Posts Tagged: AirPods
Apple’s third-generation AirPods fall back to $140
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone or a pick-me-up as winter rages, discounted AirPods are a solid option. Right now, Apple’s third-generation AirPods are down from $ 169 to $ 140 – a 17 percent discount. The sale brings these earbuds down to the lowest we’ve seen them this year.
The third-gen Apple AirPods came on the scene in 2021 as a major upgrade to their predecessor. For starters, they have a comfier design and IPX4-level sweat and water resistance. The third-gen AirPods also offer six hours of playtime (30 overall with the case), wireless charging with a Qi‑certified wireless charger and one hour of juice in just five minutes in the case. Plus, this model has always-on Siri and more accurately detects when the AirPods are in your ear.
Are you looking for just the basics in your AirPods purchase? The second-generation model AirPods are also on sale, with a 30 percent discount dropping the price from $ 129 to $ 90. However, they don’t have wireless charging and last only five hours, or 24 hours with the case.
If noise canceling is vital to you, then the second-gen AirPods Pro might be the right call instead. They’re currently 24 percent off, dropping from $ 249 to $ 190 — not far off from the standard price for the classic third-gen AirPods. In addition to noise canceling, the second-gen AirPods Pro offer transparency mode and Adaptive Audio. They also have six hours of battery life and 30 hours with the case. Plus, both the AirPods and the MagSafe case are IP54 sweat, dust and water resistant.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-third-generation-airpods-fall-back-to-140-122555116.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Best Apple deals: AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBook
Apple fans know how fleeting deals can be, but we’ve rounded up some great Apple deals for you right here.
Digital Trends
The best Apple Black Friday deals on iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches and more
Since last Black Friday, Apple announced new devices at no fewer than three different events — and most of those products are already seeing discounts for Black Friday 2023. We found discounts on the new MacBook Pro models with the M3 chips, on the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and on the 15-inch MacBook Air. While the world didn’t see any new iPads this year, the 2022 models are still great — and some are discounted to new all-time lows. Here are the best Apple Black Friday deals from Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and B&H Photo.
AirPod Black Friday deals
AirPods Pro (2nd gen, USB-C)
When Apple announced the new iPhone 15 and its conversion to USB-C charging, the company also revealed the second generation AirPods Pro with the same connector. That version dropped to $ 190 at Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H Photo, Best Buy. They’ve gone or as low as $ 189 recently, so this is within a dollar of that price. Other than the port, the hardware hasn’t changed so you’re still getting the earbuds we named the best pick for iPhone users in our guide. In addition to pairing well with Apple’s handsets, the buds also offer one of the best transparency modes on the market along with solid ANC and richer fuller sound than the previous generation Pros. The Lightning version is on sale for $ 185 at Verizon.
AirPods Max
The over-ear AirPods Max are normally far too expensive for us to recommend. But now they’re down to $ 450, which is a new low price and $ 30 cheaper than Prime Day in October. Get the deal at Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H Photo, Best Buy. They are well-designed, comfortable, and implement all of the helpful Siri integrations. We also like the great noise cancellation and Spatial Audio. While they’re a little heavy, the fit is still comfortable and the on-device controls, while unique, are simple and “a joy to use.”
AirPods (3rd gen)
The third generation AirPods with the Lightning charging case are down to $ 140 at Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H Photo, Best Buy. They’re listed at $ 169 but often sell for closer to $ 150, so this is $ 10 off the usual. These non-Pro AirPods came out in 2021 and got a review score of 88 from us. They pair quickly with iPhones and are a good complement to Siri’s helpfulness. They don’t have ANC however — you’ll need to go for the AirPods Pro for that feature — but they do have Adaptive EQ which monitors and adapts sound in real time. The fit is comfortable and they’re water-resistant so they can handle workouts or the weather.
MacBook Black Friday Day deals
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023, M3)
The base model, 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M3 chip just came out in October but is already$ 150 off for Black Friday. After testing the new chip, we think the base model with 8GB of RAM may quickly get bogged down. If it’s within your budget, we recommend the model with 16GB of RAM, which is unfortunately full price. But if you upgrade to a model with the M3 Pro chip for an even speedier experience — you’ll get a $ 200 discount as it’s down to $ 2,199 at B&H Photo. We gave the new M3 MacBook Pros an appreciative review and named them the best option for creatives in our buyer’s guide.
MacBook Air (15-inch, 2023, M2)
The 15-inch MacBook Air arrived in June and added a little more screen real estate to an already great machine. It’s down to $ 1,049 for Black Friday at Amazon and Best Buy. That’s the same as the all-time low it’s hit a few times these past couple of months. It’s $ 200 off at B&H Photo. We gave it a 96 in our review and liked how the bigger screen let you get the most out of the M2 processor.
Now that the M3 MacBook Pros have arrived, we’re guessing Apple will come out with M3-enabled Air models in 2024. Still the M2 has plenty of processing power and will serve you well as both a casual machine for playing games and watching shows, but can also hold its own with productivity tasks.
MacBook Air (13-inch, 2022, M2)
The original 13-inch MacBook Air is on sale for $ 929 at B&H Photo. It’s our top recommendation for a MacBook and beat out all brands in our laptop guide. The M2 chip is impressively fast and capable, the design is solid and the display is lovely. It’s more than capable for both work and play and should give you years of dependable use. But, again, the M3-enabled Airs are likely on their way in 2024. So if you know you’re drawn to the newest thing, you might want to wait.
