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Bargain hunters can get a jump start on Black Friday right now. While the big event is just a week away, plenty of popular items are already seeing steep price cuts at various retailers. And for those of you looking for deep discounts on top-notch soundbars and Wi-Fi speakers for your entertainment space, Sonos is the gold standard. Right now you can score up to 25% off select Sonos speakers for Black Friday.

The sheer volume of deals can get overwhelming, but we have over a dozen of CNET’s shopping experts that have been analyzing the offers and have worked to gather the top deals across thousands of items at trusted retailers, spending more than 515 hours each week on bringing you the cream of the crop, especially deals on products we’ve tested and evaluated, like Sonos speakers. Many of our favorite models are seeing discounts right now, making it a great time to snag one for yourself (or a loved one).

Best Black Friday Sonos deals

• Arc Dolby Atmos soundbar: $719 (save $180)
• Beam (Gen 2) Dolby Atmos soundbar $399 (save $100)
• Ray soundbar: $223 (save $56)
• Sub (Gen 3) wireless subwoofer: $639 (save $160)
• Sub Mini WiFi subwoofer: $343 (save $86)
• Roam smart portable Bluetooth speaker: $134 (save $45)
• Roam SL portable Bluetooth speaker: $119 (save $40)
• Amp 2.1 channel amplifier: $599 (save $100)
• Port streaming media player: $399 (save $50)

Be sure to check our roundup of Black Friday TV deals if you want to upgrade your entire entertainment setup. And for more tech savings, Best Buy’s Black Friday sale has dozens of markdowns.

Will there be sales for Sonos during Black Friday?

Sonos products rarely go on sale, but you will find some prices fluctuate throughout the year. Usually the biggest discounts on Sonos speakers are available during major shopping events. With that in mind, we expect to see significant Sonos Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings this year on the brand’s top items.

Where’s the best place to buy Sonos on Black Friday?

We expect that you will find direct deals from Sonos directly, as well as savings from select third-party retailers. Based on both Amazon’s Black Friday and Best Buy’s Black Friday sales from last year, we anticipate both retailers to price-match the best deals on Sonos speakers during Black Friday.

Apple could be making a big step toward improving texting between iPhone and Android devices by adopting the Rich Communication Services standard in 2024.

According to 9to5Mac on Thursday, an Apple spokesperson said in a statement that RCS — a more feature-rich texting standard that’s available on Android phones — will be coming to the iPhone and will work alongside iMessage. Apple did not respond to a request for comment from CNET.

“Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement to 9to5Mac. “We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”

An exact time frame wasn’t given. The move may lead to a vast improvement in how texts are sent between Apple iPhones and other phones, as RCS has the capability to support typing indicators, high-quality media sharing and in-line reactions. Currently, RCS handles these features for texts between Android phones that are using the Google Messages app, which is the default texting app on most Android phones.

“Everyone deserves to communicate with each other in ways that are modern and secure, no matter what phone they have,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement. “That’s why we have worked closely with the mobile industry to accelerate the adoption of RCS, and we’re happy to see Apple take their first step today by coming on board to embrace RCS.

“We welcome Apple’s participation in our ongoing work with GSMA to evolve RCS and make messaging more equitable and secure, and look forward to working with them to implement this on iOS in a way that works well for everyone.”

Should this indeed take place, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of Apple’s best iMessage features would suddenly be available to Android users. Both Apple and Google have included their own exclusive features in their texting apps, such as Apple’s Check In feature for location sharing and Google’s Magic Compose feature that uses artificial intelligence to draft texts. It also might not mean the death of the green bubble versus blue bubble situation.

Update, 2:18 p.m. PT: Adds comment from the Google spokesperson.

Gearing up for gift-giving for gamers can seriously break your brain, especially if you’re not well-versed in the gaming world. And it can quickly become expensive too — the coolest gear is not cheap. Yeah, there are a lot of selections on this list of the best gifts for gamers that are on the pricier side, but we’ve made an effort to include options across a range of budgets.

We’ve got the perennial favorites on here — the Nintendo Switch OLED, the Sony PS5, and Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S — but chances are your intended recipient might already own one of these. What you won’t find on here, at least not yet, are the new handheld consoles that run Windows, like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. They’re expensive and in my opinion, not quite mass-market ready yet.

Going a little further afield, Meta’s Quest 2 is still the VR headset to beat, even though the Quest 3 just came out; it’s still good but cheaper, and that can make a big difference when you’re shelling out for a lot of presents. But we also haven’t finished reviewing the Quest 3, and so that opinion may change after we do. The update to Sony’s veteran PlayStation VR headset, the PSVR 2, is fab as well, but costs as much as the PS5 it attaches to.

These are nothing without accessories like gaming headsets, mice and keyboards, and those are cheaper and more gift-friendly, but can still get pretty pricey. I’m still plowing through a seeming infinite number of options, but am trying to provide recommendations at all price levels; I’ll be adding more choices between now and the last possible minute.

