theverge--2020-11-17--Republicans learned to live with Big Tech in latest CEO hearing

When Sens .
Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) and Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) initially called for Tuesday ’ s hearing with the chief executives of Facebook and Twitter , it was done suddenly .
It was done loudly .
And it was done during the last few crucial weeks before the 2020 presidential election .
On October 15th , the two Republican senators held an impromptu press conference in the halls of Congress where they tore into Twitter and its CEO Jack Dorsey for the company ’ s decision to block linking out to a widely factually disputed article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post published on October 14th .
Cruz equated Twitter ’ s decision to “ election interference , ” telling reporters , “ Never before have we seen active censorship of a major press publication with serious allegations of corruption of one of the two candidates for president.
” “ It ’ s odd that so many in my party are zealous to do this right now ” But when that hearing finally took place , the tone was much calmer .
On Tuesday , the Senate Judiciary held a hearing with Facebook ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Dorsey , the end result of Graham ’ s and Cruz ’ s New York Post concerns .
But with the pressure valve of the election fully released , the hearing struck an unusually libertarian tone , suggesting some Republicans may be cooling on the idea of heavy-handed tech regulation .
While many Republican senators have refused to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden as the incoming chief executive of the US , Tuesday demonstrated that they ’ re already beginning to address the chief executives of Facebook and Twitter as if Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose reelections were no longer beholden to President Donald Trump , largely argued in favor of the tech industry regulating itself .
When the Senate Judiciary Committee teed up to question the tech CEOs Tuesday , their raucous methods of questioning on conservative bias fractured , and some of the senior senators took a more measured stance .
“ My advice would be to allow the industry itself to develop best business practices to protect the sites against terrorism and child exploitation and other concerns , ” Graham said as he closed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sentiment echoed by less senior Republicans on the committee as well .
Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) criticized some of his colleagues like Cruz and Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) , who were pushing for government intervention into social media moderation .
“ I especially think it ’ s odd that so many in my party are zealous to do this right now , when you would have an incoming administration of the other party that would be writing the rules and regulations about it.
” “ What qualitatively is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside your organizations short of a new regulatory regime ?
” Seemingly , more traditionally conservative Republicans have begun to realize that their power over regulating Big Tech is drifting .
Or maybe , this was a fight they never wanted to wage in the first place .
Tuesday ’ s hearing around moderation followed a similar political plot most recently put into play throughout the 2018 data privacy battle .
In the fallout of the 2016 presidential election and Facebook ’ s Cambridge Analytica scandal , Democrats raced to protect user data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those efforts were blocked by Republicans who argued that any regulation that opened companies up to litigation or that allowed stricter state laws to overrule those placed by the federal government would go too far .
Still , the legislative threats themselves have proven at least partially effective in some cases .
In 2017 , Sens .
Mark Warner ( D-VA ) , Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) , and John McCain ( R-AZ ) filed their Honest Ads Act .
If approved , the bill would require companies like Facebook and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they accepted and file them in an accessible public database .
The bill was never voted into law , but Facebook , Google , and Twitter all agreed to act more transparently around political advertising on their own , albeit in nonuniform ways .
On Tuesday , both Zuckerberg and Dorsey agreed that the tech industry could do more on its own to set standards for content moderation , leaning primarily in the direction of transparency .
Sasse asked the executives , “ What qualitatively is changing in the way content moderation happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory regime ?
” Zuckerberg began his answer addressing transparency .
“ We ’ re already at the point where every quarter we issue a Community Standards enforcement report that basically details the prevalence of each category of harmful content and how effective we are at addressing it before people have to even report it to us.
” He continued , “ Over time , we would like to fill that out and have more detail on that and make it more robust.
” Dorsey echoed Zuckerberg ’ s answers .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have and around the practice , and the outcomes of those moderations.
” Greater transparency around moderation decisions by social platforms has already been gaining steam over the last few months .
Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr wrote an op-ed over the summer proposing that social media platforms send detailed reports on moderation decisions back to the agency .
On Tuesday , this appeared to be something Facebook and Twitter would be willing to do , if not forced , but on their own over the next few years .
The 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Tech ’ s alleged censorship .
With the election now in the past and Joe Biden headed to the White House , some Republicans may have realized they have more important enemies than Twitter and Facebook .

When Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) initially called for Tuesday’s hearing with the chief executives of Facebook and Twitter, it was done suddenly. It was done loudly. And it was done during the last few crucial weeks before the 2020 presidential election.
On October 15th, the two Republican senators held an impromptu press conference in the halls of Congress where they tore into Twitter and its CEO Jack Dorsey for the company’s decision to block linking out to a widely factually disputed article about Hunter Biden from the New York Post published on October 14th.
Cruz equated Twitter’s decision to “election interference,” telling reporters, “Never before have we seen active censorship of a major press publication with serious allegations of corruption of one of the two candidates for president.”
“It’s odd that so many in my party are zealous to do this right now”
But when that hearing finally took place, the tone was much calmer. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary held a hearing with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, the end result of Graham’s and Cruz’s New York Post concerns. But with the pressure valve of the election fully released, the hearing struck an unusually libertarian tone, suggesting some Republicans may be cooling on the idea of heavy-handed tech regulation.
While many Republican senators have refused to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden as the incoming chief executive of the US, Tuesday demonstrated that they’re already beginning to address the chief executives of Facebook and Twitter as if Biden were already in office. Republicans, whose reelections were no longer beholden to President Donald Trump, largely argued in favor of the tech industry regulating itself. When the Senate Judiciary Committee teed up to question the tech CEOs Tuesday, their raucous methods of questioning on conservative bias fractured, and some of the senior senators took a more measured stance.
“My advice would be to allow the industry itself to develop best business practices to protect the sites against terrorism and child exploitation and other concerns,” Graham said as he closed out his opening statement Tuesday.
This was a sentiment echoed by less senior Republicans on the committee as well. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) criticized some of his colleagues like Cruz and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), who were pushing for government intervention into social media moderation. “I especially think it’s odd that so many in my party are zealous to do this right now, when you would have an incoming administration of the other party that would be writing the rules and regulations about it.”
“What qualitatively is changing in the way content moderation happens inside your organizations short of a new regulatory regime?”
Seemingly, more traditionally conservative Republicans have begun to realize that their power over regulating Big Tech is drifting. Or maybe, this was a fight they never wanted to wage in the first place. Tuesday’s hearing around moderation followed a similar political plot most recently put into play throughout the 2018 data privacy battle. In the fallout of the 2016 presidential election and Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, Democrats raced to protect user data privacy, rolling out scores of legislation. Those efforts were blocked by Republicans who argued that any regulation that opened companies up to litigation or that allowed stricter state laws to overrule those placed by the federal government would go too far.
Still, the legislative threats themselves have proven at least partially effective in some cases. In 2017, Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John McCain (R-AZ) filed their Honest Ads Act. If approved, the bill would require companies like Facebook and Google to keep copies of political ads they accepted and file them in an accessible public database. The bill was never voted into law, but Facebook, Google, and Twitter all agreed to act more transparently around political advertising on their own, albeit in nonuniform ways.
On Tuesday, both Zuckerberg and Dorsey agreed that the tech industry could do more on its own to set standards for content moderation, leaning primarily in the direction of transparency. Sasse asked the executives, “What qualitatively is changing in the way content moderation happens inside your organizations short of a new regulatory regime?”
Zuckerberg began his answer addressing transparency. “We’re already at the point where every quarter we issue a Community Standards enforcement report that basically details the prevalence of each category of harmful content and how effective we are at addressing it before people have to even report it to us.” He continued, “Over time, we would like to fill that out and have more detail on that and make it more robust.”
Dorsey echoed Zuckerberg’s answers. “We certainly need transparency around the process that we have and around the practice, and the outcomes of those moderations.”
Greater transparency around moderation decisions by social platforms has already been gaining steam over the last few months. Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr wrote an op-ed over the summer proposing that social media platforms send detailed reports on moderation decisions back to the agency.


