Apple gave the iPad mini some much needed love last year when it came out with the 6th generation of the small tablet. But naturally, all of the improvements came with a $100 price increase from the previous version. Now, you can save a bit on the 2021 iPad mini as Amazon has a few models for up to $50 off. The 256GB WiFi version in space gray has that discount, bringing it down to $599, while the 64GB WiFi model in starlight is $25 off and down to $474.
Because of its "mini" name, Apple's smallest tablet could easily be confused for its least powerful model. But that hasn't been the case for some time, and the 2021 iPad mini truly puts that notion to bed. It runs on an A15 Bionic chip and sports a 2,266 x 1,488 resolution, 326ppi Liquid Retina screen. It had been a long time since Apple redesigned the mini, but the company rectified that by making the latest model look like a tiny iPad Air with its flat edges, USB-C charging port, TouchID-toting power button and (sadly) lack of a headphone jack. It feels fresh and has solid performance to boot — it handled everything we threw at it in our testing, including daily tasks like sending emails, watching videos, light gaming, FaceTime calls and note-taking with the second-generation Apple Pencil.
Speaking of FaceTime, the iPad mini comes with a Center Stage-capable camera, which means that Apple's technology will keep you in frame by automatically panning and zooming to follow you. Its battery life is formidable too — Apple estimates 10 hours on a single charge, but we found it was closer to 12 hours, depending on how (and how much) you're using the slab. If you know an e-reader-sized iPad will make a difference in your life, Amazon's latest sale is one worth considering.
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The AirPods Pro are down to the bet price we've seen them since the start of the year. Apple's best sounding earbuds are 30 percent off right now and down to $175, which is $5 cheaper than their previous sale price. We likely won't see Black Friday's $159 deal return for quite some time, so this discount is worth considering if you need a new pair of earbuds or want to give them to someone special for Valentine's Day.
The AirPods Pro earned a score of 87 from us when they first came out, and while they didn't receive the slew of updates that the base AirPods did a few months ago, they do now come with a MagSafe charging case. That means you'll be able to use them with magnetic charging pads that also work with the latest iPhones.
These remain the AirPods to get if you care just as much about sound quality as you do convenience. Along with a built-in amplifier, they support Adaptive EQ, which automatically tunes frequencies to each user's ear. Their active noise cancellation is also solid, and you can flip in and out of Transparency mode whenever you need to join a conversation. They also provide arguably the best fit of any AirPods thanks to their interchangeable ear tips (although the improvements that Apple made in the fit of the third-gen AirPods shouldn't be overlooked).
You're also getting Apple's H1 chip inside the AirPods Pro, which enables things like hands-free Siri and quick pairing and switching between iOS and Mac devices. The latter feature becomes particularly handy if you use many Apple devices regularly, allowing you to switch from taking a call on your iPhone to listening to music from your Mac with ease. As far as battery life goes, you can expect about five hours of use before the Pros need a recharge, and with its case, you should get up to 24 hours of total listening time.
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Samsung spent the morning revealing its latest smartphones and tablets, and all of those new devices are available for pre-order today. The top-of-the-line Galaxy S22 Ultra combines the flagship features of the company's S-lineup and its Note family, while the Galaxy S22+ and S22 look similar to last year's models and come in at slightly more affordable prices. The latest Android tablets from Samsung include the premium Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, a 14.6-inch slab with WiFi 6E support and an included S Pen, and the Galaxy Tab S8+ and Tab S8. Here's how you can pre-order all of Samsung's latest devices.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra starts at $1,199 and is available for pre-order today. It will be widely available starting February 25th and comes in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green and Burgundy. Those who pre-order now through February 24th have the chance to upgrade to the next storage tier when purchasing the 128GB or 256GB models. Plus, if you pre-order any Galaxy S22 handset, you can also get 25 percent off any Tab S8 model.
