Gone are the days when you contort yourself to try the latest iOS version before its official debut. Apple has released the iOS 17 public beta, and it’s easy to install the preview on your iPhone. So long as you know what you’re getting into, you can explore major features months before the finished software arrives this fall. These instructions should also work for the iPadOS 17 beta, too.

Before you start: iOS 17 beta requirements and risks

Apple

To begin, you’ll need to be sure your hardware supports iOS 17. Apple requires at least a 2018 or newer iPhone, including the XR, XS and second-generation SE. Notably, this release ends support for the iPhone 8 and X — if you own one of these older models, you’ll simply have to buy a new handset to run the updated platform.

The iPadOS 17 public beta clearly has different requirements. You’ll need at least a sixth-generation iPad, third-generation iPad Air, fifth-generation iPad mini, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, any 11-inch iPad Pro or the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Whatever you’re installing, remember that this is pre-release code. The iOS 17 public beta is better-suited to everyday use than earlier developer versions, but you may still run into bugs, odd behavior or app compatibility issues. You’ll want to wait for the finished software if your phone has apps or data you simply can’t afford to lose. If you’re willing to accept the risks, it’s still a very good idea to backup your data through iTunes or a cloud service (such as iCloud) in case you need to restore your phone at some stage.

How to install the iOS 17 public beta

Apple

Be sure you’ve updated to iOS 16.4 or newer, as you’ll need it to walk through the public beta installation process. You can upgrade through the Settings app, choosing General, and then tapping Software Update. This screen will also tell you which version you’re running.

Once ready, you’ll want to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program using the Safari web browser on your iPhone. Membership is free; you’ll need to log in using the main Apple ID you use on your phone and enroll that device in the program. Follow prompts, and be sure to read the agreement when it appears.

After that, installing the iOS 17 test is almost as simple as installing ordinary updates. You just have to visit Settings, tap General, tap Software Update and then select a new Beta Updates item underneath Automatic Updates. Be sure that the Apple ID displayed at the bottom is the one you used to join the beta program. You should see the option to install “iOS 17 Public Beta” from that screen. Go back one screen and you should get an offer to download and install the beta.

As with any other iOS upgrade, the installation may take a few minutes to complete and will involve restarts. At the end, the beta will add a Feedback Assistant app to your home screen that helps report bugs.

What you do (and don’t) get with the iOS 17 public beta

Apple

Apple revealed many of iOS 17’s features at the WWDC 2023 keynote in June. However, not all of those elements will be available in the public beta.

Most improvements are intact. Notably, there’s a redesigned phone experience that includes custom contact cards and live voicemail transcripts. A Messages app revamp includes a new sticker interface, simpler replies, audio message transcripts and location-based check-ins. Sharing is easier as well. You can share content just by bringing iPhones close together, and you can now share contacts. The keyboard has improved autocorrection, predictions and voice dictation. You can document your mood in the Health app, and StandBy turns your iPhone into an ad hoc smart display.

However, a few features won’t be present until after iOS 17 arrives. The life-logging Journal app isn’t in the public beta. You’ll also have to wait for AirDrop transfers that continue over the internet, and collaborative Apple Music playlists aren’t yet ready. We’d also expect Apple to make minor interface tweaks and additions in later revisions, and it won’t be surprising if one or two iOS 17 features will only be announced alongside future iPhones that use them.

There's something exciting about trying out new versions of an operating system, especially when it's a test build. Suddenly a device you've gotten to know well becomes fresh again and useful (or at the very least entertaining) in all new ways. Now is that time for eager Apple users, with the company's iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 and macOS Sonoma public betas finally available to download.

The new iOS 17 will include a slew of updates from design to practical. You can customize what people see when you call them — whether it's a cute cartoon or your favorite selfie, put the call to voicemail with a live transcription across your screen and send someone a video or audio message if they don't pick up your FaceTime call. Plus, you can mute and unmute yourself right from your AirPods. "Ducking" should also be a thing of the past on iOS 17 with an improved autocorrect and you can utilize sentence predictions for quicker responses. Additional features include automatically checking in to let your friends know you've arrived home, locating real-time charging stations along your route on Maps and the ability to say how you're feeling on the Health app (so and so is pleasant does feel very early Facebook days).

iPadOS 17 is, to a degree, a catch-up release that adds a customizable lock screen, the Health app and interactive widgets. WatchOS 10 is a substantial Apple Watch revamp that revives the emphasis on widgets while overhauling core apps and improving fitness features. MacOS Sonoma, meanwhile, brings widgets to the Mac desktop while upgrading Safari, video calls and gaming.

Apple first announced these upgrades at its Worldwide Developers Conference and subsequently released the iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma betas for developers. Unlike in previous years, though, the developer betas were available free for anyone to try — developer accounts typically cost about $100 per year. The iOS 17 public beta should be a bit more polished than the developer builds, given the extra time to work out bugs and compatibility problems. The official versions will launch this fall, but you can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program if you want to try the previews now.