theverge--2020-11-17--SoundCloud rolls out verified badges to top artists

SoundCloud is trying to make sure people can tell who ’ s an authentic artist by rolling out verified badges , the company announced today .
Badges will be given to top artists on the platform , but there ’ s a list of criteria that has to be met in order to get one .
Artists must be “ a well-known and/or highly searched-for artist , collective , DJ , label , curator or podcaster , ” according to a blog post announcing the news .
They must also have a unique profile , no misleading information , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profile photo , and one track uploaded .
Current artists who have received the verification badge include Billie Eilish , Wiz Khalifa , and Trippie Redd .
Prior to SoundCloud rolling out the verified badge , the site had Pro star badges .
They were part of SoundCloud ’ s subscription plan that costs $ 12 a month and can help boost artist profiles .
The issue is that people assumed the orange Pro star badge was being used for verification when it wasn ’ t supposed to .
Those badges were created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ taking their craft to the next level.
” People who are a part of SoundCloud ’ s Pro program can apply for verification review .
SoundCloud is the latest company to follow in the footsteps of platforms that rely on user-generated content and attract big-name talents ; Instagram , TikTok , Twitter , and YouTube also use verification systems .
To apply for a verification review on SoundCloud , people can log in to their account settings and click on “ Request verification.
” The process can take up to 30 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

SoundCloud is trying to make sure people can tell who’s an authentic artist by rolling out verified badges, the company announced today.
Badges will be given to top artists on the platform, but there’s a list of criteria that has to be met in order to get one. Artists must be “a well-known and/or highly searched-for artist, collective, DJ, label, curator or podcaster,” according to a blog post announcing the news. They must also have a unique profile, no misleading information, and each account must have a bio, profile photo, and one track uploaded. Current artists who have received the verification badge include Billie Eilish, Wiz Khalifa, and Trippie Redd.
Prior to SoundCloud rolling out the verified badge, the site had Pro star badges. They were part of SoundCloud’s subscription plan that costs $12 a month and can help boost artist profiles. The issue is that people assumed the orange Pro star badge was being used for verification when it wasn’t supposed to. Those badges were created to let people know that artists were “taking their craft to the next level.” People who are a part of SoundCloud’s Pro program can apply for verification review.


theverge--2020-11-17--Google’s latest Chrome update delivers ‘largest performance gain in years’

Google is wrapping up 2020 with what it claims are major performance enhancements to the company ’ s Google Chrome browser .
“ This month ’ s update represents the largest gain in Chrome performance in years , ” Matt Waddell , Chrome ’ s director of product , wrote in a blog post .
Sounds pretty exciting on the surface , no ?
Waddell says a slew of under-the-hood changes and optimizations have led to boosts to Chrome on several fronts .
The first has to do with tabs .
Chrome now will prioritize your active tab over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPU usage by up to 5x and extending battery life by up to 1.25 hours ( based on our internal benchmarks ) .
” Google goes into greater detail on just what it ’ s doing to keep tabs in check ( hint : it involves throttling JavaScript ) at the Chromium blog .
“ We ’ ve done this without sacrificing the background features that users care about , like playing music and getting notifications.
” But even opening Chrome should feel faster .
The browser now launches 25 percent faster — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference .
It loads pages up to 7 percent faster , “ and does all of this using less power and RAM than before.
” Google is also adding tab search , which is exactly what it sounds like and could be a godsend for those of us buried under an avalanche of them .
“ You ’ ll now be able to see a list of your open tabs — regardless of the window they ’ re in — then quickly type to find the one you need.
” This feature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding to other desktop versions of Chrome .
The address bar is getting a bit more useful with something Google calls Chrome Actions , “ a faster way to get things done with just a few keystrokes.
” And last , you might soon notice “ cards ” when you open a new tab in Chrome .
For now , cards will only appear “ for some users ” beneath the shortcuts area ; Google says it ’ s planning to add entertainment-focused cards in 2021 .
All these things together add up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most popular web browser .
And they come on the very day that Apple is being lauded for the speed and efficiency of its new M1 Mac computers .
Speaking of which , Chrome for macOS also gets a new icon that ’ s a better fit for the latest Big Sur release .
But if the optimizations actually meet Google ’ s claims , I ’ m way more excited about the improved efficiency .
The update to Chrome 87 is rolling out beginning today .

