Lifehacker https://lifehacker.com/feed/rss Do everything better. Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:06:01 +0000 en-us Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:06:01 +0000 Copyright 2025 Ziff Davis, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 15 hourly 1 These Noise-Canceling JBL Headphones Are Nearly Half Off Right Now 01KBR40Y62EBSWB9VS32CD3YS7 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 21:30:00 +0000 They've also got a 70-hour battery life, and adjustable EQ. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.If you missed out on all the best headphone deals during Black Friday, there are still some bargains to be found, including on these JBL Tune 770NC wireless headphones, currently $80 from Amazon, 47% off the usual $150 price tag. They’re a solid choice for anyone seeking over-ear headphones with decent noise cancellation and that signature JBL sound.  JBL Tune 770NC Wireless Headphones $79.95 at Amazon $149.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $79.95 at Amazon $149.95 Save $70.00 According PCMag's review, these headphones offer a “sculpted sound signature with palpable bass,” which you can tweak using the adjustable in-app EQ. Long battery life is a major perk: They should last up to 70 hours with ANC off, letting you go at least a week of heavy use between charges. They also have Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and multipoint pairing, as well as three different ambient modes and a built-in mic for calls. The 770NCs come in three colors, and the design is lightweight and foldable, with generous cushioning and a padded headband. While control buttons are responsive, they can be tricky to distinguish by feel, and PCMag notes that controls can be sensitive to misfires. The adaptive noise cancellation likewise isn’t top-tier; while it will reduce outside sound, it doesn’t do much against low-frequency noise.Those caveats aside, if you want comfortable, long-lasting over-ear headphones with bass-y sound for a budget price (and you don’t need best-in-class noise cancellation), the JBL Tune 770NC wireless headphones land firmly in the “good enough” category, and deliver strong value at the current 47% discount. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/jbl-tune-770nc-wireless-headphones-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Naima Karp Lifehacker Deals Live Blog: The Best Tech Sales, All in One Place 01K6182WX6ZDMX6P1Y4STAJQJ2 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 21:12:36 +0000 Keep up with all of the best deals that Lifehacker publishes, including laptops, speakers, TVs, security cameras, and more. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.With this live blog, you can keep up with the best deals the Lifehacker team finds every day—all in one place. Bookmark this page to keep an eye on what we're finding. As always, we use price-tracking tools to suss out the deals that are actually worth paying attention to, not just hype designed to instill a false sense of urgency. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/black-friday-cyber-monday-live-blog-12-2-2025-apple-samsung-laptops-tvs?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza The Best Sales on Headphones and Earbuds Right Now 1850866758 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 21:00:00 +0000 Get the best deals on JBL, Beats, AirPods, and other headphones available right now. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Finding a pair of headphones or earbuds that meets your needs exactly—whether you’re using them at the gym, while working from home, or even when showering—doesn’t have to mean shelling out a ton of money. The best of them can be really expensive, yes—but if you're a patient shopper, you can usually find a good deal on just about any pair of headphones.Here are the best deals, discounts, and sales you can find on earbuds and headphones right now. I'll be regularly updating this story with the best offers, but given these prices can change at any time, I would advise you not to wait if you spot one that fits your needs and budget. Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Reduce Noise by Up to 98%, Ultra Long 50H Playtime, 10H Soundcore by Anker Space A40 $59.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $59.00 at Amazon JBL Tune Buds $39.95 at Amazon $99.95 Save $60.00 Get Deal Get Deal $39.95 at Amazon $99.95 Save $60.00 50-Hour Battery Life, Audio, Hybrid Noise Cancelling (ANC), All-Day Comfort Sennheiser Accentum Headphones $105.00 at Amazon $189.95 Save $84.95 Get Deal Get Deal $105.00 at Amazon $189.95 Save $84.95 Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds $99.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $80.00 Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds $169.88 at Amazon $249.99 Save $80.11 Get Deal Get Deal $169.88 at Amazon $249.99 Save $80.11 Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones $179.00 at Amazon $359.00 Save $180.00 Get Deal Get Deal $179.00 at Amazon $359.00 Save $180.00 Beats Solo4 Wireless Headphones $79.00 at Walmart $129.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $79.00 at Walmart $129.00 Save $50.00 Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds (Hazel) $168.99 at Amazon $229.00 Save $60.01 Get Deal Get Deal $168.99 at Amazon $229.00 Save $60.01 SEE 5 MORE Anker Space A40 are just $45You can still get very good ANC earbuds even if you're not willing to shell out the big bucks. The Soundcore by Anker Space A40 are $44.99 in some colors (originally $99.99) and give you as many features and even better ANC than some high-end pairs, without the excessive price tag. The main area where these earbuds fall short is in capturing your voice when making calls, but if you're on a tight budget, the Soundcore by Anker Space A40 are a good choice.JBL Tune Buds are 60% offAnother good pair of earbuds for cheap, the JBL Tune Buds are currently going for $39.95 (originally $99.95) after a 50% discount. They're also ANC earbuds and have a Smart Ambient feature so you can hear your surroundings as well. You'll get 48 hours of battery life with the case, and four microphones to be able to be heard clearly over the phone. If you prefer a deep and thumpy sound signature, go for the JBL Tune Buds over the Anker Space A40.Sennheiser Accentum Headphones are 44% offThe Sennheiser Accentum have offered great value since their release in 2023. But for $107.18 (originally $189.95), they're even better. They offer aptX and aptX HD support for better audio quality over Bluetooth, ANC, and USB-C wired audio. They're also light and comfortable, which means they'll feel good across their impressive 50 hours of battery life.The AirPods 4 with ANC are $79 offApple users, take advantage of this deal. Right now, you can get the latest AirPods with ANC for $99 (originally $179.99), a record-low price according to price-tracking tools. This price makes the budget-friendly version of the AirPods 4 without ANC irrelevant, since they're $117 (originally $129). Apple added a live translation feature to the ANC model when iOS 26 rolled out earlier this year. This ANC version also has a charging case with a built-in speaker, so you can locate it with Find My if you ever misplace them.The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are 32% offThe Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is a new version of Samsung earbuds that leans into a more angular, stemmed shape that looks closer to the AirPods silhouette, complete with small customizable LEDs that add a bit of personality. With today’s drop to $169.98 from $249.99, you’re getting a premium pair for $90 off its regular price.The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are 50% offThe Bose QuietComfort Headphones are down to $159.99 (54% off) in black. The best thing about these headphones is their controls, sound quality, and noise cancellation. This product misses out on support for newer Bluetooth codecs, unlike the pricier Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($399, 11% off).The Beats Solo 4 are just $79The Beats Solo 4 came out last summer, meaning they're Beats' latest headphones. Beats are a more affordable alternative to Apple headphones, and you can often find them with substantial discounts. You can now get the Beats Solo 4 for $79 (originally $199.95) at Walmart. This matches the lowest price they've been since their release.The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are over $60 off If you're looking to splurge on the latest earbuds from Google, you can get the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for $168.99 (originally $229) after a 41% discount from Amazon. Some of the improvements Google has made to the new earbuds to justify the price include a new twisting mechanism that secures to the ear better for more intense workouts, better active noise canceling (ANC) thanks to the more snug fit, better audio processing with the new Tensor A1 chip, longer battery life of about eight hours with ANC on and 31 hours from the charging case, and the inclusion of Gemini Live, Android's voice assistant. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/best-deals-on-earbuds-and-headphones-right-now?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza This Surprisingly Convincing Phishing Scam Imitates Apple Support 01KBQT32MVCHGMC1BT7C0WBR01 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000 Fraudsters can trick even those who know the signs. You may have a keen eye for spotting scams, but fraudsters are finding new ways to weaponize trusted systems to avoid detection. For example, threat actors are generating real Apple support tickets to phish two-factor authentication (2FA) codes and gain access to iCloud accounts. The scheme, detailed on Medium by a security researcher and software product manager Eric Moret, shows how social engineering tactics can sow just enough fear and confusion to trick even those who know the red flags. (The money transfer scam that conned a financial advice columnist out of $50,000 is another example.) How scammers are exploiting Apple's support systemThe Apple support scam started with a text message from Apple containing a 2FA code, followed by verification notifications across devices, indicating that someone was trying to log into Moret's account. He then received an automated call from Apple with another 2FA code. The text was delivered from a five-digit short code, and the call from a toll-free number, both of which are used by legitimate businesses and not necessarily red flags of a scam.The next call, however, came from an Atlanta-based 404 phone number. The caller claimed to be from Apple Support, stated that Moret's account was under attack, and assured him that they were opening up a support ticket. During a follow-up call lasting 25 minutes, Moret received a real Apple Support case confirmation via email (it turns out anyone can create an Apple support ticket in someone else's name) and was directed to reset his iCloud password. He was then sent a link via text—from the 404 number this time—to close the ticket. After clicking through, Moret was directed to a phishing website that spoofed a real Apple page (the URL was appeal-apple[dot]com), where he was prompted to enter a 6-digit 2FA code he'd just received via text. An email to his inbox then alerted him that an unknown Mac mini had been used to sign into his iCloud account, which the rep on the phone told him was "expected as part of the security process" and "standard procedure." Moret then immediately reset his iCloud password again to kick the unauthorized device off. It may be easy in hindsight to see the signs: the unsolicited call about an urgent security issue, the 404 number, the phishing link that isn't a real Apple subdomain, the request for an authentication code. But the Apple support ticket—with a real case number and official emails from apple.com domains—lent just enough credibility, and the multiple 2FA notifications just enough urgency, to work. That's the problem with social engineering. It manipulates emotions and instincts that are stronger than logic and reason, leading to actions that are not in our interest. How to stay safe As always, you should be wary of anyone who calls, texts, or emails you about a security or account issue, even if you have received real security alerts or they have a legitimate case number. Don't click links, enter credentials, or provide codes when prompted by these unsolicited callers. Don't accept reassurance from anyone on the phone, no matter how calm and confident they sound. If you are concerned, you should reach out directly using trusted contact information or open support tickets yourself. Always check URLs and subdomains carefully, as hackers can play tricks to make them look legit. Also, know that simply having 2FA enabled isn't enough to keep your accounts secure. Some forms are (obviously) easily phished, so if possible, you should use a multi-factor authentication method like a hardware key or WebAuthn credentials (biometrics and passkeys) rather than codes. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/apple-support-ticket-imitation-scam?utm_medium=RSS Emily Long I’m a Deals Writer, and These Are the Top 10 Tech Deals This Week 01JVZABKMFK8VHA1KJ8C41P3B1 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:30:00 +0000 Right now, there are great prices on OLED TVs, AirPods, MacBooks, Kindles, and more. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.As Lifehacker's tech deals writer, I'm always looking for the best bargains on TVs, speakers, laptops, and other tech. Now that it's Friday, I've gathered together this week's sales highlights, all of which I've vetted using my favorite price-tracking tools to make sure they are actually good deals. This week, you can find great sales on the Nintendo Switch 2, OLED TVs, AirPods, MacBooks, Kindles, and more. Google Pixel 10 Pro 256GB Unlocked Phone (Obsidian) $849.00 at Amazon $1,099.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $849.00 at Amazon $1,099.00 Save $250.00 Android Smartwatch with Heart Rate Tracking, Advanced Running from Fitbit, Fitness Insights, 24-Hour Battery - Polished Silver Aluminum Case - Porcelain Band - Wi-Fi Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) $199.99 at Walmart $399.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $199.99 at Walmart $399.99 Save $200.00 Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds $99.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $80.00 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses $246.75 at Amazon $329.00 Save $82.25 Get Deal Get Deal $246.75 at Amazon $329.00 Save $82.25 Soundcore Sleep A30 $179.99 at Amazon $229.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $179.99 at Amazon $229.99 Save $50.00 Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Console Bundle $0.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $0.00 at Amazon Apple MacBook Air M4 Chip 256GB SSD 16GB RAM 13.6" Laptop (Midnight) $749.99 at Amazon $999.00 Save $249.01 Get Deal Get Deal $749.99 at Amazon $999.00 Save $249.01 PlayStation VR2 $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 Apple Watch SE 3 40mm GPS Smartwatch (Starlight Aluminum Case, Starlight Sports Band) $199.00 at Amazon $249.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $199.00 at Amazon $249.00 Save $50.00 LG 65-Inch Evo G5 OLED TV (OLED65G5WUA) $1,996.99 at Amazon $2,996.99 Save $1,000.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,996.99 at Amazon $2,996.99 Save $1,000.00 SEE 7 MORE The Google Pixel 10 Pro is already $300 offIt's amazing to see how much Google's newest premium smartphone has dropped in price in such a short time. The Pixel 10 Pro came out a few months ago, and it's already $799 (originally $1,099). This is one of the best Android phones money can buy right now, and it's at its lowest price ever.The Google Pixel Watch 3 is $200 offAs the Google Pixel Watch 4 came out this summer, the Pixel Watch 3 has been ripe for a price drop. And right now, Walmart is selling the wifi-only 45mm Google Pixel Watch 3 for $199.99 (originally $399.99) after a $200 discount. It's still a great smartwatch in 2025.The AirPods 4 with ANC are just $99 right nowThe latest AirPods 4 dropped to a record low price during Black Friday, and after restocking, they're back on Amazon (and even slightly cheaper). The ANC AirPods 4 are $99 (originally $179.99) after a 45% discount.The original Meta Ray-Bans are 25% offThe Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) smart glasses can record your POV and stream audio, among other features. They're currently 25% off at $246.75 (originally $329), marking their lowest price ever. This version is matte black with polarized lenses, but you can also get a slightly less expensive version that’s shiny with clear lenses for $224.25.The Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds are under $180There's no reason anyone should be sleeping with AirPods when you can get Soundcore's sleep earbuds. I've been a fan of Soundcore's Sleep A20 earbuds since I first put them on to go to sleep over a year ago. I've never experienced earbuds that feel so comfortable when sleeping on your side. Right now, you can get the newer Sleep A30 earbuds for $179.99 (originally $229.99) with the on-page coupon, the lowest price ever.The Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World Bundle is $50 offThe best deal of Cyber Monday is back: The Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle is in stock at Amazon after quickly going out of stock during the sale. (It's also in stock at Walmart.) The deal includes the new console with the latest Mario Kart for the same price as the standalone console. You can get this one for $449 (down from $499), the lowest price it has reached yet. (You won't see the price until it's in your cart.)MacBook Air Laptops are hitting their lowest pricesThe M4, M2, and M1 MacBook Airs are all discounted right now, all three hitting their lowest prices ever. The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air with 256GB SSD starts at $749.99 right now (originally $999). This is arguably the best option for most people and offers a much better value than the Pro. The M1 MacBook Air 13.3-inch laptop is going for $499 (it cost $999.99 prior to the launch of the M3).This PlayStation VR2 Bundle is $100 offThis PlayStation VR2 bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain is currently $299 on Amazon, a 25% discount off the usual $399, and its lowest price ever. PCMag gave the PlayStation VR2 its Editor’s Choice Award upon its 2023 release for offering comprehensive upgrades from its predecessor, including better tracking tech, improved sound, and enhanced graphics.An Apple Watch for $200The most budget-friendly of the latest Apple Watches is at its lowest price right now. The Apple Watch SE 3, the company's more affordable, entry-level smartwatch (and truly the best choice for most people), dropped to its lowest price yet: $199.99 (originally $249).The best all-around OLED TV of 2025 is $500 off right nowIn terms of specs, price, and features, the best OLED TV you can buy right now is also at its best price ever. The 65-inch LG G5 OLED TV is $1,996.99 (originally $2,496.99), the lowest price it has been since its recent release. For an OLED, the Evo G5 gets pretty bright, at 1,608 nits. That means you can actually use this OLED TV in a bright room without sacrificing picture quality.If you'll be getting glare and would benefit from a matte display, get the 65-inch Samsung OLED S95F for $2,297.99 (originally $2,997.99), which is its lowest price ever. The S95F can reach 1,364 nits of brightness, and while that doesn't make it the brightest OLED, but it's much better than most. Where it truly shines is in handling glare and reflections: Its matte coating makes it the least reflective OLED TV, which means it's as great to watch in a sunny room as a darkened one. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-tech-deals-this-week?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza What the Netflix/Warner Bros. Merger Could Mean for Streaming 01KBQJPQHYPYGTB940P5MVTRAY Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000 Is HBO Max dead, and will you be able to watch 'Game of Thrones' on Netflix? After initial reporting from The Wrap yesterday revealed that Netflix had won the bidding war for Warner Bros., the streamer stepped in this morning to confirm that it will be acquiring the home of HBO and HBO Max, DC Comics, and Bugs Bunny for $82.7 billion. The acquisition would put an end to merger attempts from the likes of Paramount and Comcast, but it's also far from a done deal.According to Netflix, its acquisition of Warner Bros. will need to wait until at least Q3 2026, to allow room for the previously announced Warner Bros. and Discovery split to go through. Additionally, the deal will need to go through regulatory approval. Given these roadblocks, the companies expect "to close in 12–18 months."The news of the acquisition follows Warner Bros.' announcement in October that it was open to a sale, at least partially motivated by its split with Discovery.What happens next isn't entirely clear. The Wrap reported that Netflix's deal with Warner Bros. includes a $5 billion breakup fee in case regulators block the deal, pointing to some anxiety from both companies. To that end, CNBC is reporting that "a senior [Trump] administration official" has said that the government is looking at the merger with "heavy skepticism," and The New York Post and the Wall Street Journal both reported yesterday that Paramount (which recently completed its own merger with Skydance Entertainment, led by Trump ally David Ellison) is currently warning the administration away from allowing the deal. How regulators will respond to the purchase remains to be seen, but if the deal does go through, it will mark a major shift for both Hollywood and consumers. Netflix hasn't laid out complete plans for how the merger would affects its customers, but in its press release, it has offered a few hints. Should a combined Netflix and Warner Bros. come to pass, here's how you can expect it to affect you.HBO Max probably isn't going awaySince Netflix's primary business is as a streaming app, the most obvious result of a Warner Bros. acquisition would probably be the shuttering of HBO Max, and the inclusion of its content into Netflix proper. However, it seems like we're more likely to get a Disney+/Hulu situation, with the company running both services simultaneously. In its post announcing the merger, Netflix said it will "maintain Warner Bros.' current operations," and that HBO and HBO Max would be viewed as a "compelling, complementary offering" for its customers.Whether that means Netflix subscribers will get complementary HBO subscriptions, or if they will simply be able to add HBO onto their plans as complemental "content," is unclear, although I would expect the latter interpretation to be the correct one. After all, Disney charges an additional fee for users who also want to subscribe to Hulu, even as it's working on killing the standalone Hulu app. There would be little reason for Netflix to not follow suit.This is backed up by another line further into the press release which states that, "[b]y adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose." That implies HBO is something you'll add to an existing subscription, rather than content that will just become part of a base Netflix subscription, with the company saying the acquisition "also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers."Some Warner Bros. shows might come to NetflixNetflix already offers a small smattering of shows originally developed for either HBO or HBO Max, such as Sex and the City and Scavenger's Reign. This is due to pre-existing content sharing agreements, but it's possible Netflix may continue to offer some HBO content to its existing subscribers for free, even if it continues to operate HBO as a separate entity.For instance, Netflix says in the merger announcement that "shows and movies such as The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Wizard of Oz and the DC Universe will join Netflix's extensive portfolio." While this is likely simply acknowledging acquired IP, I wouldn't be surprised to see some select shows hit Netflix from time to time, either to prop up sparse release schedules or to promote HBO subscriptions/add-ons.Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters also says in the release that, "[w]ith our global reach and proven business model, we can introduce a broader audience to the worlds they [Warner Bros.] create." He adds this would be an opportunity to attract, "more fans to our best-in-class streaming service."Expect Netflix to ramp up U.S. productionWhile Netflix is most known to consumers as an app, its large selection of original content also means that it operates as a production studio. Netflix says that it will use the acquisition of Warner Bros. production side to "enhance Netflix's studio capabilities, allowing the Company to significantly expand U.S. production."This means that viewers might expect to see more original Netflix content in the future, specifically more American-made shows in the vein of Stranger Things, alongside localized foreign programming like Squid Game.Gamers need to pay attention tooAlongside its movie and TV businesses, Netflix will also be acquiring Warner Bros. Games, a spokesperson confirmed to Game Developer. That means the company will now be responsible for publishing both licensed works, such as the Batman Arkham series, as well as gaming originals, like the Mortal Kombat series. Little is known about how Netflix will handle suddenly being in charge of these longstanding AAA series, but given the company's recent gaming ambitions and its promise to continue Warner Bros. operations as usual, it's likely these titles will continue in some capacity.Netflix will also publish DC ComicsIn addition to suddenly stepping into big-budget, AAA gaming, Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. also means it's getting control of DC Comics' print business alongside its film and TV businesses, as the publisher is wholly owned by Warner Bros. That's another big step for the company, although given that DC's print business serves largely as the foundation of lucrative IP such as Superman and Batman, it's likely Netflix will do its best to keep operations there as smooth as possible. However, readers might expect some Netflix and DC synergy, similar to when Marvel started publishing new Star Wars comics shortly after Disney acquired Lucasfilm. Batman visiting the Upside-Down from Stranger Things might be more likely than you'd think.Don't expect Warner Bros. movies to go straight to streamingFinally, while Netflix's past movie releases have often relied on direct-to-streaming drops complemented by just enough of a theatrical presence to qualify for awards, Netflix said in its release that it plans to continue distributing Warner Bros. produced movies as usual, "including theatrical releases for films," but that the exclusive theatrical window may shrink. In other words, The Batman 2 probably isn't going to get the Knives Out or KPop Demon Hunters treatment.]]> https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/what-the-netflix-warner-bros-discovery-merger-could-mean-for-streaming?utm_medium=RSS Michelle Ehrhardt No, Meta Is Not Scraping Your DMs to Train Its AI 01KBQPFP3W8PGKNEPR7SS7GJQ7 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:30:50 +0000 That doesn't mean your messages are necessarily private, either. I've been seeing a number of videos on my feeds circulating a serious, but perhaps not unbelievable, claim: The idea is, come Dec. 16, 2025, Meta will update its privacy policy to give itself permission to scrape direct messages from users on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, all in the name of training its generative AI models. While Meta is no bastion of user privacy by any stretch of the imagination, this particular claim is, fortunately, not true. You shouldn't expect the company to necessarily respect your data, but you also don't need to worry that future iterations of Meta AI will be generating text based on your Instagram DMs.What's going on with Meta's Dec. 16 privacy policy?If you've seen these claims on your feeds, too, you know they're often quite stark and hyperbolic. Snopes highlights one such viral Instagram post that reads, "Every conversation. Every photo. Every voice message. Fed into AI." Users scrolling through Instagram might understandably stop to read these claims, and may, also understandably, feel concerned about their data across their various Meta accounts.The issue is, these claims are misinterpreting a real change Meta plans for its privacy policy. Once the policy updates on Dec. 16, Meta is making changes to the way it collects data from user interactions with Meta AI. Going forward, the data generated when using Meta's AI products can be used to personalize the content you see on Meta platforms, as well as the ads that are placed in your feeds. Once again, it's just more data collection in the pursuit of promoting user engagement and ad relevancy.Part of the confusion is in the way this privacy policy is worded. Take the following statement, a part of Meta's explanation of the user information it uses: "Interactions with AI at Meta and related metadata. For example, information you or others exchange with AI at Meta like content and messages." That might sound like Meta is scraping your DMs to train its AI, but it's saying content and messages you share with Meta's AI are what's fair game. Just sending messages and attachments to users on Meta platforms doesn't end up in Meta AI's training data, but if you share those messages and attachments with the AI, then it might. Meta confirmed as much with outlets, sending the following statement: “The update mentioned in the viral rumor isn’t about DMs at all, it’s about how we’ll use people’s interactions with our AI features to further personalize their experience. We do not use the content of your private messages with friends and family to train our AIs unless you or someone in the chat chooses to share those messages with our AIs. This also isn’t new, nor is it part of this Dec. 16 privacy policy update.” Meta does collect data on your messagesMake no mistake, of course: If you're using a Meta messaging platform, the company does collect your data. In both the current and upcoming privacy policies, Meta does say messages you send and receive, including their content as well as their metadata, subject to applicable law, can be used by Meta for a number of functions. That might include personalizing Meta products to fit each user; improving Meta products in general; promoting safety and security on its platforms; storing, moving, and processing your data around the world; and processing information when the law requires.Now, there are categories Meta will not use your messages for, unless you share those messages with its AI. That includes using your data for analytics and services for business; "providing a seamless experience" across Meta products; personalizing ads on Meta Audience Network; research and innovation for "social good;" anonymizing your info; and sharing data with law enforcement. In some of these cases, Meta will collect metadata about your messages—perhaps things like time or location sent—but not the message data itself. Again, this article is not meant to flatter Meta; rather, it's to debunk unnecessary concerns. Social media posts often misrepresent these nuanced privacy and security points—especially when those posts turn up the dramatics. Understand if you're using Meta products, your data is constantly being collected—but, in this case, your messages aren't suddenly being scraped to train AI.The best thing you can do to preserve your privacy and security with your Meta messages is to use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) whenever possible. WhatsApp has E2EE built-in, and Meta has automatically started rolling it out for Messenger, but you might need to manually start an E2EE chat for existing conversations in the app. The same goes for Instagram: Meta offers E2EE, but you need to enable it yourself. In either app, tap the name of the chat to check whether or not that conversation is currently E2EE.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/meta-is-not-scraping-dms-to-train-its-ai?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson Get a Government Permit to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at a National Forest 01HGBSP17D7SA8YA6GSHCV0NBS Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 Pick up a permit, then pick up an axe. Normally, it's illegal to chop down a tree in a national forest. This month, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is all for it—provided you get yourself a Forest Service-issued permit first. In fact, cutting your own tree on federal land is actually a pretty affordable and ethical way to source a Christmas tree. The only catch is you must follow specific guidelines, which can vary from forest to forest.Before you grab your axe and head into the woods this holiday season, here’s what you need to know about the USDA's tree-cutting permit program.Why you should cut your own tree from a national forest What's cool is that securing yourself a tree-cutting permit isn't just allowed—it's encouraged. Cutting down and carrying out your own holiday tree helps contribute to good overall forest health. Through this permit program, you’ll be helping to thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees. Removing the trees already designated for removal by the Forest Service allows other trees to grow bigger and stronger. Plus, you’ll get the pride and satisfaction of chopping down the perfect Christmas tree for your home. It’s a true win-win. But let's say you don't care about the environment—this is all about your needs and experiences. Well, then: In addition to helping maintain a healthy forest, cutting a holiday tree is a special tradition that can be shared with families and friends to create memorable holiday experience. For many families, venturing into the forest to cut a Christmas tree for the holidays is a treasured tradition carried on for generations. And most important of all: It can be a lot cheaper than buying one from a tree lot.How to cut your own tree from a national forestThe USDA Forest Service sells Christmas Tree permits through Recreation.gov. Prices range from $5 to $20, depending on the location of the forest. To buy your permit in advance and find your local participating forest, use this site, which also provides guidelines for the allowable cutting areas that you’ll need to review before you start choppin’.In three simple steps, you can begin your quest to find and bring home your own Christmas tree:Choose your forest. Determine which participating forest works best for your Christmas tree outing. Each forest will have specific guidelines and season dates for cutting a holiday tree.Be safe and prepared. Carefully read the details and rules of the applicable permit, and consider the Need to Know suggestions to prepare for your visit.Buy a permit. Purchase and print your permit before heading out to the forest.Tips for cutting your own Christmas treeI spoke with the Recreation.gov team to get some additional tips as families looking to prepare for their Christmas tree cutting adventure.Measure the space in your house so you can pick the right size tree once you are in the forest. (Don't assume you can eyeball it, or you'll find yourself with a Griswold situation on your hands.)Check road and forest conditions and prepare for adverse weather.  Before cutting, make sure you are in a designated cutting area, and follow all guidelines for locations where tree cutting is allowed. Avoid venturing onto private property.Choose a tree in an overcrowded stand to help thin it out.Cut your tree close to the ground. The stump you leave behind should be about 6 inches tall.Bring a rope and tarp to move your tree from the cutting area to your vehicle.  Secure your tree to your vehicle to ensure it remains in place for your trip home.What else you need to know Again: You can only cut down trees located in designated and approved areas in the forest. This permit program is run by the USDA Forest Service, which is not the same thing as U.S. National Parks. If you’re unsure whether you’re allowed to snag a tree in a certain area, visit this page and type in either the name of your state, or the name of the forest you have in mind.Christmas tree permit sale dates may vary by national forest. Recreation.gov encourages families to check local forest guidelines to gather all information before purchasing to ensure they are prepared. A new permit is required each year to cut your own Christmas tree.]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/cut-your-own-christmas-tree-from-a-national-forest?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz Why Deleting Your Browsing History Doesn’t Always Delete Your Browsing History 01KBQCYX4QG67P49TH4X8PTHA6 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:30:00 +0000 Your online past may not be as private as you think. Manually or automatically wiping your browsing history is a well-established way of protecting your privacy and making sure the digital trail you leave behind you is as short as possible—but it's important to be aware of the limitations of the process, and to understand why deleting your browsing history isn't always as comprehensive an act as you might think.In short, the records of where you've been aren't only kept on your local computer or on your phone, they're found in various other places too. This is why fully wiping away your browsing history is more difficult than it initially appears. Modern browsers typically sync your browsing historyJust about every modern browser can now sync your browsing history across devices, from laptop to mobile and back again. There are benefits to this—being able to continue your browsing on a different device, for example—but it means that deleting the list of websites you've visited on one device won't necessarily clear it everywhere.Consider Apple's Safari, which by default will sync your online history, bookmarks, and open tabs between all of the iPhones, iPads, and Macs using the same Apple account. You can manage this by selecting your account name and then iCloud in Settings on iOS/iPadOS or in System Settings on macOS. Deleting browsing history in Safari. Credit: Lifehacker Whether or not Safari syncing is enabled through iCloud will affect how browsing history is deleted—when you try to delete this history on mobile or desktop, you'll see a message telling you what will happen on your other devices. In Safari on a Mac, choose History > Clear History; on an iPhone or iPad, choose Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data from Settings.Most other browsers work in the same way, with options for both syncing history and deleting history. In Chrome on the desktop, for example, open Settings via the three-dot menu (top right): You can manage syncing via You and Google > Sync and Google Services > Manage what you sync, and clearing your history via Privacy and security > Delete browsing data.The apps and sites you use are tracking youAside from all the history your actual web browser is collecting, you also need to think about the data being vacuumed up by the apps and websites you're using. If you log into Facebook, Meta will know about the comments you've left and the photos you've liked, no matter how much you scrub your history from Edge or Firefox.How much you can do about this really depends on the app or site. Amazon lets you clear your search history, for example: On the desktop site, click Browsing History on the toolbar at the top, then click the gear icon (top right). The next screen lets you delete all or some of your browsing history, and block future tracking—though you won't be able to reorder items as easily, and your recommendations will be affected. Clearing data from a Google account. Credit: Lifehacker Meta lets you clear your Instagram and Facebook search history, at least: You can take care of both from the Meta Accounts Center page in a desktop browser. Click Your information and permissions then Search history to look back at what you've been searching for. The next screen gives you options for manually and automatically wiping your search history.Google runs a whole host of online apps as well as a web browser. You can manage all your Google data from one central point from your desktop browser: Your Google Account page. Click Data and privacy to see everything Google has collected on you, and click through on any activity type to manually delete records or set them up to be automatically deleted after a certain period of time.Your internet provider always knows where you've beenThe final place there will be copies of your internet browsing history are on the servers of your internet service provider—that is, whichever company you're paying for access to the internet is keeping logs of the places you've been, for all kinds of purposes (from security to advertising). And yes, this includes sites that you open while in incognito mode.How this is handled varies from provider to provider. For example, AT&T's privacy notice states that the company will "automatically collect a variety of information", including "website and IP addresses," "videos watched," and "search terms entered." The company says this data will be kept for, "as long as we need it for business, tax, or legal purposes." A VPN can hide your browsing from your internet provider. Credit: Lifehacker There's not a whole lot you can do about this either—it's a trade-off you have to make if you want access to the web. Some providers, including AT&T, will let you opt out of certain types of information sharing if you get in touch with them directly, but you can't prevent the tracking from happening in the first place.What you can do is mask your browsing with a VPN (Lifehacker has previously picked the best paid VPNs and the best free VPNs for you to try out). As all your internet traffic will be routed through the VPN's servers, your internet provider will no longer be able to see what you're doing. Your VPN provider will, however—so find one that you can trust, and which has a no-logs policy that's been verified by a third-party security auditor.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/limits-of-deleting-your-browsing-history?utm_medium=RSS David Nield The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Are at Their All-Time Lowest Price Right Now 01KBQ8D38WE9KMWM831Z3SPYX0 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000 Wearable smart tech that lets you do it all—without your phone. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Are smart glasses worth the hype? If you’re looking for a stylish accessory that doubles as a camera, headphones, and AR display without needing to pull out a phone, they’re a life hack that’s worth the splurge. Right now, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) smart glasses are 25% off at $246.75 (originally $329), marking their lowest price ever. This version is matte black with polarized lenses, but you can also get a slightly less expensive version that’s shiny with clear lenses for $224.25. Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) $246.75 at Amazon $329.00 Save $82.25 Get Deal Get Deal $246.75 at Amazon $329.00 Save $82.25 The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) AI glasses have the retro aesthetic of the iconic Wayfarers, and at 49 grams, they’re only slightly heavier than regular glasses (though with prescription lenses, that’ll be bumped up to 54 grams).  They allow you to do everything from record 1080p video and capture photos to listen to music, make calls, text while driving, live-stream on the go, or get answers from Meta AI. They have a wide field of view and solid image stabilization, although they only shoot in a vertical aspect ratio.The glasses feature an ultra-wide 12 MP camera and have five mics, as well as built-in open-ear speakers that let you listen to audio without fully blocking out your surroundings. Meta AI is one of the main draws of this wearable tech, acting as a built-in personal assistant. There’s also live language translation that processes speech at a conversational pace, which is especially helpful when you’re traveling, and which we discuss in our in-depth  Ray-Ban Metas review. They last up to four hours, and the case contains up to eight additional charges.While they can do a lot, they can’t perform complex tasks like book hotel researvations, and the battery life and weight may not be ideal for prescription lens wearers who rely on wearing their glasses all day.  Still, they’re a highly giftable gadget that makes everyday tasks smoother and more functional, and at an all-time low price, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) smart glasses might be one of the top wearable tech buys of the season. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-sale-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Naima Karp This macOS App Makes It Easy to See (and Use) Your Keyboard Shortcuts 01KBNBQ0H4F582WCTDJF7E7Z8H Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0000 Use this app to commit those tricky keyboard shortcuts to memory. Using keyboard shortcuts is a lot faster than clicking around in the menus, but only after you learn them. That's the hard part.You could look up the documentation for the application or explore the menu bar—but if you're on a Mac, you could also just install KeyClu. This free application shows an overlay with all the keyboard shortcuts for the currently open Mac application, which is very useful for anyone trying to become a more keyboard-savvy computer user.To get started, install the application. Then, you'll need to choose a trigger key (basically one of the modifier keys on your keyboard). By default, you will tap the key twice and hold on the second tap to trigger the overlay, but you can optionally set the application to simply press and hold the key if you prefer. I opted to press and hold Command.After that, you'll be asked to enable permissions so KeyClu can access the keyboard shortcuts for your applications. Then you can start using the application. I tend to ignore the application until I wonder whether a keyboard shortcut for a particular function exists. I trigger the application, look through the list of keyboard shortcuts, and see what's available. When I let go of the trigger key, the window disappears.This default floating window is useful, but you might want a window listing shortcuts to stay open even when you let go of the trigger. That's where the persistent panel comes in. This window, which you can trigger using the menu bar, stays open and always shows a list of keyboard shortcuts for the currently active application. You can add a separate keyboard shortcut for this window in the settings, if you like. Credit: Justin Pot If you dig around in KeyClu's settings, you can configure the layout of both the pop-up and persistent panels, changing the size of the windows, how many columns shortcuts are sorted into, and which display the panels show up on. Credit: Justin Pot It's a simple piece of software, but it's completely free and can help you get better at using your computer. And if you're reading Lifehacker, that's probably something you want. Speaking of keyboard shortcuts: here are a few keyboard shortcuts you should know. You can also check out our guide to creating your own macOS keyboard shortcuts.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/learn-macos-app-shortcuts?utm_medium=RSS Justin Pot This Bose Portable Speaker Is Nearly 20% Off Right Now 01KBPE7SG1RBRAGBTM6VCTGQVS Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000 The Bose SoundLink Home ecosystem remains intentionally minimalist. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.A lot of Bluetooth speakers try to impress you with apps, voice assistants, or complicated sound modes, but the Bose SoundLink Home takes the opposite approach. It is a simple, handsome speaker that focuses almost entirely on how it looks and sounds. At $179, down from $219—its lowest price yet according to price tracking tools—it becomes easier to appreciate that restraint. Bose SoundLink Home Speaker $179.00 at Amazon $219.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $179.00 at Amazon $219.00 Save $40.00 The metal frame and fabric-wrapped body give it a clean, home-friendly look, and at two pounds, it feels sturdy without being tied to a single spot in your house. The physical buttons on top cover everything you need: power, pairing, playback, and volume. It even handles phone calls, and the microphone performs well enough for quick chats. You never feel like you are juggling menus or waiting for an app to load because there isn’t one.That simplicity carries over to the sound. Bose does not offer EQ adjustments or preset profiles here, so what you hear is exactly what the engineers intended. For a single-driver speaker, the audio is surprisingly full, notes this PCMag review. Bass hits with enough weight to give modern pop tracks some impact, even though very deep sub-bass is out of reach, which is typical for a speaker of this size. Bluetooth 5.3 keeps the stream stable, and multipoint pairing is useful if you like switching between a phone and a laptop. There’s also USB-C audio input, which is rare in portable speakers and handy if you want a wired, lag-free connection. Pairing two units manually unlocks Bose’s Stereo Mode, which spreads out the soundstage and gives music more space, though it requires a second speaker and a specific button sequence.That said, there is no wifi, so you cannot use Spotify Connect or multi-room audio. There is no voice assistant, which might be a dealbreaker if you rely on hands-free control. And with no waterproof rating, it isn't the kind of speaker you can take outside during a drizzle or leave near a bathroom sink. The battery lasts around nine hours on a full charge, which is fine but not competitive with some larger models. Even so, the SoundLink Home succeeds at the one thing many speakers overcomplicate. It delivers rich, pleasant audio without setup hoops or extra software. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/bose-soundlink-home-speaker-sale-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma 13 Shows Like 'The Boys' You Should Watch Next 01KBJR6JFAA3MS6KERQVJ4BKJD Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0000 More superheroes who aren't always down with the "hero" part. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Based on the (really rather excellent) comic book series from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, Prime Video's satirical superhero romp The Boys picks up the genre deconstructionist torch passed by Alan Moore's Watchmen. The tone is less philosophical but even more cynical, suggesting that power doesn't just corrupt—it makes people absolute dicks. It's set in a world where people with superpowers work for a powerful multinational corporation, with plenty of money and a powerful PR machine behind them to clean up their messes and excesses, and keep them in the public's good graces. When the girlfriend of Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid) is gruesomely killed by an indifferent superhero, he's recruited by the titular group, which is determined to keep the "supes" in line by absolutely any means necessary. The show's rude and crude veneer masks a disturbing truth: If superpowered people really existed, this is probably how they would act. While you wait for the premiere of the show's fifth and final season next year (and prepare for the forthcoming prequel Vought Rising), you can check out the spin-off Gen V, the animated miniseries Diabolical—and these 12 other shows that might scratch the same itch. The Boys at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Creature Commandos (2024 – ) The old DCEU ("old" as in 2023) was definitely not shy about being edgy—consider that the plot of cinema's first Batman/Superman team-up turned on a urine explosion—but the new, James Gunn-lead iteration is willing to go harder. This animated show sees Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, reprising the role) assembling a black-ops team to protect a foreign nation from the Amazonian sorceress Circe. Waller can't be trusted with actual humans, so her team is made up entirely of literal monsters: The Bride (Indira Varma), Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour), and aquatic mutant Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), alongside Nazi-obsessed G.I. Robot and the rodent-like Weasel (both Sean Gunn). The cartoon is extremely violent with a dark sense of humor, but Gunn also brings an impressive amount of heart. Stream Creature Commandos on HBO Max. Creature Commandos (2024 – ) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Slow Horses (2022 – ) Go with me on this one. Based on the Mick Herron books, this series does for spies what The Boys does for superheroes. Headed by Gary Oldman's rude, farty Jackson Lamb, Slough House is a dumping ground for has-been (or never-were) MI5 agents, who either can't be trusted with important missions or, in Lamb's case, have pissed off far too many people. They're not super-spies, mostly being only mediocre at their jobs, but their expendability frequently puts them in the line of fire, and their general scrappiness and disregard for the rules has saved them more than once. Kristin Scott Thomas is Lamb's foil, a politically savvy spymaster in the main office. It's probably my favorite Apple TV+ show, and it earns extra points for coming out on a consistent schedule; it has been renewed through a seventh season. Stream Slow Horses on Apple TV+. Slow Horses (2022 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Doom Patrol (2019 – 2023) Here's an uncharacteristically bold and indescribably freaky entry in the superhero canon, including characters like the non-binary Danny the Street (a literal street), paranormal investigators the Sex Men, Imaginary Jesus, and orgasm-generating body builder Flex Mentallo. But all the weirdness is grounded in excellent, frequently emotional character work from the entire cast, including Brendan Fraser, Matt Bomer, April Bowlby, Diane Guerrero, Joivan Wade, Michelle Gomez, and Timothy Dalton, all playing characters processing copious amounts of trauma and guilt while becoming something like superheroes in spite of themselves. It’s very queer and very sex-positive, making it a standout among the usually chaste, straight world of superheroes on TV. Stream Doom Patrol on HBO Max. Doom Patrol (2019 – 2023) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Deadloch (2023 – ) The cleverly titled Deadloch flips classic crime drama tropes on their heads. It's also an excellent mystery/crime procedural that simultaneously works as a genre send-up—not superhero stories, but dour "murder shows" like Broadchurch and its many imitators. The Australian import stars Kate Box stars as Dulcie Collins, the fastidious senior sergeant of the police force in the fictional town of the title. When a body turns up on the beach, Dulcie is joined by Madeleine Sami's Eddie Redcliffe, a crude, obnoxious detective brought in to help solve the case. The web of secrets and mysteries in the tiny Tasmanian town makes for an addictive narrative, with the added bonus that it's all frequently a hoot. Stream Deadloch on Prime Video. Deadloch (2023 – ) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Legends of Tomorrow (2016 – 2022) After a rough first season spent trying to find its footing while shoehorning in characters from other CW shows, Legends quickly evolved by taking its core premise seriously. Assembled by a rogue time traveller, the Legends were initially brought together because, while they all had useful powers, none of their lives were destined to have an appreciable impact and, thus they could be pulled from their timelines with impunity. With that in mind, the show developed a sense of humor about its crew of time-traveling losers, and an even bigger heart. Caity Lotz leads the team as former assassin Sara Lance alongside her wife, future-clone Ava Sharpe (Jes Macallan); they're joined by a romance-novel-wiring pyromaniac, a stoner from an alternate timeline, British occult detective John Constantine, and a rotating crew of unlikely heroes. Stream Legends of Tomorrow on Netflix. Legends of Tomorrow at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Watchmen (2019) A standalone sequel to the groundbreaking Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins graphic novel from the '80s, this series plays in the sandbox of that book (arguably the wellspring of all modern superhero deconstruction). In an alternate Tulsa, Oklahoma, in a world where super-powered vigilantes exist and have been outlawed, the series starts, dramatically, with a depiction of the real-life massacre and destruction of Tulsa's Black Wall Street by white residents in 1921. Regina King plays Angela Abar, a modern cop whose grandparents were killed during those attacks, an event that echoes throughout the series, which focuses on the fallout from the plot of the original comic, and the conspiracies that grew out of it. Stream Watchmen on HBO Max or buy episodes from Prime Video and Apple TV. Watchmen (2019) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Riverdale (2017 – 2023) Veering from superhero action to teen serial but keeping the thread of comic book deconstruction, Riverdale offers up a wild take on the once entirely wholesome Archie comics universe. The show veers wildly between genres, starting out by blending a coming-of-age story with a sexy whodunnit. The dour, elderly Miss Grundy of the comics is having an affair with Archie in the series opener, leading into a bloody murder mystery. Before long, we're folding in supernatural horror and alternate universes, made all the weirder by the way the show continues to take itself absolutely seriously in the face of absolutely bonkers plot twists. Steam Riverdale on Netflix or buy episodes from Prime Video. Riverdale (2017 – 2023) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Talamasca: The Secret Order (2025 – ) Who watches the watchers? That's the question central to The Boys (and its spiritual antecedent, Watchmen), and it's taken up by this surprisingly fun and zippy supernatural spy show. The third series in what AMC is calling its Immortal Universe of shows based on the works of Anne Rice, this one stars Nicholas Denton as Guy Anatole, a new recruit to the title organization of supernatural spies. William Fichtner plays a vampire making a play for control of the organization, and Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern brings us yet another delightfully confusing accent as the leader of the Talamasca's New York motherhouse. Throughout the first season, we, like Guy, are entirely in the dark as to whether the Talamasca are the goodies or the baddies—but maybe there's no clear answer to that question. Stream Talamasca on AMC+. Talamasca: The Secret Order (2025 – ) at AMC+ Learn More Learn More at AMC+ Hit-Monkey (2021 – 2024) A breath of fresh air among Marvel's million+ hours of TV and movie content, the animated Hit-Monkey eschews pat morality in favor of, well, monkey violence. Named only Monkey (Fred Tatasciore), the lead character is a particularly aggressive macaque forced from his tribe and mentored by Bryce (Jason Sudeikis), a dead assassin who has returned to the world as a helpful ghost. It's all impressively animated, and Ally Maki, Olivia Munn, George Takei, Leslie Jones, and Cristin Milioti are among the talented voice cast. Stream Hit-Monkey. Hit-Monkey (2021 – 2024) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu Murderbot (2025 – ) One of the smartest new shows of the year is also a dark comedy based on the Hugo-Award winning book series by Martha Wells. Alexander Skarsgård is the title's hilariously deadpan robot, a private "security construct" who's managed to hack its way through its own programming and gain free will—which it mostly wants to use to watch its favorite streaming shows. It can't just run off for fear of drawing attention, but the self-named Murderbot (it's being ironic, kinda) is content to do the bare minimum when it's assigned to a team of inexperienced and naive hippie researchers who don't see the need for a killer security robot—at least, not until they're enmeshed in a complicated capitalist plot in which they're all just cogs. Stream Murderbot on Apple TV+. Murderbot (2025 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Harley Quinn (2019– ) Kaley Cuoco voices erstwhile Joker sidekick Harley Quinn in this very adult cartoon series starring the anti-hero who made her debut in Batman: The Animated Series way back in the day. Don’t expect traditional superheroics, nor the epic narrative swings of The Boys—this one's mostly a zany comedy that delivers solid queer representation alongside moments of personal growth for our (anti)heroine in the wake of her big breakup with Mister J. Stream Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn (2019– ) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Peacemaker (2022 – 2025) Peacemaker spins out of James Gunn's snarky 2021 entry The Suicide Squad, bridging the gap between the old DC movie universe with the current one. John Cena's title character, having survived the events of that film, is once again recruited by the United States government to join a team trying to stop mysterious butterfly creatures from taking over their human hosts. It's got the movie's bloody comic tone, but adds just enough dimension (and emotion) to the jingoistic superhero's story that it's easy to root for him, even as his self-awareness remains...limited. Stream Peacemaker. Peacemaker (2022 – 2025) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Legion (2017 – 2019)Though vaguely an X-Men spinoff, this show from Noah Hawley (Fargo, Alien: Earth) stands entirely on its own, and winds up feeling like nothing else on TV. Dan Stevens plays David Haller, diagnosed with schizophrenia and possessed of tremendous psychic abilities. In one of the many psychiatric hospitals to which he's been committed, he meets first the freewheeling Lenny (Aubrey Plaza) and then Syd (Rachel Keller), who can trade bodies with anyone she touches. Veering in and out of trippy astral planes and deeply damaged psyches, David soon comes to realize that he's not crazy—and also that he's probably not the hero of the story, even as he's caught between the authorities who'd like to use him for his power, and the Shadow King who's been haunting his mind since childhood. Stream Legion on Hulu. Legion (2017 – 2019) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu ]]> https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/best-shows-like-the-boys-to-watch-next?utm_medium=RSS Ross Johnson Peloton's Holiday Challenge Is a Great Cold-Weather Motivator 01KBNHTC6669Z21KEYJ288K59E Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000 I need an extra push this time of year. I can be motivated to do just about anything if an app offers me a badge or "streak," which I've made abundantly clear in various reviews here on Lifehacker. When it comes to the apps I use to stay on top of my health and fitness, that's true to an extent, although I also derive at least a little of my satisfaction from actually, you know, working out. As likely as I am to get up and exercise on an average day, getting some kind of digital reward makes me all the more excited, which has been true the past four days as Peloton rolled out its Holiday 2025 challenge. It's a simple challenge, but one you might be interested in if you're also encouraged by celebratory pixels or if you want to get a head start on your New Year goals. What is the Holiday 2025 challenge on Peloton?Peloton's app is great overall because it has a wide variety of class types, can be used to track non-Peloton workouts better than native workout trackers, and offers a multitude of ways to get the sweet dopamine bop of motivation, from daily streaks to Club Peloton status. (As of today, I'm on a 263-day streak and am sitting firmly in the Silver III tier of Club Peloton.) The app awards you badges and milestones for things like taking a certain number of meditation or strength classes, taking a class with music from a specific artist, or participating in a challenge. As of Dec. 1, we're in Holiday 2025 challenge territory, which means if you take holiday-branded classes through the app, either on your mobile device or one of the brand's proprietary pieces of equipment, you earn a badge.If you take three holiday classes between now and Dec. 31, you get a bronze badge, if you take five you earn silver, and 10 will get you a gold one. That's good enough for me! The badge appears on your profile along with any others you may have earned. Though there isn't much more to it than that, there is something crucial you need to know: Peloton Members have to opt into the challenge. You can do that on the app or by following this link. I did not do that until today, which means I just spent four days taking holiday classes (simply by typing "holiday" in the search bar) but not contributing toward my ultimate badge. Luckily, some of the ones I took did count retroactively once I opted in. I did, strangely and inadvertently, earn a badge called "Holiday 2024," which appeared on my profile today, I assume because I took some holiday classes that were released last year. That is not exactly what I was after, but I'll take the bonus badge and be grateful nonetheless. Credit: Peloton Once you opt in, just do what I've been doing and search for "holiday." You'll see classes as well as a "Holiday" collection, which also just shows you classes, but those are sorted by the year they came out. Taking any holiday class, regardless of year, will help you earn your badges. There are holiday rides, holiday lifts, holiday yoga flows, holiday walks—you get the point. Like all Peloton offerings, they range in intensity levels and duration, so you can find something to fit in no matter what you want to do and for how long. Why I like this challengeI am easy to please, I'll admit, and can be convinced to do anything if it's even mildly whimsical or unique, but I do think a challenge like this is solid for a number of reasons. First, it's not intimidating. You have 31 days to do just three classes and still earn a badge, plus there are plenty of classes in the collection that are simple and low-commitment. For a beginner or someone with limited time, it isn't like you have to commit to a ton of super-difficult classes. Credit: Peloton I also just like anything novel and appreciate that this provides a fun little way to prioritize movement during a time of year that is, at least for me, both busier and more slovenly than the other 11 months. When it's cold out and there's an abundance of baked goods around me, I'm not always reliably inclined toward choosing a workout over some pajama-and-couch time, but knowing I have to keep up with my routine to earn the gold badge can be a motivator. Finally, I'm kind of in the middle of my own personal challenge: Last week, I was, for some reason, inspired to drop a bunch of money on a one-month unlimited pilates membership, which I am now hell-bent on making worth every cent by taking a class every morning at around 5:30. There's something nice about getting done with a strenuous reformer session, walking back home in the cold, and getting to relax with a holiday-themed yoga or stretch. I can even play a holiday-themed walk as I amble back to my apartment. At a time when I'm already pushing myself pretty hard, I appreciate the whimsy and fun of "10 min Backstreet Boys Holiday Stretch." Remembering that movement is supposed to be enjoyable—especially during a season notorious for getting on my nerves with all its events, responsibilities, and hassle—is grounding. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/peloton-holiday-challenge-great-cold-weather-motivator?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson 15 Secret Santa Gifts People Will Actually Like 01JDN7D4Z89S6757C6AP3MNQ4Y Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:30:11 +0000 When in doubt, get quirky with it. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Let's face it: Secret Santa exchanges can be a minefield of disappointing, forgettable gifts. It's tough to shop for someone when you know that gift is going to be opened in front of all your friends, family, or coworkers at some holiday party. Then there's the price limit to contend with—a good gift exchange should keep it under $20, but some creep closer to the $50 range. What's the best way to win at Secret Santa without breaking the bank, or bending the rules?The name of the game for any gift exchange is to get something I call "strategically eccentric." You need to find something quirky and unique, so that you have a better chance of resonating with the quirks and uniqueness of the individual you're gifting. I've rounded up some ideas for crowd-pleasing presents that are both budget-friendly and hopefully a little useful, too. Whether you're shopping for a coworker you barely know, or the friend you know all too well, here are the best types of gifts to help you crush at Secret Santa this year.Quirky tech gadgetsWhen in doubt, go for something practical with a fun twist.LED bluetooth beanie. It's a great move for a gift exchange: Perfect for music lovers, cold weather, and it satisfies the need for something unique. I mean, I'd be shocked if anyone owned one of these of their own volition. Get one for $12.99.Portable charger (with a nice design). Keep their devices juiced up with a charger that's both functional and fun. A good charger should stick within the $20-25 range, like this Amazon best seller for $20.99. Smart mug. What better way to share warmth than a favorite drink at just the right temperature? A good smart mug can keep your drink at your preferred temperature (between 120°F - 145°F) for up to 80 minutes on a full charge, or all day if it stays on its charging coaster. A quality one will run you over $100 on Amazon, but this more affordable one for $16 seems perfectly fine. Ember Smart Mug 6"W x 6"H, 295 Milliliters, Scratch Resistant, Programmable $109.95 at Amazon $129.95 Save $20.00 Get Deal Get Deal $109.95 at Amazon $129.95 Save $20.00 Foodie crowd-pleasersAfter all, everyone needs to eat.Gourmet hot sauce set. Maybe they're a true spice enthusiast; maybe they just love watching celebrities sweat on Hot Ones. Either way, help them add some heat to their meals with this hot sauce variety pack for $24.99. Unique tea or coffee sampler. Ooh, a collection of exotic flavors to tantalize their taste buds. If you know that spices or sweets are going to be too much for your gift recipient, you can play it safe while still giving them something new to try. Depending on your budget, you can stick to a tasteful Tea Forte Tea Tasting Assortment for under $20, or spring for the Atlas Coffee Club World of Coffee Discovery Set for $59.99.Artisan chocolate tasting box. Because who doesn't love high-quality chocolate? Or, who doesn't love re-gifting high-quality chocolate to someone else? Again, your personal Secret Santa budget will dictate how decadent you get. Consider my personal favorite, this Taza Mexican-style chocolate sampler $28, or perhaps a fancier assorted truffles Godiva box for $50.00.Cozy comfort gifts'Tis the season for snuggling up and embracing laziness.Fuzzy socks multipack. Soft, warm, and always appreciated. If you're working with a tighter budget, you can play it safe with a multipack for just $17.99.Weighted eye mask. A luxurious touch for better sleep and relaxation. I stole one from my mom last year, and now I don't go a night without it. I recommend one with lavender stuffed into it, but everyone has different scent preferences. Here's a 3D sleep mask currently on sale for $15.99.Microwaveable heated slippers. The ultimate comfort gift for cold days. And delicious once warmed up! Just kidding. Please don't eat them. Available for $26.Creative findsGet them something you're sure they won't get themselves.Desk plant terrarium kit. A mini garden for the plant lover or office dweller. Get a cool geometric glass pattern, like this one currently on sale for $37.Raunchy adult card games. Think Cards Against Humanity or any similar party game that encourage players to let loose and feel funny. I recommend We're Not Really Strangers to really streamline breaking the ice with acquaintances and close friends alike. Prompts include "what part of your life works," "what part of your life hurts," and even just "admit something." Available for $25. Scratch-off adventure poster. A fun way to track and plan future experiences. Get ones themed around national parks, date ideas, or even "things to do with dad." All reasonably priced around $22. Cute Farms Glass Terrarium Kit | Just Add Your Own Plants (Geometric Glass) $36.76 at Amazon $45.95 Save $9.19 Get Deal Get Deal $36.76 at Amazon $45.95 Save $9.19 Self-care indulgencesHelp them treat themselves to a little luxury.Essential oil diffuser. A compact way to bring calm and aromatherapy anywhere. You can get the diffuser itself for around $20, but a smart move is to bundle it with premium essential oils, currently on sale for for $30.99. Fancy face mask set. Pamper-worthy skincare that feels like a spa day. Everyone has done a sheet mask before, but I highly encourage you to try out a true clay mask. This fun K Beauty variety pack is $14.95.Stress-relief squeeze toys. Cute and functional stress-busters. Make sure to share a knowing look with your fellow weary coworkers on this one. This fidget cube for adults is on sale for $13.95, or a significantly sillier "calma llama" is on sale for $12. Essential Oil Diffuser with Essential Oils Set 6.6"L x 6.6"W x 4.76"H, 500 Milliliters $30.99 at Amazon $36.99 Save $6.00 Get Deal Get Deal $30.99 at Amazon $36.99 Save $6.00 Extra tips for Secret Santa successThe advantage of Secret Santa over White Elephant is the ability to gain intel on your target. So, make sure to actually consider your gift recipient's interests and personality. Do research by asking mutual friends about their interests, stalk their social media for clues, and of course lie to your recipient about who you have so you can throw them off the scent.Remember, presentation matters—a little creative wrapping goes a long way. Another budget-friendly bonus: Most of these gifts come in under $25, giving you some wiggle room for a cute card or extra little add-on. Lifehacker's Stephen Johnson says that he goes with a lottery ticket—who knows, they could be a winner!Ultimately, the best gifts show you've put thought into the person, not how much money you've spent. (And hey, no matter how confident you feel in your gift-giving abilities, always include a gift receipt.)]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/best-secret-santa-gift-ideas?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz Use the 'One More' Trick When Your Productivity Stalls 01J8T9W6K9A1SYE4FX1JK192HA Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:30:00 +0000 If you're overwhelmed by your to-do list, narrow your thinking. After writing about productivity and organization for the past few years, I understand better than most that the vast majority of the advice you'll get about working more efficiently asks you to carefully schedule your day, plan out the exact type and number of tasks you're going to do, and be diligent to the point of near-militancy—literally. I also know better than anyone else what works for me, personally—and it usually looks like nothing so meticulous. Assiduous preplanning and scheduling can be beneficial for a lot of people, but there is no universally effective productivity technique. If the intricate routes aren't working for you or you simply find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of items on your to-do list, there's a far simpler, more straightforward, and easier method to try. It's the "one more" approach, and it's one of my favorite productivity hacks because it works extremely well in a variety of situations.What is the "one more" approach?I'm borrowing the name "one more" from a Reddit poster who referred to the technique that way, though I've done this for years without putting a name to it. The creator described how they prefer to break their tasks up into small pieces, then continually challenge themselves to do just "one more" mini-task before stopping. The example used was dealing with emails: When you have a load of messages to sort through and respond to, it can be daunting. If you use a classic technique to schedule time into your calendar just to tackle them all, you'll be faced with the harsh reality that there are dozens of pieces of correspondence that need your attention. It's demoralizing, and it may even cause you to procrastinate, making things worse in the long run. But if, instead of setting a time or amount, you just get to work and urge yourself to tackle "one more" email at a time, you'll feel motivated every time you you cross one off the list. If you feel energized enough to continue, well, you only have to do "one more." Examples where this will be effective abound. When I was discussing the concept with my colleagues this morning, Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki noted she does something similar in the gym: She asks herself, "Can I do one more rep?" or "Can I do one more minute?" and that keeps her moving. And actually, the gym is where I use this strategy the most: It's overwhelming to realize you have 17 minutes left to go on the treadmill, or five reps left on a heavy weight, so don't think that far ahead. Can you do one more? And can you still do one more after that? And after that? Where I find this most helpful, though, is cleaning. I hate cleaning, but I must do it, especially because I love being in a clean space. I have tried every kind of approach you can think of, but the only one that works is a combination of the two-minute rule and the one-more rule. Basically, as soon as I think of doing something or the motivation hits me, I just pop up and do it. If I catch sight of a dirty baseboard at the opportune moment, no matter what I'm doing, I just try to get up and get it over with instead of concocting some convoluted, multi-step cleaning strategy I will surely punk out on. When I finish the baseboard, I ask myself whether I can do one more thing. Almost always, after feeling a little motivated from my first task, I find I can take the garbage out, clean my fan, vacuum my rug, or whatever. Why "one more" is an effective productivity strategyAll big tasks are really comprised of smaller ones and, taken individually, those smaller tasks aren't as daunting. It's overwhelming to write a 10-page essay, but not that bad to think about it one page at a time. Every time you get one of the small parts done, you feel good about having done it. You get a boost of confidence, and you're ready to do it again. This approach is best suited to tasks that aren't especially urgent, so use a system like the Eisenhower matrix to figure out which of the jobs on your to-do list can be tackled this way. Then again, even that is a lot of planning and I don't practice what I preach here too well. I'm more inclined to make a big list of to-dos, but then, just by virtue of them being fresh in my mind from writing them down, get after them when the mood hits me. I keep a loose idea of what is and isn't important, hit the important ones first whenever I can, and try to push forward—at least with tasks that don't necessitate scheduling. This doesn't work for me at my job, of course, but it works on personal pursuits.That said, while you can use "one more" for one-off tasks, it can also work when you break complex jobs down into smaller components. Even as you're working on something bigger, you'll get that small sense of accomplishment and reinforce the feeling that you're chipping away at the larger task. Especially when it's something you don't really want to do—like working out or cleaning—thinking small in this way can keep you from getting burned out. If a project is overwhelming you, break it down into its smallest components and just do one, without worrying about how much time you have. Keep going with just one more until you you're out of time or finished with the job. If you find you can't do one more, even just because you feel tired or burned out, take a break. Taking breaks is fundamental to maintaining productivity, so let the honest answer to, "Can I do one more?" actually guide you. The goal is to boost your motivation and confidence, not demoralize you, so don't beat yourself up if you can't get through everything without a rest. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/work/use-the-one-more-trick-when-your-productivity-stalls?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson Overhaul Your To-Do List With the 'ABCDE' Method 01HPMPFFEV9BEF27MVM3H9HYV1 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Start grading your tasks to make your to-do list easier to sort through. We may earn a commission from links on this page.A major component of productivity is prioritizing your daily responsibilities and addressing them in an order that makes sense, which is why to-do lists are so important. Usually, I suggest using the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps you visually sort tasks according to how urgent and important they are, but there is another way: The ABCDE method, which comes from Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy. Obviously, eating the frog—or doing your biggest, most demanding task first each day—is one way to tackle the day’s duties, but structuring out how you’ll do the rest is pretty important, too. Here’s how it works.What is the ABCDE method of productivity?The ABCDE method is a simple way to categorize whatever you need to do and figure out which things are most pressing, most demanding, and most relevant. Using it can be a solid first step to making your to-do list, especially if you’re following a model like the 1-3-5 list, which requires you to do one major task, three medium-sized ones, and five small ones every day. Figuring out the big, medium, and small tasks is actually a task in itself (but it doesn’t count as one of the five, sorry). This approach is a little easier than similar prioritization techniques because it's more subjective. When you are planning out your day, you’re going to give each task in front of you a grade. First, list out everything you need to do. This can be a list of your tasks for the day, week, or month—you’ll weed it all down eventually. Then, give them each a grade based on this outline:A is for the most important tasks, like anything that will have a consequence if it doesn’t get done. These are the “frog” tasks that will require resources and time, but they can also be something that doesn’t take a lot of time but does have a hefty associated punishment for failure, like paying a bill on time. B tasks are ones that also need to get done, but won’t have such serious ramifications if they’re not done immediately. You know you need to do them at some point (lest they escalate to the urgency of an A task) but you have a little wiggle room. If you have a make-or-break exam in a month, studying for it now might be a B task, but if you wait too long, it'll quickly become A.C tasks don’t have any consequences for not getting done, but are things it would be good to get taken care of. For me, a C task might be responding to a PR pitch to say I’m not interested in interviewing their client. I didn’t need to do it, but it’s a nice thing to do that keeps a professional relationship friendly. (Conversely, a B task would be responding to someone’s publicity agent right away when they’re trying to nail down a time for an interview. An A task would be doing the interview.)D tasks are anything that you can delegate to someone else. The person you give it to shouldn’t have any A or B tasks it will take away from; it should become a priority for them, even if it’s not major for you or simply something you trust they’ll get done right. This is where it gets a little subjective and may not work for everyone. If you're a manager at work or the adult in your household, this is easy enough, but if you're working on personal tasks, it's not always relevant. You can think a little more abstractly here, if it helps. Sometimes, when I have a lot of laundry to do, I'm overly busy, and it's bordering on being an A task, I actually turn it into a D task by calling a pick-up and delivery service. Think of things you can outsource, even if you aren't exactly in a position to "delegate." Even an A or B task like "plan tonight's meal" or "clean the house" could be a D task if you're in a position to order a pizza or hire a cleaner. Be open to seeing D tasks among everything on your list, even if it takes some practice, as it clears the way for more As and Bs.E tasks are ones you eliminate altogether. If they serve absolutely no purpose, have no consequences attached to them, or may even pull you off course, just don’t do them. This is a pretty relative grade, though: Say you wanted to go to the grocery store and try a new recipe tonight but just don’t have time. You have enough food at home, so you don't even need takeout. It’s fine to eliminate it this time, but when you deplete all your food, the grocery store trip will roar back onto the list in a higher position. Other E tasks may never reappear; they’re just inconsequential. Ignore them to reduce pressure on yourself. Even giving yourself permission not to do things can be a major motivator and is a productivity method of its own.Like I said, this is a little subjective and it may take some time to get the hang of accurately categorizing your tasks. There are other, more intense ways of prioritizing your daily responsibilities and if you're struggling with giving your to-dos a grade, you might need to try something a little more data-focused. The goal here is to be quick and efficient so you can stop stressing about what needs to be done, then prioritize it, and just start doing it.Use the ABCDE grades to be more productiveOnce every task has been assigned a grade, start planning out your day (and week and month). Here’s where that 1-3-5 to-do list comes in: The one big task should be an A task, something that is urgent and timely, and/or requires major resources and focus. The three medium-sized tasks might include a smaller A-level one, but will most likely be Bs. For the five smaller tasks, pick up any leftover B grades and, if you want, Cs. As for the D-level things, outsourcing and coordinating on them might still require enough work to qualify carrying out the delegation as one of your five smaller tasks, but it depends how much effort that really takes and what the rest of your day is looking like. Don’t shoot the messenger, but you might have to fall back on a C task to get the delegation taken care of. The E grades can just be crossed off. Go ahead and delete them or strike them out. It’ll feel good (and productive) to get that finality on them. Once you’ve organized which tasks are necessary for the day, look ahead at the week and make sure you keep any B-level responsibilities in mind and roll them over to a day that works for you if you don’t have time that particular day. Putting them off will turn them into As pretty quickly. As always, rely on timeboxing to schedule out the day from there. Allocate time for each task in your calendar, giving yourself the most time for major A-level duties and less and less time for B and C. Don’t multitask; instead, do each thing in order, starting by eating the frog and moving through the other things one at a time until they’re done. (The exception here is that if you’re delegating tasks, try to get it done early so the other person has time to complete what should be an A- or B-level job for them, too.)Grading your responsibilities is an easy way to get perspective on them and enhance your sense of urgency around them, which compels you to be more productive. Getting it all into an ordered list gives you structure and direction, wastes less time throughout the day, and will give you a sense of accomplishment when you’re done, which itself is a productivity win.]]> https://lifehacker.com/work/overhaul-to-do-list-with-abcde-method?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson Here's Everything You Get With a Garmin Connect+ Subscription 01JQCAPJDD6EGT7647YW6A0XMQ Thu, 04 Dec 2025 23:00:00 +0000 Classic Garmin watch features are free, but you can pay to get extra AI-powered extras. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Garmin watches have never required a subscription to access any of their core features, and that hasn't changed. But as of 2025, Garmin now offers a $6.99/month subscription called Connect+ that provides “premium features,” including AI, on top of what you already get for free with the Garmin Connect app. So far, no preexisting features have gone behind the paywall, despite some Garmin users' fears. But what does Connect+ give you, and is it worth it? I signed up for a subscription to find out.How a Connect+ subscription worksA Connect+ subscription costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year. Again, it only adds features on top of what you already get with the Garmin Connect app; after nearly a year, no preexisting features free have been paywalled. Garmin did previously tease that “premium enhancements may be made to existing features,” leading users to speculate that any new features that come down the pike may be limited to paid members. Garmin is in the habit of adding new features frequently, and often enables them even on older watches. In the past year alone, we’ve gotten strength coaching, a new type of run coaching, and the ability to detect your lactate threshold heart rate without a chest strap—all things that just appeared on my watch or in my app one day. I wouldn’t expect watch firmware updates to be affected—this is a premium subscription for the phone app—but I have to wonder if there will be fewer of those new app feature rollouts for free users as Connect+ grows its subscriber numbers. Connect+ is not Garmin’s first subscription service. They have long offered a slate of services for various special purposes, including hiking and hunting maps, marine charts, search and rescue insurance, dog tracking, kids’ smartwatch tracking, and more. But this is definitely Garmin’s first foray into a premium subscription for health and fitness features, in the same vein as, say, Fitbit.What Connect+ includesHere's what you get for that $6.99/month:Active Intelligence (an AI analysis of your activities; this requires opt-in). It seems pretty lackluster.Enhanced LiveTrack (also available with an Outdoor Maps+ subscription), allowing you to text contacts when you start an activity, or set up a public tracking pageLive Activity, which lets you follow a workout from your phone and not just your watchA Performance Dashboard on the web with new charts and comparison featuresSocial features, including double points on badges and the ability to earn badges from anywhere in the world (some badges are only available in certain locations). Immediately upon signing up for Connect+, I noticed a little yellow star on the corner of my profile pic on the app. Extra training guidance if you’re following a Garmin Coach program (mainly in the form of extra videos)Garmin Trails, a feature that looks like it's supposed to rival AllTrails but doesn't seem to have enough data to do so (yet?)3D maps for activities, courses, and trailsThe end-of-year Garmin Connect Rundown that collects all your stats for shareable viewingOf all these features, Live Activity and the Performance Dashboard seem the most useful, so I'll go a bit deeper on those. What you get with Live Activity Screenshots of a live activity on the home screen, editing sets and reps, and what you see when you do a treadmill workout. Credit: Beth Skwarecki Until now, a workout you do on your Garmin watch stays on your Garmin watch, at least until you finish the activity. At that point, it syncs to your phone, where you can view and edit the details. But with Live Activity, you can now use the Garmin Connect app while you’re doing an activity on your watch. That’s especially useful for strength workouts, which previously required you to edit weights and reps through an awkward interface on the watch after each set. To test this out, I did a few quick workouts on my Garmin Forerunner 265S. One was a mini workout of kettlebell swings and sit-ups that I created on the app, and sent to the watch. I started the workout on my watch. Nothing happened on the phone—I might have expected a notification—but when I opened the Garmin Connect app on my phone, there was a tile on the home screen for a Live Activity. I tapped it, and there was the same workout I was doing on the watch. I could see my heart rate, the time elapsed, and which exercise I was supposed to be doing. I didn’t see the promised exercise videos right away, but it turns out you need to swipe left on the heart rate graph. There you can see an exercise video (or a rest timer, if appropriate). Swipe again, and you’ll see your heart rate zone. The bottom half of the screen shows your stats in progress, including your reps, sets, heart rate, and a timer. Importantly, if you’ve turned off rep counting or weight editing on your phone (because they’re so annoying in normal use), you’ll want to turn them back on for this. The watch counted my kettlebell swings, and at the end of each set prompted me to edit my reps and weight. This editing screen came up on both the watch and my phone, and of course it was easier to edit that information from the phone. With Live Activity, you can do the following from the watch or phone:Pause or unpause the workoutEdit reps or weight in a strength workoutAdvance to the next set (strength), or start a new lap (in activities like running)View stats like your heart rate, time elapsed, reps, pace, and so onBut only the watch can do the following: Start the workoutFinish and save the workoutCreate custom data screensLive Activity definitely improves the usability of the watch for strength workouts. I don’t entirely see the point for running workouts, but maybe there’s a use case I haven’t thought of yet.What’s in the Performance Dashboard Four of the charts I can view in my Performance Dashboard Credit: Beth Skwarecki/Garmin One of Garmin’s better-kept secrets is its web dashboard. You can log in here and view all your activities and data—essentially a web view of everything that’s in the app. The Performance Dashboard is a new item in the sidebar of the web dashboard. To set it up: Mouse over the black sidebar at the left side of the screen. Select Performance Dashboard, which I see as the last blue item, just under Reports.Click Add dashboard, and choose whether you want a running, cycling, multisport, or custom dashboard. (You can have more than one.) Some of the charts on the performance dashboard are also available from the free Reports tool, although Reports will only show you one chart at a time. The Performance Dashboard is definitely a better tool if you’re looking to really nerd out about your data. For example, I can get a simple report from the Reports tool that shows my running mileage over the past six months. It gives me a bar chart with one bar per month. The Performance Dashboard, on the other hand, can give me a bar for each week, and I can select a custom timeframe instead of just selecting one of a few options. There are also more options for types of data you can view. Do you know how your watch will ask you at the end of each run how hard it felt? You can now see that on a graph called “perceived effort over time.”What you get with Active IntelligenceThere’s good news here for people who want AI in everything, and for those of us whose reaction is “oh god, not here too” (this meme sums up my personal stance). The AI (“active intelligence”) is the one feature of Connect+ that requires you to opt in, even after you have subscribed to the whole package. But I did it, dear readers. I opted in for you, so I could let you know what the AI can actually tell you about your training—and whether it’s any better than Strava’s notoriously clueless AI. Unfortunately, there’s not much to say at the moment. When I first tried it, my home screen “insight” (which you can turn off, by the way, even with AI enabled) at first just told me to check back later. My recent runs didn't have any AI commentary attached. Garmin says that “As customers use Garmin Connect+ more, the insights will become more tailored to them and their goals.” I wrote a bit more about the AI feature here. As you might expect, it summarizes, sometimes hallucinates, and tends to repeat information that's available in more readable form elsewhere in the app. I'm not impressed.The AI feature is labeled as a “beta,” with a thumbs up/thumbs down icon that lets me rate the insight I just read. I can say that it’s interesting, not interesting, or “report a concern” if it’s inaccurate, discouraging, or poorly written. (You can also give a custom response.) I’ll keep an eye on these notes and report back as the AI gets to know me better.At least Garmin asks your permission to train its AI on your dataTo turn on the AI features, you need to click through an agreement where you allow the AI to access your training and health data (so that it can run its analyses). This also allows your data to be used as training data for the AI. I asked Garmin if this means that the AI is only trained on people who opt-in. A spokesperson confirmed: “We only train with data from users who have consented.” The existing model was trained on users who previously granted permission for their data to be used for product improvements. Garmin has a brief AI transparency policy here. You can revoke permission at any time in your Connect+ settings, which will also turn off your access to AI features. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/everything-you-get-with-garmin-connect-plus?utm_medium=RSS Beth Skwarecki Three Changes Coming to Your Apple Watch With watchOS 26.2 01KBNMEX42ZBVNCHDQH53K9ACF Thu, 04 Dec 2025 22:30:00 +0000 Sleep Score should feel a bit more accurate. Yesterday, Apple unveiled release candidates (RCs) for its slate of upcoming updates. An RC, as the name implies, is the version of a software update Apple intends to release to the general public. Before it rolls out, though, Apple sends the update out to beta testers to see if there are any bugs or glitches that need addressing. If not, these are the updates that will hit your Apple devices sometime this month. That includes watchOS 26.2, Apple's latest OS for its line of smartwatches. While there aren't nearly as many new features and changes in this update as there were in watchOS 26 proper, there are still some key things to highlight in this RC. In fact, as noted by 9to5Mac, there are three:Updates to Sleep ScorewatchOS 26 introduced Sleep Score, a feature that was sorely missing on the Apple Watch. Sleep Score analyzes a host of data collected while you slept, including sleep duration, the time you actually went to bed, and any wake-ups you might have had during the night, and gives you an overall score. The idea is to glance at the score and see how you slept that night, so you can either take steps to improve your sleep going forward, or know you're on the right track. The total score is out of 100: Duration gets you up to 50 points, bedtime gets up to 30, and sleep interruptions go up to 20. watchOS 26.2 refines the feature, by adjusting the final Sleep Score metrics. The feature had a tendency to give you higher scores than you might have otherwise felt you earned: A mediocre night's sleep might have have scored "High" on your chart, which wouldn't have made much sense to you. Going forward, the scoring is a bit more conservative. Here's what you can expect, and how the scores changed from the last update:Very Low: 0–40 (previously 0–29)Low: 41–60 (previously 30–49)OK: 61–80 (previously 50–69)High: 81–95 (previously 70–89)Very High: 96–100 (previously 90–100) You'll also noticed Apple changed the "Excellent" score to "Very High," which keeps the naming a bit more consistent.Music app glitch fixIf you've been using the Music app on your Apple Watch, but have been struggling to get your songs to actually, you know, play, good news: Apple says in the release notes for watchOS 26.2 RC that there is now a fix for an issue where the Music app doesn't move to the next song.Enhanced Safety AlertsFinally, watchOS 26.2, along with other Apple updates, introduces Enhanced Safety Alerts. According to Apple, this feature will warn you about "imminent threats," including floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies. The feature will also include data like maps and links to official safety advice. Apple has been positioning the Apple Watch to be an overall health and safety device, and this feature only seems to complement that. Recent Apple Watches have hypertension alerts, which can help you passively identify high blood pressure, while fall and crash protection can automatically call for help in emergencies when you can't reach the phone. When does watchOS 26.2 come out?Apple doesn't have a set date for watchOS 26.2, or iOS 26.2 and macOS 26.2 for that matter. However, now that the RCs are out, these updates are likely coming soon. As long as there aren't any glaring bugs or glitches in these RCs, Apple will likely ship the updates sometime this month. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/apple-watchos-262-updates?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson What Happened to the iPhone 17 Pro’s Portrait Night Mode? 01KBNG47316RZ18KQCY4V2BFM8 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 22:00:00 +0000 Why is Apple taking away features? New products tend to add features, not take them away. That isn't always the case with Apple, however. The company has a long history of removing functions from one generation of devices to the next, whether that's removing the disc drive from its MacBooks back in 2012, or taking away the iPhone's Home button in 2017. Some of these changes are good, some are controversial, while others are undone altogether: MagSafe and HDMI both found their way back to MacBooks after all.It's not often I hear about Apple removing software features from one generation of product to the next, however. So, imagine my surprise when I saw a number of headlines this morning asserting that the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple's latest and greatest flagship, is missing a feature found in the last five generations of Pro iPhones—and nobody noticed for nearly three months. Night mode is missing from Portrait mode on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. What happened to Night mode in Portrait?The short answer? We have no idea. This was not something Apple announced publicly, of course. In fact, Macworld spotted the change in an Apple support doc: If you scroll down to the section where it says "On supported models, you can take Night mode photos with Portrait mode," and click the hyperlink on "On supported models," you'll pull up a list of iPhones that, mysteriously, doesn't include the 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max. The list includes:iPhone 12 ProiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone 13 ProiPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone 14 ProiPhone 14 Pro MaxiPhone 15 ProiPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro Max For the uninitiated, Night mode and Portrait mode are technically two distinct features. Portrait mode was released first, all the way back on the iPhone 7 Plus, which utilized the dual-camera system to add a bokeh effect to shots of people. Those early shots were hit or miss, and were often no replacement for a true DSLR, but as Apple's tech and cameras have improved, so has Portrait mode. Part of the improvement was the introduction of Night mode. This feature, which Apple was a bit late to the game on, allowed you to take brighter images in low-light environments by lengthening the time the shutter stays engaged. Older iPhones without the feature would take images that were hard to see without the flash engaged, but Night mode could pull in details as long as there was just enough light present in the scene. Since the iPhone 12 Pro, Portrait mode came with the option of Night mode, as well. If you're trying to take a portrait shot in a dark environment, Night mode kicks in and gives the image a chance to turn out brighter and more detailed. But now, it seems, the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max do not have this option. To be clear, these new iPhones still have Night mode: Per that previously mentioned support page, you can take brighter shots at night when taking standard photos, selfies, and time-lapse videos. It just seems Apple decided to remove the feature for Portrait mode shots on its latest Pros.Of course, this news started breaking on Dec. 3, nearly three months after the 17 Pros launched. If it took this long for someone to notice a missing feature, was it really all that important to begin with? I don't have a 17 Pro, so I really can't say, but I also can't say I take many Portrait mode shots in dark environments. I've reached out to Apple for comment, and will update this story if I hear back. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/iphone-17-pro-portrait-night-mode-missing?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson The AirPods 4 (With ANC) Are Just $99 Right Now 01KBNBQGX6AE1DJEGPMS0JKN4E Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:30:21 +0000 The latest AirPods with noise-cancelling have dropped to their lowest price with a 45% discount. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The latest AirPods 4 dropped to a record low price during Black Friday last week, and after restocking, they're back on Amazon (and even slightly cheaper). The ANC AirPods 4 are $99 (originally $179.99) after a 45% discount. This is the lowest price they've ever been, according to price-tracking tools. Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds $99.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $80.00 The AirPods 4 have updated USB-C charging. Both models (the ANC and non-ANC) are powered by Apple's H2 chip, so you'll get Personalized Spatial Audio (so you can hear sounds seemingly coming from different directions as you move your head) and the ability to use head gestures to tell Siri "yes" or "no" and answer calls. Apple added a live translation feature to the ANC model when iOS 26 rolled out earlier this year.The biggest difference if you choose to go with the non-ANC is that you'll miss out on the charging case with a built-in speaker, which you can use with Find My to locate it if you lose them. You'll also miss features like Conversation Awareness, which lowers your music volume when your AirPods detect that you're talking to someone; Transparency Mode, which lets you better hear your surroundings while your earbuds are in; and Adaptive Audio (combines ANC and Transparency mode to adjust ANC levels based on the noise around you).Both versions are rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, offer up to five hours of listening per charge (up to 30 hours with the charging case), and can handle automatic switching with your other Apple devices. You can read more about the non-ANC AirPods in PCMag's "excellent" review, and more about the ANC AirPods in PCMag's "outstanding" review.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/anc-airpods-4-sale?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza Ads Might Finally Be Coming to ChatGPT 01KBN59JF64YGJMRYBPAAD0CGT Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:00:46 +0000 You might see things that look like ads in your ChatGPT conversations. Love it or hate it, there's one thing that ChatGPT avoids that many other tech products include right now: ads. Everything from websites, streaming services, and games ship with ads—either as a subsidized choice, or as a requirement. Chatbots like ChatGPT, however, have so far managed without this ad model, which is somewhat refreshing. The chatbot might lower your critical thinking skills, but it won't try to get you to buy something.That might not be the case for long, however. Over the past week, reports have been circulating about OpenAI's plans to incorporate ads into ChatGPT. These aren't just based on rumors and conjecture, either: Engineer Tibor Blaho spotted references in ChatGPT's Android app beta to an "ads feature," that included things like "bazaar content," "search ad," and "search ads carousel." More damning, a Wall Street Journal report indirectly confirms the company's work to bring ads to ChatGPT—though more on that later. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. If OpenAI were to actually roll out ads in its chatbot, it would have huge implications for the platform. Ads, of course, drive a huge amount of revenue for internet-based products, in large part because advertisers can target users with pinpoint precision. Nike doesn't want to pay for ads to show up on a random assortment of users' screens; they want to pay for ads to show up on users who are likely to buy Nike products. That's where all the data trackers collect about us across apps and websites comes into play—and ChatGPT knows a lot about its users. Imagine a scenario in which you ask ChatGPT for a lasagna recipe, and an accompanying shopping list. Where the current iteration of ChatGPT might suggest "tomato sauce," you've expressed an interest in high quality ingredients in the past. So, in between mozzarella cheese and lasagna noodles, ChatGPT plops an ad for Rao's. Perhaps you would've spend $3 on the generic brand at the store, but now you're spending potentially more than $10 on the sauce. Or, say you're asking ChatGPT for advice on getting into running. An important factor here is the shoe you use, as a low-quality or old sneaker can lead to injury. Along with tips like "taking it slow" and "eating right," you get a convenient link to Nike's latest running shoe. How thoughtful.ChatGPT ads might be delayed, but other tests are still ongoingBefore you get too worked up about this news, know that this isn't necessarily happening just yet. While OpenAI might have serious intentions to brings ads to ChatGPT, the company appears to be pausing those efforts for now.According to that Wall Street Journal piece, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sent an internal memo to the company on Monday issuing a "code red." The key objective? Improve ChatGPT, in response to Google's latest Gemini models. Among the strategies here, which include improving personalization and performance, is to move resources away from lower priority efforts—including, most relevant to this discussion, advertisements. But ads aren't the only intrusion OpenAI is testing right now. As highlighted by TechCrunch, among the hullabaloo about traditional ad placements, critics are also going after the company for another test: app suggestions. Hyberbolic Labs co-founder Yuchen Jin posted on X about his experience here, where at the end of one response, ChatGPT presents a box to "Find a fitness class" and "Connect Peloton." Jin isn't a free user either: He's a Pro subscriber, which costs $200 per month. One user responded to the thread, sharing that ChatGPT was routinely recommending Spotify, even though the user already subscribed to Apple Music. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. At first glance, this seems like ChatGPT's much discussed ad test, but, according to OpenAI’s data lead Daniel McAuley, it isn't. McAuley responded to Jin with the full explanation, detailing how this feature is designed to suggest an app based on the context of the conversation. Importantly, OpenAI doesn't make any money off this app placement, so it's really not an ad in the traditional sense of the word. The goal seems to be to provide access to an external app when relevant—if you're talking about working out, maybe it'll recommend the Peloton app; if you're talking about finding new music, maybe it'll send a link to Spotify. That could be helpful, but it could also be annoying, especially if the bot is suggesting apps and services you don't actually use. Plus, the current implementation of this feature just feels like an ad, especially when it seems apparent the company is working on ad integrations for ChatGPT. At this time, there doesn't appear to be an imminent threat of ads in your ChatGPT experience, but just know you may see suggested apps as you chat with Chat.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/is-chatgpt-getting-ads?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson This New Android Feature Protects You From a Scam Call While It's Happening 01KBN5YJXM3RYZVHHBB4D420Z3 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 20:30:00 +0000 If you fall for the scam, your Android might not. Bank impersonation is a popular scam tactic, and one I've written about a lot. Fraudsters prey on people's fear, confusion, and desire to protect their money, which may lead targets to hand over login credentials, make irreversible wire transfers, or provide other sensitive information without stopping to question their actions. Android users in the U.S. will soon have extra protection against scams targeting their financial apps, preventing threat actors impersonating bank representatives from accessing data on their devices. Google's in-call scam protection is designed to prevent users from sharing their screens with threat actors and help them avoid revealing their banking information. How Android in-call protection worksAndroid's scam protection kicks in if you are on a phone call with a number not saved in your contacts and attempt to open a participating financial app. You'll get a pop-up warning that the call is likely a scam with a reminder not to make payments or share personal information and a button to end the call (and stop screen sharing). There's also a 30-second delay on further action on your device, which Google says is designed to disrupt any sense of urgency. Note that financial institutions must opt into in this feature—at this time, Google has specifically named Cash App and JPMorganChase as partners, though it indicates expansion to other popular fintechs and banks. Google initially rolled out in-call protections for banking apps to UK users earlier this year as part of a larger package of security features announced ahead of Google I/O. That launch also included real-time scam detection alerts for calls and texts, improved theft protection via remote lock and identity check, key verifier for Google Messages, and device-level Advanced Protection (in addition to account-level settings). Alongside the US pilot, in-call scam protections will now cover most major banks in the UK as well as financial apps in Brazil and India. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/this-new-android-feature-protects-you-from-a-scam-call-while-its-happening?utm_medium=RSS Emily Long One of the Mac's Best Productivity Apps Is Now on Windows 01KBN70EVQ6Y5Q9205YSR8ZV7J Thu, 04 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000 Raycast is the Swiss Army knife of productivity tools. Raycast is one of the best things to happen to Windows. It brings one of my favorite Mac apps to Microsoft's operating system. In fact, I've enjoyed using Raycast for Windows so much, I can't see myself going back to the non-Raycast life. This app is free to download and use, though there is an optional paid subscription for those who want certain additional features. What is Raycast? Credit: Pranay Parab At its heart, Raycast is an app that lets you search for apps and files stored in your computer. It stays hidden until you press its keyboard shortcut (Alt-Space on Windows). Once you do, Raycast appears as a floating search bar on the desktop. You can type anything you want to locate in the search bar, and Raycast forages through your computer to find it. I primarily use it as an app launcher since I have way too many apps on my Mac (and PC). Raycast helps me find the right app quickly and open it.That's just the surface layer of Raycast, though. You can use Raycast to search for files on your computer, retrieve items you've copied to the clipboard, send queries to ChatGPT (or other AI tools), convert currencies and units, and much more. All of these features are available under the same simple floating search bar.Set up keyboard shortcuts in Raycast Credit: Pranay Parab Raycast is designed for people who love keyboard shortcuts. You can totally use it without them, but you'll enjoy it a lot more if you set up a few shortcuts of your own. As an example, if you open Raycast and press Tab, it switches to AI mode, and you can directly send your questions and requests to ChatGPT from Raycast.Whenever you search for anything in Raycast, you'll probably see a button called Record hotkey next to the results. This is your cue to set up a keyboard shortcut for that action, and doing so will allow you to get to it faster. You can also go to Raycast settings to find commonly used actions and record your preferred keyboard shortcuts for all of them.Note that the Raycast app is still in beta on Windows, and during this trial period, you can use these AI features for free. Expect that to change, though, once it's out of beta. If you want to keep using these features, the pro tier costs $8 per month for most AI models, but certain advanced AI models are only available in the $16 per month subscription tier.What I use Raycast for on Windows Credit: Pranay Parab I use Raycast for a lot more than just launching apps on Windows. As someone who lives outside the US, converting units and currencies is a big part of my work day. Raycast's workflow is quite seamless for this task. You can just type "$499" or any other number after the dollar sign, and Raycast automatically converts it to your local currency. You can also type something like "EUR499 to USD" and it'll convert euros to the US dollar. I really like the fact that you don't even have to press the Enter/Return key to see the converted currency. The moment you type a currency number, the result shows up without any further prompts.You can also try other unit conversions with Raycast, eg: "100kg to lbs," "800ml to fl oz," "44 sqm to sqft," etc. This helps me a lot when I'm ordering things from international websites that don't always have dimensions, weight, or pricing available in units I'm used to.Beyond this, I like using Raycast to store and view clipboard history. You can search for Clipboard in Raycast to access items you've copied, and the app even categorizes these items for you. You can search just for links, images, files, or email address you've copied, which makes it easy to quickly find specific items from your clipboard history.Raycast also supports many other things such as window management, emptying the recycle bin, restarting your computer, locking your PC, bookmarking links and opening them in specific browsers, and text snippets—which let you quickly create or copy bits of text or code. You can open Raycast, and press Ctrl-, (comma) to open its settings and explore all its features.The limitations of Raycast for Windows Credit: Pranay Parab Raycast only recently launched on Windows, which means there are a few things still missing from the macOS version. This includes the AI Chat feature (more advanced than the quick AI search available now), focus timers, the built-in notes feature, and support for more extensions. Many of its extensions were originally built only for macOS, so it's going to take some time to bring them to Windows. The feature that I miss the most is the ability to sync your snippets, notes, chats, and other data across devices. This feature is yet to come to the Windows app, and I hope the developers change that soon.Raycast is available on the Mac, iPhone, and now, Windows.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/raycast-is-finally-on-windows?utm_medium=RSS Pranay Parab My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The Nintendo Switch 2 and 'Mario Kart World' Bundle 01KBN7KNX81TAFX5658XEM4A9W Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:30:22 +0000 The best deal of Cyber Monday is back in stock—for now. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The best deal of Cyber Monday is back: The Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle, is back at Amazon after running out of stock very quickly. (It's also in stock at Walmart.) The deal includes the new console with the new Mario Kart for the same price as the standalone console. You can get this one for $449 (down from $499)—the lowest price it has reached yet, according to price-tracking tools. (Note that you can only see the price once you've signed in and it's in your cart, as Nintendo restricts retailers from promoting anything below the "minimum advertised price" of $499.) With Christmas on the way, this deal is likely to sell out fast again, so I'd advise ordering it sooner rather than later if you're considering it. Amazon Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Console Bundle $0.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $0.00 at Amazon Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Console Bundle $449.00 at Walmart $1,049.66 Save $600.66 Get Deal Get Deal $449.00 at Walmart $1,049.66 Save $600.66 SEE -1 MORE This bundle deal is great, and likely the best one you'll see for quite some time, judging by Nintendo's previous deals. To put it into perspective, the OLED edition of the original Nintendo Switch is $400 right now, meaning you can get the new Switch 2 with Mario Kart for $50 more. The new console is also an upgrade in every way, according to Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt's Nintendo Switch 2 review. The ergonomics and design have improved, making it much better to hold and look at. The battery life has also improved, now with about 180 minutes of handheld playtime before the juice runs out.A big plus is that the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, meaning you can play your old Switch games. Some Switch games have the ability to upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition by buying that game's upgrade pack. This is especially worth it for games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which will look better on the Switch 2.There aren't a lot of Switch 2 games out at the moment, but there are some classic Nintendo games to keep you busy until the library expands, like Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/nintendo-switch-2-and-mario-kart-world-bundle-deal?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza Google Is Testing AI-Generated Headlines, and It's Not Going Well 01KBN1K9C3MQKRQ10SD3DP62H8 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000 That shocking Google Discover headline might not be accurate. Take a look at the top of this article. See that headline? If it looks different than what you clicked on to get to this page, congratulations: Google might have chosen you to participate in its latest AI experiment: rewriting news headlines for some users in Google Discover.Evidence of the new effort was first spotted by The Verge, as it seems writer Sean Hollister was affected by the update. Here's what's going on: When you swipe right on your Pixel or Galaxy home screen (or scroll down in the Google app on iPhone, or open up a new Chrome browser window with Google as your homepage), there's now a chance the article previews you'll see from Google Discover were actually generated by AI, rather than mirroring the headlines and/or descriptions handwritten by those articles' actual authors and editors.Sometimes, these AI headlines are just clunky or vague—one AI headline introduced another Verge story about specific AI initiatives within Microsoft as "Microsoft developers using AI," which doesn't tell you much, especially in the current tech landscape.You can't trust AI headlinesBut more dangerously, these headlines can also get the facts of the story wrong. In Hollister's case, his Google Discover fed him a headline saying "Steam Machine price revealed," whereas the original article from Ars Technica simply said "Valve's Steam Machine looks like a console, but don't expect it to be priced like one." Clicking through leads to an article with quotes from a Valve designer hinting that the upcoming PC/home console hybrid won't have a subsidized price like most home consoles, which is not at all the same thing as an official price reveal.Another headline Hollister saw said "Qi2 slows older Pixels," which implies using a Qi2 charger on your phone could hurt its performance. The original article simply said that older pixels won't be able to use the full extent of a Qi2 charger's fast-charging.Granted, mistakes with consumer tech headlines will probably only cause some momentary disappointment or confusion, or maybe a missed opportunity to buy the best charger for your phone. But imagine that misinformation applied to a story about something more serious, like the Luigi Mangione case. Considering previous attempts other companies have made to summarize the news with AI, it's hardly unlikely.Perhaps worst of all, it also seems these AI headlines can throw shade when it wasn't intended, introducing a risk of libel. Recently, PCGamer wrote a cheeky story about Baldur's Gate 3, covering gamers who discovered that they can use the Polymorph and Dominate Beast spells to recruit child NPCs to their cause who, thanks to real-world German laws, can't die. You can imagine how that would be useful in a game, and hey, it's all fiction, right? Unfortunately, Google's AI headline chose to change PCGamer's original "Child labor is unbeatable" into "BG3 players exploit children." Yikes.What's going on with these Google AI headlines?Both Hollister and I reached out to Google for comment, and were given the same response: The new headlines are part of a "small UI experiment for a subset of Discover users," and follow up on similar AI previews introduced into Google Discover in October. Those previews featured short AI summaries of articles that users could expand to see more information (and even an AI headline), but didn't outright replace existing, author-written headlines. The new experiment "changes the placement of existing headlines to make topic details easier to digest," which seems to be code for the AI headlines now being placed up-top, where you would expect the real headlines to be. I'm personally not part of the UI experiment, but Hollister reported he wasn't able to see the actual headlines until he clicked through to the real articles.How to tell if that Google Discover headline was written by AIObviously, there's a number of problems with this test. The AI headlines could misreport the news, as they already have in Hollister's case, or make false accusations. And unfortunately, since they're right where actual headlines have been shown in the past, it's totally understandable for a reader to think they were approved by the articles' authors or editors. If a Discover headline looks fishy to you, there are three ways to identify whether it was written by AI.Google's AI is obsessed with making headlines shorter. All of the AI headlines Hollister saw were four words or less, and while we like to be concise here at Lifehacker too, I can say from experience that actual journalists and editors usually write headlines that are a bit longer than that.None of Google's AI headlines seem to capitalize anything but the first word. That's a stark difference from most websites' style guides. At Lifehacker, for instance, we use A.P. style, which capitalizes most words expect for articles like "the."You can tap "See more" under the Discover preview and check for a tag saying that it was "Generated with AI, which can make mistakes." Articles using actual headlines won't even have a "See more" button.Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a way to opt out of these AI headlines, as Google did not provide me with one when I asked, instead simply reiterating that this is a "small UI experiment." That means not everyone is seeing these for now., at leastAs someone who made frequent use of Google Discover back before I moved to an iPhone, that's still a major bummer. In the past, it's been a convenient way to catch up on stories that were relevant to me without having to scroll social media or check multiple homepages, but I can imagine that having to scrutinize every headline to know whether or not it's real will make things a lot rougher.It's also not great for journalists, who both rely on Google Discover for traffic, and could take the brunt of user ire about inaccurate headlines from readers who don't realize a machine created them. As it is, I think the latter is the more likely outcome. But even if Google eventually works out the kinks with AI headlines, they could still hurt web traffic, potentially removing the incentive to click that is part of all good headline writing. Google will continue to use outside content to keep people on its platform, but the people behind that content will get fewer eyes on it.(Of course, as always, if you want to get the most accurate idea of what an article says, it's best to read it thoroughly before forming an opinion.)]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/google-testing-ai-generated-discover-headlines?utm_medium=RSS Michelle Ehrhardt Android 16 Just Put Parental Controls Directly on Your Kid's Phone 01KBMPR1K2ATMCKXMFGQ63PXWP Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:30:00 +0000 It's getting much easier to manage your child's devices. In the long-running Android vs. iOS competition, iPhones have historically had the edge in terms of parental controls: They've been a bit more straightforward and intuitive, and easier for caregivers to understand and manage. Apple does many things well, and getting its apps and devices working seamlessly together is definitely one of them.Google, however, is gradually improving the experience for parents, with a batch of updates earlier this year, and now some more changes as part of a significant Android 16 upgrade. The latest changes mean more controls can be accessed on your kids' devices.What's new in Android 16The usual Android caveat applies here: Each Android phone maker does things slightly differently, though there's not actually too much variation in this particular area. The latest Android 16 updates mentioned above are rolling out now to Pixel phones (and I've tested them on a Pixel), but will take a while to reach other handsets—Samsung phones will most likely get them early next year, for example, with One UI 8.5.So what's new? Essentially, more of the existing parental controls are available on the Android devices of your youngsters, so you can get at them from their phones and tablets as well as accessing them remotely. It should make life easier if you're with your kids and they pass their devices over to you.You can find the options that have been added to kids' devices by opening Settings on the phone or tablet of your young person and choosing Parental controls. Right away you'll see a toggle switch for enabling on-device controls, and when you do enable them you need to enter a PIN—to stop your kid from changing these settings themselves. The new on-device controls in Android 16. Credit: Lifehacker There are then four sections you can access: Daily limit, App limits, Downtime, and Website content filters. Tap on any of these to set restrictions for the current device, which can be adjusted depending on the day of the week in some cases. Pick Downtime, for example, and you can set times during which the device is locked. These match the tools you've previously been able to manage remotely.Select Daily limit, then turn on the Use daily limit toggle switch, and you're able to control how many hours your kid can use their phone or tablet for each day. There's also a bar chart showing device usage over time, so you can see how much screen time your child has been taking advantage of. These settings are simple, understandable, and a breeze to use—you don't have to mess around with Google accounts or family relationships if you don't want to. You can just enter a PIN and start making changes—you don't necessarily have to connect these settings to any other devices. If you want to manage them remotely, though, Google has a wider parental control system in place.Google's Family Link controls The new Android 16 controls that appear on devices can work independently of anything else, but Google already offers plenty of options if you need them. Everything is managed through the Google Family Link portal, which you can access on the web or through the apps on Android or iOS.You can use Google Family Link to set up Google accounts for your kids, and then manage what they're able to do with them. The idea is that they sign into their Android devices using the account you've created for them, and because Google knows you have a verified connection to them, you can put restrictions on those devices remotely.All the usual safeguards and protections are covered: You can set screen time limits, manage the apps your kids can use (and for how often), put blocks on certain websites and categories of website, and put parental approvals in place for making purchases through Google's various digital storefronts. These mostly match what's now available on-device. Google Family Link on the web. Credit: Lifehacker There's a location tracking element to Google Family Link as well, so you can see where your young people are at all times, and even get notifications based on their movements: You might want to get a ping when they turn up at school, for example, or when they leave home. All this can be managed through the apps.More recent updates let you control the amount of screen time your children can have during school hours, and there are also now tools for managing the contacts that youngsters are able to interact with—as yet you can't get to these controls directly on your kids' devices. There's plenty in the way of reports on usage too, alongside these controls.Add everything up, and Google now has a fairly comprehensive set of parental controls that you can manage from just about any device, or from the devices your kids are using—assuming you've given them Android phones or tablets. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/android-16-new-parental-controls?utm_medium=RSS David Nield This Windows Update Pop-Up Is a Scam 01KBK2SENEP0XTH9T90WPKGE98 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:30:00 +0000 It's actually a ClickFix attack that delivers malware to your computer. The update screen is a normal occurrence on Windows machines, so of course hackers are now manipulating it to sneak malware onto devices. The scheme, a recent iteration of a ClickFix attack, is designed to trick you into executing a dangerous command under the guise of completing a "critical security update." But what you're actually doing is installing an infostealer that hands data over to bad actors. When a Windows update pop-up is actually a ClickFix attackClickFix is a social engineering ploy that uses tactics like fake error messages, CAPTCHA forms, and command prompts to deliver malware to your device. As PCMag reports, the Windows update scam is a pop-up that looks like a standard Windows blue screen but is actually a full screen browser page being displayed from a malicious domain. The ClickFix element is a set of keystrokes—not part of the real update interface—that have the user paste and execute a malicious command, ultimately delivering malware to their device. These instructions have an air of urgency, which is a common element of a scam. Researchers at cybersecurity firm Huntress have detailed the exact mechanism behind this attack, including an iteration in which users are prompted to verify they are human (rather than complete a security update). As Bleeping Computer outlines, the malicious code is embedded into the pixel data of PNG images, and the final payload is one of two known infostealers.According to the Huntress analysis, following a recent law enforcement operation, fake Windows update pages continue to exist across multiple domains, but those domains no longer seem to host the malware payload. That doesn't mean, however, that this attack, or some version of it, won't pop up elsewhere. How to stay safe from this ClickFix attackIf you run Windows on your device, you've probably seen a blue or black update or error screen many times, and you may not be suspicious if your computer randomly begins an update or prompts you to take an extra step to confirm it. But while a legitimate update screen will have a progress indicator and instructions not to turn off your computer, you should never need to input manual commands. This is a red flag of a ClickFix attack and not something a trusted service will require. Of course, it's important to keep your computer up to date. Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of the month, known as Patch Tuesday, and you can enable automatic updates on your machine to ensure you get fixes as soon as they're available. If you want to take additional steps to prevent ClickFix attacks on Windows, you can disable the Windows Run box to prevent unauthorized access to commands.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/windows-update-pop-up-clickfix-scam?utm_medium=RSS Emily Long The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Are Almost 40% Off Right Now 01KBKFT3C933Y5192EDH8T01MF Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 Plus they come with an Amazon-exclusive two-year limited warranty. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Earbuds don’t usually get major design overhauls, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro make a clear break from earlier models. This new version leans into a more angular, stemmed shape that feels closer to the AirPods silhouette, complete with small customizable LEDs that add a bit of personality. With today’s drop to $159.99 from $249.99, you’re getting a premium pair for $90 off its regular price. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds $169.88 at Amazon $249.99 Save $80.11 Get Deal Get Deal $169.88 at Amazon $249.99 Save $80.11 Samsung uses a 10.5mm dynamic driver paired with a 6.1mm planar driver, which gives the buds a wider, more layered sound than you’d expect from something this size. Music comes through with good depth and detail, but this PCMag review notes that active noise cancellation can soften the treble a little. You can fine-tune that through Samsung’s EQ, though only Galaxy phone users get the full set of audio tools and support for Samsung’s Seamless Codec for 24-bit audio.Living with the Buds 3 Pro feels different depending on the device you pair them with. Galaxy users get the complete experience: auto-pairing, in-depth customization, and access to features like Interpreter Mode, which handles real-time translation during conversations. Android users outside the Samsung ecosystem still get most core features through the Wear app, with some limitations—no 24-bit audio and fewer advanced controls. iPhone users get the shortest end of the stick, as the buds function as regular Bluetooth headphones with no app support at all. That means no EQ tuning, no control customization, and no access to Samsung’s smart extras. The saving grace here is that the hardware itself holds up well on any device. Calls come through clearly, ANC works well for everyday noise, and the earbuds stay comfortable enough for long listening sessions.Durability is another bright spot. The IP57 rating puts these buds ahead of many competitors in this price range, making them solid for workouts, commutes, and even rainy runs. The case is compact, and the buds snap into place securely without fuss. Battery life is solid, though not chart-topping, and you can stretch it further by toggling between ANC modes. The lack of LDAC support might disappoint Android audiophiles looking for maximum bitrate playback, but for most listeners, the combination of comfort, sound quality, and smart features will outweigh that gap. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/samsung-galaxy-buds-3-pro-sale-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma 10 'Educational' Gifts That Aren't Boring 01JECEDY21T5VYY1M0BX3V0XZE Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:30:00 +0000 Help them learn something new without putting them to sleep. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Opening presents is supposed to be fun. And while everyone has their own idea of what constitutes fun, no one likes a gift that is too functional or boring. This may be why you don't often consider gifting educational goods. However, there are plenty of gifts that are can challenge or enrich your giftee in some way—and which are decidedly not boring. Here are 10 suggestions to get you started.The best educational gifts for kidsGetting an educational gift for a kid is tricky business. When I was about six, my mom kept hyping up a Christmas present she was so excited for me to open, she actually made me open it early, on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. It turned out to be a CD-ROM "game" called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, which she gleefully installed on our clunky old PC before we left for mass.I was furious. I had been dreaming of colorful gifts, gifts with pizzazz, gifts a 6-year-old might actually want. But I did end up playing those typing games, and by the next year, I was a whiz on the QWERTY keys, outpacing my classmates and maybe even setting myself up for my current career. At the very least, I type much faster and more efficiently than any of my friends. All of that is to illustrate the fact that as much as I didn't appreciate Mavis Beacon in the moment, the way it gamified learning for me was the real gift. So when looking for educational gifts for kids, remember: Learning should be fun. Here are some that will make it that way. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run STEM Toy $18.39 at Amazon $29.99 Save $11.60 Shop Now Shop Now $18.39 at Amazon $29.99 Save $11.60 PlayShifu Educational Globe for Kids - Orboot Earth $45.99 at Amazon $59.99 Save $14.00 Shop Now Shop Now $45.99 at Amazon $59.99 Save $14.00 Doctor Jupiter My First Science Kit for Kids $32.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $32.99 at Amazon Root Viewer for Kids $12.74 at Amazon $14.24 Save $1.50 Shop Now Shop Now $12.74 at Amazon $14.24 Save $1.50 Ant Farm Castle $33.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $33.99 at Amazon ELEGOO Tumbller Self-Balancing Robot Kit $55.99 at Amazon $84.99 Save $29.00 Shop Now Shop Now $55.99 at Amazon $84.99 Save $29.00 SEE 3 MORE A marble gravity maze teaches practical lessons about physics and is a fun way for kids to learn about building while using their hands, while this interactive globe toy strikes me as especially cool and useful because it requires additional tech, like a tablet or phone, to scan the globe and get information about different countries—I love the way it blends old-fashioned materials with new tech, teaching kids the value of using both to seek out information. Honestly, anything that retains some of those practical, hands-on elements is a good gift. Kids have access to tons of information via the internet, but there's something foundational about learning through actually building or creating. While everyone else is giving them super tech-forward gifts, consider giving them this mini chemistry set, or a root viewer. Just do me a favor and ask your giftee's parents whether an ant farm will be a welcome present. I had one as a child and enjoyed the hell out of it, but that outcome will vary depending on the whims of the kid and the patience of the parents involved. And that's a good rule of thumb for any educational gifts you're considering: Remember to keep the actual interests of the kid in mind when choosing one. Back in the '90s, my mom knew that I was interested in computers (and made a smart bet that they'd only be more relevant and important as I got older), which is why she got me the typing game. If the kid you're shopping for isn't into motors of vehicles, forego a hands-on robot kit; it's only educational if they actually use it.The best educational gifts for adultsThe goal of getting kids into learning is to prepare them for adulthood, right? Ideally, they become lifelong learners—and hopefully you know a few of those yourself. If you're seeking cool educational gifts for a grown-up, try one of these. Build-Your-Own Bluetooth Speaker $12.74 at Amazon $15.99 Save $3.25 Shop Now Shop Now $12.74 at Amazon $15.99 Save $3.25 Countries of the World Flashcards $39.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $39.99 at Amazon ROBOTIME Motorized Wooden Spaceport Puzzle $59.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $59.99 at Amazon Bonsai Starter Kit $18.99 at Amazon $26.99 Save $8.00 Shop Now Shop Now $18.99 at Amazon $26.99 Save $8.00 SEE 1 MORE I love learning new things, taking random classes, and throwing myself into new hobbies—just because I don't know anything about, say, Brazilian martial arts doesn't mean I can't figure it out after purchasing a month-long class pass. I also love making things with my hands. Last year, for reasons unclear, I decided to learn how to do a hard gel manicure on my own nails. I didn't care about saving money; I just wanted to see if I could do it. I couldn't! But I had fun trying, just as I've enjoyed building my own shelving and learning to paint different types of surfaces while redecorating my apartment. So when you're buying an educational gift for an adult, the same rules apply as when shopping for kids: Figure out what they are already interested in, or might be open to learning about. Personally, I'd be delighted to receive a build-your-own bluetooth speaker kit or some countries of the world flashcards. I don't know anything about audio or nearly enough about geography—but I'd like to. Any gift that has to be built or worked on is ideal for an adult, because half the present is the effort to create it, but the other half is the physical item they'll be left with as a result. A motorized marble maze puzzle or mini bonsai garden are both great options there—and bonus points if you offer to work on it with them, and build a lasting holiday memory too.]]> https://lifehacker.com/best-educational-gifts-that-arent-boring?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson 20 of the Coolest Tech Stocking Stuffers For Under $50 01KAM4R0PNAJ5SEJ79QDTBWYTC Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000 Gift-worthy gadgets don't need to cost big bucks. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.What if you make this the year you don't fill all the stockings with candy or socks? Both have their place, but if you want to really make this the best Christmas ever, you have to shove some tech in those stockings. The good news: tech gifts don’t have to be expensive to be impressive. No matter who you're shopping for, there are tons of affordable gizmos that are some combination of cool and useful and that feel pricier than they are. Here are 20 cool tech stocking stuffers to light up any holiday morning, all of which cost less than $50.This handheld retro gaming consoleIf there's an old-school gamer on your list, their Christmas morning will be extra merry if it includes a tiny video game emulator. R36T Retro Gaming Console ($47.50) puts over 18,000 video games in the palm of your hand. It has a 3.5" screen, so whether they like arcade classics or consoles-of-the-past, they can fit 'em all in a pocket. You can even network up with another emulator for head-to-head action. R36T Retro Gaming Console $47.49 at Amazon $69.99 Save $22.50 Shop Now Shop Now $47.49 at Amazon $69.99 Save $22.50 A teeny tiny e-readerThe Xteink X4 is an e-reader that's smaller than your phone. It uses e-ink like an Amazon Kindle, so you can whip a glare-free screen out of your pocket and start reading anywhere there's a light source. The X4 is a no-frills gadget—there's no lighting, touchscreen, or apps—but if you want a cheap, convenient way to read for around $50, it's perfect. Xteink X4 $48.04 at AliExpress $69.00 Save $20.96 Shop Now Shop Now $48.04 at AliExpress $69.00 Save $20.96 An electric air dusterThose disposable cans of compressed air with the red straws are so 2015. Blow the dust off your electronics with an SDFM Electric Air Duster ($32.99) instead. With an engine that moves at 150,000 RPM, it shoots air such high speeds, the dust doesn't stand a chance. It's also cordless and comes with a variety of cleaning attachments to keep your gear in top shape. SDFM Compressed Air Duster $32.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $17.00 Shop Now Shop Now $32.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $17.00 These sleep headphonesIf your giftee likes to listen to music or podcasts while drifting off to sleep, there's no gift better than a pair of sleep headphones; except two pairs of sleep headphones! This two-pack retails for $29.99 and contains two headbands with built in speakers you can pair with your phone or other device easily. You could buy a single pair, but these things break fairly regularly, so a backup is good. Mixiba 2-Pack Sleeping Headphones, Headband Headphones with Ultra-Thin HD Stereo Speaker, Bluetooth Headband for Sports, Workouts, Insomnia, Yoga, Air Travel, Meditation - Black&Grey $25.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $4.00 Get Deal Get Deal $25.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $4.00 These colorful smart LED light barsYour giftee may have the tech side of their battle station/home office locked down, but I bet they don't have the aesthetics dialed in. Govee Smart LED Light Bars ($33) are programmable, colorful light bars work with Alexa and Google Assistant and can display light effects created from 16 millions colors. It even syncs with your music to provide trippy visuals. Govee Smart LED Light Bars $32.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $17.00 Shop Now Shop Now $32.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $17.00 A mini chainsawMy lifestyle doesn't involve cutting down trees, but I still need one of these miniature chainsaws. I mean, it's a chainsaw, and it's only six-inches long. This Dodowin mini chainsaw ($40) is battery powered, so no one will be accidentally cutting the cord. According to listing, it's suitable for tree pruning, garden artistry, shrub trimming, forest logging, and wood cutting. They don't mention it, but it's also perfect for tiny Texas massacres. Dodowin 6-Inch Mini-Chainsaw $39.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $39.99 at Amazon A programmable macro keyboardYou know what computer fiends are missing in their lives? Knobs. This little $36 gadget lets you assign functions to four external knobs and 12 push buttons, so you can finally have a decent volume control, scrub through video smoothly, skip music tracks with a button push, and control any other function easily and physically. Perfect for gamers. Programmable Macro Keyboard $36.19 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $36.19 at Amazon A laser measuring toolYou could use a tape measure like a caveman, or you could measure things with a frickin' laser that fits in your pocket. This $40 gadget has an LED screen that's easy to read and it doubles as a cat toy. But does it measure things? Goddamn right it measures things—big things, little things, middle-sized things—it doesn't give a shit what you put in front of it, it will measure the hell out of it! (Up to 98 feet, anyway.) HOTO 98ft Laser Distance Measurer $39.99 at Amazon $45.99 Save $6.00 Shop Now Shop Now $39.99 at Amazon $45.99 Save $6.00 The X10 MAX Bluetooth speakerThis compact bluetooth speaker has an Amazon rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, and it's cheap—just $32. It's waterproof, it sounds great, and it features a built-in light show with six different settings so you can check out cool visuals with your tunes. X10 MAX Bluetooth speaker $31.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $18.00 Shop Now Shop Now $31.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $18.00 These Bluetooth trackersKeep track of the things in your life with these miniature tracking tags. Slip one in your wallet or your keys, and if you misplace them, you can hit a button and it will play a sound and/or give you a map that will lead you exactly to your missing item. Plus, it works in reverse, so you can hit a tag and it will ring your lost phone. I rely on these; no joke. [iOS Only] Tukio Air Tracker Tags 4 Pack Black, [Apple MFi Certified] Bluetooth Key Finder & Smart Item Locator Work with Apple Find My for Keys/Luggage/Bags/Suitcases/Car, 365-Day Replaceable Battery $39.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $10.00 This wearable heating pad If you want to keep warm during the holidays, you could do a lot worse than this portable neck, shoulder, and back warmer. There are three temperature settings and a safety shut-off feature, and it heats up really fast. Tovve Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulders $21.10 at Amazon $32.99 Save $11.89 Get Deal Get Deal $21.10 at Amazon $32.99 Save $11.89 A desktop vacuum cleanerThis tiny little vacuum will keep your desktop dustfree. It sucks at 1000Pa of suction power for 400 minutes off a single charge, and it's very easy to use: You put it in the palm of your hand and push it around. Cool! ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaner, Mini Table dust Sweeper Energy Saving,High Endurance up to 90 mins,Cordless&360º Rotatable Design for Keyboard/Home/School/Office(White) $12.98 at Amazon $15.98 Save $3.00 Get Deal Get Deal $12.98 at Amazon $15.98 Save $3.00 This USB endoscope cameraIt's not like most people need an endoscope camera every day, but if the need for a tiny camera does arise—if you need to see why the engine isn't working or if your wedding ring falls behind the oven or something—you'll be glad you have this Anykit USB Endoscope Camera. It plugs right into your Android or iPhone and captures HD photos and video. Anykit USB Endoscope Camera with 8 Adjustable LED Lights, Borescope with Semi-Rigid Snake Camera, IP67 Waterproof Inspection Cam Compatible with iPhone and Android Devices (9.8 ft) $25.19 at Amazon $27.99 Save $2.80 Get Deal Get Deal $25.19 at Amazon $27.99 Save $2.80 A foldable mini Bluetooth keyboardWhy have you been carrying your laptop around to coffeehouses like a chump when you can just connect this foldable mini Bluetooth keyboard from iClever to your phone, turning it into an ultra-portable productivity device? It even has a little trackpad! iClever Portable Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard (IC-BK03) $39.99 at Amazon $43.99 Save $4.00 Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Amazon $43.99 Save $4.00 A portable HD mini projectorProjectors have gotten really good over the last few years, and they prices have come down massively too. This mini projector costs only $40 and projects a 1080p image up to 201" and even comes with a remote control and a projection screen. Mini Projector HY300 PRO, Portable Projector with Dual-Band WIFI6 5G Wireless 5.4 Bluetooth, Smart Projector Support 4K 1080P, Auto Keystone Correction 35"-130" Screen Video Projector $39.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Amazon The Amazon Echo DotIf your giftee is into house automation within the Amazon ecosystem, you can't go wrong with an Echo Dot. This compact smart speaker packs a surprisingly nice sound along with built-in Alexa, so it can be used for for playing music, setting timers, and controlling your smart devices. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) $49.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $49.99 at Amazon The Roku Streaming Stick 4KAlright, most people already have a media streamer attached to their televisions, but in case you're gifting someone who doesn't, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a solid choice. This no-frills device serves up 4K HD video, gives you access to hundreds of free and premium channels, and is easy to setup. Roku Streaming Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Get Deal $29.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $20.00 A wireless transmitter for your earbuds The Twelve South AirFly SE is an ultra-compact Bluetooth transmitter lets you plug into any device with a 3.5 mm jack, like in-flight entertainment systems, gym machines, or TVs, and stream audio wirelessly to your Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. Leave those accursed wired headphone in the drawer where they belong! AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter $34.97 at Amazon $39.99 Save $5.02 Shop Now Shop Now $34.97 at Amazon $39.99 Save $5.02 This portable tire inflatorA portable inflator is perfect for car emergencies or keeping your bike tires plump, and this one from Slime is a steal at only $50. It's rechargeable, has an onboard pressure guage, an LED flashlight, and can inflate a car tire in only eight minutes. You will never go back to a manual air pump, I promise. Slime 40084 Tire Inflator, Cordless, Portable Air Compressor Pump, Lithium Ion Battery and LED Light, Rechargeable, 8 min Inflation $49.49 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $49.49 at Amazon This versatile Anker Nano II USB chargerI am 100% sure whoever you're giving a gift to will be able to use this compact, high‑power Anker charger. It has two USB‑C ports plus one USB‑A, letting you power up your laptop, phone, and tablet all at once, from one plug. Anker Nano II 65W 3-USB Port Wall Charger $39.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $39.99 at Amazon ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-tech-stocking-stuffers-under-50?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson Your Ultimate Guide to Stringing Up (and Storing) Outdoor Holiday Lights 01KBGMRRXXYYDJ5Q98FDDCEP4H Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:30:06 +0000 Be the envy of the cul-de-sac with these Christmas light decorating tips. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Watching Clark Griswold fail at hanging up Christmas lights in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation may be a hilarious annual holiday tradition, but in real life, decorating failure is no laughing matter. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, around 15,000 people in the U.S. go to the emergency room every year for holiday decorating-related injuries. And no one is keeping statistics on the countless serious injuries my eyes suffer when I see neighbors with a half-ass light display. So let's avoid all that unpleasantness with this ultimate guide to Christmas lights, from planning, to tools, tips, safety, and storage.Make a Christmas light hanging planThe time to think about how you're going to hang your holiday lights is not when you're up on the ladder, so first, sit down and make a comprehensive plan for lights before you do anything else. Here are some steps and things to keep in mind:Assess your space: Consider your roofline, windows, trees, shrubs, and walkways and decide what you're going to light up. Then develop an overall vision for your light display. How much is enough: Decide whether you'd like a maximalist, minimalist, or traditionalist display. Choose a color scheme: A coherent look to your holiday lights is so important, I made a whole section about it below. Skip ahead if needed.Highlight architectural details: You want the lights to go around windows, roofs, and doorways. Decide on your lights: Do you want string lights, icicle lights, net lights, projectors? Props and other decorations: There are so many outdoor decorations available for all styles, from fairly understated displays to Santa in a pickup truck, that you kind of have to have something. Just make sure it fits in with the overall vibe. We're going for coherence here. Measure it: Now that you know what you're going for, it's time to measure. The first step to measuring is to throw away your old tape measures and get a laser. Here's a laser measurer for less than $30. Get something like this and you won't have to climb a ladder to know how long your roofline is. Consider the power: Make sure you know where the outlets are and whether you have enough extension cords. Check your older lights: Part of planning is checking if the gear you already have is still working, so mix up some eggnog and make sure those old strings of lights still function. Choose your color palette wiselyAnyone can throw some lights up, but throwing up lights with intention is what separates us from chimpanzees. Here's some color theory for your Christmas light display:Pick a palette: The most obvious choice is red, green, and white, but consider other options like white, blue, and silver for a winter wonderland look, or red, white, and pink for candy cane vibes. Limit your colors: You could go for a maximalist, every color look, but it's hard to pull-off without it looking like a Christmas thrift store. Be careful with the flair: If you're going to have lights that twinkle, chase, or change color, make sure it's part of an overall cohesive look. One flashing light amongst a bunch of static strings is not what you want. Remember that LED Christmas lights are superiorIf you’re still using those old-school incandescent mini bulbs, shame on you. Stop being a caveman. LED lights are better than incandescent in all of these ways: They're cool: LED lights run at about half the heat of older style bulbs, so they are unlikely to set anything on fire, even if you try. They last forever: LEDs can run for tens of thousands of hours. They'll outlive you.They use less energy: LEDs use about 10% of the energy that old school bulbs use. They are independent: Remember back in the day, when your whole string of lights was shot if one bulb went out? That's the past, man. LEDs don't care whether other LEDs are dead or not.They're versatile: LEDs can be super bright or subdued. You can get LEDs that change color, blink, simulate a meteor shower, and other special effects. You can get LED lights that are controlled from your phone and powered by batteries. They're just better.Gather your supplies and toolsHaving followed these steps, you should know exactly how many feet of lights you need and what color they should be, but that's not the whole story. You need tools and other supplies, too. A decent ladder: Make sure your ladder is safe.Clips: You'll need a ton of clips and hooks. Extension cordsGloves and zip tiesHow to hang Christmas lightsHere's some tips for actually hanging the lights:Safety first: Hanging holiday lights is the most embarrassing way to injure yourself. It's just not worth it, so make doubly sure you have a plan for everything, don't take any risks, and get a helper to hold the ladder. Start at the power source: Always begin where your lights will plug in. Starting elsewhere is a Griswold move that will ruin Christmas. Work outward from the outlet so you don’t run out of cord length mid-roofline. Re-test your lights: You should have already tested them, but test each string again before you string 'em up. It's much easier to deal with a loose connection on the ground than up on a ladder.Use clips and hooks instead of nails: Nails can damage your house or even cause electrical fires, so don't nail anything. Bonus: Hooks make taking everything down in January much easier.Hang lights evenly: Space out the bulbs so you don't end up with a spaghetti look. Follow the lines of your house for the best looking display. Wrap trees and shrubs neatly: For trees, start at the trunk and work outward. For small bushes, wrap in a spiral pattern from bottom to top. How to remove and store Christmas lightsWhen the holidays are over, it's time to put everything back until next year. Resist the temptation to just clump everything up and throw it in boxes—you will not be happy with yourself next year. Do not just leave everything strung up either; you're a civilized person. Reverse the installation: Do it all backwards. Remove lights starting from the farthest point from the outlet. Remove lights from trees from the outside-in and from the bottom up. Wrap carefully: To avoid a "ball of despair" next Christmas, wrap your lights around something—a makeshift spool or just a piece of cardboard work wonders.Label each strand: Denote where it went (roofline, bushes, tree, etc.) with a piece of masking tape and a Sharpie. Store hooks and clips: A dedicated container for hooks and clips is a must. Fishing tackle boxes work great for this. Store securely: Keep all your gear in a cool, dry place, in a plastic storage bin, so you can be ready for next year. Do not use cardboard boxes. Instead, get something like these Rubbermaid tubs. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/ultimate-guide-to-stringing-up-and-storing-christmas-lights?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson The Best Last-Minute Gifts that Don't Feel Last Minute 01KBJZ12JBH72ZPJ2RCFPD3ECT Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:00:12 +0000 If you waited too long to pick out a present, you can still salvage Christmas. We may earn a commission from links on this page.We’ve all experienced gift panic—that sinking feeling when you realize you need a present in an hour and you just don’t have one to give. Whether you spent all year chasing the “perfect” gift or simply procrastinated, your time is nearly up. But don’t panic. The clock may have run out, but your options haven’t. Before you resort to re-gifting something from the back of a closet, here’s how to pull off a last-minute gift that is effortless but feels elevated and worthy of the person you’re giving it to.Sometimes the gift is in the deliveryWith the right presentation, even the most last-minute gift can read as thoughtful. Any performer will tell you that the difference between a good show and a bad one comes down to commitment and confidence. The same is true for last-minute gifts: If you act like your gift is thoughtful and intentional, they’ll think it is. The biggest mistake people make is apologizing as they hand over a present—nothing ruins a vibe faster than, “Sorry this is so last-minute.” So give with confidence.And focus on presentation. A handwritten note that contains a shared memory or personal joke can elevate a present. Use simple but personal wrapping; kraft paper and twine, or a reusable gift bag that looks like you planned ahead. Add a small flourish, like a sprig of rosemary or a fancy bow. Small touches can make it seem like you’ve carefully prepared. What you don’t want are obvious panic gifts that scream, “I grabbed this on the way here.” The goal is effortless, not frantic. Here are some suggestions.Instant purchase digital giftsDigital gifts are your friends. You can order something in minutes that arrives instantly online, and with a little thought, will still read as personal and intentional. The trick is choosing a present that speaks to the recipient’s tastes, hobbies, or quirks, and pairing it with a small note to show you remember what they love. From eBooks to streaming subscriptions, these gifts hit the sweet spot of thoughtful and last-minute. Here are some suggestion:Kindle unlimited subscriptionIf you have a reader on your list, they want books, and a Kindle Unlimited subscription lets them read anything they like. It can be ordered instantly and lets users access millions of titles, including audiobooks, for six months or a year, even if they don’t have a Kindle reader. Include a note that says something like, "I know how much you love discovering new stories. Now you can explore as many as you like—just make sure you tell me what you find!” Boom! Mission accomplished.Gift cards that aren't impersonalWhen time is running out, gift cards are your secret weapon. They arrive instantly online, don’t require shipping, and with the right presentation, they can feel surprisingly thoughtful. The key is to pick a card that fits the recipient’s interests and add a personal note. The more specific you are, the better. If your giftee is into Italian food, get them an Eataly gift card. If they're a PC gamer, get them a Steam card. If they're into education, a membership to Skillshare is perfect. There's a gift card out there for just about any interest, and all you have to do it google it and email it. Making generic gift cards seem thoughtfulGeneric gift cards can be a last-minute lifesaver that can still seem a little personal if you give them the right way. Pick a theme or design: Many online cards, like Amazon, Etsy, or Starbucks, let you choose designs. The right visual makes the card feel more intentional.Include a warm, personal message: Even one line can make a digital card feel thoughtful—something like, “I couldn’t pick just one thing for you. Hope this helps you treat yourself!”Send strategically: Deliver the card by email or text, but consider printing the email or screenshotting it in a small envelope so it feels like a “real” gift.Subscription boxes with instant confirmation emailsSign someone up for a subscription service, write a note explaining you want to keep giving them presents all year, and you're golden. Here are some suggestions:SnackCrate: This service sends a different snack from around the world every month. SpiceClub: For the culinary adventurer on your list. A subscription to RawSpiceBar’s Spice Club delivers a curated selection of spices every month.Mocktail variety box: Booze-free fancy drinks delivered once a month? Sign me up. Thera Box: If you know someone in need of some self-care, this once-a-month box is packed with wellness and relaxation items.Loot Crate: If your giftee is geeky, consider this monthly surprise box of pop culture treasures. Send a message from a celebrityCameo is a platform where celebrities, influencers, musicians, and performers create personalized video messages for fans. If someone on your list is a fan of someone on Cameo, you can set up a session, and give a card with a mysterious note like "Keep an eye out for a special message." They'll be delighted when Kenny G. sends them a video. Experiential giftsI have enough crap in my house, so I love getting experiences instead of things. The challenge with experience gifts is usually timing: Many require reservations or coordination, but there are plenty of options that let your giftee schedule the time, making them perfect last-minute gifts.Museum membership cards: Many institutions sell digital gift memberships that the recipient can activate whenever they like.Movie tickets: Your local multiplex probably has a gift certificate you can buy online. Local attraction passes: Some city attractions offer gift cards or “anytime admission” tickets that don’t expire immediately.Pair these with a note explaining why you chose the experience, or, if you have that kind of relationship, something like, "I want to take you to the Museum of Modern Art" or whatever. Just make sure you follow through and actually go. Really last-minute, on-the-way-to-the-party gifts Sometimes, there’s literally no time to order, wrap, or even think about a gift. If you’re scrambling out the door and need something now, you might be able to fake your way through, even if you're stopping at the liquor store on the way to the Christmas party. Easy on-the-way optionsFlowers or a small potted plant: Give a seasonal bouquet or a small indoor plant. Add a handwritten note, even a single line, and it might come off as thoughtful. Gourmet chocolates or candy: Specialty chocolates from a local shop or grocery store display can feel luxe with a little ribbon or bag.Wine, craft beer, or non-alcoholic beverage: A bottle with a clean label or interesting packaging immediately elevates your gift. Ask the clerk at the liquor store to help you find something unique. Lottery tickets: Who wouldn't appreciate a bunch of scratch-off lottery tickets? When all else fails, give cashHard cash is the most impersonal gift of all, but the only one you know will be used. This gift really depends on the person getting it, so be aware of whether they're likely to think "Just what I wanted!" or "Wait, I'm not poor." If you give cash, make sure it's crisp bills in a nice card, with a personalized note. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/best-last-minute-gift-ideas?