lundi 27 novembre 2023

New OnePlus 12 teaser reveals color options and a relocated alert slider

New OnePlus 12 teaser reveals color options and a relocated alert slider
A woman holding the OnePlus 12 phone in white.
Image: OnePlus

OnePlus has unveiled official images of its upcoming OnePlus 12 flagship smartphone on Weibo ahead of its December 5th launch event in China, revealing the handset will be available in three colors: white, black, and green. The design of the device appears visually similar to its predecessor, the OnePlus 11, though the Alert Slider — a fan-favorite feature that allows users to easily switch between mute, vibrate, and ringer sound profiles — is now located on the left-hand side of the phone instead of the right.

According to OnePlus, the relocation was made to accommodate a new integrated antenna that’s designed to boost signal performance and reduce latency for game streaming. “Based on internal testing, it has been determined that the optimal position for gaming antennas is between the forefingers of the user when the phone is held in landscape orientation,” says OnePlus in a press release. The OnePlus 11 has its Alert Slider in that exact spot, so OnePlus has moved the slider to the opposite side on the OnePlus 12 to improve antenna performance.

Two people holding the OnePlus 12 mobile phone in green and white. Image: OnePlus
The green color option features a nature-inspired grain-like pattern.
A woman holding the OnePlus 12 mobile phone in black. Image: OnePlus
From the rear, the OnePlus 12 looks visually almost identical to the previous OnePlus 11 model.

A machine-translated article from Yahoo Tech HK also reveals some of the OnePlus 12’s key specifications. This includes a new Sony LYT-808 sensor for its 50-megapixel main camera, and a 64-megapixel, 3X periscopic telephoto camera, both supported by Hasselblad Camera for Mobile. The OnePlus 12 will also feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (confirming leaks from July), a “2K display” panel from China’s BOE, and support for wireless charging, rain touch, and infrared remote control functions.

Details are otherwise slim, but we’ll know more about the OnePlus 12 after its official debut next week. And thankfully, prospective customers outside of China may not have too long to wait to get their hands on it. OnePlus is set to announce a global launch date for the device on December 15th, according to Engadget.

How Your Child’s Online Mistake Can Ruin Your Digital Life

How Your Child’s Online Mistake Can Ruin Your Digital Life Google has a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse content. The scanning process can sometimes go awry and tar innocent individuals as abusers.

dimanche 26 novembre 2023

The second-generation Apple Pencil has dropped to a new all-time low

The second-generation Apple Pencil has dropped to a new all-time low
A person holding both their iPad and second-gen Apple Pencil.
The second-generation Apple Pencil is an excellent stylus compatible with the latest iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPad Pro models. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Let’s face it: most early Cyber Monday deals tend to just be rebranded Black Friday deals, but every now and then the shopping event surprises us with a new one entirely. Today’s deal on the second-generation Apple Pencil is one of those deals. Right now, the second-gen Apple Pencil has dropped to a new all-time low of $79.99 ($49 off) at Amazon and at Walmart, though after you sign into your Walmart account.

If you own one of Apple’s latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models, this is an excellent stylus for drawing and taking notes. The pressure-sensitive Pencil recharges by magnetically attaching to the side of tablets, which is a convenient feature its predecessor lacked. It also supports tap gestures and the hover feature on M2-equipped iPad Pros, so you can preview where the stylus will make a mark on the screen before doing so. Plus, unlike third-party styli, it offers some helpful Apple software integrations so you can, for instance, easily check the Apple Pencil’s battery level when attaching it.

Apple’s AirTags are still receiving a rare discount ahead of Cyber Monday

Apple’s AirTags are still receiving a rare discount ahead of Cyber Monday
A close-up image depicting a set of hands holding a selection of Apple AirTags.
Apple’s AirTag, our favorite Bluetooth tracker for iPhone owners, is available starting at just $23.99. | Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

It’s the time of year again when utter chaos descends upon airports nationwide. That means the chances of losing your luggage are higher than usual, so it’s worth preparing for the commotion if you’re planning to travel.