Apple has some of the best headphones and earbuds available on the market today and there are a lot of AirPods models to choose from. Unfortunately, they can also be costly, but with Black Friday upon us there are plenty of deals to make it a little more affordable to get a pair of your own.

We’ve combed through early deals from tons of retailers and have gathered all of the best deals on Apple AirPods below. More than a dozen of CNET’s shopping experts are spending more than 515 hours each week this month making sure we have the very best prices ready for you to take advantage of. We expect to see more offers on these popular devices as we get closer to the big day, so keep checking back — we’ll be updating this page as new deals drop.

Black Friday AirPods deals

• Beats Studio Buds: $100 (save $50)
• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-gen, USB-C): $230 (save $19)
• AirPods Pro 2: $200 (save $49)

• AirPods Max: $480 (save $69)

• Apple AirPods 2: $99 (save $30)

• AirPods 3: $160 (save $9)

• Beats Fit Pro: $180 (save $20)

What are the best AirPods to buy?

CNET’s David Carnoy and John Falcone have tested and ranked the top AirPods models out there and have a full breakdown with reviews. Right now, the best overall AirPods you can get are the AirPods Pro 2. However, there are a number of other options that may work better for you, depending on what features you need and your budget.

Is Black Friday a good time to buy AirPods?

AirPods fluctuate in price throughout the year, but major shopping events do tend to offer the biggest price cuts, which means Black Friday is a really good time to grab a pair for less. We anticipate a number of bargains across the whole lineup of AirPods this year.

Where is the best place to buy AirPods on Black Friday?

While it is rare to find discounts on AirPods or other Apple devices from Apple directly, plenty of third-party retailers offer price drops on AirPods throughout the year. We anticipate sizeable discounts on AirPods to show up during Best Buy’s Black Friday sale and Walmart’s Black Friday sale, making those two of the best retailers to watch. And don’t sleep on Amazon’s Black Friday deals — the company often price-matches what other retailers are offering, especially during Black Friday. You will probably find some discounts on AirPods in stores, but supplies may be limited, so we recommend buying online so that you can easily compare specs and prices and be able to check on what’s in stock while you shop.

When it came to cutting the cord, the Roku Streaming Stick was the best option for me. Honestly, I don’t miss the traditional way of watching TV. Gone are the days of scrolling through a guide to find something to watch. Plus, I don’t need an antenna or a clunky box to get the entertainment I want. All I need is a Wi-fi connection, my Roku Stick and an HDMI port, and I enter a land of possibilities.

The good news is that Black Friday makes this great TV streaming accessory even more affordable than usual — it’s currently 40% off at Amazon.

Whether I am blasting music on Spotify or binge-watching a cooking competition, my Roku Streaming Stick has me covered — it can plug into my television for a chill night in or into my Epson Home Cinema 1080 projector for movie nights or hosting parties.

To get the full movie theater experience, I pair my Roku with the Vizio V-Series 2.0 Sound Bar. Karaoke nights haven’t been the same with this pairing — guests are always impressed.

The best thing for me about this streaming stick is that I still have access to live TV. Thanks to streaming services like Peacock and Hulu Plus Live TV, I can watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade or the ball drop on New Year’s Eve in real time.

You might be thinking, “Don’t those streaming service subscriptions add up?” Well with options to bundle and internet providers offering deals with certain contracts, it can actually cost less than paying for cable.

I like the Roku Streaming Stick because it’s small and portable, and I’ve never had any problems with it not working. Occasionally my Roku will reboot for updates, or I’ll need to change the batteries in the remote, but, these are all small things compared to your cable box or satellite service going down.

We’ve got a great matchup tonight for Thursday Night Football. It’s always a slugfest when two AFC North teams meet, and it should be even more so in Baltimore tonight, because the Ravens and Bengals are each coming off a loss and desperate for a win. The Ravens lead the division at 7-3, and the Bengals are in last at 5-4.

Last week’s loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Bengals during which quarterback Joe Burrow regained his form after a slow start to the season. For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson is playing at MVP level, but will be without starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley against the Bengals.

Kickoff for the Bengals-Ravens game on Thursday Night Football is set for 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) tonight with the game streaming nationally on Prime Video and for free on Twitch.

Keep reading to see your options for watching Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, Twitch, NFL Plus and — if you live in the home markets of the Bengals or Ravens — a local network channel.

With YouTube and YouTube TV now the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, along with games also streaming on Paramount Plus, Peacock and ESPN Plus, there’s lots for NFL fans to keep track of this season. Check out our picks for the best live TV streaming services for NFL fans in 2023.

TNF streaming: Prime Video, Twitch and NFL Plus

Thursday Night Football games are streamed nationally on Amazon Prime Video, giving NFL fans more incentive than free two-day shipping to sign up for an Amazon Prime account, which costs $15 a month or $139 a year. You can also subscribe only to Prime Video for $9 a month.