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson 12 Things to Do on Christmas If You Don’t Celebrate 01JEC40M373ADDQPM1Y5T9R7QM Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:30:30 +0000 There's a world of non-holiday fun to be had on Christmas Day—if you know were to look. In a way, the Christmas season is more fun if you don’t celebrate it. There’s no pressure. You get to enjoy all the brightly colored lights your neighbors put up, but you don’t have to put up your own. You don’t have to do any duty-shopping. But Christmas Day itself leaves you in a mostly shuttered world that feels like there’s nothing to do. Fortunately, there are still quite a few options to make Dec. 25 a fun day off, regardless of your observances.Un-Christmas classics: Chinese restaurants and moviesYou can’t go wrong with some moo shu pork and a trip to the multiplex. Chinese restaurants and movie theaters traditionally stay open on Christmas day for those who don't celebrate, and they’re often crowded with fellow Christmas refugees. Check Google for the hours of your local Chinese restaurant and give them a call to make a reservation. If you’re more adventurous and you’re in a city large enough to have a Chinatown (or a whatever-town), just head straight there on Christmas and see what happens—that’s how the best days usually start.If Chinese food isn’t your thing, look at restaurants serving any non-European cuisine—Greek places, Japanese places, and Mediterranean places are usually open, as are plenty of Italian restaurants and steakhouses. Just make sure you check first. Lots of chain restaurants are open on Christmas Day, including Applebees, McDonald’s, Benihana, and more. You can even get Christmas breakfast at your local IHOP. But not every location of every outlet follows the same hours, so check first. As for movies, most chain multiplex theaters are open on Dec. 25, and theaters are usually pretty full. The movies attract both people who don't celebrate Christmas and people who celebrate the holiday but want to get away from their families for a couple hours, so make sure and reserve a seat beforehand. Consider hitting up an out-of-the-way spot or that theater with the table service and cushy recliners to make it feel like more of an occasion.Most people going to the movies on Christmas Day aren’t there for Christmas movies, so interesting “secular” movies are often slated for release on the 25th. This year, a ridiculous looking re-boot of Anaconda starring Jack Black will be released on Christmas, so you've got options.Less obvious options for Christmas day funChinese restaurants and movie theaters aren’t the only establishments open on Christmas. Here are some other options:Go skiing or snowboarding: Most mountains are open on Christmas and the lift lines are blissfully empty. There's no better way of celebrating a winter-based holiday than on a wide open mountain.Visit a skating rink: Speaking of winter sports, ice skating rinks are generally open on Christmas too. Pretend to be a tourist: Tourist attractions are often open on Christmas, especially in larger cities. This includes places like Madame Tussaud’s and Ripley’s Believe It or Not, as well as ziplines and Segway tours—so do that touristy thing you’ve never done before.Get a room: If you’ve got some spare cash and have nothing better to do, get a room at a hotel. Hotels don’t usually close on Christmas, and they typically offer plenty of amenities, so take advantage of the pool at the Holiday Inn or the spa at the Four Seasons, depending on your lifestyle. Hiking and biking: Hiking trails and parks are open on Christmas if you want to get outdoors. If you’re into biking, hit the trails or hit the streets: Traffic is minimal on Christmas, so it’s a great time to put in some serious roadwork. Volunteer: Not having anything to do on Christmas isn’t the biggest life problem, especially compared to people who have nowhere to go and nothing to eat. So use Christmas to help people and actually deliver on that whole “good will towards men” thing. Check your local Craigslist for volunteering opportunities.  Use Christmas as a catch-up day: This is strictly for type-A people, but if everyone is out of town and no one is going to call you, why not spend the day catching up on neglected chores or personal projects? You can spend at least part of your day knocking a few things off your to-do list and the rest of the time relaxing. That way you’ll get a break and still feel accomplished.Just sleep all day: Type-B personalities like me see a day free of obligations and other people as a golden opportunity to do as little as is humanly possible, a day to fully commit to sloth. Spend time with friends and family at home: Not celebrating Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t spend the day with family and/or friends. Get together with your loved ones, play games, watch a movie, cook together, talk, or whatever else you all enjoy. You don’t have to go out to have fun, so don’t rule out staying in with people you care about.Shopping: This is at the bottom of the list because it’s iffy. Drug stores and convenience stores like 711 are usually open on the 25th. Grocery chains like Kroger’s and Trader Joe’s usually aren’t. Your local shopping mall or retail district might be open, but probably won't be, so check ahead. Make a list and check it twiceBecause so many places are closed on Christmas day, you should plan ahead (unless you like spontaneity and are OK with the possibility of disappointment) by:Making a list of the places you want to go.Calling nearby locations to confirm they’ll be open, as not every chain follows corporate holiday hour recommendations. Making reservations at any restaurant(s) you plan to visit.Putting together a basic timeline of the day, accounting for travel time, so you don’t lose any reservations, miss a movie, or arrive after the store closes.The most important advice here is to do something intentional on Christmas, even if it's sleeping in, so the day doesn't feel depressing or empty. So hit the slopes, suck down some dim sum, or keep your couch from floating away, but be sure you make Christmas your own. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/what-to-do-on-christmas-if-you-dont-celebrate?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson The Best Gifts for Every Tech Nerd in Your Life 01JE4TRRX18138P1FG63NE9FPD Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:00:39 +0000 These gifts are sure to wow the tech-obsessed in your life. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Our grandparents could drop some treats in a sock and call it Christmas, secure in the knowledge that their children would be delighted by an orange. These days, though, everyone from your tech-obsessed granny to your cutting-edge teen, wants to be impressed. Luckily, there's a high-tech gadget out there for everyone. Stocking stuffer of the year: Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses (Gen 2)The 2025 line of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have a longer battery life than the first generation, as well as better AI and the ability to take longer videos. Those aren't massive improvements, but the original is so solid, it didn't need much done to make it better. Almost any tech lover would be happy with a pair of these in their stocking. I like my 1st-Gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses enough that I had prescription lenses put in them and I wear them daily. The ability to snap a photo, take a video, or start streaming to Instagram instantly takes the documentary-about-your-life aspect of social media to new levels, and the built-in AI and music player make this the stocking stuffer of the year. Check out my full review for more details. For the fitness-obsessed: Whoop Peak 5 It can be hard to buy a gift for a health-focused person. They usually don't want booze and they like putting in effort. But the Whoop Peak 5 fitness tracker will brighten the Christmas morning of the most diehard athlete. It's more versatile than a watch (you can wear it on your bicep and even in your underwear) and it monitors heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, daily activity, and sleep—basically everything I don't worry about. Check out Lifehacker's senior health editor Beth Skwarecki's in-depth look at the Whoop Peak 5 for more details. WHOOP Peak – 12-Month Membership – 5.0 Health and Fitness Wearable – 24/7 Activity and Sleep Tracker with Heart Rate, HRV, Stress Monitor, Personalized Coaching, Healthspan – 14+ Days Battery Life $239.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $239.00 at Amazon For the adventurer: GoPro Hero 13You cannot go wrong with a GoPro. The company's easy-to-use, hard-to-break cameras are synonymous with "action photography" and compact enough to fit in a stocking. If there's a snowboarder, skateboarder, kayaker, or BMX racer on your list, this is a must. Even if your giftee isn't an adventurer, the GoPro Hero 13 supports additional lenses and filters that let users go beyond the "gnarly fish-eye, dude" photography and videography of past generations. Check out associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt's GoPro Hero 13 review for more details. For the tech-toy lover: DJI Mini 4K DroneSome people want tech products that make their lives easier in some way, but others want the pure joy that comes from impressively useless toys. If you're shopping for the latter this Christmas, I highly recommend a DJI Mini 4K drone: Few have a practical use for a little helicopter, but it's so flippin' cool. It takes off from the palm of your hand, flies in winds up to 38 kph (23.61 mph), and captures stabilized 4K video in all kinds of lighting conditions. You can even set it to follow you around automatically, like a little drone pal. DJI Mini 4K Drone $299.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $299.00 at Amazon For the gamer: R36Max Retro Handheld Game ConsoleLike the Switch 2, the R36Max retro handheld game console lets you take your gaming anywhere. But unlike the Switch 2, it comes with over 18,000 games pre-installed and ready to go, so you can play every title from classic consoles like the Atari 2600 or the PlayStation 1, as well as every arcade game anyone ever dropped a coin into, all for less than $100. Heck, I payed more than that in quarter just to beat Dragon's Lair. For the musician/producer: Yamaha SeqtrakI'm obsessed with the Yamaha Seqtrak. It crams a drum machine, sequencer, sampler, and synthesizer into a package small enough to put into a Christmas stocking, with room left over for a speaker. It's everything you need to produce a song by itself, and it integrates with your computer and other gear too. It's not even difficult to understand, nor is it super expensive at $300. Yamaha SEQTRAK Mobile Music Ideastation, Orange $299.99 at Amazon $349.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.99 at Amazon $349.99 Save $50.00 For the hacker: Flipper ZeroThe Flipper Zero is a must-have device for the hardcore, glasses-wearing, circuit-bender type of techie. Its ability to do evil deeds like hack ATMs is greatly exaggerated, but the Flipper is still a technological Swiss army knife that lets you read and manipulate the invisible waves around you, from radio waves, to RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, and wifi signals. It's educational, fascinating, and powerful; how you use that power is your business. For the scientist: Skybasic digital microscopeIf you're giving a gift to a would-be Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, this miniature, wireless microscope will rock their holiday. It's easy to set up, works with PCs, Android, or iOS devices, magnifies things up to 1000x, and takes 1080p pictures of your discoveries. A non-tech gift for you: Hochstadter's Slow & Low Rock and Rye Credit: Hochstadter's Whether you find Christmas stressful or celebratory, slipping a bottle of liquor into your own stocking is the kind of self-care I support. My suggestion: Hochstadter's Slow and Low. It's a no-effort drink that's classier (and boozier) than a supermarket White Claw, and it has a retro vibe and sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the holidays.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-gifts-for-every-tech-nerd?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson How to Choose the Best Christmas Tree for Your Home 01JE6K8QSKADSQ337AWDEAH1WG Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:00:40 +0000 If you’re gearing up to transform your home into a Christmassy wonderland, here’s how to make sure you get the perfect tree. Considering that America was a relative latecomer to the Christmas tree—the practice didn’t really become popular here until the mid-19th century—we sure have come to love them. While plenty of Christmas traditions have entered the dustbin of history, the mighty Christmas tree has survived the years; about 25-30 million real trees are purchased each year. Unless you have zero plans to celebrate the holiday, chances are you’re one of those people.If you think finding a Christmas tree is just a matter of heading to the empty lot or the tree farm down the road and grabbing one that looks vaguely tree-shaped, you would be wrong. If you want the best possible Christmas tree experience, you have to take a few basic aspects of the tree and your home into consideration. Here’s how to make sure you find the best Christmas tree.How to pick the best spot for a Christmas treeYour first stop toward the best possible Christmas tree is deciding where to set it up. You’ll want to choose a location where the tree will be the centerpiece of your celebration, and people can actually enjoy it, whether that’s in the living room, one corner of your tiny studio, or in the special Holiday Room you had built into the West Wing of the family manse. Once you’ve picked the right general location, you’ll want to avoid putting the tree next to a heat source (which will dry it out), and you’ll want it to be near a power outlet (so you don’t have extension cords tripping people up and/or possibly burning your house down).Once you’ve selected the right spot, you’re going to want to measure. First, measure the height of your ceilings. Take off a foot to accommodate a stand and a topper, if you’re using one, and that’s the maximum height of tree you’re looking for. Measure from the center of the spot where the tree will stand and get an approximate circumference that will ensure branches don’t scratch the walls or block foot traffic, as well. Now you have the basic dimensions of the best tree for your space. Don’t forget to bring the tape measure to the tree lot.How to pick the best type of Christmas treeAlthough the Christmas tree has become a generic symbol of the holiday season, there are a surprising number of varieties. Choosing the best one depends on the look and feel you need:Traditional. If you want that “Christmas card” look, go with a Balsam fir. These trees tend to have the classic triangular shape and deep green color you’re looking for, and they tend to last a long time indoors—this is kind of the default Christmas tree, and it will fill your house with that classic Christmas tree smell. If you want something a little different but still classic, the Fraser fir has more of a blue tint to it, and will last a long time.Kid-friendly. If you have little ones racing about, the stiff, surprisingly sharp needles of some trees might be a concern. The Douglas fir has a classic look but sports soft, bendy needles that won’t poke little eyes, as does the Scotch (or Scots) pine tree.Big room. If you’re putting the tree someplace that could reasonably described as a “Great Room” or similarly large space, you’ll want a tall, full-bodied tree like the Douglas fir to fill the space. You could also go with the majestic Norway spruce (the tree traditionally chosen to stand at Rockefeller Center in New York City), but beware: The Norway is a delicate tree that won’t last very long in your house.Minimalist. If your idea of decorating a home and tree for the holidays is to place a few subtle items around that hint at Christmas, the Grand fir makes a statement with its exceptionally long needles, and does well with just a touch of decoration. Another great choice is the Noble fir, which adds cones to the mix, giving it a ready-made decoration.Modern. If you’re going for a less-classic look, an Arizona cypress tree is a good choice. It’s generally a pale green with reddish-brown branches, resulting in a lush color story that’s still in the traditional realm while adding a touch of drama that other trees won’t have.Inspect the treeOnce you know which tree you want and where it’s going to go, give it a solid inspection to make sure you’re getting the best possible specimen. That means checking for insects and even animals or birds, making sure the needles feel fresh and don’t fall off easily, and actually smelling the tree—it should have a light, fresh scent, not a musty or moldy smell.Now you have the best possible Christmas tree, and all you have to do is take care of it properly so it lasts the whole holiday season.]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/how-to-choose-the-best-christmas-tree?utm_medium=RSS Jeff Somers Amazon Prime Members Can Get Two Free E-Books in December 01HN0ZP8S1KSR9CY579D4F5JF6 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:00:00 +0000 Choose from a list of titles hand-picked by Amazon editors. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.You can get thousands of free e-books over the course of 2025 if you know where—and when—to look. All year long, Amazon is offering free Kindle e-books to readers, with new opportunities popping up every month. In December, Prime members can get two free Kindle e-books from Amazon's First Reads program, one of them being this month's bonus short read.What is Amazon's First Reads?Amazon First Reads is a program aimed at Prime members that offers early access to new e-books across many genres, as curated by First Reads editors (one of many Prime Member benefits). Prime members can choose to download one free e-book every month from a rotating list—though some months that number is bumped up to two, usually with a free short novel—and non-members get them for a discounted price. These e-books can be read on any compatible Kindle device or via the free Kindle app. Amazon Kindle (16 GB) Lightest and most compact Kindle, now with faster page turns, and higher contrast ratio. $109.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $109.99 at Amazon How to get your free Amazon Kindle e-books in DecemberGo to the First Reads landing page to see the full list of e-books available this month. Once you find a book that seems interesting, click the "Shop Now" button from the First Reads landing page. Make sure you’re not being redirected to the Kindle or Amazon mobile application, because you won't see the free book option there; instead, use your internet browser on your phone or computer. Make sure you’re not clicking the ”Pre-order for...” button, as that will direct you to pay; instead, click the “Read for Free” or the "Buy Now with 1-Click" button under the "First Reads" banner on the book's Amazon page (don't worry, you won't be charged). This will send the e-book directly to the Kindle linked to your Amazon account. You can see what it should look like from the screenshot below. Credit: Daniel Oropeza You’ll know you did it right when you see a “Thanks, [your name]!” order summary indicating the e-book is being auto-delivered to the Kindle Cloud Reader.Free Amazon Kindle e-books available in December 2025This month, you can choose one from seven new Kindle e-books, plus this month's short read. Amazon notes the genre for each of the books above the title, offering a quick way to narrow down your options. (If you hover over the "See Editor Notes" under the "Shop Now" button, you'll be able to read a short description from the First Reads editor who picked the book.)Here are your options for December 2025. You can choose one of these 7 e-books, plus get this month's bonus short read, The Last Father-Daughter Dance: A Short Story: Women's fiction by Lisa Wingate. The Last Father-Daughter Dance: A Short Story $1.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $1.99 at Amazon Domestic Suspense by Brianna Labuskes. Her Beautiful Life $5.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $5.99 at Amazon Suspense by Yasmin Angoe. Behind These Four Walls: A Novel $4.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $4.99 at Amazon Fantasy by Sharon Lynn Fisher. Tea & Alchemy $4.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $4.99 at Amazon Book Club Fiction by Marc Levy (Author), Maren Baudet-Lackner (Translator). The Heart of Everything: A Novel $4.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $4.99 at Amazon Thriller by Amy Meyerson. The Water Lies $4.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $4.99 at Amazon Romance by Christine Riccio. Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone $4.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $4.99 at Amazon Book Club Fiction by Farah Naz Rishi. The Flightless Birds of New Hope: A Novel $4.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $4.99 at Amazon SEE 5 MORE Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/free-kindle-ebooks-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza Google's New 'Call Reason' Feature Lets You Mark Outgoing Calls As Urgent 01KBJYRR2BFD3PR5CE87QNGRP4 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:30:00 +0000 Call Reason may improve the odds your friends and family pick up the phone. It's tough to get people to answer the phone—though I'm not really blaming those who don't pick up. We are so inundated with spam calls these days that refusing to answer incoming calls en masse isn't actually a bad strategy. When that call could be someone trying to break into your bank account, or alerting you to fraudulent credit card charges that never happened, perhaps it's best to just wait for friends and family to text instead. But let's say the call is from you to someone you know and trust, and let's assume they see it's you who's calling. Even though they know the call isn't spam, there are still plenty of reasons someone won't pick up the phone—including, of course, because they don't actually want to talk right now. But if you really need to get a hold of someone and don't want meetings, commutes, or the lack of desire for a phone call to get in the way, Google is currently working on a solution you can try right now. Call Reason lets you mark calls as urgent The new feature, named "Call Reason," is designed to separate important phone calls from the rest. When you start dialing a number, Google will give you the option to mark the call as urgent. If you choose to do so, the person you're calling will see a pop-up reading "It's urgent!" on the call screen. Hopefully, that pop-up will encourage them to answer; however, I imagine they'll stop picking up if you start using it too often. That said, not everyone ignores calls on purpose. If you aren't by your phone when it goes off, or if it's on silent in your pocket or bag, you obviously won't catch the urgent tag on the call screen. In that case, Android adds the urgent tag to the missed call in their recipient's call history. As long as the person you're trying to reach checks out their missed calls, they should see that this one was marked urgent—though if it's a real emergency, they might've received extra calls and messages from you in the interim anyway. It seems Google has been working on this feature for some time. Android Authority previously spotted something called Expressive Calling in the Phone app's APK, which would let the caller add animations and emojis to calls. In addition to that functionality, however, was the ability to flag the reason for a call when dialing. How to try Call Reason Google is still testing the Call Reason feature, but anyone using the current version of the Google Phone app will be able to try it out. (It's still rolling out, though, so you may not see it yet.) The feature also only works with saved contacts, and when calling Android users who have Google's Phone app set as the primary calling app. When Call Reason does show up on your phone, you'll see it appear after placing your call. The UI says "Mark call as urgent?," with a prompt letting you know that the call will ring through and show the call is urgent. Tap "Notify," and you're set. Once the recipient sees the call, they'll see the "Incoming call" banner replaced by an animated "It's urgent!" pop-up. It's a fun design, but perhaps a bit too fun, when you're likely using this in important situations. Credit: Google Alongside Call Reason, Google announced a number of new features for Android 16. There are now improved parental controls locked behind a PIN of the parents' choosing; new UI customization options, like expanded dark mode support and new custom shapes for home screen icons; and the continued roll out of Google's AI notification summaries, which Lifehacker writer David Nield hasn't found all that useful yet. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/try-google-call-reason-feature?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson I Bought a Smart Toilet for Black Friday, and It Has Been Revolutionary 01KBJY11ZSBYFGBBVAAPFBDC8Z Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:00:00 +0000 With a heated seat, built-in bidet, a drying function, and other features, I'll never go back. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Ever since I visited Japan in 2019, I've been converted into a loyal bidet user. I started with a basic bidet added onto a standard toilet, but I always knew the time would come when I would make a big upgrade. That time was this Black Friday when I pulled the trigger on the Loniko Smart Toilet, and I'm so glad I did. It's $444.99 (originally $549.99) after using the additional $30 on-page coupon, and it's worth every penny. Loniko Smart Toilet $474.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $75.00 Get Deal Get Deal $474.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $75.00 My first experience with the Loniko Smart Toilet was over Thanksgiving, which I spent at my parents house; they were very excited for my brothers and me to try their new splurge in their guest bathroom: the toilet. The lid opened when I walked into the bathroom, welcoming me to sit on its heated seat. As I said, I've been using bidets in my home for years, but never one like the Loniko. The toilet comes with a remote you can prop on your wall for easy access. You can control the bidet's stream and direction, turn on the dryer, which was surprisingly effective and gentle, and do all the things the toilet does automatically, like opening and closing the lid, flushing, etc. After realizing that most decent bidets cost upwards of $300, I decided to snatch this toilet when it went on sale during Black Friday.Being able to control the temperature of the water in the stream is a huge deal for me, especially in the winter when the water in my home is extremely cold. Cleaning the toilet is also pretty easy. It has a skirted design, so there are no nooks and crannies near the base where dirt can get trapped. The toilet also automatically cleans itself after each flush. Keep in mind you'll need an outlet close by to enable all its fancy features. You can also choose to get a tankless model, which results in quieter flushes, saves water and energy, and looks more modern, but it's harder to install (I went with the regular tank toilet and it flushes quietly enough for me).]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/loniko-smart-toilet-deal-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza 5 Little-Known Extensions That Make Safari Even Better 01KBJWSH2Q396WMNPK4A15GW74 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:30:00 +0000 Block ads, browse in dark mode, multitask with videos, and more. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Safari is better than Chrome. Apple's default browser runs faster, is less cluttered, offers privacy features Google would never contemplate, and doesn't try to cram AI down your throat.But that doesn't mean Safari is perfect. Like all browsers, it works better if you install the right extensions. Here are a few I've found in the past year or so that make the best browser even better.Block ads and other clutter Credit: Justin Pot The internet is increasingly useless without a good ad blocker, and the best ad blocker for Safari—which works on both macOS and mobile devices—is wBlock. This extension uses the built-in ad blocking functionality offered by Safari, which is much faster than the workarounds that extensions on browsers like Chrome need to use. It also supports a number of popular blocklists, with automatic updating. Or you can go even further and install Userscripts. Best of all, it's completely free. Try it out if you're not happy with your current ad blocker.Add a dark mode to sites that don't have one Credit: Justin Pot We can argue endlessly about whether dark or light mode are better (and I have), but we can all agree it's annoying to be using dark mode only for the websites you're browsing to be white as snow. That's where Noir comes in. This extension forces Dark Mode in Safari on websites that otherwise don't offer the feature. It's a must-have for dark mode enthusiasts.Automatically open picture in picture when you switch tabsSafari, on mobile, will keep playing videos using picture-in-picture mode if you switch to another application or tab. The desktop version of Safari doesn't do this, which is a shame. Autopip is a Safari extension for Mac that adds this feature. The result: you can keep watching a video in the background while you're working in another tab or application. It's perfect if you're the sort of person who leaves a video playing while you're working on something else.Quickly copy the URL for the current site Credit: Justin Pot Arc, the browser, is dead, and if I'm honest I only miss one feature: the ability to copy the URL of the current website using the keyboard shortcut Command-Shift-C. Yes, it's a very specific thing to miss, but I can't overstate how much of a habit this became for me. And I can keep the habit thanks to Supercopy, a Safari extension that adds the keyboard shortcut to Safari. Yes: that's all it does. I use it dozens of times every day, though, so for me it's well worth keeping around.Filter Reddit to be less rage inducing Credit: Pranay Parab I'd love it if I spent less time on Reddit and I'm sure I'm not alone. The problem: there's a mix of useful and rage-inducing stuff on that website. The good news is Protego lets you filter Reddit to be less infuriating. The idea is to pick a few subreddits you know, in your heart of hearts, you shouldn't be looking at. Do that and you'll be able to use Reddit without ending up down rabbit holes of rage and disgust. You can also filter out posts using keywords and hide promoted content. Trust me: you'll be happier.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/little-known-safari-extensions?utm_medium=RSS Justin Pot This Four-Pack of Tile Trackers Is Nearly Half Off Right Now 01KBJRVPVF327X935CFBZ51P0G Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:06:10 +0000 If you're prone to losing your keys and other daily essentials, this four pack of Tile Trackers should help. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Even though Black Friday is over, there are still several deals still available. One of them is this Tile Mate Tracker 4-Pack, which just dropped to its lowest price ever at $47.99 (originally $83.99). A must for anyone prone to misplacing their essentials, these trackers also make a compact and low-cost stocking stuffer for the forgetful.  Tile by Life360 Mate Bluetooth Tracker $47.99 at Amazon $83.99 Save $36.00 Get Deal Get Deal $47.99 at Amazon $83.99 Save $36.00 These lightweight trackers make losing items like your keys, wallet, and bag a lot less stressful—they attach to your essentials and locate them from your phone via Bluetooth or a ringing function in the companion app. They work with both iOS and Android and have an easy setup process.There’s also a helpful SOS button feature that sends a discreet alert to your Life360 Circle (a private group of friends and/or family members) if you’re ever in an unsafe situation. Another popular feature is Tile’s Community Find, which uses other phones that have the Tile app installed to update the tracker's location anonymously. If you want a more advanced tracker with GPS-level tracking, keep in mind that the Tile tracker relies on Bluetooth and only has a range of 350 feet. Its sealed battery also isn’t replaceable, unlike those in AirTags. For these reasons, it’s not ideal for tracking pets or luggage that might be far away. Ultimately, this Tile Mate Tracker 4-Pack makes for a compact, affordable solution that performs well for those who tend to misplace everyday items around the house, car, or office, but those who want more advanced features may want to check out a higher-end model. Still, at 47% off, this bundle makes it a feature-loaded option at a low price point.  Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/tile-mate-tracker-deal-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Naima Karp The (Strong) Case for Breaking Your Fitness Streaks 01KBJR5T6X30NGE44VZYZ5XVXC Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000 When it comes to your health, maybe endless growth isn't possible. I hit 250 days on my Duolingo streak this week. That's more than eight months of consecutive daily Spanish lessons. My virtual owl loves me! There's just one problem: I'm not actually any better at speaking Spanish than I was in March. I'm just better at playing Duolingo. Somewhere along the way, keeping the streak alive became more important than learning the language. That same rewiring happens with all my health-related apps. It doesn't take long before I'm more focused on getting a hit of dopamine from building my streak than I am with the hard work of hitting my fitness goals. I've written before about how chasing the concept of "wellness" stopped serving my well-being and instead became another item on an impossible to-do list. And when my long runs unlock in-app badges or my exercise bike puts me on a leaderboard against thousands of strangers, it's all too easy to lose sight of my personal fitness goals. Am I actually growing, or have I just gotten really good at the game? All kinds of gamified fitness apps (or "exer-games") are popular, and for good reason: It's a natural motivational hack, turning workouts into competitions, and elevating health goals into high scores. But as millions of us chase digital streaks, a crucial question emerges: Is your health really something you should turn into a game?Why gamification works (maybe too well)The appeal of gamifying health goals is undeniable. Traditional health advice—eat better, move more, reduce stress—can feel overwhelmingly vague. Such broad targets make it tough for individuals to imagine hitting them. Gamified apps transform these abstract goals into concrete actions, taken day by day. "Gamification can clarity and more achievable goals," says Chirag Arora, who co-authored a study on the ethics of gamification in health and fitness tracking. With streaks or badges, the question shifts from how can I be healthy? to can I walk 10,000 steps today, and this sort of simplification can provide real benefits. For someone paralyzed by the complexity of getting fit, being told exactly what to do today (and getting points for it) can be liberating.There's also genuine joy in the game mechanics, and "when you add friends, competition, and community support, these apps tap into deeply human needs for connection and play," says Maryam Razavian, Arora's co-author on the gamification ethics study.The thing is, this appeal is undeniable for companies and app designers, too. "These gaming tactics are really effective at getting people to engage with your product" for longer times and at a higher frequency, says Doug Sarro, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. "The challenge is that these apps and tools are designed to maximize engagement." In the fitness context, that can be a win-win: More engagement for the apps, more time spent on fitness for you, right? But what if you've met your personal goals and the app still wants engagement? In short, there's a fundamental weakness in how these apps work overtime keep you around. The power of the streakWhat's happening in our brains when we become obsessed with these digital rewards? The apps are tapping into our dopamine system—the neurotransmitter associated with motivation, reward, and pleasure. Every completed ring, earned badge, or leaderboard climb triggers a small dopamine hit, reinforcing the behavior and making us want to come back for more.However, gamified apps primarily target extrinsic motivation (badges, points, competition, social recognition). While these can be powerful motivators initially, they're not sustainable on their own. If you're only exercising for the points, what happens when the novelty wears off and closing your rings starts to feel like a chore? This leads to something Arora calls "motivational collapse," which occurs when we rely too heavily on external rewards. To avoid motivational collapse, Arora says that "users also need to align their extrinsic and intrinsic goals." Because the healthiest approach to fitness comes from intrinsic motivation—exercising because it makes you feel good, reduces stress, gives you energy, or helps you do the activities you love. The game can help you get started, but it shouldn't be the only reason you continue.When the game takes over your lifeI don't think Duolingo wants me to actually learn Spanish—it just wants me to open the app tomorrow. Similarly, fitness apps never reach an endgame where they say something like "Great job, you're healthy now, you can reduce your usage." Instead, they push for more: longer streaks, higher numbers, new challenges. "Rather than working for users' health, these games can begin to work against your best interests," says Sarro. In other words: Longer streaks don't automatically equate to better health. When you consider the mental toll, the opposite might be true. When I put out a call on Instagram asking people about their relationship with posting workout data and fitness content, I received one particularly memorable response about upholding streaks: "I've had a 10,000 step streak going since last year...but at some point within the past few months it became less about keeping myself fit and more about hitting the number even when I should probably rest." You might hit 10,000 steps by pacing around your apartment at midnight, sacrificing sleep to close a ring. You might push through an injury to maintain a streak. The game goal eclipses the health goal. (The real kicker? Taking 10,000 steps each day is a bullshit goal that may have originated with a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign for a pedometer.)Targets that become additional pressure points in your life may not even make sense for you. "These apps are trying to target the lowest common denominator," says Arora, but you're needs may be different than those of that imagined subgroup—it's worth noting that, for these apps, "lowest common denominator" is still targeting higher socioeconomic populations who will buy their products, Arora adds. Simply put, app designers don't have your individual needs at heart. You may be obsessing over the extrinsic motivation of hitting an arbitrary target while losing the plot on your intrinsic motivations: What your health actually means to you. How to find balance with your fitness goalsLook, I don't plan on abandoning my fitness trackers any time soon, but I'm looking to change my relationship with them. Here's how to engage with gamified fitness in a way that serves your actual health:Remember the distinction between game goals and health goals. Razavian says users should, "focus on enjoying the process rather than feeling extra pressure to perform in the game." Your ring doesn't need to be closed every single day. Missing a streak doesn't undo your fitness progress.Stay connected to your intrinsic motivation. Why did you actually start exercising? What do you want from your body and your health? If you're exercising solely to satisfy an app, you've lost the plot.Don't surrender your judgment. As Sarro says "your job as an informed user is to not surrender your judgment to what an app says." You know your body, your schedule, your health needs, and your goals better than any algorithm. If the app is pushing you to do something that doesn't feel right—whether that's exercising when injured, sacrificing sleep to hit a target, or adding stress to your life—ignore it.Recognize that endless growth isn't possible in fitness. Just as a business can rarely grow indefinitely, your body has its limits. Not every week needs a new personal record. Health maintenance itself is a valid goal.Use gamification as a starting point, not the destination. Arora and Razavian's research suggests that gamification is most valuable at the beginning of a fitness journey, when you need help establishing habits and figuring out what to do. Once you've developed your routine and understanding, you may need the game elements less, which is all the more reason to let them go.Enjoy the playfulness, but keep perspective. If the game makes exercise more enjoyable, great. But the moment it becomes another source of stress and obligation, it's probably working against you.The bottom lineThe most important takeaway is a simple one: Your health is not a game, even if your health app is. Remember that badges, streaks, and leaderboards are artificial constructs designed to keep you engaged with a product. They can be useful tools, but they're not the point. My Duolingo owl's approval means nothing if I can't actually speak Spanish. The same goes for my closed rings, my Peloton stats, and every other gamified metric I've been chasing, which don't really tell me anything about my actual fitness. Getting healthier is a messy and non-linear process. It demands rest days and flexibility, and it looks different for different people. It can't be reduced to a single number or maintained through gamified willpower. And it definitely doesn't end when you break your streak—so go ahead and break it.]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/the-strong-case-for-breaking-your-fitness-streaks?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz Here's When 'Booty Bands' Are Actually Useful (and When They're Not) 1846775637 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:30:00 +0000 The best way to use booty bands is to forget everything you've seen on social media about them. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Resistance bands are portable, convenient, and definitely have their uses. It’s no wonder they’re popular—but why are "booty bands" the focus of so many butt-centered workouts? Let me explain what's going on here, and where these bands can actually help your workout routine.What exactly are booty bands? A "booty band" is a nickname for a type of resistance band that is a short loop, usually a few inches wide, and either made of rubber or a thick elasticized fabric. (The fabric ones are more comfortable to use.) The length makes them perfect for exercises that call for a band around your legs. This includes a lot of hip exercises that, yes, can build up your butt muscles. I have a fabric set similar to this one. I don't really do "booty" workouts, but I find this type of band useful for the hip warmups that I sometimes do before squats or Olympic lifts. When I was rehabbing a knee injury I remember a lot of this type of exercise at my physical therapy appointments. So they're definitely useful for more than just booty-building. By the way, there is a company called Booty Bands, but the term “booty bands” has also been applied to the general category of resistance bands that can go around your knees or thighs. There is no shortage of workouts that incorporate the use of these bands into squats and kickbacks and glute bridges, all while promising you major booty gains. As with many popular workouts, though, the promises are overblown.Resistance bands come with general pros and consBefore we delve into booty-focused bands in particular, it’s worth taking a look at the pros and cons of all resistance bands. I compared them with dumbbells here, and as you may recall, the takeaways included: Resistance bands can provide more total “weight” than small dumbbells.Resistance bands wear out over time.Resistance bands change in how challenging they are depending on how much you stretch them.If your home gym items need to be small and cheap, you can get a lot further with resistance bands than with dumbbells. That's because it's easy to find upper-body exercises you can do with smaller dumbbells, but you have to go a good bit heavier to find challenging lower-body workouts. Your main options are resistance band exercises, and single-leg bodyweight exercises (without a resistance band) like lunges and split squats.Easy exercises don’t do you any favorsIf you are trying to build a butt, you’re trying to build muscle. And the most efficient way to build muscle is to lift heavy—not a million reps of light work (although that can work, if you are very patient).So how do you know if you’re working hard or “heavy” enough? As I’ve mentioned before, you want to be doing smallish numbers of reps (12 or less, most of the time) that are hard enough that the last few reps feel truly challenging. If you’ve been using the same band or weight for a while, try a more challenging one from time to time to find out if you’re stronger than you think. If you are, it’s time to move up. I mention this here because the banded portion of a “booty” workout is usually fairly easy and light. If you’re doing banded exercises and they fit my definition of heavy and they feel genuinely challenging to you, then they may well be doing what they promise. Stick with the bands for now. But bands may not be enough for your whole workout. For many of us, actual heavy weights will be necessary to give your butt (or any body part) an appropriate workout. Champion deadlifters need a lot of strength in their butt, but you won’t see powerlifters eschewing the barbell to focus on banded YouTube workouts, you know? They will often use bands in addition to the barbell, though. Bands are great for warmups and accessoriesPut all of this together, and it’s clear that bands make the most sense as a side dish to your workout—or an appetizer, or a dessert. To build muscle, the main course should still probably be a heavier workout with weights, if you can swing that. If not, you need to make sure your banded exercises are heavy enough. If you bring your bands to the gym, you can do banded kickbacks as part of your warmup, or as a high-rep finisher after leg day. You can use them for “activation” exercises, which is more or less a newfangled word for warmup. And then you can move on to your squats, deadlifts, weighted lunges, or hip thrusts. Which brings me to another point about using booty bands at the gym: if you’re doing squats with a band around your knees, the squats are doing the real work, with the band offering—to continue our food metaphor—perhaps a small garnish. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/are-booty-bands-actually-useful-1846775637?utm_medium=RSS Beth Skwarecki This PlayStation VR2 Bundle Is $100 Off Right Now 01KBJNGH718ERQSZF2R20CE5P6 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000 This is a great post-Black Friday deal for gamers. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday may have passed, but there are still some serious deals out there for gamers—especially PS5 owners. This PlayStation VR2 bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain is currently $299 on Amazon, a 25% discount off the usual $399 and its lowest price ever according to price tracking tools.  PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain™ Bundle $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 The Sony PlayStation VR2 earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award upon its 2023 release for offering comprehensive upgrades from its predecessor, including better tracking tech, improved sound, and enhanced graphics. This model comes with the Horizon Call of the Mountain, an action-adventure game packed with immersive climbing, machine combat, and immersive world-building, allowing you to dive into the VR experience right out of the box.The headset features 2000×2040 resolution per eye, an OLED display, 4K HDR support, and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It has a 110-degree field of view and controls with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as 3D audio and eye-tracking.If you have a PS5 and are curious about diving into the world of VR—and want to start with a popular game that will get you hooked right away—this PlayStation VR2 bundle is one of the best console-based options on the market right now, especially at $100 off.  Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/playstation-vr2-horizon-bundle-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Naima Karp My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The Apple Watch Series 11 01KBJJ2VKRQHCS8NTPXFEPW31G Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 The new mid-tier Apple Watch is already seeing a decent discount, despite being released just this summer. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Apple Watch Series 11 is the middle-of-the-pack smartwatch, sandwiched between the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 and the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 3. It also happens to be the only one still holding on to its Black Friday discount. You can get the GPS version starting at $329 (originally $399) and the GPS + Cellular version starting at $429 (originally $499), both the lowest prices they've reached, according to price tracking tools. Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS) $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS + Cellular) $489.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $489.99 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE It's always nice when the "best Apple Watch for most people" gets better without a price increase over the previous generation. The Series 11 improved its battery life, going up to 43 hours with the always-on display enabled, up from 36 hours for the Series 10. Also, now you can get a 5G Cellular version, which, before, the best Apple could offer was LTE. This makes cell service much better for calls and helps to keep the battery life running longer. Another big update is that its hypertension notification feature is FDA-approved, so this watch could potentially save your life if you suffer from high blood pressure. Like new iterations, the new smartwatch is also more vibrant, slimmer, and more durable.You'll start off with the new WatchOS 26 and all of the features it brings, like Heart Rate Monitor, ECG, Blood Oxygen Monitor, Temperature Sensor, Pedometer, Gyroscope, and others. If you already own the Series 10, you'll see the same display, measurements, processor, and sensors, so it might not be worth upgrading unless battery life and 5G connectivity really matter to you.At its current price, the Series 11 is a great smartwatch for most Apple lovers, and the lowest price it'll likely be this year. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/my-favorite-amazon-deal-of-the-day-apple-watch-series-11?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza 'Red Dead Redemption' Is Available on Mobile for the First Time Ever, but There's a Catch 01KBJEBGJ5W2VJA4G5JZ84WXN1 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 16:30:00 +0000 The game can either be free, or very expensive. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Rockstar fans might be all-in on waiting for GTA VI, but Grand Theft Auto is far from the only big title the company makes. One of Rockstar's most impactful games, Red Dead Redemption, turned 15 in May. All these years later, it's still very much worth your time—if critics and fans have anything to say about it. On Tuesday, Rockstar announced some big news for the first Red Dead: First, anyone who owns a copy of the game for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, can now upgrade to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions for free. That includes upgrades like 60 fps, upgraded visuals, support for HDR, and 4K resolution—at least on PlayStation and Xbox. But console gamers aren't the only ones impacted here. Rockstar also revealed that Red Dead Redemption is now available on mobile for the first time ever. This could open the game up to a whole new market of players who don't own a console—if your primary gaming device is your smartphone or tablet, you can now check out Red Dead Redemption in its entirety. Depending on your device, you may even have access to a "performance mode" that boosts the frame rate of the game. Otherwise, it appears locked to 30 fps—though that might not be as noticeable on mobile as it would on a TV. Red Dead on mobile is either free, or very expensiveHowever, there's a bit of a catch here. Depending on your current subscriptions, Red Dead Redemption's mobile port can either be completely free, or quite expensive. If you look at the listings for the game on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store, you'll see the game currently costs $39.99. That's pricey for a mobile game, even a console port. While there aren't many games as large as Red Dead with mobile versions, the ones that are aren't quite this expensive. Stardew Valley is $4.99; Minecraft is $6.99; GTA: San Andreas is $6.99 (though the "Definitive" edition is $19.99); Hitman: Absolution is $14.99. $39.99, by comparison, is steep.I'm not saying Red Dead isn't worth $40, but you need to be sure you want to commit to the mobile port of the game—especially if you have other means of playing it. The PS4 version is currently $29.99 at Best Buy: If you have either a PS4 or PS5, you can enjoy the game on your TV for $10 less. Plus, PS5 owners can upgrade to the higher-performing version for free.Speaking of free, however, there is a way to play Red Dead Redemption on the go without spending anything—or, at least, anything extra. If you have an active Netflix subscription, you can download the Netflix version on your iPhone or Android free of charge. It's the same game, just validated through your Netflix account—so if you have a Netflix subscription, I highly recommend you download this version before you spend money on the game. If it sounds weird that Netflix is offering Red Dead for free, I don't blame you. However, this isn't really something new for the company. Netflix has been offering free games for subscribers for four years now, and while some of them are Netflix-owned, others are major titles the company licenses. That includes games like Into the Breach, Moonlighter, Heads Up!, and, of course, Red Dead Redemption. Netflix doesn't even require you to have a specific subscription to access these games: All subs, including its cheapest "With Ads" plan, can play.If you've never played Red Dead Redemption, the cheapest way to experience the game right now is to subscribe to Netflix for a month. You could pay $7.99 for the company's least expensive plan, and after catching up on Stranger Things, you could play through all of Red Dead. Not a bad deal. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/red-dead-redemption-available-on-mobile-for-first-time?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson I Let Android AI Summarize My Notifications for a Day, and Here's What Happened 01KBJ5NWQR0BXRDNFD9BQ7R1GS Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0000 This isn't something that's all that useful right now. AI is everywhere! Writing essays, editing photos, producing social-media slop, doing your browsing for you, making plenty of mistakes—and now, if you've installed the latest Android 16 update (currently rolling out to Pixel phones), summarizing your notifications so you have less text and fewer alerts to wade through.The new summarization feature, as per Google, will "help you cut through the clutter and stay focused," and give you "quick understanding and context at a glance." I'm all for cutting through the clutter, so as soon as the update landed on my own Pixel device, I decided to enable the feature and see how useful it really is.How AI summaries work, and how to turn them on Enabling the feature on an Android phone. Credit: Lifehacker AI notification summaries won't automatically take over your phone, after the update—you need to enable them manually. From Settings, head to Notifications, then tap Notification summaries to turn this on. The same screen lets you choose which apps you want notifications summarized for.There are actually two parts to the new update: the actual notification summaries, and what Google is calling a "notification organizer." This organizer is designed to group and silence lower-priority notifications (including social alerts and promotional messages), though there doesn't appear to be a separate toggle switch for this.Of course, other Android phone makers will be able to implement this in whatever way they choose. It looks as though Samsung is testing the feature with the One UI 8.5, which should be launching in beta any day now. A full release of the software is expected early next year, alongside the Galaxy S26 phones.Using AI notification summaries for 24 hoursReady to banish notification clutter from my life, I turned on AI summaries for all my apps to see exactly how this worked. For a start, it doesn't apply to all apps, at least not yet: My Snapchat and Instagram alerts remained the same as always, so further updates will be needed from Google and app developers before this is something you see everywhere.The apps I saw summaries for most often were Google Chat, WhatsApp, and Slack—almost always in group conversations, and some of the time for single messages (the length of the message seems to affect this somehow). And the summaries were ... mostly okay. They tended to catch the gist of who had said what, and in that sense were an accurate recap of what I was missing by not actually opening these apps. The summaries work, up to a point. Credit: Lifehacker These summaries did update as more messages were added, but the summary preview window is only a couple of lines long—so once multiple people start piling into a group chat, the summary isn't going to be able to cover everything. From the lock screen and pull-down notification shade, it's possible to expand notifications to see full messages (as usual), and then minimize them back to the summary view again.There was one occasion when the AI notification summaries got confused by the Lifehacker slack and by the various @mentions included—attributing a message to the person who had been tagged in a message, rather than the person who had sent it. On the whole, though, there were no obvious mistakes, just certain details left out from summaries of longer chats that I would've liked to have known about.Now I've tested this out, I'm going to turn it off again, for a couple of reasons—and inaccuracy isn't really one of them (though that might certainly creep in). First, given the small size of the preview window, I'm not sure an AI summary is any more useful than the first couple of lines of text you get as standard anyway. That's usually enough for me to tell whether or not a message is important before opening it. This Slack summary wasn't fully accurate—and Snapchat alerts weren't affected. Credit: Lifehacker Second, I'm not sure I really want my messages and group chats summarized—at least not the important ones. If a friend, family member, or work colleague has something to tell me, I'd like to know exactly what it is, rather than reading a précis. It feels like AI is being used just for the sake of it—and not for the first time.I didn't see any evidence of the notification organizer in action, by the way, perhaps because of the way I've got my Android notifications set up—there are now a host of granular options for alerts in Android, for silencing and dismissing notifications. This feature sounds vaguely useful, but again, I'm not sure I'm ready to hand over the job of judging how important notifications are over to AI just yet.