Right now, you can buy a single AirTag for just $23.99 ($5 off) at Amazon and Walmart, which is a rare discount that’s just $1 shy of the tracker’s all-time low price. If you want to buy even more AirTags, Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are also currently selling a four-pack for $79.99, about $20 off, which is $5 shy of their best price yet. This is the same discount we saw last week for Black Friday — and one likely to carry through Cyber Monday — but it remains one of our favorite budget-friendly deals we’ve seen so far this season.

If you own an iPhone, the AirTag is hands-down the best Bluetooth tracker you can buy for keeping tabs on suitcases, backpacks, purses, keys, and other goods. And it does it very well, with an exceptional amount of precision thanks to Apple’s ultra-wideband (UWB) chip and the fact that it can tap into Apple’s Find My system. Plus, thanks to new i0S 17 updates, you can also share your AirTag with up to five people, so the whole family can keep track of all the luggage.

Read our review.

Update November 26th, 1:07PM ET: Adjusted the language to account for the fact Apple’s AirTags are still on sale and added Best Buy’s current promo on a four-pack.

The best early Cyber Monday deals

The best early Cyber Monday deals
Brightly colored vector illustration of a hand holding a phone featuring deals on products.
Illustration by Aaron Fernandez for The Verge

Black Friday used to be one day! Feels like it started mid-November this time around, and here we are on Sunday. How is this day different from Cyber Monday? How will Monday be any different than Tuesday? It’s all a barely differentiated smear at this point. But the good news is that the deals are still here. They’ll be here tomorrow, too, but if your Sunday plans include scanning for deals, at least you’ll find plenty of them.

Most of the good deals we’ve seen on phones, smartwatches, headphones, and accessories are holding steady through the weekend — we’ve checked them all to be sure. This post is where we collect the highlight deals, but our Black Friday / Cyber Monday / Undifferentiated Commerce Smear coverage goes well beyond a single post. You can find all of our coverage collected here, and be sure to check out our guides to the best deals under $100, under $50, and under $25.

Black Friday deals spotlight

  • Apple is offering up to $200 in gift cards when you buy select devices, with the exact amount depending on the item. Big-ticket items like the MacBook Air and Mac Mini are eligible for up to $200 in credit, while iPads are entitled to up to $100. The promo also applies to AirPods, Apple Watches, older iPhone models, and accessories like the second-gen Apple Pencil.

The best headphone and earbud deals

  • Apple’s luxe AirPods Max are back down to $449.99 ($100 off) at Amazon (only green and blue) and Best Buy, which remains their second-best price to date. The noise-canceling headphones are getting a little long in the tooth — blame Apple’s aging H1 chip — but they still offer great controls, deep integration with Apple products, and terrific sound quality. Read our review.
  • Apple’s third-gen AirPods are matching their all-time low of $139.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy with a Lightning-only charging case; they’re also on sale at Costco with a MagSafe charging case for the same price if you’re a member. The third-gen earbuds are similar to the prior model in many ways, only they now feature an IPX4 water resistance rating, shorter stems, and better sound. Read our review.
  • Sony’s last-gen WH-1000XM4s are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for around $248 ($100 off), which is one of their best prices to date. The noise-canceling headphones still sound great today, and have a handy feature the current-gen XM5 model does not: the ability to fold down for easier storage and travel. Read our review.
  • Normally $179.99, you can currently buy Sony’s unique LinkBuds for $128 at Amazon and Best Buy. The earbuds offer crisp sound quality, great voice call performance, and use an “open-style” design that allows for better spatial awareness. Read our review.
  • If you don’t like wearing earbuds in your ears while working out, you can pick up a pair of the wraparound Shokz OpenRun Pro for $99.95 ($80 off) at Best Buy. They’re a good pair of open-ear headphones that leave your ears exposed, allowing you to listen to music without sacrificing your safety.
  • The Pixel Buds A-Series are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for around $59 ($40 off), an all-time low. The simple earbuds remain an appealing pair of earbuds for Android users despite their age, especially if you can do without noise cancellation and some of the more premium features found on the Pixel Buds Pro. Read our review.