After a couple years of Xbox and PlayStation stock shortages, it's now fairly easy to get your hands on a current gaming console. Now might be the ideal time to snap up the Xbox Series X, Microsoft's most powerful console, as it's on sale. You can pick up an Xbox Series X for $450, which is $50 off the regular price.

When the Xbox Series X debuted in late 2020, we gave it a score of 87 in our review, though Microsoft has improved the experience since then with new features and updates. At the time, we appreciated the power of the hardware and the console's ability to run demanding games while keeping the fan quiet. With the help of a solid state drive, load times are minimal and the useful Quick Resume feature swiftly helps you keep playing from where you left off. Backward compatibility with hundreds of previous-generation Xbox games is a major plus, as is the addition of HDR to older titles.

One of our key complaints at the time of our review was the lack of compelling games. That's less of a problem these days, as Microsoft has just about something for everyone on Xbox Series X/S, with titles such as Forza Horizon 5, Hi-Fi Rush and Microsoft Flight Simulator in the lineup. The highly anticipated Starfield will arrive in September, and there are a ton of other intriguing games from both Xbox's studios and external developers in the pipeline.

One of the Xbox Series X's strongest selling points is Xbox Game Pass integration. Although Microsoft just increased the price of the subscription service, it includes access to every single Xbox first-party game on the day it's released. The library includes an extensive selection of third-party games as well, meaning players have hundreds of titles at their fingertips. Grand Theft Auto V just returned to the service, for one thing.

Opt for a Game Pass Ultimate membership and you'll get all of that along with access to a bunch more EA titles and the option to play the service's games via the cloud and on PC. Thanks to save data that's stored in the cloud, you'll be able to play a game on your Series X and continue where you left off on your phone, tablet or computer. You can try Game Pass Ultimate for $1 for your first month.

There are some drawbacks to the Series X compared with the competition. You have limited options for expanding the storage, as Microsoft opted for a proprietary card that only two manufacturers are making. The PlayStation 5 has a more immersive controller due to features like adaptive triggers and the remarkable haptic feedback. Unless you have a PS5 as well, you'll also need to consider which of each console's exclusive games are more compelling to you before taking the plunge on a Series X.

Amazon Prime Day is looking like a good time to pick up a new phone, so long as you prefer Android. While you won't find any iPhone deals among Amazon’s sales barrage, several of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Google Pixel devices we recommend in our smartphone buying guides are down to the lowest prices we’ve seen. If you’ve been waiting to pick up a new handset (and don't mind buying unlocked), here are the best Prime Day phone deals we can find. Remember that you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber to see some of the discounts.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is on sale for $850, which is the lowest price we’ve seen for this factory unlocked model and more than $200 off the phone’s usual price. If you need more storage space, the 512GB model is $400 off its list price at $980.

The S23 Ultra earned a review score of 89 this past February, and it’s currently the top Android pick in our smartphone buying guide. It has just about everything you’d expect from a high-end handheld: a gorgeous 6.8-inch OLED display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, a snappy Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, top-notch build quality, more than all-day battery life and a powerful camera system. It comes with an S Pen stylus, and Samsung will support the device with five years of security patches and four years of OS updates. You may need to put in a little extra work to unlock the full potential of those cameras, and Samsung’s software is still somewhat bloaty, but the S23 Ultra is a decidedly premium device. The biggest knock against it is that it’s expensive, but this deal helps with that.

Samsung Galaxy S23

The base Galaxy S23 is down to $600 for a 128GB model and $660 for a 256GB unit. Both of these deals represent a roughly $140 discount and match the lowest prices we’ve tracked. The Galaxy S23 trails the S23 Ultra in terms of battery life, camera hardware and charging speed, but that still leaves room for a fast and vibrant device that’ll receive updates for years to come. Apart from the lower cost, the biggest reason to consider it is because it’s one of the smallest high-end phones on the market, with a 6.1-inch display that should be easy for many people to use with one hand.

Samsung Galaxy S23+

The 256GB Samsung Galaxy S23+ is available for $750, which is another all-time low for an unlocked model and about $150 off this model’s typical going rate. The 512GB variant is on sale for $70 more. The S23+ is the middle child between the Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra. It has the same processor, triple-camera system and 1080p resolution as the former, but it offers a larger 6.6-inch OLED display without adding the weight of the latter. It also supports faster charging speeds than the S23, with a maximum of 45W instead of 25W. Deputy Editor Cherlynn Low gave the Galaxy S23+ a score of 86 in her review this past February.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Google’s trio of Pixel 7 phones are also discounted for Prime Day. First up, the Pixel 7 Pro is down to $649 for a 128GB model, $749 for a 256GB model and $849 for a 512GB model. Each is $250 off Google’s list price and $50 below than the previous lows we’ve seen.

