Lots of change is coming to Google Home in the coming weeks, from the replacement of Google Assistant with Gemini for Home to an overhaul of its smart home subscription service, complete with a new name.  Google is rebranding its Nest Aware plans as Google Home Premium, adding a bevy of Gemini-powered features to the service’s two tiers (Standard and Advanced), but it’s not chaning the prices for those tiers. So yes, the Google Home Premium reboot doesn’t include any price hikes, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that Google just boosted the price of its former Nest Aware tiers back in July—perhaps in anticipation of the coming changes.  In any event, here’s the lowdown on what each Google Home Premium tier includes, starting with the least expensive plan.  Standard ($10 a month, also included in Google AI Pro)  30 days of video history for all your cameras: Same as the old Nest Aware Plus plan, Google Home Premium Standard will store 30 days of video events in the cloud.  Intelligent alerts: Another layer of benefits similar to Nest Aware, the Standard tier of Google Home Premium includes alerts for pre-enrolled “familiar faces,” garage door open/closed alerts, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm detection, and package alerts. New to the mix are mobile notifications with zoomed-in image previews that focus on the activity that triggered the alert.  Gemini for Home: As Google has long promised, Google Assistant is being replaced by a “new experience” powered by Gemini, and Gemini for Home is that new experience. While Gemini can still control your smart home the way Google Assistant did (“Hey Google, turn on office light 5”), it also promises more a more fluid conversational style as well as the ability to understand the context and intent of your commands, meaning (theoretically) you can say things like “Hey Google, it’s too dark in here,” and Gemini will know a) where you are and b) intuit that you want the lights in that room turned up brighter.  Gemini Live: A more freewheeling conversational mode that you can invoke on a Google Nest Hub tablet or the new Google Home Speaker, Gemini Live lets you hold free-flowing back-and-forth chats with Gemini without having to say the “Hey Google” hot word.   Natural-language automation: Thanks to Gemini’s AI smarts, Google Home can create automations using natural-language prompts. For example, you could say something like “Hey Google, when nobody’s home, turn all the lights off,” and Gemini will create the automation without the need for stepping through automation menus or wizards.  What you can do with Google Home and Gemini depends on how much you’re willing to pay for a subscription.Google Advanced ($20 a month, also included in Google AI Ultra)  The equivalent of the old Nest Aware Plus plan, Google Home Premium Advanced includes all the features in the Standard tier, plus… 60 days of event video history for all your cameras: Again, this is the same benefit as Nest Aware Plus users got, and it also includes up to 10 days of 24/7 video recording.  AI descriptions and alerts: Rather than just getting video descriptions and event notifications that read “Motion detected downstairs,” Gemini will describe the activity captured in the video event: “A person wearing a red jacket was working in the garden.”  “Ask Home” for video history: You’ll be able to quiz your smart home about recent activity using natural-language queries typed into the “Ask Home” search box, such as “Who ate the plants?” or “What time did the kids come home?”  Home Brief: A Gemini-composed overview that summarizes the key events of the past 24 hours.  What you get without a paid Google Home Premium subscription  You can still use the Google Home app and Google’s various Nest cams, speakers, and displays, but doing so means giving up on Gemini’s more advanced features. In short, the free tier of Google Home doesn’t include Gemini’s natural-language descriptions, summaries, or conversational features.   What Gemini will do is mimic the same smart home features that Google Assistant performed, including basic device control (“Hey Google, set kitchen lights to 30 percent”) and music playback (“Hey Google, play Taylor Swift in living room”).  You’ll also get six hours of video history on your Nest cameras, up from the previous limit of three hours. (That’s not much, but at least it’s better than the zero hours of video history you’ll get from Ring without a paid Ring Protect plan.)  In a briefing, Google Home and Nest boss Anish Kattukaran stressed that free-tier users won’t lose any functionality once the transition from Google Assistant to Gemini for Home is complete.  “All of the same stuff that you could do [with] the Assistant as far as actions … turning on your lights, playing your music, that’s in Gemini, and that’s in the free tier,” Kattukaran said.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras. Also, be sure to check our complete coverage of Google’s Gemini for Home rollout, including details on the new Google Home Speaker and new Nest Cams. Read...