MacBook Air (13-inch, 2020, M1)
The MacBook Air with the M1 chip is a couple years old at this point, but still officially part of Apple’s laptop lineup. It dropped to an all-time low of $ 750 for October’s Prime Day at Amazon and now Amazon and Best Buy are selling it for $ 750 and its $ 849 at B&H Photo. It’s the budget pick in our guide to MacBooks and the top pick in our guide to budget laptops. Check out our review from when it first came out in which we praised its quick speeds, excellent screen and good battery life.
Apple Watch Black Friday deals
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is now $ 730 with an attached coupon, which is $ 69 off and a new low price. Get the deal at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy. The Ultra 2 has the same new chip as the Apple Watch Series 9 so it can perform the new Double Tap trick, but also sports a more robust build and outdoor-specific features that make it suited to adventurers. There’s a siren to alert people to your presence as well as a dive meter, waypoint setting capabilities and night mode to preserve your low-light vision. It’s our recommended Apple Watch for adventurers.
Apple Watch Series 9
The new Apple Watch Series 9 is seeing a $ 70 discount that brings it to $ 330 at Amazon, Target and Walmart. That’s a new low for the wearable. It debuted alongside the iPhone 15 back in September and the big change this time around is a new SiP (system in package) chip that allows for a Double Tap feature that lets you tap your thumb and forefinger together to answer calls and more. It also allows for the onboard processing of Siri requests, making simple demands (like starting a timer or a workout) happen faster. The Series 9 has an always-on display and when paired with the Sport Loop is a carbon neutral product. As has been the case for many years now, the Apple Watch is an excellent fitness companion, offering comprehensive health and activity data. It also happens to be our favorite smartwatch for most people.
Apple Watch SE
The most affordable smartwatch in the lineup is the Apple Watch SE, which is now down to $ 179. It has a list price of $ 249 but has regularly sold for $ 220 lately. We called it the best smartwatch money can buy in our review when it came out in 2022. It lacks an always-on display and a few of the more specialized health sensors, like the blood oxygen app, but the fitness features and tracking data are well-rounded, plus the notifications and integrations are particularly convenient for iPhone users.
Apple iPad Black Friday deals
iPad (9th generation)
Apple’s ninth generation standard iPad dropped to a new all-time low of $ 249 during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale and then hovered at the price for the next few weeks. Now it’s down to $ 230 at Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H Photo and Best Buy. It’s not the newest slate, but it’s the recommended budget pick in our guide to the best Apple Tablets because it’s powerful enough for couch surfing, playing Apple Arcade games and watching Netflix — plus it’s the most affordable way to get an iPad.
iPad Air
The base model of the latest generation of the iPad Air has an MSRP of $ 599 and is now down to $ 499, a price its hit quite a few times in 2023. This is the iPad we recommend for most people because it’s speedy, has a great screen and works with current-generation accessories. It can act as a rather powerful entertainment option for games and streaming, but is powerful enough to serve as a productivity device when paired up with a stylus or mouse and a keyboard. Now that the M3 chip has been loosed upon the world, the iPad Air, which houses the M1 chip, is primed for an update, which will likely come next year (along with a potential price increase).
iPad mini
For a more portable iPad experience, the iPad mini offers a bigger screen than your phone, but is barely as easy to carry around with you. It’s listed at $ 499, but has dropped as low as $ 400 many times this year. Now it’s back down to that low at Amazon, Target and Best Buy. The smaller iPad got a refresh last year, adding a new Liquid Retina screen, a Touch-ID top button instead of a Home button, and a USB-C charging. The performance is snappy and the integration with the second-generation Apple Pencil makes it excel as a digital notebook. As we said in our review, with the mini, Apple “quashes notion that ‘smaller’ means ‘lesser.’”
Apple accessories Black Friday deals
Magic Keyboard
Apple’s Magic Keyboard is our pick for one of the best iPad accessories you can buy. It’s a pretty pricey add-on but now that it’s down to $ 259 at Amazon, it’s a little easier to justify. It magnetically attaches to the latest iPad Pros and keeps them “floating” above the keyboard (which also has a trackpad). We found it comfortable for typing and like that it acts as a cover when closed.
Apple AirTags
A four-pack of Apple AirTags is $ 80 right now at Amazon, thanks to a 19 percent discount. They go for $ 29 each at full price, so the deal will save you $ 9 a pop. AirTags are our top picks for Bluetooth trackers for iPhone users as they tap into Apple’s disturbingly vast FindMy network, using other Apple mobiles to find your lost stuff. If you want just a single AirTag, you can grab one for $ 24 (a $ 5 discount) at Walmart and Target.
Apple Pencil
Apple now makes three different Apple Pencils. The original recharges via Lightning. The second generation recharges wirelessly and the new USB-C looks a lot like the first generation, but charges via USB-C instead of lighting. Each one has different iPad compatibility with iPads. While that part is confusing, the pencil itself is rather elegant and one of the best accessories for your iPad. The 1st gen pencil is on sale for $ 73 at Amazon, while the 2nd generation stylus is down to $ 89. The USB-C model has an MSRP of $ 79 but is down to $ 71 at Amazon.
Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV 4K is our favorite premium streaming device and is currently $ 125 at B&H Photo. That’s not a huge discount, but the streaming box rarely goes on sale. We gave it a 94 in our review because it’s fast, has an excellent Siri remote and integrates seamlessly with Apple’s overall ecosystem. Navigation is clean and easy to use, plus the device can stream in 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision.
Mac Mini M2
The base model of Apple diminutive desktop computer, the Mac mini, is currently on sale for $ 100 off for Black Friday at Amazon, B&H Photo, Best Buy. It earned an 86 in our review because it packs a lot of processing power, using the same M2 chip as the two current-model MacBook Airs — but it’s much cheaper than either laptop. If you need a little more storage, you can get it with 512GB of SSD for $ 699 at B&H Photo.
Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-apple-black-friday-deals-ipads-airpods-apple-watch-iphone-more-094532221.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Apple’s AirPods Pro now come with a USB-C charging case
Apple is switching from Lighting to USB-C for the port on the entire iPhone 15 lineup, but the company isn't stopping there. During today's event, Apple announced it would also be swapping out the wired charging jack on the second-gen AirPods Pro that debuted last year. You can use a USB-C cable to charge the AirPods Pro case from an iPhone 15 too.
The second-gen AirPods Pro are a big improvement over the company's first version, with better audio quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) performance. Apple's earbuds and headphones have the most natural-sounding transparency mode of any we've tested, which is a huge boost for both video and voice calls. You can hear yourself so well you don't need to shout, and at times, it sounds like you aren't even wearing them. Conveniences like hands-free access to Siri, seamless switching between iCloud-connected devices and the added volume control also come in handy.
Apple is also getting ready to add three new features to the latest AirPods Pro. Adaptive Audio will fine-tune ANC and transparency mode to your environment. The tool "dynamically blends" the two as you move from one spot to the next and encounter varying degrees of ambient distractions. Personalized Volume, according to Apple, uses machine learning to predict your desired listening level based on your activity over time. And lastly, Conversation Awareness will lower the volume while also focusing on voices and reducing background noise. It's triggered when you start speaking, so you don't have to press a button to use it.
In addition to those main items, Apple's pending update will further improve seamless switching between various devices synced to your iCloud account. This includes jumping from iPhone to MacBook Pro when you have a video call, for example. Speaking of calls, you'll soon be able to mute/unmute by pressing the stem on the AirPods Pro. This feature will also be available on the first-gen AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and the third-gen AirPods. We expect the software-based updates to arrive soon, but there's no word yet on exactly when that will be.
Developing…
Follow all of the news live from Apple's 'Wonderlust' event right here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-airpods-pro-now-come-with-a-usb-c-charging-case-175348512.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
How to replace lost or broken AirPods, AirPods Pro, or cases
Apple’s AirPods are some of the best true wireless earbuds around. But they’re easy to damage or lose. Here’s how to replace a single AirPod or a charging case.
Digital Trends
Are Apple AirPods waterproof? Everything you need to know
Apple has quite a few different AirPod models these days, and not all of them can stand getting wet. Here’s how waterproof all AirPods are and what that means.
Digital Trends
This accessory turned my AirPods into a giant mech head
Casetify’s Evangelion collaboration is one of the coolest we’ve seen. Here’s a hands-on with some of the best products from the collection!
Digital Trends
Best true wireless earbuds deals: AirPods, Beats, Bose, Sony
There are a lot of great wireless earbud deals taking place right now, and we’ve rounded them all up to make big savings easy to grab.
Digital Trends
The best Amazon Prime Day Apple deals on AirPods, MacBooks and more for 2023
Lots of Apple products are discounted for Amazon Prime Day, including the latest generation iPads, AirPods, MacBooks and Apple Watches. If you’ve had your eye on a brand new MacBook Air or want to get Apple’s budget SE smartwatch for even less, the sale is a good time to act. You won’t find new, unlocked iPhones or Apple’s HomePod speakers as Amazon doesn’t tend to carry those, but most of Apple’s current-model tech is seeing some of the best discounts so far this year. Here are the best Prime Day deals on Apple products we could find.
AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Apple’s second generation AirPods Pro are on sale for $ 199 during Prime Day. That’s a $ 50 and the best price we’ve seen. They are our top pick for iPhone users in our earbuds guide and represent a big improvement over the first iteration, with better noise canceling and overall improved sound. They have an excellent transparency mode that lets you listen to music while still keeping aware of the sounds around you and they pair nicely with iPhones, iPads and Macs and make good use of Siri’s assistance.
AirPods (3rd gen)
Apple’s updated AirPods have been discounted to $ 140 for Prime Day. Released in 2021, these wireless earbuds improve upon their predecessors in nearly every way. They have better sound quality, a more comfortable design and a longer battery life. They don’t have ANC like the AirPods Pro do, but it’s hard to beat the third-gen AirPods at this price for iPhone users.