We call the Pixel 7 Pro the best “camera phone” in our smartphone buying guide, as it takes consistently crisp and accurate photos with less fuss than alternatives like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It also outperforms its peers in low-light settings. Google’s take on Android is generally cleaner than Samsung’s One UI, and both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will receive security updates through late 2027. That said, the S23 Ultra’s raw performance is still better for more involved tasks like gaming, and it outpaces Google’s flagship in display quality and battery life. It’s also worth noting that Google will almost certainly launch new Pixel 8 phones later this year. But if camera quality is your top concern, this is still a good value. Senior Writer Sam Rutherford gave the Pixel 7 Pro a review score of 92 last fall.

Google Pixel 7

The 128GB and 256GB versions of the unlocked Pixel 7 are down to $499 and $599, respectively. We’ve seen these SKUs go for $50 less in the past, but each is roughly $70 below their typical street price. While the Pixel 7 Pro has a 6.7-inch 1440p OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the normal Pixel 7 bumps things down to a 6.3-inch 1080p panel that tops out at 90Hz. There’s no 5x telephoto lens, either, so you won’t get the same level of zoom for photos. That said, the device runs on the same solid Tensor G2 chip and delivers the same software experience, while its camera is still on the shortlist for the best on the market. Its battery lasts a little longer as well. We gave the Pixel 7 a score of 90 last year.

Google Pixel 7a

The Pixel 7a is Google’s latest midrange phone, essentially a Pixel 7 with a slightly smaller 6.1-inch display, marginally slower charging speeds (18W instead of 20W) and a back made from (nice) plastic instead of Gorilla Glass. Most of the other essentials are just about identical, plus the 7a will get an extra year of software and security updates. As of this writing, the unlocked Pixel 7a is available for $449, which is a $50 discount and a new low. If you prefer a smaller handset or just want to save $50, it’s a fantastic value, though the Pixel 7 is still a bit better if you can pay a little extra. We gave the Pixel 7a a score of 90 earlier this year and call it the best midrange Android phone in our buying guide.

Google Pixel 6a

Last year’s Pixel 6a is on sale for $249, a $100 discount that might be hard to top for those shopping in the bargain bin. Yes, the Pixel 6a can’t really touch the Pixel 7a: Its Tensor G1 chip isn’t as fast, it has less RAM (6GB versus 8GB) and a more basic 60Hz refresh rate, there’s no wireless charging, and its camera is slightly worse. But it runs the same pleasant software as other Pixel phones, its hardware is still far from slow or cheap-feeling, and its camera runs circles around other phones in this price range. It won’t last as long as some alternatives, but it's a nice upgrade over the usual budget suspects.

Motorola Moto G Stylus

We list the latest Moto G Stylus as an honorable mention in our guide to the best affordable smartphones, as it’s one of the few budget phones to come with a built-in stylus. If you can afford to step up to even the Pixel 6a, do so; this phone lags far behind in just about every way, from camera performance to charging speed to general peppiness. But if you really can’t spend more than $200 and like to jot down notes with a pen, the Moto G Stylus is a decent buy at $170, which is $30 off its typical going rate. Unlike the Pixel 6a, it also gets you a headphone jack and a microSD card slot.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 + Galaxy Z Fold 4

Both of Samsung’s premier foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4, are on sale for Prime Day, with the former available for $800 and the latter down to $1,100. The Flip is about $200 off, while the Fold is around $500 cheaper than usual. These are the foldables we recommend to enthusiasts in our smartphone buying guide, but consider this a PSA more than a recommendation: Samsung has already confirmed that it will unveil new foldable devices at its Unpacked event on July 26. These might be good prices if you don’t care about the latest and greatest, but we advise you to wait and see what Samsung has planned before spending this much on a soon-to-be-outdated device.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

Your phone number is generally secret in WhatsApp communities, but there's still a chance you'll let it slip if you react to messages. That might not be a problem for much longer, thankfully, as WABetaInfo has discovered that WhatsApp is more broadly testing a "phone number privacy" feature with beta users. Enable it and your digits will only be visible to community administrators and those who've saved you as a contact.

The option has been in limited testing for months, but appears to be rolling out widely to beta users who've installed the latest Android and iOS updates. We've asked WhatsApp parent company Meta for more details, but WABetaInfo says the upgrade should reach more users and groups in the days ahead.

The addition could prove crucial for privacy in some cases. This lets you fully participate in the community announcement group without fear that you'll reveal your number. Creeps and would-be fraudsters can't call or text you unless you accept a request to share your contact info. That, in turn, could help you feel comfortable using communities in the first place.

