The best TV deals from Amazon’s fall Prime Day event

The best TV deals from Amazon’s fall Prime Day event

LG’s C2 OLED is one of the many TVs available at a discount during Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is providing yet another opportunity to get a fantastic discount on a 4K TV. If you’ve been scouting for deals in the lead-up to Black Friday, this is a week when you’ll want to be paying attention. Right now, we’re seeing some big price cuts on all sorts of smart TV models, ranging in size, streaming platform, and display (QLED, OLED, etc.). This roundup includes deals that are exclusive to Prime members as well as some that are available from Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and wherever else we find good discounts.

The best Prime Day TV deals

• LG’s 48-inch A1 OLED is a stellar value if you want an OLED, but don’t need the high-end features that can cause the price to soar. While it costs $946.99 for non-Prime subscribers, it’s just $646.99 for Prime users.

• Sony’s 55-inch A80J OLED 4K TV with Google TV software is just $999.99 at Best Buy (originally $1,899.99). This deal isn’t being offered at Amazon.
• Amazon’s 75-inch Fire TV Omni 4K TV is available for just $839.99 for Prime members, down from its original $1,049.99 price. Note that this model is from Amazon’s first-gen run of Omni TVs, not the QLED model that it just announced in early October. Read our review.

• Insignia (Best Buy’s in-house brand) has a 70-inch F30 4K TV with Amazon’s Fire TV software built in for $449.99 ($200 off). Don’t expect stunning quality compared to pricier TVs, but this could be a great fit for someone’s needs, particularly if you want an all-in-one TV that streams shows and movies via Amazon’s Fire TV OS. Plus, Best Buy includes a second-gen Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display at no additional cost.
• Sony’s 65-inch X90K 4K TV with full array local dimming (for better control over brightness and darkness) is on sale for $1,198 at Amazon or $1,199.99 at Best Buy. This model includes the Google TV interface built in, which allows you to easily find TV shows and movies.

• The 55-inch LG B2 OLED TV is a great deal at $976.99 at Amazon. It offers an amazing picture, HDMI 2.1, and a 120Hz refresh rate, but it can’t get quite as bright as the C2 lineup. Still, it’s a great value if you’re looking for one of LG’s latest models.
• Samsung’s 55-inch S95B (QD-OLED) 4K TV is $600 off at Best Buy. Originally $2,199.99, you can snag one today for $1,599.99. This kind of OLED technology delivers more brightness than LG’s current OLED displays. At Amazon, it’s just a smidge cheaper at $1,597.99. Read about this model right here.
• LG’s 42-inch C2 Evo OLED TV is down to $996.99 ($400 off) at Amazon, which is its lowest price ever. This is LG’s latest lineup of OLEDs that feature the brightest displays and the best image processing. It’s an exciting TV that should be small enough to put on a desk.

Here are some accessories to go with your new TV

• Govee’s DreamView G1 Pro Gaming Light, an LED kit that’s made for monitors between 24 and 32 inches, is $90 (50 percent off) right now at Amazon when you click the on-page coupon for $89.99 off. These lights can add some gorgeous accents to your walls that match the vibe and action of the game that you’re playing. Read our review.

• For 55- to 65-inch TVs, you can equip some immersive backlighting with the Govee TV Backlight T2, which is down to $111.99 at Amazon (20 percent off after you click the coupon). These lights match the on-screen by using a camera mounted on your TV.
• The latest Apple TV 4K (32GB) is down to $104.49 (originally $179), the best price we’ve seen to date on the excellent streaming device. If you want more storage, the 64GB configuration is on sale for $123.49 ($70 off). Read our review.

• Vizio’s high-end Elevate soundbar — which comes with two satellite speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and two rotating, upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos — is on sale right now for $664.05 at Amazon and $699.99 at Best Buy. It originally sold for $999.99. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the $300 price cut, but it’s well worth mentioning here. Read our guide to the best soundbars.

The guy in charge of Dish wants to buy Boost from Dish

The guy in charge of Dish wants to buy Boost from Dish

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Dish Network is considering selling its Boost Mobile arm to a company called CONX Corporation, according to a filing with the SEC, spotted by Light Reading. The rub is that CONX is a “company” founded by Charlie Ergen — co-founder and current chairman of Dish Network itself.

The filing from CONX (no, I won’t get tired of typing that) says that its far from a done deal, informing investors that “no assurances can be made that the parties [it and Dish] will successfully negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement.” And while that’s true for most merger discussions, the fact that Ergen is a higher-up at both companies could help those negotiations go a bit more smoothly.