The best smartwatch and fitness tracker deals

The best phone and mobile accessory deals

  • Google’s Pixel 8 phone is on sale for $549 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The new Pixel is slightly smaller than last year’s at 6.1 inches but it packs a new Tensor G3 processor. Read our review.
  • PopSockets is taking 25 percent off various grips, mounts, cases, and other accessories, including this PopGrip for MagSafe phone handle / stand (on sale for $22.50), which is compatible with iPhone 12 phones and newer.
  • Maybe you heard, but Apple’s new FineWoven case isn’t our favorite. Consider a Moment case instead for your new iPhone 15 — they’re $34.99 right now, which is $15 off the full MSRP. Another option: Nomad is offering 30 percent off sitewide, so its $50 leather iPhone 15 case is $35 right now.
  • EWA’s MagOne magnetic phone grip is on sale for $15.99 ($4 off) at Amazon. It’s a grip and a kickstand in one, making bigger phones a little more wieldy without getting in the way of MagSafe charging.

The best charger deals

  • Nomad’s Stand, a magnetic Qi charger that tops out at 7.5W when charging MagSafe-compatible phones, is on sale at Nomad in white for $56 ($24 off). Also, the matching Base charger does the same thing while holding your phone flat and it’s just $35 (half off).
  • You can buy the Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station (MagGo) for $69.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. The orb-like magnetic Qi charger doubles as a power strip with multiple USB-C, USB-A, and AC ports, which allow it to deliver up to 65 watts of combined power.

The best tablet and e-reader deals

  • The eight-inch Kobo Sage — a newer, non-Amazon alternative to the Kindle Oasis — is on sale for $239.99 ($30 off) directly from Rakuten’s Kobo online store. The high-end e-reader features physical page-turning buttons and USB-C, along with stylus support so you can take notes. Its eight-inch display is relatively cramped compared to the Kobo Elipsa 2E’s, however, so we wouldn’t recommend it as a primary note-taking device.
  • Speaking of the iPad, both the ninth-gen and 10th-gen models are only compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil, which is also on sale for $79 (about $20 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Unlike the second-gen Apple Pencil, you’ll need to charge it by plugging the stylus directly into the iPad’s Lightning port.

The best laptop and computing deals

  • The new 2023 entry-level MacBook Pro with a 14-inch display, M3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and (most) of the good port selection is selling for $1,449 ($150 off) at Best Buy. It may be a bit of an “enigma” for a base model entry in Apple’s MacBook Pro line, but think of it more as a souped-up MacBook Air.
  • If you’re shopping for a convertible, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 starts at around $799.99 ($100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The powerful laptop offers a 120Hz screen and is a stunner available in various colors, ranging from green to blue. Read our review.
  • Alternatively, if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle heavier graphics, the creator-focused Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is available with an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $1,399.99 ($200 off) at Best Buy and the Microsoft Store. The laptop sports a terrific keyboard/trackpad combo, as well as a 120Hz screen, one that’s capable of pivoting so you can lay it flat to write or draw on it. Read our review.
  • 8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboard is currently on sale for $89.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. The Nintendo-inspired Bluetooth keyboard features two red programmable buttons similar to the ones found on the original NES controller; it also offers a standard tenkeyless layout that’s devoid of a numpad and comes with clicky, hot-swappable switches.
  • Elgato’s Stream Deck Plus has fallen to an all-time low of $169.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. The well-built peripheral functions in a similar fashion to Elgato’s other macro controllers in that it provides you with a selection of programmable keys, only the Deck Plus also features four knobs with their own set of apps and an LED touchscreen. Read our review.

The best smart display deals

  • The last-gen Echo Show 8 is available for $54.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, down from $129.99. Although it’s not a full smart home hub like the newer third-gen model, it’s still a good smart display for making Zoom calls, controlling smart home gadgets, watching videos, and carrying out a range of other Alexa-enabled tasks. Read our review.

The best speaker deals

  • Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $38 ($22 off), a new low pricew. Despite the fact it’s tiny, the Bluetooth speaker delivers crisp, clear sound along with up to 16 hours of continuous battery life. It also sports IP67 dust and water resistance, so you can take it to pool parties or on hikes without worrying. Read our review.