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/android-ai-notification-summaries?utm_medium=RSS David Nield It's Easier to Fall for a Bank Fraud Scam Than You Think 01KBGJT85Y2K9RYW909X3WDXDV Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000 Never, ever provide anyone with your banking credentials. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is warning consumers about a type of fraud in which threat actors pretend to be from trusted financial institutions in order to obtain login credentials and gain access to financial and personal data. The consequences are high: With stolen credentials, scammers can gain full control of your accounts and your money. According to the FBI advisory, criminals will quickly wire funds from your bank to cryptocurrency wallets, making the money nearly impossible to trace and recover, and lock you out of your account in the process. Here's how account takeover scams work—and how to avoid becoming a victim. Account takeover scams may impersonate your bankMost account takeover scams use social engineering: a series of tactics designed to manipulate you into giving up personal information, downloading malware, or paying money to bad actors. Scammers impersonate financial institution employees as well as customer support and technical support staff and reach out to targets via text, call, or email to say that their account has been compromised in some way.They may tell you that there have been fraudulent charges on your account and send you a link to report the fraud—but this is actually a phishing site designed to harvest your login credentials. They may ask directly for your username, password, or multi-factor authentication (MFA) code over the phone. In some cases, they may even claim that your information was used to buy firearms and pass you off to a second scammer impersonating law enforcement. They're counting on you to feel fear and confusion and act quickly to "resolve" the issue by handing over your information. The FBI has also identified a version of account takeover using search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning, in which scammers buy ads that appear to be for legitimate businesses but actually allow them to place malicious links to spoofed bank websites higher in search results. How to avoid falling for account takeover scamsWhile being targeted for an account takeover may be unavoidable, there are a few red flags that can help you identify the fraud before it goes south. First, you should always be wary of calls, texts, emails, and other communication (such as social media messages) from someone claiming to be from your bank or creditor, especially if they ask for personal information like your username, password, or time-based one-time password (TOTP). Reputable institutions will not contact you to request your credentials or other sensitive data—so these are almost certainly phishing attempts. You should also be wary of trusting websites that look like they belong to your financial institution, especially if you click to them from a browser search. Cybercriminals can easily build convincing (but spoofed) websites and place the malicious links at the top of search results. Bookmark the trusted link rather than going through a search engine, or use the verified app on your mobile device. Always avoid clicking directly from unsolicited communication, and check URLs and email addresses carefully, as scammers can also use homographs to hide malicious links. Finally, protect your personal information. Use complex, unique passwords stored securely (such as in a password manager), enable a stronger form of MFA (and never give away codes), and limit what you share online. Scammers may use what you've posted—like your date of birth, pet's name, or information about family members—to get past your security questions, guess your password, or make an impersonation attempt sound more convincing. The IC3 also recommends monitoring your financial accounts for irregularities, such as unauthorized withdrawals or transfers, which may be a sign of an account takeover. Consider setting up transaction alerts with your financial institutions to be notified immediately of any suspicious activity. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/money/bank-fraud-scam?utm_medium=RSS Emily Long The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Is $100 Off Right Now 01KBH6BXR096A6532Q9FA52CM6 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:30:00 +0000 The Galaxy Tab S11 sits in the middle of Samsung’s lineup, just below the Ultra, but nothing about it feels mid-tier. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is currently down to $759.99 on Amazon, down from $859.99. Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 256GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet With S Pen (Gray) $759.99 at Amazon $859.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $759.99 at Amazon $859.99 Save $100.00 For those in the market for a premium Android tablet that leans into both productivity and entertainment, this might be one to consider. It has the same polished design and high-quality build Samsung brings to its flagship phones, with a sturdy Armor Aluminum frame, water and dust resistance (IP68), and a bright 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that’s crisp, color-rich, and plenty bright even outdoors. It also comes with the redesigned S Pen included at no extra charge, unlike the Apple Pencil.In terms of performance, the Tab S11 holds its own. It’s powered by MediaTek’s 9400+ chip with 12GB RAM and Android 16, which keeps things snappy across multitasking and Samsung’s DeX mode (basically a desktop experience on a tablet). You get 256GB of onboard storage, expandable up to 2TB with a microSD card, which is handy for offline media or large files. Battery life clocked in around 9.5 hours in PCMag’s rundown test, which means real-world use lands somewhere in the all-day range unless you keep brightness maxed out. As for the audio, the stereo speakers are loud and clear enough for small rooms, but the bass is underwhelming—if audio quality matters to you, a solid pair of wireless headphones or earbuds might be a better bet.Camera-wise, the 13MP rear camera and 12MP front cam handle video calls and quick snapshots fine, but don’t expect smartphone-level sharpness or dynamic range. The real edge lies in the software: Samsung’s One UI 8.0 and Galaxy AI tools like Notes Assist, Transcript Assist, and Circle to Search help streamline everyday use. Add seven years of promised updates, and you’ve got long-term support locked in. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/samsung-galaxy-tab-s11-sale-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma The Best Tech Deals Under $25 Still Live After Cyber Monday 01KAVMV0402YKWAD5FVF04N6D3 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:30:00 +0000 Save up to 50% on Echo speakers, Apple AirTags, Roku sticks, and more. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Although Cyber Monday is over, Cyber Week is still going on, and there are many deals still live from Monday sales. While it's nice to save money on a big-ticket item, if you're looking to score a bargain on a budget, I've used all my resources to find the best still active Cyber Week tech deals under $25. Apple EarPods Wired Headphones With Lightning Connector $15.96 at Amazon $19.00 Save $3.04 Get Deal Get Deal $15.96 at Amazon $19.00 Save $3.04 Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds, 10mm Drivers with Big Bass, Bluetooth 5.3, 30H Long Playtime, Water-Resistant, 2 Mics for AI Clear Calls, 22 Preset EQs, Customization (White) $39.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Amazon Apple AirTag $24.00 at Amazon $29.00 Save $5.00 Get Deal Get Deal $24.00 at Amazon $29.00 Save $5.00 Amazon Echo Pop Alexa Smart Speaker (2023) $21.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $18.00 Get Deal Get Deal $21.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $18.00 INIU 10000mAh 45W Power Bank with USB-C Cable $11.21 at Amazon $29.99 Save $18.78 Get Deal Get Deal $11.21 at Amazon $29.99 Save $18.78 Bluetooth Speaker with HD Sound, Portable Wireless, IPX5 Waterproof, Up to 24H Playtime, TWS Pairing, BT5.3, for Home/Party/Outdoor/Beach, Electronic Gadgets, Birthday Gift (Black) $18.98 at Amazon $26.99 Save $8.01 Get Deal Get Deal $18.98 at Amazon $26.99 Save $8.01 SEE 3 MORE Apple and Anker wired earbuds are nicely discountedWired earbuds are very early 2000s, but on the other hand, they never run out of batteries. If you're still rocking an iPhone 14 Plus or below (or an iPhone SE 3rd generation), you'll be able to pick up some official Apple EarPods Headphones with a Lightning connector for $15.96 (originally $19), or one with USB-C connector for a few cents more.If you prefer wireless earbuds but don't want to pay too much for something you might end up losing, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are a solid pair with some impressive features for their $19.99 price (marked down from $39.99). You get Bluetooth 5.3, 30 hours of battery, water resistance, and a full EQ with its companion app.AirTags are $75 for a four-packYou don't need to be a spy to use tracking devices. As an Apple user, you can use AirTags and Find My to track anything that you can attach one of these little devices to. Right now, Amazon has single AirTags for $24.99 (originally $29) or a four-pack for $74.98 (originally $99), bringing the cost down to $16.25 each.This Iniu portable phone charger is $22I recently lost my Iniu Portable Charger while traveling in Europe. Fortunately, it was at the end of my trip, and it had served its purpose well, saving my phone's battery (and therefore my life) multiple times. You can get one now for $21.99 (originally $29.99) after the 40% discount at checkout.A BolaButty portable outdoor speaker for less than $20If you're looking for a cheap portable outdoor speaker that can get wet, consider the BolaButty Portable Speaker, currently going for $18.98 (originally $26.99). It's waterproof with an IPX5 rating and will last 20 hours before running out of juice.This TP-Link TL-SG105 ethernet switch is 48% offI have many PoE security cameras, smart hubs, and other devices that need an Ethernet connection. I've been using the TP-Link TL-SG105 switch for over a year, and it has worked great for me. You can get it for $12.99 (originally $24.99).A Kasa Smart Plug Mini for $24I've been using the Kasa Smart Plug Mini to automatically turn on and off my backyard string lights on a schedule. You can get it for $23.99 (originally $29.99).The Roku Streaming Stick HD is $20The Roku Streaming Stick HD is the most basic Roku Stick you can buy, and it's 50% off right now, making it a great time to upgrade your TV's OS to my favorite one. You can get it for $19.99 (originally $29.99).How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is not to buy anything.  Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/the-best-last-minute-tech-deals-under-25-black-friday-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza Cyber Monday Tech Deals Live Updates 2025: The Best Discounts on Phones, Laptops, and More 01KAKJ75EP5EYMFG4RF0FND6TZ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Find MacBooks, Galaxy phones, Garmin watches, Sony headphones, and more at their lowest Cyber Monday prices. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday sales have passed on to Cyber Monday—and beyond. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart still have last-minute deals with some impressive discounts. We've used price trackers to determine the best tech deals around so far. Visit this page for regularly updated sales information.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/cyber-monday-tech-deals-12-2-2025-live-blog?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza Here's When You Can Buy Samsung's New 'TriFold' Smartphone 01KBG4BS2N3EY41B7XK370C1HJ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:42:30 +0000 How many screens do we need? There was once a time when foldable smartphones seemed like some futuristic idea. The concept of unfolding a smartphone to reveal a tablet-sized display was simply too cool to be possible. Of course, not only are foldables a reality today, there are a number of models out there to choose from. Samsung released its first Galaxy Z Fold back in 2019, and while the foldable market isn't nearly as hot as traditional smartphones, they are very much an option for anyone who isn't afraid of the inflated MSRP. On Monday, Samsung unveiled its latest foldable smartphone: the Galaxy Z TriFold. Unlike the Z Fold, however, this new device doesn't have two displays: It has three. The appropriately named TriFold unfolds twice to reveal "one" large 10-inch display. That's an additional two inches when compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7's unfolded display size. Credit: Samsung Samsung claims when the TriFold is fully open, it performs on par to three 6.5-inch smartphones lined up in a row. The company has some examples of how you can take advantage of that screen real estate: You could have three windows open at once, all the same uniform design; two windows, one smaller and one larger; or one huge window with multiple on-screen elements of its own. You can also watch videos on platforms like YouTube while reading comments at the same time. Plus, the TriFold acts as its own Samsung DeX workstation. You can treat it like a small personal computer, saving up to four workspaces that can each run five apps at once. That means you can switch between as many as 20 apps all running at the same time, across four preset workspaces. You can also connect the TriFold to an external monitor, plus pair the foldable with a mouse and keyboard for a more traditional computing experience. TriFold Samsung says the TriFold uses a "refined" version of its Armor FlexHinge to support the new triad displays. It uses two hinges of different sizes to stabilize folding and to reduce the gap between them, and adds a thin piece of metal to protect the folding mechanism. The design prevents the displays from actually touching each other when closed, which should reduce the chance of cracks or damage.Galaxy Z TriFold specsWhile we haven't seen much of the phone in action yet, we do have the device's on-paper specs. Here's what you can expect:Main screen: 2160 x 1584 10-inch AMOLED, 120 Hz refresh rate, 1600 nits of peak brightnessCover screen: 2520 x 1080 6.5-inch AMOLED, 120 Hz refresh rate, 2600 nits of peak brightnessDimensions: 159.2 x 75.0 x 12.9 mm (folded); 159.2 x 214.1 x 3.9 mm (unfolded) Weight: 309gProcessor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for GalaxyRear cameras: 12MP, Dual Pixel AF, F2.2 (Ultra-wide); 200MP Quad Pixel AF, optical image stabilization (OIS), F1.7, 2x optical zoom (Wide); 10MP, OIS, F2.4, 3x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom (Tele)Front cameras: 10MP selfie camera, F2.2 (cover screen); 10MP main camera, F2.2 (main screen)Memory and storage: 16GB RAM, with either 512GB or 1TB of internal storageBattery: 5,600 mAhCharging: Super-Fast Charging 2.0 (45W); Wired charging up to 50% in 30 minutes (45W); Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W)Water resistance: IP48Network and connectivity: 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 When is the Galaxy Z TriFold available?Again, this isn't a concept or prototype: The TriFold is just about ready for launch. Customers in South Korea are the first to get a chance to try the TriFold, as Samsung is planning on a Dec. 12 release.This is the only firm release date that Samsung currently has for the TriFold, but that doesn't mean the rest of the world is in the dark. Samsung says users in China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the UAE will have access shortly after that Dec. 12 release, while those of us in the U.S. will have our shot in the first quarter of 2026.Release dates can change, but if Samsung sticks to this plan, we should be able to check out the TriFold here by the end of March. We don't know the U.S. price at this time, but we do know the Korean price: KRW 3,590,400. That converts to just shy of $2,450. For reference, the Z Fold 7 lists for $1,999.99. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/heres-when-you-can-buy-samsungs-new-trifold-smartphone?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson What People Are Getting Wrong This Week: When Was Jesus Actually Born? 01KBG8E4ZHG6ND650JE7N9RCQV Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:00:58 +0000 Cab Calloway was definitely born on Dec. 25, but we're not sure about Jesus. It's Christmas time, and people believe a lot of inaccurate things about the holiday, so for the next few weeks, I'm going to take a look at the truth behind Christmas mythology, starting with the biggest misconception of them all: Not "how can the North Pole support an industrial infrastructure large enough to build toys for all the world's children," but whether Jesus was really born on Dec. 25. Was Jesus born on Dec. 25?Most Christians celebrate the Baby J's birthday on Dec. 25, but he probably wasn't born on that day. The Bible doesn't provide a specific date, neither does any historical document, and early Christians didn't even celebrate Christmas. So Jesus could have been born on Dec. 25, but he could have been born on March 7, or any other date. Here are some popular alternatives for Jesus' birthday:January 6 or 7—favored by Orthodox ChristiansNovember 18—according to Clement of AlexandriaMarch or April—based on Biblical passages describing shepherds watching their flocks.September or October—based on John the Baptist's father's membership in "The Order of Abijah." This theory is too complex to explain here, but it's fascinating, and I urge you to fall into the priestly division of Abijah rabbit hole like I did. If Jesus wasn't born on Dec. 25, why is it Christmas?No one knows for sure why we have mostly landed on Dec. 25 as Jesus' birthday, but there are theories. Here are two of the most common:Solar Theory: The first solid reference to Jesus being born on Dec. 25 was in the Calendar of Filocalus, a Roman almanac written in 354. The calendar denotes Dec. 25 as both Christ's birth date and the date of an older holiday, "The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun," suggesting both holidays were celebrated on the same day in Rome (or were at least listed that way by the 4th century). The theory is that Romans were like "we celebrate the day anyway" and early Christians were all "we got your unconquered sun right here" and accepted the 25th to celebrate, eventually outlasting the Romans and leaving the pagan holiday a footnote that no one celebrates besides my friend Gary.Calculation Theory: Early Christians believed that prophets and martyrs died on the same day they were conceived—I assume a second-century skeptic carved a scathing tablet debunking this, but it's what many early Christians believed. Jesus' martyrdom/conception was said to have happened on March 25, so his birth would be on Dec. 25 (assuming he was punctual.) There are other theories—the date was chosen to coincide with Hannukah, Saturnalia, the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, or the Eagles/Bears game in 2006. The point is we don't actually know, but it's probably a "little from column A, a little from column B" situation. The Calculation Theory provided a theological justification for the date, and the Solar symbolism provided cultural relevance; both Jesus and Santa like when we work together, after all. What is the true meaning of Christmas?Ultimately, the murkiness around Jesus' exact birthday isn't important. Christmas doesn't exist because a Roman bureaucrat wrote it on a calendar or some pagans wanted to blow off steam. Whether you celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Christ or a mid-winter celebration of light, the holiday's meaning was been built collectively over centuries, and is molded and changed constantly to fit the needs and desires of the people who celebrate it. Whether that celebration is a somber religious expression or listening to Mariah Carey while drinking eggnog, it's all good. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/when-was-jesus-actually-born?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson I'm a Runner, and These Water-Resistant Running Shoes Are a Game Changer 01JFAHR3RCYSC0DSWTSSMEZMK7 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:30:00 +0000 Warm, dry feet even during winter weather runs? These are the perfect gift for the runner in your life. We may earn a commission from links on this page.If you know a runner, I have the perfect gift recommendation for you. If you are a runner, I know what you should tell your mom you want for Christmas. And even if there isn’t a gifting holiday in your immediate future, you should still know the Good News about water-resistant running shoes. They’re out there, they might be on sale right now, and they will change your life if you run in snowy conditions—or if you would if you had the right shoes. Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-TEX Women's Waterproof Trail Running Shoes (FN7102-010, Black/Light Magenta/Pink Foam/Chlorophyll) Size 9 $184.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $184.99 at Amazon As a lifelong on-and-off runner, I will say that running in the spring is a lot more fun if you don't have a long off-season every winter. So rather than from starting from scratch every year, it pays to keep putting in the miles through the cold and the rain and the snow. Maybe you don't run quite as often, and maybe you spend a little more time on the treadmill, but don't completely give up. I've written before about what to wear to run in the cold, focusing on things like jackets, gloves, and layering pieces. But I used to always forget about shoes. Whether it's snowy in your area or just rainy, keeping your feet warm and dry is a game-changer. Around this time last year, my birthday was coming up and I had no idea what to tell my mom I wanted. (She kept asking.) I was giving the matter some thought while I was jogging at the local track, in a drizzling near-freezing rain, and my toes were going squish with every step. I suddenly remembered that Gore-Tex shoes exist. I had owned a pair years ago and loved them, but never replaced them when they wore out. They felt like too much of a luxury somehow. Most runners get through wet weather in regular shoes and wool socks, so why not make do?I’ll tell you why not: Wool socks can keep your feet warm, but they don’t keep them dry. If you’ve traveled to a park to get your run in, you’re driving home with soaking wet feet. You’ll come home, wring out your socks, and have to air out your shoes and hope they’re mostly dry by the time you go for your next run. Putting on wet shoes is about as much fun as putting on a wet bathing suit. Returning home from a drizzly run with dry feet is, by contrast, one of this cruel world’s great creature comforts. What weather are water-resistant shoes good for?Water-resistant shoes are great in drizzling rain, or in snowy conditions. In regular shoes, your body heat tends to melt any snow that contacts your shoes, making your feet wet even on a below-freezing day. Water-resistant shoes are great for when it’s snowing, when there’s a small amount of snow on the ground, or when it’s raining. This covers pretty much all of the weather I’m likely to consider running-friendly in a Pennsylvania winter.What don’t water-resistant shoes do?Water-resistant is not waterproof, though. In Gore-Tex and similar materials, you cannot step into an ankle-deep puddle and expect to stay dry. A heavy enough downpour will probably eventually work its way through or around the material. Note that water-resistant shoe material doesn’t stop snow or rain from getting into the top of the shoe. For trudging through deep snow, you probably want to attach a gaiter (or buy a shoe that comes with built-in gaiters). And if you run in a variety of wintry conditions, you may want more traction on the bottom of the shoe as well. You can buy shoes with spikes built in, or add your own.  What are the best water-resistant running shoes?I know you’re dying to see mine, so here they are: the Nike InfinityRN Gore-Tex. (Mine are white.) I've only put about 200 miles on them since last year, since I wear other shoes in dry weather. That means that they're still in good condition to last another year. Nike InfinityRN 4 Gore-Tex Women's Waterproof Running Shoes $168.90 at Amazon $189.00 Save $20.10 Shop Now Shop Now $168.90 at Amazon $189.00 Save $20.10 Based on reviews, forum posts, and other things I’ve heard runners say about their favorite weatherproof shoes, I’ve collected some other excellent models to consider. For each, I’m linking one model, but click around to see its other colors, sizes, and men’s/women’s versions.Nike Pegasus Trail 5 Gore-TexSaucony Peregrine Ice+3 Hoka Clifton 9 GTX TSPuma Deviate Nitro 3 WinterizedBrooks Ghost 16 GTX Brooks Men's Ghost 16 GTX Waterproof Neutral Running Shoe - Black/Mandarin Red/Green - 13 Medium $109.95 at Amazon $169.95 Save $60.00 Shop Now Shop Now $109.95 at Amazon $169.95 Save $60.00 Note that Gore-Tex is a name brand of breathable, water-resistant fabric, but other brands exist (for example, Saucony has their own, which they call Runshield). Gore-Tex is often abbreviated “GTX” in shoe model names, so consider looking for that when searching for shoes. And a bonus on many of these shoes is that they include high-traction outsoles to reduce the chances of slipping on wet surfaces. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/waterproof-running-shoes-are-game-changer?utm_medium=RSS Beth Skwarecki I Use This Airstyler More Than My Dyson Airwrap, and It's $150 Off During Cyber Week 01KBG4T63S27YMBEEGRMXMF13B Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:15:00 +0000 The Shark FlexStyle is just $200 right now. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I am a major proponent of airstylers, those powerful all-in-one tools that use air to dry, smooth, straighten, volumize, and even curl your hair, reducing the time and energy it takes to look presentable after a shower. In the past, I've hyped up the beloved Dyson Airwrap, but recently, I've actually been using the Shark FlexStyle instead. Forget the Dyson hype—this thing is fantastic, and right now, it's also a lot cheaper. The Shark FlexStyle is still on sale for Cyber Week, knocked down to $200 from the usual $350. If you're looking for a tool that can do it all but you don't have an unlimited budget, this might be the one for you, and it won't even feel like a compromise. The Shark FlexStyle is a steal right nowRight now, you can get the FlexStyle, which is essentially a large wand that shoots air out of five different attachments, for $199.99 instead of $349.99, its lowest price ever according to price trackers. For comparison, the base model of Dyson's Airwrap is also on sale—for $500. In short, this is the best deal you're going to get on an airstyler, and this one is also perfectly comparable to pricier models and brands. Shark HD430 FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System (Straight & Wavy Hair) $199.00 at Amazon $349.99 Save $150.99 Get Deal Get Deal $199.00 at Amazon $349.99 Save $150.99 Here's what you get with the FlexStyle: Two 1.25" curling barrels (one clockwise and the other counterclockwise); an oval brush attachment; a paddle brush attachment; and, a hair dryer attachment. It also has four heat and three airflow settings, plus a unique feature that allows you to rotate the top half, so the device forms a right angle (like a traditional blow dryer) or remains straight (like a standard curling iron). Why I love the FlexStyle (even compared to my Dyson)A few weeks ago, my Airwrap went on the fritz. I haven't had a chance to bring it in to be serviced yet, but it's four years old and was already a refurbished model when I got it, so its time may have come. The thing about this machine is that its time seems to come frequently: At Thanksgiving, I was bemoaning my Airwrap's fate and two other women at the table piped up to say they're dealing with the same thing—theirs too just aren't functioning properly anymore. Given the top-of-the-line version is $750, replacing mine wasn't in the cards.Instead, I decided to give the FlexStyle a shot, and it has been at work in my apartment for the past week. Surprisingly, I found it works exactly like my Airwrap, save for a few key differences. First, it's more powerful than my four-year-old Dyson, though to be fair I can't exactly compare it to a brand-new model. Second, the rotating head make the process of drying my hair a lot faster—the first night, I did standard ringlet curls with the 1.25" barrels but did not set them, hoping to see how they held up all on their own. They maintained their original shape for about a day, which is more mileage than I was getting out of my Airwrap and better than I expected for curls I did not set. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Since then, I've tested the different attachments. I used the round brush for a traditional blowout that stayed frizz-free for over a day (granted, with help from products like Color Wow and K18), and I curled the ends of my hair under with the barrels and then set them for hold and volume. This is where I was truly impressed: The swiveling top made that style significantly easier to achieve than I'm used to with the Dyson. I am happily on day two of that style, with no issues to report. A cheaper but worthy Dyson alternativeIn my opinion, you do not need to pay $750 for an airstyler. You do not even need to pay $500. And with the current deal on the FlexStyle, you do not even need to pay $350. This thing works well, produces styles that can last (though you still have to use products and set the curls, since it's not running on magic and wishes), and is lightweight and simple to use. Consider it highly recommended. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Week?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Week shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through and beyond Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Week deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Week still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Week deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/shark-flexstyle-airstyler-cyber-week-2025?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson You Can Still Get These Cyber Week Deals on Home Gym Equipment Brands Like BowFlex and PowerBlock 01KB0SP4E1Y476N9739T7F03ME Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:10:00 +0000 If you don't have adjustable dumbbells yet, what are you waiting for? We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Cyber Monday is over but some sales are still hanging on, and if you've been dreaming of building or upgrading your home gym, now is the perfect time to invest in quality strength training equipment. "Quality" being the key word here, since plenty of gadgets on sale are more trendy than they are useful. Whether you're a seasoned lifter or just starting your fitness journey, here are some of the best Cyber Week deals on strength training equipment to help you make the most of your budget.These adjustable dumbbells are $110 offI've tested plenty of pairs of adjustable dumbbells, and no matter which brand you ultimately choose, I highly recommend investing in a set. The math alone makes it a no-brainer: Buying individual pairs of dumbbells from five to 80 pounds in five-pound increments would cost well over $1,500 and eat up valuable floor space. Adjustable dumbbells deliver the same versatility for a fraction of that price.Right now, the PowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbells are on sale for $399 on Amazon, down from their usual $449 price tag. That's a solid $50 savings on these PowerBlocks, which regularly feature at the top of pretty much every "best home dumbbells" list. POWERBLOCK Elite EXP Adjustable Dumbbell (2020 Model) $399.00 at Amazon $449.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $399.00 at Amazon $449.00 Save $50.00 These kettlebells are discounted, tooIf you don't yet own a kettlebell, definitely check out this guide from Lifehacker's own Beth Skwarecki. Even if you do own one, you probably need another: a heavy kettlebell for swings, and a light one for presses and snatches. Here is a solid kettlebell deal that's still live:Fitvids Wide Grip 3-Piece or 4-Piece Kettlebells: $44.99 (normally $59.99)Other gear to considerHoliday sales are also a great time to stock up on lifting accessories like belts, straps, wraps, and resistance bands. For more deals on home gym equipment like Pelotons, rowing machines, and treadmills, check out our favorite deals here.Remember that while discounts are important, the best equipment for you is what you'll actually use consistently. Focus less on temporary sales, and more on finding versatile, durable pieces that work with your available space.How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/home-gym-strength-training-equipment-black-friday-cyber-monday-deals-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz Here's What's New in Android 16's Second Major Update 01KBG4NKBF4W4PX6NXZ6F2B10G Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000 The update is coming to Pixel phones first, as usual. Android 16 officially started rolling out back in June, with most of the Material 3 Expressive visual overhaul added in a major update in September. Now, the second big Android 16 update is here, ushering in a host of new features across notifications, customization, accessibility, and device restrictions.As is the norm, this update will arrive on Pixel devices first. For other Android devices, including those made by Samsung, it's up to each phone and tablet manufacturer to adjust the software update as needed and push it out to their users. Despite the limited rollout, Google says this marks a "new chapter" for Android releases, which, going forward, will be "more frequent" rather than once a year. In other words, we might be seeing Android 17 much sooner than expected. But we won't see it today. We're still in the Android 16 era, which is about to get the following new features and changes:More interface customization You now have more control over home screen icons. Credit: Google Customization has always been one of the strengths of Android, and this Android 16 update brings with it a bunch of features to help you change the interface in a more flexible and consistent way. Home screen icons can now have custom shapes, while themed icons are auto-applied across apps.Both of those changes should mean that when you play around with the visual look of Android, there isn't a jarring icon or two that stands out from the rest—everything should look more uniform. "Your phone should reflect your own unique aesthetic," Google says, and these tweaks should help.There's also an improvement to dark mode: Dark mode will now be applied across all apps, even those that haven't been coded to include a dark mode by their developer. Again, the end result should be a more consistent visual look, plus extra savings on battery life if more of the screen is dimmed more often.Improved parental controls More parental controls can now be managed on-device. Credit: Google If you have kids who use an Android device, you'll know the current parental controls are a little bit clunky, and mostly managed remotely. Going forward, more of these controls will be available on the actual devices your youngsters are using, which should mean they're easier to access and manage.The new on-board settings will be protected by a PIN, so your kids can't change them, and will cover screen time, downtime schedules, and app usage. You'll also be able to add more time for app and device usage from the phone or tablet that's being used, which is more convenient if you're actually with a child.Additionally, Google is making it easier to set up a Google Family Link from Android 16 phones and tablets, which is where the family connections and device rules are set to begin with. Other key parental controls, including protections over purchases and location tracking, are still managed remotely.AI in your notifications AI will group and summarize your notifications. Credit: Google Technically launched in last month's Pixel Drop, Android 16 now summarizes your notifications for you through the power of AI—something that tech companies are continuing to push, in an effort to save us all time and avoid notification fatigue, even if the results have been mixed so far. Why Google is announcing it alongside these other new features isn't clear, but it's a good reminder for any Pixel users who might be interested in trying it out. AI summaries are something Apple introduced for the iPhone, then partially pulled for certain apps, then brought back. According to Google, these AI summaries will give you "quick understanding and context at a glance"—so let's hope they understand what's important in your group chats and what isn't.On top of that, we're getting AI-powered notification organization too, with "lower-priority notifications" (which Google says include promotions and social alerts) silenced and grouped together so they're not so much of a distraction. As yet, it's not clear exactly how much control you'll get over how all this works.And even more updates You'll be able to mark your calls as urgent in the future. Credit: Google There are plenty of other minor updates rolling out to a broader selection of Android devices too, not just those running Android 16. They include more expressive closed captions; ease-of-use improvements to accessibility features, such as TalkBack (voice dictation) and Auto Click (using a mouse with Android); and pinned tabs in Chrome for Android.Emoji Kitchen is getting more features and more ways to combine emojis, Circle to Search is adding a scam detection feature (just point it towards a suspected scam message), and group chats in Google Messages will now come with options for reporting issues—chats can be easily left, blocked, and reported.We'll also soon be getting a beta version of a feature Google has named Call Reason, in the Phone app. This lets you mark your outgoing calls to saved contacts as urgent, which they'll see when you ring them (and might encourage them to pick up. For more details on this and everything else rolling out to Android from today, see the official blog post.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/whats-new-with-android-16-major-update?utm_medium=RSS David Nield Google's December Security Update Fixes Two Zero-Day Exploits (and 105 Others) 01KBFXJ9XJ5SF2EE3X0HJ7KDAM Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000 The latest patch addresses two zero-day exploits. In its Android Security Bulletin for December, Google is pushing an especially large number of updates to address vulnerabilities across different components—and two of the flaws may have been exploited in the wild. The December patch covers 107 bugs across Android Kernel, System, and Framework as well as Qualcomm, MediaTek, Arm, Unisoc, and Imagination Technologies components. The high-severity vulnerabilities include denial of service, elevation of privilege, and information disclosure flaws. There are also a handful of bugs labeled as "critical." Two active exploitsTwo of the vulnerabilities addressed in the December update are zero-days, which are flaws that have been actively exploited or publicly disclosed before the developer makes a patch available. Google notes that both may be under "limited, targeted exploitation." CVE-2025-48633 is an information disclosure vulnerability, while CVE-2025-48572 is an elevation of privilege flaw. Both affect the Android Framework in versions 13 through 16. Google hasn't disclosed any additional information about the flaws and how they may have been exploited (or by whom). However, as Bleeping Computer reports, similar bugs have been targeted in the past by commercial spyware operations and nation-state campaigns. Ensure your Android device is up to dateYou should always implement security patches as soon as they're available, so if you see a notification to update, go ahead and follow the prompts to download and install it. You can also check for updates via a path like Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates > Security update. Note that this may be slightly different depending on your device, and you can always search "update" to locate it. This month's patches apply to Android Open Source Project (AOSP) versions 13, 14, 15, and 16 and are dated 2025-12-01 and 2025-12-05—the latter fixes all known issues. Pixel users (and the core AOSP code) receive patches from Google, and those on other Android devices from Huawei, LGE, Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia should see updates from their respective manufacturers around the same time. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/googles-december-security-update-fixes-107-vulnerabilities?utm_medium=RSS Emily Long Four Easy Ways to Clean Up Your Mac's Menu Bar 01KBG0ZXFR5XVAS47Y78MNP0Z5 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:30:00 +0000 Tame the chaos at the top of your Mac's screen. When I switched to a Mac about a decade ago, I immediately fell in love with my MacBook's menu bar, and especially the various icons in its top-right corner. I've always enjoyed keeping useful menu bar apps there, such as clipboard managers, app launchers, or apps that update other apps. But unfortunately, if you've installed more than a few third-party apps on your MacBook, your menu bar might be pretty cluttered. It's nothing a quick clean-up can't fix, though, and now macOS ships with a few ways to help fix your messy menu bar.Remove apps from the menu bar Credit: Pranay Parab Just as you'd remove unwanted items from your desk, you should periodically declutter the menu bar by removing apps that don't need to be there. This doesn't uninstall those apps, but it does free up some space in your menu bar. I do this for menu bar icons I never end up clicking. macOS 26 Tahoe has an easy way to remove apps from the menu bar. Follow these steps to do it:Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen.Go to System Settings > Menu Bar.In the right pane, navigate to the section called Allow in the Menu Bar.You'll see a list of apps that have a menu bar icon. You can uncheck any app you want to remove.Some apps also offer a way to remove their icons from the menu bar. Try checking your apps' settings to see if they let you remove their menu bar icons.Note that removing a menu bar icon for an app can sometimes cause the app to become "headless," which means that it'll be running in the background but its icon won't show up in either the menu bar or the dock. This is fine for apps that you only need to configure once, but it can become a problem if you want to use the app regularly. In such cases, you can use a Spotlight search (Cmd + Space, or the magnifying glass icon in the menu bar) or alternatives such as Alfred or Raycast to search for the app's name and open it.Remove system controls from the menu bar Credit: Pranay Parab I'm sure you've noticed that the menu bar has more than just app icons. It's also home to the clock, wifi, volume controls, and more. You can easily add or remove these controls from the menu bar, as long as you're running macOS Tahoe. Here's how:Go to System Settings > Menu Bar.Head over to the Menu Bar Controls section.Uncheck any control you want to remove from the menu bar.You cannot entirely remove the clock from the menu bar, but you can click Clock Options… and switch to Analog to make its icon a lot smaller.Drag and drop icons to rearrange the menu bar Credit: Pranay Parab You also have the option of dragging and dropping your app icons around the menu bar, or using drag-and-drop to remove them from the menu bar. Just hold the Command key and drag any menu bar icon to a different position within the menu bar to rearrange it. To remove icons from the menu bar using drag-and-drop, hold Command and drag-and-drop them outside the menu bar.Use a menu bar manager app Credit: Pranay Parab To tame the chaos at the top of your Mac's screen, I strongly recommend using a menu bar manager app. These apps will automatically show or hide menu bar icons based on triggers (eg: the battery icon will only show up when your MacBook's charge is below 25%), or add a second row of icons that's visible only when you click the menu bar. You'll need to try a couple of menu bar managers to decide which one works best for you. I've been using Barbee for some time, and its my current favorite.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/four-easy-ways-to-clean-up-mac-menu-bar?utm_medium=RSS Pranay Parab 11 of the Best Tech Gifts for Teens Still on Sale After Cyber Monday 01KAYE44A8V69WDT1PM12YFZFG Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:50:00 +0000 Whether your kid is into photography, games, or anything else, there's a great gift on this list. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday bargain week, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Shopping for a teenager can be hard—their tastes are hyper-specific and change daily. But the gifts below take aim at the moving target of teen trends, focusing on gear that's useful, amusing, and/or even (gasp) educational. Plus, every item on the list is still on sale in the wake of Black Friday/Cyber Monday.From retro-cool instant cameras to room-transforming LEDs and clever toys, here are 11 of the best tech gifts for teens in 2025. Polaroid Now 3rd GenerationMaybe it's teenage rebellion against our screen-scrolling lifestyle or a quest for authenticity, but more and more kids are getting into old fashioned cameras. The Polaroid Now 3rd Gen is a classic analog device that lets you watch your photos develop in real time, doesn't have any megapixels, and ejects a keepable, framable, non-scrollable physical object. Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera With Film Bundle $129.99 at Amazon $159.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $129.99 at Amazon $159.99 Save $30.00 Beats Solo 4 EarphonesFor lots of kids, part of growing up is learning exactly how awesome music can be. If your giftee is making that transition, there's no better gift than decent audio gear, like these Beats Solo 4 bluetooth headphones. They sound great, with spatial audio and head tracking, and they come in five colors, so they look great too. There's a reason they have a 4.6 star rating on Amazon. Beats Solo 4 - Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones, Apple & Android Compatible, Up to 50 Hours of Battery Life - Black & Gold $149.95 at Amazon $199.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.95 at Amazon $199.95 Save $50.00 Flashforge 3D PrinterBeing able to print 3D objects at home still seems like science fiction to me, but not only is it possible, it's not even that expensive. The Flashforge 3D printer is only $239 for Cyber Week. If you have a teen with artistic, creative, or technical interests, this device is perfect. FLASHFORGE Adventurer 5M 3D Printer with Fully Auto Leveling $239.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $239.00 at Amazon JBL Clip 5There's a reason the JBL Clip 5 is such a massive hit with teenagers. This portable bluetooth speaker is available in nine different designs, it's waterproof and practically indestructible, and you can clip it onto anything. Plus, it sounds great. JBL Clip 5 - Ultra-Portable, Waterproof & Dustproof Bluetooth Speaker, Big Pro Sound with Punchy bass, Integrated Carabiner, Up to 12 Hours of Play, Made in Part with Recycled Materials (Purple) $59.95 at Amazon $79.95 Save $20.00 Get Deal Get Deal $59.95 at Amazon $79.95 Save $20.00 Boldever Mini Smart ProjectorThis mini projector connects to Netflix, YouTube, and other services to stream 4K video on any wall or ceiling, so it's a must-have for a teenager who is sick of watching things on their phone. It can connect via bluetooth or Wi-Fi and it costs less than $100 during Cyber week. Mini Projector, Support 4K 1080P Portable Projector with WiFi and Bluetooth, Boldever Smart Projector Netflix-Officially-Licensed, TOF Auto Focus & Keystone 5W Speaker Portable Proyector, White $99.99 at Amazon $166.99 Save $67.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.99 at Amazon $166.99 Save $67.00 Apple AirtagsHaving a kid that's into technology likely means a lot of expensive little gadgets—cameras, headphones, tablets, etc.—and they can all get lost. But not if you slap one of these Apple Airtags on 'em. This pack comes with four for $74.98, an investment that will pay for itself with the first misplaced tablet it finds. Apple AirTag Tracker (4-Pack) $74.98 at Walmart $99.00 Save $24.02 Get Deal Get Deal $74.98 at Walmart $99.00 Save $24.02 Charmast Portable ChargerIf your teenager is anything like mine, they have a million things to charge and no ability to keep track of the necessary cords, so if you give 'em one of these chargers/batteries, you'll be saving your own precious USB-Cs. This portable charger and batteries has 6 outputs and 3 inputs, so you can charge 6 devices at the same time. Portable Charger with Built in Cables, Portable Charger with Cords Wires Slim 10000mAh Travel Essentials Battery Pack 6 Outputs 3A High Speed Power Bank for iPhone Samsung Pixel LG Moto iPad $20.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal Get Deal $20.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $9.00 Galaxy Moon LampHelp them decorate their room with a galactically cool lunar lamp. Powered by cool-to-the-touch LED bulbs this lamp's 16 colors swirl, fade, and smooth in a soothing way, and the hues can be adjusted according to their mood. Mind-Glowing Galaxy Moon Lamp with Multi Colors, Touch/Remote, Wood Stand - Teen Girl Room Decor, Trendy Stuff - Christmas Gift for Any Year Old Teenage Girl - Cool Night Light for Kids (4.7 inch) $19.95 at Amazon $24.95 Save $5.00 Get Deal Get Deal $19.95 at Amazon $24.95 Save $5.00 Kaiess Selfie Ring LightSelf-obsession is a hallmark of teenager-hood, so give the gift of flattering selfies with this ring light set. It's basically everything you need for an ad hoc social media studio: a stand with a phone holder, ring light with adjustable brightness, and a trigger to turn on the recording. Kind of a steal at $25.64. Kaiess 10.2" Selfie Ring Light $25.64 at Amazon $26.99 Save $1.35 Get Deal Get Deal $25.64 at Amazon $26.99 Save $1.35 1000X Handheld MicroscopeTechnically, this device is aimed at younger kids, but I can't think of anyone, of any age, who wouldn't be into a 1000X magnification microscope that has its own 4K screen. It comes with prepared glass slides, but nothing is stopping you from magnifying whatever you'd like. 1000X Handheld Microscope for Kids 4K 2.0" Screen Rechargeable Mini Pocket Digital Microscopes w/Slides Kit Portable Edu Gift Age 4-6 8-12 Children Students $54.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $54.99 at Amazon Ikarao Karaoke MachineKaraoke machines have come along way. This Ikaro machine is a party in a compact box. It comes with two microphones, works with YouTube, (which basically gives you access to every karaoke recording ever), and even has a cool LED light show. Plus it doubles as a portable PA system. Ikarao Karaoke Machine for Adults Kids, with Lyrics Display Screen, WiFi Connect to YouTube & Karaoke App, 2 EQ Autotune Wireless Microphones Portable Karaokes PA System for Home Family Party Camping $159.99 at Amazon $219.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Get Deal $159.99 at Amazon $219.99 Save $60.00 What stores have the best sales for during Cyber Week?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for holiday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through December. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Week deals worth it?In short, yes. Cyber Week sales still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Week deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days and throughout the following week, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-tech-gifts-for-teens-cyber-week-2025?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson Almost Every Apple Watch Is Still On Sale After Cyber Monday 01KB0P18KE2W8QNZ33JV0YXN1T Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:35:00 +0000 As long as you're not looking for an Ultra 3, you're all set. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Apple Watches aren't the company's most expensive product, but that doesn't mean they're cheap. The Series 11 starts at $399, while the Ultra 3 runs for $799. Even the company's "affordable" watch, the SE 3, starts at $249. Many of these watches were on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year. But even if you didn't buy one during this period, don't worry: Luckily, most of Apple's new and last-gen smartwatches are still on sale. If you've been waiting for an opportunity to pick up a new Apple wearable, now is the time. Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS Smartwatch (Rose Gold Aluminum Case, Light Blush Sport Band) Apple Watch Series 11 $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Apple's current mainline Apple Watch is actually cheaper now than it was last week. It's currently $70 off from Amazon. This smartwatch comes in either a 42mm or 46mm models, and while it doesn't reinvent the wheel when compared to last year's Series 10, it does come with a few new features, including 5G for the cellular model, improved battery life (to 24 hours from 18 hours), and upgraded quick charging (8 hours of use after 15 minutes of charging). It also comes with some great perks carried over from past models, like display that can reach 2,000 nits of brightness, an ECG sensor, Blood Oxygen sensor, and a built-in speaker.Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS): $329.99 at Amazon (was $399)Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS): $359.99 at Amazon (was $429)Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS + Cellular): $429.99 at Amazon (was $499)Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, GPS + Cellular): $459.99 at Amazon (was $529)Apple Watch SE 3 Apple Watch SE 3 $239.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $239.99 at Amazon Apple's least-expensive smartwatch is even less expensive after Cyber Monday. All models of the SE 3 are currently $50 off, which means you can pick one up for as low as $199. In order to keep the costs down, Apple does make some cuts to this watch, so you'll miss out on features the other models provide. The display only gets half as bright as the Series 11, and a third as bright as the Ultras. You don't get hypertension alerts or an ECG reader. There's no blood oxygen monitor, nor do you get the Ultra Wideband chip used for precise finding if you misplace the watch. But for most people, those are small sacrifices. The SE 3 is more than enough smartwatch for the average user. It has the same S10 chip as the latest Series 11 and Ultra 3; it tracks your sleep, body temperature, and cycles; you can swim with it; there's a built-in speaker; and, if you buy the cellular model, it's 5G-compatible. That said, the cellular SE 3 is no longer on sale. If you want one, you'll need to pay full price. Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS): $199 at Amazon (was $249)Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm, GPS): $229 at Amazon (was $279)Apple Watch Ultra 2 Apple Watch Ultra 2 $761.49 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $761.49 at Amazon Apple's latest Apple Watch Ultra, the Ultra 3, sadly did not go on sale during this shopping season. Amazon does list it for $20 less than Apple's $799, but that's been the case for most of the past two months. But the previous model, the Ultra 2, is on sale, and still very capable in 2025. While it's obviously missing some of the features Apple included with the Ultra 3, you might feel the savings is worth the trade-off.That said, this is an expensive smartwatch, even on sale. The Ultra 2 is currently marked down to $599 at Best Buy, which is considerably pricier than some of Apple's other watches. However, this watch is 49mm, the largest you can buy from Apple, and has cellular connectivity built-in (though this model isn't compatible with 5G). It's a little more fair to compare this to the price of the cellular 46mm Series 11, versus, say, the standard 40mm SE 3.The Ultra 2 comes with the S9, Apple's last-gen Apple Watch chip. It does, however, have a display that can reach a whopping 3,000 nits of brightness, a built-in siren, double the water resistance of the other watches (100m vs. 50m), and 36 hours of battery-on time (72 hours when using Low Power Mode). Apple Watch Ultra 2: $599 at Best Buy (was $779)How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Does Apple do Cyber Monday?Yes, Apple participates in Cyber Monday, though you may want to compare their sales with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but so far, the best Cyber Monday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever.Does Amazon have Cyber Monday deals?Yes, Amazon has Cyber Monday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/almost-every-apple-watch-is-on-sale-cyber-week-2025?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson This Switch 2 With 'Mario Kart World' Bundle Deal Is Still Live After Cyber Monday 01KBDMTMRQVMXM0979ENYZ5N38 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:30:00 +0000 Walmart is still selling the new system and its biggest game for $50 off. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Arguably the best Cyber Monday deal I didn't see coming is still live: The new Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle is still discounted today, which is surprising—there's no real incentive to knock money off a brand-new system, and it wasn't discounted at all during Black Friday. But yes, at the moment, you can still get the game and system for $449 (down from $499) at Walmart (Amazon's stock is completely out)—the lowest price it has reached yet, according to price tracking tools. (Note that you can only see the price once you've signed in and it's in your cart, as Nintendo restricts retailers from promoting anything below the "minimum advertised price" of $499.) With Christmas on the way, this deal is likely to sell out fast, so I'd advise ordering it sooner rather than later if you're considering it. Walmart Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Console Bundle $449.00 at Walmart $1,049.66 Save $600.66 Get Deal Get Deal $449.00 at Walmart $1,049.66 Save $600.66 SEE -2 MORE To put into perspective how good this deal is, the OLED edition of the original Nintendo Switch is $400 right now, meaning you can get the new system and a great game for only $50 more—and the Switch 2 is an upgrade in every way, according to Lifehacker's review. You can play your old Switch games on the Switch 2, since it's backwards compatible. The ergonomics and design have improved, making it much better to hold and look at. The battery life has also improved, now with about 180 minutes of handheld playtime before the juice runs out. The biggest thing to consider when deciding whether you should buy a Switch 2 right now is that the library is currently on the smaller side, with few absolute must-play titles yet released (and the ones that are out may cost more, going up to $80). But being able to play your older games does make the transition easier, especially considering some games, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, will look better on the Switch 2. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/nintendo-switch-2-plus-mario-kart-world-bundle-cyber-week-2025?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza This Home Gym Equipment and Fitness Gear Is Still on Sale After Cyber Monday 01KAY2ZSDM9GVAMSW3CG7A7FHW Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:25:00 +0000 My massage gun is the best gift I've ever received. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Finding the perfect gift for someone who lives and breathes fitness can be tricky. As a runner, I can't tell you how many times I've been gifted a handheld water bottle. It's a nice thought, but there's only so much space on my shelf. Likewise, I'm sure the lifters out there have more than enough lifting gloves by now. The thing is, with a little research, you could find a present that genuinely enhances someone's workouts and recovery. Here's a thoughtful guide to help you choose something they'll actually use.For the home gym builderAdjustable dumbbells are a game-changer for anyone with limited space. These designs let you switch between weights quickly, replacing an entire rack of traditional dumbbells. While they can be an investment, they're one that serious fitness enthusiasts truly appreciate. There are plenty of highly rated options as part of Amazon's Cyber Monday sales, like this set here for just $149.99 right now. Otherwise, a solid set of adjustable dumbbells could fall outside of most gift exchange budgets. After your gift, your loved one could upgrade to my favorite Nüobells for $795.Yoga mats with extra cushioning or non-slip surfaces benefit anyone who works out at home or focuses on recovery regularly. A good mat, like my go-to from Amazon Basics, can last for years and make a noticeable difference in comfort during floor work.A set of resistance bands offers incredible versatility without taking up much space. They're perfect for travel, warm-ups, or adding difficulty to bodyweight exercises. Look for sets with different resistance levels and door anchors. You could spring for a full suspension trainer system, like the TRX GO for $139.95. Otherwise, a set of resistance bands shouldn't cost more than $30 with Cyber Monday deals still active right now. Adjustable Dumbbell Set 55LB $149.99 at Amazon $199.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.99 at Amazon $199.99 Save $50.00 Recovery essentialsThe world of recovery gadgets is so much bigger than just massage guns. Foam rollers remain one of the most practical gifts for muscle recovery. Consider textured versions that provide deeper tissue work, or vibrating models that add an extra dimension to self-massage routines. I recommend this 5-in-1 foam roller set for $39.95.All that said, a good massage gun has become nearly essential for anyone training regularly. They help with muscle soreness, improve circulation, and can be used both pre and post-workout. From my testing, I've found many mid-range options now offer professional-level features at reasonable prices. For Cyber Monday, Theragun massagers are still on sale, including this Theragun Mini for $169.99, down from $219.99. This Theragun Pro is $349.99, down from $529.99. And the premium Theragun Pro Plus is $549.99, down from $649.99. Theragun Pro $349.99 at Amazon $529.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal Get Deal $349.99 at Amazon $529.99 Save $180.00 Wearable techFitness trackers are a must-have for even the most casual gym-goer. Even if someone already has one, newer models often provide significantly better insights that can genuinely improve training effectiveness. Lifehacker's senior health editor Beth Skwarecki has got you covered when it comes to all the best deals on fitness trackers and watches right now. While you might not know someone's preferences between an Apple Watch versus a Garmin versus a Pixel, I recommend introducing a Whoop band into your fitness enthusiast's life. Whoop is the iconic screenless wristband that tracks your workouts and recovery without looking like a watch. The Whoop Peak with a 5.0 device is an option that makes the most sense for most people, and is currently on sale for $199 (down from $239).Wireless earbuds designed for workouts make a huge difference. Look for sweat-resistant models with secure fit and good battery life. When it comes to eliminating the racket of the outside world, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra come out on top, and they're on sale for $179 (a full $120 off their list price).For running specifically, my absolute favorite headphones—the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2—are $179.95. Whoop Peak with a 5.0 device $239.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $239.00 at Amazon Practical additionsI joke about having enough water bottles, but if someone needs an upgrade, a high-quality water bottle still a great budget gift option. Insulated versions keep drinks cold through long training sessions, and many people like having multiple bottles for different purposes. This Owala is on sale for $32.99.Gym bags with specialized compartments for shoes, wet clothes, and electronics make getting to and from workouts more organized. Look for durable materials and thoughtful design features like ventilated shoe compartments. This Adidas duffel is on sale for $35.97. adidas Unisex Defender 4.0 Gym Duffel Bag for Men and Women $35.97 at Amazon $45.00 Save $9.03 Get Deal Get Deal $35.97 at Amazon $45.00 Save $9.03 The bottom line: Consider what type of training they do most, what might be wearing out in their current setup, and what could take their workouts to the next level.And as you're shopping around, don't forget to add a personal touch. Consider buying someone a sports massage, or maybe customize whatever gear you get. Their name, some motivational text, or their favorite fitness quote on quality athletic wear or accessories adds a personal element they won't find in stores.How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/best-fitness-gear-home-gym-equipment-cyber-week-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz The Best Last-Minute Cyber Monday Tech Deals That Are Still Available 01KAERFNB5PK8R86C5C7ATYPVB Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:09:19 +0000 I’m a tech editor, and these are the best Cyber Monday deals that are still going on. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Cyber Monday sales are here. From now through Monday, you will be inundated with deals from stores and companies alike. As Lifehacker's tech editor, I've combed through the various tech deals across stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart to find the offers actually worth considering. Many of the deals are on last-gen devices—I've included those that are still worth picking up in 2025, especially at these discounts. The best post-Cyber Monday deal on laptops M4 MacBook Air (13-inch) $849.00 at Walmart Get Deal Get Deal $849.00 at Walmart M4 MacBook Air (13-inch): $749 at Amazon (was $999): Without a doubt, my favorite Cyber Monday laptop deal is this price cut on the M4 MacBook Air. For $750, you get the latest M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It's a fantastic package for anyone who needs a laptop for everyday tasks—though these chips can be pushed further than you'd think. If you need extra RAM or storage, Amazon is selling the 512GB model for $949, and the 512GB/24GB of RAM model for $1,149.The best post-Cyber Monday deals on tabletsiPad Pro (11-inch): $899 at Best Buy (was $999): If you want the most powerful and feature-filled iPad Apple makes, the 11-inch Pro is currently $100 off. This model comes with Apple's M4 chip, 256GB of storage, and an OLED display. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE: $324 at Amazon (was $499.99): Samsung's S10 FE tablet is $130 off right now. It comes with a 10.9-inch 90Hz display, 128GB of storage, and Samsung's S Pen. If you looking for alternatives, Samsung actually has a number of other tablets on sale at Amazon as part of its Black Friday promotion. The best post-Cyber Monday deals on phonesSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,019.99 at Amazon (was $1,419.99): Samsung's most expensive flagship smartphone is 28% off, which takes more than $400 off the list price. The S25 Ultra comes with 512GB of storage, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with 12GB of RAM, and a 6.9-inch 1440p display. Pixel 10: $549 at Amazon (was $799): Google's latest flagship smartphone, which comes with a 6.3-inch display and 128GB of storage, has a great discount for Black Friday. While Amazon previously had the phone at the price earlier this month, it's still far lower than you could buy the Pixel for in September or October. Pixel 10 Pro: $749 at Amazon (was $999): You can also save 25% off Google's Pro flagship. This phone has a 6.3-inch "Super Actua" display and 128GB of storage, and while it too saw this same price cut earlier this month, this is a great deal. The best post-Cyber Monday deals on smartwatchesApple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $129 at Walmart (was $249): While Apple currently sells the third-generation Apple Watch SE, the second-gen is still a great smartwatch. Walmart currently has it discounted by $120, whether you choose the 40mm GPS model or 44mm model. If you choose the latter, it'll cost you $159, down from $279. Pixel Watch 4: $349.99 at Amazon (was $449.99): Google's Pixel Watch 4 is pretty new, but even it is getting a discount for Cyber Monday. You can take $100 off both the 41mm model or the 44mm model—the latter of which costs $399.99, down from $499.99. Garmin vívoactive 5: $199 at Best Buy (was $299): Garmin is in a similar boat to the Apple Watches above, as the vívoactive 5 is now a last-gen product. Still, it comes with a 42mm display, a host of workout features (like sleep tracking, respiration rate, activity vs. inactivity), and 264 hours of runtime. Garmin Forerunner 265: $299.99 at Amazon (was $449.99): Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki was pleasantly surprised to see the Forerunner 265 on sale for Cyber Monday this year. Right now, you can take a whopping $150 off this watch, and if you want to step it up a bit, you can choose the Forerunner 965, which is $449.99 (down from $599.99).The best post-Cyber Monday deals on headphones and earbudsJBL Tune Buds: $39.95 at Amazon (was $99.95): Wireless earbuds can get expensive, so it's refreshing to have a discount like this on JBL's Tune Buds. The buds are normally just under $100, but for Cyber Monday, they're $60 off.Sony WH-1000XM5: $248 at Amazon (was $399.99): If I didn't already have a pair of AirPods Max, these would be the headphones I'd pick up. Sony's WH-1000XM series is one of the best, and while they aren't as expensive as Apple's over-the-ear headphones, they're still pretty pricey. Amazon currently has them discounted by 38%.How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-tech-deals-black-friday-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson YouTube Has a New Annual Recap 01KBFTH1GHZ9H6P0HEEM55KYJ8 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 YouTube is finally introducing its own take on Spotify Wrapped. Taking a cue from YouTube Music and YouTube Gaming, YouTube as a whole is now finally introducing a Spotify Wrapped-style annual recap. Simply called YouTube Recap, this feature will break down your watching habits across all categories in 2025.According to YouTube, YouTube Recap will show "a set of up to 12 different cards," with spotlights on "your top channels, interests, and even the evolution of your viewing habits." It'll draw its data from both long-form and short-form videos as well as downloaded videos, but it'll only track videos you watched while signed in to your account.The company is also dividing its viewers into "personality types" based on what they watch, such as "the Trailblazer" or "the Skill Builder." There's a whole breakdown of what these mean over on a support page, but as an example, if you're a "Sunshiner," that means "You're drawn to content that spreads positivity and good vibes." Google says that the most common personality types this year were "the Sunshiner," "the Wonder Seeker," and "the Connector," and that personalities like "the Philosopher" and "the Dreamer" were more rare. So I guess you can brag about that if you get one of those.If you listen to a lot of music on YouTube, meanwhile, YouTube Recap will also pull some data from YouTube Music, and can show you your top artists and songs of the year. For more detail, you'll need to visit the YouTube Music app and look at your YouTube Music recap proper.YouTube Recap should be available in North America starting today, although it might take some time until you see it—I can't seem to access mine yet. For global viewers, YouTube says it will "roll out to the rest of the world this week." You'll be able to view it in 17 languages, with a full list available here.I'll keep checking for mine throughout the day, but for now, here's how to find your YouTube Recap once it goes live.How to view your YouTube RecapAccording to YouTube's instructions, YouTube Recap is available on both desktop and in the mobile app, and will show up as a banner either on your homepage or in your "You" tab. On mobile, you can get to your "You" tab by tapping the button in the bottom-right corner with your profile picture on it, while on desktop, you'll need to click the "You" subheading in the pane on the left-hand side of your screen. Or, you can just navigate to youtube.com/recap and let your browser do the work for you (if on mobile, it'll direct you to the appropriate section of the app). Note that you'll need to be signed in for any of this to work. You might also need to update your YouTube app if you're still having trouble. Google says you need version 18.43 or newer to see your Recap.Once you've viewed your recap, you'll also be able to share it, by tapping or clicking the Share button in any of your recap cards. Or, you can save it by tapping the download button to the left of the Share button.YouTube's most popular topics and creators in 2025 Credit: YouTube Alongside YouTube Recap, YouTube has also released a more general look at trending topics, creators, and songs in 2025. The most popular topic in 2025 was apparently Squid Game, while MrBeast was the top creator (I have a feeling those might be connected). The Joe Rogan Experience is at the top of the podcast list, and interestingly, there are separate trending lists for shorts and full-length videos, with Forrest Frank's YOUR WAY'S BETTER topping Shorts and Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga's Die With a Smile taking the crown for full-length videos. KPop Demon Hunters is the only topic where you'll see overlap between the Shorts and full-length lists, with Soda Pop appearing on both.]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/youtube-introduces-recaps?utm_medium=RSS Michelle Ehrhardt 25 of the Best Hulu Original Series You Should Be Watching 1847459312 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000 Netflix and Max might enjoy the loudest buzz, but Hulu has some truly great shows. We may earn a commission from links on this page.There’s a good chance you’re already familiar with Hulu’s buzziest shows— Only Murders in the Building, The Bear, and The Handmaid’s Tale among them. Those are all good shows—great, even!—but there are others that are just as good, and some that are even better.Like Netflix and Max, Hulu has been developing its own original (and co-produced) shows since 2012, building a library that goes well beyond repackaged shows from the broadcast networks.Chad Powers (2025 – ) One minute, Russ Holliday (series star and co-creator Glen Powell) is the biggest name in collegiate football, with a future that couldn't be brighter. The next? He's fumbled a touchdown and later shoved a fan into a cancer patient using a wheelchair. Not great! Eight years later, he's looking for a comeback and so, shades of Mrs. Doubtfire, he reinvents himself via prosthetics and a wig as the title's Chad Powers, a charmingly naive athlete who signs on to the football team at a tiny Georgia college (and who looks a little like Owen Wilson for some reason). It's a goofy premise, but Powell's performance sells it, and the show becomes more engaging as Russ/Chad is forced to ask himself whether this new persona is a con, or the person he'd like to be. Stream Chad Powers. Chad Powers Learn More Learn More Alien: Earth (2025 – , renewed for a second season) Noah Hawley's new spin on the Alien universe (it's technically a prequel, but who can keep track?) is primed to explore some of the key themes of the series (greed, hubris, and the general shittiness of capitalism) without feeling entirely beholden to what came before. Sydney Chandler plays Wendy, a dying girl whose consciousness is transferred into a synthetic human body as part of an experiment conducted by the mega-corporation Prodigy. When a space vessel from a competing company crashes on Earth under mysterious circumstances, she and others like her are sent to help out and snoop around. This is an Alien story, so a ship is pretty much only ever going to crash if there's a xenomorph involved, but that's only one of the many nasty secrets the so-called "Lost Boys" uncover. Stream Alien: Earth. Alien: Earth Learn More Learn More All's Fair (2025 – , renewed for a second season) Ryan Murphy's new divorce-centric legal drama: worst show of the year? Of all time? The reviews of the show, and of lead Kim Kardashian's performance, have been absolutely savage, and a bit of an anti-All's Fair arms race seems to have developed among critics as to who can go the hardest: The Telegraph's Ed Power said it's "a crime against television," The Guardian's Lucy Mangan said of it: "I did not know it was still possible to make television this bad." AND YET! The show's debut was Hulu's best in three yers, and viewers have continued streaming—probably for the camp value. Good, bad, or gloriously bad, it's one of the year's most talked-about shows. Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor, Sarah Paulson, Judith Light, and Glenn Close join Kim in the shenanigans. Stream All's Fair. All's Fair Learn More Learn More Cat's Eye (2025  – ) Sisters Hitomi, Rui, and Ai run the title's Cat’s Eye Café, a cute little neighborhood coffee house. By night, though? They're world-class art thieves: Hitomi is an incredible athlete, Rui a master strategist, and Ai, the youngest sister, builds the gadgets. There are plenty of complications, of course, but the biggest involves Detective Toshio: he's hot on the heels of the art thieves, but also Hitomi's boyfriend. Whoops! This is a stylish and energetic update to the very popular '80s manga and anime series, but no Cat's Eye background is required. Stream Cat's Eye. Cat's Eye Learn More Learn More Reasonable Doubt (2022 – ) Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere, The Invitation) stars here as Jax Stewart, a former public defender now working at a high-powered LA firm. By turns she's a self-righteous do-gooder and deeply messy—she's not always the most likable character, and she often feels more strongly about her cases than about her actual clients. For all the show's juicy, soapy charms (it was created by Scandal writer Raamla Mohamed), that occasional indifference feels real. One of the show's major throughlines, particularly in the first season, involves Jax's separation from her husband and the reappearance in her life of a former client (Michael Ealy) who's just recently been released from prison, and with whom she still has heat. Stream Reasonable Doubt. Reasonable Doubt (2022 – ) Learn More Learn More Paradise (2025 – , renewed for a second season) Paradise reunites This is Us creator Dan Fogelman with one of that ensemble's stars, Sterling K. Brown, for something quite different. This high-concept science-fiction series looks more like a political thriller at the outset: We're in, apparently, an affluent suburban town in which everything looks fairly tidy—it's the home of Brown's Xavier Collins, a widower and Secret Service agent to a President who, we learn, was murdered (much of the show happens in flashback). Before the first episode is over, we learn that Collins is a suspect in the murder—and also that this quiet suburb is something far weirder. James Marsden plays the President, and he's received good reviews for the role alongside Brown. Fogelman and co. bring an emotional intensity and range to a concept that gets pretty wild. Stream Paradise. Paradise (2025 – ) Learn More Learn More The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (2025) In 2007, 19-year-old Amanda Knox arrived in Perugia, Italy, only to find herself arrested and accused of the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, weeks later. The prosecution did a remarkable job at smearing Knox's name in the Italian press, such that she was was eventually convicted of murder despite an almost total lack of evidence, and the fact that the actual killer had already been tried and convicted. Grace Van Patten is pretty great in the lead, and the series does a phenomenal job of dramatizing the various missteps and fabrications that lead to a conviction. A bit of fascinating behind-the-scenes with this one: while the family of Meredith Kercher did not participate, Knox herself executive produces alongside Monica Lewinsky, another person who knows what it is to be tried in the media. Stream The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox. The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox Learn More Learn More Deli Boys (2025 – , renewed for a second season) Pakistani-American journalist and producer Abdullah Saeed had been best known for his investigative reporting and Vice documentaries, many of them dealing with the impacts of cannabis laws. The experience lends a unique perspective to this comedy series that follows two brothers—hardworking Mir (Asif Ali) and hard partying Raj (Saagar Shaikh)—following the death of their wealthy father. In quick succession they learn that the bulk of their family's money comes not from the public-facing chain of delis, but from the illegal drug operation running behind the scenes. It's fast-paced and frequently very fun, feeling like nothing else on TV right now. Stream Deli Boys. Deli Boys Learn More Learn More Mid-Century Modern (2025) Hyped (if "hype" is the right word for what I'm about to describe) as an all-male Golden Girls update, Mid-Century Modern stars the great trio of Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham as three gay middle-aged friends who live together as a kind of found family. It comes from Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, creators of Will & Grace, and feels like a throwback in many ways—but we could do worse than to enjoy an old-fashioned sitcom with a talented cast (including the last performances by Linda Lavin, who seems to have been having a blast here). Stream Mid-Century Modern. Mid-Century Modern Learn More Learn More King of the Hill (2025 – ) There's something fundamentally disorienting about this particular revival: The comfort of cartoons is, typically, that the characters don't change. But King of the Hill picks up several years after the end of the original series (which ended in 2009) with Hank and Peggy returning from years working in oil in Saudi Arabia to find that their beloved Arlen has become, well—not unrecognizable, exactly, but much different than they'd prefer. Given the pace of change for all of us over the last few years, it's a relatable feeling, even if you've not gone anywhere. Hank and Peggy are as set in their ways as they ever were, but people who remember only that aspect of the characters are quickly reminded that the two have always been capable of acceptance and growth, confident in their beliefs without being jerks to those who live differently. The returning cast members are as good as ever and, most importantly, the show is as funny as it ever was. Stream King of the Hill. King of the Hill Learn More Learn More Futurama (1999 – , renewed for a 14th season) Picked up by Hulu in 2022, this is the third-ish time that Futurama has been revived, and, even if the show's very best days are behind it, there's still a fair bit of life in the current iteration. Many episodes exemplify the series' amiable goofiness, there are a few high-concept classics mixed in: “All the Way Down” sees Bender becoming attached to multiple overlapping simulated universes, "Otherwise" calls back to an emotional time loop, and "The Numberland Gap" sees the crew pulled into a world of pure mathematics. Stream Futurama. Futurama (1999 – ) Learn More Learn More Queenie (2024 – , renewal pending) Based on Candice Carty-Williams' popular novel of the same name, Queenie stars Dionne Brown as a 25-year-old British-Jamaican journalist navigating a rough breakup that sends her into a self-destructive spiral. She's a deliberately and refreshingly messy character, navigating quarter-life at an intersection of multiple overlapping identities while struggling to grow. Carty-Williams serves as the showrunner, while Brown offers up a phenomenal lead performance. Stream Queenie. Queenie (2024 –) Learn More Learn More Spellbound (2023 –, third season in production) A successor to Find Me in Paris (also on Hulu), set at that show's same Paris Opera Ballet School, Spellbound introduces a new cast and, where the earlier series dealt with time travel, Spellbound is, as the title suggests, more about magic. Here, 15-year-old American Cece Parker Jones travels to Paris to join the prestigious dance school, only to discover that she's an actual witch with a family history of magic. Now, she struggles to balance dance, magic, and her desire to be a normal teenager while dealing with the Mystics, natural enemies to Cece's type of witch. It's a solid teen drama. Stream Spellbound. Spellbound (2023 - ) Learn More Learn More The Bravest Knight (2019 – , two seasons) A Canadian import that you can presumably still watch sans tariff, this was Hulu's first original show for kids, and it's delightful. T. R. Knight voices Cedric, a former pumpkin farmer married to Prince Andrew (Wilson Cruz), as he recounts stories of his journey to becoming the greatest knight to his daughter, Nia. There's action, but the lessons are about how being a hero is less about fighting and more about helping others and trying to make friends rather than jumping to conclusions about people. Stream The Bravest Knight. The Bravest Knight Learn More Learn More Hit-Monkey (2021 – 2024) A breath of fresh air among Marvel's million+ hours of TV and movie content, the animated Hit-Monkey eschews pat morality in favor of—well, monkey violence, mostly. Named only Monkey (Fred Tatasciore), the lead is a particularly aggressive macaque forced from his tribe who is mentored by Bryce (Jason Sudeikis), an assassin who's been killed and returns as a helpful ghost. Ally Maki, Olivia Munn, George Takei, Leslie Jones, and Cristin Milioti are among the talented voice cast. Stream Hit-Monkey. Hit-Monkey (2021 – 2024) Learn More Learn More Shōgun (2024 – , renewed for second and third seasons) So successful was the first season of this miniseries, based on the 1975 James Clavell novel, that two further seasons were commissioned to continue the story. Set at the tail-end of Japan's Warring States period, the series sees ambitious English maritime pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) finding himself shipwrecked in Japan and in the power of powerful warlord Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada)—each with something to offer the other. Reluctantly serving as translator between the two is Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), highly loyal to Toranaga but with a complicated past. The main characters all have real-life analogues, so there's a verisimilitude to everything in this (mostly) Japanese-language drama alongside the Game of Thrones-esque intrigue and drama. Stream Shōgun. Shōgun (2024 – ) Learn More Learn More PEN15 (2019 – 2021, two seasons) It takes a minute to get used to the show’s conceit/gimmick: Thirty-something creators/comedians Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle play young teenagers among a cast of actual 13-ish-year-olds. It’s weird, but Erskine and Konkle are so good, and the show so committed to the bit, that after a while, you forget that it’s even a thing. What’s left is an effective and funny cringe comedy that accurately recreates the pain of seventh grade with a surprising amount of heart. Though cut short after only two seasons, the show’s still very much worth the trip, and ends on a relatively satisfying note. Stream PEN15. PEN15 (2019 – 2021) Learn More Learn More High Fidelity (2020, one season) It’s easy to compare it to the 2000 John Cusack movie, but keep in mind that this is actually the third major adaptation of Nick Hornby’s 1995 novel High Fidelity—so it’s perhaps less of a remake situation than a burgeoning, generational thing. Maybe idiosyncratic music nerds of the future will get their own version, where everyone, I don’t know, shares a Spotify login? Anyway, here, Zoë Kravitz takes on the gender-flipped lead role of Rob, a biracial, bisexual record-store owner with a checkered romantic history and a compulsive need to make ranked lists, both of music and her past relationships. It can occasionally be tough to buy into effortlessly cool Kravitz’s awkwardness as a character, but otherwise the show successfully updates the beats of the book, film, and musical. The surprise cancellation after one season was a small tragedy. Stream High Fidelity. High Fidelity Learn More Learn More The Orville (2017 – , three seasons) A pick-up from Fox, Seth MacFarlane's The Orville began life looking like a slightly scatological Star Trek parody—a show with a reverence for The Next Generation but also jizz jokes. It quickly grew into something more interesting, though, as McFarlane's obvious affection for Trek sent the show off in a more serious direction—certainly by the Hulu-produced third season, it's become one of the most ambitious sci-fi shows on the air. A fourth season is allegedly on the way, though I'll believe it when I see it. Stream The Orville. The Orville Learn More Learn More Shrill (2019 – 2021, three seasons) Based on Lindy West’s memoir Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, this comedy-drama stars SNL’s Aidy Bryant as Annie, the unapologetically fat heroine. Annie (and the show) make no bones about using the f-word, insisting there’s no stigma in being fat. Annie’s not interested in changing her body, though the first couple of episodes make clear that there’s plenty of other stuff the journalist is working on. Annie is an impressively funny and fully realized character, and there’s a lot of joy to be had in watching her overcome people’s perceptions of her over the course of the series. Stream Shrill. Shrill (2019 – 2021) Learn More Learn More Castle Rock (2018 – 2019, two seasons) It’s hard to imagine a J.J. Abrams production based on various Stephen King’s books could possibly have escaped anyone’s attention, but the fact that this show was canceled after only two (excellent) seasons suggests it was a victim of Peak TV more than anything else. The promotion leaned too hard, I think, on King Easter eggs without ever making it clear that there were actual stories here, told with real dramatic heft—the first season’s “The Queen,” told from the unstable perspective of a character with worsening dementia, was one of the best things on television that year. The cast across the two seasons (each with a separate storyline) is stellar: André Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Sissy Spacek, Lizzy Caplan, to name but a few. There’s plenty of stuff for King fans to sink their teeth into, but it all works just fine on its own. Stream Castle Rock. Castle Rock Learn More Learn More Into the Dark (2018 – 2021, two seasons) This is sometimes marketed more like a collection of short-ish movies, but it’s technically an anthology series, so that’s what I'm going to call it—and there are small narrative threads that run through many of the episodes, for the benefit of attentive horror fans. There’s never been, and likely never will be, a horror anthology that isn’t a bit of a mixed bag, but that’s somehow a virtue here, in that different episodes represent different genres. Some are psychological thrillers, some are splatter, some social satire, and a couple of them star a giant furry named Pooka. They’re all entertaining and professionally produced, and the standout episodes are really great. Highlights include A Nasty Piece of Work (with the late Julian Sands hosting a nasty holiday work holiday party), immigration-themed Culture Shock, the aforementioned Pooka!, and the queer slasher Midnight Kiss. Stream Into the Dark. Into the Dark Learn More Learn More Welcome to Chippendales (2022 – 2023, miniseries) The true story of Indian immigrant Steve Banerjee (played here by Kumail Nanjiani) is wildly dramatic and juicy, but not always in the ways you might expect. Chronicling Banerjee’s rise to fortune as the founder of the soon-to-be-iconic male strip joint, the origins of Chippendales is a story in itself, but its creator’s fall is even more wild, propelling the miniseries into true crime territory: Less than a decade after the founding of his empire, Banerjee threw it away when he decided that the only way to grow the business involved murder. Murray Bartlett, Annaleigh Ashford, Juliette Lewis, and Dan Stevens also appear. Stream Welcome to Chippendales. Welcome to Chippendales Learn More Learn More Harlots (2017 – 2019, three seasons) Harlots takes the historical costume drama in unique directions, and deserved more attention than it got during its three-season run. Its women aren’t dressed in fancy dresses because they’re royalty, but because they’re high-end sex workers (if the title didn’t make clear) in Georgian England. When Margaret Wells moves her brothel to more upscale Soho, she comes into direct competition with her own former madam, who runs a high-end establishment in the same neighborhood. It’s got more sex and moves at a faster pace than more traditional period pieces, and the chess game between rival houses (as they both fight the male-dominated law enforcement establishment) makes for some juicy entertainment. Stream Harlots. Harlots (2017 – 2019) Learn More Learn More UnPrisoned (2023 – 2024, two seasons) The always-great Kerry Washington plays Paige Alexander, a therapist who, naturally, has issues of her own that she needs to work on. Her life gets infinitely more complicated when her father Edwin (Delroy Lindo) moves in with her and her teenaged son following a long prison sentence. Her need for order is upended, while her father’s charismatic exterior conceals uncertainty about his new life. Creator Tracy McMillan based the comedy, in part, on her own experiences, and the result is a knowing but refreshingly upbeat take on life after prison. Stream UnPrisoned. UnPrisoned (2023 – 2024) Learn More Learn More ]]> https://lifehacker.com/best-hulu-original-series?utm_medium=RSS Ross Johnson The Best Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deals on Fitness Trackers, Watches, and Home Gym Equipment 01K95MGA975JV84C4Z1A293A4H Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:40:53 +0000 Sales include brands like NordicTrack, PowerBlock, Garmin, Fitbit, Apple, Pixel, and more. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Cyber Monday may be over, but plenty of deals are still live. This year we didn't see a lot of movement on deals once they were announced—the Black Friday deals tended to be the same as the early deals, and most stayed at the same price through Cyber Monday. Today, many of those sale items are back to their original price. But there are still some deals out there! Here's what I'm seeing, including deals from Peloton, NordicTrack, Oura, Whoop, Garmin, and more.To keep an eye on prices yourself, consider using these deal-tracking tools that can alert you as soon as a price drops. They can also show you the history of price changes when you think you've found a deal. (Our deals writer Daniel Oropeza, who compiled that list, considers CamelCamelCamel one of the best. My personal favorite is the Keepa browser plugin.)Cyber Monday deals on Peloton equipment Peloton launched new "cross-training" versions of their Bike, Tread, and Row equipment earlier this year. We have a breakdown here of what's special about the new models—mostly swiveling touchscreens and updated electronics. The original (non-Cross-Training) models aren't being sold new, but you can get them as rentals and on Peloton's used marketplace. Peloton has marked their new models down for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, but as of today the deals are no longer available from retailers like Amazon. You can still get them from Peloton's site, though:Peloton Cross-Training Bike: $1,395 (was $1,695)Peloton Cross-Training Bike+: $1,995 (was $2,695)Peloton Cross-Training Tread: $2,795 (was $3,295)Peloton Cross-Training Tread+: $5,295 (was $6,695)Peloton Cross-Training Row+: $3,295 (was $3,495)Powerbeats Pro 2 and Beats Studio Pro headphones on sale for Cyber MondayI loved the Powerbeats Pro 2 for their secure fit, their noise cancelling in noisy gyms, and their transparency mode for road runs. (I did not love their heart rate tracking feature, which is unreliable.) Normally $249.99, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are still on sale $199.95. If you prefer an over-ear headphone, the Beats Studio Pro are $199.95, not as good as the $149.95 Black Friday deal, but still a serious discount from the original price of $349.95.Theragun messagers are on sale for Cyber MondayTheragun massagers are on sale, including this Theragun Mini for $169.99, down from $219.99. This Therabody Relief is $109.99, down from $159.99. And the premium Theragun Pro Plus is $549.99, down from $649.99.Hydrow rowers are on sale for Cyber MondayOur own Meredith Dietz loves Hydrow's rowers, and two models are on sale at the moment. The Hydrow Origin is $1,645 right now, normally $2,195. The Hydrow Wave is $1,795, normally $1,995.Cyber Monday deals on PowerBlock adjustable dumbbellsAdjustable dumbbells are a great way to start a home gym, but they can be pricey since they are basically a full set of dumbbells connected with delicate moving parts. PowerBlock is one of the companies that does this well, and several of their models were on sale for Black Friday. Right now, though, the only deal still going is the PowerBlock Elite EXP adjustable dumbbell pair, 5 to 50 pounds per hand, for $399.99 down from an original price of $449.99. PowerBlock Sport Adjustable Dumbbells $399.00 at Amazon $449.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $399.00 at Amazon $449.00 Save $50.00 Cyber Monday deals on NordicTrack treadmillsNordicTrack's T series treadmills are on sale. Here are the best deals: NordicTrack T Series 10, $949 down from $1,299NordicTrack T Series 5, $449 down from $599NordicTrack Commercial 1250, $1,599 down from $1,999 (up a bit from the lowest Black Friday price, but still a good deal)NordicTrack Commercial 2450, $2,299 down from $2,999—this one is $200 cheaper than the Black Friday deal! NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill with iFIT $1,599.00 at Amazon $1,999.00 Save $400.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,599.00 at Amazon $1,999.00 Save $400.00 WalkingPads are on sale for Cyber MondayWalkingPad makes folding mini treadmills that tend to be a bit nicer quality than the cheaper ones out there. There's still a deal going on this WalkingPad C2 that can go up to 3.7 miles per hour, at $399, down from $499.00. WalkingPad R2 Folding Treadmill $399.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $399.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $100.00 Noxgear Tracer vests are on sale for Cyber MondayRunning in the dark gets a lot safer when you can see and be seen, especially if you're running along roads. The Noxgear Tracer is one of the most visible vests out there, with lights over your shoulders rather than just reflective material. Once again these sales aren't quite as good as they were for Black Friday, but they're still cheaper than regular price. The basic vest is $67.95 (down from $79.95), or get one with a chest light to illuminate the road in front of you for $89.95 (down from $114.95). noxgear Tracer2 Visibility Vest (Small) $67.95 at Amazon $79.95 Save $12.00 Get Deal Get Deal $67.95 at Amazon $79.95 Save $12.00 Cyber Monday deals on Oura rings Oura Ring 4 - Gold - Size 11 - Size Before You Buy $499.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $499.00 at Amazon Oura's standard titanium-finish rings were $100 to $150 off for Black Friday. Those deals are still available but seem to be selling out in some sizes, so check your size to see what's still available. These are the best prices I'm still seeing for each color:Black and silver are $249 (normally $349)Matte black and brushed silver are $299 (normally $399)Gold and rose gold are $349 (normally $499).Oura's colored ceramic rings are not (and were not) on sale; they're $499 as usual. The Oura ring 3 is going for less than its original sticker price, but without any special Cyber Monday deals that I can see; here's a black Heritage at $209.99. Cyber Monday deals on Whoop bands Whoop 5.0 Band and 12-Month Membership $239.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $239.00 at Amazon Whoop is the iconic screenless wristband that tracks your workouts and recovery without looking like a watch. All three (secretly four) Whoop subscription tiers are on sale right now: Whoop One with the older 4.0 device: $129 (normally $149). This option is only available from Whoop.com.Whoop One with a 5.0 device: $179 (normally $199). This option is not available from Whoop.com but can be bought from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.Whoop Peak with a 5.0 device: $199 (normally $239). If you're confused by all the options, this is the one that makes the most sense for most people. Whoop Life with an MG device: $299 (normally $359). Cyber Monday deals on Pixel Watch 4 Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm) $399.99 at Amazon $449.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $399.99 at Amazon $449.99 Save $50.00 The newest version of Google’s Pixel Watch is the 4, which I reviewed here, and it normally sells for prices from $349.99 to $499.99 depending on whether you opt for the larger or smaller size, with cellular connectivity or without. Right now, the wifi-only models are both $50 off, and the LTE models are $100 off. This means you can get an LTE model at the same price you'd normally pay for a wifi model. I'm also currently seeing the 45 mm LTE model at the same price as the 41 mm, but I don't know if that will last. Here's what I've found:Pixel Watch 4 with wifi, 41 mm: $299.99, normally $349.99Pixel Watch 4 with wifi, 45 mm: $349.99, normally $399.99Pixel Watch 4 with LTE, 41 mm: $349.99, normally $449.99Pixel Watch 4 with LTE, 45 mm: $349.99, normally $499.99If you’re interested in buying the older model, you’re already in luck. As I write this, some colors of the Pixel Watch 3 are on sale for $199.99, $100 off the usual price.Cyber Monday deals on Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch Series 11 42mm GPS Smartwatch (Rose Gold Aluminum Case, Light Blush Sport Band) $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $329.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $70.00 The Series 11 is the newest model of Apple Watch (see our associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt’s take on it here). These watches have been on sale since before Black Friday, and the price has dropped slightly over the past week. We're now at record low prices for these watches, equivalent to the lowest prices the Series 10 hit last year. Here's what I'm seeing now, after Cyber Monday:Apple Watch Series 11, 42 mm with GPS only: $329 (normally $399)Apple Watch Series 11, 46 mm with GPS only: $359 (normally $429)Apple Watch Series 11, 42 mm with cellular: $429 (normally $499)Apple Watch Series 11, 46 mm with cellular: $459 (normally $529)Cyber Monday deals on the Coros Pace 3Coros doesn’t usually participate in big sale events, but the company launched a Pace 4 watch earlier this month, which costs $249 and which performed excellently in my review. That means the Pace 3 gets a price drop. The Pace 3 is now $199 instead of $229. I like the Pace 3 a lot as a simple but powerful running watch. Another watch to pay attention to is the Pace Pro, a big sister to the 3 and 4 with a larger screen and built-in maps. No other big-name watch gives you maps on a watch at this price point, and the Pace Pro is also dropping in price, to $299, instead of the previous price of $349. Note that Coros seems to be dropping these prices permanently, so this isn't just a Cyber Monday deal.Cyber Monday deals on the Garmin Forerunner 55Garmin’s Forerunner 55 is its most basic running watch, which I have mixed feelings about. It’s missing a lot of features that other entry-level Garmin Forerunners, like the 165, have as a matter of course. But it does great at the basic job of tracking your runs, and I’ve always felt that if Garmin could get it closer to $99, I’d sing its praises from the rooftops. It’s never dropped quite that low, though. The original sticker price was $199.99, and it’s often sitting somewhere around $169.99. As of today, it's equaling the lowest price I've seen in the past, $149.99. This watch isn’t getting any younger, and I think if Garmin’s smart, it'll consider a steeper price drop this Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday deals on the Garmin Forerunner 165The Forerunner 165 is Garmin's most friendly entry-level watch. Our resident marathoner Meredith Dietz loves the 165 Music. Its sibling, the 165 (same thing, just no offline music storage), made my list of the best affordable running watches.Because it comes in those two versions, you’ll want to pay attention to the differences. The music edition typically costs $50 more. Normally the version without music storage is $249, and the version with is $299. Earlier, I wrote that I'd keep an eye out for another drop to $199.99 like last year's Black Friday sale. Well, it's here! The Forerunner 165 is $199.99, and the Forerunner 165 Music is $249.99. Cyber Monday deals on the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 Garmin Forerunner 265 $299.00 at Amazon $369.97 Save $70.97 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $369.97 Save $70.97 If I’m confusing you with all these model numbers, I have an explainer here that will help you follow along. In any case, the 265 and 965 are still good watches, and I wrote earlier that this year we might be able to expect more than $100 off for those two. It looks like my wish has come true—the 265 is now going for $299.99 ($150 off) and the 965 is $449.99 (also $150 off).Cyber Monday deals on the Fitbit Charge 6The Fitbit Charge 6 is $99.95 right now This device has a sticker price of $159.95, but often sells for a good bit less, and during big sale events it occasionally drops down near $100. That's where we are right now—I've never seen it below this price. The Charge 6 isn’t the best one out there, but it fits the bill of an “I don’t want to think about it” basic tracker. If you just want to track your steps without overthinking which model to get, this is a fine pick. Cyber Monday deals on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8The Galaxy Watch 8 line is on sale, and like Apple and Pixel watches, it's available in a few sizes and connectivity models. There's also an upgraded "Classic" model with a rotating bezel. Some of the models are still on sale:Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, 40 mm, LTE: $299.99, down from $399.99Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, 44 mm, LTE: $329.99, down from $429.99Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, 46 mm, Bluetooth only: $399.99, down from $499.99Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, 46 mm, LTE: $449.99, down from $549.99In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is $249.99, originally $399.99 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) 40mm LTE Smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.00 What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/best-smartwatch-fitness-tech-deals-black-friday-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Beth Skwarecki Your Apple Music Replay 2025 Is Live 01JE6J21FWJFV1ZH8WHWBSQXDC Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:30:00 +0000 What was your most listened-to track of the year? 2025 was another big year for music. We had new albums from Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler the Creator, and, of course, Huntrix (of KPop Demon Hunters fame), just to name a few. You may have listened to any number of new albums that came out this year, mixed in with music that released any time over the last century. You might not even remember what you were listening to back in January. But Apple Music remembers, and will serve in up to you in your 2025 Apple Music Replay. Like last year, your Replay is available in your Apple Music app. If you're relatively new to the streaming service, that might sound obvious—especially if you've previously used a service like Spotify that offers a similar annual wrap-up. But this wasn't always the case: For much of Apple Music Replay's brief history, you had to visit a separate website, music.apple.com/us/replay, and log into your Apple Music account in order to access your recap. It seemed silly, considering Spotify Wrapped is very much an in-app experience, but it took Apple until 2024 to get with the program.That said, it seems Apple has made additional improvements this year. In 2024, the experience was essentially contained in an in-app browser, where it loaded your Apple Music Replay with the same UI as the website. This year, Replay is a native function of the Apple Music app, at least on iOS. How to access your 2025 Apple Music Replay Credit: Lifehacker You can still access your Replay from the official website, but the easiest way to review it is from the app on your iPhone or iPad. Open the app on your device of choice. Make your way to the Home tab if the app doesn't open there automatically, then tap or click on the large Replay option, which should appear at the top left. (This option also shows up in the Music app for Mac, but it will automatically direct you to the website in your browser.) Whichever way you access it, you'll be able to see all of your Replay months here (excluding December, of course, since the month just started), but let's focus on 2025 as a whole.Unpacking your Apple Music ReplayAt the top, you'll find a Replay your year in music tile. Tap Play Your Highlight Reel and Apple Music will walk you through your year. Here's what you can expect, at least based on my results: First, you'll see your total listening minutes, complete with both a collage of the albums you listened to most, and one of your top-played songs playing in the background. Next, you'll see your top artist of the year, with a collage of their images and a relevant song playing in the background. The following slide is a breakdown of your top artist by monthThe next will show if any artist was your number one for multiple months. Next, you'll see the number of songs you listened to, complete with your top song of the year. Then you'll see the number of albums you listened to, and which one was your top choice. Second to last, Apple Music tells you your top genres of the year, including the one you listened to mostOne final slide summarizes the whole year.You don't have to watch the highlight reel to see these stats: Once out of the reel, you can scroll through the Replay page to see everything covered in the slides, plus additional stats. Mine shows top artists, songs, and albums by month—so I can see which artist defined March (Will Stratton), which song I listened to most in August ("The Subway" by Chappel Roan), and which album I played on repeat in May ("Tunnel Vision" by Beach Bunny). I also see top playlists of the year; different listening milestones, like Minutes Listened, Artists Played, and Songs Played; stats from last year's Replay; and a playlist of my top songs of the year. Many of these stats, both in and out of the highlight reel, are easily sharable. You'll see a share icon next to any stat you can export, which makes it simple to share fun graphics with friends or on social media. I've already blown up the group chat with some of my stats here, and I expect many of you to do the same. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/your-2025-apple-music-replay-is-live?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson Garmin's Newest Running Watches Are Still on Sale After Cyber Monday 01KB0Q5EP87VXK05D78JK6K8PN Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:26:30 +0000 The Forerunner 970 and the Forerunner 570 have finally seen their first discounts. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Garmin's Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 are brand-new watches, just released this year, and they're having their first ever sale. Both are $100 off. The sale began a few days ago for Black Friday, and is still available today on Cyber Monday. I've used and reviewed the Forerunner 570, and found it a step up from the earlier Forerunner 265 (which I also loved). The 570 adds a microphone and two different types of voice assistants, plus some new software features like heat acclimation and the ability to trim your activity if you didn't press "stop" when you crossed the race finish line. My only complaint is (or was) that the price seemed a bit steep in comparison to the previous model. But with the current deal, it's a lot closer to the original price of the 265: The 570 is now going for $449.99. Garmin Forerunner 570 42mm Advanced GPS Smartwatch (Slate) $534.