theverge--2020-11-24--Xbox chief: the best argument against the Xbox Series S was Sony

Microsoft ’ s Xbox Series S wasn ’ t exactly a well kept secret , but the company ’ s decision to create a second next-gen Xbox to go up against the PS5 wasn ’ t an easy one .
Ultimately , Microsoft ’ s decision to build two next-gen consoles came down to the company ’ s desire to reach a broader audience than Sony was targeting .
The Xbox Series S lacks the raw horsepower found in the larger Xbox Series X or the PS5 .
That ’ s left many wondering why Microsoft created two very different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on a single powerful PS5 .
Some Microsoft employees were even questioning the decision , and the company ’ s Xbox chief has revealed to The Verge that “ the best argument against doing [ two next-gen consoles ] was Sony.
” In an interview with The Verge , Microsoft ’ s head of gaming Phil Spencer says the idea of an entry level Xbox Series S “ was questioned a number of times internally.
” Despite the reservations and Spencer having “ a ton of respect for what Sony does , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 299 Series S as a more affordable entry point into next-gen gaming all with the knowledge that Sony was only pursuing high-end hardware .
“ It was really this inclusion : how do we include more people in the launch euphoria and hype and everything that happens , and make it as accessible to [ as many ] more people as possible , ” explains Spencer .
“ We want to think about how we bring more people into the gaming funnel , have more people experience this art form that we love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushback against [ doing one console ] was always , but we want to grow , we want to find new customers.
” The Xbox Series S complicates the next generation of gaming somewhat .
Sony ’ s approach was to create two PS5 models with the same hardware specs , and one without a disc drive .
“ The way I would frame it , the best argument against doing [ two-next gen consoles ] was Sony , ” reveals Spencer .
“ We didn ’ t think that they were going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series X and Series S are difficult to find and purchase right now , and that ’ s a situation that ’ s likely to last for months yet .
“ We started manufacturing late summer , ” reveals Spencer .
“ We were a little bit later than the competition , because we were waiting for some specific AMD technology in our chip .
We were a little bit behind where they were , where Sony was , in terms of building units.
” That decision to hold for a full implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely mean Sony has more units to ship out this holiday season .
Microsoft hasn ’ t revealed what the benefits of having full RDNA 2 support will bring to Xbox Series X over the PS5 , or why the company was willing to hold and impact its shipping plans .
It ’ s a decision that could play out in what ’ s supported in games in the months and years ahead .
For now , you ’ ll likely see more Xbox Series X devices available over the next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S is positioned as the entry point , Spencer has revealed Microsoft is still currently manufacturing more Xbox Series X consoles than Series S to keep up with demand .
“ We figured that our first holiday , and probably our second holiday , you would see more of the higher end SKU , the Series X sold , ” says Spencer .
“ We built more Series Xs than we did Series Ss .
I think when we go into spring and summer , we ’ ll probably moderate that a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most cases , price wins out.
” You can read or listen to Nilay Patel ’ s full interview with Phil Spencer right here .

Microsoft’s Xbox Series S wasn’t exactly a well kept secret, but the company’s decision to create a second next-gen Xbox to go up against the PS5 wasn’t an easy one. Ultimately, Microsoft’s decision to build two next-gen consoles came down to the company’s desire to reach a broader audience than Sony was targeting.
The Xbox Series S lacks the raw horsepower found in the larger Xbox Series X or the PS5. That’s left many wondering why Microsoft created two very different next-gen Xbox consoles, while Sony has focused on a single powerful PS5. Some Microsoft employees were even questioning the decision, and the company’s Xbox chief has revealed to The Verge that “the best argument against doing [two next-gen consoles] was Sony.”
In an interview with The Verge, Microsoft’s head of gaming Phil Spencer says the idea of an entry level Xbox Series S “was questioned a number of times internally.” Despite the reservations and Spencer having “a ton of respect for what Sony does,” Microsoft persisted to create the $299 Series S as a more affordable entry point into next-gen gaming all with the knowledge that Sony was only pursuing high-end hardware.
The Xbox Series S and Series X. Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge
“It was really this inclusion: how do we include more people in the launch euphoria and hype and everything that happens, and make it as accessible to [as many] more people as possible,” explains Spencer. “We want to think about how we bring more people into the gaming funnel, have more people experience this art form that we love,” says Spencer. “The pushback against [doing one console] was always, but we want to grow, we want to find new customers.”
The Xbox Series S complicates the next generation of gaming somewhat. Sony’s approach was to create two PS5 models with the same hardware specs, and one without a disc drive. “The way I would frame it, the best argument against doing [two-next gen consoles] was Sony,” reveals Spencer. “We didn’t think that they were going to do it.”
Both the Xbox Series X and Series S are difficult to find and purchase right now, and that’s a situation that’s likely to last for months yet. “We started manufacturing late summer,” reveals Spencer. “We were a little bit later than the competition, because we were waiting for some specific AMD technology in our chip. We were a little bit behind where they were, where Sony was, in terms of building units.”
Sony’s PS5 console. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
That decision to hold for a full implementation of AMD’s RDNA 2 technologies will likely mean Sony has more units to ship out this holiday season. Microsoft hasn’t revealed what the benefits of having full RDNA 2 support will bring to Xbox Series X over the PS5, or why the company was willing to hold and impact its shipping plans. It’s a decision that could play out in what’s supported in games in the months and years ahead.
For now, you’ll likely see more Xbox Series X devices available over the next year than Series S. While the Xbox Series S is positioned as the entry point, Spencer has revealed Microsoft is still currently manufacturing more Xbox Series X consoles than Series S to keep up with demand. “We figured that our first holiday, and probably our second holiday, you would see more of the higher end SKU, the Series X sold,” says Spencer. “We built more Series Xs than we did Series Ss. I think when we go into spring and summer, we’ll probably moderate that a bit. Over the long run, in most cases, price wins out.”


theverge--2020-11-24--The best Black Friday deals you can get right now

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
The majority of Black Friday deals will launch the day after Thanksgiving ( November 26th ) in the US as usual , but the pandemic has shaken things up in yet another way .
The best deals will be happening online , with fewer in-person sales for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of those great deals are already available , so you can get started on your holiday gift ( or personal ) shopping .
With this post , we ’ re rounding up the best early Black Friday deals from retailers like Amazon , Best Buy , Walmart , Target , Adorama , B & H Photo , Newegg , and anywhere else we find deals you should know about .
Sonos has slashed the prices on several of its speakers ahead of Black Friday .
Three of its popular models are $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to 25 percent .
You can buy the Sonos Move , the company ’ s first portable speaker , for just $ 299 right now at Sonos and Amazon or $ 300 at Best Buy .
• The Sonos Beam is $ 299 at Amazon ( Usually $ 400 ) .
The deal is also available at Sonos ’ direct website .
This is a great entry-level soundbar .
• You can also buy Sonos Sub add-on speaker at a discounted price for $ 599 at Amazon ( usually $ 700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Sonos ’ direct website .
If you ’ re looking for a compact and inexpensive smart speaker , both of the latest Amazon Echo and Echo Dot devices are on sale .
The 4th Gen Echo Dot is down to $ 29 , which is the lowest price we ’ ve seen since its launch this fall .
The Echo Dot ’ s compact design might not be appealing to everyone , but if you are looking for an Echo Device but want something a bit bigger , you can grab the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 70 right now at a few retailers , including Amazon and Target .
Like this year ’ s Echo Dot , the Amazon Echo has an updated design that makes it more spherical in shape .
It also has much improved audio quality and the ability to connect Zigbee smart home devices .
Over at Adorama and Best Buy , you can buy a Google Nest Audio two-pack for $ 170 right now .
A two-pack for this smart speaker would normally set you back $ 199 .
You can get Bose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 299 at Amazon , Best Buy , B & H Photo , and Dell .
The price is only available in “ soapstone white , ” unfortunately , at all these retailers .
Apple ’ s AirPods Pro wireless earbuds are $ 190 at Woot right now .
This is the lowest we ’ ve seen yet on Apple ’ s flagship earbuds .
Compared to the standard AirPods , the Pro model features better sound quality and noise cancellation , plus support for Apple ’ s new spatial audio feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wireless earbuds are down to just $ 110 at Amazon and Best Buy .
This is the best price we ’ ve seen for this model , which usually costs $ 150 outside of any discounts .
Compared to the standard Galaxy Buds , this upgraded model that launched alongside the Galaxy S20 series of phones has improved sound quality , microphones , and battery life .
If you are looking to buy two pairs of Galaxy Buds Plus , Best Buy has a few bundles , allowing you to buy sets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and match which color you want for both pairs and are available in blue , black , light blue , red , and white .
Alongside the Plus wireless earbuds , Samsung ’ s Galaxy Buds are discounted at Amazon and Best Buy .
Normally , these earbuds would cost $ 130 , but you can get them for $ 79 at Amazon or $ 80 at Best Buy .
Unfortunately , the color options are limited at both retailers , so you can only buy these earbuds in either black or silver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up an iPad Pro this Black Friday , Amazon and Best Buy have Apple ’ s high-end iPad Pro for $ 730 .
This model includes an 11-inch display and a 128GB storage configuration .
If 128GB is not enough storage space for you , both retailers are taking $ 100 off the 256GB configuration , bringing the price down to $ 800 , which is what you would normally pay if you bought the entry-level 11-inch iPad Pro with the lowest storage configuration .
If you like Fitbit ’ s wearables and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , you can get the Fitbit Sense smartwatch for $ 280 at Fitbit ’ s website or at Best Buy and B & H Photo .
Normally this model costs $ 330 and allows you to track your stress levels and measure your blood oxygen levels .
The Apple Watch SE was already the most affordable Watch that Apple made at $ 279 , but it ’ s even cheaper at Amazon and Best Buy .
You can score the 40mm GPS version for $ 259 or the larger 44mm Watch for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Each size looks similar to the more expensive Series 6 but lacks the always-on display and a few other features .
The Apple Watch SE aligns more with the Series 5 in terms of specs , but at $ 259 , it ’ s a fantastic value .
Here ’ s an in-depth post on how the SE differs from other recent Apple Watch models .
The Apple Watch Series 6 is also cheaper than usual at Amazon and Walmart .
Normally $ 400 for the 40mm GPS model , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a catch .
You must buy this model in either red or blue at Amazon and Walmart only has the red model in this size discounted right now .
If you have a large home and want to make sure all of the rooms in it have internet and no dead zones , Amazon and Best Buy has discounted the Eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi router .
You can get three units for just $ 479 .
Ahead of Black Friday , Google has discounted several of its products , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy a two-pack for $ 219 .
The Nest Wifi system is easy to set up , and with two units , you can cover up to 4,400 square feet .
If you need a mesh router system that will cover more square feet in your home , you can buy a three-pack Eero 6 mesh router for $ 223 .
The mesh routers also include a built-in Zigbee smart home hub , allowing you to connect and control select devices with Amazon ’ s voice assistant Alexa .
If you prefer Netgear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a two-pack for the company ’ s Nighthawk mesh router system .
It ’ s designed for homes that have up to 400Mbps of internet speeds .
Netgear says its Nighthawk mesh router system provides up to 3,000 square feet in coverage and support for 25 or more devices .
At Amazon and Best Buy , you can save $ 140 on an eight-piece Ring Alarm home security kit , and it comes with a free third-gen Amazon Echo Dot with purchase .
Normally $ 290 , this kit will only cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netgear , its $ 450 flagship mesh router system is also discounted .
You can buy the Orbi RBK752 Wi-Fi 6 mesh router system for $ 280 at Best Buy right now .
This is a great product if you need something that will have the bandwidth to stream multiple videos in 4K or 8K resolution in your house .
Samsung ’ s fast T7 USB-C SSD with 1TB of storage normally costs $ 200 , but you can buy this portable SSD for just $ 150 at Amazon and Best Buy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 256-bit encryption and Samsung claims the T7 has up to 1,050MB/s transfer speeds .
It ’ s compatible with a variety of operating systems , including Windows 10 , macOS , and Android .
Unfortunately , it will not work on iPad or iOS devices and it is not compatible as an external SSD for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S .
Peak Design has kicked off its “ Super Massive Black Friday sale ” with sizeable discounts on bags and tripods .
It might be tough to imagine when you might next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of gadgets within , but the company ’ s “ Everyday ” lineup of bags is 20 percent off .
Its bigger “ Travel ” bags are also discounted .
If you ’ re into photography , Peak Design ’ s Travel Tripod and a few accessories that are compatible with it are cheaper than usual .
Watch Dogs : Legion , the latest installment in Ubisoft ’ s hack-anything , open-world game , the PS4 and Xbox One versions are down to $ 30 at Amazon and Best Buy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is down to $ 45 at Ubisoft ’ s official website .
This title recently came out and this is still a good discount .
What makes this deal even better is that if you buy the Xbox One or PS4 version of the game , you get an upgrade to the Xbox Series X / S or PS5 copies for free .
Even if you don ’ t have much interest in the game , it ’ s an affordable way to check out what impressive ray-tracing graphics look like on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Us Part II is one of the most popular PS4 games released this year .
If you have yet to experience Naughty Dog ’ s latest title , you can pick it up for $ 30 at Amazon , Best Buy , or GameStop .
This is the lowest price the game has been marked down to date .
If you recently purchased a PS5 , you can also play this game via backwards compatibility .
Speaking of popular PS4 games that released this year , Ghost of Tsushima is also on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 40 at Amazon and Best Buy .
Even better ?
If you purchased a PS5 , you can transfer your save data from your PS4 and experience the game in 60 frames per second , a feature exclusive to Sony ’ s next-gen console .
If you ’ re having trouble narrowing down what games you want , why not get several ?
Target is hosting a “ get three for the price of two ” deal on video game purchases — even for newer titles like Call of Duty Black Ops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Creed Valhalla , and Yakuza : Like a Dragon , to name a few .
The list goes on , though one thing that isn ’ t eligible are first-party Sony games for the PS5 , like the Demon ’ s Souls remake , but you can pick up Godfall , which is available on Sony ’ s next-gen console ( and on PC . )
Even Cyberpunk 2077 , a game coming out next month is eligible for this promotion .
If you want 2TB of fast storage for your PC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NVMe SSD is $ 250 at Newegg and Amazon , beating the lowest price by about $ 40 .
Over the summer , the price was steady at $ 350 .
A PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD like this will fit in only certain kinds of motherboards ( so check before you buy ) .
Alternatively , it can also make for a very fast USB-C drive if you get an M.2 enclosure for it .
Either route you take , you ’ ll get a lot of speedy storage .
If you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouse , the Logitech G502 lightspeed wireless gaming mouse is $ 100 at Amazon , Best Buy , and GameStop .
Normally this gaming mouse is $ 150 .
It features It features eleven programmable buttons , a 25600 DPI , and fully customizable RGB lighting .