One of the easiest ways to enhance your PC experience is to get a better monitor. It doesn’t require any upgrades for your desktop or laptop, and it shines up the primary way you interact with almost everything: the visuals. The year’s second Prime Day event is closing in on us, kicking off on October 7th and lasting for 48 hours until midnight Pacific on October 8th. Already, there are plenty of deals to be found on the best and most affordable displays. (Here’s how to get Amazon Prime for free so you can get in on the deep, deep discounts.) With U.S. tariffs affecting prices, to say nothing of general consumer trends, it might not be the smorgasbord of discounts we saw in previous years. But there are still savings to be had, on OLED monitors, gaming monitors, and standard office designs — and I’ve hunted down the best monitor deals in the list below. Even though the main focus is on Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, some of the best discounts can be found elsewhere on the web, so I’ve included those in the list as well. Best early October Prime Day deals on OLED monitors Samsung Odyssey OLED G93SC 49-inch, 5120×1440, 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $879.99 ($720 off at Amazon) LG UltraGear OLED 34-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $917 ($383 off at Amazon) ASRock 27-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $549.99 ($96.99 off at Newegg) Alienware 26.7-inch 1440p 360Hz OLED gaming monitor — $571.00 ($329 off at Amazon) OLED monitors are the cream of the crop for gamers, thanks to incredible color vibrance and contrast, even if they’re not the absolute fastest on the market right now. For my money, Samsung has the best deal at the moment…but then I’m an ultrawide fanboy and I love that gigantic 49-inch format. If you’re looking for an OLED upgrade at the lowest price, ASRock is leading the pack with a rare 27-inch pick under the $550 mark. Best early October Prime Day deals on gaming monitors KTC 24-inch 1080p 165Hz gaming monitor — $93.99 ($46 off at Newegg) ASRock 27-inch 1080p 240Hz gaming monitor — $114.99 ($75 off at Newegg) LG 27-inch 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor — $259.99 ($40 off at Amazon) LG 27-inch, IPS 1440p, 240Hz gaming monitor — $347.99 ($152 off at Amazon) For more affordable options for gamers, ASRock once again delivers with a 27-inch, 1080p display at just a hair over a hundred bucks. But I’d say that Gigabyte is giving the best bang for your buck with its 28-inch 4K option. Not only is it using an IPS panel for greater color accuracy, it’s packing a USB-C port for flexible video. It’s a great, affordable centerpiece to a setup that works for both, well, work and gaming. Early October Prime Day deals on office monitors Acer 27-inch 1080p IPS 120Hz monitor — $109.99 ($40 off at Best Buy) Dell 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor — $179.99 ($40 off at Amazon) Samsung 34-inch 1440p ultrawide monitor — $219.99 ($110 off at Amazon) MNN 15-inch portable USB-C monitor — $61.99 ($27.99 off at Amazon) I can personally recommend Dell’s 27-inch, 1440p IPS monitors, because I’ve been using them for years on either side of my ultrawide center display. It’s a perfect way to expand your desk space, but unless you need some gaming-grade speed, it works great as a primary display too. For laptop users, there’s no easier way to expand your mobile capabilities than with a USB monitor (especially since they now include power and video). And there are a bunch of affordable options now, too. Other great early October Prime Day deals These aren’t the only October Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best early October Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best early USB flash drive deals for October Prime Day Best early October Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best early October Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best early October Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best early October Prime Day deals on Chromebooks Best early October Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks Best early October Prime Day PC computer deals FAQ 1. What size of monitor should I buy? Monitor size depends on personal preference and location.  A 24-inch monitor is fine for a desk that is around 24 inches deep, or less. Its small size will still be sufficient because the monitor is closer to you. Most people, however, will want to go with a 27-inch monitor. The added size will make the monitor easy to see. This also opens up a wider range of 4K monitor options, as 4K is very rare on a 24-inch monitor. Larger monitors, such as a 32-inch widescreen or 34-inch ultrawide, are great for deep desks and people who want an immersive experience. Monitors this large can serve as a TV replacement in a small room.  Displays of even larger size, such as 42-inch or 48-inch HDTVs, are best for home theater setups or an unusually large office. You’ll want to sit four to six feet away from a display of this size. 2. What display input is best? (HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. USB-C) USB-C is the best display input for most people. It works by bundling DisplayPort into USB-C, so offers all the same features as DisplayPort. Yet it retains the features of USB-C including optional support for Power Delivery to charge external devices. This is why we recommend a USB-C monitor for most people. DisplayPort is generally second-best. It supports higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI. This input is particularly common on desktop computers.  HDMI comes in third due to lower resolution and refresh rate support. This is improved by HDMI 2.1, but this feature remains hard to find and often adds to a monitor’s price. All three of the options above handle 1080p at 60Hz, which is the most common resolution and refresh rate available today. It’s also important to buy a monitor that has an input compatible with your PC. 3. Are all monitors compatible with Windows and MacOS? Modern monitors are compatible with all recent versions of Windows and MacOS. They’re plug-and-play, which means the monitor should display an image without the need to install driver software or mess with Windows or MacOS settings. 4. Are tariffs affecting monitor prices? Yes. Deals for monitors around this sale aren’t as good as they were during Amazon’s last big sale in October, particularly for the largest, most expensive models. That said, we have managed to avoid the complete shutdown of imported stock that seemed likely during the most tumultuous back-and-forth tariff negotiations…so that’s something. Prices are unlikely to improve later in the year, so if you find a delectable deal on a monitor you’re interested in, October Prime Day may be one of your best bets of the year. Especially if you buy on day one of the event — President Trump says additional reciprocal tariffs will return on November 10, and could plunge prices into chaos. Read...

Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days 2025 sales event is right around the corner and there are already tons of great deals on desktop PCs available. This year’s event runs October 7-8 and will include solid discounts on everything from gaming PCs to all-in-ones to traditional mainstream desktop computers. You’ll need to be a Prime member to take advantage of Amazon’s steep discounts. If you aren’t a member already, check out our guide for how to get Amazon Prime for free. I’ve been tracking and writing about the best computer deals year-round for a long time now, and at PCWorld I’ve used this knowledge to curate a list of the best available computer deals across the internet specifically for this October Prime Day. Other retailers have jumped in on the action, and some of the best desktop PC deals can even be found outside of Amazon, so I’ve included those deals too. Best early October Prime Day deals on gaming desktop computers LXZ Gaming PC, Ryzen 7 8700F/RX 7650 GRE/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $899.99 (10% off on Amazon) Alienware Aurora, Core Ultra 7 265F/RTX 5070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,549.99 (24% off on Dell) Skytech Azure, Ryzen 7 5700/RTX 5060/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $999.99 (12% off on Amazon) Omen 45L, Core Ultra 7 265K/RTX 5080/32GB RAM/2TB SSD, $2,299.00 (15% off on Amazon) Alienware Aurora, Core Ultra 9 285K/RTX 5080/32GB RAM/2TB SSD, $2,699.99 (16% off on Dell) Acer Nitro 60, Ryzen 9 7900/RTX 5070/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,499.99 (25% off on BestBuy) Omen 35L, Ryzen 5 8500G/RTX 5060/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,064.99 (21% off on HP) My top picks: The LXZ Gaming PC for $100 off on Amazon is the budget deal of the week so far. With a Ryzen 7 8700F CPU and RX 7650 GRE GPU it’ll deliver solid frame rates at 1080p for most games and the inclusion of 1TB of onboard storage means you’ll have plenty of space to load it up with your game library. Another killer deal right now is the Alienware Aurora for $500 off on Dell. Not only does it come with the latest gen Core Ultra 7 265F CPU, but also sports an RTX 5070. For this price it’s hard to go wrong and those in the market for a strong midrange gaming PC should look no further. Best early October Prime Day deals on mini-PCs GMKtec M7, Ryzen 7 6850H/32GB RAM/512GB SSD, $369.99 (24% off on Amazon) Apple Mac Mini 2024, M4/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $499.00 (17% off on Amazon) AceMagician K1 Mini PC, Ryzen 7 5700U/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $279.00 (30% off on Amazon) AceMagic Vista Mini N1, Alder Lake-N N97/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $174.99 (33% off on Amazon) Beelink EQR5, Ryzen 5 5650U/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $279.00 (28% off on Amazon) Beelink SER5 MAX, Ryzen 7 6800H/32GB RAM/500GB SSD, $308.99 (23% off on Amazon) My top picks: Amazon is offering the GMKtec M7 mini-PC for $120 off. This mini-PC not only rocks a Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H CPU and a whopping 32GB of RAM, but comes with excellent connectivity features to boot. It’s a great mini-PC and at this discount the value can’t be beat. If you’re more of a Mac fan, then this rare deal on the latest M4 Mac Mini for $100 off on Amazon is for you. The latest 2024 Mac Mini is a seriously good option for those looking to get great mini-PC performance for the price. The M4 chip has outstanding processing power and this model also comes with a good amount of RAM and onboard storage. Note: If you’re looking for even more great deals on mini-PCs be sure to check out our full roundup spotlighting the very best Prime Day mini-PC deals. Best early October Prime Day deals on all-in-one & mainstream computers All-in-one desktop computers combine a PC’s hardware with a modern display to make a desktop computer that has both form and function. Since everything is built together, you can save precious desktop space with an all-in-one. They make capable work computers and they can also be excellent home computers with the wide range of features appealing to the whole family. Lenovo 24 AiO, Intel N100/32GB RAM/1TB SSD/24-inch 1080p display, $559.98 (30% off on Amazon) HP OmniStudio X AiO, Core Ultra 5 125H/16GB RAM/256GB SSD/32-inch 4K display, $1,329.99 (13% off on HP) Dell 27 AiO, Core 5 120U/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/27-inch 1080p display, $779.99 (16% off on Dell) iMac M4, M4/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/24-inch 5K display, $1,523.86 (10% off on Amazon) My top picks: Amazon is offering a great deal of $240 off on the Lenovo 24 AiO. This budget-friendly all-in-one has way more RAM and onboard storage than most other models at this price. It’s a killer value for a trustworthy and dependable Lenovo PC. Alternatively, the HP OmniStudio X AiO for $200 off on HP’s website is a worthy splurge. Rocking a stunning 4K display and good performance features, this flagship all-in-one from HP will upgrade any desk space—you just might want to invest in some external storage as this only comes with 256GB. Other great October Prime Day deals These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with more killer tech sales, hit the links below for the more of the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best early October Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best