WhatsApp has been adding a number of privacy features in recent weeks, including locked chats, automatic silencing of unknown callers and a settings review. Phone number privacy is consistent with that strategy — it's another safeguard against inadvertently sharing sensitive data with others.

Sony has produced numerous full-frame cameras of late, but just a single APS-C model over the last four years — the vlogging-oriented ZV-E10. Now, the company has finally rectified that with the launch of the 26-megapixel (MP) A6700, it's new flagship APS-C mirrorless camera. It's particularly strong for vlogging thanks to features like 4K 120p video, active mode stabilization and AI auto-framing — but it's not cheap, either.

The A6700 looks like other Sony A6000-series models at first glance, but there are some considerable improvements. The grip is now bigger for improved handling and stability, and it introduces an assignable front dial that makes manual shooting easier. It has a vari-angle LCD (rather than a popup LCD as before), along with a low-res (2.36 million dot) but fast (120fps) electronic viewfinder. It's fairly compact, being 35 percent smaller and 21 percent lighter than Canon's $1,500 R7. 

Engadget

Sony has also introduced a still/movie/S&Q dial with dedicated settings for each, along with a new and far more intuitive main menu and menu structure. It comes with mic and headphone ports (plus a digital audio interface via the hotshoe), USB-C 3.2 Gen1, a micro HDMI port (not full-size, unfortunately), and a single SD UHS-II card slot on the side, rather than on the bottom in the battery compartment as before. It's dust and moisture resistant if you're shooting in inclement weather and supports 4K30p webcam capture. 

The A6700 doesn't improve on the A6600's shooting speeds, grabbing bursts at the same 11 fps (in both mechanical and electronic shutter modes) with autofocus and auto-exposure tracking. However, it can capture far more photos at a time, with the new larger buffer letting you capture 59 compressed RAW and over 1,000 JPEGs before it stops. 

Engadget

The autofocus is improved as well, thanks to a faster backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor and processor that's eight times quicker than past models. Sony promises "reliable real-time tracking" for humans, animals and birds, insects and vehicles (cars, trains and planes). Human eye AF performance is up by 60 percent from previous models, while animal/bird eye AF speeds increased by 40 percent. 

It should also take better photos in low light, again thanks to the BSI sensor and improved processor. Finally on the photo side, it now offers selectable RAW options including lossless and compressed, along with JPEG, HEIF and HLG still images.

Engadget

While Sony already has a vlogging-oriented camera in the ZV-E10, the A6700 is even stronger in this regard. You can shoot 4K video at up to 120fps with 10-bit 4:2:2 quality (FHD at 240p) all with AF/AE, besting all APS-C rivals except Fujifilm's $2,000 X-H2S. Better still, it's super-sampled from 6K "resulting in high-resolution 4K with minimal moiré and jaggies," Sony says. 

You can record in Sony's XAVC format at up to 600 Mbps with I-frame codecs that are easier to edit. It supports S-Cinetone and Sony S-Log3 mode to boost dynamic resolution up to 14+ stops (matching its Cinema line cameras), along with user-assignable LUTs so you can get a better idea of what you're shooting.

Engadget

For those who do a lot of tracking shots or walk-and-talk vlogging, the A6700 has "active mode stabilization" that uses both software and optical tricks to reduce camera shake. Video autofocus mode supports the same range of subjects (people, animals, vehicles) as photo AF, with Sony promising real-time recognition in all cases. Another nice feature borrowed from the ZV-E1 full-frame camera is AI-based auto framing that lets the subject move around while staying centered in the frame — with varying levels of cropping and tracking speeds. And like other recent Sony models, it supports digital focus breathing compensation with select lenses. 

We had the camera for a short time, and found that it handled much better than any previous Sony A6000-series cameras. At the same time, it's compact and light enough to take on trips. It's certainly not an impulse buy, though. The A6700 starts at $1,399 (body only), or $1,499 with a 16-50mm kit lens and $1,699 with the 18-135mm lens. Pre-orders are now open, and it's set to start shipping in early August. 

With the arrival of Xiaomi's Mix Fold 2 last August, it was only a matter of time before other brands would catch up with similarly impressive slimness for their next foldable phones. So far this year, we have Huawei's Mate X3 which finally broke Xiaomi's thinness record, followed by Google's Pixel Fold — it's a tad thicker, but at least it's available in western markets. Today, another Chinese brand has beaten Huawei with an even slimmer and lighter foldable phone — the Honor Magic V2. It's the first of its kind to reach a folded thickness of less than 1cm, and it weighs less than some of the top flagship candybars — namely Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max or Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Specifically, the Magic V2 is 9.9mm and 4.7mm thick when folded and unfolded, respectively. Only the Mate X3 and Mix Fold 2 come close in this aspect. As for weight, the Magic V2 measures just 231g (8.15oz), beating the Oppo Find N2 and Mate X3 by a few grams. As someone who has been using a 262g (9.24oz) Mix Fold 2 for 10 months, I found it surprisingly delightful while fiddling around with Honor's slimmer and lighter foldable.