Google is wrapping up 2020 with what it claims are major performance enhancements to the company’s Google Chrome browser. “This month’s update represents the largest gain in Chrome performance in years,” Matt Waddell, Chrome’s director of product, wrote in a blog post. Sounds pretty exciting on the surface, no? Waddell says a slew of under-the-hood changes and optimizations have led to boosts to Chrome on several fronts.
The first has to do with tabs. Chrome now will prioritize your active tab over the others in the background, “reducing CPU usage by up to 5x and extending battery life by up to 1.25 hours (based on our internal benchmarks).” Google goes into greater detail on just what it’s doing to keep tabs in check (hint: it involves throttling JavaScript) at the Chromium blog. “We’ve done this without sacrificing the background features that users care about, like playing music and getting notifications.”
But even opening Chrome should feel faster. The browser now launches 25 percent faster — hopefully to where you’ll notice the difference. It loads pages up to 7 percent faster, “and does all of this using less power and RAM than before.”
Google is also adding tab search, which is exactly what it sounds like and could be a godsend for those of us buried under an avalanche of them. “You’ll now be able to see a list of your open tabs — regardless of the window they’re in — then quickly type to find the one you need.” This feature is debuting on Chromebooks first and then expanding to other desktop versions of Chrome.
The address bar is getting a bit more useful with something Google calls Chrome Actions, “a faster way to get things done with just a few keystrokes.”
For example: when you type “edit passwords,” or “delete history,” you can now take action directly from the bar. Our first set of actions — available initially on desktop — focuses on privacy and security, so you can increase your peace of mind in a few clicks.
And last, you might soon notice “cards” when you open a new tab in Chrome.
To help you jump back into activities like planning a meal, researching a holiday gift, or winding down with a video, we’ll soon add cards to your new tab page in Chrome. Clicking on them will take you to recently-visited and related content on the web, and save you time in the process.”
For now, cards will only appear “for some users” beneath the shortcuts area; Google says it’s planning to add entertainment-focused cards in 2021.


theverge--2020-11-17--The electric car industry now has its own lobbying group

Tesla , Uber , Rivian , Lucid Motors , and others have joined forces to create a new lobbying group for electric vehicles on Capitol Hill .
The group , which is called the Zero Emission Transportation Association ( ZETA ) , says its mission is that 100 percent of new car sales are electric by 2030 .
Some states are already moving in that direction .
California recently announced its plans to ban the sale of combustion-engine vehicles by 2035 .
New Jersey has said it is interested in doing the same .
However , the new industry group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its residents to only purchase EVs , but rather it supports policies to incentivize their sale .
One of its five missions outlined in its announcement is “ point-of-sale consumer incentives.
” In other words , the group will likely push for the extension of the federal government ’ s $ 7,500 federal tax credit for new EV purchases .
The tax credit was created under President Barack Obama in 2009 .
ZETA will also push for infrastructure improvements , such as EV charging stations , and emissions standards to help push more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports policies that help electric vehicle manufacturers scale their operations .
ZETA is likely to have an easier time pushing its agenda under President-elect Joe Biden than Donald Trump .
While Trump claimed to support electric cars on several occasions , his administration tried to end the federal EV tax credit in its 2020 budget proposal but was not successful .
Also under Trump , the Environmental Protection Agency rolled back Obama-era emissions rules aimed at forcing the auto industry to manufacture less-polluting vehicles .
One of Biden ’ s goals is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ auto sector and to “ position America to be the global leader in the manufacture of electric vehicles and their input materials and parts.
” He wants the federal government to swap all the combustion-engine vehicles in its fleet with electric ones .
And he supports Senate Democrats ’ “ cash-for-clunkers ” -style plan to ensure that every vehicle on the road is zero-emission by 2040 .
The group is comprised of established players like Tesla and Uber ; startups like Rivian , Lucid , and Lordstown ; raw materials companies like Piedmont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , PG & E , Duke Energy , Con Edison , and Salt River Project .
A full list of the group ’ s 28 members can be found here .
Notably absent from this list are any legacy automakers .
US-based auto manufacturers are pouring billions of dollars into electrification plans but typically lobby lawmakers and administration officials through their own channels .
But that can run counter to the push for zero-emissions transportation .
For example , the Alliance for Automotive Innovation , which is backed by all the major car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Trump administration ’ s fight with California over the state ’ s stricter emissions rules .

Tesla, Uber, Rivian, Lucid Motors, and others have joined forces to create a new lobbying group for electric vehicles on Capitol Hill. The group, which is called the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), says its mission is that 100 percent of new car sales are electric by 2030.
Some states are already moving in that direction. California recently announced its plans to ban the sale of combustion-engine vehicles by 2035. New Jersey has said it is interested in doing the same. However, the new industry group won’t push states to require its residents to only purchase EVs, but rather it supports policies to incentivize their sale.
“point-of-sale consumer incentives”
One of its five missions outlined in its announcement is “point-of-sale consumer incentives.” In other words, the group will likely push for the extension of the federal government’s $7,500 federal tax credit for new EV purchases. The tax credit was created under President Barack Obama in 2009.
ZETA will also push for infrastructure improvements, such as EV charging stations, and emissions standards to help push more customers to electric cars. The group supports policies that help electric vehicle manufacturers scale their operations.
ZETA is likely to have an easier time pushing its agenda under President-elect Joe Biden than Donald Trump. While Trump claimed to support electric cars on several occasions, his administration tried to end the federal EV tax credit in its 2020 budget proposal but was not successful. Also under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency rolled back Obama-era emissions rules aimed at forcing the auto industry to manufacture less-polluting vehicles.
One of Biden’s goals is to create 1 million new jobs in the auto sector and to “position America to be the global leader in the manufacture of electric vehicles and their input materials and parts.” He wants the federal government to swap all the combustion-engine vehicles in its fleet with electric ones. And he supports Senate Democrats’ “cash-for-clunkers”-style plan to ensure that every vehicle on the road is zero-emission by 2040.
The group is comprised of established players like Tesla and Uber; startups like Rivian, Lucid, and Lordstown; raw materials companies like Piedmont Lithium; and utilities like Southern Company, PG&E, Duke Energy, Con Edison, and Salt River Project. A full list of the group’s 28 members can be found here.


theverge--2020-11-18--Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right now