Cyber Monday is over, but some of the deals are still happening. We won’t be making any more updates to the post below, so if you you want to follow along with the Cyber Week developments, we’re tracking the latest deals here.
Original article follows below.
It’s the last big shopping opportunity of 2020, and if you didn’t already take advantage of some deals that debuted over the weekend, now’s your chance. Every retailer has debuted at least a few new deals earlier than ever, and we’re focused on adding them here — in addition to the great Black Friday deals you can still get. As you’re expecting, there are some great deals on gaming laptops, wireless noise-canceling headphones, earbuds, tablets, and much more.
We’ll be doing our best to keep this post updated during Cyber Monday, and stay tuned throughout Cyber Week as we give you as many chances as possible to get everything on your holiday wish list. We’ve put the latest deals right at the top for easy viewing.
Latest deals
You can still get Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds for $110 at Woot (normally $130 during Cyber Monday), but B&H Photo comes close with its new $120 price for the earbuds.
The latest August Wi-Fi smart lock is $40 off at Best Buy and includes a free Lenovo Smart Clock Essential. Your total checkout cost will be $210 (plus tax).
Jabra’s Elite 75t wireless earbuds (black) are $119 at Best Buy, which is the lowest price we’ve seen yet. All other colors are $140.
Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge
B&H Photo is selling the very extreme 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor for $1,250 with an expected availability date of January 28th, 2021. It’s not quite as low as Amazon’s $1,190 deal from last week, but it’s the best currently running.
Target is selling Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Party for the Nintendo Switch together for $80. Given that each game usually costs $60, you’re saving $40 overall with this bundle. It’s lasting for the rest of Cyber Monday.
The $100 off deal on the latest MacBook Air with the M1 processor is back on at B&H Photo until the end of the day, or until stock sells out.
You can get two Amazon Echo Show 5 smart displays for $80 at Best Buy for Cyber Monday. Normally $45 each during Black Friday, this bundle will save you $10.
The best Cyber Monday deals on headphones
Whether you’re in the market for a set of wireless earbuds, noise-canceling headphones (or both!), Cyber Monday is delivering the goods with the best deals we’ve seen yet for models like the Apple AirPods, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plus and Buds Live, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, and many more.
Sony’s WH-XB900N noise-canceling headphones are $118 at Amazon and Best Buy (usually $248)
Even more affordable yet, the Sony WH-CH710N noise-canceling headphones are just $88 at Amazon and Best Buy (usually $200)
Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones (Certified Refurbished) $ 224 $ 380 41 % off $ 224 $ 224 $ 380 41 % off Bose’s flagship over-the-ear headphones allow you to connect two devices simultaneously and have a more modern design compared to other Bose headphones. You can grab a pair of Certified Refurbished ones for $224 (before tax) with code PREZDAY20 entered at checkout. $224 at eBay
Beats Solo Pro $ 145 $ 300 52 % off $ 145 $ 145 $ 300 52 % off Our top pick for best on-ear noise-canceling headphones. The Beats Solo Pro are ideal if you need a durable pair of headphones while you work out. $145 at Woot
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless noise-canceling headphones are $350 at Amazon and Best Buy, knocking $50 off the normal price
Shure’s Aonic 50 noise-canceling headphones are $300 at Amazon and Best Buy — a whole $100 off their usual price
Apple’s AirPods with a wireless charging case costs $140, which is officially the lowest price. These have been selling for $150 throughout Black Friday, but this early Cyber Monday deal is live now at Amazon.
You can snag a set of Amazon Echo Buds, which also sound good and have Bose noise reduction technology. They cost $80, down from $130, and you’ll get a six-month subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited.
The Galaxy Buds Plus dropped another $10 at Amazon, down to $100 from their original $150 price. Other retailers are holding steady at $110, at least for now.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds are just $110 at Woot (normally $130 during Cyber Monday). The next best price is at B&H Photo for $120.
Also at $80 are 1More’s ColorBuds, a solid set of wireless earbuds that pop with color. These are normally $100, and you can get this deal through 1More
Related There are more Cyber Monday deals on wireless earbuds
The best Cyber Monday deals on TVs
Several TV models are discounted for Cyber Monday, but only a few of them are likely worth your money. We’ve plucked a few particularly good deals out from the bunch. There are very affordable TVs that have Amazon’s Fire TV software built-in, as well as more high-end options like QLED and OLED TVs that are best paired with a PS5 and Xbox Series X for gaming (or just if you want the best picture quality and contrast for TV shows and movies). Also, we’ve found deals on big-screened TVs that are cheaper than ever.
LG BX OLED $ 1620 $ 1800 10 % off $ 1620 $ 1620 $ 1800 10 % off The 65-inch BX Series supports 4K at 120Hz, a variable refresh rate, and has all the HDMI 2.1 features you could want in a new TV. $1620 at Best Buy (65-inch)
The best Cyber Monday deals on laptops
Laptops are always useful, but they’re especially handy to have amid the pandemic. Whether you’re planning to use one for school, work, or just to have fun browsing or gaming, we’ve selected some standout laptop deals.
HP’s Envy x360 13 2-in-1 is $750 at Best Buy (usually $1,000)
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 14-inch gaming laptop with AMD’s Ryzen 9 4900HS processor, Nvidia’s RTX 2060 Max-Q graphics chip, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD is $1,200 at Best Buy, down from its usual $1,450 price.
The Gigabyte Aorus 5 gaming laptop with a six-core Intel Core i7 processor, the RTX 2060, and 16GB of RAM is $1,050 with a rebate card at Newegg (usually $1,300)
Lenovo’s 17-inch Legion 5 gaming laptop with a six-core Intel Core i7 processor, the RTX 2060, and 16GB of RAM is $1,200 at Newegg (normally $1,400)
The G5 15 SE playing Valorant Photo by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge
Dell’s 15-inch G5 15 SE gaming laptop with AMD’s Ryzen 7 4800H processor, the Radeon RX 5600M graphics chip, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 144Hz refresh rate display costs $850, down from $1,050. This is a capable machine for the price.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 $ 800 $ 1200 33 % off $ 800 $ 800 $ 1200 33 % off The Surface Pro 7 is one of the best Windows convertibles you can buy. This model includes an Intel Core i5, a 128GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM. $800 at Microsoft$850 at Target
The Acer Aspire 5 is a solid budget laptop with an 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It costs $550 at Newegg, down from $650.
The best Cyber Monday deals on smartwatches & wearables
If you’re looking to get a fitness tracker, or a smartwatch to funnel notifications to your wrist, Cyber Monday is serving up some deals you’ll probably take interest in. The latest models from Fitbit and Apple are present here, and you’ll find those below.
Fitbit Sense $ 200 $ 300 33 % off $ 200 $ 200 $ 300 33 % off One of Fitbit’s more recent product releases, the Sense includes FDA clearance and allows you to track your stress levels in addition to measuring your blood oxygen levels. The watch also includes Google Assistant support. $200 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy
The Apple Watch SE was already somewhat affordable at $279, but it’s even cheaper at Target. It’s $50 off, letting you score the 40mm GPS version for $230 or the larger 44mm Watch in black for $259 at Target.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is also cheaper than usual at Amazon and Walmart. Normally $400 for the 40mm GPS model, it’s down to $330 — but there’s a catch. You must buy this model in either red at Amazon .
The best Cyber Monday deals on smart speakers
For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Amazon’s latest batch of ball-shaped Echo smart speakers, including the fourth-generation Echo and Echo Dots, are cheaper than ever. These feature better sound performance than the previous iteration.
Sonos One (two) $ 378 $ 398 5 % off $ 378 $ 378 $ 398 5 % off The Sonos One is the base smart speaker in the Sonos system, and it puts out a surprising amount of sound from its compact size. $378 at Sonos
Sonos Five (refurbished) $ 495 $ 549 10 % off $ 495 $ 495 $ 549 10 % off The Sonos Five is a Sonos speaker with powerful sound and lots of volume. $495 at Best Buy
Photo: Dan Seifert / The Verge
Google’s latest Nest Audio speakers are available as a duo for $170, knocking $20 off the usual price for buying two together. These can be paired for a stereo arrangement for music and podcasts, and at some point, you’ll be able to use them as a home theater setup with Chromecast.
Best Buy still has stock of the big Google Home Max smart speaker for $150. This speaker usually retails for $300 outside of a sale.
We’ve been enjoying this Sonos Move deal that drops the price from $400 to $300 for the first time. This speaker supports Bluetooth for on-the-go or outdoor listening, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity to let it give your other Sonos speakers a boost.
These aren’t smart speakers, but Marshall’s Emberton Bluetooth speaker usually costs $150, but it’s down to $100 at Best Buy
Ultimate Ears’ WonderBoom 2 Bluetooth speaker is $50, down from $100 at Best Buy and Amazon
The best Cyber Monday deals on smart displays
If someone close to you, be it a friend or family member, is into video chatting via Facebook, a Facebook Portal device might be a good gift. There’s a range of devices available for less than usual, starting at $65.
If you’re a Prime subscriber and heavily invested in Amazon’s services, an Echo Show smart display might be the best choice. You can get the Echo Show 5 for just $45, and it comes equipped with a camera for video chats. It’s tough to beat when it comes to value.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2019, first-gen) $ 40 $ 80 50 % off $ 40 $ 40 $ 80 50 % off The first-gen Echo Show 5 is more than just an alarm clock with Alexa built in. Amazon’s small smart display also features a camera that enables video chats. $40 at Amazon
Google’s Nest Hub smart displays are great if you like to watch YouTube, or have a big Google Photos library you want to show off on their screens. The smallest Nest Hub starts at $50, though only the larger Nest Hub Max can make video calls.
The best Cyber Monday deals on phones
There are a handful of great deals on unlocked phones like the Google Pixel 5, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and OnePlus 8 for Cyber Monday, and a few more that are worth exploring if you’re in the market to upgrade with your carrier. In case you’re hoping to find iPhone discounts, Apple is offering a $50 gift card with the purchase of one.
The Galaxy A51 has a big screen and a big battery
Google Pixel 5 (unlocked) $ 450 $ 699 36 % off $ 450 $ 450 $ 699 36 % off Google’s 2020 flagship phone comes in one size, with a six-inch OLED screen and 128GB of storage. $450 at Woot