The best gaming deals

  • In addition to the Split Pad Pro, Hori’s Split Pad Compact handheld controller in its cute Gengar Pokémon design for $39.99 ($20 off) at Amazon.
  • If you enjoyed HBO’s fantastic adaptation of The Last of Us, The Last of Us Part I is on sale for the PS5 at Best Buy, and GameStop for $39.99 ($30 off). It’s a remarkable remake of the classic title from 2013, with faster load times, better visuals, and other welcome tweaks. Read our review.
  • Walmart is selling the Xbox Series S 512GB console in white with an extra matching controller for $289.99 (about $80 off). That’s less than the regular cost of the $299.99 console alone, and you get a spare controller for local multiplayer or backup duties. Read our review.

The best robot vacuum deals

  • The Roborock S7, the S8’s predecessor, is also on sale at Walmart for $285. This was our former pick for the best robot vacuum/mop combo before the S8 took its place. The impressive robovac lacks some newer bells and whistles, including AI-obstacle avoidance, but it keeps carpets dry thanks to the mop’s unique lifting mechanism. Read our review.
  • The brand new iRobot Roomba j9 is seeing its first-ever discount, down to $599 from $899 at Amazon. This bot features an auto-empty dock and higher suction power than the j7 and a new Dirt Detective feature that learns which rooms are dirtiest in your home and cleans them first. The mopping version, the Roomba Combo j9 Plus, is also on sale for $999, down from $1,399. This is the first Roomba that can refill its own mop as well as empty its bin, and the new self-empty/fill dock has a stylish design that can also act as a side table.
  • Amazon is discounting the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 (also known as the Shark Matrix) to $249.99 ($200 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the budget-friendly robot vacuum/mop hybrid. This is just the robot without the auto-empty base. It’s a little loud but has good suction, a great app, and a laundry list of features (including mapping).
  • The Roborock Q5 Pro is $319.98, down from $429.99 at Amazon. An excellent mid-range vacuum, it packs 5,200 Pa suction power and two rubber roller brushes that are great at picking up pet hair. It’s not fancy, but with a huge 770ml bin with big wheels to get up on higher-pile carpets, it’s a good option for families with pets. The Plus version is also on sale for $479.98 and adds a self-empty dock that automatically empties the robot’s bin when it’s full. Read our review.

The best smart home deals

  • The Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is available for $131.99 ($88 off) at Nanoleaf or $189.99 ($30 off) from Amazon and Best Buy. The nine customizable light panels, which appear black when turned off, are capable of showcasing 16 million colors and support smart home platforms like Apple Home.
  • Nanoleaf’s Shapes Mini Triangles Smarter Kit is on sale for $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and direct from Nanoleaf. The 10 modular light panels can display millions of colors and can sync with music, much like the aforementioned black panels, however, they’re much smaller and appear white when turned off.
  • Regularly $94.48, you can currently buy the Blink Video Doorbell with a Blink Sync Module 2 (which allows for local storage) for $47.49 at Amazon. If you’re looking for a basic buzzer, the 1080p video doorbell is a good option with support for motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, and two-way audio.
  • If you want gigabit-capable mesh Wi-Fi covering your home but don’t want to pay top dollar, you can get a three-pack of the midrange Eero 6 Plus routers for $194.99 ($105 off) at Amazon.
  • Vornado’s 660 AE, a large whole-room fan that circulates a lot of air and connects to Alexa for smart functionality, is on sale right now at Amazon for around $114 (normally $129.99).