Why start a new carrier when your other company has already bought one

I don’t blame you if you’re asking “hey, what the heck is a CONX?” According to Light Reading, it’s a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, that Ergen founded in 2020 with the goal of acquiring a company in the “technology, media and telecommunications industry.” SPACs are basically shell companies that are taken public to raise funds from investors, and then merged with another company as sort of a way to skip an IPO (though in this case, Boost Mobile is part of Dish, which is already a publicly traded company). You can read an excellent explainer of SPACs as a concept here.

Dish purchased Boost from T-Mobile in 2020, after the latter carrier was required to sell it off as part of the agreement with the FCC that allowed T-Mobile to purchase Sprint. Up until now, it’s seemed as if Dish had big plans for Boost; Dish is supposed to become the fourth cell carrier (again, because of the T-Mobile Sprint purchase), and the cell network it’s been building to reach that goal currently covers around 25 percent of the US population. Dish has been letting people use that network with a service called Project Genesis, but that’s pitched as an option for early adopters. The plan has been to try and entice the general public to use the network via a service called Boost Infinite, set to launch later this year.

If it sells Boost, I’m not exactly sure where that leaves it as a carrier. Genesis isn’t ready to be a flagship cell service, and it’d be an odd move to turn its other brands, like Ting Mobile and Republic Wireless, into competitors to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — they’ve been known as budget-friendly MVNOs for years, it’d sort of be like if Verizon started pitching Tracfone as its hotbed for innovation in 5G. Yes, that’s also sort of true for Boost, but, again, Dish has been turning on the marketing machine to change that perception.

According to Light Reading, which spoke to analysis firm New Street Research, it could just be a money play; Boost would get to use CONX’s money instead of Dish’s (while still using its network), and no longer having to operate Boost could free up some money and fundraising capacity to help build out the network that’s legally required to reach 70 percent of the US population by June 14th, 2023. That might make sense to someone super versed in the world of big finance — but to those of us just trying to figure out what cell plan we should get, this could turn what was already a messy and hard-to-understand launch into something you’d need a few flowcharts and knowledge of the Deep Lore to even begin understanding.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is still available for $50 off for Prime Day

The Apple Watch Series 8 is still available for $50 off for Prime Day

The Apple Watch Series 8 inherits design elements from last year’s Series 7, including the larger display. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

It’s almost time to ring the bell for the cows to come home on Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, but before that happens we want to note you can still get the Apple Watch Series 8 for $50 off. The best part? This one’s not just exclusive to Amazon or Prime members, as a couple of other major retailers are currently matching Amazon’s price and making it widely available.

As for the configurations and colors available, you can get the 41mm Apple Watch Series 8 with GPS for $349 at Amazon (in midnight or red), at Best Buy (in all four colors), or at Walmart (also in all four colors). If you prefer a larger display, you can get the 45mm version of the Series 8 for $379 at Amazon (in red or midnight), at Walmart (in red, silver, or starlight), or at Best Buy (in midnight). Speaking of midnight, these deals are set to expire around midnight eastern time tonight, or 1AM ET in the case of Best Buy.

It’s pretty uncommon to get a deal this good on an Apple product that came out just under one month ago — though the deal running in tandem on the second-gen AirPods Pro may say otherwise. And while we’re sure to see bigger, steeper discounts on the latest crop of Apple Watches at some point in the future, it may not be until Black Friday and Cyber Monday times that we even match this one. The Series 8 may not be the most worthwhile upgrade for those using last year’s Series 7 or the two-year-old Series 6, but if you’ve got a Series 5 or an older model that’s starting to wane in battery life, this is a good time to make the jump and save some coin.

If you do upgrade, or come to the Series 8 as a first-time Apple Watch owner, you can look forward to a speedy interface with watch OS 9, a handy new temperature sensor that helps with menstrual cycle tracking, and even car crash detection. Just maybe be wary if you go on any roller coasters.

Amazon faces a wave of walkouts and strikes as it heads into the season of sales

Amazon faces a wave of walkouts and strikes as it heads into the season of sales

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Amazon is in the midst of its second Prime Day sale of the year, pitched as a way to get Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals early. But as it courts consumers, the workers who handle the mass amount of packages that flow through Amazon’s facilities, warehouses, and air hubs are demanding better pay and working conditions. The threat of strikes, walkouts, and potentially another unionized warehouse are all looming as Amazon’s about to enter one of its busiest seasons.