early USB flash drive deals for October Prime Day Best early monitor deals for October Prime Day: OLED, home office, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best early October Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best early October Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best early October Prime Day deals on Chromebooks Best early October Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks FAQ 1. What type of desktop computer should I get? You’ll see a ton of options when searching for a desktop computer, but they all mainly fit into four main categories: gaming PCs, mainstream PCs (towers or mini PCs), and all-in-ones (AiO). Which you should end up buying is entirely dependent upon what your needs are and what you want to do with your computer. If you’re looking for something that will work in a home office or family room, then a mainstream PC or AiO with a solid CPU and a decent amount of RAM and storage is probably the way to go. If gaming is your main concern, a gaming desktop PC can offer a lot more bang for your buck than a laptop and you should prioritize getting the best GPU possible. 2. How much processing power will I need in a desktop computer? If you’re after CPU power, look for processors with higher numerical labels. Intel processors are available in the newer Core Ultra 3, 5, 7, or 9, and the older Core i3, i5, i7, and i9. AMD processors are available in the Ryzen 5000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 versions. Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more powerful the CPU for both manufacturers. If you don’t need a ton of power, Intel Core Ultra 5 or Core i5 processors are your best bet, as they offer good performance at a decent price. You can get along just fine with a Core Ultra 3 or Core i3 for basic office and web browsing. A Core Ultra 7 or Core i7 is more suited to gaming and more intense work than everyday tasks. Also, if gaming is your main concern, you may want to consider opting for the older Core i-processors as the newer Core Ultra processors are optimized for AI performance rather than gaming. As for AMD options, the Ryzen 5000 chips rival Intel’s Core i5 as solid all-arounders. If you need more power, the Ryzen 7000 or 8000 chips are well suited for content creation like video editing. Finally, if you’re dealing with 4K video or want peak gaming performance, spring for a Ryzen 9000. 3. What GPU should I get for a desktop computer? If you don’t intend to do any gaming on your computer, then feel free to save some money by going with integrated graphics. However, if you are looking to get your game on, then we recommend at least an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 or RTX 5060 (or the equivalent Radeon RX 9060) as these are the least expensive discrete graphics cards that can handle 1080p gaming on High graphics settings in most games. For 1440p gaming you’ll typically want to aim for an RTX 4070/5070 (or Radeon RX 9070/XT), and for 4K gaming you’ll need to shell out for at least an RTX 4080/5080 or upgrade to the RTX 4090/5090 Thankfully, the latest-gen GPUs have dropped significantly in price in pre-built systems so opt for those if you have the money and want a performance boost. But if you’re on a tight budget, then opting for a rig with a previous-generation card can allow you to save some money while still providing decent graphics quality. 4. How much memory do I need in a desktop computer? As for RAM, nowadays I think it’s best to shoot for 16GB at the minimum for all systems. If you’re on a budget or just need a basic browsing machine then 8GB may suffice but you’ll likely notice a performance drop if you tend to have multiple applications or browser tabs open. Those looking to do heavy content creation such as video editing should aim for at least 32GB or go for 64GB for 4K editing. 5. What is a good amount of storage for a desktop computer? Storage size is dependent upon your personal needs, but it is generally a good idea to opt for an SSD over a standard HDD as they are much faster and don’t significantly affect the price of a desktop. Before deciding, it’s best to consider what your intended use of the computer will be. Are you just storing documents or doing web browsing? Then something like 512GB will be plenty. If you want to load up a lot of large files such as games or content creation projects, then you’ll need at least 1TB to 2TB of storage. However, just remember that even if your computer doesn’t have enough storage built-in you can always upgrade your SSD or go with an external drive to increase your available storage options. 6. Is now a good time to buy a desktop computer? While the prospect of tariff-induced price increases may seem daunting to consumers, right now is actually a pretty good time to buy a new PC. Component prices have generally stabilized in the face of tariffs—with the exception of high-end GPU models—and CPU prices overall generally remain affordable. If you’re waiting for upcoming releases, you shouldn’t hold your breath. Don’t get caught in the cycle of waiting for the next new thing as something new is always around the corner. Waiting for a new product launch is only beneficial if it’s imminent and there are no good deals available right now. Fortunately, events such as Ocotber Prime Day offer buyers an excellent time to buy the latest components and PC builds at a discount. Read...