Apple AirPods are among the most popular headphones on the market .
They ’ re compact , easy to pair with your devices , and they offer reliable connectivity , which can sometimes be a problem with truly wireless earphones .
So there ’ s a chance that you might be looking for a deal on them .
Surprisingly , they ’ re no stranger to the occasional price cut .
There are commonly discounts on even the more expensive AirPods Pro , which offer noise cancellation and better sound than the standard second-generation model .
We ’ ll run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below , including the second-generation AirPods , the more expensive second-generation AirPods that include a wireless charging case , and finally , the AirPods Pro .
You can currently find the best price on Apple ’ s most affordable AirPods at Amazon , Best Buy , Staples , and Walmart .
Normally $ 159 , but you can get them for $ 130 at those three retailers right now .
Normally retailers knock off $ 30 off its normal price , but we have seen them go down to as low as $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case are identical in every way to the standard AirPods , save for one : their charging case can be charged on a Qi wireless pad .
You ’ ll need to provide your own wireless charging pad to take advantage of this feature ( if you have no use for it , just get the more affordable option above ) , but even the best ones are fairly inexpensive .
Most of the time you can find this version for less than Apple ’ s sticker price , but keep a lookout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 140 , which happens occasionally .
We ’ ve seen them recently go down to $ 108 at Walmart , but the deal was only available in select US states .
Apple ’ s high-end truly wireless earbuds , the AirPods Pro , are frequently available for less than their $ 249 retail price .
At most retailers , that price drop is only $ 15 .
Though , if you aren ’ t getting at least $ 30 off the regular price , I ’ d personally hold off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seen the AirPods Pro sell for is $ 190 , but that ’ s not common .
You can get them as low as $ 200 at Amazon , Target , or Walmart .
Compared to the options above , the AirPods Pro have better sound quality , noise cancellation , and now support Apple ’ s new spatial audio feature .
We think they ’ re the best wireless earbuds that iPhone owners should buy .

If you know where to look, there are often some great discounts available on Apple’s ever-popular AirPods. Since Apple launched the third-gen AirPods toward the end of 2021, we’ve seen the starting price of the second-gen, entry-level model slowly dip to around $100. And now that the second-gen AirPods Pro have been on the market for nearly a year, we’re seeing their price fall more often, too.
Here, we’ve curated the best deals currently available on each model, including the entry-level AirPods, the AirPods Pro, the third-gen AirPods, and the AirPods Max.
The best AirPods (second-gen) deals
In 2021, Apple lowered the list price of the second-gen AirPods — now the entry-level model — from $159 to $129. It now only sells the model with a wired charging case, however, which charges via a standard Lightning cable. Despite their age, we found that the easy-to-use, second-gen AirPods still offer great wireless performance and reliable battery life, making them a great pick if you can live without a wireless charging case.
Apple’s most affordable pair of earbuds have dropped to as low as $79.99 before, but right now they’re only on sale for around $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Alternatively, if you prefer the model with the wireless charging case, it’s available at Adorama for $129.99 ($20 off).
The best AirPods (third-gen) deals
With support for the company’s MagSafe technology and an asking price of $179, Apple’s third-gen AirPods are often considered the middle child in Apple’s current AirPods lineup. The shorter stems make for a more subtle design, too, while improved sound and features like sweat and water resistance, support for spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and improved battery life render them a nice improvement over the last-gen model.
In September, Apple quietly introduced a new, slightly cheaper option for the third-gen AirPods that comes with a Lightning-only charging case. They are currently on sale at Amazon and Target for $149.99 ($20 off). You can also buy the option with a MagSafe charging case at B&H Photo and Costco (members only) for around $169.95 ($9 off).
The best AirPods Pro deals
In case you missed it, Apple announced the second-gen AirPods Pro during its “Far Out” event in September, a pair of earbuds that feature a similar build to the first-gen model but offer better noise cancellation. They also sport swipe-based controls, come with Apple’s new H2 chip, and feature an extra-small pair of swappable silicone ear tips for smaller ears.
They typically retail for $249, but right now they’re on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for around $199 ($50 off), which nearly matches their all-time low. If you live close to a Micro Center, you can also pick them up in-store for $194.99 ($5 off).
The first-gen AirPods Pro are also still available for purchase, and sometimes much cheaper than the second-gen model. They have better sound quality than the non-premium models listed above, as well as active noise cancellation. They also come with swappable silicone tips — albeit three, not four — and support Apple’s spatial audio feature, which adds an immersive surround sound effect to select content.
At the end of 2021, Apple launched a new configuration of the first-gen AirPods Pro with a wireless charging case that supports Apple’s MagSafe technology, just like the third-gen AirPods. While they used to retail for $249, we’ve seen them drop to around $159, and sometimes they even sell for as low as $129. Right now, however, they’re not on sale, which is why we suggest buying the second-gen AirPods Pro while they’re still discounted.
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The best AirPods Max deals
The AirPods Max aren’t the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. They’re large and luxurious, comprised of aluminum, steel, and mesh fabric that remains comfortable during extended listening sessions. They also sport excellent noise cancellation, Apple’s spatial audio feature, and expansive, balanced sound, even if they lag behind some of their peers when it comes to bass response. They’re not the best noise-canceling headphones for most people — blame the $550 sticker price — but it’s hard to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that sound better and feature more intuitive controls.
Although Woot and other retailers have discounted the AirPods Max to as low as $409 in the past, prices have since increased across the board. That said, the Max are receiving a sizable discount at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo, where you can pick them up in select colors for around $477 ($72 off) at checkout. If you live near a Micro Center, you can also buy them for $469.99 ($80 off).


theverge--2020-11-18--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 .
I love seeing this $ 72 off deal on Sony ’ s WH-1000XM4 headphones ( pictured above ) .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matching the lowest price we ’ ve seen yet .
This model of headphones released for $ 350 in August , improving on the excellent audio quality , sound-dampening noise cancellation , and long battery life of the XM3 from 2018 .
This newer model doesn ’ t bring revolutionary changes in either category , but adding multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and auto-pausing sensors makes the XM4 worth seeking out .
Samsung ’ s Galaxy Buds Plus wireless earbuds are down to just $ 110 at Amazon and Best Buy .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Acer ’ s Chromebook Spin 713 is the best Chromebook you can currently buy , and it ’ s $ 80 off its normal price .
Normally $ 629 , it ’ s now $ 549 .
That might not seem like much , but it ’ s a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience , with a 3:2 aspect ratio display , a decent processor , and 128GB of SSD storage .
The Apple Watch SE was already the most affordable Watch that Apple made at $ 279 , but it ’ s even cheaper at Amazon , Walmart , and Target .
You can score the 40mm GPS version for $ 230 or the larger 44mm Watch for $ 260 at Amazon or Walmart .
Each size looks similar to the more expensive Series 6 but lacks the always-on display and a few other features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Series 5 in terms of specs , but at $ 230 , 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 , Target , and Walmart .
Normally $ 400 for the 40mm GPS model , it ’ s down to $ 350 for the first time for Black Friday .
Previously , just a $ 20 drop was noteworthy .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know someone that is interested in a digital camera as a holiday gift , Amazon has heavily discounted Fujifilm ’ s X-A7 mirrorless digital camera with a XC15-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens .
Normally , this camera and lens costs $ 700 , but you can get it today for $ 450 .
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 need a durable backpack that can fit a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ 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 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Assassin ’ s 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 pickup 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 .
Watch Dogs : Legion , the latest installment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , is down to $ 50 at Amazon , that ’ s $ 10 off , while it ’ s not the lowest we have seen this game go down , this title recently came out and this is still a good discount .
What makes this deal even better is that each version will net you 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like on the new console hardware .
If you want 2TB of fast storage for your PC , Samsung ’ s 2TB 970 Evo Plus 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Either route you take , you ’ ll get a lot of speedy storage .