AirPods (2nd gen)
The second-generation AirPods are down to $ 89 for Prime Day. These wireless earbuds are a bit old at this point, but if you have less than $ 100 to send and want a pair that work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, these are a good option. They fit similarly to Apple’s EarPods and they have improved wireless range.
iPad Air
The latest iteration of Apple’s iPad Air is $ 500 after a $ 100 discount. We think it’s the best iPad for most people. It came out in 2022 and features Apple’s own M1 system-on-a-chip processor and a bright and sharp 10.9-inch display. We gave it a review score of 90, noting that the updated chip and 5G capabilities (on the cellular model) make it “almost future-proof.”
iPad (9th gen)
Apple’s 9th-generation iPad is down to $ 250, which it’s best price yet as it normally sells for $ 329. It’s the budget pick in our guide to the best iPads. Though it doesn’t have the thin bezels and as much accessory support as our favorite, the iPad Air, it’s the most affordable way to snag an iPad. It’s a great couch companion that performs well for casual browsing, binge streaming and light gaming.
The latest (10th) generation of Apple’s standard iPad in the 64GB size is down to $ 380 after a $ 70 discount. It’s got a slightly larger screen and a newer chip (though not Apple’s own M-series silicon). The latest gen also ditches the home button, which is nice, but does away with the headphone jack, which isn’t as great.
iPad mini
A smaller tablet like the iPad mini can do a lot of what your phone can while giving you more screen real estate. For Prime Day, Apple’s diminutive slate is $ 380 instead of its usual $ 499. We gave the mini an 89 in our review because of its fresh design and solid performance. It also pairs nicely with the second generation Apple Pencil, turning the mini into a portable digital notebook.
Apple Pencil (2nd gen)
The latest Apple Pencil is usually $ 129 but Prime Day is making it just $ 89. The second generation of the stylus works with the most recent models of the iPad mini, the iPad Air and both sizes of the iPad Pro. The standard iPad, even the latest iteration, still works with the first generation Apple Pencil, which is $ 79 right now. The Apple pencil lets you draw, sketch, take handwritten notes and even write in search boxes. The second gen pencil magnetically attaches to and charges from all compatible iPads.
Magic Keyboard
The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air or the 11-inch iPad Pro is now just $ 250 as opposed to the $ 300 list price. The keyboard wraps around and magnetically attaches to your iPad, acting as a case when closed, then when it’s time to type, your tablet “floats”above the keyboard. It’s one of our favorite iPad accessories and in our review of the iPad Pro, we noted the Magic Keyboard “provides the best typing experience” for Apple’s tablets. The keyboard for the 12.9 inch iPad Pro is also on sale and going for $ 299 for Prime Day.
AirTags
Apple’s AirTags are discounted $ 90 for the four-pack. Compared to the usual $ 28.50 per-tag price, that’s a decent savings. We named the AirTags the best bet for iPhone users because they tap into Apple’s vast Find My network, pinging off nearby Apple phones to anonymously locate the tracker if it’s ever lost out in the city.
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple’s flagship smartwatch is the Apple Watch Series 8 and Prime Day is giving it a $ 120 discount. Usually $ 399, the 41mm GPS model is now $ 280. The Series 8 is our favorite smartwatch thanks to its detailed health and fitness tracking along with a seamless integration with your iPhone’s apps and notifications. New features like temperature sensors, ECG and blood oxygen readings and improved sleep metrics give you more data than ever, while the crash detection can call for help if you’re ever in an accident. The upcoming WatchOS 10 will add widgets and expanded features including ways to track your mood in the Mindfulness app.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s budget smart watch that’s usually listed at $ 250. Prime Day discounts are making it just $ 200 for the 40 mm size. The 44mm version is usually $ 270 but down to $ 230 for the sale. We called the SE “the best smartwatch $ 250 can buy” in our Engadget review. It makes surprisingly few sacrifices over the Series 8 and shares the same looks, processor and 50-meter water resistance. It doesn’t have an always-on display and lacks the sensors for blood oxygen, temperature and EKG readings. If you don’t need all that, you can still get scads of fitness and health data plus seamless integration with your iPhone.
MacBook Pro (M2, 14-inch)
The MacBook Pro offers music makers, video producers and other heavy users a lot of processing power with the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. Amazon is selling the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip, 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage for $ 1,799, which is $ 200 off the usual $ 1,999. The base model 16-inch MacBook Pro with the same specs is down to $ 2,299 instead of $ 2,499. When the new MacBook Pros came out in January of this year, we gave the 14-inch model a 92 review score, praising the Liquid Retina XDR display, sturdy design and plethora of ports including three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, HDMI, a headphone jack and a full-sized SD card slot.
The 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro is also on sale for $ 1,099 after a $ 200 discount, but we’re not as impressed with this machine. If you’re happy with a 13-inch screen, you’re probably better off going with the 13-inch MacBook Air.
AirPods Max
Apple’s over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max are on sale for $ 450, which is $ 100 off the usual $ 549. They earned an 84 in our review when they came out at the end of 2020. We liked the balanced sound, solid active noise cancellation and long 20-hour battery life with a unique low-power mode that leaves the headphones in standby so they’re ready to play as soon as you put them on.
Apple Studio Display
The usual $ 1,599 for the Apple Studio Display is pretty steep. Prime Day has brought the price down to $ 1,499, which makes it a little more palatable, but we still think the display is ideal only for true Apple devotees. The A13 Bionic chip inside makes it a little smarter than most displays, but the 60Hz refresh rate is disappointing. Still, it’s got a nice build with good speakers and a bright and accurate screen.
Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-prime-day-apple-deals-on-airpods-macbooks-and-more-110302021.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Best Apple Presidents Day Deals: AirPods, iMac, Apple Watch
With good Apple discounts being so few and far between, take advantage of the Apple President’s Day sale to grab the tech you’ve been eyeing!
Digital Trends
Apple’s AirPods Pro fall to $200, plus the rest of the week’s best tech deals
While it’s a bit late for most tech gifts to ship in time for Christmas, there are still many deals going on for those looking to buy something nice for themselves. Apple’s AirPods Pro, for one, are down to an all-time low of $ 200, while Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds are still at a low of $ 178. Several recommended gamepads from 8BitDo are on sale, as are various well-regarded OLED TVs from LG. And if you’re a PC gamer, both Steam and the Epic Games Store have kicked off sweeping holiday sales on their respective storefronts. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple’s AirPods Pro have dropped back to $ 200 at multiple retailers, which matches the lowest price we’ve tracked and comes in about $ 30 below the pair’s usual going rate over the last few months. We gave the AirPods Pro a review score of 88 earlier this year and currently recommend them as the “best for iOS” pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds. The sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) here are among the better options on the market, as is the included transparency mode. Plus, like all AirPods, they offer a host of features that make them particularly convenient to use with other Apple devices. Their call quality and six-ish hours of battery life are just average, however.
Buy AirPods Pro (2nd gen) at Amazon – $ 200
Sony WF-1000XM4
If you don’t own an iPhone, the top overall pick in our best wireless earbuds guide is Sony’s WF-1000XM4, which is also on sale for $ 178, matching the lowest price we’ve seen. We gave this pair a review score of 86 last year, praising its upper-tier ANC, solid yet customizable sound quality, 8- to 10-hour battery life and array of useful bonus features. The earpieces here are on the bulkier side, so they might not fit all ear shapes comfortably, but they do isolate an impressive amount of noise even without the ANC turned on. If you’re on a tighter budget, meanwhile, Anker’s Soundcore Space A40 is another noise-canceling set we like that’s on sale for a new low of $ 60 at Target.
Buy Sony WF-1000XM4 at Amazon – $ 178
8BitDo game controllers
8BitDo’s Pro 2 gamepad is down to $ 40, which is a $ 10 discount and tied for the best price we’ve tracked. This is a comfortable and extensively customizable wireless controller we’ve recommended in past gift guides. It doesn’t work with PlayStation and Xbox consoles, but if you need a spare gamepad for Switch, PC or mobile devices, it’s arguably a better value than Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller. Just note that it can’t wake the Switch up from sleep mode, if you plan on using it with that console.
If you’re willing to pay more for a controller with Hall effect joysticks, which are traditionally more resistant to drift over time, or if you prefer an Xbox-style layout, 8BitDo’s Ultimate Controller is also on sale for $ 63. While that’s only $ 7 off its typical price, this is the first discount we’ve seen for the recently-launched device. For those who play lots of retro-style games, meanwhile, the company’s Sn30 Pro is like a more modern version of an old Super Nintendo pad, and it’s currently $ 10 off at $ 35.
Buy 8BitDo Pro 2 at Amazon – $ 40Buy 8BitDo Ultimate Controller at Amazon – $ 63Buy 8BitDo Sn30 Pro at Amazon – $ 35
PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller
If you need a spare gamepad for your PlayStation 5, Sony’s DualSense controller is still available for an all-time low of $ 49 at various retailers, including Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, Adorama, Target and Best Buy. The sale applies to several color finishes and comes out to a $ 20 or $ 25 discount depending on which model you choose. The DualSense itself isn’t as convenient on PCs as the 8BitDo pads above or Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S controller (which is down to $ 40), but it still provides a comfortable shape and impressive haptic feedback for newer PlayStation games.
Buy PS5 DualSense Controller at Amazon – $ 49Buy PS5 DualSense Controller at GameStop – $ 49
Apple MacBook Air
Apple’s latest MacBook Air is still on sale for $ 999 at B&H, matching the lowest price we’ve seen. Normally, Apple sells this version, which includes 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, for $ 1,199, though we’ve seen it fall to $ 1,049 a number of times in recent months. Either way, the M2-powered Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and we gave it a glowing review score of 96 earlier this year. As an everyday notebook, it gives little to complain about, but note that this entry-level configuration has slower storage performance than Apple’s higher-priced SKUs. Still, if you aren’t planning to do more involved work like editing high-resolution videos, this shouldn’t be a major hindrance on a day-to-day basis. Just be aware that B&H says this deal is set to end later Friday afternoon.
Buy MacBook Air M2 at B&H – $ 999
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
A configuration of Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 2 with a Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD is on sale for a new low of $ 600. That’s about $ 100 off this model’s typical street price as of late. We gave the 12.4-inch notebook a review score of 86 back in June and currently recommend it in our guide to the best affordable Windows laptops. The main appeal here is in the design, as the Surface Laptop Go 2’s slim and lightweight chassis, comfortable keyboard and bright display lend it a classier feel than most options in this price range. Its performance is quick enough for casual work, too, but don’t expect a powerhouse, and the keyboard is unfortunately devoid of backlighting.