This year’s October Prime Day event starts on October 7th and will end at midnight Pacific, October 8th — a two-day event rather than a four-day sale like we had in July. Still, we’re expecting killer deals on everything tech, including flash drives. After all, everyone needs a great USB flash drive, and October Prime Day is an excellent time to grab one for cheap. Why listen to my recommendations? I’ve been a journalist for 19 years, with 13 of those years focused on consumer technology. I love sifting through deals and spend every day hunting down the very best sales on the very best tech. With October Prime Day, I’m exercising those muscles to help you find the best USB thumb drives worth your money. These hand-curated recommendations take price, reviews, and brand reputation into consideration. Best early October Prime Day deals on 64GB to 256GB flash drives Samsung Fit Plus, 128GB, USB 3.1 — $15 (25% off, was $20) SanDisk Ultra, 128GB, USB 3.0 — $12 (23% off, was $15.49) Samsung Type-C, 128GB, USB 3.2 — $18 (10% off, was $20) Lexar JumpDrive Dual, 128GB, USB 3.2 — $17 (23% off, was $22) PNY Turbo Attache 3, 256GB, USB 3.0 — $15 (25% off, was $20) Samsung Bar Plus, 256GB, USB 3.1 — $22 (33% off, was $32) PNY Elite-X Fit, 256GB, USB 3.1 — $23 (12% off, was $26) The best deal of the lot is for the Samsung Bar Plus, where you can get 256GB of storage space for just $22. This is a super-fast flash drive that can reach up to 400 MB/s transfer speeds, comes with a rugged metal casing, and is even waterproof and shockproof. Best early October Prime Day deals on 512GB to 2TB flash drives SanDisk Ultra Flair, 512GB, USB 3.0 — $36 (23% off, was $47) Samsung Fit Plus, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $60 (6% off, was $64) PNY Pro Elite V3, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $54 (11% off, was $61) SanDisk Ultra Fit, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $40 (20% off, was $50) SanDisk Extreme Pro Dual, 512GB, USB 3.2 — $58 (28% off, was $80) Kindston Ironkey Vault Privacy 50, 512GB, USB 3.2, Encrypted — $203 (17% off, was $245) A superb pick from this list is the Ultra Flair from SanDisk. This is a flash drive with a USB-A connector, 128-bit AES encryption, and up to 150MB/s transfer speeds for a quick job on moving files around. Other great early October Prime Day deals These aren’t the only October Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best early Amazon October Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best early October Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best early monitor deals for October Prime Day: OLED, home office, and more Best early October Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best early October Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best early October Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best early October Prime Day deals on Chromebooks Best early October Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks Best early October Prime Day PC computer deals USB flash drive deals FAQs 1. What capacity do I need in a USB flash drive? This is a question that you need to answer yourself because it really depends on what you plan to use it for. If you’re only moving work documents around, a small capacity like 64GB will be fine. If you want to use a flash drive for backing up photos, videos, games, and other big files, then you might want to go 512GB or larger. 2. What features should I prioritize when choosing a USB flash drive? First of all, our recommendation is to look at the flash drive’s transfer speeds. To ensure you get fast read/write speeds, you should get a USB 3.0 or above. USB 2.x drives are sorely outdated. Then, you have to make sure the flash drive can survive living in your pocket, getting crushed by your laptop, falling through your fingers, and so on. Aluminum casings will offer better protection in such cases. If the flash drive offers 128-bit AES encryption or better, your data will also have some extra protection in case you lose it, as the drive will be inaccessible and block out others from reading your data. 3. How did we find the best USB flash drive October Prime Day deals? Finding great deals can be difficult because not all discounts are worth covering. When looking for good October Prime Day deals, we compare the prices on Amazon with the regular retail price and check pricing history to see if there have been any changes lately and that the price drops are truly noteworthy. We also check product reviews to see if they’re reliable in the long run and live up to their promises. Read...

TL;DR: Take on everyday tasks with this refurbished Lenovo 300E Touchscreen Chromebook — now just $69.97 (MSRP $284.99) through October 12. Looking for a laptop that keeps up with your day without draining your wallet? The Lenovo 300E 11.6-inch Chromebook brings touchscreen convenience, Chrome OS simplicity, and reliable performance together in one compact device for $69.97 until October 12. Whether you’re writing papers, streaming shows, or juggling multiple tabs, it’s ready to handle the essentials. This refurbished model features an Intel N3450 quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM for smooth multitasking, plus 32GB of storage for your must-have apps and files. The 11.6-inch HD touchscreen display gives you crisp visuals at 1366×768 resolution, while built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth keep you connected on the go. At just over three pounds, it’s lightweight enough to slip into a backpack, making it an ideal choice for students, travelers, or anyone who wants a reliable second laptop. And because it runs Chrome OS, you’ll have access to Google’s ecosystem of apps, updates through 2028, and seamless integration with your favorite cloud services. This grade-B refurbished unit may show light scuffs or marks, but it delivers strong everyday performance at a fraction of the cost of new models. Upgrade your daily driver without overspending — a refurbished 2018 Lenovo 300E 11.6? Touchscreen Chromebook is available now for $69.97 until October 12. Lenovo 300E 11.6? Touchscreen Chromebook (2018) 4GB RAM 32GB Storage (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Amazon is going in a new direction with its latest 4K Fire TV streaming stick, and it’s a direction that Fire TV sideloaders probably won’t like.  Making its debut during the company’s big fall hardware event in New York City on Tuesday and slated to ship in October, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select will rank as Amazon’s third 4K-capable streaming stick, alongside the Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.  The newer Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers pared-down audio and video specifications compared to its siblings. Yes, the 4K Select can handle 4K video, but it lacks the Dolby Vision HDR support of the other two sticks, and it’s also missing Dolby Atmos audio (although the latter can be piped to a TV or A/V receiver via HDMI passthrough).  Those missing features account for the Fire TV Stick 4K Select’s lower price: just $39.99, versus a list price of $49.99 for the Fire TV Stick 4K and $59.99 for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.  But one thing Amazon says is didn’t skimp on with the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is performance, and it gets help under the hood with a new platform that marks a departure from Amazon’s previous OS for Fire TV devices, which is widely believed to be based on Android.  The Amazon Fire TV 4K Select streaming stick and Amazon Omni QLED (quantum-dot TVs with LED backlighting).  Amazon Both “responsive” as well as “highly efficient,” Amazon says Vega OS helps to boost the speed of the 4K Select’s interface and apps while still enabling 4K HDR video at “an incredible value,” according to Amazon, which went on to call the streamer the fastest of its kind for less than $40. (We’re looking forward to stacking up the new Amazon stick with Roku’s $40 Streaming Stick Plus, which also does 4K.)  Of course, the new Vega OS (said to be based on Linux) will require a new set of streaming apps that support it. Amazon is promising Vega OS-ready versions of the biggest streaming apps for the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, while also making it clear that for “enhanced security, only apps from the Amazon Appstore are available for download.”  It’s a restriction that won’t bother the vast majority of Fire TV users, but it’s sure to frustrate Fire TV users accustomed to sideloading (via a fairly convoluted process) non-Amazon app store applications onto their devices.   The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is slated to ship in October, and it will arrive alongside Amazon’s refreshed Omni QLED Series TVs (ranging from 50- to 75 inches, starting at $479.99) and step-down 4-Series sets (from 43- to 55 inches, starting at $159.99).  This story is part of TechHive’s coverage of the best streaming media players. And don’t miss our coverage of the all-new Amazon Echo smart speakers and smart displays, as well as its new Ring security cameras and video doorbells, powered by Alexa+. Read...