If you’re on Verizon and don’t mind activating a phone on Verizon to get a deal, you can save an extra $150 on top of that $50 discount at Best Buy. You can either opt to pay $500 for the Pixel 5 or $20.86 each month for 24 months through a Verizon device payment plan. Taking $200 off the Pixel 5’s regular price is great. You’ll just need to keep the phone on Verizon service for 60 days before it becomes unlocked.
At the OnePlus site, you can get the standard OnePlus 8 for $200 off its usual price, costing $599. B&H Photo is actually offering a slightly bigger price cut of $230 off. This phone shares a few similarities to the 8 Pro, like the Snapdragon 865 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Though, it doesn’t have wireless charging and its camera array doesn’t quite stack up as favorably. Also, it has a 90Hz refresh rate display compared to 120Hz on the 8 Pro, and the display itself is smaller (about 6.5 inches versus 6.8 inches).
Speaking of the OnePlus 8 Pro, Amazon recently knocked an extra $50 off the Black Friday sale price.
OnePlus 8 Pro $ 750 $ 1000 25 % off $ 750 $ 750 $ 1000 25 % off The OnePlus 8 Pro is filled to the brim with high-end features, like fast charging, a 120Hz refresh rate display, wireless charging, a fast Snapdragon 865 processor, and lots of RAM. $750 at Amazon$800 at OnePlus
The Pixel 4A with 5G is $200 off when new customers purchase it through the Google Fi MVNO service, resulting in a $299 final price. If you’re an existing Google Fi subscriber, you can upgrade to the 4A with 5G and get $150 off, knocking the price down to $349. Not bad, considering that’s the same price as the standard Pixel 4A that doesn’t have 5G support.
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Until December 7th, Visible (owned by Verizon, operating on Verizon LTE) will give you a complimentary set of AirPods Pro with the purchase of any phone in the iPhone 12 series. The catch is that you’ll need to buy the phone and port your number to a new line in the same transaction.
The best Cyber Monday deals on streaming services
For new and returning customers (who haven’t subscribed in the last three months and who haven’t taken advantage of last year’s promo), you can get on Hulu’s ad-supported streaming plan for just $1.99 per month for a full year. After that, your monthly rate goes back up to $5.99.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
If you subscribe to YouTube TV by December 31st, you’ll get a free Chromecast with Google TV.
1Password is offering an exclusive offer to readers of The Verge until Thursday, December 3rd. You can save 50 percent each month on the cost of a family subscription (up to five people, and not restricted to a single household) to 1Password’s services, costing $2.50 per month for up to one year. After that year is up, you’ll be charged the regular $5 per month rate.
The best Cyber Monday deals on sound systems
It doesn’t cost much to get a soundbar, and thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s cheaper to get a particularly great setup. This list isn’t exhaustive, but we’ve picked out a few soundbar models that we like, and ones that are cheaper than usual.
Sonos Sub (third-gen) $ 599 $ 749 20 % off $ 599 $ 599 $ 749 20 % off The Sonos Sub is an add-on speaker that provides some extra low-end thump to any Sonos speaker system. $599 at Sonos (third-gen)
The best Cyber Monday deals on streaming devices
Unless you own a smart TV or a modern gaming console, you’ll probably want a streaming device to bring all of your favorite TV shows and movies to your television. Thankfully, you have plenty to choose between, and many options are discounted for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Related Find more the best Cyber Monday deals on TVs here
The best Cyber Monday deals on tablets & e-readers
Tablets are also worth considering if you need a tool for school, leisure, or to unwind on. From Amazon’s very affordable Fire tablets to the mid-range and high-end iPad models, we’ve included a little bit of everything, as well as accessories to help you get the most out of your purchase. Also, if you like to read and are interested in great Kindle e-reader deals, you’ll find those below as well.
The latest iPad mini tablet with 64GB of storage is $100 off at Best Buy, making for the biggest discount we’ve seen yet.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019, 64GB) $ 108 $ 190 43 % off $ 108 $ 108 $ 190 43 % off Amazon’s first USB-C-compatible device, which features a 10.1-inch screen, 64GB of internal storage with the option to expand via microSD, and a second antenna to maintain a better Wi-Fi signal. $108 at Amazon
The Kids Edition Fire HD 10 is $130 instead of $200. This version includes the tablet, a tough case, a year’s worth of the FreeTime Unlimited subscription, and a two-year replacement guarantee if it breaks.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (32GB, ad-supported) $ 50 $ 110 55 % off $ 50 $ 50 $ 110 55 % off Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Plus packs a lot of value in for the money. It’s a suitable vessel for all of your Prime content, and this model, in particular, supports wireless charging. $50 at Amazon (refurbished)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, a 10.4-inch Android tablet with 64GB of storage, costs $250 (usually $350) and includes a free $30 gift card with purchase
The Brydge Pro Plus keyboard has an integrated trackpad, so you don’t need to use the touchscreen (or, at least as much)
The Brydge Pro Plus 12.3-inch (left) and the Brydge Go Plus Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge
If you have the Surface Pro 7 or any model going back to the Surface Pro 4, Brydge’s Pro Plus 12.3-inch keyboard with a trackpad is $30 off its usual price, totaling $120.
The Brydge Go Plus, made for the Surface Go, is $100 ($40 off)
The best Cyber Monday gaming deals
While there are no PS5 or Xbox Series X/S deals to speak of, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other great price cuts. In fact, for the Nintendo Switch you’ll find the best prices yet on first-party games and accessories. Plus, new releases for the Xbox One and PS4 (several of which include free next-gen upgrades) are discounted.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is $30 at GameStop (usually $60), lower than the best-ever price.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is $40 at GameStop (usually $60), lower than the best-ever price.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is $40 at GameStop (usually $60), its lowest price.
Super Mario Maker 2 is $40 at GameStop (usually $60), its lowest price.
Yoshi’s Crafted World is $30 at GameStop (usually $60), the lowest price ever.
The landscapes in Ghost of Tsushima are serene
Watch Dogs Legion is $30 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy (usually $60), its lowest price ever. If you buy the Xbox One version and upgrade to that console’s successor, you will receive the next-gen version free of charge.
A still from Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is $13 at Best Buy (usually $30), the lowest price ever. If you own or buy an Xbox Series X / S, you will receive a free upgrade for this game via Smart Delivery.
Gears 5 is $5 at Best Buy (usually $30), the lowest price ever. If you own or buy an Xbox Series X / S, you will receive a free upgrade for this game via Smart Delivery
The best Cyber Monday deals on PC tech
It’s always a good time to make some smart upgrades to your PC. And while that’s usually a costly endeavor, Cyber Monday is making some of it a little cheaper. You’ll have to continue your search for an Nvidia RTX 3080 another day, but for now you can save on monitors, storage and peripherals.
The W-Type keyboard next to the W-Touch wireless trackpad Photo: Brydge
For the first time, Brydge has discounted its W-Touch standalone trackpad for Windows 10. Normally $100, it’s down to $70.
The W-Type wireless, full-sized Bluetooth keyboard is discounted by $20, bringing the price down to $40.
Samsung’s 2TB 970 Evo Plus NVMe SSD is $250 at Newegg and Best Buy , beating the lowest price by about $40. A PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD like this will fit in only certain kinds of motherboards (so check before you buy).
Samsung 970 Evo Plus NVMe SSD (2TB) $ 250 $ 300 17 % off $ 250 $ 250 $ 300 17 % off Samsung’s PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe SSD like this will fit in only certain kinds of motherboards with read and write performance levels of up to 3,500MB/s and 3,300MB/s. $250 at Newegg
For an even faster M.2 drive that’s actually capable of delivering quicker read/write speeds for both PCIe 3.0 and motherboards with PCIe 4.0 support, Samsung’s 500GB 980 Pro NVMe SSD is $120 (usually $150) at Amazon.
Related Find many more deals on PC accessories right here
The best Cyber Monday deals on smart home tech
You can add some smarts to your home with a smart speaker, and you can go even deeper with tech like a smart lock for your door, a Wi-Fi-connected security cam, and an alarm kit. This can be expensive to do, but as you probably guessed, it’s a lot cheaper to outfit your home with these upgrades now that Cyber Monday is here.
If you need a security camera, the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is discounted to $100 from $130 at Amazon.
Ring Video Doorbell 3 $ 140 $ 180 22 % off $ 140 $ 140 $ 180 22 % off The latest Ring video doorbell features enhanced dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz support, as well as a new motion zone feature that can spot movement within five to 15 feet of your front door, or wherever you prefer to install it. $140 at Amazon
Ring’s Video Doorbell 3 Plus, which offers four-second video previews of alerts, is $160 instead of $230. Likewise, you can add an Echo Show 5 to the order for $10 more.
The SimpliSafe base next to the keypad. Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge
SimpliSafe’s home security systems are 50 percent off, starting at $114 for the most basic bundle. Each bundle includes a free SimpliCam (a $99 value).
Related Here are some more Cyber Monday deals on smart home tech
The best Cyber Monday deals on mesh Wi-Fi routers
One of the most practical upgrades you can make for yourself this weekend. Get a mesh Wi-Fi system if your current router isn’t cutting it in terms of speed or signal strength. A multi-router system casts a wide net of connectivity, so you’ll experience far fewer slow or drop-out zones. And if you have several people in your home — each using several devices to their name — there’s even more reason to make the upgrade.
Google’s Nest Wifi mesh routers are steeply discounted, starting with the single unit that’s $135 instead of $169 at Amazon and $139 at Best Buy.
Related Check out more deals on mesh routers here
The best Cyber Monday deals on misc. tech
A number of retailers are selling the DJI Osmo Action for $199, a discount of about $50 from its regular price. The Osmo Action is similar to GoPro’s line of action cameras, and comes with both front and rear facing screens.
The Oculus Quest 2 with 64GB of storage is $300 at Newegg, which is the normal price, but it comes with a $15 Newegg gift card today. While it’s currently backordered, you can still get the gift card with your purchase.
Segway Ninebot
Ninebot Segway’s Max electric scooter is $649 instead of its usual $800 purchase at Wellbots. This beats a recent discount we covered by $50. This purchase is also tax-free for US residents living outside of NY state.