Buy Surface Laptop Go 2 at Amazon – $ 600
Steam Winter Sale
It’s a good time to be a PC gamer (or Steam Deck owner), as Steam and the Epic Games Store have kicked off their annual holiday sales. Both promotions are scheduled to run until January 5. There are simply too many deals for us to run down everything, but some highlights on Steam include the acclaimed action-RPG Elden Ring down to $ 42, the cutesy cat adventure Stray for $ 24, the sharply written Disco Elysium for $ 10, the VR shooter Half-Life: Alyx for $ 24 and a bundle that includes a bunch of Valve-made games for $ 7. Several other picks from our best PC games guide are also on sale.
Epic’s sale doesn’t cover as many games, but it does include a recurring coupon that takes 25 percent off any purchase you make over $ 15. This can save you a few bucks if you aren’t beholden to Steam: The PC port of 2018’s God of War, for instance, is down to $ 23 at Epic with the coupon, but only down to $ 30 at Steam. For console owners, note that PlayStation and Xbox are running holiday sales as well, though the deals there are generally ones we’ve seen several times throughout the year.
Shop Winter Sale at SteamShop Holiday Sale at Epic Games Store
LG OLED TVs
If you’re looking to upgrade your TV, a handful of LG’s well-regarded OLED sets are down to all-time lows. The 42-inch model of LG’s C2 TV, for instance, is down to $ 797 at Amazon, which is about $ 200 off its usual going rate. (If you’d rather not shop through Amazon, BuyDig is throwing in a $ 40 gift card on top of the discount.) This model can’t get as bright as the QD-OLED panel on Samsung’s S95B OLED TV, so it’s best suited in dark or moderately-lit rooms, but it still provides the deep black levels, high contrast and wide viewing angles you’d expect from a high-end OLED display.
If you need something larger, the 65-inch LG B2 is down to $ 1,099 at Walmart (via authorized dealer Beach Camera), which is again roughly $ 200 off the price we’ve seen for most of the last couple of months. The B2 is a step down from the C2 with lesser HDR performance and a slower processor, but at this price it still offers excellent picture quality. Beyond that, the 48-inch LG A2 is back down to a low of $ 570 at Best Buy. This is the cheapest route into an LG OLED panel, but note that it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks HDMI 2.1 ports, reducing its appeal for gaming.
Buy LG C2 42-inch at Amazon – $ 797Buy LG B2 65-inch at Walmart – $ 1,099Buy LG A2 48-inch at Best Buy – $ 570
Apple Magic Keyboard
Apple’s Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro is still on sale for $ 210, which isn’t an all-time low but still $ 65 off the peripheral’s average street price in recent months. We gave the Magic Keyboard a review score of 84 back in 2020, and it still offers a comfortable typing experience, smooth trackpad and extra USB-C port to those who’d like to use their iPad more like a laptop. The main hangup is that it’s wildly expensive, but this deal lessens the burden at least somewhat.
Buy Apple Magic Keyboard 11-inch at Amazon – $ 210
Audible Premium Plus
Amazon is running a promotion that lets new subscribers get four months of Amazon’s Audible Premium Plus audiobook service for $ 5.95 per month. Normally, you’d have to pay $ 14.95 a month after a 30-day free trial. This offer has been available for the past several weeks, but we’re noting it here because it’s set to end on December 31.
As a reminder, Premium Plus is Audible’s upper tier: In addition to granting you access to the full Audible library, it lets you keep one title from a curated selection of audiobooks each month. It’s not an essential upgrade for most, but if you’ve been thinking of giving Audible a try, this is a decent way to see if the plan works for you. Just note that your membership will be set to auto-renew by default.
Buy Audible Premium Plus 4-month at Amazon – $ 5.95/month
Samsung Smart Monitor M8
Samsung’s Smart Monitor M8 is still available for $ 400, which is an all-time low and roughly $ 180 below the 32-inch monitor’s average street price in recent months. This is a decent VA panel with a 4K resolution, but its big selling point is that it can double as a sort of tuner-less smart TV. Since it runs Samsung’s Tizen interface, it’s able to stream apps like Netflix, HBO Max and the like even when it’s not hooked up to a PC. It comes with a remote, webcam, mic and built-in speakers, and it can serve as a SmartThings hub. If you know you’ll actually use that smart TV functionality, the M8 is among the most versatile monitors you can buy, even if it’s limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks local dimming.
Buy Samsung Smart Monitor M8 at Amazon – $ 400Buy Samsung Smart Monitor M8 at Samsung – $ 400
Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
Earlier this year, we gave Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro review scores of 90 and 92, respectively, calling them the “best bargain in flagship phones” in the process. Both handsets are back on sale this week, with the 128GB Pixel 7 available from $ 499 and the Pixel 7 Pro down to $ 749 for the same amount of storage. We’ve seen these deals before, and neither marks an all-time low, but they’re still about $ 65 and $ 95 off the devices’ respective street prices over the last few months.
Between the two, the 6.3-inch Pixel 7 gets a bit more battery life, while the 6.7-inch Pixel 7 Pro has a faster 120Hz refresh rate. Both phones, though, get you top-notch cameras, vibrant OLED displays, and a clean take on Android that’ll receive version updates through late 2025. They aren’t quite as powerful as something like Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, but at these prices they carry strong value.