Windows 11’s annual “big” update is being released today! But while the “25H2 update” (dubbed so because it’s being released in the second half 2025) builds the foundation for a year of new Windows features, you might not even notice when it slips onto your computer. That’s because Windows 11 25H2 is a so-called “enablement package.” Here’s how Microsoft VP John Cable describes the setup in his announcement post: “Windows 11, version 25H2 will be delivered as an enablement package (eKB). This means that it contains all the recently announced features in Windows 11, version 24H2. Both versions use a shared code base and servicing branch, streamlining the update. It also means that you’ll continue to see new features released to Windows via monthly updates as part of our continuous innovation model.” The existing Windows 11 Start menu, and the better one coming as part of 25H2. Windows Latest In other words, all of this year’s new features – from the awesome new-look Start menu to more robust phone integration and beyond – will become available to you whether you’re on the existing 24H2 branch or move to the new 25H2 one. Groovy. We’ve got a rundown of all of Windows 11 25H2’s exciting new features if you’re curious. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Microsoft’s new commitment to a “continuous innovation model” means new Windows 11 features can now trickle out throughout the year, rather than being limited to a once-yearly cadence. If you think 25H2’s list of improvements looks relatively ho-hum, this new focus explains why. That’s not to say 25H2 is a useless appendage. It contains some substantial tweaks to Windows 11’s bones under the hood. “Version 25H2 includes significant advancements in build and runtime vulnerability detection, coupled with AI assisted secure coding,” Cable wrote. “We’ve designed version 25H2 to address and mitigate security threats in adherence to a robust security development lifecycle (SDL) policy and requirements. Version 25H2 is also leaner due to removed legacy features such as PowerShell 2.0 and Windows Management Instrumentation command-line (WMIC).” How to get Windows 11 25H2 update The staggered rollout for Windows 11 25H2 begins today. If you want to be one of the first in line, open your Windows Settings, head to Windows Update, and make sure the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” box is checked. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Unlocks almost instantly after recognizing an enrolled palm Never failed to recognize a palm Local data storage means it can operate without a Wi-Fi connection Removable, rechargeable 10,000mAh battery Solid build, quick installation Cons No support for Matter or HomeKit No NFC keycard or fob is included Auto-lock lacks door-ajar detection App and firmware updates can be buggy Our Verdict The TCL D2 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock looks and operates like a device you’d see in a sci-fi movie. The touchless unlock feature is both captivating and rock-solid, but you might be disappointed that it doesn’t support Apple Home or Matter. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: TCL D2 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock Retailer Price $169.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices First, we ditched our housekeys for a numerical code that unlocked our doors, then we moved up to sometimes balky fingerprint readers. The TCL D2 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock ups the ante with an amazing palm vein reader that takes just 0.3 seconds to unlock your door once you present your hand in front of its tiny scanner. TCL, best known for its budget-friendly TVs, moves further into the home security market with its second generation of smart door locks that hit the market alongside its B1 Security Camera. The D2 Pro is the top of the line and TCL’s only lock to feature a palm vein reader. The D2 Pro also features a built-in doorbell (but not a camera). Pressing the doorbell button a sounds a chime on the lock itself, and it also sends a push notification to your smartphone. You can unlock the door six ways: With your palm, of course, by tapping a PIN on its numeric keypad, using the TCL app, with a voice command (via Amazon Alexa or Google Home), with an NFC keycard or fob (not included), or a physical key (two are provided). Each of those methods has its own advantages and, if you’re not looking for a lock to seamlessly integrate into one brand’s suite of smart home products, the D2 could be an excellent choice for your home security. The palm vein reader in the TCL D2 Pro instantly unlocked my door once I mastered the waving gesture. Build quality The TCL D2 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock will be an imposing presence on the interior side of your door.James Barber/Foundry The D2 Pro comes sports an aluminum housing—silver, with black accents—that’s all hard angles and sharp corners, a design that echoes the future imagined by the movie Robocop. The vaguely brutalist design won’t be for everyone, even though TCL’s promotional literature hopefully points out a resemblance between the D2 Pro and the Tesla Cybertruck. Its specs are typical: The lock is rated IP55, meaning that no amount of dust can get inside and cause the lock to fail, and that it’s protected from water jets coming from any direction. It has an operating temperature range of -4 degrees Fahrenheit to around 140 degrees F (-20 C ~ 60 C). It has the customary adjustable bolt to accommodate doors with different-sized backsets (2.36- or 2.76 inches, 60- or 70mm), and it fits in either a 1.5-inch (38mm) or 2.13-inch (54mm) cross-bore (an adapter is included for the larger diameter).  