The fake age issue means that young users in the UK are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful or adult content, as platforms presume they are older than they in fact are.

Top robot companies pledge not to add weapons to their tech to avoid harm risk

Leading robotics firms promise not to add weapons to general use technology and said they would oppose others doing so

Several robot production companies have pledged not to support the weaponization of their general purpose robots and have encouraged other companies to follow suit.

In an open letter, six leading robotics firms promised not to add weapons to their general use technology and said they would oppose others doing so.

Judge halts Elon Musk-Twitter litigation to allow time to finance $44bn takeover

If the deal does not close by 28 October, a November trial will be scheduled

A Delaware judge has postponed the Twitter v Elon Musk trial in order to give the Tesla chief executive time to complete his proposed $44bn takeover of the social media platform.

The litigation was halted until 28 October to allow both parties to close the transaction, after Musk said he needed time to put together the funds for the deal. Judge Kathaleen McCormick said if the deal did not close by her deadline the parties were to contact her to schedule a November trial.

lundi 10 octobre 2022

CNN accused of rug pull as it abandons its NFT project

On Monday afternoon, as pointed out by Parker Molloy, CNN ended its big Web3 project by announcing, “we have decided that it’s time to say goodbye to the Vault by CNN.”

You may have already forgotten about it, but Vault by CNN launched in the summer of 2021 as a marketplace for its own NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that would “offer collectors the opportunity to own a piece of history.” Sort of like NBA Top Shot except for media nerds instead of basketball nerds, it minted CNN reports of key events or artistic interpretations inspired by them, creating digital collectibles that owners could show off somehow or trade with others, like baseball cards. This idea apparently seemed more reasonable while cryptocurrency prices were sky-high, and headlines about NFTs didn’t include phrases like “trading volumes collapse 97 percent since January peak.”

Things have obviously changed as the “crypto winter” settled in, although an April report by the Press Gazette said CNN had pulled in more than $300,000 from the sales.

News of our own to share pic.twitter.com/qcxaDXNRYO
— Vault by CNN (@vaultbycnn) October 10, 2022

In a Discord channel for the service, another message informed owners that while the Vault website will “undergo changes,” it will remain available for them to view their collections and use its marketplace. Reactions from the community included shock, disappointment, and a few posters saying they planned to contact their lawyers while accusing CNN of a “rug pull,” which in crypto terms applies when a development team unexpectedly yanks support — and funds — from a project, leaving the people who bought in with nothing.

In the Discord, CNN said it plans to compensate “the thousands of collectors who joined us in this experiment” with distributions based on the purchase price of each wallet’s NFTs as captured on October 6th. In a separate message from CNN, staffer “Jason” said, “The distribution will be either FLOW tokens or stablecoins deposited into each collector’s wallet. We are currently working out the details, but expect the distribution amount to be roughly 20% of the original mint price for each Vault NFT owned.” He also noted that the actual media for the NFTs is stored in IPFS, a distributed file system that should mean they’ll continue to be available even if CNN’s website goes away.

So far, that doesn’t appear to be enough to put collectors at ease after they expected that tokens published by an established brand like CNN would experience more support than many shadier NFT projects. As one message in the channel put it, “you can’t simply say goodbye but your NFTs are still ok and now more rare... without a community (discord at least) and no utility... it’s not an NFT anymore but a mere digital copy...”

Quotes from Vault by CNN Discord: “Surprising/disappointing this happened in the middle of the Presidential Elections Challenge — many of us participated in the drops expecting to complete the challenge and yield utility.” “Is an announcement of rug supposed to be consoling to a community who waited patiently for slow-but-promised utility?” “The most shocking statement is “6 week experiment”. Really? It was promoted on CNN.com and never once was it mentioned that it was a short-term experiment” — *Discord messages from Vault by CNN collectors expressing disappointment with its sudden shutdown.*

Another member pointed out one hitch resulting from the Vault relying on the Flow blockchain, the same Dapper Labs-made system that underpins NBA Top Shot and NFL All Day. Flow’s support documents mention that it allows withdrawals in the USDC stablecoin that’s pegged to the value of the US dollar at a minimum of $10 per transaction with a $4 processing fee. The cheapest NFTs on CNN’s marketplace are listed for $19 — if someone owns one of those, their rebate would be around $4, or even less, leaving them with no return if they could withdraw it.

I spoke to one individual who shared their wallet address and estimated they’d purchased as much as $11,000 worth of CNN tokens from its marketplace. Without ongoing support and after a 20 percent rebate, they have little reason to believe the collection’s value will remain close to that level.

Additionally, as recently as last month, CNN was still pushing community members to buy more tokens so they could have enough to access events like an upcoming Art of Voting NFT Series scheduled to drop on midterm election day, November 8th. Collectors would need to own at least one NFT from a particular set to get a key to access the Art of Voting set and other unspecified “exclusive benefits.” Documentation for Vault by CNN included a section describing the fabled “utility,” listing Exclusive CNN Perks and Exclusive CNN Vault Merch as “coming soon.” A roadmap of promised features even indicated that later this year, people would be able to mint any CNN article as an NFT if they wanted to for some reason.