The best TV, streaming device, and soundbar deals

The best streaming service deals

The best deals Legos, Nerf blasters, and other toys

  • Lego’s Optimus Prime is down to $151.99 ($28 off) at Amazon and Target, which matches its second-best price to date. It’s an excellent build, even if our Sean Hollister felt it was a little fragile while transforming. You can even watch him build it here.
  • Lego’s colorful Tales of the Space Age set is down to $42.49 (about $8 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, matching its best to date. The minimalist 688-piece kit consists of four space-themed “postcards,” which depict shooting stars, a space shuttle, and other celestial bodies, all of which can be mounted or displayed standing up.
  • If you’re into Lego Star Wars kits, the BD-1 Droid (of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor) is on sale for $79.99 ($19 off) at Target. If online orders are unavailable, you might have better luck with in-store pickup.
  • Lego’s 1,222-piece Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck is on sale for $73.99 (about $16 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, one of its better prices to date. It’s a great set if you’re a fan of the Horizon series from Guerrilla Games, one that stands over 13 inches tall and also comes with a brick-ified version of the velociraptor-like Watcher robot.
  • Lego is selling its Star Wars Razor Crest starship from The Mandalorian series for $419.99 ($180 off). The 6187-piece building kit is from Lego’s Ultimate Collector Series and includes four minifigs to display alongside its small decorative placard.
  • The Nerf N-Strike Mastodon blaster is on sale at Amazon for half off at $49.99, which matches its all-time low price. The motorized, mega-dart firing blaster comes with 24 darts included along with a shoulder strap.
  • Nothing beats a family Nerf war, and the best way to do it is with a six-pack of single-shot Nerf MicroShot blasters — which are just $19.99 ($13 off) at Amazon. Each Derringer-style blaster loads and fires one dart, requiring you to pick your shots carefully before having to reload.
  • Nerf’s Zombie Strike Hammershot is just $12.49 ($5 off) at Amazon. It may be small, but it packs a great punch with a spring-powered hammer and rotating five-dart revolving chamber. It gives off a great gunslinger vibe, especially if you dual-wield a pair of them.

The best deals on Verge Favorites and other tech

  • The Chi Original Digital Ceramic Hairstyling Iron is one of our holiday gift guide picks for Moms, and right now is down to $63.75 ($57 off) at Amazon. This is an excellent flat iron that heats up quickly and straightens and defrizzes hair well. It can even create some nice, long loose waves.
  • The 2022 Tile Mate is also on sale for $17.99 ($7 off) $16.49 ($8.50 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The Bluetooth tracker is platform-agnostic like the Tile Pro, but can only keep tabs on items up to 250 feet away, as opposed to 400.
  • The ultra-portable AeroPress Original is currently available for around $31.95 (about $15 off) from Amazon, Target, and AeroPress, which is a great price for the single-serve coffee maker.
  • TP-Link’s RE315 Wi-Fi extender is on sale for just $24.99 ($25 off), matching its best price to date. It’s a good option if you’re looking to extend network coverage in your home or add ethernet connectivity to another room.

Feeling a little overwhelmed on what deals to pounce on? Need some tech buying advice? Our Verge Deals team is here for your retail therapy, and we’ll be answering your burning shopping questions for Cyber Monday live on November 27th at 11AM ET. Leave a question here.

samedi 25 novembre 2023

At Meta, Millions of Underage Users Were an ‘Open Secret,’ States Say

At Meta, Millions of Underage Users Were an ‘Open Secret,’ States Say Meta “routinely documented” children under 13 on Instagram and “unlawfully” collected their data, according to a newly unsealed complaint.

The best Black Friday deals you can still get

The best Black Friday deals you can still get
Brightly colored vector illustration of a person shopping on Black Friday.
Illustration by Aaron Fernandez for The Verge

Black Friday 2023 has come and gone, and we’re cruising toward Cyber Monday — but that doesn’t mean all of yesterday’s deals are history. Quite the opposite. You can still take advantage of big savings at many retailers. Whether you’re shopping for a new smartphone, the latest noise-canceling headphones, or a stylish smartwatch, a ton of popular products are still heavily discounted.

Whether you’re checking off everyone on your list for the upcoming holidays or you’re just shopping for the best prices for yourself, we’re scouring all the quality deals Black Friday has to offer and logging them right here. But keep in mind that our Black Friday and upcoming Cyber Monday coverage goes well beyond a single post. You can find it all here, and you definitely don’t want to miss some of our budget-focused roundups, specifically our guides to the best deals under $100, under $50, and under $25.

But for now, if you’re looking for the very best remaining deals, some highlights include significant discounts on the latest Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C, Google’s flagship Pixel 8 Pro, the rarely-on-sale Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Roam smart speakers, plus a whole lot more. We’re rounding up all of the highlights below, and while we expect many of them to run through the weekend, frankly, there’s no guarantee.

Black Friday deals spotlight

  • Apple is offering up to $200 in gift cards when you buy select devices, with the exact amount depending on the item. Big-ticket items like the MacBook Air and Mac Mini are eligible for up to $200 in credit, while iPads is entitled to up to $100. The promo also applies to AirPods, Apple Watches, older iPhone models, and accessories like the second-gen Apple Pencil.