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--2020-11-18--You can get OnePlus wireless earbuds for just $1 today

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 .
OnePlus has been on a roll with early Black Friday deals , and today ’ s might be the most appealing yet if you don ’ t want to spend a lot .
In fact , you ’ ll only need $ 1 for these .
OnePlus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buds or the Bullets Wireless Z for just a buck .
Click the link above , then scroll down to see the deals .
Starting at 11AM ET , the company will release a limited number of OnePlus Buds for $ 1 ( normally $ 79 ) .
Whether those units sell out or not , at 12PM ET , it will alternate to the Bullets Wireless Z for $ 1 ( normally $ 50 ) .
At 1PM ET , the cycle will restart with OnePlus Buds , then at 2PM ET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot to get the Bullets Wireless Z. OnePlus hasn ’ t shared whether one person can get $ 1 earbuds four times , or if it will block you from buying them again if you ’ re already taken advantage of the deal .
Despite these wireless earphones being made by OnePlus , they ’ ll work with any device that supports Bluetooth connectivity .
There was an issue with the Buds not being able to receive firmware updates on non-OnePlus phones , but according to this how-to from Android Authority , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any Android phone ( even if it ’ s a little cumbersome ) .

OnePlus has been on a roll with early Black Friday deals, and today’s might be the most appealing yet if you don’t want to spend a lot. In fact, you’ll only need $1 for these. OnePlus is offering four opportunities to score its OnePlus Buds or the Bullets Wireless Z for just a buck. Click the link above, then scroll down to see the deals.
Starting at 11AM ET, the company will release a limited number of OnePlus Buds for $1 (normally $79). Whether those units sell out or not, at 12PM ET, it will alternate to the Bullets Wireless Z for $1 (normally $50). At 1PM ET, the cycle will restart with OnePlus Buds, then at 2PM ET, you’ll have your final shot to get the Bullets Wireless Z.
OnePlus hasn’t shared whether one person can get $1 earbuds four times, or if it will block you from buying them again if you’re already taken advantage of the deal.
Despite these wireless earphones being made by OnePlus, they’ll work with any device that supports Bluetooth connectivity. There was an issue with the Buds not being able to receive firmware updates on non-OnePlus phones, but according to this how-to from Android Authority, it’s now possible to do from any Android phone (even if it’s a little cumbersome).


theverge--2020-11-18--Pokémon Go adding seasons, Kalos region pokémon to catch

Pokémon Go will add seasons , a new level cap , and pokémon from the series ’ s Kalos region as part of its biggest update to date , Niantic announced today .
The “ Go Beyond ” update , releasing November 30th , will allow trainers to advance to level 50 , in addition to new content .
Upcoming changes to the game include seasons — three-month periods during which players will run into different pokémon and events .
These will be tied to the season they take place in and span everything from eggs to Mega-Evolved pokémon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which hemisphere players are located in to dictate summer vs. winter-themed finds , for example .
The first , “ Season of Celebration , ” kicks off December 1st and will feature several in-game events where players can catch pokémon , including those from the Kalos region .
Pokémon from the Kalos region , including creatures such as Chespin , Fennekin , and Froakie , are expected to fully join the game on December 2nd .
As of November 30th , players will be able to level up to 50 .
This includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier for players to level up via bonuses .
For those who hit level 40 before the end of 2020 , Niantic will gift them exclusive rewards .
The game will also be receiving a quality of life update that improves pokémon encounters , gifts , and more .
Pokémon Go continues to be a massive hit for Niantic , in part thanks to continued updates from the developer .
This year , Niantic made it easier for users to play from home during the pandemic .
In October , Niantic ended support @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Pokémon Go will add seasons, a new level cap, and pokémon from the series’s Kalos region as part of its biggest update to date, Niantic announced today. The “Go Beyond” update, releasing November 30th, will allow trainers to advance to level 50, in addition to new content.
Upcoming changes to the game include seasons — three-month periods during which players will run into different pokémon and events. These will be tied to the season they take place in and span everything from eggs to Mega-Evolved pokémon. The game will also take into account which hemisphere players are located in to dictate summer vs. winter-themed finds, for example. The first, “Season of Celebration,” kicks off December 1st and will feature several in-game events where players can catch pokémon, including those from the Kalos region.
Pokémon from the Kalos region, including creatures such as Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, are expected to fully join the game on December 2nd.
As of November 30th, players will be able to level up to 50. This includes a rebalanced system that will make it easier for players to level up via bonuses. For those who hit level 40 before the end of 2020, Niantic will gift them exclusive rewards. The game will also be receiving a quality of life update that improves pokémon encounters, gifts, and more.


theverge--2020-11-18--AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review: AMD is back in the game