theverge--2020-11-24--What happens when a virtual streamer doesn’t own her body?

Projekt Melody swears her body belongs to her — the purple hair , the cat-eared bow , and all the barely there clothing that strategically covers her up .
She commissioned it from an artist for $ 5,000 and even kept the receipts as proof .
And for her thousands of fans on Twitch , this is what they see when she streams herself playing Minecraft , watching movies , or just sitting around chatting in her room .
It wasn ’ t until this month that she ran into a problem : the artist , alleging that Melody owed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that she didn ’ t actually own her body — he did .
Melody was banned from Twitch .
It ’ s a strange situation , but one that could become more common .
That ’ s because Melody is part of a growing wave of virtual streamers who broadcast using a 3D model in place of their body and face .
The setup offers anonymity for the streamer and huge branding potential around the literal cartoon character they ’ re inhabiting .
The model speaks and moves in accord with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stream have no idea what that person actually looks like .
They just hear her voice and see her reactions through the model that represents her .
In the case of Melody , that ’ s a skinny anime woman with huge blue eyes , a croptop sweatshirt , and not much else .
You can buy clothes , stickers , and pillows featuring her image , though the most popular form of merch seems to be posters of her in explicit poses .
Many virtual streamers appear under a pseudonym , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character .
According to Melody ’ s story , she ’ s some sort of perverted AI who started life as an email scanning app before being “ attacked by a sexy virus ” that made her obsessed with hentai .
“ My story is a strange one , ” Melody says in a video explaining her origin .
She ’ s gained more than 300,000 followers since joining Twitch in March .
Before that , she was on YouTube , posting videos with titles like “ ARE MY DRAWINGS TOO LEWD ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” She also streams explicit performances on Chaturbate .
“ This is a trap that a lot of people fall into.
” Virtual creators like Melody — a group broadly known as Vtubers — have recently picked up in popularity on Twitch in the US , after first gaining attention on YouTube ( thus Vtubers , or “ virtual YouTubers ” ) in Japan a couple of years ago .
In August , the top virtual streamers on Twitch , which included Melody , had more than 100,000 hours of viewership each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The space got even more attention in September , when one of Twitch ’ s biggest streamers , Pokimane , debuted a virtual version of herself to her audience of , at the time , 5.5 million followers .
As their numbers grow , Vtubers may face copyright issues that traditional creators — who often just market themselves and their slogans — don ’ t have to worry about .
If a Vtuber relies on an outside artist to create their character , the Vtuber will need to ensure they get all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue streaming as that character , modify that character later , and market merchandise using that character ’ s image .
That means Melody ’ s artist might have a case : though she can defend herself with receipts , intellectual property experts say there ’ s little substitute for a clear contract outlining exactly what she ’ s able to do with her body , even if she otherwise created the character and commissioned the art .
In order to own the character art outright , a streamer would need to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire contract , said David P. Swenson , a partner at Patterson Thuente who specializes in IP law .
“ This is a trap that a lot of people fall into , ” he told The Verge .
Businesses that hire consultants or independent contractors often fail to write a sufficient contract and later realize , “ ‘ Oh my gosh , the person who created the work actually has copyrights in it.
’ ” The artist who made Melody ’ s body , DigitrevX , said in his copyright complaint with Twitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently represents her , according to a note Melody posted to Twitter .
“ A 3D modeler ( DigitrevX ) filed DMCA takedowns on all of my VODs , claiming he owns the copyright to my body , ” Melody wrote .
Because she received multiple copyright strikes , that made her a “ repeat infringer , ” Twitch wrote in an email posted by Melody , leading to a ban from the platform .
Melody doesn ’ t dispute that DigitrevX made her body or other assets that she ’ s used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that DigitrevX sold her complete ownership of her primary assets and design , so his copyright complaint isn ’ t valid .
She posted images showing what appears to be a sales receipt for her character ’ s body , listing the design , model , and special features like blinking and “ dynamic bone set up ” as part of the package .
Vtubers need to buy specific rights for how their bodies can be used The page doesn ’ t state how Melody is allowed to use those assets , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Melody says are Twitter DMs between herself and the artist , DigitrevX is shown saying he ’ d like to be listed on the copyright registration but that “ you own the IP.
” He goes on to say that it ’ ll be “ nice to have something ” to prove who owns what later on .
“ I helped but in the end this is yours , ” DigitrevX wrote , according to Melody ’ s screenshot .
That alone may not be enough , though .
“ That in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Swenson said .
“ It ’ s a meaningless statement because the question is what IP rights do they have ?
” Melody may not be entirely out of luck if there was nothing in writing .
In cases where it ’ s understood how a buyer is going to use an artist ’ s work — like a photographer taking a headshot for an actor ’ s website — there may be an implied license , even if those terms aren ’ t spelled out .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is the scope of the implied license ?
” Cheryl L. Burbach , a partner at Hovey Williams who specializes in IP law , told The Verge .
“ Clearly you ’ re not going to pay someone to buy artwork that you never intend to use.
” The process of getting a Vtube model created differs from streamer to streamer .
Teru , an artist who has made 3D models for Vtubers ( and is also a Vtuber herself ) , said that some people come to her with an existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but other people pay her to create the character from scratch .
It can take a few weeks to make a 2D model , and potentially longer for a 3D model .
Teru says she explicitly outlines what rights the buyer has to the work — usually , “ they can pretty much do anything they want with it , ” she told The Verge in a message on Discord .
Her only requirement is getting credited as the designer .
The English-language Vtube scene is mostly filled with independent artists , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outline specific rights to a purchase is something artists often learn as they gain experience .
“ Issues like what happened with Melody might actually raise awareness so both artists and commissioners learn that they have to settle and agree on their terms before they work together , ” Teru said .
“ I finally blocked him after he kept saying shitty things about me.
” DigitrevX hasn ’ t disputed Melody ’ s account of why she was banned or what she owns the rights to , but he has aired grievances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter that he stopped working with Melody earlier this year , claiming that she failed to pay him for “ months of support ” that included “ free assets , fixes , and project management.
” He then asked her to sign a “ service deal ” for ongoing support , which she refused .
“ She didn ’ t pay for the service deal nor the work I did leading up to it .
So I said bye , ” DigitrevX wrote .
Melody claims she offered to pay for the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He continued to be “ rude ” and “ insulting , ” Melody wrote , so she eventually cut ties .
“ I finally blocked him after he kept saying shitty things about me , and now he has resorted to trying to de-platform me , starting with twitch , ” Melody wrote .
Twitch and Melody did not respond to requests for comment .
DigitrevX declined to comment , saying he was discussing with Melody ’ s team “ how we can put this past us.
” Melody ’ s Twitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned , but her account wasn ’ t entirely restored .
She was previously a Twitch partner — a status that confers additional community perks and monetization options — but her partnership has been revoked since the ban .
Fortunately for Melody , she has other accounts across the web .
She posts game videos and reactions to YouTube , sells merch in an online store , trolls her fans on Twitter , accepts donations on Patreon , and even has a following on Pornhub .
If something goes wrong on Twitch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces to fall back on and a diversified revenue stream — like any good influencer , real or virtual .