The most powerful handset in the S22 lineup has the look and feel of Samsung's previous Note smartphones, including a built-in S Pen. It has a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. There's also a feature called Vision Booster, which dynamically adjusts the screen's brightness throughout the day. The S Pen has 70 percent lower latency and software improvements now allow the device to anticipate which direction you're writing in for faster response times. In addition to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, WiFi 6E and 5G, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a battery that should last more than one full day on a single charge, plus it supports 45W fast charging.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra one of the first smartphones to run on a 4nm processor and has the most capable camera Samsung has ever put in a handset. The rear array includes a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 108MP wide shooter and two 10MP telephoto lenses, while the selfie cam is a 40MP shooter with an 80-degree field of view. The phone has what Samsung's calling "Advanced Nightography," which means that, thanks to its large pixel sensor, the camera can capture more light and data to help optimize lighting in both photos and video. It also supports the Expert RAW app, allowing you to save in the RAW format up to 16bit.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ and S22
Samsung
The Galaxy S22+ and S22 start at $999 and $799, respectively, and are available for pre-order today. They will be widely available February 25th and come in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, and Pink Gold. Those who pre-order now through February 24th have the chance to upgrade to the next storage tier when purchasing the 128GB or 256GB models. Plus, if you pre-order any Galaxy S22 handset, you can also get 25 percent off any Tab S8 model.
Let's start with the big differences between the S22+ and the S22. The S22+ has a 6.6-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a max brightness of 1,750 nits. The S22 has a 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED panel with the same 120Hz refresh rate but a max brightness of 1,300 nits. That also means the Galaxy S22+ is larger than the S22, and it also has a slightly longer battery life. Both should last an entire day, though, and the S22+ supports 45W fast charging which the S22 supports 25W fast charging.
Otherwise, the two handsets share many of the same features. Both feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ glass on the front and back for extra durability, plus an ultrasonic fingerprint reader for security and 5G support. The S22+ has WiFi 6E, while the S22 only has WiFi 6. Both run on 4nm processors and they share the same camera array with a bunch of new features. The main shooter is a 50MP camera, and it's accompanied by a 1MP telephoto lens and a 12MP wide camera as well as a 10MP selfie cam. New "Nightogrpahy" features are made possible by the larger sensors and Adaptive Pixel technology in both handsets, which draw in more light and capture more details even when you're shooting in the dark. There's also a new Auto Framing feature that can detect and track up to 10 people in a video, adjusting the camera's focus as you shoot.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Samsung
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra starts at $1,099 and is available for pre-order today. Those who pre-order from Samsung will receive a free Backlit Book Cover Keyboard.
Samsung's new, flagship Android tablet has a 14.6-inch AMOLED display with a 2,960 x 1,848 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It runs on a 4nm processor and can be outfitted with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage; Samsung is clearly positioning this to be its competitor to Apple's iPad Pro. Not only is the S8 Ultra the most powerful tablet Samsung announced today, but it's also the one with the biggest battery — a 11,200mAh cell to be exact, and the slab as a USB-C port for charging.
The Tab S8 Ultra also supports WiFi 6E and S Pen input, and you get the S Pen in the box, which is a nice touch. The tablet also has added security thanks to facial recognition and an on-display fingerprint reader.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ and S8
Samsung
The Galaxy Tab S8+ and Tab S8 start at $899 and $699, respectively, and are available for pre-order today in Graphite, Pink Gold and Silver. Those who pre-order from Samsung will receive a free Slim Book Cover Keyboard.
The two smaller Galaxy tablets have a few things in common with the premium Ultra. They both run on 4nm processor, have USB-C ports, support for WiFi 6E and an included S Pen in the box. These models also support up to 1TB of onboard storage with a microSD card, but they only come with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage.
Otherwise, the differences between the S8+ and the S8 are mostly in size. The S8+ has a 12.4-inch. Super AMOLED screen with a 2,800 x 1752 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, while the S8 has an 11-inch LED display with 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The plus model also has a slightly larger battery than the Tab S8, and it includes the same on-display fingerprint reader that the Ultra does. The S8 has a fingerprint reader, but it's on the power button instead.
Catch up on all of the news from Samsung’s February Unpacked event right here!
Today's Samsung event leaned heavily on new hardware, but Google's bringing some software updates to those new devices that will make it easier to view content with friends. The Galaxy S22 smartphones and the S8 laptops will support the new live sharing feature in Google Duo. Much like how SharePlay works in FaceTime calls on iOS devices, this feature will let you and whomever you're chatting with view the same notes, photos, videos and more at the same time.
According to Google, this will only work in Google Duo calls and will only work with certain apps. YouTube is included, so you'll be able to share and watch a video with friends and family while you're chatting with them. It'll also work with Google Maps with shared and searched-for locations, Samsung Notes and Gallery for documents and photos, and Jamboard, which is Google's interactive whiteboard app.