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $534.99 at Amazon The Forerunner 970 is also $100 off, which brings its current price to $649.99. The biggest thing the 970 has going for it over the 570 is that it can show you maps while you run. Both watches can do breadcrumb tracking (drawing a line showing where you've been), but with a fully map-enabled watch, you can see important details like where your hiking route crosses roads or turns along them. The 970 also has an LED flashlight, which is incredibly handy for getting around in the dark—whether that means snuggling into your sleeping bag at a campsite or just sneaking out of your kid's room at bedtime. Garmin Forerunner 970 Premium GPS Smartwatch (Black) $749.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $749.99 at Amazon What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/garmins-newest-running-watches-first-sale-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Beth Skwarecki This Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deal Cuts the Pixel 10 Pro to More Than 25% Off 01KAJXHFFQQ33FWCPNSWDMYW0H Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:20:01 +0000 This is one of the strongest flagship Android deals of the season. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.At $849, the unlocked 256GB Google Pixel 10 Pro is now at its lowest price yet on Amazon, down from its original $1,099 launch price (according to online price trackers). That’s a significant drop for one of Google’s latest flagship phones. Google Pixel 10 Pro $849.00 at Amazon $1,099.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $849.00 at Amazon $1,099.00 Save $250.00 While the much-hyped AI features don’t quite live up to expectations, the refined hardware and returning core strengths still make this a compelling upgrade for Android users. As Lifehacker’s Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt notes in her review, Pixelsnap—Google’s new magnetic charging and accessory system—adds real day-to-day convenience, especially if you’ve ever admired Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.The Pixel 10 Pro sticks to what Google does best: excellent cameras, clean design, and long-term software support. Its triple-camera system delivers consistently great results, whether you’re shooting your cat in low light or capturing a skyline at golden hour. The display gets a modest but useful boost in brightness, and now supports Qi2 wireless charging for faster, cable-free top-ups. That said, Google dropped the physical SIM tray in favor of eSIM-only support with the Pixel 10 series. That’s not a problem if your carrier is compatible, but it could be limiting if you switch networks often or travel internationally.Where it stumbles is in the details you won’t see in a spec sheet. The new AI tools, like voice-assisted summarizing and text generation, feel more like experiments than must-haves. The Tensor G5 chip performs smoothly in general, but reportedly falls behind Snapdragon chips in third-party app performance. Battery life is okay, not great—it’ll get you through the day, but not with much to spare, notes this PCMag review, so power users may need to top up before the end of the day. Still, if you're already in the Pixel world or looking to switch from another Android phone, this discounted Pixel 10 Pro feels like a confident step forward in all the right ways.For anyone who wants more screen space or a foldable option, the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup is also discounted for Black Friday. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is going for $899, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is priced at $1,499, down from its original $1,799.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/pixel-10-pro-cyber-monday-deal-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma This Last-Minute Cyber Monday Sale Cuts the Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine to 30% Off 01KAHEN7HH3SXCAFAY82JHBMYD Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:18:56 +0000 Seamlessly combine cardio and strength training right in your living room. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.Rowing is my go-to workout these days. If you're like me and are fed up with waiting for one of the two rowing machines to open up at the gym, you need an at-home rowing machine. After a few months of testing the new Hydrow Arc Rowing Machine—which I reviewed in-depth—I trust Hydrow as a brand name. Right now, the Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine is available for $1,645 on Amazon after Cyber Monday, a 25% discount off its list price of $2,195. Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine $1,645.00 at Amazon $2,195.00 Save $550.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,645.00 at Amazon $2,195.00 Save $550.00 The Hydrow Origin is the company's original model, but don't confuse "original" for "bare-bones." This machine still has a 22-inch screen and plenty of streaming content, which is where the real value lies. I've found these how-to videos and wide-ranging workouts are what make Hydrow such a great workout (much like how Peloton is so much more than just its bikes). Compared to a more basic rowing machine you might be used to at the gym, Hydrow machines have electromagnetic drag technology that really do mimic the feeling of rowing on water. And at today's $550 off, it's never been a better time to buy.If you're still shopping around, I recommend checking out guides like our live blog, where we use price trackers to make sure you're really getting the best deals this Black Friday. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/hydrow-origin-rowing-machine-cyber-monday-deal-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz This Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deal Cuts the Price of an Aura Digital Picture Frame by $40 01KAH66KZF9YWF4JNNWF0EJ7AZ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:15:31 +0000 It's a great price for an excellent digital frame. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.I'm a big fan of Aura's digital picture frames. They look great, and it make it easy to casually see all of the pictures that might otherwise get lost in your Photos app. Ahead of Black Friday, some stores are selling Aura frames at a pretty steep discount. That includes Amazon, which has the Aura Carver Mat frame for 22% off. That means you can buy it right now for $139, down from $179. Aura Digital Picture Frame $149.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.00 at Amazon $179.00 Save $30.00 There are a couple things that I really like about Aura's frames in particular. First is the ease of use: You can add your photos to the frame via Aura's app, which is convenient for adding new pictures as you take them. In my house, we usually add new photos after parties, weekends away with friends, or long trips. It's nice to walk into the kitchen and see the pictures you just took, alongside your usual favorites. If you've gifted the frame to someone else, the app lets you add pictures to their frame from afar.The Aura frame also just looks nice. You won't be tricked into thinking this is a real picture frame, mind you. However, it doesn't just look like a mini computer screen on your desk. It looks and feels classy, and the image quality is excellent. I also appreciate how the backlight compensates for the lighting in your room: When the sun's bright, your frame gets brighter. As the sun sets, your frame dims as well. And when all the lights are out in your room, the frame automatically turns off. My favorite feature, however, is the small touchpad at the top of the frame. This is an easy feature to miss: If you run your finger along the top edge, you can swipe back and forth between photos. It's great if you want to see another photo that Aura recently swapped out, or you want to skip one you don't feel like looking at right now. Plus, it's tucked away, so the frame doesn't clutter itself up with buttons. Speaking of which, the touchpad doubles as a button if you long-press it. You'll be able to choose whether to exclude a photo from the current collection, or to turn off the frame entirely. While I personally love my Carver Mat Aura frame, Amazon has Black Friday deals on a host of different Aura models, if you're looking for something different. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/aura-frame-cyber-monday-deal-2025?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson This Last-Minute Cyber Monday Sale Cuts the Price of a Shark Turboblade Heater/Fan Combo by $150 01KAKVCAFAWRPV9266V0D8VKXW Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:12:23 +0000 Finally, an innovative temperature solution for small spaces. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. When it comes to how I live, there are a few basic facts: I dwell in a small apartment and I am constantly "working on it." Sometimes, this involves overhauling my entire organizational system. Other times, I'm overcome with the sudden desire to wallpaper the kitchen. I am constantly in a state of decorating, cleaning, rearranging, and generally improving. Lately, that's involved a lot of tech and appliance upgrades to make my environment better and more serviceable, not just nice to look at. One of the best things I've gotten my hands on is the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, which is both a heater and a fan. I'm picky about both because I always want to be warmer and need a heater, but I also like the noise of a fan at night to fall asleep (while I'm safe from the cool air under my blanket). Having both in one has been awesome and, now that the device is $150 off for Black Friday, you should consider getting one, too. Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat $299.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.00 The Shark TurboBlade dealFirst of all, I always want to be upfront when I've been given something by a company so I can review it. That's what happened here. I don't write a nice review if something stinks, though, so here I am, saying this thing is extremely useful. Typically, the TurboBlade Cool + Heat is $400. That's a lot, although it makes economic sense if you don't want to spend a bunch of money on a good fan and a good heater separately. It also makes sense for someone like me in a little apartment. It's frustrating to have to store two large devices when I could just have one. Still, the discount, which puts this at $250 for the shopping holiday, is much appreciated. The fanThe TurboBlade Cool + Heat is bladeless and modern-looking, which I like. It's also powerful. You can adjust it up to 10 levels of air-blasting, so you can get just a touch or a whole wind storm. I opt for a level-10 wind storm because I am especially interested in white noise at bedtime, but it comes with a convenient little remote so if it gets too loud or too airy, I don't have to get up to adjust it. The heat option, which is easy to toggle on, has three modes. There's a filter at the bottom that looks easy to clean, but I haven't had to do that yet. Credit: SharkNinja/Lindsey Ellefson You can turn the vents horizontally or vertically, plus it can tilt and oscillate on its own. If you're going to pay a few hundred bucks for something, it should do a few cool tricks, and this does. You can also dim the control panel, which I do because I like to sleep in pitch darkness. Some tech specs: It has 1,400 watts, its air flow capacity is 1,180 cubic feet per minute, and its top speed is 10 RPM. It has a 120 voltage and weighs a little over 21 pounds. I am a simple person, so I don't pay attention to any of those things except the weight. It doesn't come put-together, so I foolishly assembled it in the middle of my entryway (which was perfectly easy to do and took me maybe five minutes), then had to haul it around, assembled and heavy, to place it where I wanted it. Is 21 pounds a ton of weight? No, but it was tricky for me to push it up the ladder into my lofted bedroom and I do wish I had assembled it in the room where I planned to use it. Just a word of advice. What stores have the best sales on Black Friday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/shark-turboblade-cyber-monday-deal-150-off?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson The Best Last-Minute Cyber Monday Sales on Cordless Tools at Home Depot 01KAFXK8DE60VMTWW25PBBQJTV Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:03:45 +0000 Give the gift of power tools (or get some for yourself) this holiday season. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. If you’re shopping for gifts for your favorite DIY enthusiast, or you just want to take advantage of deals for your own tool set, now is a still good time to be looking. I usually take the opportunity to expand my tool battery collection if there isn’t an exciting new cordless tool I haven’t tried yet around this time of year, and that’s how I have kept a rotating collection of batteries to power all of my carpentry and DIY adventures.The best Cyber Monday deals on cordless drills and driversA good-quality drill and driver are the foundation for any DIY home tool set because they allow you to drive screws, nuts, and bolts as well as drilling holes. I use my drill and driver set every day at work, and frequently on my own personal projects at home, and having one that’s reliable, comfortable to use, and has a good battery life is key to getting things done efficiently. The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless drill set in on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. It comes with a 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag, and it’s a good tool for building a new cordless kit or to replace an existing Milwaukee drill. Since batteries are often the most expensive part of a cordless tool set, a quality set that comes with a battery and charger for under $100 is a good deal.The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless quarter-inch impact driver set is also on sale for $99, 50% off its typical price. This set comes with a 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a good companion to a Milwaukee drill, and a good addition to a tool set that uses 18-volt Milwaukee batteries—it can drive fasteners with more force than a regular drill, and can help you get through tougher materials like 2x4s more easily.The Milwaukee 20-volt cordless impact wrench and powered ratchet set is on sale for $269. 46% off its regular price. This set includes a 1/2-inch chuck impact wrench, a 3/8-inch chuck powered ratchet, a 5-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This set is good for automotive DIY because an impact wrench has a little more power than your standard impact driver and the powered ratchet gives you an advantage over the hand tool version for driving nuts and bolts.The best Cyber Monday deals on cordless saws and cutting toolsSaws are my favorite part of my tool collection, and having the right one can make any DIY project that much simpler and more fun to work on. Cordless saws have improved as batteries have gotten smaller and lighter as well as developing a longer battery life, so they’re a practical addition to a DIY tool kit—in addition to being fun to use.The Ryobi 18-volt cordless reciprocating saw set is on sale for $99, 65% off its regular price. A reciprocating saw can be used for making rough cuts and trimming trees and shrubs. This set comes with a reciprocating saw, a two-amp-hour battery, a 4-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This is a good tool for someone who already uses Ryobi 18-volt tools, or for someone who likes doing outdoor projects like trimming hedges.The Milwaukee 18-volt reciprocating saw is on sale for $199, 68% off its usual price. This is a good tool to add to an 18-volt Milwaukee set, or to begin a yard care and landscaping set. It comes with the saw, two 5-amp-hour batteries, and a charger.The Ryobi 18-volt cordless 7 ¼-inch compound miter saw is on sale for $159, 52% off its regular price. This saw can cut compound angles for trim and woodworking projects without needing to be plugged into an outlet. It comes with a 4-amp-hour battery and charger, which makes it a good addition to a Ryobi cordless tool set, as it can make up to 900 cuts per charge on the battery. Although this saw says it can cut up to 900 times a charge, if you’re working with material thicker than about a quarter of an inch, you’ll want to get a second battery so you can swap them out—in my experience, it can draw more power cutting denser or thicker wood.The Milwaukee 18-volt oscillating multitool set is on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. It comes with a 1.5-amp-hour battery and a charger. This is the tool that saved my sanity when I was replacing the trap on the sink in my 115-year-old craftsman house. I used it to cut the old pipe, shape the pipe coming out from the wall, trim the new PVC to the correct length, trim out the damaged plaster around the leaking drain, trim out the lath to allow the new trap through, and then I even used it to sand the joints in the plaster repair I made. It’s the hardest-working tool in my home DIY set, and $99 is a great price for it.The Milwaukee 18-volt portable band saw is on sale for $399, 36% off its regular price. This tool comes with an 8-amp-hour battery, which will makes it more practical for multiple cuts. This is a good tool for DIY projects that include metalworking for plumbing or decorative cuts. It doesn't come with a charger, so you'll need an 18-volt Milwaukee battery charger to use it.The best Cyber Monday deals on cordless tool combo setsCordless tool sets can be a good way to start a new tool set because they usually come with all the basics as well as a few interesting extras. I started my personal tool kit with an 18-volt Milwaukee set over a decade ago and I also use tools from a DeWalt set at work daily. The Milwaukee 18-volt seven-tool combo set is on sale for $499, 50% off its regular price. It comes with a drill, an impact driver, a circular saw, a one-handed compact reciprocating saw, an oscillating multitool, an angle-grinder, a work light, two 3-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a comprehensive set that will allow you to tackle most home DIY projects and even some professional level ones as well.The DeWalt three-tool combo set is on sale for $399, 33% off its regular price. This set comes with a drill, a driver, an oscillating multitool, two 6-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a solid set for most home maintenance projects and the batteries will last a long time and stand up to abuse. I use this set at work, and these tools are going strong after years of use.The Ridgid 8-tool cordless combo set is on sale for $299, 63% off its regular price. This set comes with a drill, and impact driver, a random orbital sander, a circular saw, a work light, a mini blower, a mini vac, a 2-amp-hour battery, a 4-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a good starter set for someone with an indoor home workshop who needs to keep their workspace clean.The best Cyber Monday deals on bits and accessoriesBits and accessories can make your DIY projects much easier—but they're also easy to overlook, and they can be more expensive than you might expect. Saving money on all the bits, blades, and accessories you need will cut your overall budget and limit frustrating trips to the hardware store.The Milwaukee 74-piece driver bit set is on sale for $19.99, 50% off its regular price. This set includes a variety of driver bits, an extension attachment, and a carrying case. This is a good set for anyone starting a DIY cordless tool set because it includes many sizes and types of driver bits that are likely to work for most projects.The Milwaukee 15-piece impact drill bit set is on sale for $19.97, 32% off its regular price. It comes with bits that can be used with either an impact driver or a drill in a variety of sizes. This is a good set for anyone with a drill and driver in their tool kit as bits tend to wear out over time and need to be replaced.The Milwaukee 13-piece wood spade bit set is on sale for $17.97, 71% off its usual price. The set includes drills bits that range in size from 1/4-inch to one inch for drilling holes in wood. Paddle bits are a woodworking staple that allow you to drill quickly through thicker material for bolts.What stores have the best Cyber Monday sales?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog.Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/best-black-friday-cyber-monday-cordless-tool-deals-2025?utm_medium=RSS Becca Lewis My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Speaker 01JEXYTFXHD918NQ4F04DATV5M Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000 The Ultimate Ears with 14 hours of battery life has dropped to just $60 for Cyber Week. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.I've been a fan of Ultimate Ears since I first got the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 back in 2018, and I'm still using it as my personal go-to portable speaker. The Wonderboom is their smaller, more portable version. The Wonderboom 4 released last summer, and dropped in price 40% during Cyber Monday, but you can still get it for $59.99 (originally $99.99) right now. This is the lowest price it has reached according to price-tracking tools, and it's cheaper than the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $59.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $59.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $40.00 The Wonderboom 4 is a slight improvement on an already good portable rugged speaker, the Wonderboom 3. It is small enough to fit in most people's hands, and it is rated IP67 for water- and dust-proofing. The 14-hour battery life completes the trifecta of what you expect on a decent portable speaker. This new version comes with USB-C for faster charging, and a Podcast mode, which tweaks the EQ to suit spoken vocals. Unfortunately, there is no full EQ customization or support with the Ultimate Ears app.The sound is where most Ultimate Ears speakers shine, using their 360-degree sound, great for group listening. Like the Podcast mode, there is also an Outdoor mode which makes the EQ sound better at higher volumes so you can listen to it outdoors in noisy environments. As an outdoor speaker or for someone who likes to listen to podcasts or audiobooks at home without headphones, the Wonderboom 4 is great, especially at its current $59.99 price. There aren't many outdoor speakers at this price tag that can compete with it, other than the JBL Clip 5, which is currently at the same price. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/my-favorite-amazon-deal-of-the-day-ultimate-ears-wonderboom-4?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza Everything You Need to Know About Amazon's Last-Minute Cyber Monday Sale 01K9QPTCMC3Y8C3X00TNWAJ0D6 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:36:23 +0000 Amazon's Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday will run from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1—and beyond. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Amazon's Cyber Week sales are in full swing, including new flash daily deals throughout with Today’s Big Deals. They have deals on categories like home, electronics, beauty, apparel, and more, where shoppers can find deals of up to 50% on artificial Christmas trees, seasonal decor, Amazon devices, and select electronics. Here are some deals to consider taking advantage of:Amazon Devices: Save up to 50% on select Amazon devices, including new releases like Echo Dot Max, Fire TV Stick 4K Select, Fire TV 50" 4-Series, Blink Mini 2K+, and Blink Outdoor 2K+. Customers can also save on favorites such as Echo Show 11, Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle, and Ring Indoor Cam.Seasonal: Save up to 50% on artificial Christmas Trees from National Tree Company and Fraser Hill Farm. Customers can also find up to 40% on ornaments from Lenox, and up to 20% on holiday gift wrap, bags, and bows from Hallmark.Grocery: Save on complete holiday meals including Butterball turkeys at $0.69 per pound, pre-made sides like homestyle stuffing, mashed potatoes, and traditional fixings from select brands—all online for same-day delivery where available and at Amazon Fresh stores. Customers can also enjoy great prices on a wide selection of fresh grocery ingredients like carrots, green beans, and gold potatoes, plus wine enthusiasts can save 20% when purchasing six or more bottles through Amazon Fresh (valid through 11/30). Visit amazon.com/grocery for the full selection of grocery items available in your area.Electronics: Save up to 50% on select electronics from JBL and Canon, and up to 45% on select Bose audio and PC hardware from ACER and ASUS. Customers can also get up to 40% on select home entertainment from LG, TCL, and Hisense, and up to 35% on select Samsung and Google products.Home: Save up to 55% on select home products from Shark and up to 40% on select floorcare from BISSELL and iRobot. Customers can also find up to 35% on select floorcare from Dyson and select furniture from Signature Design by Ashley, and up to 25% on select luggage from Away and select fitness equipment from NordicTrack.Kitchen: Save up to 50% on select kitchen appliances from Ninja and up to 40% on select kitchen essentials from Bentgo, Vitamix, Staub, and Nespresso, including deals on Nespresso Original Line Capsules. Customers can also enjoy up to 35% on select espresso and coffee machines from Keurig and De'Longhi, and up to 25% on premium kitchen brands like Breville and Our Place.Beauty: Save up to 50% on select premium beauty products from Lancôme and luxury fragrances from Armani Beauty and Maison Margiela. Customers can also get up to 30% on skincare and bodycare essentials from Kiehl's, ELEMIS, Sol de Janeiro, and medicube, makeup from NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP, Milk Makeup, and Tarte; plus select beauty tools from Drybar and Shark.Fashion: Save up to 50% on select fashion from NAADAM, GAP, Levi's, Cinq A Sept, and Derek Lam 10 Crosby. Customers can also get up to 40% on apparel from Theory, AllSaints, New Balance, Carhartt, and ASTR the Label, plus up to 25% on select styles from Shopbop featuring brands like LE BOP, PAIGE, and FRAME.Toys: Save up to 40% on select toys from MAGNA-TILES, Melissa & Doug, Little Tykes, Play-Doh, and NERF. Customers can also get up to 30% off select classic toys from Hasbro Gaming, Fisher-Price, and American Girl, plus character favorites featuring Disney, WICKED, Barbie, Star Wars, Marvel, and Harry Potter.Books: Save up to 80% on Kindle books and up to 65% on print books, including Editor favorites from Amazon’s Best Books of the Year lists of the past 25 years, including A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, and The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Customers can also get three months of Kindle Unlimited for just $0.99, unlocking millions of titles across every genre. Terms and conditions apply. See here for details.Do you need to be a Prime Member to shop during the Cyber Monday sales?Yes, you will need to be a Prime Member to shop the exclusive sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Prime membership starts at $14.99 per month. While only you can decide if buying a yearly Prime membership is worth it for you, remember you can always sign up and then cancel your Prime membership once the sale is over: Amazon offers a free 30-day trial, so you can shop during both Black Friday and Cyber Monday before canceling without being charged. Here's how to sign up for a Prime account and all of the benefits that come with it.What other retailers are doing Cyber Monday sales?The other major retailers doing sales are Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Currently, Best Buy is offering one of the largest Cyber Week sales, with new deals available every Friday. Target has some week-long deals and a Deal of the Day. Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Some tips for a successful Cyber Monday with AmazonIf this will be your first Cyber Week shopping at Amazon, there are some basic things you need to know about Amazon sales:You can share your Prime membership with family members even if they don't live with you.You can set price alerts for products you want and your Alexa devices can notify you when they go on sale.There are usually some "Invite-Only" deals that you can sign up for.There are tools you can use to see if the deal you're looking at is good or not.But if you only take one bit of advice for shopping on Amazon, let it be this one: Don't buy anything you weren't going to buy anyway. A good way to make sure you do this is by making a list of the products you do want, and only having eyes for those.Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/everything-to-know-about-amazons-black-friday-cyber-monday-sale-event-2025?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza This Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deal Cuts the 15-Inch M2 MacBook Air to 40% Off 01KATQBZ9TT9TP11JK277Z4R2Y Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:32:23 +0000 It's Mac power without the MacBook Pro price tag. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. The 2023 15-inch M2 MacBook Air is currently on sale for $769.99 at StackSocial for the 256GB SSD model. That’s a steep drop from its original price for what is still a current and capable machine. With an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and Apple’s M2 chip inside, this MacBook handles most day-to-day tasks with ease. Web browsing, photo editing, app switching, and light video work all feel smooth and quick, and the 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright at 500 nits, supports a wide P3 color gamut, and offers sharp resolution at 2880x1864. If you’ve been using a smaller screen or an older laptop, the difference is noticeable.The M2 MacBook Air offers up to 18 hours of battery life for video playback or 15 hours for web use, so it’s built for long stretches without needing a charger, though your mileage may vary depending on use. The port selection includes MagSafe 3 for charging and two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, which cover most use cases but does mean you'll likely need adapters for more complex setups. The six-speaker system is surprisingly full for a laptop this size and supports Spatial Audio, which pairs well with the 1080p FaceTime camera and three-mic array for video calls. Bluetooth 5.3 and wifi 6 round out the connectivity, keeping everything modern. And while the 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD will suit general use, creatives or heavier users might prefer upgrading to the 512GB, 1TB, or even 2TB configurations, which are also discounted on StackSocial at the moment.Since it’s a pre-owned device, this unit comes with a Grade A refurbished rating, which means you’re getting something that may (or may not) have a few tiny scuffs, but nothing that affects performance. It also includes a 30-day parts and labor warranty, just in case. You won’t get macOS preinstalled in every case, but the device can be updated to the latest macOS Tahoe 26. If you want a larger MacBook with modern power but don’t want to spend over $1,000, this is one of the more balanced deals you’ll find, especially considering it’s less than half the price of a new 15-inch MacBook Pro.How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/m2-macbook-air-stacksocial-black-friday-cyber-monday-deal-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma The Best Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deals at Target for Bose, Samsung, and Other Top Tech Brands 01K8V6ZCSJA5SAA0RPKPWF7NZJ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:29:55 +0000 Target's Cyber Monday sales are still here, with deals on headphones, TVs, speakers, tablets, and more. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Target's Cyber Monday sale is in full swing, featuring deals on products across various departments, including clothing, toys, electronics, and more. I've rounded up the best tech deals you can find right now and will continue to do so throughout the sale.The best earphones and headphones on sale for Cyber MondayThe new 2nd Gen. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds came out this August, and are great earbuds (I'm wearing them as I write this). They're one of the best earbuds of 2025, and they're $50 off. Target currently has them for $249.99 (originally $299.99).If you're looking for a great deal on budget earbuds, the JBL Vibe Beam 2 are only $39.99 (originally $64.99).The best QLED TV on sale for Cyber MondayIf you don't need a huge hanging piece of art on your wall and are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the 55-inch TCL Class Q6-Series TV is just $279.99 (originally $449.99). Not bad for a QLED.The best deal on Cyber Monday tabletsFor those with a little more budget and looking for better features and specs for a better budget tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 11" Tablet is Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 11" Tablet is $199.99 (originally $269.99).The best portable speakers deals for Cyber MondayThe JBL Charge 6 is a powerful yet portable speaker that came out this year. Its sound is powerful enough to completely fill up a big room with a full sound and maintain its sound quality while doing so. You can get it for $129.99 (originally $199.99).If you want a smaller and cheaper speaker, the JBL Flip 7 is $109.99 (originally $149.99). However, if you can spare the $20, the Charge 6 offers a better value.The best Cyber Monday laptop dealsThere are good deals on laptops. With some powerful ones starting in the $400s, your money will go a longer way if you get something with at least 16GB of RAM and at least an Intel or Ryzen 5 processor. One example is the HP Essential 255 G10, with a Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of RAM for $459 (originally $918).If you can spare close to another $100, the HP 255 G10 is with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, is $568.99 (originally $1,137.99). An incredible value for your money. What other sales will Target have for Cyber Monday?Target says it will have week-long deals every Sunday through Dec. 24. It'll also have "Deal of the Day" sales with items going up to 50% off. Then, there will be an official Early Black Friday Sale followed by an actual Black Friday sale. If you happen to buy something from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 that drops in price later, Target will match the price for you and refund you the difference.When are Target's Cyber Monday sales?Here are all the sales Target is having:Deal of the Day: From Nov. 1 through Dec. 24.Week-long deals: Every Sunday through Dec. 24. Early Black Friday Sale: A three-day event from Nov. 6 to 8. Black Friday Sale: Black Friday starts online Thursday, Nov. 27, and in stores Friday, Nov. 28.Holiday Price Match Guarantee: From Nov. 1 through Dec. 24.What deals will Target have for Cyber Monday?Target will have deals on gifts, holiday decor, toys, clothing, kitchen essentials, and more. Here are some deals Target has already publicized:40% off pajamas.40% off women and kids’ sweaters, sweatshirts, and sweatpants.40% off select holiday decor and lights.40% off select LEGO.40% off Cat & Jack toddler tees, shorts, and dresses.40% off Champion.40% off holiday sheets.Up to 50% off small appliances and floorcare, including Ninja.Up to 50% off select toys, including Barbie, FAO Schwarz, and Hot Wheels.30% off women’s and men’s Levi’s clothing.Do you need to be a member to shop Target's Cyber Monday sale?You will need to be a Circle member to take part in the sale, but unlike a Prime membership, Target Circle is free. You can sign up for an account on the Target app or Target.com.You can also pay for a Target Circle 360 membership, which grants you early access to the sale as well as other perks, like same-day delivery. If you're a government assistance recipient or a student, you can save 50% on the one-year Circle 360 subscription; otherwise, it starts at $10.99 per month. But again, a paid membership isn't necessary to get all the best deals.What are other retailers doing for Cyber Monday?Best Buy's sales run from Oct. 31 until Dec. 24. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.Walmart is having deals from November 14 to December 1.Amazon was the last to release its Black Friday plans. Amazon's Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday will run from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1. Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/target-black-friday-cyber-monday-sales-2025?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza These Amazon Kindle Paperwhites Are Still at Their Lowest Ever Prices for Cyber Monday 01KAKSHTTJXZ508WE58K53Q6YT Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:27:25 +0000 You deserve an e-reader this Cyber Week. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. When buying a new device, it takes me a long time to actually click the "buy" button. I grew out of using my iPhone and Mac to read ebooks a few years ago, but I waited until this year to finally grab the e-reader I'd been eyeing since 2020. It's the Kindle Paperwhite, which I bought on discount a few months ago. I love it, which is why I'm happy to report that it's now on sale for Cyber Monday and is down to its lowest ever price.I know what you might be about to say, but buying a Kindle doesn't mean that you're forced to opt into Amazon's ebook ecosystem. I've successfully de-Amazoned my Kindle, and it's been going fine so far. You have lots of Amazon alternatives to buy ebooks, and I've made the most of the opportunity to read many of the DRM-free ebooks purchased over the years. The Kindle Paperwhite itself is a great device, too. It's quite snappy and doesn't show any performance issues even if you turn a lot of pages back-to-back.It's water-resistant, which means that you can use it by the pool, beach, or even while doing the dishes. And yes, there was a time when I got so locked into a book that I actually was reading the series even while doing the dishes. It was a bit annoying to stop and turn the page every minute or so, but the point is that I never worried about causing any water damage to my Kindle Paperwhite.Yes, there is a cheaper Kindle, too, but it lacks water resistance and has about half the battery life of a Paperwhite, which makes it less appealing to me. If you can afford to do so, I think buying the Kindle Paperwhite is the smart choice. But there still are a few more decisions to factor in. One is the color. The Paperwhite is available in black, green, and pink colors and all are currently at their lowest ever price. Once you've figured out your color, you need to choose if you're buying your Kindle with ads or ad-free. I always recommend spending the extra 20 bucks to get the ad-free version, but if lock screen ads don't bother you, then you can get the lower priced model.The third and final choice is whether you want to stretch your budget for the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. This variant has 32GB of built-in storage (double that of the regular Paperwhite), an auto-adjusting front light, and support for wireless charging. It's just $5 more than the ad-free Kindle Paperwhite at time of writing, and it's worth remembering that this variant also doesn't have ads. Personally, I think the choice is really between an ad-supported Paperwhite at $125 or an ad-free Paperwhite Signature Edition at $150. Both are great devices, so no matter what, you can't really go wrong.How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/amazon-kindle-paperwhite-black-friday-cyber-monday-deal-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pranay Parab Cyber Week Home Improvement Deals Live Blog 2025: Sales on Tools, Appliances, and More 01KAH5PCE1S12QKAFHSDS4RK16 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:25:48 +0000 Black Friday and Cyber Week deals are still here. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Cyber Week is here, and deals are still flooding marketplaces across the Internet following all the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you're shopping for home goods or home improvement items (like I always am), this is the time to load up on tools, organizers, appliances, and more, all at a lower price than you'll pay during other times of the year. Check this live blog often to see the best sales on home products that we're finding for Black Friday and Cyber Week. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/black-friday-cyber-monday-home-improvement-deals-12-2-2025-live-blog?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson The Best Last-Minute Cyber Monday Deals on Home Improvement Tools and Supplies 01KAH8E7HY3WXTWJ3NQZSM65DM Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:21:09 +0000 There's still time to get great deals on things that will make your home better all year. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here, and there will be deals at basically every major store in the country. If you're looking to do some home improvement, this is an ideal time to stock up on tools, decor, or any other essentials you may need. Here are the best Black Friday deals I've found.The best Cyber Monday deals on cordless drillsEveryone, from a sporadic little DIYer in a small rental apartment like me to a true weekend warrior on a suburban estate, needs a good drill. If you don't have one or need a new one, start here:The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless drill set in on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. It comes with a 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag, and it’s a good tool for building a new cordless kit or to replace an existing Milwaukee drill. Since batteries are often the most expensive part of a cordless tool set, a quality set that comes with a battery and charger for under $100 is a good deal.More Milwaukee: The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless quarter-inch impact driver set is also on sale for $99, 50% off its typical price. This set comes with a 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a good companion to a Milwaukee drill, and a good addition to a tool set that uses 18-volt Milwaukee batteries—it can drive fasteners with more force than a regular drill, and can help you get through tougher materials like 2x4s more easily.The best Cyber Monday deals on saws and cutting toolsI recently made a shelf by hand, and I had to cut it with a hand saw—which, inexplicably, is something I have lying around in my tiny Manhattan apartment. I had to manually hack away at that piece of wood. I am a small woman. It took me 20 minutes. You know what I needed? A cordless saw. I don't have room for that, so I'm stuck like this, but you? You could get one. Do it for me. Here are some great options:The Ryobi 18-volt cordless 7 ¼-inch compound miter saw is on sale for $159, 52% off its regular price. This saw can cut compound angles for trim and woodworking projects without needing to be plugged into an outlet, so you have more flexibility in where and when you work. It comes with a 4-amp-hour battery and charger, which makes it a good addition to a Ryobi cordless tool set, as it can make up to 900 cuts per charge on the battery. The Milwaukee 18-volt oscillating multitool set is on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. It comes with a 1.5-amp-hour battery and a charger. It can cut, shape, and trim things like pipe and plaster, plus sand everything for a fine finish. It's a hard worker for a good price.The best Cyber Monday deals on combo tool setsIf I had the space, I would want a whole work station for my silly little projects. I'd want every tool on the market and I'd start with the combo tools that pack a bunch of goodies into one. Here are two I'd consider if I were you:The Milwaukee 18-volt seven-tool combo set is on sale for $500, 50% off its regular price. It comes with a drill, an impact driver, a circular saw, a one-handed compact reciprocating saw, an oscillating multitool, an angle-grinder, a work light, two 3-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a real all-in-one set that is as suitable for a first-timer as a regular DIY wizard.DeWalt's first appearance on our list is a good one: The DeWalt three-tool combo set is on sale for $399, 33% off its regular price. This set comes with a drill, a driver, an oscillating multitool, two 6-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a solid set for most home maintenance projects and the batteries can last a long time.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/home/best-home-improvement-deals-black-friday-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson Cyber Week Fitness Deals Live Blog 2025: The Best Sales on Smart Watches, Gym Equipment, and More 01KAH5Y98AK30APR713J5SXFJM Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:20:01 +0000 Cyber Monday deals are still upon us. We may earn a commission from links on this page.Cyber Week is here and follows a full weekend of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals—but the sales are still going, in some cases. I'm always hunting for deals on at-home fitness products, but whether you need dumbbells, more serious equipment, or anything else to boost your health and wellness journey, this is the moment to save. Check this live blog often to see the best fitness sales we're finding for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/black-friday-cyber-monday-fitness-deals-12-2-2025-live-blog?utm_medium=RSS Lindsey Ellefson The Best Last-Minute Deals From Walmart’s Cyber Monday Sale 01K8KC2GTMXR4Y6NME1614RJSD Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:18:15 +0000 You still have time to snag these last-minute Cyber Monday deals from Walmart. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Walmart joined Best Buy in announcing its Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale earlier than usual—and this year, Walmart seems to have taken a page out of Best Buy's strategy and split the larger sale into smaller ones. Here's everything we know about Walmart's Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 sales—and the deals that are still going strong.The Samsung HW-Q990C Soundbar The Samsung HW-Q990C is a premium soundbar that is normally very pricey, at $1,899.99, but you can get it from Walmart right now for $798. It has ATMOS for great sound on movies, and is one of the best-priced soundbars of 2025.TVs with big Cyber Monday discountsThe Vizio V4K65M-08 is an affordable 65-inch budget TV at $320 (originally $428) with some nice features. You can get 4K resolution with Dolby Vision Bright+, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, which are not all usually found on TVs at this price.If you're looking for the best OLED deal from Walmart, the Samsung 55-inch S90C is $1,113 (originally $2,499) after an over 50% discount. This was Samsung's flagship TV from 2023, and it'll still perform at a high level in 2025.The Google Nest Thermostat is $85 for Cyber MondayThe Google Nest Thermostat has been my thermostat of choice for years, mainly because it's affordable and has most of the great features you could want available from Google. You can get it for $84.99 (originally 129.99).The MacBook Air is $600The 2020 M1 MacBook Air has also dropped in price and is perhaps the best all-around value for an entry-level laptop right now. Walmart has the M1 MacBook Air 13.3-inch laptop for $499, which is the lowest price I've seen after checking price-comparison tools.JBL portable speakers up to $150 off for Cyber MondayIf you're having a backyard gathering with friends or family and need a powerful speaker to power the party, the JBL Boombox 3 can hold its own. It's one of the best-sounding boombox-style outdoor speakers you can find, and its PP67 waterproof rating means it can survive a pool party. Get it for $349.95 (originally $499.95).For those who just need a personal companion to sing to them with their morning coffee, the JBL Flip 6 is a much cheaper and demure option at $90 (originally $129.95).Smartwatches from Apple, Google, and Samsung on sale for Cyber MondayWhether you're an Apple, Google, or a Samsung user, there's a smartwatch deal for you. The middle-of-the-pack GPS Apple Watch Series 10 is $279 (originally $429)—a great option if you're looking for something between the budget version and the flagship model.The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 launched in 2023 with top-notch specs and features, and it is just $199.95 (originally $399.99). The Galaxy Watch 6 has a 1.3-inch, 2,000-nit bright AMOLED display with a digital bezel for quick scrolling through menus.For more on the best Cyber Monday deals on smartwatches and fitness trackers, read Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki's full guide here.What is Walmart doing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Walmart will hold three sales, all called "Walmart Deals Events," from November to December, according to their press release. The sales will be a combination of online and in-store for members and non-members. When are Walmart Deals Events in 2025?The events will take place on three different dates:Walmart Black Friday Deals Event 1: November 14–16Available online and in stores for the entire eventWalmart+ members get five hours early access online beginning Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. ETWalmart Black Friday Deals Event 2: November 25–30Online only: November 25–27Online and in stores: November 28–30Walmart+ members get five hours early access online beginning Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. ETCyber Monday: December 1Online onlyWalmart+ members get five hours early access online beginning Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. ETWhat deals can I expect for Walmart Deals Events?Walmart says that you can expect up to 60% off top brands and thousands of deals under $20. The sale will include toys, electronics, home products, fashion, and beauty from brands like Delonghi, Apple, LEGO, Dyson, La Roche Posay, Levi’s, and Barbie. Here is a list Walmart dropped on their press release:98” TCL QLED 4K Google TV – Was $1,798.00, Event Price $998.00Barbie Malibu Travel Playset – Was $21.88, Event Price $12.00Calvin Klein Obsession 3 Perfume – Was $97.00, Event Price $31.50Cate & Chloe Lauren 18k White Gold Plated 22mm Hoop Earrings with Swarovski Crystals – Was $130.00, Event Price $15.99Cozy Haven Faux Fur Throw Blanket – Special Buy, Event Price $13.00Cricut Explore 3 Bundle – Was $410.00, Event Price $197.99Dreo 1500W Portable Space Heater – Was $99.99, Event Price $38.99Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – Was $729.00, Event Price $399.99Ford 24V Ride-on – Was $599.99, Event Price $299.99Goodyear Reliant All-Season Tire (entire line) – Event offer $30 off per tireGovee 65” LED Lights – Was $99.00, Event Price $69.99Keurig Iced Essentials – Was $79.00, Event Price $44.97KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Chew Toy, Medium – Was $13.99, Event Price $11.96L’ange Hair Styler – Was $119.00, Event Price $48.30LEGO Speed Champions 2-pack – Was $44.98, Event Price $25.00Melissa & Doug Chunky Puzzles – Was $13.99, Event Price $7.00Men’s & Women’s Levi’s Signature Denim – Was $24.98, Event Price $15.00My Texas House Glitter Trees (set of 3) – Was $159.66, Event Price $78.00Philips Norelco 7200 Electric Razor – Was $99.96, Event Price $79.96Reebok Women’s Sport 2-piece set – Was $40.00; Event Price $25.00Scoop Women’s Knee-High Kitten Heel Boots – Was $52.00, Event Price $30.00Sportspower Bounce Pro 14' Round Trampoline with Safety Enclosure – Was $229.00, Event Price $149.00What other retailers are doing Black Friday sales?Best Buy's sales run from Oct. 31 until Dec. 24. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.Target is having new deals every Sunday running through Dec. 24. Its Black Friday starts online Thursday, Nov. 27, and in stores Friday, Nov. 28.Amazon was the last to release its Black Friday plans. Amazon's Black Friday Week and Cyber Monday will run from Nov. 20 through Dec. 1.Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/best-black-friday-cyber-monday-deals-walmart?utm_medium=RSS Daniel Oropeza There's a Last-Minute Cyber Monday Sale on New and Refurbished reMarkable Digital Notebooks 01KAHHMVZ286VT6CR5KX6A27HZ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:10:10 +0000 It's a great time to invest in your productivity (and creativity). We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Some Cyber Monday deals are still live, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. If there's a pantheon of digital notebooks, reMarkable has a place of pride. When the company released its reMarkable 2 tablet and stylus in 2020, it was a game changer for its sharp, professional design, innovative features, and especially its smooth, paper-like writing experience. Even years later, folks over in the r/reMarkableTablet subreddit consider it a best-in-class device, even if they've since upgraded to the newer reMarkable Paper Pro, which adds a backlight and a color screen.Either one of these tablets is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an e-ink digital notebook built for creativity: Unlike some competitors, reMarkable tablets don't run apps or try to replace your iPad. Like a paper notebook, they are designed to eliminate distractions and leave you alone with a blank page, but unlike a paper notebook, the work you do in them can be easily uploaded to the cloud, sent to your co-workers, and otherwise integrated into your workflow.If you've been looking to pick up one of these immensely useful gadgets, now is a good time: Though they rarely go one sale, you can currently pick up either one in a discounted Cyber Monday bundle that includes a cover and stylus. reMarkable Essentials Bundle $599.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon reMarkable Paper Pro Bundle $799.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE reMarkable Essentials Bundle This bundle includes the reMarkable 2, a folio, and the Marker Plus stylus with eraser. You can choose between a leather folio for $529 on Amazon (down from the usual price of $599) or a cloth-bound folio. If you choose a cloth-bound folio instead, you'll pay $499—a less impressive $30 discount, but a discount all the same.reMarkable Paper Pro Bundle If you want a color screen and a front light, you'll need the upgraded reMarkable Paper Pro. For the tablet in a bundle with the Marker Plus with eraser and a cloth folio, you'll pay $729 (down from $779), or you can go with the leather folio option for $749 (down from ($799).The sale also applies to refurbished modelsIf you're particularly cost conscious and don't care if you get a brand-new device, it's worth noting that that reMarkable's Black Friday deals also extend to its factory refurbished models. You'll generally need to order these devices direct from the reMarkable website, but the tradeoffs are minimal—the devices look and work like new, and still come with the same satisfaction guarantee and a one-year limited warranty. You can score the following deals right now:reMarkable 2 refurbished bundlesreMarkable 2 with Marker stylus and Type keyboard folio — $429 (originally $598)reMarkable 2 with Marker Plus stylus with eraser and Type keyboard folio — $479 (originally 648)reMarkable 2 with Marker stylus and leather folio — $399 (originally $568)reMarkable 2 with Marker Plus stylus with eraser and leather folio — $449 (originally $618)reMarkable 2 with Marker stylus and cloth folio — $369 (originally $528)reMarkable 2 with Marker stylus and cloth folio — $419 (originally $578)reMarkable Paper Pro refurbished bundlesreMarkable Paper Pro with Marker stylus and Type keyboard folio — $599 (originally $858)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker Plus stylus with eraser and Type keyboard folio — $649 (originally $908)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker stylus and leather folio — $569 (originally $808)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker stylus with eraser and leather folio — $619 (originally $858)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker stylus and mosaic weave folio — $549 (originally $768)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker Plus stylus with eraser and mosaic weave folio — $599 (originally $818)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker stylus and polymer weave folio — $538 (originally $718)reMarkable Paper Pro with Marker Plus stylus with eraser and polymer weave folio — $588 (originally $768)It's a great time to shop other digital notebooks tooIf you're shopping around for the best digital notebook for you, there are also Cyber Monday deals to be had on devices from Viwoods (including the AiPaper and AiPaper Reader), the Boox Note Max, and the XP-Pen Magic Note Pad.