The best headphone and earbud deals

  • Apple’s luxe AirPods Max are back down to $449.99 ($100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which remains their second-best price to date. The noise-canceling headphones are getting a little long in the tooth — blame Apple’s aging H1 chip — but they still offer great controls, deep integration with Apple products, and terrific sound quality. Read our review.
  • Apple’s third-gen AirPods are matching their all-time low of $139.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy with a Lightning-only charging case; they’re also on sale at Costco with a MagSafe charging case for the same price if you’re a member. The third-gen earbuds are similar to the prior model in many ways, only they now feature an IPX4 water resistance rating, shorter stems, and better sound. Read our review.
  • Sony’s last-gen WH-1000XM4s are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for around $248 ($100 off), which is one of their best prices to date. The noise-canceling headphones may be an older model than the newer XM5, but they still sound great today and have a handy feature the new version does not: the ability to fold down for easier storage and travel. Read our review.
  • Normally $179.99, you can currently buy Sony’s unique LinkBuds for $128 at Amazon and Best Buy. The earbuds offer crisp sound quality, great voice call performance, and use an “open-style” design that allows for better spatial awareness. Read our review.
  • If you don’t like wearing earbuds in your ears while working out, you can pick up a pair of the wraparound Shokz OpenRun Pro for $99.95 ($80 off) at Best Buy. They’re a good pair of open-ear headphones that leave your ears exposed, allowing you to listen to music without sacrificing your safety.
  • The Pixel Buds A-Series are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for around $59 ($40 off), an all-time low. The simple earbuds remain an appealing pair of earbuds for Android users despite their age, especially if you can do without noise cancellation and some of the more premium features found on the Pixel Buds Pro. Read our review.

The best smartwatch and fitness tracker deals

The best phone and mobile accessory deals

  • Google’s Pixel 8 phone is on sale for $549 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The new Pixel is slightly smaller than last year’s at 6.1 inches but it packs a new Tensor G3 processor. Read our review.
  • PopSockets is taking 25 percent off various grips, mounts, cases, and other accessories, including this PopGrip for MagSafe phone handle / stand (on sale for $22.50) which is compatible with iPhone 12 phones and newer.
  • Maybe you heard, but Apple’s new FineWoven case isn’t our favorite. Consider a Moment case instead for your new iPhone 15 — they’re $34.99 right now, which is $15 off the full MSRP. Another option: Nomad is offering 30 percent off sitewide, so its $50 leather iPhone 15 case is $35 right now.
  • EWA’s MagOne magnetic phone grip is on sale for $15.99 ($4 off) at Amazon. It’s a grip and a kickstand in one, making bigger phones a little more wieldy without getting in the way of MagSafe charging.

The best charger deals

  • Nomad’s Stand, a magnetic Qi charger that tops out at 7.5W when charging MagSafe-compatible phones, is on sale at Nomad in white for $56 ($24 off). Also, the matching Base charger does the same thing while holding your phone flat and it’s just $35 (half off).
  • You can buy the Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station (MagGo) for $69.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. The orb-like magnetic Qi charger doubles as a power strip with multiple USB-C, USB-A, and AC ports, which allow it to deliver up to 65 watts of combined power.

The best tablet and e-reader deals

  • The eight-inch Kobo Sage — a newer, non-Amazon alternative to the Kindle Oasis — is on sale for $239.99 ($30 off) directly from Rakuten’s Kobo online store. The high-end e-reader features physical page-turning buttons and USB-C, along with stylus support so you can take notes. Its eight-inch display is relatively cramped compared to the Kobo Elipsa 2E’s, however, so we wouldn’t recommend it as a primary note-taking device.
  • Speaking of the iPad, both the ninth-gen and 10th-gen models are only compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil, which is also on sale for $72.17 (about $27 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Unlike the second-gen Apple Pencil, you’ll need to charge it by plugging the stylus directly into the iPad’s Lightning port.