As a teenager , I used to love AMD .
I would proudly stick AMD and ATI stickers to the front of the custom PCs I built , excited to use the latest and greatest Athlon 64 processor and an ATI Radeon 9800 card .
That was 17 years ago , before AMD acquired ATI in 2006 .
AMD went on to kill off the ATI brand in 2010 and has struggled to compete with Nvidia and Intel ever since .
It ’ s been a long time since I ’ ve been excited about AMD processors or graphics cards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has totally changed that .
After stealing the performance crown from Intel with its latest Zen 3 CPUs earlier this month , AMD is now setting its sights firmly on Nvidia .
The new $ 649 AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is available today , and it ’ s $ 50 less than Nvidia ’ s most direct competitor , the RTX 3080 .
AMD is promising it will match or outperform the RTX 3080 at both 4K and 1440p gaming .
I ’ ve put those performance claims to the test over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are surprising .
AMD is back in the game .
Big time .
The construction of the Radeon RX 6800 XT is what I ’ d call normal .
There ’ s no dual-fan setup here , nor a fancy new PCB or a 12-pin connector .
It ’ s just the typical 2.5 slot card with two regular PCIe eight-pin power connectors and a triple-fan system for cooling .
AMD hasn ’ t reinvented the wheel here , and it has stuck very much to the basics .
It has , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead of the extremely loud blower-style it has used in the past .
This means that the three fans at the bottom of the card work to pull in air to cool the 6800 XT , which is then exhausted out of the side into the rest of your system .
At the side there ’ s a big red Radeon sign , which also glows red when it sits in your case .
During my testing , I found this new cooling system to be a lot quieter than what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous cards .
At the rear , the 6800 XT includes two DisplayPort 1.4 connectors , a single HDMI 2.1 port , and a USB-C port for VR headsets .
The USB-C port is also monitor-capable , and even supports 27W charging .
Just like Nvidia , AMD is recommending a 750W power supply for the 6800 XT .
However , AMD ’ s card draws up to 300 watts , compared to the 320 watts that the RTX 3080 can draw .
It ’ s a small difference , but every little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment and electricity bills .
I ’ ve also noticed that the 6800 XT runs around 77 degrees Celsius , which is a lot cooler than we saw on the Radeon VII .
I ’ ve been testing the 6800 XT on a newly built machine using Intel ’ s latest Core i9-10900K inside .
For 1440p tests , I hooked up the 6800 XT to a 27-inch Asus ROG Swift PG279Q monitor .
This monitor supports refresh rates up to 165Hz plus G-Sync , so it ’ s ideal for AMD ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been testing 4K performance , which you can find below .
I ’ ve put the 6800 XT head to head with the RTX 3080 in a variety of games we typically test and some new titles like Watch Dogs : Legion and Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla .
In most of the games I ’ ve tested , the 6800 XT outperforms the RTX 3080 at 1440p .
When the 6800 XT outperforms in certain titles , it does so comfortably .
Shadow of the Tomb Raider manages a full 10fps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla , it ’ s nearly 20fps .
In other titles , it ’ s extremely close on performance between the two cards at 1440p , but most of the time AMD ’ s Radeon RX 6800 XT is holding its own against the RTX 3080 or beating it .
Just like the RTX 3080 , the 6800 XT is a great choice for 1440p gaming .
The majority of games I ’ ve tested have comfortably exceeded 60fps at max settings , with competitive titles like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting more than 100fps .
This all sounds great for AMD for pure rasterization , until you hit ray tracing .
Nvidia has been pushing ray tracing for years , but this is AMD ’ s first card to enable real-time ray tracing .
Unfortunately , the 6800 XT fails to match the RTX 3080 ’ s frames per second when using ray tracing performance in both Control and Metro Exodus .
Control is one of the best examples of ray tracing to date , and it ’ s a good guide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more games pick up ray tracing .
Watch Dogs : Legion is emerging as another good example , but I wasn ’ t able to test it properly on the 6800 XT .
Ray-traced reflections simply don ’ t work with AMD ’ s drivers yet , making it difficult to compare to the RTX 3080 .
AMD tells me a future driver update will address this .
Over on the 4K side , the 6800 XT isn ’ t as impressive .
I ’ ve been testing the 6800 XT with Acer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4K monitor that offers up to 144Hz refresh rates , G-Sync , and HDR support .
The 6800 XT manages to comfortably deliver 60fps or more in games like Fortnite , Gears 5 , and Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla , but it falls behind the RTX 3080 in Control , Watch Dogs : Legion , and Metro Exodus .
I noticed this the most when playing Control , as the 6800 XT would regularly drop well below 60fps to the point where it felt unplayable at times .
In other games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It comfortably beats the RTX 3080 in Call of Duty : Warzone by more than 10fps , and the limited ray tracing in this game doesn ’ t seem to have a big impact on performance , either .
Even in the games it drops behind the RTX 3080 , the 6800 XT still delivers impressive 4K performance across the board .
Just like with 1440p , ray tracing in 4K is where the 6800 XT falters .
Control and Metro Exodus are both unplayable in most areas with full ray tracing enabled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t be improved on AMD ’ s side yet , as the company doesn ’ t have an equivalent to Nvidia ’ s DLSS .
As you can see in the chart above , DLSS offers a significant boost to frame rates while maintaining similar image quality in the games that support it .
It was truly transformative for the RTX 3080 , but AMD is still working on its own solution .
AMD ’ s own super sampling will be designed to improve ray tracing performance , but we still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work yet or when it will arrive .
AMD says its goal for ray tracing is to hit native 1440p or 1080p resolutions , rather than push performance at 4K .
That means the 6800 XT will probably always be behind Nvidia when you turn ray tracing on , but competitive when it ’ s off .
Nvidia ’ s advantage here is clear , and more and more games are being updated with DLSS and ray tracing .
Ray tracing and a lack of a DLSS equivalent is the one big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if you care about switching ray tracing on then you should go with one of the new RTX cards instead of the 6800 XT .
One area where AMD has always struggled is driver support .
That appears to be continuing with these early drivers for the 6800 XT .
Ray-traced reflections are missing in Watch Dogs : Legion , and some textures in Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla don ’ t always render correctly or have black texture corruption .
Call of Duty : Modern Warfare also crashes sometimes with ray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s reasonable to expect drivers to be ready for games like Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs : Legion , especially when it feels like the competition is constantly pumping out game-ready updates for every single big game launch .
These early issues make me a little nervous that AMD ’ s driver support still needs work , but there are other areas where it ’ s ahead of Nvidia .
The AMD Radeon software includes a neat dashboard with access to all the settings and game optimizations you could want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enable or disable AMD features , or you can even see how your performance compares to similar systems .
This software is truly great , and there ’ s even quick and easy access to overclocking tools if you want to push things a little further .
Nvidia splits its tools and driver settings into two sections in its GeForce Experience app and Control Panel .
Heading into the Nvidia Control Panel is like a trip down memory lane to Windows 95 , as the interface is ancient and not very user-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control panel might be better , but Nvidia also offers a range of RTX features that are designed for creators .
AMD doesn ’ t really have any equivalents to things like RTX Voice that make background sounds magically disappear on voice and video calls , or even RTX Broadcast that includes virtual backgrounds and auto framing .
These are particularly useful during a pandemic , where you might be stuck on video calls more often than not , and it ’ s clear Nvidia has an AI advantage here .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catch up to Nvidia at the premium end of PC gaming and even beat the RTX 3080 more often than not at 1440p .
The gap has also narrowed on the 4K side , but Nvidia still takes the edge and a clear advantage for ray tracing and super sampling .
The fact that AMD has managed to narrow this gap is impressive .
It has done so with architectural improvements , while still delivering a graphics card that works like we ’ d expect with a healthy amount of VRAM ( 16GB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooling or a clunky power adaptor , and it ’ s on par with the RTX 3080 at a lower price point and using less power .
If you ’ d said to me earlier this year that AMD was going to catch up to Nvidia , I would have probably laughed .
The RX 6800 XT is a worthy competitor to the RTX 3080 , and it ’ s more than capable of 4K and 1440p gaming .
AMD now has to prove it ’ s able to deliver ray tracing performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete fully for next-generation games .
If it can , then this will be a card that will deliver great performance for years .
If you ’ re still struggling to pick up an RTX 3080 , AMD might just have you covered here .
AMD has made 4K gaming just a little bit more affordable than even Nvidia was able to .
Let ’ s just hope there are more than a handful of cards available .
It might have taken more than 10 years , but AMD is finally back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for every PC gamer .