Buy Pixel 7 at Amazon – $ 499Buy Pixel 7 Pro at Amazon – $ 749
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Apple’s AirPods Pro are back on sale for $200
If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, look to Amazon. The retailer has discounted Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro. Right now, you can buy the earbuds for $ 200, down from $ 249. Not only is that the best price Engadget has seen for the AirPods Pro since they went on sale for Black Friday, but Amazon says it also will deliver the headphones before Christmas for customers who order today. So act fast if you have a friend or family member who you think will appreciate them as a gift.
Buy Apple AirPods Pro at Amazon – $ 200
The 2022 AirPods Pro may not look different than their 2019 predecessor, but they’re a big upgrade.
Engadget Senior Editor Billy Steele awarded the second-generation earbuds a score of 88 when he had a chance to review them earlier this year. They offer improved audio quality, an even better transparency mode and the addition of touch volume controls. Apple also redesigned the accompanying charging case to make it sweat- and water-resistant and add a built-in speaker to make finding the case easier to find if you ever misplace it. About the only area where the 2022 AirPods Pro disappoint is battery life. You can expect about six hours of use from the earbuds on a single charge. That’s more than you could get out of the first-generation model, but less than some competing options offer. Still, the AirPods Pro are among the best earbuds you can pair with an iPhone, and a $ 50 discount makes them even more compelling.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022: Laptops, TVs, AirPods, and more
With Cyber Monday kicking off tomorrow, there are already some epic Cyber Monday deals out there. We round up the best ones right here.
Digital Trends
How to make AirPods and AirPods Pro louder
Are your new AirPods too quiet for your liking? Here are the best ways to turn up that volume to ensure your AirPods or AirPods Pro are as loud as you want.
Mobile | Digital Trends
Google Pixel Buds Pro vs. Apple AirPods Pro — so much Pro in one place
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro are a real competitor of Apple’s AirPods Pro. But are they a threat?
Android | Digital Trends
Google Pixel Buds Pro vs. Apple AirPods Pro — so much Pro in one place
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro are a real competitor of Apple’s AirPods Pro. But are they a threat?
Android | Digital Trends
The best AirPods cases of 2022 for ultimate protection
Your AirPods case can benefit from a protective case to keep the dust out and make the wireless earbuds easier to manage. Here are the best for your AirPods!
Mobile | Digital Trends
How to clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPod Max
White earbuds aren’t exactly the easiest to keep clean all the time. Here, we outline the best way to clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max safely.
Mobile | Digital Trends
Apple’s second-generation AirPods are back down to $100
If you missed the chance to buy Apple’s second-generation AirPods when they were $ 100 a few weeks ago, Amazon has once again discounted them to that price. While we think most people are better off purchasing the third-generation AirPods or AirPods Pro due to their more comfortable fit, Apple’s older Bluetooth earbuds still have a lot to offer to iPhone owners. Like their more expensive siblings, the second-generation AirPods come with Apple’s H1 wireless chipset, meaning they include features like hands-free Siri and seamless pairing with the company’s other devices.
Buy Apple AirPods at Amazon – $ 100Buy Beats Studio Buds at Amazon – $ 99.95Buy Apple AirPods Pro at Amazon – $ 175
Amazon has also discounted the Beats Studio Buds. At the moment, they’re $ 50 off, making them $ 99.95. If you don’t mind the design of Beats products, they’re a better purchase than the second-generation AirPods. The Studio Buds come with active noise cancellation and IPX4-certified protection against sweat and moisture, two features you won’t find on Apple’s most affordable AirPods. They also feature a customizable fit with interchangeable silicone ear tips. The only thing you won’t find on the Studio Buds is Apple’s H1 chip, but they still come with one-touch pairing and hands-free Siri support.
Lastly, we’ll note Amazon is still selling the AirPods Pro for $ 175. While they’re a few years old now, the AirPods Pro remain among the best Bluetooth earbuds you can pair with an iPhone. We like them because they feature a customizable fit, IPX4 protection against sweat and active noise cancellation.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series vs. Apple AirPods 3
Thinking of buying a new set of earbuds? Google’s Pixel Buds A-Series and Apple’s AirPods 3 are two great choices, but which is the best? Here’s what we think.
Wearables | Digital Trends
How to connect AirPods to a Peloton
Cranking out cardio on a Peloton is a great way to stay in shape at home. Better yet, if you have a pair of AirPods, you can pair them to the bike. Here’s how.
Wearables | Digital Trends
Today’s best tech deals: AirPods, HP gaming PC under $600, and more
If you’re still not done with Christmas shopping, here are some of today’s best tech deals, including discounts for the AirPods and HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop.
Wearables | Digital Trends
How to check your AirPods battery level
There are several convenient ways to check the battery level of your AirPods, even if you’re not near your case. Here’s a guide that outlines a few methods.
Wearables | Digital Trends
3 earbuds to buy instead of AirPods on Cyber Monday
The popularity of Apple’s AirPods make for some fierce Cyber Monday competition, so here’s 3 Cyber Monday earbud deals to shop instead.
Mobile | Digital Trends
The most common AirPods problems and how to fix them
From static noise to dropped calls, there are lots of AirPods quirks with not-always-obvious solutions. We have plenty of tips to help improve your experience.
Mobile | Digital Trends
AirPods 3 in production, still expected before end of year, analysts say
Despite being a no-show at Apple’s iPhone 13 launch event, experts still believe we’ll see the AirPods 3 before the end of the year.