One of the keys to this form factor breakthrough is Honor's new hinge design, which consists of 3D-printed aerospace-grade titanium parts and proprietary steel bits. Together with the latest flexible OLED panel from China's BOE, the Magic V2 has been certified by TÜV Rheinland to last for over 400,000 folds — doubling that of the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4. As a bonus, the hinge lets the phone "hover" in a laptop-like mode, which comes in handy for taking photos, watching videos, listening to music, making video calls and more, thanks to some tweaks in MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13).

Despite the size and weight reduction, the Magic V2 packs a generous 5,000mAh battery capacity, beating that of all existing foldable phones. This is thanks to the new silicon-carbon battery tech, which allows for a significant bump in energy density. These cells support Honor's 66W fast charging, though fans of wireless charging are out of luck here — not a surprise given the ambitious thickness reduction. The company also had to slim down essential components like the vapor cooling chamber, antenna, aluminum mid-frame, fingerprint module, USB-C connector, speakers and more to fit everything together. Much of this was done in Honor's research lab just across the street from the production line in Shenzhen.

The Magic V2 offers a 6.43-inch 2,376 x 1,060 OLED screen on the outside, and its 20:9 aspect ratio is to better mimic the user experience of a conventional smartphone — which is just as well given the thickness and weight achievement here. When unfolded, you'll be greeted by a 7.92-inch 2,344 x 2,156 flexible panel with a near-invisible crease. Both displays have an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz plus HDR10+ support, and yes, you can use a stylus on them, though only the Ultimate Edition in China comes bundled with an active pen. Honor also touted its eye protection measures for both screens on the Magic V2, using features like high-speed 3,840Hz pulse wave modulation dimming technology to reduce eye fatigue, as well as "Circadian Night Display" to help the user sleep better.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The rest of the Magic V2's core specs are very much on flagship level, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, NFC, triple mics, Bluetooth 5.3, infrared remote and more. With the preloaded MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13), Honor even promises 50 months of fast performance, as certified by SGS. The only glaring omission on this list of goodies is an ingress protection rating (the Mate X3, Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4 all have an IPX8 rating), but Honor assured us that it has applied a P2i nano-coating to the device for basic water resistance. 

The cameras are seemingly impressive, too: the rear-facing set consist of a 50-megapixel f/1.9 main camera with optical stabilization, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide camera and a 20-megapixel f/2.4 2.5x zoom camera also with optical stabilization. Both the external and internal displays have a 16-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera each. Honor said its AI motion sensing feature can help capture constantly moving subjects like kids and pets, but we won't be able to verify this claim until we get to a review unit later.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The Honor Magic V2 is now up for pre-orders in China, with color options including black (with a vegan leather back), gold, silk purple, and silk black (with "silk" referring to the frosted glass back), with prices starting from 8,999 yuan (about $1,250) for the 256GB version, 9,999 yuan ($1,390) for double the storage, and maxing out at 11,999 yuan ($1,670) for the 1TB Ultimate Edition.

Even though the demo units I played with at Honor's headquarters had Google services pre-installed, the company was hesitant on confirming a possible global rollout. Perhaps we will hear more at IFA come September, otherwise I'm sure the enthusiasts will already know how to grab one from China, anyway. Meanwhile, the pressure is on Samsung to come up with foldables of matching qualities later this month.

Amazon Prime Day is a great time to grab the little things: accessories, dongles, chargers and other tech we all need, but don’t always think about until things get dire. We’ve reviewed and tested plenty of less-expensive tech and quite a few of our recommendations are currently seeing discounts during Amazon’s big sale. We rounded up the best tech gear and devices we could find that come in under $50 with Prime Day savings. Here are the best Prime Day deals under $50 that you can get this year.

Echo Dot

The latest generation of Amazon’s smart speaker, the Echo Dot usually retails for $50, but for Prime Day, it’s down to $23, which is a 54 percent discount and its lowest price ever. We think it’s the best sub-$50 smart speaker you can buy because it pumps out decent sound for its size while delivering all that Alexa can do. The Echo Dot with clock is also on sale, coming in at $30 instead of $60. 

Echo Dot Kids

The kids edition of the Echo Dot is on sale for $28 rather than $60. It’s the same size as the standard Dot with equal audio powers. You can get it with an owl or dragon-themed exterior, and it offers parental controls and comes with a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids + with kid-appropriate content.