Projekt Melody swears her body belongs to her — the purple hair, the cat-eared bow, and all the barely there clothing that strategically covers her up. She commissioned it from an artist for $5,000 and even kept the receipts as proof. And for her thousands of fans on Twitch, this is what they see when she streams herself playing Minecraft, watching movies, or just sitting around chatting in her room.
It wasn’t until this month that she ran into a problem: the artist, alleging that Melody owed him money, filed a copyright complaint claiming that she didn’t actually own her body — he did. Melody was banned from Twitch.
It’s a strange situation, but one that could become more common. That’s because Melody is part of a growing wave of virtual streamers who broadcast using a 3D model in place of their body and face. The setup offers anonymity for the streamer and huge branding potential around the literal cartoon character they’re inhabiting. The model speaks and moves in accord with the person behind it, but viewers of the stream have no idea what that person actually looks like. They just hear her voice and see her reactions through the model that represents her. In the case of Melody, that’s a skinny anime woman with huge blue eyes, a croptop sweatshirt, and not much else. You can buy clothes, stickers, and pillows featuring her image, though the most popular form of merch seems to be posters of her in explicit poses.
Many virtual streamers appear under a pseudonym, but Melody performs as a full-on invented character. According to Melody’s story, she’s some sort of perverted AI who started life as an email scanning app before being “attacked by a sexy virus” that made her obsessed with hentai. “My story is a strange one,” Melody says in a video explaining her origin. She’s gained more than 300,000 followers since joining Twitch in March. Before that, she was on YouTube, posting videos with titles like “ARE MY DRAWINGS TOO LEWD??” and “Is Hentai Art?” She also streams explicit performances on Chaturbate.
“This is a trap that a lot of people fall into.”
Virtual creators like Melody — a group broadly known as Vtubers — have recently picked up in popularity on Twitch in the US, after first gaining attention on YouTube (thus Vtubers, or “virtual YouTubers”) in Japan a couple of years ago. In August, the top virtual streamers on Twitch, which included Melody, had more than 100,000 hours of viewership each, according to StreamElements and Arsenal.gg. The space got even more attention in September, when one of Twitch’s biggest streamers, Pokimane, debuted a virtual version of herself to her audience of, at the time, 5.5 million followers.
As their numbers grow, Vtubers may face copyright issues that traditional creators — who often just market themselves and their slogans — don’t have to worry about. If a Vtuber relies on an outside artist to create their character, the Vtuber will need to ensure they get all of the rights they need in order to continue streaming as that character, modify that character later, and market merchandise using that character’s image. That means Melody’s artist might have a case: though she can defend herself with receipts, intellectual property experts say there’s little substitute for a clear contract outlining exactly what she’s able to do with her body, even if she otherwise created the character and commissioned the art.
In order to own the character art outright, a streamer would need to have that explicitly written into a work for hire contract, said David P. Swenson, a partner at Patterson Thuente who specializes in IP law. “This is a trap that a lot of people fall into,” he told The Verge. Businesses that hire consultants or independent contractors often fail to write a sufficient contract and later realize, “‘Oh my gosh, the person who created the work actually has copyrights in it.’”
The artist who made Melody’s body, DigitrevX, said in his copyright complaint with Twitch that he owned the 3D model that currently represents her, according to a note Melody posted to Twitter. “A 3D modeler (DigitrevX) filed DMCA takedowns on all of my VODs, claiming he owns the copyright to my body,” Melody wrote. Because she received multiple copyright strikes, that made her a “repeat infringer,” Twitch wrote in an email posted by Melody, leading to a ban from the platform.
Melody doesn’t dispute that DigitrevX made her body or other assets that she’s used in the past. But she says that DigitrevX sold her complete ownership of her primary assets and design, so his copyright complaint isn’t valid. She posted images showing what appears to be a sales receipt for her character’s body, listing the design, model, and special features like blinking and “dynamic bone set up” as part of the package.
Vtubers need to buy specific rights for how their bodies can be used
The page doesn’t state how Melody is allowed to use those assets, though. In another dump of images, which Melody says are Twitter DMs between herself and the artist, DigitrevX is shown saying he’d like to be listed on the copyright registration but that “you own the IP.” He goes on to say that it’ll be “nice to have something” to prove who owns what later on. “I helped but in the end this is yours,” DigitrevX wrote, according to Melody’s screenshot.
That alone may not be enough, though. “That in and of itself is a hollow statement,” Swenson said. “It’s a meaningless statement because the question is what IP rights do they have?”
Melody may not be entirely out of luck if there was nothing in writing. In cases where it’s understood how a buyer is going to use an artist’s work — like a photographer taking a headshot for an actor’s website — there may be an implied license, even if those terms aren’t spelled out. “That’s what the court would look to: what is the scope of the implied license?” Cheryl L. Burbach, a partner at Hovey Williams who specializes in IP law, told The Verge. “Clearly you’re not going to pay someone to buy artwork that you never intend to use.”
The process of getting a Vtube model created differs from streamer to streamer. Teru, an artist who has made 3D models for Vtubers (and is also a Vtuber herself), said that some people come to her with an existing design to turn into a model, but other people pay her to create the character from scratch. It can take a few weeks to make a 2D model, and potentially longer for a 3D model. Teru says she explicitly outlines what rights the buyer has to the work — usually, “they can pretty much do anything they want with it,” she told The Verge in a message on Discord. Her only requirement is getting credited as the designer.
The English-language Vtube scene is mostly filled with independent artists, though, Teru said, and knowing to outline specific rights to a purchase is something artists often learn as they gain experience. “Issues like what happened with Melody might actually raise awareness so both artists and commissioners learn that they have to settle and agree on their terms before they work together,” Teru said.
“I finally blocked him after he kept saying shitty things about me.”
DigitrevX hasn’t disputed Melody’s account of why she was banned or what she owns the rights to, but he has aired grievances with her. The artist said on Twitter that he stopped working with Melody earlier this year, claiming that she failed to pay him for “months of support” that included “free assets, fixes, and project management.” He then asked her to sign a “service deal” for ongoing support, which she refused. “She didn’t pay for the service deal nor the work I did leading up to it. So I said bye,” DigitrevX wrote.
Melody claims she offered to pay for the “free” work, but DigitrevX refused. He continued to be “rude” and “insulting,” Melody wrote, so she eventually cut ties. “I finally blocked him after he kept saying shitty things about me, and now he has resorted to trying to de-platform me, starting with twitch,” Melody wrote.
Twitch and Melody did not respond to requests for comment. DigitrevX declined to comment, saying he was discussing with Melody’s team “how we can put this past us.”
Melody’s Twitch account was reinstated a day after being banned, but her account wasn’t entirely restored. She was previously a Twitch partner — a status that confers additional community perks and monetization options — but her partnership has been revoked since the ban.


theverge--2020-11-24--TikTok will add an epilepsy warning to photosensitive videos

TikTok is adding a new feature that will help people who have epilepsy to avoid potentially dangerous photosensitive content .
The short video platform already warns creators if their uploads contain effects that could trigger photosensitive epilepsy , but now anyone who encounters an example in their feed will get an alert that allows them to opt out of viewing such content in the future .
There ’ ll also be a toggle in the app ’ s accessibility settings .
The Epilepsy Foundation of America says that 1 in 26 people in the US will develop epilepsy at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being affected by seizures .
Video content that involves flashing lights and colors can trigger seizures , so it ’ s important for people to be able to control what they ’ re able to see — particularly on a social platform like TikTok where content is actively pushed to users through an algorithm .
Here ’ s how the controls will appear in the app : “ While the population of those with photosensitive epilepsy is small , the impact can be quite serious , ” says Laura Thrall , president and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is great to see TikTok addressing this issue by making changes to their platform so that people in our epilepsy community can feel protected when viewing content on TikTok .
We are proud to have worked with TikTok on this initiative and truly appreciate our continued collaboration.
” TikTok says it ’ s also been collaborating with epilepsy organizations in Europe , Japan , and South Korea who provided feedback on how the company could help make the app safer .
The feature will be available in the “ coming weeks , @ @ @ @ @

TikTok is adding a new feature that will help people who have epilepsy to avoid potentially dangerous photosensitive content. The short video platform already warns creators if their uploads contain effects that could trigger photosensitive epilepsy, but now anyone who encounters an example in their feed will get an alert that allows them to opt out of viewing such content in the future. There’ll also be a toggle in the app’s accessibility settings.
The Epilepsy Foundation of America says that 1 in 26 people in the US will develop epilepsy at some point, with a tenth of people being affected by seizures. Video content that involves flashing lights and colors can trigger seizures, so it’s important for people to be able to control what they’re able to see — particularly on a social platform like TikTok where content is actively pushed to users through an algorithm.
Here’s how the controls will appear in the app:
TikTok
“While the population of those with photosensitive epilepsy is small, the impact can be quite serious,” says Laura Thrall, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “It is great to see TikTok addressing this issue by making changes to their platform so that people in our epilepsy community can feel protected when viewing content on TikTok. We are proud to have worked with TikTok on this initiative and truly appreciate our continued collaboration.”


theverge--2020-11-24--Elon Musk overtakes Bill Gates to become world’s second richest person behind Jeff Bezos

Elon Musk has passed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to become the world ’ s second richest person , according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index .
The Tesla CEO ’ s net worth now sits at around $ 128 billion , after increasing by $ 100 billion this year .
There is a sizable gap between Musk and the number one spot , which is currently held by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos who has a reported net worth of around $ 182 billion .
In January , Musk ranked 35th on the list , Bloomberg reports .
For an idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the average American household , check out this amazing data visualization produced earlier this year in which every pixel represents $ 1,000 .
Musk ’ s rapid ascent up the list has mainly been driven by Tesla ’ s share price .
The car company currently has a market cap of almost $ 500 billion , after starting the year at under $ 100 billion .
The Guardian reports that Tesla has the highest market cap of any car company in the world , despite producing a fraction of the cars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects to produce 500,000 cars , compared to around 10 million for a company like Toyota .
Around three quarters of Musk ’ s net worth consists of Tesla shares , according to Bloomberg .
Musk and Gates have publicly sparred this year Musk ’ s other major venture , SpaceX , has also seen recent success .
Last week the company transported four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard its Crew Dragon spacecraft .
It follows the company ’ s first crewed flight to space in May this year .
Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years until he was overtaken by Jeff Bezos in 2017 .
Bloomberg notes that Gates would probably have a higher net wealth right now if he hadn ’ t given so much money to charity , including the over $ 27 billion he ’ s donated through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since 2006 .
Gates and Musk have had some high-profile disagreements this year .
In September , Musk said Gates had “ no clue ” about the viability of electric trucks , after the Microsoft co-founder said that electric semi-trucks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger jets , will “ probably never ” be practical .
Earlier this year Gates told CNBC that Musk should avoid making big predictions about areas he ’ s not familiar with , after the Tesla CEO downplayed the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Musk overtook Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg last week when he became the third-richest person on the Billionaires Index .
Zuckerberg has since fallen to fifth in the rankings after he was overtaken by French businessman Bernard Arnault .