As a teenager, I used to love AMD. I would proudly stick AMD and ATI stickers to the front of the custom PCs I built, excited to use the latest and greatest Athlon 64 processor and an ATI Radeon 9800 card. That was 17 years ago, before AMD acquired ATI in 2006. AMD went on to kill off the ATI brand in 2010 and has struggled to compete with Nvidia and Intel ever since.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about AMD processors or graphics cards, but the past couple of weeks has totally changed that. After stealing the performance crown from Intel with its latest Zen 3 CPUs earlier this month, AMD is now setting its sights firmly on Nvidia. The new $649 AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is available today, and it’s $50 less than Nvidia’s most direct competitor, the RTX 3080. AMD is promising it will match or outperform the RTX 3080 at both 4K and 1440p gaming.
I’ve put those performance claims to the test over the past week, and the results are surprising. AMD is back in the game. Big time.
Hardware
AMD opted for two 8-pin PCIe connectors on the Radeon RX 6800 XT.
The Radeon RX 6800 XT’s fans help keep the card cool.
The Radeon RX 6800 XT has a triple-fan layout.
The construction of the Radeon RX 6800 XT is what I’d call normal. There’s no dual-fan setup here, nor a fancy new PCB or a 12-pin connector. It’s just the typical 2.5 slot card with two regular PCIe eight-pin power connectors and a triple-fan system for cooling. AMD hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, and it has stuck very much to the basics.
It has, however, opted for an axial cooling solution, instead of the extremely loud blower-style it has used in the past. This means that the three fans at the bottom of the card work to pull in air to cool the 6800 XT, which is then exhausted out of the side into the rest of your system. At the side there’s a big red Radeon sign, which also glows red when it sits in your case. During my testing, I found this new cooling system to be a lot quieter than what I’ve experienced from AMD’s previous cards.
At the rear, the 6800 XT includes two DisplayPort 1.4 connectors, a single HDMI 2.1 port, and a USB-C port for VR headsets. The USB-C port is also monitor-capable, and even supports 27W charging.
Just like Nvidia, AMD is recommending a 750W power supply for the 6800 XT. However, AMD’s card draws up to 300 watts, compared to the 320 watts that the RTX 3080 can draw. It’s a small difference, but every little bit helps for any impacts on the environment and electricity bills. I’ve also noticed that the 6800 XT runs around 77 degrees Celsius, which is a lot cooler than we saw on the Radeon VII.
1440p testing
Test machine for 1440p and 4K: Processor: Intel Core i9-10900K 3.7GHz 10-Core
CPU Cooler: Corsair H150i PRO RGB
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z490-E GAMING
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB M.2 SSD
Case: Corsair Crystal 570X
PSU: Corsair 850W RMx Series RM850x
I’ve been testing the 6800 XT on a newly built machine using Intel’s latest Core i9-10900K inside. For 1440p tests, I hooked up the 6800 XT to a 27-inch Asus ROG Swift PG279Q monitor. This monitor supports refresh rates up to 165Hz plus, so it’s ideal for AMD’s latest card. I’ve also been testing 4K performance, which you can find below.
I’ve put the 6800 XT head to head with the RTX 3080 in a variety of games we typically test and some new titles like Watch Dogs: Legion and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In most of the games I’ve tested, the 6800 XT outperforms the RTX 3080 at 1440p.
When the 6800 XT outperforms in certain titles, it does so comfortably. Shadow of the Tomb Raider manages a full 10fps more on AMD’s card, and with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it’s nearly 20fps. In other titles, it’s extremely close on performance between the two cards at 1440p, but most of the time AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 XT is holding its own against the RTX 3080 or beating it.
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (1440p) Benchmark RX 6800 XT RTX 3080 Founders Edition Microsoft Flight Simulator 44fps 40fps Shadow of the Tomb Raider 144fps 132fps Shadow of the Tomb Raider (DLSS) N/A 144fps CoD: Warzone 144fps 133fps CoD: Warzone (RT) 142fps 132fps Fortnite 156fps 160fps Fortnite (DLSS quality) N/A 212fps Fortnite (DLSS perf) N/A 225fps Gears 5 121fps 120fps CS:GO 283fps 325fps Death Stranding 179fps 170fps Death Stranding (DLSS quality) N/A 188fps Death Stranding (DLSS perf) N/A 193fps Control 109fps 126fps Control (DLSS quality + RT) N/A 125fps Control (RT) 58fps 78fps Control (DLSS quality) N/A 174fps Metro Exodus 56fps 56fps Metro Exodus (RT) 28fps 37fps Metro Exodus (DLSS+RT) N/A 65fps Assassin's Creed Valhalla 92fps 73fps Watch Dogs: Legion 81fps 78fps Watch Dogs: Legion (RT) N/A 49fps
Just like the RTX 3080, the 6800 XT is a great choice for 1440p gaming. The majority of games I’ve tested have comfortably exceeded 60fps at max settings, with competitive titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone hitting more than 100fps.
This all sounds great for AMD for pure rasterization, until you hit ray tracing. Nvidia has been pushing ray tracing for years, but this is AMD’s first card to enable real-time ray tracing. Unfortunately, the 6800 XT fails to match the RTX 3080’s frames per second when using ray tracing performance in both Control and Metro Exodus. Control is one of the best examples of ray tracing to date, and it’s a good guide to what we might expect to see as more games pick up ray tracing.
Watch Dogs: Legion is emerging as another good example, but I wasn’t able to test it properly on the 6800 XT. Ray-traced reflections simply don’t work with AMD’s drivers yet, making it difficult to compare to the RTX 3080. AMD tells me a future driver update will address this.
The Radeon RX 6800 XT exhausts heat out of the side.
4K testing
Over on the 4K side, the 6800 XT isn’t as impressive. I’ve been testing the 6800 XT with Acer’s 27-inch Nitro XV273K, a 4K monitor that offers up to 144Hz refresh rates and HDR support.