Echo Pop

Amazon’s newest Echo is also its smallest. The half-sphere Echo Pop is now more than half off, going for just $18 for Prime Day when it usually retails for $40. It’s designed to bring casual listening and Alexa’s help to small spaces.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

We think Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K is the best streaming device on the market and right now you can get it for $34 instead of the usual $50. It packs a lot of features into a small and affordable package and has a straightforward user interface.

Anker 100W 10ft cable

Anker's 100W cable is the one our reviewer used to test out the fast chargers in our guide and right now Prime members can get it for $13 instead of $16. It's rated to 100W, which can properly deliver power from a 100W USB-C power bank port or a fast charger brick.

8BitDo Pro 2 controller

This bundle with the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller and its storage case is down to $48 for Prime Day, which is a great price. We generally like 8BitDo controllers and the Pro 2 has been one of our favorites since it came out. It offers a lot at an affordable price point: adjustable stick and trigger sensitivity, vibration control and customize button mapping, just to name a few features. It also works with a bunch of different platforms including Switch, Steam Deck, PC, iOS, Mac and Android. It's part of a larger sale that includes the 8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox for $28and the Sn30 Pro Bluetooth controller for $32.

Fire TV Stick Lite

The budget pick in Engadget’s streaming device guide is Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite, which is even cheaper for Prime Day as long as you're a Prime member. Typically $30 it’s now half price at just $15. It supports Full HD streaming with HDR and comes with an Alexa voice remote — but keep in mind it can’t control the volume or power on your TV.

Fire TV Stick 4K

The Fire TV Stick 4K is down to $23, which is a considerable 54 percent savings over its $50 list price. It’s capable of streaming 4K video to your TV or monitor (as long as it supports that resolution) and supports HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also puts Amazon’s Fire OS interface on your screen, which we found to be easy enough to figure out, though it does prioritize Amazon Prime Video content.

Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Like the standard 4K stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max streams 4K content to your compatible screen of choice, has an Alexa remote, and supports HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It also has access to WiFi 6 and packs a faster processor. Right now, it’s $25 which is 55 percent off of the typical $55.

Anker PowerConf C200 2K Webcam

The runner up in our guide to the best webcams is Anker’s PowerConf C200 2K. The list price is $60, but is discounted to $48 for Prime members during the sale. It’s easy to set up, has a built-in lens cover for privacy and captures sharp and clear 2K resolution video with a 95-degree field of view.

Amazon Echo Buds

The latest Echo Buds just arrived in May yet they’re already 30 percent off at Amazon for Prime members. You can get them for $35, which is $15 off and ties the lowest price we’ve seen. We recommended the Echo Buds to those who prefer an open design in our best budget wireless earbuds guide.

ElevationLab GoStand

We recommend Elevation Lab's GoStand in our gift guide for people who work from home and right now it's 20 percent off. It folds into a pocket and can prop up a smartphone in either portrait or landscape orientation and adjusts to just about any viewing angle you'd like. 

TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Light Bulb

Our favorite budget smart light bulbs are TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Bulbs, which are 32 percent off right now for the two-pack, bringing it to $17. Installation is easy, and the lights stayed reliably connected during testing, plus the companion app is simple.

SAMSUNG EVO Select microSD

We named the Samsung EVo Select microSD card the overall best value in our guide to those storage devices and the largest, 128GB capacity model is now just $10, a 50 percent discount over its typical $20 price tag. The larger capacity cards, including the 512GB model is on sale as well. It doesn’t have the fastest write speeds, but is good for adding extra storage on the cheap.

SAMSUNG PRO Plus microSD Memory Card

Engadget’s top pick overall for micro SD cards is Samsung’s Pro Plus micro SD and Prime Day is bringing even the 128GB model to $14 and the largest 512GB model to under $50 after a 33 percent, Prime-only discount. It had the best sequential write performance of the cards we tested and should work well as extra storage for a camera, tablet or gaming handheld.

Blink Video Doorbell

The list price on Blink’s Video Doorbell is $60, but a half price discount for Prime members puts it comfortably under $50 at just $30. The unit can be used wired or on battery and will keep an eye on your front door, sending 1080p video to your phone or smart display, triggered by motion. The add-on Sync Module 2 is required for on-demand viewing, otherwise video and audio is only available when motion is sensed.

Amazon Fire 7 tablet

Amazon’s Fire 7 tablet has an MSRP of $60, but Prime Day is discounting it to $40 after a 33 percent, Prime-member-only discount. A sub-$50 tablet is a rare thing, and the Fire 7 isn’t a high-performer. But if you just need a no-frills way to check email, stream and browse social media, this won’t break the bank.

Echo Show 5

The recently updated Echo Show 5 is half price for Prime Day, dropping it to $45. The smaller smart display can act as a bedside alarm clock (and even has a snooze button) or you can set it up in a smaller kitchen to show you recipes and provide Alexa's help.