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/remarkable-digital-notebooks-black-friday-cyber-monday-deal-2025?utm_medium=RSS Joel Cunningham The Out-of-Touch Adults' Guide to Kid Culture: The Horror of Rizzmas Carols 01KBEG87ZNBRQRCW8W1X0WJYNY Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0000 "We wish you a merry 67 and a happy new year." We may earn a commission from links on this page.Generations A and Z contain multitudes. While some kids are gleefully crapping out AI-generated Rizzmas carols—holiday brain-rot so potent it should probably be classified as a controlled substance—other kids are dissecting the work of esoteric 19th-century novelist Robert W. Chambers like they’re in a graduate seminar. And they’re the same kids. So we’re whipsawing between rizz and cosmic horror, with side quests to discover Diddy tag and this year’s hottest Christmas toy. What is “67 Rizzmas”?In what’s becoming a regrettable holiday tradition, the internet has begun releasing rizzmas carols—brainrot versions of beloved seasonal songs. (“Rizz” is slang for charisma, but here it’s just a stand-in for meaningless meme-speak.) In the past, redoing a classic required at least singing over a recording, but the rise of AI has made it nearly effortless to churn out as many brain-rot rizzmas carols as you want—I made Skibiddi Christmas Rizz in 45 seconds. It’s a terrible song; all these songs are terrible, but that doesn’t stop TikTok accounts from churning them out. Perhaps inevitably, one of these AI abominations has become a “hit.” @html.brainrot's "67 on a Merry Rizzmas" has been viewed over 3.7 million times. Set to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and consisting only of meme lyrics, “67” has grown popular enough that 146,000 other videos have used the song. There are meme-heavy dance videos like this: understandable critiques like this: and plenty of AI slop like this: Merry Christmas, I guess. Dumb videos are only one symptom of rizzmas fever. There’s also a rizzmas meme coin that one could invest in, if one were stupid, and so many other unfunny, annoying rizzmas carols to listen to. In the unlikely event that you want to hear more rizzmas carols or want to watch videos of people telling you that investing in rizzmas coin will make you rich, go to the hashtag—there are over 12,000 videos to choose from. American Girls Wicked dolls sell outRemember that Christmas when Tickle Me Elmo dolls were so coveted that re-sellers were charging thousands of dollars for them? This year’s Elmo is American Girl’s limited-edition Wicked dolls. Launched in September for $295 each, the Elphaba and Glinda American Girls dolls quickly sold out. Now they’re only available from re-sellers, where they’re commanding prices of up to $1,000, and it’s only the beginning of December. Whether American Girl is going to sell more of the coveted dolls isn’t known, so if a kid in your life has to have one, you’re going to have to go to eBay or fork over half your bank account to a shady guy in a parking lot on Christmas Eve. Kids are playing “Diddy tag”According to TikToker @nestaog’s son, the hottest game in elementary school this year is Diddy tag. “Diddy tag is when you tag someone and that person’s Diddy,” the kid said. “He got baby oil,” he added.TikTok commenters say that kids in their lives are also playing Diddy-based schoolyard games like “Escape from Diddy’s House” and insulting each other by saying, “you’re going to Diddy’s house.”  Kids were making and playing games based on the convicted sex offender on Roblox too, until the company banned user-created games with names like “Five Nights At Diddy’s,” “Nice Try Diddy,” and “Diddy Survival” from the platform. Roblox reportedly nuked over 600 fan-created experiences about Diddy and Jeffery Epstein from the service. So Diddy is clearly on kids’ minds. While it’s concerning that children know enough about him to cast Diddy as the boogeyman in their schoolyard games, if you think back to your own school days, you were probably playing “Ebola Tag,” “Nuclear War,” or “Vietnam.” It’s how kids deal with their fears. And is it really the worst thing for kids to be warning each other to stay away from Diddy? Who is Boy Throb and are they a joke?Boy Throb is an online boy band who wear matching pink track suits and make videos featuring self-consciously cheesy pop songs. Despite online debate and the group's insistence that they are not a joke, Boy Throb is obviously a joke. But it’s a funny joke. The group initially went viral on TikTok about a month ago with this video: According to the band, an immigration lawyer told them they need a million followers so Darshawn, the Indian Boy Throbber, can get a visa so he can “sing and dance in America.” I’m no attorney, but I’m pretty sure that’s not how immigration law works. A couple of days ago, Boy Throb hit their follower goal on TikTok, but their lawyer had another request: Now they say that, in order for Darshawn to make it here, they need journalists to write a “couple articles of press” about them. Now, I don’t work for Rolling Stone or Readers Digest, but I’d still like to confirm that Darshawn has extraordinary abilities and he should be allowed to sing and dance in America. Viral video of the week: Searching for a World That Doesn’t Exist It would be easy to look at the brainrot memes and general numbskullery of generations A and Z and despair, but there’s a countervailing force of ad-hoc intellectualism that I find fascinating, as evidenced by the fact that Robert W. Chambers is having a viral moment. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the name. Chambers was a popular author in the late 1800s, known for romances and historical novels, but most of his work didn’t stand the test of time like Dickens or Poe—except for half of one collection of short stories. The King in Yellow was published in 1895, and its cosmic horror is different from everything else Chambers wrote. These short stories revolve around a play called The King in Yellow that will drive you mad if you read it. The book has been a cult favorite of horror weirdos since it was published—it’s my personal choice for best piece of horror literature ever written, but it’s esoteric and dense, so it’s strange that The King in Yellow is having a pop culture moment among the young people. There’s been no shortage of popular culture riffs on The King in Yellow—John Carpenter’s 1994 feature In the Mouth of Madness and the first season of HBO’s True Detective especially—but Chambers’ Yellow King is catching on with the YouTube and Minecraft generation in a bigger way.This three-and-a-half hour long close reading of the King in Yellow from YouTuber Wendigoon has been viewed over four million times: In it, Wendigoon illustrates how the titular figure in Chambers’ novel is a malevolent mimetic entity, a supernatural thought-contagion that spreads through information. Chambers was definitely ahead of his time. Like its namesake, the King spread to even more young people in the form of a Minecraft alternative reality game, courtesy of YouTuber Wifies, whose “Searching for a World That Doesn’t Exist” is this week’s viral video. Wifies’ video details the unfortunate adventures of a young gamer who finds a laptop in a storage container and plays Minecraft on it, only to discover a haunted virtual world with plenty of similarities to Chambers’ work. "Searching for a World That Doesn’t Exist" draws its understated dread from a combination of Chambers’ themes and the uncanny alienation of Minecraft itself. It’s subtle and thoughtful—the opposite of brain-rot—and the kids are into it.“Searching” has been viewed over a million times, Google searches for “The King in Yellow” are through the roof, and fans are responding with tribute videos and memes, and the phrase “Don’t go left” is growing as a catch-all warning. Some kids are probably even reading the book and connecting the constant temptation of forbidden knowledge to their own lives lived entirely online.]]> https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/the-out-of-touch-adults-guide-to-kid-culture-rizzmas-carols?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson This Fitbit Smartwatch for Kids Is Nearly 50% Off Right Now 01KBF8FX3XX32V9GBXB53SV7CD Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000 Offers GPS tracking and movement-based games in a kid-friendly design. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.A children's smartwatch usually walks a fine line between being helpful for parents and entertaining enough for kids to actually keep on their wrist. The Fitbit Google Ace LTE leans fully into that balance, and this price drop to $99.95 from $179.95—its lowest ever, according to price trackers—makes it easier to consider. Fitbit Google Ace LTE - Kids Smartwatcn $99.95 at Amazon $179.95 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.95 at Amazon $179.95 Save $80.00 Fitbit has been in the “make healthy habits fun” business for years, and Google’s influence shows in how polished the Ace LTE feels. The watch uses animated creatures and simple games to nudge kids between seven and 11 toward movement. The catch—which is the whole point—is that you can’t sit and play uninterrupted. Every few minutes, the watch asks for a bit of movement, like hitting a step goal, before the game continues. For a lot of parents, that structure helps turn the watch into a tool that encourages activity rather than another screen to fight over.Where the device becomes more than just a toy is in the built-in LTE GPS tracking. The watch can send and receive calls and texts, and you can see your child’s location through the companion Fitbit Ace app, which you install on your phone. It works with both iOS and Android, and the parental controls cover the basics, including contact management. There are limits, though. The Ace LTE doesn’t support music apps or sleep tracking, and this PCMag review notes that there’s occasional sluggishness when swapping between features. Still, the hardware itself feels sturdy, and the screen is easy for kids to navigate.That said, the software is clearly built around the subscription model. And that subscription is the real consideration here. The watch requires a $9.99 monthly Ace Pass for GPS location tracking, LTE features, and access to the games—an ongoing cost you have to factor into the decision. Without the subscription, the watch becomes a basic step counter, and if it’s only doing that, you might as well get the older Fitbit Ace 3. Still, for families who want reliable location tracking and a structured way to encourage daily movement, the Ace LTE offers both in a kid-friendly package. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/fitbit-ace-lte-smartwatch-sale-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma This Eufy No-Subscription-Required Floodlight Camera Is Now $80 Off 01KBF34E91A2B7KQB3TJRSQJC3 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:30:00 +0000 The Eufy E340 floodlight camera offers local storage, eliminating the need for a subscription. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.A wired floodlight camera isn’t something most people buy on impulse, but the Eufy E340 makes a good case for acting while the price is right. It’s now down to $139.99 from $219.99, which is its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. Eufy E340 Wired Floodlight Camera $139.99 at Amazon $219.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $139.99 at Amazon $219.99 Save $80.00 The draw here is the extensive coverage the dual-camera setup provides. One lens gives you a wide 130-degree 3K view of your yard, while the other zooms in far enough to pick up small details you’d usually miss, like a package label or a license plate. Both sit on a motorized mount that pans 360 degrees and tilts 120 degrees, so you can follow activity across your property without repositioning the fixture. As PCMag noted in its “outstanding” review, the E340 functions more like a compact surveillance system than a standard floodlight cam.The LEDs emit 2,000 lumens at a neutral 4,000K tone, providing sufficient lighting to light up a yard but not harsh enough to wash out details. The IP65 housing sits comfortably outdoors, and the setup holds its connection well with dual-band wifi. Night vision is clean, and the color feed looks better when the lights kick on. Storage is flexible, though not plug-and-play. You get a microSD slot that supports cards up to 128GB, but you’ll need to bring your own microSD card since none is included. That size covers days of continuous recording or far longer if you stick to motion-triggered clips. If you want more space, Eufy’s HomeBase S380 expands recording to 16TB, or you can skip hardware entirely and add a cloud service for as little as $3.99 per month.The app makes day-to-day use manageable with controls for panning, tilting, zooming, saved presets, and simple toggles for lights, two-way audio, or the 100dB siren. That said, while the E340 works with Alexa and Google Assistant, it does not support Apple HomeKit or IFTTT, so anyone tied into those platforms may feel boxed out. The wired installation also means you either need to be comfortable with electrical work or pay someone who is. But once installed, the performance holds steady. Our reviewer says the E340 is worth the money. At this price, anyone interested in combining bright outdoor lighting with reliable surveillance will likely feel the same. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/eufy-e340-floodlight-camera-sale-december-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pradershika Sharma How Tor Can Help You Be More Anonymous on the Internet 01KBDKJ3665PWBYDYKSVMKCVBX Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000 It isn't 100% foolproof, however. The internet is many things, but for many of us, it is far from private. By choosing to engage with the digital world, you often must give up your anonymity: trackers watch your every move as your surf the web and scroll on social media sites, and they use that information to build profiles of who (and where) you are and deliver you more "relevant" ads.It doesn't have to be this way. There are a number of tactics that can help keep your browsing private. You can use a VPN to make it look like your internet activity is coming from somewhere else; if you use Safari, you can take advantage of Private Relay to hide your IP address from websites you visit; or, you can connect the internet across a different network altogether: Tor.What is Tor?The whole idea behind Tor (which is short for The Onion Router) is to anonymize your internet browsing so that no one can tell that it is you visiting any particular website. Tor started out as a project of the U.S. Naval Research Lab in the 1990s, but developed into a nonprofit organization in 2006. Ever since, the network has been popular with users who want to privatize their web activity, whether they're citizens of countries with strict censorship laws, journalists working on sensitive stories, or simply privacy-focused individuals.Tor is a network, but it's commonly conflated with the project's official browser, also known as Tor. The Tor Browser is a modified version of Firefox that connects to the Tor network. The browser removes many of the technical barriers to entry for the Tor network: You can still visit your desired URLs as you would in Chrome or Edge, but the browser will connect you to them automatically via the Tor network automatically. But what does that mean?How does Tor work?Traditionally, when you visit a website, your data is sent directly to that site, complete with your identifying information (i.e. your device's IP address). That website, your internet service provider, and any other entities that might be privy to your internet traffic can all see that it is your device making the request, and can collect that information accordingly. This can be as innocent as the website in question storing your details for your next visit, or as scummy as the site following you around the internet.Tor flips the script on this internet browsing model. Rather than connect your device directly to the website you're visiting, Tor runs your connection through a number of different servers, known as "nodes." These nodes are hosted by volunteers all over the world, so there's no telling which nodes your request will go through when you initiate a connection.But Tor would not be known for its privacy if it only relied on multiple nodes to bounce your traffic around. In addition to the nodes, Tor adds layers of encryption your request. When the request passes from one node to another, each node is only able to decrypt one layer of the encryption, just enough to learn where to send the next request to. This method ensures that no one node in the system knows too much: Each only knows where the request came from one step before, and where it is sending the request to in the following step. It's like peeling back layers of an onion, hence the platform's name. Here's a simplified example of how it works: Let's say you want to visit Lifehacker.com through Tor. You initiate the request as you normally would, by typing the URL into Tor's address bar and hitting enter. When you do, Tor adds layered encryption to your request. The first node it sends it to, perhaps based in, say, the U.S., can unlock one layer of that encryption, which tells the node which node to send it to next. The next node, based perhaps in Japan, decrypts another layer of that encryption, which tells it to send it to a third node in Germany. That third node (known as the exit node) decrypts the final layer of encryption, which tells the node to connect to Lifehacker.com. Once Lifehacker receives the request, the reverse happens: Lifehacker sends the request to the node in Germany, which adds back its layer of encryption. It then sends it back to the node in Japan, which adds a second layer of encryption. It sends it back to the node in the U.S., which adds the final layer of encryption, before sending the fully encrypted request back to your browser, which can decrypt the entire request on your behalf. Congratulations: You have just visited Lifehacker.com, without revealing your identity. Tor isn't perfect for privacyWhile Tor goes a long way to anonymizing your internet activity, it won't protect you entirely. One of the network's biggest weaknesses is in the exit node: Since the final node in the chain carries the decrypted request, it can see where you're going, and, potentially, what you're doing when you get there. It won't be able to know where the request originated, but it can see that you're trying to access Lifehacker. Depending on what sites you're accessing, you might give enough information away to reveal yourself. This was especially an issue when websites were largely using the unencrypted HTTP protocol. If you connected to an unencrypted website, that final node might be able to see your activity on the site itself, including login information, messages, or financial data. But now that most sites have switched to the encrypted HTTPS protocol, there's less concern with third-parties being able to access the contents of your traffic. Still, even if trackers can't see exactly what you're doing or saying on these sites, they can see you visited the site itself, which is why Tor is still useful in today's encrypted internet. Who should use Tor?If you've heard anything about Tor, you might know it as the go-to service for accessing the dark web. That is true, but that doesn't make Tor bad. The dark web is not inherently bad, either: It's simply a network of sites that cannot be accessed by standard web browsers. That includes a number of very bad sites filled with very bad stuff, to be sure. But it also encompasses a number of perfectly legal activities as well. Chrome or Firefox cannot see dark web sites, but Tor browser can. But you don't need to visit the dark web in order for Tor to be useful. Anyone who wants to keep their internet traffic private from the world can benefit. You might have a serious need for this, such as if you live in a country that won't let you access certain websites, or if you're a reporter working on a story that could have ramifications should the information leak. But you don't need to have a specialized case to benefit. Tor can help reduce anyone's digital footprint, and keep trackers from following you around the internet.One big drawbackIf you do decide to use Tor, understand that it won't be as fast as other modern browsers. Running your traffic through multiple international nodes takes a toll on performance, so you may be waiting a bit longer for your websites to load than you're used to. However, it won't cost you anything to try it, as the browser is completely free to download and use on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android. (Sorry, iOS fans.) If you're worried about what you've heard about the dark web, don't be: The only way to access that material it is to seek it out directly. Otherwise, using Tor will feel just like using any other browser—albeit just a tad slower. ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/what-is-tor?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson This Home Gym Storage Rack Is 38% Off for Cyber Monday 01KBDTPXJCWFY519HHV8QDMSKR Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:58:24 +0000 Say goodbye to tripping over dumbbells. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. There are still a few hours left to snag Cyber Monday deals—and to bring order to your home gym setup. Normally $129.99, this home gym storage rack is currently on sale for $79.98. If you've been tripping over scattered dumbbells or wasting time hunting for the right weights mid-workout, this deal solves both problems for under $80. PLKOW Dumbbell Rack $89.99 at Amazon $129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $89.99 at Amazon $129.99 Save $40.00 This weight rack is specifically designed for a home gym. There are designated spaced for dumbbells, kettlebells, yoga blocks, resistance bands, medicine balls, and more—basically all the smaller equipment that tends to pile up in corners or get kicked under furniture. Having everything organized in one storage rack means you can actually find what you need when you need it.I recommend a dedicated storage rack like this so you can really focus on your fitness goals without the distraction of a cluttered space. In other words: No more digging through a heap of equipment or making multiple trips across your garage to grab different dumbbells between sets. Everything has its place, and you can grab what you need and get back to training.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/home-gym-dumbbell-rack-deal-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz This Tablet Is a Cross Between a Kindle and an iPad, and It's Down to $150 for Cyber Monday 01KBDP7T80NAJSXKV1X92Y4MBF Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:23:29 +0000 The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 can be yours during Cyber Monday for $150. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I love using e-readers to read novels and other books, but when it comes to color content, especially comic books or even Android apps, I'm torn. I like the easy-on-the-eyes effect of E Ink, but e-readers that run Android can be slow to respond to your taps, and color e-readers still lose out on a lot of vibrancy and contrast when compared to more traditional screens. TCL's NXTPAPER displays go a long way towards fixing that, and now you can get a NXTPAPER tablet for a large discount during Cyber Monday. TCL NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 $179.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $179.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $70.00 The trick behind NXTPAPER is that it's not technically E Ink, but it feels pretty similar to it. Instead, NXTPAPER uses a more traditional LCD display, but with special low blue light technology and a matte coating to make it feel like paper. It's hard to imagine it comes close to something like a Kindle when reading the marketing bragging about it, but having tried it in person, I can say it's about 80% of the way to feeling like the real thing. And the benefit? You get far more vibrant colors than you would with color E Ink, and the same responsive feeling and high refresh rate as when using a phone or an iPad.It's probably not something I'd want on the phone I carry every day, since the matte coating can still make the colors a little duller, if not as bad as E Ink would. But this Cyber Monday, you can get a standalone NXTPAPER tablet for a great price. Currently, the NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 is just $150 on Amazon, and that's with a stylus and case included.This tablet has an 11-inch 1,920 x 1,200 screen and starts off with 64GB of storage (upgradeable up to 256GB for a bit more). Its MediaTek chip and 8GB of RAM means it won't be a powerhouse for running demanding apps like the most recent games, but it should be fine for the task it's built for—reading. The biggest downside is that it's going to drain a bit more battery than a proper E Ink display would, but with an 8,000 mAh capacity, the battery should last for days in between charges.It's probably not the best choice if you only read black-and-white books, because E Ink will still provide a hands-down better experience there, if only by a little bit. But if you want the versatility of Android, or you want to read vibrant color content without straining your eyes, the NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 might be a better pick for you than any actual E Ink device. It's also a good choice for artists, as NXTPAPER also feels a bit more natural to draw on, as seen on the slightly pricier XP-Pen Magic Note Pad, which is also on sale for Cyber Monday.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/nxtpaper-tablet-sale-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Michelle Ehrhardt The Garmin Venu X1 Is $200 Off for Cyber Monday 01KBDR07TGXNPX6V1Z5QYF0FQA Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:15:53 +0000 A fitness watch with coaching for running, cycling, and strength training. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. If you're looking for Garmin's answer to the Apple Watch Ultra—aka a versatile watch that balances everyday wearability with solid fitness tracking—look no further than Garmin's Venu X1. And for Cyber Monday, the Venu X1 is on sale for $599.99 ($200 off its normal price $799.99). Garmin Venu X1 $599.99 at Amazon $799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.99 at Amazon $799.99 Save $200.00 The X1 is Garmin's biggest screen—41 x 46 millimeters with a two-inch diagonal measurement—making it easy to view maps, data, and notifications at a glance. You also get an LED flashlight built into the watch, handy for early morning runs or fumbling with your keys in the dark. The scratch-resistant sapphire lens adds durability, while built-in maps mean you can navigate without pulling out your phone. There's also a speaker and microphone for taking calls or using a voice assistant directly from your wrist.Solid training and trackingThe X1 includes coaching for running, cycling, and strength training, plus all the health and fitness tracking Garmin is known for. It goes without saying that Garmin watches deliver excellent GPS accuracy and reliable heart rate readings—qualities that matter whether you're logging casual jogs or training for your next race.Beyond the usual activity profiles and running-specific metrics, the X1 supports a wide range of sports including motorcycling, rock climbing, and golfing (with extra features tailored to the course). The battery lasts up to eight days, so you won't be tethered to a charger constantly.If you prefer a round watch geared specifically toward serious runners and athletes, check out Garmin's high-end Fenix line also on sale today.How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/garmin-venu-x1-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz These Olympic Bumper Plates are $100 Off for Cyber Monday 01KBDN18NX26ES7ZD84E20GYNE Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:45:24 +0000 I don't know what's stronger—this deal, or my muscles! We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Normally $366.66, this 305-lb Olympic bumper plate set is currently on sale for $265.99 on Amazon—that's over $100 off for Cyber Monday. Here's the real kicker: You're basically paying $1 per pound, which is a seriously good deal when it comes to at-home strength training. Fitvids Olympic Bumper Plates Set $348.43 at Amazon $366.66 Save $18.23 Get Deal Get Deal $348.43 at Amazon $366.66 Save $18.23 What you getThis set includes everything you need to start serious barbell training at home:1x 7-foot Olympic 2-inch barbell (45 lbs)2x 10 lb plates2x 15 lb plates2x 25 lb plates2x 35 lb plates2x 45 lb platesThat's 305 pounds total of equipment, giving you plenty of weight progression options whether you're doing deadlifts, squats, bench press, or Olympic lifts.Plus, unlike traditional iron plates, bumper plates are made of rubber. The rubber on these should minimize bouncing and protects your floors—crucial if you're training in a garage or basement and don't want to damage the surface (or annoy your neighbors).Whether you're building out a home gym from scratch or upgrading from cheaper plates that have seen better days, this Cyber Monday deal delivers serious value. At roughly $1 per pound, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better price on a complete Olympic bumper plate set with a barbell included.How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/these-olympic-bumper-plates-100-off-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz Netflix Is Killing Casting From Your Phone 01KBDDSEE8SENBE1NGTH0JT9AC Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:30:00 +0000 Unless you have older hardware, you can't cast Netflix to your TV anymore. Smart TVs have undoubtedly taken over the streaming space, and it's not hard to see why. You download the apps you want to use, log into your accounts, and presto: You can stream anything with a few clicks of your remote. But smart TV apps aren't the only way people watch shows and movies on platforms like Netflix. Among other methods, like plugging a laptop directly into the TV, many people still enjoying casting their content from small screens to big screens. For years, this has been a reliable way to switch from watching Netflix on your smartphone or tablet to watching on your TV—you just tap the cast button, select your TV, and in a few moments, your content is beamed to the proper place. Your device becomes its own remote, with search built right-in, and it avoids the need to sign into Netflix on TVs outside your home, such as when staying in hotels. At least it did, but Netflix no longer wants to let you do it.Netflix no longer supports casting on most devicesWhile you can still cast to your TV from other streaming platforms, there's bad news for Netflix fans: The company has abruptly dropped casting support for most devices. Android Authority was the first to report on the change, though you might have stumbled upon the development yourself when looking for the cast button in the Netflix app. In fact, Netflix has prepared for your confusion, as you can see from this Netflix Help Center page titled "Can't find 'Cast' button in Netflix app." This page might offer a glimmer of hope at first, as you think "Oh good, Netflix has a solution if the Cast button is missing." Unfortunately, the response isn't going to make you happy: "Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices. You’ll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix."The exception here is for "older" Chromecast devices or TVs that work with Google Cast—but only if you pay for an ad-free Netflix plan. If you took Netflix up on its lower-cost subscription offer, those ads not only cost you extra watch time, but also your ability to cast—assuming you even have the older hardware to cast to. While Android Authority was the first major publication to report on the issue, some Netflix casters have been living with the change over the past couple of weeks. On Nov. 14, this user posted on the Chromecast subreddit voicing their complaints about the change. They were particularly frustrated with the lack of communication from Netflix, as the Cast button was removed "with zero warning." Other users in the thread noted their frustrations, too, with some threatening to cancel their subscriptions over the issue. Why is Netflix removing support for casting?Netflix doesn't explain why it's making the change, so I can only speculate. First, it's totally possible this is simply a tech obsolescence issue. Many companies drop support for older or underused technologies, and perhaps Netflix sees now as the time to largely drop support for casting. Streamlining the tech the app has to support means less work for Netflix developers, and it wouldn't be the first time the company dropped support for older platforms. However, that doesn't really explain why the company still supports some devices for casting. Maybe it took a look at its user base, and made the calculation that enough subscribers relied on Google Cast devices for casting, but not enough relies on newer hardware for casting. We might not really know unless Netflix decides to issue a statement. That said, I can't help but feel like this is related to Netflix's crackdown on password sharing. The company clearly doesn't want you using its services unless you have your own paid account—or have another user pay extra to have you on their account. Casting, however, makes it easy to continue using someone else's account without paying for it. Since Netflix only requires mobile users to log into the account owner's home wifi once a month to continue watching on a device, you could theoretically cast Netflix from your smartphone to your TV to continue enjoying your shows and movies "for free." By removing casting as an option for most users, those users will either need to connect a device to the TV by wire—like a laptop connected via HDMI—or log into the smart TV app. And if those users don't actually have permission to access that account via that app, they won't be able to stream. If this really is the company's intention, it's doing so at the inconvenience of paying users, too. If you're traveling, you now need to bother with signing into your account on a TV you don't own. If you don't like using your smart TV apps, you're kind of out of luck, unless you want to deal with connecting a computer to your TV whenever you want to catch up on Stranger Things. How to fix Netflix casting issues with compatible hardware If you do meet the new requirements for casting on Netflix, and the cast button still isn't appearing, Netflix does have some troubleshooting steps you can take on its Help Center page. It's device-dependent, but generally, here's what you should do:Check your Chromecast's wifi network: You can ensure your Chromecast is actively connected to your wifi network from the Google Home app on your iPhone or Android device. Turn your device off and on again: If you're casting from your phone or tablet, power it off completely, then turn it back on again. Turn your Chromecast off and on again: If your device boots back up but the Cast button is still missing, power off and unplug your Chromecast for at least 15 seconds before turning it back on again. Sign out of Netflix: Log out of Netflix on the device you're trying to cast from. Turn off Chrome extensions: If you're using Chrome on a Mac or PC for casting, Netflix recommends turning off your browser extensions. (This seems like an extreme step in my opinion, especially if you're someone who relies on Chrome extension—but if it works, it works.) ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/netflix-is-killing-casting-from-your-phone?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson The Samsung Galaxy Ring Is 38% Off for Cyber Monday 01KBDKF3WG4F7BZF4W2NPJV3BY Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:20:46 +0000 Unlike the competition, you won't need a subscription to track your health data. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over.Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.If you've been curious about smart rings but hesitant about the price, I've got great news: Normally $399.99, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is currently on sale for $249.95 for Cyber Monday. Samsung Galaxy Ring $389.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $389.00 at Amazon As Lifehacker's own Daniel Oropeza says, Samsung's Galaxy Ring isn't just a one-off experiment—it's a well-made health-monitoring product. According to PCMag's review, it's a solid first-generation smart ring, though you'll get the most out of it if you have a Samsung phone.If you are already part of the Samsung ecosystem, this ring is great health and sleep tracker, monitoring metrics like heart rate, skin temperature, and sleep quality. However, if you're looking for detailed activity tracking, you're still better off with a smartwatch. This is more about passive health monitoring throughout your day and night.Design and featuresThe Galaxy Ring comes with a titanium finish in gold, silver, and black. Like Oura rings, it's a bit bulkier than a regular ring at 7mm wide and 2.6mm thick—something to consider if you're not used to wearing jewelry.Samsung users get extra perks: You can control your phone's camera or dismiss alarms by tapping your ring finger to your thumb twice in a row. It's a small touch, but these kinds of integrations make the device feel more seamlessly connected to your tech ecosystem.No subscription requiredHere's the biggest advantage over the main competition: The Galaxy Ring is subscription-free. Oura rings require an ongoing monthly fee to access your health data, but Samsung gives you full access without additional costs. That alone could save you hundreds of dollars over the ring's lifetime.The ring is IP68 water resistant, so you can wash your hands and shower without worrying about it. It comes with a wireless charging case, and the battery lasts about six days per charge. Sizes range from five to 15, so most people should find a comfortable fit.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/samsung-galaxy-ring-sale-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz This Budget-Friendly AirTag Alternative Is Half Off for Cyber Monday 01KBDM9XBSB7KVXDF5ZFEVJ1VN Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:13:54 +0000 This is a perfect gift to stuff a stocking or give at a white elephant. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Cyber Monday is here, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Bluetooth tracking tags are the perfect holiday gift; they're both high-tech and practical, they're easy to set up and use, and literally everyone has something they lose, from luggage, to laptops, to car keys, to pets. Plus, they're compact and easy to wrap. Best of all, these Mate tags from Tile are —especially while they're 50% off for Cyber Monday. Tile by Life360 Mate 2024 Bluetooth Tracker (4-Pack) $39.99 at Amazon $79.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Amazon $79.99 Save $40.00 They work like this: You affix them to whatever you like, and then you can either see where the item is on a map on your phone or play an alarm. But that's only half of what makes these trackers useful, because also work in reverse: You can click a Mate and it will ring your phone in case you lose that. A four pack of Mate trackers for $39.99 is the lowest price Amazon has ever offered, so this isn't an illusionary bargain, and it's much cheaper than Apple's competing product: A four-pack of AirTags lists for $99, and is currently on sale for $62.99. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/apple-airtag-alternative-sale-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Stephen Johnson The Best Cyber Monday Deal on AirPods Pro 01KAEE0XXAAFCK1AD7HKDPF7A6 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:37:13 +0000 The AirPods Pro 2 is now $100 off, making it the best way to snag a pair. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. As someone who's still rocking an M1 MacBook Air, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, the Apple Watch SE (Gen 1), and the AirPods Pro (Gen 1), I can proudly say that using older devices is a great lifestyle decision. It saves me a lot of money, and I still get access to premium products with almost all of the features I need. And now that the AirPods Pro 3 are out, it's a great time to start looking for deals on the older AirPods Pro 2 before stocks are cleared. This Walmart deal brings the AirPods Pro 2 to an all-time low price of $139 (which is $100 off the list price), and they're an absolutely fantastic piece technology for that price.The best Cyber Monday sale on Apple AirPods Pro 2 AirPods Pro 2 $139.00 at Walmart $239.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $139.00 at Walmart $239.00 Save $100.00 Although the AirPods Pro 2 launched a few years ago, they've received enough software updates to make them far more capable than they were at launch. Now, the AirPods Pro 2 are also approved for use as a hearing aid in the US, and still offer excellent noise isolation with great sound quality. I live in a really noisy city and I cannot roam around without wearing my AirPods for fear of triggering my migraines. My AirPods Pro (Gen 1) do a good job at cutting out the noise, but the AirPods Pro 2 take the cancellation to another level. I've used and compared all three generations of AirPods, and the noise cancellation on the Pro 2 is solid. It's not as good as that on the Pro 3, but it's better than on the Pro 1, and the difference isn't big enough to spend nearly twice the price for the latest product.The AirPods Pro 2 are everything I need to keep migraines away. They block out the worst of the loud noises around me while being light and comfortable enough to wear all day. My city has extremely humid weather, which makes it near impossible to wear over-ear headphones outdoors. However, I feel quite comfortable with my AirPods, and I've been waiting for nearly four years to upgrade mine. While I was saving up for the AirPods Pro 3, this deal is too good to resist, and I may just get the Pro 2 instead and save the rest of my cash to upgrade my Apple Watch.Does Apple do Cyber Monday?Yes, Apple participates in Cyber Monday, though you may want to compare their sales with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but so far, the best Black Friday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever.Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/airpods-pro-3-sale-black-friday-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pranay Parab The Core 2 Thermal Sensor Is 20% for Cyber Monday 01KBDJF07DE40N3TWX1J39KWF0 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:35:22 +0000 Get it now and be ready for spring training. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Normally $295, the Core 2 Thermal Sensor is currently on sale for $236—a 20% discount for Cyber Monday. And here's the smart play: buying it now means you'll be ready to get ahead of the heat when spring training season rolls around. Core 2 Thermal Sensor $294.95 at CORE Get Deal Get Deal $294.95 at CORE What the Core 2 doesThe Core 2 is a small plastic sensor that attaches to your heart rate monitor chest strap and tracks your body temperature during workouts. It's designed to help you understand how heat is affecting your performance, and guide you through heat-training protocols so you can adapt faster and more efficiently.My colleague Beth Skwarecki reviewed the Core 2 and found it a little fussy to set up, but easy to use and understand once you're up and running. What really impressed her was the big-picture view it provides: tracking how your body adapts to heat over time.Train hot, race coolThe data from the Core 2 serves two main purposes. First, it can guide your heat acclimation training—helping you adapt to hot conditions more strategically. Second, you can use it during races to monitor your core temperature and avoid overheating when it counts.As Beth points out, there's a legitimate debate about whether heat training makes sense for every athlete. You could argue that most runners would benefit more from longer or faster runs rather than adding heat stress to their training. But if you are training in the heat—whether because you live somewhere hot, you're preparing for a warm-weather race, or you're intentionally pursuing heat adaptation—the Core 2 seems to be an incredibly useful tool.Worth it for the right runnerAt nearly $300, this isn't an impulse purchase. But at $236, it's more accessible for serious athletes who want to take their heat training to the next level. Getting it now during Cyber Monday means you'll have months to familiarize yourself with the device before temperatures climb in spring and summer. By the time race season heats up, you'll already know exactly how your body responds to thermal stress—and how to manage it.How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/health/the-core-2-thermal-sensor-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz Why Black Friday and Cyber Monday Are Bad Days to Impulse Buy Electronics 1849814063 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:34:46 +0000 Here's how to avoid misleading Black Friday and Cyber Monday “deals.” Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Not every Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal is as sweet as it seems. With electronics in particular, that fresh price tag might mean getting tricked into buying a cheaper model of the thing you actually want. Or, you could be buying last year's model that has actually been on sale since the summer—maybe even at a better price a few months ago. Here’s how to avoid impulse buying a misleading Black Friday “deal” and make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Why you shouldn't impulse buy electronics on Black Friday or Cyber MondayWhen you see products like food, clothes, or home goods with a big ol’ "Black Friday" or "Cyber Monday" tag slapped on them, it's probable safe to take advantage of that deal. Chances are it's the same exact product you'd find on other days of the year. The same can’t be said for a TV. Many electronics sold during Black Friday are special "doorbusters" or retailer-exclusive models produced specifically for the holiday shopping season. These versions often feature cheaper components, fewer features, or lower specifications than their regular counterparts. A 55-inch TV from a reputable brand might look identical to the year-round model, but it could have a lower refresh rate, inferior panel technology, or fewer HDMI ports. So sure, you can go with the cheaper TV on Black Friday, but think about the value of what you’re buying.In the same vein, that "amazing deal" on a laptop might be on last year's processor or a smartphone that's about to be replaced. Retailers clear out aging inventory during Black Friday, and while the discount looks impressive, you're buying technology that's already outdated. The issue isn't that the tech is an older model, but that it has actually been at this low a price—or lower!—since the summer.Alternatively, some deeply discounted electronics are refurbished units or open-box returns that have been repackaged. Again, while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, impulse buyers may not fully realize what they're buying.How to tell if a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale is a good dealThe key phrasing here is impulse buying. Black Friday is psychologically engineered to trigger impulse purchases. Limited-time offers, countdown clocks, and "while supplies last" warnings create artificial urgency that short-circuits rational decision-making. When you're caught up in the moment, it's easy to convince yourself you need a new tablet, smartwatch, or gaming console, even if you hadn't considered buying one before.To avoid a low-key scam, do your research. The easiest way to tell that you’re getting the correct product is by checking the model or serial number. And with online shopping, finding and double-checking those numbers is quick and easy.Seriously, don't just compare prices—compare specs. Look at processor speeds, RAM, storage capacity, screen resolution, refresh rates, and connectivity options. A $300 laptop isn't a deal if a slightly more expensive model offers significantly better performance that will last you years longer.If you do see a deal that catches your eye, it could pay to wait. Cyber Monday, post-Christmas sales, and even January clearances often feature electronics deals that rival or beat Black Friday prices, all without the famous chaos and pressure. Then again, you risk more “out-of-stock” results if you wait, so the risk is up to you, depending on the popularity of the item you’re eyeing (and how badly you want it). The bottom line: Don’t fall victim to a falsely-advertised lower-quality product, and make the most of holiday deals by doing a little research ahead of time. How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing.]]> https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-before-buying-electronics-during-black-friday-cyber-monday?utm_medium=RSS Meredith Dietz How to Tell If a Black Friday or Cyber Monday Deal Is Just Hype 1849165522 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:30:09 +0000 Not all bargains are truly a bargain. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here. Throughout the week, you’ll find promotions on products from companies both big and small, all vying for your clicks and the contents of your bank account. Many of these offers will claim to be great deals, implying that not buying the item during Black Friday will mean missing out on massive savings. But not all Black Friday deals are really all that great—just because a product is discounted on Black Friday doesn't mean it hasn't been cheaper before, and won't be cheaper later. Fortunately, there are a few strategies you can use to quickly figure out whether that “amazing deal” really is all that.How to tell a good Black Friday or Cyber Monday price from a bad oneOne of the best things you can do to tell if a Black Friday deal is legit is to use a price tracker. These sites and tools keep tabs on the prices for any given product across the many different stores and vendors where it is sold, in order to give you the best possible price, as well as show you whether that current “deal” really is that much lower than the original price or other deals that are out there.A common technique to make deals look good is to pump up the price of the product: That way, when the company slashes the price for something like Black Friday, it can claim a large discount, even if the overall price tag isn’t much lower than the original price (if it's lower at all). If something originally costs $60, a company can raise the price to $75, then cut it back down to $60, claiming it took 20% off. It’s accurate, but scummy, so watch out for it.You can use a browser extension like CamelCamelCamel to watch a product's price history on Amazon. But other trackers, like Capital One Shopping, can help you find prices and price histories for items across multiple stores. Their browser extensions are especially useful: If there’s another store selling the same product you’re looking at on Amazon for less, you’ll get a pop-up letting you know, with a direct link to that store’s product page.Knowing whether something is a good deal isn’t all about getting the best price, though. You might see that an item isn’t any cheaper elsewhere on the web, but there’s more than just the general price tag to consider.Make sure you’re not unknowingly buying an outdated piece of techI’m a big believer in old tech: I think we should be holding onto our devices for longer than many of us do. However, I don’t think companies should sell you old tech as if it were new, especially when new tech is right around the corner. Amazon in particular is actually sometimes helpful here: If you’re looking at an outdated version of a product, Amazon lets you know, and gives you a link to the current version of that device. However, that’s only true if Amazon carries that new version of the device or if there’s a direct successor to that product. Lines are blurred these days: Last year’s device isn’t necessarily obsolete just because there’s a new version out, so Amazon doesn’t always try to sell you on the newer product.And that can be fine! Last-generation laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and phones are often great choices: Tech is advancing so rapidly that it can be frugal and practical to buy older tech that still works well. Just look at the AirPods Pro 2: They're not Apple's newest earbuds, but they're still excellent, and currently cost $80 less than the AirPods Pro 3 on sale. That said, a store telling you to buy something that won’t be able to update to the latest software later this year isn’t right. If you’re looking to buy a piece of tech on Black Friday, research is your friend. It’s more than okay to buy something that came out last year or the year before; what matters more is making sure the product will still work as it should in 2025, and if it’ll last as long as you’d reasonably expect it to. If the reason a device is at such a good price is that it’s obsolete, that’s not a good deal. Not everything “cheap” is good On a similar note, be wary of cheap tech that simply isn’t very good. It might be affordable, but if it doesn’t work well, it’s not worth the cost. Often, this issue arises with the many brands you’ve never heard of selling items for pennies compared to other companies. Sure, you could save some money and go with these brands, but what about the long-term investment? If the return policy is up, you’re sunk without a customer support channel, something many of these tiny companies lack themselves.On the other hand, you might have heard of the brand, but the product itself just isn’t very good. It might seem like a steal to get a giant 65-inch 4K TV for less than $300, but if the picture quality is really poor, was that really worth it? (No.)Read the reviewsOne way to make sure that TV is worth its steep price cut, or whether those cheap headphones are going to pass the listen test, is to read reviews for the products you’re considering buying. I’m not talking about Amazon reviews, either: Amazon’s ratings can be helpful, but they can also be compromised. Sometimes the reviews don’t even match the product they’re supposed to be talking about, which doesn’t bode well for the integrity of the review. And in the age of AI, you can never be too sure who's writing that customer review in the first place.When it comes to tech, the best approach is to listen to the reviewers with technical experience, who put these products through their paces before issuing an opinion. An outlet like our sister site PCMag will help you figure out pretty quickly whether that TV is really worth the hype, and they show their work so you can understand how they came to their conclusions. At the end of the day, it’s all about taking your time and doing your research—the opposite of the Black Friday “BUY IT NOW” strategy. Fight the urge to buy something on impulse, and make sure your money is going toward the best possible product for your needs.What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/how-to-tell-black-friday-cyber-monday-2025-deal-is-actually-good?utm_medium=RSS Jake Peterson Bose's QuietComfort Headphones Are Over Half Off for Cyber Monday 01KBDGHYVBT0T20A4AG6V6YQC5 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:25:14 +0000 Or you could pick a different color for 50% off. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find.Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more.Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Bose's QuietComfort Headphones are among the best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones you can buy today. They may be a couple of years old at this point, but they're still competitive, and now there's a Cyber Monday 2025 deal that's bringing them to more than half off. That's a fantastic deal on a really good product, and if you're in the market for over-ear noise cancelling headphones, you should definitely consider it. Bose QuietComfort Headphones $159.99 $349.00 Save $189.01 Get Deal Get Deal $159.99 $349.00 Save $189.01 In Amazon's Cyber Monday 2025 sale, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are down to $159.99 (54% off) in black. The best thing about these headphones are the color choices it's available in, and the good news is that multiple color variants are going at $179.99 (50% off). That's still a decent savings, even if it's not quite as high as what you'd save on the more boring color.PCMag's review gave this product a 4/5, praising it for its controls, sound quality, and noise cancellation. This product misses out on support for newer Bluetooth codecs, unlike the pricier Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($399, 11% off). The older product doesn't charge as fast as the QC Ultra either, but it will still sound great. The review calls out the price for being a bit too high, but this Cyber Monday Sale rectifies that. You can now get the QuietComfort headphones for $239 less than the QuietComfort Ultra. I recently tried the QuietComfort headphones in-person, and I was impressed by the build quality and how light they felt on my head. The noise cancellation was also great. These types of headphones serve a dual purpose in my life. They cut out external noise during long flights, and they also keep my ears warm when I'm in windy places in the winter (looking at you, Scotland!). If you're not sure which over-ear headphones to get this Cyber Monday, look no further than the Bose QuietComfort ones.How long do Cyber Monday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. Expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything.  Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — (List Price $587.99) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $419.00 (List Price $419.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team ]]> https://lifehacker.com/tech/bose-quietcomfort-headphones-over-half-off-cyber-monday-2025?utm_medium=RSS Pranay Parab