Elon Musk has passed Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to become the world’s second richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The Tesla CEO’s net worth now sits at around $128 billion, after increasing by $100 billion this year. There is a sizable gap between Musk and the number one spot, which is currently held by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos who has a reported net worth of around $182 billion. In January, Musk ranked 35th on the list, Bloomberg reports.
For an idea of how the wealth of these men compares to the average American household, check out this amazing data visualization produced earlier this year in which every pixel represents $1,000.
Musk’s rapid ascent up the list has mainly been driven by Tesla’s share price. The car company currently has a market cap of almost $500 billion, after starting the year at under $100 billion. The Guardian reports that Tesla has the highest market cap of any car company in the world, despite producing a fraction of the cars of more established automakers. This year it expects to produce 500,000 cars, compared to around 10 million for a company like Toyota. Around three quarters of Musk’s net worth consists of Tesla shares, according to Bloomberg.
Musk and Gates have publicly sparred this year
Musk’s other major venture, SpaceX, has also seen recent success. Last week the company transported four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard its Crew Dragon spacecraft. It follows the company’s first crewed flight to space in May this year.
Bill Gates sat atop the Billionaires Index for years until he was overtaken by Jeff Bezos in 2017. Bloomberg notes that Gates would probably have a higher net wealth right now if he hadn’t given so much money to charity, including the over $27 billion he’s donated through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since 2006.
Gates and Musk have had some high-profile disagreements this year. In September, Musk said Gates had “no clue” about the viability of electric trucks, after the Microsoft co-founder said that electric semi-trucks, along with electric cargo ships and passenger jets, will “probably never” be practical. Earlier this year Gates told CNBC that Musk should avoid making big predictions about areas he’s not familiar with, after the Tesla CEO downplayed the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic.


theverge--2020-11-25--The best Black Friday deals on Apple devices

It ’ s rare that Apple slashes the prices on its own products .
Fortunately , other retailers are putting a lot of Apple products on sale for Black Friday .
A bunch of retailers like Amazon , Best Buy , B & H Photo , Walmart , and Woot are slashing the prices on everything from wearables to its wireless earbuds .
Additionally , the online Apple store will have a special promotion on Friday , November 27th , and running until Monday , November 30th .
The promotion will allow you to get up to $ 150 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eligible product during the four-day event as listed below : • Get a $ 25 Apple gift card when you buy an Apple Watch Series 3 • Get a $ 25 Apple gift card AirPods ( wireless or wired case ) or a pair of AirPods Pro .
If you buy a pair of AirPods you can also add engraving at no extra cost • Get a $ 50 Apple gift card when you buy an iPhone SE , iPhone 11 , iPhone XR .
You can also save when you trade-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 Apple gift card if you buy the Beats Studio 3/Solo Pro/Solo 3/Powerbeats Pro/Powerbeats high-performance wireless earphones • Get a $ 100 Apple gift cad when you buy an Apple TV 4K , Apple TV HD , Home Pod • Get a $ 100 Apple gift card when you buy an iPad Pro , iPad mini .
You can also add engraving at no extra cost and you can save if you trade in a current device • Get a $ 150 Apple gift card on specific MacBook Pro and iMac models and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a current device Below , we have listed all the best Black Friday discounts you can take advantage of if you are looking to buy any Apple device • You can save up to $ 900 on the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models at Best Buy if you have a qualified trade-in and activation • Best Buy is offering the iPhone SE at a starting price of $ 200 if you trade in an iPhone 7 or newer model and have a qualified activation • The 11-inch iPad Pro ( 2020 model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 730 at Amazon ( usually $ 800 ) .
The sale is also available at Best Buy .
• You can get a 2020 iPad Pro with 256GB of storage for $ 800 at Amazon ( usually $ 899 ) .
The deal is also available at Best Buy .
• 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip , 8GB of RAM , and 256GB SSD storage is $ 1,249 at Amazon ( usually $ 1,299 ) .
The same model is also on sale at B & H Photo .
• 13-inch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8GB of RAM , and 512GB of storage is $ 1,449 at Amazon ( usually $ 1,499 ) .
The same configuration is also on sale at B & H Photo .
• 13-inch MacBook Pro ( two ports , mid-2020 ) with Retina Display , 8GB of RAM , 512GB of SSD , a quad-core 8th Gen Intel i5 processor , and integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics is $ 1,149 at B & H Photo ( usually $ 1,229 ) • 13-inch MacBook Pro ( two ports , mid-2020 ) with Retina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of SSD , an 8th Gen ques-core Intel Core i5 processor , and integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics is $ 1,349 at B & H Photo ( usually $ 1,499 ) • 13-inch MacBook Pro ( four ports , mid-2020 ) with Retina Display with 16GB of RAM , 512GB SSD , and a quad-core 10th Gen Intel i5 processor is $ 1,649 at B & H Photo ( usually $ 1,749 ) • 13-inch MacBook Pro ( four ports , mid-2020 ) with Retina display , 16GB of RAM , 1TB of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intel Core i5 processor , and integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics is $ 1,799 at B & H Photo ( usually $ 1,999 ) • The AirPods Pro are available at Amazon for $ 169 ( usually $ 249 ) .
The sale is also available at Walmart .
• Apple ’ s AirPods with a wireless charging case is $ 150 at Amazon ( usually $ 199 ) .
The sale is also available at Best Buy and Walmart .
• You can buy the second-generation AirPods with a wired charging case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 159 ) .
The deal is also available at Walmart .
• The 40mm Apple Watch SE is $ 259 at Best Buy ( usually $ 280 ) • You can score a 44mm Apple Watch SE for $ 289 at Amazon ( usually $ 309 ) .
The deal is also available at Best Buy .
• The Apple Watch Series 6 40mm with GPS in blue and red is $ 330 at Amazon ( usually $ 399 ) .
The same size is also on sale at Walmart , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The Beats Solo Pro wireless on-ear headphones are $ 170 at Best Buy ( usually $ 170 ) .
The deal is also available at Amazon ( red and light blue only ) • The Beats Solo 3 headphones in select colors are $ 169 at Walmart ( usually $ 200 ) .
Amazon also has the headphones on sale for the same price ( gold and silver only ) • The BeatsX wireless earbuds in black and silver are on sale for $ 40 at Best Buy ( usually $ @ @

Cyber Monday is over and most of these deals have expired, but we’ve rounded up the best deals still available here.
It’s rare that Apple slashes the prices on its own products. Fortunately, other retailers are putting a lot of Apple products on sale for Cyber Monday. A bunch of retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, Walmart, and Woot are slashing the prices on everything from wearables to its wireless earbuds.
Additionally, the online Apple store will have a special promotion on Friday, November 27th, and running until Monday, November 30th. The promotion will allow you to get up to $150 in an Apple gift card if you purchase an eligible product during the four-day event as listed below:
Below, we have listed all the best Cyber Monday discounts you can take advantage of if you are looking to buy any Apple device. If you are looking for even more Cyber Monday deals, be sure to check out our continuously updated page with all of the best sales this weekend.
iPhone and iPad deals
iPhone 12 Pro. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Related The best Cyber Monday deals happening now
iPad deals
There aren’t many sales on the iPad for Cyber Monday, but one standout is a rare discount on the latest generation iPad mini over at Best Buy. The iPad mini is Apple’s smallest tablet and is great for reading and watching video, but isn’t going to replace your laptop any time soon. Today’s sale takes $100 off the price, bringing it down to $300.
iPad Mini (2019, 64GB, Wi-Fi) $ 339 $ 399 15 % off $ 339 $ 339 $ 399 15 % off The 2019 iPad Mini features the same 7.9-inch display as its predecessors, but it includes an A12 Bionic processor, the same one used in the iPhone XS and iPhone XR generation. $339 at Apple
Mac deals
MacBook Air (late-2020). Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Apple just released its new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with the M1 processor this month, and B&H Photo is already running discounts on them. Note that all of these sales are considered “preorders”, as both stores are expecting to get stock of the M1 computers in soon, but haven’t yet.
If you are looking for the MacBook Air with the base configuration, B&H has discounted the model bringing the price down to $899.
The retailer is taking $100 off the M1-equipped MacBook Pro. If you’re looking for 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the normally $1,299 system is available for $1,199 in either gray or silver. If you upgrade it to 512GB of storage, then the usual price of $1,499 drops to $1,399, again in either gray or silver .
B&H and Best Buy are also discounting a number of older MacBook Pro models with Intel processors:
AirPods deals
AirPods Pro. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Apple Watch deals
Apple Watch Series 6. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Beats deals
Beats Solo Pro. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge


theverge--2020-11-25--Apple’s AirPods Pros are down to $169 at Walmart and Amazon

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
This story is part of a group of stories called If you are looking to buy the AirPods Pro , but have been holding off to wait for a significant price drop , your time has come — Apple ’ s flagship wireless earbuds are just $ 169 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the lowest price we have seen on the AirPods Pro to date ; normally , these wireless earbuds would set you back $ 249 .
This historically low price beats the previous best-ever price by $ 21 .
The AirPods Pro offers a more customizable fit that includes three different silicon tip sizes , making it easier to fit in your ear canals , unlike the standard AirPods , which offer a “ one size fits most ” design .
My colleague , Chris Welch , notes that the AirPods Pros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market if you own an iPhone and/or other Apple products .
Walmart says the deal is valid until Saturday , November 28th , but it will likely sell out before then .
Fortunately , a few other retailers have the AirPods Pros on sale ; you can buy them for $ 169 at Amazon , for $ 190 at Woot , or $ 200 at Best Buy and B & H Photo .
If you are looking for other alternatives , we have rounded up the best Black Friday deals on wireless earbuds @