Fans in the local market of each team playing on Thursday night will be able to watch on an over-the-air station, while those who don’t pay for either of Amazon’s services can watch for free on Prime Video’s Twitch channel. (Twitch is also owned by Amazon.)

If you subscribe to NFL Plus, the league’s $7-per-month streaming service (or $15 a month with Red Zone included), you can also stream the game without subscribing to Prime or Prime Video. Note that NFL Plus viewing is limited to watching on just a phone or tablet, not on a computer or TV.

Can I watch Thursday Night Football on local TV?

Yes, you can, if you live in the local market of either of the teams playing on Thursday. For this week, that’s WCPO ABC 9 in Cincinnati and WMAR ABC 2 in Baltimore. There are two ways to watch local channels on your TV. The first is with a live TV streaming service. And the second is with an over-the-air antenna, if you live in an area that has good reception.

You can watch local networks with a live TV streaming service, but not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries the channel needed for the game in your particular area.

All the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Apple could be making a big step towards improving texting between its iPhone and Android devices by adopting the RCS standard in 2024.

According to 9to5Mac, an Apple spokesperson told the outlet in a statement that RCS — a more feature-rich texting standard that’s so far been available on Android phones — will be coming to the iPhone and would work alongside iMessage. CNET has reached out to Apple and Google for confirmation.

“Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement to 9to5Mac. “This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”

While an exact timeframe wasn’t given. This may lead to a vast improvement to how texts are sent between Apple’s iPhone and non-Apple phones, as RCS has the capability to support typing indicators, high quality media sharing and in-line reactions. Currently RCS handles these features for texts between Android phones that are using the Google Messages app, which is the default texting app on most Android phones.

Should this indeed take place, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all of Apple’s best iMessage features would suddenly be available to Android users. Both Apple and Google have included their own exclusive features in their texting apps, such as Apple’s Check In feature for location sharing or Google’s Magic Compose feature that uses artificial intelligence to draft texts. It also might not mean the death of the green bubble vs. blue bubble situation.

Story is developing.

If you’re in the market for a phone upgrade but don’t want to get tied into a lengthy carrier contract, a new early Black Friday sale on unlocked Google Pixel phones at Amazon could be just the ticket. There’s no need to worry about opening a new line or trading in your old device, and you can nab one of the best Android phones on the market while saving as much as $400. The deals are also available directly at the Google Store.

The current flagship of Google is the Pixel 8 Pro, which has been discounted to $859 from $1,059. Just be aware that CNET’s Andrew Lanxon found some early issues with the Pixel 8 Pro cameras. If you don’t care as much about having a flagship, you could go for the Pixel 8, which was much better reviewed and is a direct upgrade from the Pixel 7. You can grab the Pixel 8 for $549 instead of $600.

If you’re upgrading from an older phone, you can go for 2022’s Pixel 7 lineup. The larger, 6.7-inch Pixel 7 Pro is on sale for $649 instead of $899. The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 is available for $449. Alternatively, if you need something a bit more budget-friendly, you could go for the Pixel 7A, which is going for $374 instead of $499.

For those on the cutting edge, Google is also discounting its Pixel Fold tablet and phone hybrid. Since it’s only the first generation foldable from Google, it still has some room from improvement and doesn’t really stack up against something like the Samsung Z Fold 5. That said, it’s a great way to get into foldables if you are in the Google ecosystem, and you can pick one up at a huge $400 discount.

There are a variety of color and configuration options in the sale, and even cases to grab for these devices, so be sure to check out the complete sale. Also, if you aren’t convinced with the Google Pixel, be sure to check out some of these other Black Friday phone deals.

Apple’s M3 and M3 Pro-powered 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros might have only been on sale for a matter of days, but you can already save up to $200 depending on the configuration you want thanks to this early Black Friday sale.

There are multiple different MacBook Pro configurations available with a discount right now, but at the time of writing the best prices seem to apply to the space black version, which is the hot new color. You can choose silver if you prefer, but you’ll pay more.

The discounted MacBook Pros really do run the gamut of specifications, too. For those looking to spend the least the new M3 14-inch MacBook Pro can be had for just $1,449 which is a price that comprises a $50 holiday saving and an additional $100 coupon that will be applied automatically at checkout. In terms of specifications, you’ll get a 512GB SSD and 8GB of RAM to go with that M3 chip.

Upgrading to the M3 Pro means paying $2,199 which is $200 off the usual price for a Mac laptop with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD once again.

Towards the top end of Apple’s MacBook Pro range is the aircraft carrier-like 16-inch MacBook Pro, this time with an M3 Pro chip inside. That comes with 18GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for $2,299 which is another $200 off. There don’t appear to be any savings to be had on beastly M3 Max configurations, unfortunately. That may change sooner rather than later, though — the B&H Photo Black Friday deals are sure to hot up within the next week or so, after all.