Blink Mini smart security camera (2-pack)

The wired, indoor Blink mini security cam is listed at $35 most days, but Prime members can snag it for $17.50. In fact, a two pack falls beneath the $50 mark, at just $34. The smart cameras are motion-activated, sending live 1080p video to your smartphone or smart display and allowing for two-way audio to boot.

Belkin Wireless Charging Stand

One of our favorite wireless chargers is Belkin’s Wireless Charging Stand, which is just $36 for Prime members right now, and a 20 percent discount. We like it because it’s a good value, comes with a power adapter and lets you charge in either landscape or portrait orientation.

Amazon Smart Plug

In Engadget’s guide to smart plugs, we named Amazon’s Smart Plug the best option for people who already use Alexa-enabled devices, like Echo speakers. It’s easy to set up using the Alexa app and reliably controls any lamps or fans you plug into it. Right now Prime Members can snag one for just $13, which is nearly half price. 

Anker 735 GaN Prime

Anker’s 735 GaN Prime is just $39 for Prime members and usually $60. It’s the best 65W charging brick you can buy, according to our testing because it’s fast, compact and offers a total of three charging ports: two USB-C and one USB-A.

OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank

The stylish and fast-charging OtterBox Fast Charge Power Bank is currently just $35 for the 15,000mAh model the best medium capacity portable battery you can buy. This one has even more juice to revive your dying smartphone or tablet.

Belkin Apple Watch Charger

Belkin’s Apple Watch Charger is one of our favorite accessories for the smartwatch and down to $44 for Prime members. The square pad can flip up so you can use the watch in nightstand mode and uses Apple’s new fast wireless-charging module to power a Series 8 from 0 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.

Anker 511 charger Nano 3

Anker’s 511 (Nano 3) charging brick is one of our recommendations for Apple Watch users and is now on sale for $17 instead of $23. New watches don’t come with power adapters, so if you need one, this is a good option — it’s compact with foldable prongs and has ActiveShield 2.0 to keep it from overheating.

Kasa Smart Plug EP25 (4-pack)

Prime Day is a good time to pick up the best smart plug you can buy, according to our testing. A four-pack of Kasa’s Smart Plug EP25 is now $35 for Prime members, when the set is usually $50. It’s reliable, relatively easy to set up and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and even Apple HomeKit.

Logitech Signature M650

Logitech’s Signature M650 wireless mouse is seeing a moderate 13 percent discount for Prime Day. It's a good pick for a compact mouse you can easily take with you when you’re computing on the go. It has a precision scroll wheel, clicks quietly and features two programmable buttons.

Spigen ArcHybrid MagSafe Battery Pack

The top MagSafe-compatible battery in our tests turned out to be Spigen's ArcHybrid MagSafe pack and Prime Day pricing brings it down to $33 after a solid 45 percent discount. It's a a little larger than Apple's own MagSafe battery and was able to fill an iPhone 14 Plus to 56 percent in about an hour and 45 minutes. Considering it's regularly $30 cheaper than Apple's battery pack, it's easy to recommend — particularly at this price. 

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

Were you hoping to score a good deal on a laptop for Prime Day? Apple's 2020 MacBook Air is currently on sale for $750 — a record low for the computer, which typically goes for $999. It's powered by the company's M1 chip with an 8-core CPU, and while Apple has since come out with an M2 MacBook Air, we found the older version's performance to be impressive when we reviewed it. This MacBook Air was very responsive, and running apps built for Apple's silicon, such as Safari and GarageBand, felt as fast as launching them on an iPad. Safari also loaded sites instantly, and scrolling through them felt effortless.

We gave the 2020 MacBook Air a score of 94 in our review. In addition to its impressively speedy performance, we also praised it for having the capabilities it has without the need for a fan. Its 13.3-inch Retina Display looked fantastic, with thin bezels around the high-res screen, and we found its keyboard to be excellent, with a satisfying amount of depth. The laptop ran efficiently during our tests and lasted 16 hours and 20 minutes, including periods wherein we looped HD videos. 

In addition, since this MacBook Air is powered by Apple's silicon, it can run iPhone and iPad apps, though not every app for your mobile device will be available for the computer. The chip gives it decent gaming performance, as well, and allows it to run some games as smoothly as on a gaming PC. You can get any of the color options — gold, silver and space gray — for $750, but due to the nature of the event, you'll have to be a Prime member to enjoy the discount. Take note that if you're not currently subscribed to Amazon Prime, you can avail of a 30-day trial for free when you check out.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

Tons of speakers are on sale for Prime Day this year — though not all of those speakers are winners. Luckily, many of the soundbars, smart speakers and portable options we’ve tested in our reviews and recommend in our guides are seeing notable discounts today. Take advantage of a discounted Bluetooth speaker so you can bring your music with you this summer, or snag a deal on a soundbar and finally clearly hear all that dialogue on your TV. Naturally, Amazon’s Echo speakers are part of the sale too, so you can get Alexa’s help for less as well. Here are the best Prime Day speaker deals we could find.