The best laptop and computing deals

  • The new 2023 entry-level MacBook Pro with a 14-inch display, M3 processor, 8GB or RAM, and (most) of the good port selection is selling for $1,449 ($150 off) at Best Buy. It may be a bit of an “enigma” for a base model entry in Apple’s MacBook Pro line, but think of it more as a souped-up MacBook Air.
  • If you’re shopping for a convertible, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 starts at around $799.99 ($100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The powerful laptop offers a 120Hz screen and is a stunner available in various colors, ranging from green to blue. Read our review.
  • Alternatively, if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle heavier graphics, the creator-focused Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is available with an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $1,399.99 ($200 off) at Best Buy and the Microsoft Store. The laptop sports a terrific keyboard/trackpad combo, as well as a 120Hz screen, one that’s capable of pivoting so you can lay it flat to write or draw on it. Read our review.
  • 8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboard is currently on sale for $89.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. The Nintendo-inspired Bluetooth keyboard features two red programmable buttons similar to the ones found on the original NES controller; it also offers a standard tenkeyless layout that’s devoid of a numpad and comes with clicky, hot-swappable switches.
  • Elgato’s Stream Deck Plus has fallen to an all-time low of $169.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. The well-built peripheral functions in a similar fashion to Elgato’s other macro controllers in that it provides you with a selection of programmable keys, only the Deck Plus also features four knobs with their own set of apps and an LED touchscreen. Read our review.

The best smart display deals

  • The last-gen Echo Show 8 is available for $54.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, down from $129.99. Although it can’t act as a smart home hub like the newer third-gen model, it’s still a good smart display for making Zoom calls, controlling smart home gadgets, watching videos, and carrying out a range of other Alexa-enabled tasks. Read our review.

The best speaker deals

  • Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $38 ($22 off), a new low pricew. Despite the fact it’s tiny, the Bluetooth speaker delivers crisp, clear sound along with up to 16 hours of continuous battery life. It also sports IP67 dust and water resistance, so you can take it to pool parties or on hikes without worrying. Read our review.

The best gaming deals

  • In addition to the Split Pad Pro, Hori’s Split Pad Compact handheld controller in its cute Gengar Pokémon design for $39.99 ($20 off) at Amazon.
  • If you enjoyed HBO’s fantastic adaptation of The Last of Us, The Last of Us Part I is on sale for the PS5 at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop for $39.99 ($30 off). It’s a remarkable remake of the classic title from 2013, with faster load times, better visuals, and other welcome tweaks. Read our review.
  • Walmart is selling the Xbox Series S 512GB console in white with an extra matching controller for $289.99 (about $80 off). That’s less than the regular cost of the $299.99 console alone, and you get a spare controller for local multiplayer or backup duties. Read our review.

The best robot vacuum deals

  • The Roborock S7, the S8’s predecessor, is also on sale at Walmart for $359.99. This was our former pick for the best robot vacuum/mop combo before the S8 took its place. The impressive robovac lacks some newer bells and whistles, including AI-obstacle avoidance, but it keeps carpets dry thanks to the mop’s unique lifting mechanism. Read our guide to the best robot vacuums.
  • Amazon is discounting the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 to $249.99 ($200 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the budget-friendly robot vacuum/mop hybrid. It’s a little loud and lacks an auto-empty base, however, it makes up for the caveats with good suction, a great app, and a laundry list of features (including mapping).
  • The Roborock Q5 Pro is $319.98, down from $429.99 at Amazon. An excellent mid-range vacuum, it packs 5,200 Pa suction power and two rubber roller brushes that are great at picking up pet hair. It’s not fancy, but with a huge 770ml bin with big wheels to get up on higher-pile carpets, it’s a good option for families with pets. The Plus version is also on sale for $479.98 and adds a self-empty dock that automatically empties the robot’s bin when it’s full. Read our review.

The best smart home deals

  • The Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Triangles Smarter Kit is available for $131.99 ($88 off) at Nanoleaf or $189.99 ($30 off) from Amazon and Best Buy. The nine customizable light panels, which appear black when turned off, are capable of showcasing 16 million colors and support smart home platforms like Apple Home.
  • Nanoleaf’s Shapes Mini Triangles Smarter Kit is on sale for $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and direct from Nanoleaf. The 10 modular light panels can display millions of colors and can sync with music, much like the aforementioned black panels, however, they’re much smaller and appear white when turned off.
  • Tovala’s Smart Oven Air Fryer is $49 ($200 off) when you buy it from Tovala and order meals six times over six months. Each meal typically costs $12.99. Tovala’s Smart Oven Air Fryer accompanying meal kit service and built-in QR code scanner lets you quickly cook a wide range of delicious meals. It can scan store-bought groceries, but it cooks Tovala’s meal kits the best. Read our review.
  • Regularly $94.48, you can currently buy the Blink Video Doorbell with a Blink Sync Module 2 (which allows for local storage) for $47.49 at Amazon. If you’re looking for a basic buzzer, the 1080p video doorbell is a good option with support for motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, and two-way audio.
  • If you want gigabit-capable mesh Wi-Fi covering your home but don’t want to pay top dollar, you can get a three-pack of the midrange Eero 6 Plus routers for $194.99 ($105 off) at Amazon.
  • Vornado’s 660 AE, a large whole-room fan that circulates a lot of air and connects to Alexa for smart functionality, is on sale right now at Amazon for around $114 (normally $129.99).