Update: Amazon is now fully out of stock of the AirPods Pro and is no longer accepting orders. If you’re still looking to purchase them, Best Buy and B&H Photo have marked them down to $200, a $50 savings from the regular price. Also be sure to check out our roundup of the best AirPods sales at any given time.
If you are looking to buy the AirPods Pro, but have been holding off to wait for a significant price drop, your time has come — Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds are just $169 at Amazon right now.
This is the lowest price we have seen on the AirPods Pro to date; normally, these wireless earbuds would set you back $249. This historically low price beats the previous best-ever price by $21.
The AirPods Pro offers a more customizable fit that includes three different silicon tip sizes, making it easier to fit in your ear canals, unlike the standard AirPods, which offer a “one size fits most” design. My colleague, Chris Welch, notes that the AirPods Pros are the best wireless earbuds on the market if you own an iPhone and/or other Apple products.
Apple AirPods Pro / Amazon has the AirPods Pro for $170 as part of a Black Friday sale, a discount of $80 off their normal $250 price. $169 at Amazon


theverge--2020-11-25--The best Black Friday deals on wireless earbuds

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year , you can expect to find many of the best wireless earbuds on sale for their lowest prices yet .
Apple ’ s AirPods Pro , Samsung ’ s Galaxy Buds Plus , and other popular models from Jabra , Sony , 1More , and more companies have never been more affordable .
If you haven ’ t yet treated yourself to a set of truly wireless earbuds that connect via Bluetooth , prepare to never look back to using wired earbuds .
We have collected deals across multiple retailers below , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than their usual asking price .
As new deals become available or go out of stock , we ’ ll update this post .
Apple ’ s AirPods Pro , pictured above , are the star of Black Friday — and the best deal we ’ ve seen yet is happening right now at Walmart and Amazon .
Their asking price is $ 250 , though they ’ ve regularly sold for around $ 200 .
Walmart ’ s deal sees the price plummet to $ 169 , though we expect it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell out , Woot has the AirPods Pro selling at $ 190 .
This was nearly the best before word got around about the Black Friday deal .
But once that inevitably sells out , you should be able to find stock available at Woot .
For a simpler , less expensive set of AirPods that lack the Pro ’ s active noise cancellation and snug fit , the standard model is down to $ 119 ( normally $ 159 ) at Amazon , Best Buy , and other retailers .
It includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want AirPods that include a case that charges wirelessly via a wireless charger , that model is $ 150 now ( usually $ 199 ) at several retailers like Best Buy , Walmart , and Amazon .
Apple itself isn ’ t honoring the big discounts on AirPods this holiday , but it will give you a $ 25 gift card and the option for free engraving if you buy some through its online store between November 27th and November 30th .
At Best Buy , you can save on either the Samsung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually $ 150 ) or the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live ( $ 140 , usually $ 170 ) .
These prices aren ’ t anything too special at this point , but these get a nod for including a $ 20 Best Buy gift card with either set of earphones .
The only catch is that you need to buy your earbuds in the Best Buy-exclusive blue colorway .
Jabra is offering a great deal on its previous-generation Elite 65t wireless earbuds .
Normally around $ 100 ( though , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can pick up a set at Best Buy or Amazon for $ 70 .
If you want features like noise cancellation , better sound quality , and a charging case that supports USB-C ( unlike the Elite 65t ’ s Micro USB case ) , check out the Jabra Elite 75t , their successor .
Normally $ 180 , they ’ re down to $ 140 .
Best Buy says it will discount the Elite 75t further by $ 10 on Thursday , November 26th , so your final cost then will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ColorBuds are down to $ 80 from $ 100 at the company ’ s site and Amazon for Black Friday .
For the money , these offer some colorful style and crisp sound quality .
They deliver up to six hour of listening per charge , with up to 22 hours provided by the charging case .
To get the $ 80 price at Amazon , you ’ ll need to clip the coupon on the product page to knock $ 20 off the cost .
The Sony WF-XB700 wireless earbuds usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re down to $ 68 at a few retailers , including Amazon , Best Buy , and more .
These are a solid pick if you ’ re looking for a snug fit and better sound quality than you might expect for this price range .
Anker ’ s Soundcore Liberty Air 2 normally cost $ 100 , but they ’ re $ 70 right now at Amazon and Best Buy .
In our roundup of the best budget-friendly wireless earbuds , my colleague Chris Welch said these have better microphones for voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this price range .
The OnePlus Buds wireless earbuds cost $ 59 through the OnePlus site and from Amazon and B & H Photo .
They usually cost $ 79 .
The OnePlus Buds Z usually get our recommendation since they are just $ 50 , but for this deal , the standard Buds have larger drivers and a slightly more fashionable carrying case .
Amazon ’ s debut wireless earbuds , the Echo Buds , are back down to their lowest price at Amazon .
Normally $ 130 , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For this price , they ’ re a good value since they feature Bose noise reduction technology and can now track your workouts .

Cyber Monday is over and most of these deals have expired, but we’ve rounded up the best deals still available here.
During Cyber Monday this year, you can expect to find many of the best wireless earbuds on sale for their lowest prices yet. Apple’s AirPods Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plus, and other popular models from Jabra, Sony, 1More, and more companies have never been more affordable. If you haven’t yet treated yourself to a set of truly wireless earbuds that connect via Bluetooth, prepare to never look back to using wired earbuds.
We have collected deals across multiple retailers below, and they’re all significantly lower than their usual asking price. As new deals become available or go out of stock, we’ll update this post.
If you’re looking for even more Cyber Monday deals, be sure to check out our continuously updated roundup with all of the best offers.
Apple AirPod deals
Apple’s AirPods Pro, pictured above, have seen some of the best sales for Cyber Monday. Amazon and Walmart have both sold out of their doorbuster AirPods deals, but both Best Buy and B&H Photo have marked them down to $200, a savings of $50 off the regular price.
For a simpler, less expensive set of AirPods that lack the Pro’s active noise cancellation and snug fit, the standard model is down to $119 (normally $159) at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers. It includes a wired charging case.
If you want AirPods that include a case that charges wirelessly via a wireless charger, that model is $140 now (usually $199) at Amazon and $150 at Best Buy and Walmart.
Apple itself isn’t honoring the big discounts on AirPods this holiday, but it will give you a $25 gift card and the option for free engraving if you buy some through its online store between November 27th and November 30th.
Related The best Cyber Monday deals on Apple devices
Sony wireless earbud deals
Sony’s flagship true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3, have been discounted a lot this fall, but not as much as Walmart is selling them for right now. You can get them for just $152, a new low and an excellent price for noise-cancelling earbuds.
The Sony WF-XB700 wireless earbuds usually cost $130, but they’re down to $68 at a few retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and more. These are a solid pick if you’re looking for a snug fit and better sound quality than you might expect for this price range.
Samsung Galaxy Bud deals
The Galaxy Buds Live are $140 at several retailers, but the best deal is at Best Buy. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Amazon has the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus for $100, down from their usual $150, while the bean-shaped Galaxy Buds Live for $130 in black or white (usually $170).
For Cyber Monday, Woot has discounted the Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds to $110, which is $20 below their Black Friday sale price.
Jabra deals
Jabra is offering a great deal on its previous-generation Elite 65t wireless earbuds. Normally around $100 (though, they’re commonly available for less), you can pick up a set at Best Buy or Amazon for $70.
Jabra Elite 65t $ 55 $ 100 45 % off $ 55 $ 55 $ 100 45 % off Jabra’s previous-gen wireless earbuds have a subtle design and, for the price, offer strong battery life and a solid connection. They also come with a compact carrying case. $55 at Best Buy
If you want features like noise cancellation, better sound quality, and a charging case that supports USB-C (unlike the Elite 65t’s Micro USB case), check out the Jabra Elite 75t, their successor. Normally $180, they’re down to $119, which is the best price we’ve seen yet.
Related The best Cyber Monday deals on tech
Other earbud deals
1More’s ColorBuds are down to $80 from $100 at the company’s site and Amazon for Black Friday. For the money, these offer some colorful style and crisp sound quality. They deliver up to six hour of listening per charge, with up to 22 hours provided by the charging case. To get the $80 price at Amazon, you’ll need to clip the coupon on the product page to knock $20 off the cost.
Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Air 2 normally cost $100, but they’re $70 right now at Amazon. In our roundup of the best budget-friendly wireless earbuds, my colleague Chris Welch said these have better microphones for voice calls than any other model he tested in this price range.
The OnePlus Buds wireless earbuds cost $59 through the OnePlus site and from Amazon and B&H Photo. They usually cost $79. The OnePlus Buds Z usually get our recommendation since they are just $50, but for this deal, the standard Buds have larger drivers and a slightly more fashionable carrying case.
Amazon’s debut wireless earbuds, the Echo Buds, are back down to their lowest price at Amazon. Normally $130, you can snag a set for $80. For this price, they’re a good value since they feature Bose noise reduction technology and can now track your workouts.
Amazon Echo Buds $ 40 $ 130 69 % off $ 40 $ 40 $ 130 69 % off Amazon’s original Echo Buds offer features like Bose noise reduction and a customizable fit, along with great audio at a lower price than most competitors. $40 at Woot


theverge--2020-11-25--Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be able to run at 60fps on all next-gen consoles with new update

Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla will be able to run at 60fps on all next-gen consoles thanks to an update that Ubisoft is set to release on Thursday .
With the new 1.0.4 title update , Ubisoft is adding a performance mode , which will let the game adapt resolution and graphics settings to maintain 60fps while you ’ re playing , and a quality mode , which will max out resolution and graphics settings to maintain 30fps .
Digital Foundry found that Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla sometimes dips below 60fps on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more often ) , and the game currently doesn ’ t run higher than 30fps on the Xbox Series S , so the update seems like it should be a welcome upgrade .
The new update is also supposed to address screen tearing issues in the Xbox Series X / S versions of the game .
You can see how the game performs on all three next-gen consoles as of right now in Digital Foundry ’ s video analysis : The update brings a number of other changes as well , including “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some additional checkpoints in boss fights .
You can see the full list of changes on Ubisoft ’ s website .