The catch is that this feature will only be fully supported on Galaxy smartphones and tablets, as well as Pixel smartphones. That means only those with Samsung and Pixel devices will be able to host live-sharing calls — those with other Android devices will only be able to join those calls, rather than host them.
Live sharing in Google Duo
Google
Google's new feature comes a few months after Apple launched SharePlay in iOS 15.1. Similarly, Apple's feature only works on iOS devices but there appears to be more support for it across different apps at the moment. For example, SharePlay lets you watch Apple TV+ shows as a group, take Fitness+ workouts at the same time and play a few games together. But Google currently does have the upper-hand when it comes to YouTube, as the video service is not currently SharePlay-compatible. Google has not yet stated when we could see more apps gain support for Duo live sharing.
In addition to live sharing in Duo, Samsung's latest devices will have access to a couple of other new Android features. YouTube previews are coming to Messages, which basically means that you can share previews of YouTube videos in Messages to help your contacts decide if they want to watch the video immediately or later. If they do want to check it out now, they can watch the full video without leaving the chat. Thankfully, unlike live sharing, the YouTube previews feature will eventually make its way onto all Android smartphones, with the exception of Android Go devices. Also, the Galaxy S22 and Tab S8 series have Voice Access built in, so rather than needing to download a separate app, you can use these prompts to tap, scroll and navigate without using your fingers.
Catch up on all of the news from Samsung’s February Unpacked event right here!
Amazon's budget-friendly alternative to Google's Nest thermostats has returned to its all-time-low price for the first time since December. The company's smart thermostat, which it debuted last year, is 20 percent off and down to $48. As indicated by its low price tag, you won't get as many features with Amazon's gadget as you would with something like a Nest thermostat, but it's a good place to start if you're building up a smart home on a budget.
The smart thermostat is a sleek square with rounded corners and its minimalist design should help it fit nicely into any home. It's built with Honeywell Home Thermostat Technology and it's Energy Star-certified, so it could save you up to $50 per year on energy costs.
As with most Amazon devices, the smart thermostat works with Alexa — but it doesn't have a speaker or a microphone. You'll have to use an Alexa device like an Echo speaker or an Echo Show display to control it using voice commands. The Alexa mobile app is another option, and that's where you'll go to set schedules and change settings while you're out, too, so you come back to a home with the precise temperature you want.
That's all there is to Amazon's smart thermostat. Google's Nest Thermostat has advanced features like automatically turning the temperature down while you're away, but that device will set you back at least $130. Overall, Amazon's gadget is a good option for those that only want the basics and have tighter budgets. Just make sure to check out the device's compatibility information to ensure that it works with your system before you buy, and to know if you need an additional C-wire or power adapter kit to hook the thing up.
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Along with the other Amazon devices we saw go on sale yesterday, the company's entire Fire tablet lineup has been discounted. Fire tablets are already pretty affordable, but if you're looking for a new tablet for your kid or an inexpensive couch device, it's best to wait for a sale like this one when they're up to 50 percent off. Of note are the Fire HD 8, which is half off and down to $45, the Fire HD 10, which is 27 percent off and down to $110, and the entire lineup of Kids Pro tablets.
If you're unsure which Fire tablet to get, we'd recommend the Fire HD 8 or the Fire HD 10 to most people. We gave the Fire HD 8 a score of 81 when it first came out for its refined design, decent performance, USB-C port for charging and its long battery life. It makes a good all-purpose device if you find that your phone screen is too small for your liking when you want to do things like shop online, check email and even watch a video. It could also make a solid, full-color e-reader for those that read manga and graphic novels digitally. The biggest caveat, which applies to all Fire tablets, is that while they are Android based, they do not have native access to Google's Play Store. That means you're stuck using Amazon's copycat apps for things like Gmail, Chrome and others.
The Fire HD 10 takes everything about the HD 8 up a notch. It has an octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, a 5MP rear camera and a 10.1-inch 1080p display. It'll be worth the upgrade if you want the best performance possible in a Fire tablet, or the HD 8's smaller screen just isn't big enough for you.