Emerging Tech | Digital Trends
Apple explains how AirPods Max low-power modes work
Ever since Apple released AirPods Max, questions have swirled around its low-power modes. Do you really need to use the Smart Case to save battery life, or let the headphones idle for hours? Thankfully, Apple is finally setting the record straight. T…
Engadget
The Morning After: Apple unveiled its $549 AirPods Max headphones
Despite it being December, Apple just won’t stop launching new devices and services. It blindsided most of us yesterday when it revealed its long-rumored AirPods Max — the company’s first over-ear headphones — along with a concrete launch date for Fi…
Engadget
This week’s best deals: AirPods for only $100, plus more early Black Friday sales
The holiday shopping season is in full swing — and yes, we know it’s only early November. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy have already kicked off the first rounds of their big sale events, and there will be more to come in the lead-up to…
Engadget
Apple program will replace AirPods Pro buds with crackling, ANC issues
Occasionally Apple identifies a problem significant enough to launch a program to repair or replace an issue with one of its products, and today it revealed a service program for the AirPods Pro. According to the notice, in devices manufactured befor…
Engadget
Apple’s AirPods Pro return to a record low price on Amazon
Now’s a prime opportunity to get some true wireless earbuds for that virtual return to school, or just for running as the weather cools down. Apple’s AirPods Pro are once more available on Amazon for $ 220, or $ 29 below the official price. That’s the…
Engadget RSS Feed
AirPods Pro hit new all-time-low price of $199 at Staples
Apple’s AirPods Pro dropped to a new low price today — Staples has the true wireless earbuds for only $ 199, which is $ 50 off their normal price. The AirPods Pro have been discounted by $ 20 to $ 30 in the past, but this is the best sale we’ve seen on A…
Engadget RSS Feed
TicPods 2 Pro review: Skip the AirPods and buy these instead
Truly wireless earbuds are more popular than ever, and just about everyone makes their own set. Sometimes they’re pretty good, and sometimes they’re not, but there are no shortage of options. So today we’re testing out Mobvoi’s TicPods 2 Pro, their latest entry into the wireless headphone game that want to beat out Apple’s AirPods, […]
Come comment on this article: TicPods 2 Pro review: Skip the AirPods and buy these instead
Galaxy Buds review: Android’s AirPods?
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds alongside the Galaxy S10, replacing a couple iterations of the admittedly mediocre IconX earbuds. These new earbuds traded off some of the less important features from its predecessors while making improvements in all the right places, at least according to Samsung. They’re compact, sound good, easily connect to your phone, […]
Come comment on this article: Galaxy Buds review: Android’s AirPods?
Apple may release AirPods with wireless charging in early 2019
Engadget RSS Feed
iOS 11.4.1 update ‘improves’ Find My AirPods feature
It has been almost three months since Apple's last incremental update for various devices like Apple Watch, iPhones and Apple TV. While the upcoming iterations of the company's operating systems (iOS 12, watchOS 5 and macOS Mojave are still in beta,…
Engadget RSS Feed
iOS 12 connects AirPods to Apple’s built-in hearing aid app
iOS 12 will apparently have a lot more more to offer other than what was announced on stage at Apple's annual developers conference. One of those unannounced features could be a game changer for those hard of hearing: Cupertino's upcoming mobile plat…
Engadget RSS Feed
Catalyst is making waterproof, glow-in-the-dark cases for AirPods
Case maker Catalyst took to New York City’s Pepcom stage to announce glow-in-the-dark cases for AirPods, iPhones, iPads, and more. They’re launching later this year in a range of sizes and styles.
The post Catalyst is making waterproof, glow-in-the-dark cases for AirPods appeared first on Digital Trends.
Future Apple AirPods could use magnetic ear hooks to keep them off the ground
One of the biggest issues with the Apple AirPods is that they can fall out of your ear and you could lose them. An Apple patent, however, suggests that could change in a future version thanks to magnetic ear hooks.
The post Future Apple AirPods could use magnetic ear hooks to keep them off the ground appeared first on Digital Trends.
Weekly Rewind: The top Kickstarter projects, clairvoyant computers, and a potential AirPods launch
In the tech world, a lot happens in a week. So much news goes on that it’s almost impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of the top 10 tech stories from this week.
The post Weekly Rewind: The top Kickstarter projects, clairvoyant computers, and a potential AirPods launch appeared first on Digital Trends.
Bragi’s ‘The Headphone’ takes on Apple’s AirPods
Almost three years ago, Bragi left an indelible mark on the headphone universe. The then-unknown company launched a pair of "truly" wireless headphones on Kickstarter that not only cut every wire, but boasted a slew of fitness-tracking features, all…
Engadget RSS Feed
These $89 AirPods competitors are a bet on the power of branding
How do you offer an inexpensive alternative to Apple’s AirPods when all you have is a me-too off-the-rack wireless earbud? Make it all about the brand, said Jack Kim.
The post These $ 89 AirPods competitors are a bet on the power of branding appeared first on Digital Trends.
Everything you need to know about Apple’s AirPods
Apple’s AirPods are arriving at the end of the month. If you’ve got an iPhone 7, you may have noticed the lack of a headphone jack — these should help. Here’s everything you need to know.
The post Everything you need to know about Apple’s AirPods appeared first on Digital Trends.