TCL has not submitted this deadbolt for ANSI or BHMA certification, so there’s no standardized rating as to its suitability for commercial (ANSI) or residential (BHMA) installations. The two standards bodies measure such things a open/close cycles, survivability after repeated hammer blows, and the quality of a lock’s finish, among other things. That missing rating could be an issue if your insurance carrier or local building code requires such certification (although that’s not typical). We have another story that explains ANSI and BHMA certification in more detail if you want to know more about it. Setup and installation TCL was smart to provide a rechargeable battery that can be removed and plugged into a power source via a USB-C cable when you need to recharge it. James Barber/Foundry Setup and installation were easy and incredibly straightforward, at least until the final step. First, I had to give the included 10,000mAh battery a full charge, which I did overnight before the day I planned to install. That battery is removable and is charged via USB-C cable. If the battery dies while you’re out and about, you can use the USB-C port on its exterior escutcheon to charge enough for the lock to operate. Since I was replacing a previously installed deadbolt, I didn’t need to replace the strike plate on my door jamb. That made for quick 15-minute install that only required a Phillips-head screwdriver. After installing the battery in the unit and the TCL Home app on my phone, I was able to use the app to connect to my wireless network with the D2’s built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi adapter (5GHz networks are not supported). You’ll need to thread a power cord from the exterior escutcheon, through your door’s bore hole, and then plug it into a socket on the interior escutcheon.James Barber/Foundry If the process ended here, I’d be telling you how easy this lock was to install. Unfortunately, my lock required four incremental firmware upgrades before it was ready to use. Would it be easier if the lock could just download the latest firmware upon its first connection to the internet? Absolutely! Is it possible to write the software so that these incremental steps aren’t required? I have no idea, but this isn’t an issue I’d previously encountered when reviewing other smart home devices. Fortunately, there was mostly good news once the updates were complete. Well, almost. I realize that the app was written to work with all TCL smart home devices, but I had trouble setting up the palm vein reader after the app asked me to set up both a security code for using the app and another one that would allow me to unlock the D2 Pro (and any of the other locks in the D2 line). I had to dig around in the app’s settings for a few minutes before I found what I was looking for. After navigating to User Management > Administrator (me), I found the palm vein settings and was able to set up the palm security. Unlocking your door TCL says its own lab results show that its palm vein tech is 99.9999 percent accurate. The infrared light reads the veins under your skin, avoiding both the positioning and pressure issues that affect fingerprint readers. And if you believe the Mission: Impossible movies, using your palm instead of a fingerprint will prevent an intruder from engineering a workaround from prints you might leave on a drinking glass or door handle. As you can see here, the TCL D2 Pro’s interior escutcheon is much larger than the half you’ll mount on the outside.James Barber/Foundry Once I had it up and running, the palm vein reader instantly unlocked my door once I mastered the waving gesture.  If you’re worried about security, TCL stores the palm data on the device itself, a feature that also makes it possible to open your door when your Wi-Fi or broadband is down. The numerical keypad was 100 percent reliable in my testing, as was using the controls in the TCL Home app. Setting up with Alexa and Google worked as well as you might hope, and the ability to unlock the door for a visitor via voice command is a definite plus. TCL does not include an NFC keycard or fob with the D2 Pro, so I was unable to test that entry method. Based on its performance with the other entry methods, I would expect them to work seamlessly as well. Note that you can only unlock the door via the TCL Home app when there’s an active internet connection to the D2 Pro. Also keep in mind that this lock doesn’t support Matter or Apple Home, so you won’t be able to integrate the lock into that kind of smart home setup. There’s also no Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave support, as is typical of a Wi-Fi lock. The TCL Home app The TCL Home app may not be the most polished user experience, but its settings are straightforward once you set up your lock.James Barber/Foundry The TCL Home app looks simple at first glance, but there are a host of options buried in its settings. You can set up a security code for each device you add to the app. Users must type in the code to access the settings. You might want to skip that extra level of security because it’s a chore to type it in every time you want to make an adjustment. Tap the Settings gear icon to get access to Auto Lock, which sets a time (between 10 seconds and two minutes) for the door to automatically relock after opening. If you enable that setting, however, be aware that the lock has no means of determining if the door is ajar before it throws its bolt. That can lead to damage to the molding around your door if someone tries to close the door while the lock’s bolt is extended. Wrong-Try Protection locks down the D2 Pro for a time (2- to 5 minutes) after a set number of wrong code attempts. There’s volume control for both the doorbell and the pleasant British accent that delivers