There was no specific reason given for the shutdown, but the Wall Street Journal wrote “NFT Sales Are Flatlining” on May 3rd of this year, and things haven’t improved since. On the other hand, Vault by CNN did manage to last about 16 times as long as the CNN Plus streaming effort that launched in March and died exactly one month later.

According to the Vault marketplace website — which does not include a note about the shutdown — the most recent transaction prior to the announcement occurred five days ago, on October 5th, when someone bought a “CNN Defining Moments” token commemorating Nelson Mandela’s release from prison for $77.

The Discord message also informed holders of CNN’s plan to “burn” unsold NFTs, which it says will make the ones they hold rarer, and thanked collectors for joining the “experiment.” Until today’s message about the Vault’s shutdown, we could not find any reference to the project as an “experiment” within CNN’s extensive tweets, Discord broadcasts, and press materials. In an email, CNN publicist Garrett Cowan tells The Verge that the six-week experiment mentioned in the message was an internal test leading up to the June 2021 public launch.

Image: CNN

Vault by CNN logo

CNN is just one of many notable brands and personalities who launched NFTs during their so-called “bull run” over the last couple of years but failed to pay off community expectations.

Athletes are a visible example, with NBA star De’Aaron Fox accused of a rug pull after his Swipathefox project collected $1.5 million and shut down without delivering the promised benefits, or the Player’s Only NFT effort promoted by athletes like Michael Carter-Williams and Jerami Grant, which pulled in $1.4 million but struggled to deliver promised rewards.

League efforts aren’t doing much better: prices and activity on NBA Top Shot have fallen sharply from their peaks, it’s unclear how NFL All Day is doing because I’ve never seen anyone talk about it, and while the NHL announced plans to launch an NFT marketplace in July, it hasn’t actually done it or shared any details on the project ever since. Just a few days ago, Lucky Trader reported that the UFC Strike NFT marketplace that also runs on Flow paused pack drops and credited recent buyers with partial refunds after a user apparently exploited several recent drops to obtain rare items.

Elsewhere in media, the Associated Press courted controversy by launching an NFT marketplace just as prices peaked in January with the stated intention of using proceeds to fund journalistic efforts. Now, the AP NFT marketplace shows little to no activity on many recent drops, and a link on the page pointing to the project’s Discord doesn’t work.

The Verge Guide to Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Amazon Prime Day is no longer a once-per-year shopping event. This year, the company is hosting a second deal extravaganza for Prime members called the Prime Early Access Sale, which kicks off tomorrow, October 11th, and runs through Wednesday, October 12th. If it’s anything like the two-day shopping blitz that is Prime Day, it’ll be filled with some of the lowest prices we’ve seen on 4K TVs, Amazon Echo devices, noise-canceling headphones, gaming accessories, laptops, and more. We also expect to see competing deals at retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart, all of which we’ll cover during the 48-hour window.

Like we’ve done in the past with Prime Day, we’ll be rounding up all of the details regarding Amazon’s fall sales event here, including our ongoing news coverage and our definitive post on the best deals happening at Amazon. We’ll also be highlighting a slew of useful how-to guides, so you’ll be in the know regarding how to get the best deals and price-match sales at other retailers.

Killing Twitter, With Tesla as Collateral Damage

Will this be the deal that breaks Elon Musk? Let's talk about the good and bad with this Musk/Twitter deal. On one hand, it could save Twitter. However, it's more likely to begin a cascading failure across all of Musk's firms. The post Killing Twitter, With Tesla as Collateral Damage appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

Upcoming Call of Duty has annoying phone number verification requirement

Ghost in Modern Warfare II — *Modern Warfare II releases October 28th.* | Image: Activision Blizzard

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II will require players to register with a phone number on Battle.net to play the game, in order to make players responsible for their actions. The game is set for release later this month on October 28th.

It’s a repeat of the practice that caused issues for Overwatch 2 players last week, PCGamer reports. A Battle.net support page lists the upcoming CoD shooter as one of its three games that “require that you add a phone number to your Battle.net account” to play, alongside Overwatch 2 and 2019’s Modern Warfare.

The phone verification system, which Activision Blizzard calls SMS Protect, is meant to cut down on toxic behavior from players, preventing them from creating endless new accounts to evade bans or to cheat. “Limiting the number of free accounts that a single person can create helps keep players accountable for their actions and, in turn, reduces toxicity and cheating and ensures a positive community experience for all players,” Activision Blizzard’s support page reads.

The problem is that SMS Protect is designed for text-enabled mobile phones, and doesn’t treat all phone numbers equally. A separate Battle.net support page notes that “mobile phones with prepaid plans may not work with the phone notification service.” It also doesn’t work with VoIP numbers. That restricts the service to players with postpaid cellular plans, which may not be affordable or easily accessible to many players around the world.

One Modern Warfare II beta player told PCGamer last month that they were asked for a “postpaid phone number” to start the game, with Battle.net refusing to accept the number associated with their prepaid Cricket Wireless plan. “This seems very wrong to require video game players to enter into a contract with a telecom company before being allowed to play the game they paid for,” they said.