The best TV, streaming device, and soundbar deals

The best streaming service deals

The best deals Legos, Nerf blasters, and other toys

  • Lego’s Optimus Prime is down to $151.99 ($28 off) at Amazon and Target, which matches its second-best price to date. It’s an excellent build, even if our Sean Hollister felt it was a little fragile while transforming. You can even watch him build it here.
  • Lego’s colorful Tales of the Space Age set is down to $42.49 (about $8 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, matching its best to date. The minimalist 688-piece kit consists of four space-themed “postcards,” which depict shooting stars, a space shuttle, and other celestial bodies, all of which can be mounted or displayed standing up.
  • If you’re into Lego Star Wars kits, the BD-1 Droid (of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor) is on sale for $69.29 (about $30 off) at Target. If online orders are unavailable, you might have better luck with in-store pickup.
  • Lego’s 1,222-piece Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck is on sale for $73.99 (about $16 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, one of its better prices to date. It’s a great set if you’re a fan of the Horizon series from Guerrilla Games, one that stands over 13 inches tall and also comes with a brick-ified version of the velociraptor-like Watcher robot.
  • Lego is selling its Star Wars Razor Crest starship from The Mandalorian series for $419.99 ($180 off). The 6187-piece building kit is from Lego’s Ultimate Collector Series and includes four minifigs to display alongside its small decorative placard.
  • The Nerf N-Strike Mastodon blaster is on sale at Amazon for half off at $49.99, which matches its all-time low price. The motorized, mega-dart firing blaster comes with 24 darts included along with a shoulder strap.
  • Nothing beats a family Nerf war, and the best way to do it is with a six-pack of single-shot Nerf MicroShot blasters — which are just $19.99 ($13 off) at Amazon. Each Derringer-style blaster loads and fires one dart, requiring you to pick your shots carefully before having to reload.
  • Nerf’s Zombie Strike Hammershot is just $12.49 ($5 off) at Amazon. It may be small, but it packs a great punch with a spring-powered hammer and rotating five-dart revolving chamber. It gives off a great gunslinger vibe, especially if you dual-wield a pair of them.

The best deals on Verge Favorites and other tech

  • The Chi Original Digital Ceramic Hairstyling Iron is one of our holiday gift guide picks for Moms, and right now is down to $63.75 ($57 off) at Amazon. This is an excellent flat iron that heats up quickly and straightens and defrizzes hair well. It can even create some nice, long loose waves.
  • The 2022 Tile Mate is also on sale for $17.99 ($7 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The Bluetooth tracker is platform-agnostic like the Tile Pro, but can only keep tabs on items up to 250 feet away, as opposed to 400.
  • The ultra-portable AeroPress Original is currently available for around $31.95 (about $15 off) from Amazon, Target, and AeroPress, which is a great price for the single-serve coffee maker.
  • TP-Link’s RE315 Wi-Fi extender is on sale for just $24.99 ($25 off), matching its best price to date. It’s a good option if you’re looking to extend network coverage in your home or add ethernet connectivity to another room.

Feeling a little overwhelmed on what deals to pounce on? Need some tech buying advice? Our Verge Deals team is here for your retail therapy, and we’ll be answering your burning shopping questions for Cyber Monday live on November 27th at 11AM ET. Leave a question here.

Here are the best Black Friday deals you can already get

Here are the best Black Friday deals you can already get Image: Elen Winata for The Verge From noise-canceling earbuds to robot vacuums a...