Amazon Echo (4th gen)

Compared to the similarly priced Nest Audio or HomePod mini smart speakers, Amazon’s Echo is louder and pumps out better audio. We named it the best speaker under $100 in our smart speaker guide and right now it’s down to a low of $55 for Prime members, which is about $5 more than it sold for on Black Friday, which was the all-time low. This is the latest generation, which came out in 2020, after a redesign put music quality front and center. It also nicely handles all Alexa duties like music streaming control and launching smart home routines.

Amazon Echo Dot

The smaller version is actually Amazon’s best-selling Echo device. And right now the Echo Dot is down to $23 for Prime Day, which is a 54 percent discount over its usual $50 price tag and the lowest its gone since its release last year. Engadget named it the best smart speaker under $50 in our buyer’s guide because it produces louder and clearer sound than you’d expect from such a small device. It also delivers Alexa’s help, like answering questions, setting timers and controlling your smart home just by asking.

Echo Studio

The Echo Studio is Amazon’s biggest smart speaker and is currently on sale for $155, which is 23 percent off its regular price of $200 and matches its all-time low. The focus here is the quality of the audio and we gave it an 88 in our review, impressed with the hi-res sound. It’s not a small speaker at nearly eight pounds and over eight inches tall, but all that space manages to pack three two-inch midrange speakers, a single one-inch tweeter and a 5.25-inch downward-facing woofer.

Bose SoundLink Flex

Bose’s SoundLink Flex is one of our recommended Bluetooth speakers under $200. Usually $150, it’s down to $129 for Prime members, which is a $40 discount that matches the lowest price. It gives bright, dynamic finesse to music and delivers a significant amount of bass for its size. It’s about the size of a clutch bag and even has a small loop strap to further the comparison. And of course it’s IP67 rated so it can handle the elements.

Anker Soundcore Motion +

Anker’s Soundcore Motion + is normally $100 but is discounted to $75 for Prime members as a Lightning Deal. In our guide, we said it produces good sound for the price, which is even more true now. It’s a little heavier than you’d expect, and the soft-touch exterior shows fingerprints, but if those aren’t deal-breakers for you, you’ll enjoy bright and bassy output, a connected app with EQ customization and IPX7 water resistance.

Anker Soundcore 2

With over 100k positive ratings, Anker’s tiny but mighty Soundcore 2 is a great buy at its usual $40, but Prime Day savings bring it down to just $28 for Prime members. It has a IPX7 rating so it can handle an accidental dunk in water and the battery will deliver a claimed 24 hours of play time. Two Soundcore 2s can pair up for stereo sound, so if the price tempts you to get a set, you may as well go for it.

JBL Charge 5

JBL's Charge 5 is usually $180 but is down to $120 for Prime members. It also made Engadgets speaker guide, and has a separate tweeter, and dual bass radiators for bigger sound and of course can handle a dunk in water. It's got a long, 20-hour battery life and can even share some of that juice with your phone via the USB-C port.

JBL Boombox 2

JBL’s Boombox 2 is $250 for Prime Day, which is $200 off the list price. We recommend the third generation of JBL’s Boombox speaker in our guide because it’s loud and comes in a take-anywhere package. This previous model offers 24 hours of playback, has a waterproof design and can recharge your phone. At 13 pounds, it’s big but still portable.

Sony SRS-XP700

Sony’s party-sized SRS-XP700 Bluetooth speaker is down to $398 after a $150 discount for Prime Day. It pumps out loud, thumping beats, stands over two feet tall and emits lighting effects that sync with what’s playing. It weighs 37 pounds, so the grab bars on the top and bottom make a lot of sense. It can go for 25 hours on a charge and offers a bit of water-resistance to accidental splashes, but its size and build make it less rough and tumble than other portable Bluetooth speakers.

Samsung HW-Q700B

Samsung’s HW-Q700B soundbar is currently $398 for Prime members after a steep 47 percent discount off its $698 MSRP. It's the runner-up midrange soundbar in Engadget’s guide and supports Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony, which allows you to play sound from both the soundbar and your late model Samsung TV. Other Samsung tech like SpaceFit and Adaptive Sound help automatically calibrate the speaker to sound better in your space.

Vizio V21t-J8

The Vizio V21t-J8 carries a list price of $160 but is presently $140 for Prime Day, which isn't an all time low and just $20 off but we think this is the best budget soundbar you can buy, even when it's full price. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and supports Bluetooth, HDMI ARC/eARC, 3.5mm and optical connections (but not WiFi). It also employs DTS Virtual:X, which promises more three-dimensional sound without requiring a bunch of extra speakers.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.