The 6800 XT manages to comfortably deliver 60fps or more in games like Fortnite, Gears 5, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, but it falls behind the RTX 3080 in Control, Watch Dogs: Legion, and Metro Exodus. I noticed this the most when playing Control, as the 6800 XT would regularly drop well below 60fps to the point where it felt unplayable at times.
In other games, the 6800 XT excels at 4K. It comfortably beats the RTX 3080 in Call of Duty: Warzone by more than 10fps, and the limited ray tracing in this game doesn’t seem to have a big impact on performance, either. Even in the games it drops behind the RTX 3080, the 6800 XT still delivers impressive 4K performance across the board.
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (4K) Benchmark RX 6800 XT RTX 3080 Founders Edition Microsoft Flight Simulator 33fps 36fps Shadow of the Tomb Raider 77fps 76fps Shadow of the Tomb Raider (DLSS) N/A 93fps CoD: Warzone 106fps 93fps CoD: Warzone (RT) 100fps 84fps Fortnite 85fps 93fps Fortnite (DLSS quality) N/A 133fps Fortnite (DLSS perf) N/A 162fps Gears 5 69fps 76fps CS:GO 205fps 267fps Death Stranding 105fps 101fps Death Stranding (DLSS quality) N/A 135fps Death Stranding (DLSS perf) N/A 164fps Control 56fps 68fps Control (DLSS quality + RT) N/A 78fps Control (RT) 29fps 49fps Control (DLSS quality) N/A 112fps Metro Exodus 30fps 34fps Metro Exodus (RT) 14fps 19fps Metro Exodus (DLSS+RT) N/A 48fps Assassin's Creed Valhalla 66fps 61fps Watch Dogs: Legion 47fps 51fps Watch Dogs: Legion (RT) N/A 26fps
Just like with 1440p, ray tracing in 4K is where the 6800 XT falters. Control and Metro Exodus are both unplayable in most areas with full ray tracing enabled at 4K. The gaps in performance can’t be improved on AMD’s side yet, as the company doesn’t have an equivalent to Nvidia’s DLSS.
As you can see in the chart above, DLSS offers a significant boost to frame rates while maintaining similar image quality in the games that support it. It was truly transformative for the RTX 3080, but AMD is still working on its own solution. AMD’s own super sampling will be designed to improve ray tracing performance, but we still don’t know exactly how it will work yet or when it will arrive.
AMD says its goal for ray tracing is to hit native 1440p or 1080p resolutions, rather than push performance at 4K. That means the 6800 XT will probably always be behind Nvidia when you turn ray tracing on, but competitive when it’s off.
Nvidia’s advantage here is clear, and more and more games are being updated with DLSS and ray tracing. Ray tracing and a lack of a DLSS equivalent is the one big area where AMD falls behind Nvidia, and if you care about switching ray tracing on then you should go with one of the new RTX cards instead of the 6800 XT.
AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 XT vs. Nvidia’s RTX 3080.
Software and drivers
One area where AMD has always struggled is driver support. That appears to be continuing with these early drivers for the 6800 XT. Ray-traced reflections are missing in Watch Dogs: Legion, and some textures in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla don’t always render correctly or have black texture corruption. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare also crashes sometimes with ray tracing enabled.
I think it’s reasonable to expect drivers to be ready for games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion, especially when it feels like the competition is constantly pumping out game-ready updates for every single big game launch.
These early issues make me a little nervous that AMD’s driver support still needs work, but there are other areas where it’s ahead of Nvidia. The AMD Radeon software includes a neat dashboard with access to all the settings and game optimizations you could want. You can tweak individual games easily to enable or disable AMD features, or you can even see how your performance compares to similar systems.
AMD’s Radeon software.
This software is truly great, and there’s even quick and easy access to overclocking tools if you want to push things a little further. Nvidia splits its tools and driver settings into two sections in its GeForce Experience app and Control Panel. Heading into the Nvidia Control Panel is like a trip down memory lane to Windows 95, as the interface is ancient and not very user-friendly at all.
AMD’s basic control panel might be better, but Nvidia also offers a range of RTX features that are designed for creators. AMD doesn’t really have any equivalents to things like RTX Voice that make background sounds magically disappear on voice and video calls, or even RTX Broadcast that includes virtual backgrounds and auto framing.
These are particularly useful during a pandemic, where you might be stuck on video calls more often than not, and it’s clear Nvidia has an AI advantage here.
The Radeon logo lights up in red LEDs.
I’m surprised that AMD has managed to catch up to Nvidia at the premium end of PC gaming and even beat the RTX 3080 more often than not at 1440p. The gap has also narrowed on the 4K side, but Nvidia still takes the edge and a clear advantage for ray tracing and super sampling.
The fact that AMD has managed to narrow this gap is impressive. It has done so with architectural improvements, while still delivering a graphics card that works like we’d expect with a healthy amount of VRAM (16GB). There’s no fancy cooling or a clunky power adaptor, and it’s on par with the RTX 3080 at a lower price point and using less power.
If you’d said to me earlier this year that AMD was going to catch up to Nvidia, I would have probably laughed. The RX 6800 XT is a worthy competitor to the RTX 3080, and it’s more than capable of 4K and 1440p gaming.
AMD now has to prove it’s able to deliver ray tracing performance improvements and deliver super sampling to really compete fully for next-generation games. If it can, then this will be a card that will deliver great performance for years.
If you’re still struggling to pick up an RTX 3080, AMD might just have you covered here. AMD has made 4K gaming just a little bit more affordable than even Nvidia was able to. Let’s just hope there are more than a handful of cards available.
It might have taken more than 10 years, but AMD is finally back and competitive. And that’s great for every PC gamer.