You could snag a standard Fire tablet for your kids to avoid giving them your most expensive slab to play with, but Amazon's Fire Kids Pro tablets offer some added benefits. In addition to all of the features you'll find on the regular slabs, the Kids Pro bundles come with a two-year warranty, a protective case, added parental controls and one year of Amazon Kids+. The latter is the company's subscription service that gives your kids access to age-appropriate books, shows, movies and more. The service will renew at $3 per month after your free year though, so just keep that in mind as you approach the end date. Both the 7- and 8-inch Fire Kids Pro tablets are half off right now and the 10-inch model is 30 percent off and down to $140.
The Mac Mini was already the most cost-effective way to get an M1 machine, but Amazon's latest sale makes it even more affordable. The 256GB desktop is back down to a record low of $570 right now thanks to a $649 sale price and an automatically applied coupon that knocks another $79 off. If you know you'll need more onboard storage, the 512GB version is down to $750 thanks to another sale-plus-coupon combo.
In case you need a refresh, the Mac Mini M1 came out in 2020 with Apple's first round of M1 devices. You can expect performance similar to the MacBook Air M1, which impressed us with its blazing fast speeds, near-instantaneous wake time and ability to run iOS apps. In addition to M1 power, the Mac Mini has an eight-core CPU, an eight-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine and these discounted models have 8GB of RAM.
With all of the updates being on the inside, the latest Mac Mini looks much as the same as previous models. It's compact size makes it a good option for cramped work-from-home setups, so long as you have your own monitor, keyboard and mouse to use with it. The desktop has a healthy number of ports as well, including two Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI connector, an Ethernet port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. While you could wait for the next iteration of the Mac Mini, there's no telling when Apple will debut that. The company may have a hardware event in March, but current rumors suggest it will focus on new iPads and an affordable 5G iPhone. If you're in need of an updated desktop now, the Mac Mini M1 is a great option made even better by this sale price.
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If you're in need of more storage for your smartphone, tablet or console, Amazon's latest daily deal on PNY gadgets could help. A bunch of the brand's thumb drives, memory cards and SSDs are up to 31 percent off for today only, and the highlights include the 4TB PNY XLR8 CS3140 SSD for $600, or a whopping $300 off, and the 512GB PNY Pro Elite Class microSD card for $55, or $35 less than usual.
We recommended a version of the PNY XLR8 in our PS5 storage guide as the best budget drive you can get for the console. Aside from the fact that you'll have to provide your own cooling solution, these drives are a great option for anyone that doesn't want to drop four figures on a high-capacity SSD for their PS5. The CS3140 that's discounted today has even faster speeds than the CS3040 included in our guide — up to 7,500 MB/s sequential read and 6,850 MB/s sequential write speeds when connected to a PCIe Gen3 x4 motherboard. While the 1TB and 2TB models are also on sale, it's hard to beat the $300 discount on the 4TB drive. Plus, it's the best option if you do intend to load up the SSD with PS5 games.
If you're more of a Nintendo Switch player, the 512GB Pro Elite microSD card for $55 can help you add more games to your collection without spending a ton on the extra space. It'll also work well for photographers and videographers as it supports up to 100 MB/s read and 90 MB/s write speeds, and comes with an SD adapter.
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Outfitting your home with a security system can be costly and complicated. But there are more affordable ways to do so now, with Blink devices being some of the most accessible available. They're wireless, easy to install and require no monthly subscription fee (although there is one you can pay for). You can get some of the latest Blink cameras for less right now thanks to Amazon's sale that knocks up to 30 percent off the gadgets. The Blink Outdoor one-camera kit is down to $70 and the Blink Mini indoor cam is on sale for $25, which is only $5 more than its record-low price. Amazon also discounted the new Blink Video Doorbell, knocking it down from $50 to $40.
Aside from being weather-resistant, Blink Outdoor cameras are wireless so you're able to place them almost anywhere around your home (especially if you invest in a few mounts). They record 1080p video and have infrared night vision, plus they'll send alerts to your smartphone when they detect motion. They also support two-way audio, so you can chat with whoever is on the other side of your front door.
Also, if you already have an Echo Show device in your home, you can use it to check out the feed from your cameras at any time. As for battery life, the two AA batteries that power the Blink Outdoor cameras should last for two years before you need to replace them.
If you're not ready to go all-in with Outdoor cams, the Blink Mini is a good way to test out security cameras in your home. It's a wired device, but it's super compact and also supports 1080p video, motion alerts, two-way audio and Alexa commands.