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be able to run at 60fps on all next-gen consoles thanks to an update that Ubisoft is set to release on Thursday. With the new 1.0.4 title update, Ubisoft is adding a performance mode, which will let the game adapt resolution and graphics settings to maintain 60fps while you’re playing, and a quality mode, which will max out resolution and graphics settings to maintain 30fps.
Digital Foundry found that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla sometimes dips below 60fps on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (with the Series X doing so more often), and the game currently doesn’t run higher than 30fps on the Xbox Series S, so the update seems like it should be a welcome upgrade. The new update is also supposed to address screen tearing issues in the Xbox Series X / S versions of the game.
You can see how the game performs on all three next-gen consoles as of right now in Digital Foundry’s video analysis:


theverge--2020-11-25--The best Black Friday tech deals happening at Walmart

Like some of its competitors , Walmart has started offering a ton of discounts on tech products in the weeks leading up to Black Friday .
Fortunately , Walmart has some interesting Black Friday deals going on right now , including the lowest price we have seen yet on Apple ’ s AirPods Pros .
I also wanted to take the time to mention that Walmart has confirmed that at 9PM ET on November 25th , it will open up inventory for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming consoles .
These products will only be available for purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either console in-store on November 27th , according to the retailer .
Below , we have highlighted the best Black Friday tech deals across different subcategories that Walmart is currently offering .
For more Black Friday deals , check out our roundup of the best deals across all the major retailers .
Or if you want to compare pricing , we rounded up the best deals available at Amazon , Best Buy , and GameStop as well .
• Apple ’ s AirPods Pro are down to $ 169 ( usually $ 249 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wired charging case are $ 119 ( usually $ 159 ) • Apple ’ s AirPods with a wireless charging case are $ 150 ( usually $ 199 ) • Powerbeats Pro are $ 160 if you buy them in green ( usually $ 250 ) • Apple Watch Series 6 ( 40mm , GPS ) in red is available for $ 330 ( usually $ 399 ) • Samsung ’ s 58-inch 4K UHD LED Smart TV with HDR is $ 398 ( usually $ 450 ) • One year of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 60 ) • Crash Bandicoot 4 : It ’ s About Time is $ 30 ( usually $ 50 ) • The Last of Us Part II is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) • Watch Dogs Legion is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) , the lowest price ever .
If you buy the PS4 version and upgrade to that console ’ s successor , you will receive the next-gen version free of charge .
• Madden NFL 21 is $ 28 , the lowest price ever .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the PS5 , you will receive the next-gen version free of charge until Madden 22 releases .
• FIFA 21 is $ 28 ( usually $ 60 ) , the lowest it ’ s been .
If you buy the PS4 version and upgrade to the PS5 , you will receive the next-gen version free of charge until FIFA 22 releases .
• You can buy the updated Nintendo Switch model , bundled with Mario Kart 8 and three months of Nintendo Switch Online for $ 300 .
Normally $ 300 gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire Emblem : Three Houses is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) • Just Dance 2021 is $ 30 ( usually $ 50 ) • Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games : Tokyo 2020 is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) • The Legend of Zelda : Link ’ s Awakening is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) • You can get three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $ 23 ( usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are $ 39 each ( usually $ 50 to $ 60 each ) .
These controllers are also compatible on Xbox Series X and Series S. • Crash Bandicoot 4 : It ’ s About Time is $ 30 ( usually $ 50 ) • FIFA 21 is $ 28 ( usually $ 60 ) , the lowest price ever .
If you buy the Xbox One version and upgrade to the Series X / S , you will receive the next-gen version free of charge until FIFA 22 releases .
• Madden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 60 ) , the lowest price ever .
If you buy the Xbox One version and upgrade to the Series X / S , you will receive the next-gen version free of charge until Madden 22 releases .
• Watch Dogs Legion is $ 30 ( usually $ 60 ) , its lowest price ever .
If you buy the Xbox One version and upgrade to the Series X / S , you will receive the next-gen version free of charge .

Like some of its competitors, Walmart has started offering a ton of discounts on tech products in the weeks leading up to Cyber Monday. Fortunately, Walmart has some interesting Black Friday deals going on right now, including the lowest price we have seen yet on Apple’s AirPods Pros .
Below, we have highlighted the best Cyber Monday tech deals across different subcategories that Walmart is currently offering. For more Cyber Monday deals, check out our roundup of the best deals across all the major retailers. Or if you want to compare pricing, we rounded up the best deals available at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop as well.


theverge--2020-11-25--The best Black Friday deals on PC accessories

When it comes to PC accessories , I always felt that Black Friday and Cyber Monday were some of the best times of the year to buy new PC-related products .
If you are planning to upgrade or even build your very own PC , Black Friday is a good time to save money on the parts you need for your rig .
Several retailers are also discounting PC accessories such as gaming headsets and monitors .
If you are looking for some PC games , you can check out our post that focuses on the best gaming deals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals , we have rounded up the best Black Friday deals across all the major retailers .
• Corsair ’ s HS60 Pro 7.1 wired gaming headset is $ 40 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 70 ) • Razer Kraken Tournament Edition surround sound wired gaming headset in green is $ 49 at Best Buy ( usually $ 100 ) .
The black model is on sale for $ 55 at Amazon and Best Buy • HyperX ’ s Cloud Flight II wired gaming headset is $ 79 at Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headset is also $ 80 at Best Buy • Corsair ’ s HS70 wired gaming headset is $ 80 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 100 ) • Corsair VOID RGB Elite wireless gaming headset is $ 80 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 100 ) • Logitech ’ s G Pro wired gaming headset is $ 92 at Amazon and Newegg ( usually $ 100 ) • Corsair ’ s HS60 haptic wired gaming headset with haptic bass is $ 100 at Amazon ( usually $ 130 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming headset is $ 120 at Best Buy ( usually $ 130 ) .
Amazon has discounted the white model for $ 120 and Newegg has discounted the black model for $ 120 • HyperX ’ s Cloud Flight wireless gaming headset is $ 131 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 140 ) • Bose ’ s QC 35 II gaming headset is $ 297 at Amazon , Best Buy , and Bose ( usually $ 330 ) • Logitech ’ s G203 Lightsync wired gaming mouse is $ 15 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( usually $ 41 ) • Logitech ’ s G502 Hero SE wired gaming mouse is $ 35 at Best Buy ( usually $ 80 ) • HyperX ’ s Pulsefire Surge wired gaming mouse is $ 40 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 55 ) • Logitech G502 Hero wired gaming mouse is $ 40 at Amazon , Best Buy , and Newegg ( usually $ 80 ) • Razer ’ s Basilisk X Hyperspeed wireless gaming mouse is $ 40 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming mouse is $ 48 at Amazon ( usually $ 89 ) • Razer ’ s DeathAdder V2 wired gaming mouse is $ 50 at Amazon ( usually $ 70 ) • Razer ’ s Basilisk V2 wired gaming mouse is $ 64 at Amazon ( usually $ 80 ) • Razer ’ s Naga Trinity wired gaming mouse is $ 60 at Amazon ( usually $ 74 ) • Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE wireless gaming mouse is $ 70 at Amazon and Best Buy , ( usually $ 90 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming mouse is $ 100 at Amazon , Best Buy , GameStop , and Newegg ( usually $ 150 ) • Aukey ’ s 87-key blue-switch RGB tenkeyless gaming keyboard is $ 36 at Amazon ( usually $ 45 ) • Logitech ’ s G610 Orion Red backlit mechanical gaming keyboard is $ 60 at Amazon ( usually $ 120 ) • Razer BlackWidow Elite wired gaming keyboard is $ 85 at Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 170 ) • Logitech ’ s G513 Carbon Lightsync RGB mechanical gaming keyboard with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon and Best Buy ( usually $ 130 ) • Razer ’ s Huntsman TE tenkeyless wired gaming keyboard is $ 100 at Amazon ( usually $ 130 ) • Logitech ’ s G Pro mechanical gaming keyboard is $ 117 at Amazon ( usually $ 130 ) • Logitech ’ s G815 RGB mechanical gaming keyboard with tactile switches is $ 150 at Amazon , Best Buy , and Newegg ( usually $ 200 ) • Corsair ’ s K95 RGB Platinum wired mechanical gaming keyboard with Cherry MX Speed switches is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Newegg ( usually $ 200 ) • Logitech ’ s G915 TKL tenkeyless Lightspeed wireless RGB mechanical gaming keyboard with tactile switches is $ 180 at Amazon , Best Buy , and Newegg ( usually $ 230 ) • Corsair ’ s K100 wired gaming keyboard with optical switches is $ 200 at Amazon , Best Buy ( usually $ 230 ) • Dell ’ s 24-inch S2721HGF curved 1080p gaming monitor ( G-Sync , VA panel , 144Hz refresh rate ) is $ 171 at Amazon ( usually $ 190 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curved 1080p gaming monitor ( G-Sync , VA panel , 144Hz refresh rate ) is $ 220 at Amazon .
This model fluctuates in price between $ 220 and $ 300 • MSI ’ s Optix MAG271VCR 27-inch gaming monitor is $ 200 with code BFRDAY53 ( usually $ 250 ) • ViewSonic ’ s 27-inch XG2760 1440p gaming monitor ( VA , G-Sync , 165Hz refresh rate , 1ms response time ) is $ 385 at Amazon ( usually $ 550 ) • Samsung ’ s 32-inch Odyssey G7 gaming monitor is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 800 ) • Western Digital ’ s SN750 500GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD is $ 63 at Amazon ( usually $ 80 ) • SanDisk ’ s 1TB Plus SATA SSD is $ 88 at Amazon ( usually $ 110 ) • LaCie ’ s 2TB Rugged Mini portable hard drive is $ 90 at Amazon ( usually $ 100 ) • Western Digital ’ s SN750 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD is $ 120 at Amazon ( usually $ 250 ) • Samsung ’ s 1TB 860 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon ( usually $ 280 ) • Western Digital ’ s 12TB external USB 3.0 hard drive is $ 220 at Amazon , Best Buy , B & H Photo , and Newegg ( usually $ 250 ) • Western Digital ’ s SN750 2TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD is $ 249 at Amazon ( usually $ 310 ) • Samsung ’ s 2TB 970 Evo Plus NVMe SSD is $ 250 at Amazon and Newegg ( usually $ 300 ) • Western Digital ’ s SN750 2TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( usually $ 400 )

When it comes to PC accessories, I always felt that Black Friday and Cyber Monday were some of the best times of the year to buy new PC-related products. If you are planning to upgrade or even build your very own PC, Black Friday is a good time to save money on the parts you need for your rig.
Several retailers are also discounting PC accessories such as gaming headsets and monitors. If you are looking for some PC games, you can check out our post that focuses on the best gaming deals. If you are looking for more tech deals, we have rounded up the best Black Friday deals across all the major retailers.