voice prompts. Away Mode disables all user permissions aside from the master password. On the main screen, you can check the battery level, set up one-time-use passwords for visitors or service people, unlock the door with a long press, or access an Events Summary that tells you who unlocked the door at what times over the past seven days. Parents can monitor curfews by creating a Homecoming Reminder that alerts the administrator if a user has not unlocked the door by a certain time. TCL offers other options, too If you’re looking for a lower-priced lock from TCL the TCL D2 Plus ($119.99) swaps the palm vein scanner for AI-enhanced fingerprint recognition; retains the app, keypad, and physical key options for unlocking; Wi-Fi connectivity; voice control; and IP55 weatherization. But it relies on 8 disposable AA batteries (with a 6-month lifespan) rather than rechargeable power. The base TCL D2 ($79.99), meanwhile, offers the simplest feature set: unlocking via PIN, app, or key; the same aluminum alloy build; IP55 weather resistance; Wi-Fi connectivity; and voice-assistant integration. It also runs on 8 AA batteries. Should you buy the TCL D2 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock? The TCL D2 Pro Palm Vein Smart Lock replaces the D1 Pro model that came out last year, and it features impressive upgrades. The 10,000 mAh battery in the D2 Pro offers 10 months of battery life, where the D1 Pro’s 7,800 mAh battery was limited to 9 months. The D2 Pro is more water resistant, with an IP55 rating compared to the D1 Pro’s IP54. There’s also no doorbell on the D1 Pro. The palm vein technology and other unlock methods are the same on both models. Unlocking a door by waving a hand in front of a sensor can feel like we’re finally living in the future that Star Trek promised on those after-school reruns. The palm-vein entry is secure and reliable, a godsend for anyone who’s usually lugging packages with them when returning home. TCL offers all the other basics, including individual profiles, one-time codes, and remote unlock that you’d expect from a high-end smart home lock in 2025. The firmware update experience could use some work, the app needs a bit more polish, and TCL should really find a way to have its devices better integrate with other manufacturers’ smart home hardware. This lock’s touch-free entry is just too magical to be stuck in a smart home silo. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. Read...

Kindles have been around for quite a while, but the Kindle Scribe is still a new concept to many. This evolution of the device allows you to both read and take notes while reading by scribbling directly in your ebooks with a stylus. It’s really cool, but also more expensive than normal Kindles—which is why today’s deal is so awesome. Right now, you can get the Kindle Scribe 64GB model for $339.99 (was $449.99) on Amazon! That price is downright astonishing because both the 16GB and 32GB models are also on sale, but they’re basically the same price at $299.99 and $314.99, respectively. Why settle for those when you can pay just a tiny bit more for the 64GB option? The Kindle Scribe features a gorgeous 10.2-inch glare-free e-ink display that provides the same gentle-on-the-eyes reading experience of your typical Kindle, except this one also supports writing—notes, lists, scribbles, drawings, etc. It’s especially great for students who are studying, as handwritten notes can help retain material. The Kindle Scribe is a game-changer, and there’s never been a better time to grab one because this is the lowest price it’s ever been. Get it now for just $339.99! Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled for other big deals coming up in the Prime Big Deal Days event next week! Get the 64GB Kindle Scribe on sale at its all-time best priceBuy now on Amazon Read...

Are you ready to upgrade your gaming laptop? If so, now’s an excellent time to do so, because Best Buy is selling this Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop for just $1,299.99 right now. That’s a huge $300 discount off its original $1,599.99 price, and when you see what’s packed inside this machine, you’ll be itching to snatch one up. What’s so special about this 16-inch laptop with 2560×1600 resolution and speedy 240Hz refresh rate? Those specs alone may not seem too unusual, but for starters you have a gorgeous OLED panel for vivid colors, deep blacks, and beautiful contrast. OLED is all the rage these days, and it’s a lovely addition on top of the other specs you’re about to get. Under the hood, this Acer beast runs on a brand-new 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, which is superbly fast and high-performance enough to get you through any day, any task, any project. It’s also packing 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a fast 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, which all combined will power through Windows 11 like nothing and won’t struggle at all to handle numerous apps, tabs, and more. But this is a gaming laptop, and that means you need a graphics card. Well, how about an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060? Just released this year, this card will unlock DLSS 4 and other great Nvidia features, allowing you to play the latest games with the latest frills on this laptop’s beautiful screen at high frame rates without any drops. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is a phenomenal get for $1,299.99, so jump on this discount while you still can. It might even be available at your local Best Buy—mine shows only 2 left in stock. Want to spend a little less? Check out our favorite budget gaming laptops under $1,000. Save $300 on this crazy Intel Core 9 OLED laptop with RTX 5060Buy now from Best Buy Read...