On Wednesday, workers at Amazon’s ALB1 facility in Albany, New York, started voting on whether to organize with the Amazon Labor Union, the group that unionized Amazon’s JFK8 facility and which is currently negotiating with Amazon for a contract. Another fulfillment center in Moreno Valley, California, has also filed to hold a vote on whether to join with the ALU, though the National Labor Relations Board still has to confirm whether 30 percent of the unit’s 800 workers signed cards saying they’re interested in the election.

There’s also a real threat of a work stoppage just as Prime Day packages are being fulfilled. Workers at Amazon’s Inland Empire air cargo facility in San Bernardino, California, have vowed to go on strike starting on Friday. The company is also facing a strike in Buford, Georgia, according to More Perfect Union, and there have been walkouts at facilities in Joliet, Illinois, and Stone Mountain, Georgia.

One worker told us he is leading the strike at his warehouse because, "In the summer, we organized for a $3/hour raise, and instead what we got was 50 cents raise and a second Prime Day."

— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) October 11, 2022

The reasons for the employee actions are varied; in Illinois, workers are demanding protections against violence, injury, and sexual harassment. In California, workers have been demanding “basic safety measures” after Amazon failed to respond to a walkout this summer, where workers accused the company of not giving them breaks or aid during excessive heat. High temperatures have actually been a concern in many areas — earlier this year, lawmakers cited how Amazon handled 2017 and 2018 heatwaves in their demand for information on its severe weather policies, and the company has reportedly installed new air conditioning equipment at a facility where a worker died during the last Prime Day event (the company blamed “a personal medical condition” for the incident).

According to Jane Chung from The Worker Agency, Amazon “failed to meet workers’ demands and has responded to workers who are organizing to improve their jobs by bringing in high-paid outside consultants who harass and follow workers around in an attempt to dissuade them from organizing for better conditions.” She also mentioned that its Prime Day events exacerbate its “invasive surveillance, dangerous pace of work, and deadly conditions” because it means employees have to “sprint to fulfill the massive growth in packages ordered, transported, and delivered.”

Universally, the new groups of employees are asking for better pay. Amazon set a $15-per-hour minimum wage in 2018 and has promised to raise the hourly wages for its warehouse and transportation workers more recently, saying that customer fulfillment and transportation employees would start at $16 an hour. But Inland Empire Amazon Workers United says that isn’t enough to keep up with rising costs of living. And with e-commerce heading into its busiest season, critical fulfillment workers have a unique chance to pressure the company for better pay.

How does @Amazon respond to associates organizing for better pay, inflation and high turnover?

With $1 y'all.

We're not feeling it. #AmazonHurts pic.twitter.com/eSSD1pBSJc

— #IEAmazonWorkers (@ieamazonworkers) September 28, 2022

Even as Amazon worries about running through the entire labor pool in some areas, it continues to upset some of the workers it relies on to keep its operations afloat. In Illinois, the company allegedly fired a worker who tried to get it to act after racist death threats were scrawled on the bathroom walls at one of its facilities. At JFK8, the ALU says Amazon suspended dozens of workers after they refused to go back to work in a warehouse filled with smoke after a fire. And workers at the Inland Empire air facility say the company retaliated against those who spoke out or organized (something that the NLRB has formally accused the company of doing in at least one instance).

It’s unclear how much impact walkouts and strikes have on Amazon’s operations and its bottom line. Amazon didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s questions asking about the effects workers were having, although it doesn’t seem like Amazon customers are noticing mass shipping delays so far. Worker actions are also heavily regulated in the US; there can be different rules about how you can strike if you’re not part of a union that’s voted to do so.

Regardless, it doesn’t seem as if workers are going to stop trying to get better treatment from Amazon, and it feels like we may be reaching a breaking point. Prime Day may be ending soon, but the work will continue for Amazon’s warehouse and transportation workers. And while organizers at the company have used the event to stress how important they are to the Amazon experience, it seems unlikely that they’ll stop their demonstrations anytime soon.

The best Prime Day deals on Amazon devices

The best Prime Day deals on Amazon devices

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

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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

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

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

‘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.

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The Verge Guide to Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

The Verge Guide to Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

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

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.

Image: N-Dream AG

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

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

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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.

• You can get physical copies of Life is Strange: True Colors for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch for around $30 instead of its usual $59.99 price.
• Physical copies of the excellent Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X are currently discounted to $19.99 at Amazon from the usual price of $29.99.

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

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

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

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

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.

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