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In addition to a bunch of great deals on TVs ahead of the big game, a handful of new tech deals cropped up on the web this week. Roku's Streambar Pro is $30 off and down to $150 right now (and the smaller Streambar has also been discounted) while the latest Apple TV 4K remains on sale for $160. Fitbit's Charge 5 fitness tracker is 34 percent off and down to an all-time low, plus you can still save on a bunch of Eero 6 WiFi systems. Here are the best deals from this week that you can still get today.
2021 Apple TV 4K
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The latest Apple TV 4K is on sale for $160, or $20 off its normal price. While the 2021 version isn't drastically different from the previous model, its new Siri remote is a big selling point. We gave it a score of 90 for its speedy performance, HomeKit integration and the easy of use that comes with the improved Siri remote.
A bunch of Apple Watch Series 7 models are on sale at Amazon right now. The 45mm GPS Series 7 in midnight is down to a record low of $370, or $60 off, while a few colors of the 41mm GPS Series 7 are down to $350, which is only $10 more than the all-time-low price. Finally, the 41mm GPS + Cellular Watch is $50 off and down to $449.
A few colors of the high-end AirPods Max are $100 less than usual, bringing them down to $449. These cans earned a score of 84 for their excellent, balanced sound, strong ANC and good battery life.
Roku's Streambar Pro is on sale for $150, or $30 off its normal price. The regular Streambar is also on sale for $99. The Pro model includes all of the features that the standard soundbar does, plus four 2.5-inch full range drivers, support for private listening and a lost remote finder in the companion mobile app.
Hisense's 55-inch Quantum Dot 4K TV is 30 percent off and down to just under $600. It packs a lot of value into a relatively affordable TV — the set supports a 120Hz native refresh rate, Dolby Vision and Atmos, 1,000 nits of peak brightness and Game Mode Pro, the latter of which makes use of HDMI 2.1, low latency mode, variable refresh rates and more.
Samsung's 65-inch Frame set is down to a record low fo $1,500, which is $500 off its normal price. In addition to 4K support and Quantum Dot technology, the Frame TVs have Art Mode, which lets you show pieces of art on the screen when you're not using it. The 55-inch model is also back on sale for an all-time low of $1,000.
The Samsung T7 Touch SSD in 1TB is down to a record low of $140 right now. That's even better than the price it was during the holiday shopping season last year. We like the drive's compact design, fast speeds and built-in fingerprint reader for extra security.
Fitbit's Charge 5 is on sale for a record low of $120 right now. We gave the fitness tracker a score of 82 for its large, full-color display, built-in GPS, standard Fitbit Pay and long battery life. The Fitbit Sense smartwatch is also on sale for $100 less than usual, bringing the price down to $200.
Microsoft's Elite Wireless Series 2 controller for Xbox remains on sale for $140, or $40 less than usual. If you want to treat yourself (or someone else) to a fancy gaming accessory, this is a good option. It comes with six thumbsticks, four paddles, two D-pads, a charging dock, a carrying case and a USB-C cable, and its battery can last up to 40 hours on a single charge.
Samsung's latest smartphone, the Galaxy S21 FE, is officially available and starting to ship and Amazon throws in a $100 gift card if you order the handset through the online retailer. We gave the phone a score of 77 for its bright 120Hz display, hi-res selfie cam and long battery life.
All Eero 6 WiFi packs are on sale right now, so you can one for as low as $90. The three-pack of routers is down to $244 while the three-pack with one router and two extenders has been discounted to $195. This system supports WiFi 6, up to 5,000 square feet of coverage and it has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub.
Arturia has discounted a number of its software instruments and effects through February 17. Arguably the highlight of the sale is Pigments, which is 50 percent off and down to $99.
Crucial's MX500 internal SSD in 1TB is on sale for $90 — not the lowest price ever, but close to it. We like this drive for its decent read and write speeds, AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption and integrated power loss immunity.
This Logitech webcam is down to $80, which is 20 percent off its normal price. Its 1080p/30fps recording quality will be great for both Zoom meetings and game streams, plus it has built-in autofocus and two mics to capture your voice in stereo audio.
Garmin's Forerunner 45s running watch is 30 percent off right now and down to $140. The "s" means the case is on the smaller side, making it better for people who don't want a chunky smartwatch. It has a built-in GPS to track and map outdoor runs and it monitors pace, distance, intervals and more.