Requiring players to provide a phone number isn’t new (Dota 2 and Rainbow Six Siege both require them for ranked play) but there haven’t been widespread reports of problems with prepaid phone plans with these previous implementations. One player we spoke to was blocked from playing Overwatch 2 when they entered the same number they’d used to successfully play Dota 2 for years.

It’s unclear whether Activision Blizzard’s phone number requirements will apply equally for Modern Warfare II players across both Battle.net and Steam, given the game is available across both PC digital stores. Some commenters on Reddit report being asked for a phone number when trying to play the beta through Steam, while others said they were not. Overwatch 2 is currently only available via Battle.net.

In the case of Overwatch 2, Activision Blizzard has said that it’s relaxing its SMS Protect requirements for anyone who played the original Overwatch and has a connected Battle.net account. It’s unclear if there’ll be similar allowances made for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II players. A spokesperson for the company did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.

How expanding web of license plate readers could be ‘weaponized’ against abortion

Activists fear Flock, whose tech reads license plates, might endanger women seeking abortions

Flock Safety, a rapidly expanding company that sells license plate readers to police and neighborhoods across the US, has an ambitious mission: to eliminate crime.

Since being founded in 2017, Flock says it has contracted with more than 1,200 law enforcement partners in more than 40 states. It provides its services to more than 2,000 neighborhoods, and is expanding the products it offers beyond license plate readers to include a gunshot detection system.

dimanche 9 octobre 2022

iPhone 14 review: familiar design but now easier to repair

Same performance and battery of predecessors with better camera and significant changes on the inside

On the surface, the iPhone 14 looks like a very minor upgrade. But a redesigned inside makes it easier and cheaper to repair, marking a major shift in the right direction for Apple.

Weak currency rates against the dollar mean the new iPhone is £70 (A$50) more expensive than its predecessor, priced at £849 (A$1,399) despite costing the same $799 in the US. It is an unfortunately familiar story for all of Apple’s current products, and likely others to be released this year.

Screen: 6.1in Super Retina XDR (OLED) (460ppi)

Processor: Apple A15 Bionic

RAM: 6GB

Storage: 128, 256 or 512GB

Operating system: iOS 16

Camera: dual 12MP rear with OIS, 12MP front-facing camera

Connectivity: 5G, wifi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, Lightning, UWB and GNSS

Water resistance: IP68 (6 metres for 30 mins)

Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm

Weight: 172g

Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Struggles

Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Struggles Meta’s push to develop virtual and augmented reality technology has had a bumpy year.

A Minecraft Player Set Out to Build the Known Universe, Block by Block

A Minecraft Player Set Out to Build the Known Universe, Block by Block Christopher Slayton, 18, spent two months intricately designing the planets. He even went skydiving to get a better appreciation for Earth.

‘It’s not moral panic, it’s reality’: Todd Sampson documentary interrogates internet’s toxic influence

In Mirror Mirror, the former advertising executive argues technology is an unregulated psychological experiment that is changing our brains

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Todd Sampson’s documentary about how the internet is a giant, unregulated psychological experiment that is changing us is not alarmist, it’s just reality, the former advertising executive says.

In his two-part film, Mirror Mirror: Love & Hate, Sampson shows us first hand the mind-altering power of technology; a technology so intoxicating children choose the online world over the real world and a grown man falls in love with a customised chatbot.

Twitter locks Kanye West out of his account following anti-Semitic post

Kanye West wearing a black hat and a hoodie — *Ye’s Twitter account is locked after he violated that platform’s policies.* | Photo by Edward Berthelot/GC Images

Twitter confirmed that it locked Kanye West, who now goes by “Ye,” out of his account after he posted an anti-Semitic tweet on Saturday (via BuzzFeed News). “The account in question has been locked due to a violation of Twitter’s policies,” Twitter spokesperson Katie Rosborough said in a statement to The Verge.

Twitter has since removed Ye’s tweet, but several users screenshotted the post before Twitter took it down. “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” Ye wrote. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”

Twelve hours between these tweets. pic.twitter.com/N13Mrfth32
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) October 9, 2022

Ye, who hasn’t been active on Twitter in about two years, was greeted by Elon Musk once he returned to the platform. He posted the hateful tweet shortly after Instagram restricted access to his account, prompting him to call out Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for “kick[ing] him off Instagram.”

On Friday, Ye posted a screenshot on Instagram showing a text message between him and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing Diddy of being controlled by Jewish people. This garnered a response from the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which slammed Ye for espousing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

It’s unclear how long Ye won’t have access to his Twitter account, as the platform’s rules say it could place a user’s profile in “read-only mode” for anywhere from 12 hours to seven days depending on the violation. This means that Ye can’t tweet, retweet, or like any posts until the lockout lifts, but other users can still interact with his content.

These two hateful outbursts come not even a week after Ye was captured wearing a racist “White Lives Matter” shirt, a phrase the Anti-Defamation League classifies as a hate slogan. Ye also appeared on Fox News in an interview with Tucker Carlson that the AJC says was “laden with racist and antisemitic undertones.”