Tech Geeks

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  • Amazon Black Friday Deals: Shop Early Savings on Tech, Kitchen Appliances and More

    Amazon Black Friday Deals: Shop Early Savings on Tech, Kitchen Appliances and More

    Though Black Friday is officially the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) Amazon has its own Black Friday sale kicking off even earlier than last year. This year, holiday deals will launch on Nov. 17, though you don’t even have to wait that long. We’re seeing hundreds of deals already live on Amazon across a wide range of product categories.

    You can always check out Amazon’s own dedicated deals page, but rather than sift through everything, save yourself some time and have a look at our top picks across popular categories below. And for even more savings, be sure to check out our roundup of the top Best Buy Black Friday deals as well.

    We’re updating this article regularly to make sure the best deals come right to you, but please note that while prices were accurate as of this article’s most recent publish time, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.

    Black Friday Amazon device deals

    Amazon Black Friday tech and smart home deals

    Amazon Black Friday TV deals

    Amazon Black Friday home deals

    Amazon Black Friday health and fitness deals

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    When is Amazon’s Black Friday 2023 sale?

    While Amazon has already dropped the prices on many items as early Black Friday deals, Amazon’s official dates for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will take place Nov. 17-27. Prices have been slashed on all kinds of goods, such as the 9th Gen iPad, currently at an all-time low of $249, and the Echo Buds are just $35.

    What kind of Black Friday deals will be on Amazon for 2023?

    Steep discounts are expected on pretty much every category on Amazon, including deals on toys, home goods, fashion, electronics, tech, fitness equipment and, of course, Amazon’s devices like the Echo, Kindle and more. We’ll update this post regularly with the best deals available.

  • ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Streaming on Disney Plus: Release Date and Time

    ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Streaming on Disney Plus: Release Date and Time

    Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in a poster for the movie.

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth movie in the franchise, is joining the four earlier films on Disney Plus in December, offering fans some potential binge-watching over the holidays.

    The globe-trotting flick, which premiered in theaters in June and stars Harrison Ford, presents a new challenge for Jones involving an ancient dial that could change the course of history, per a synopsis from Disney Plus. It’s directed by James Mangold and also stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Jones’ goddaughter, Helena.

    Indiana Jones 5 will be the last time fans see Ford as the legendary adventurer, according to an interview with the actor earlier this year. Here’s precisely when you’ll be able to watch it on Disney Plus, as well as how a VPN could potentially assist you with streaming.

    How to watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on Disney Plus

    Indiana Jones 5 will be released globally on Dec. 1 at 12:01 a.m. PT (3:01 a.m. ET), unless you’re in Europe, the Middle East or Africa. In that case, one of three things is true: If you’re in Turkey, you can watch it on Jan. 3, if you’re in France, you can watch it on a yet-to-be-determined date, and everyone else can stream the film on Dec. 13.

    There are two main Disney Plus plans you can subscribe to: ad-supported Disney Plus Basic, and ad-free Disney Plus Premium. Basic costs $8 a month, and the premium plan costs $14 a month or $140 a year (a yearly savings of $28). Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), The Temple of Doom (1984), The Last Crusade (1989) and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) are currently streaming on Disney Plus, and that’ll still be the case in December, according to Disney.

    Want to know more about Disney Plus? Here’s our review of the streaming service and coverage of the latest price hike. We’ve also looked at how the streamer’s ad-based tier compares to similar ones offered by its rivals.

    How to watch Indiana Jones 5 from anywhere with a VPN

    Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Disney Plus while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the movie from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming, too.

    A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.

    You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.

    Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose a country where Indiana Jones 5 will be streaming on Disney Plus. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream Indiana Jones 5 on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Disney Plus to stream.

    If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.

  • Best Black Friday Apple Watch Deals: Save Up to $109 Right Now

    Best Black Friday Apple Watch Deals: Save Up to $109 Right Now

    The next few weeks are an opportune moment to treat yourself to that new Apple Watch you’ve had your eye on. Discounts are available across multiple Apple Watch models as part of this year’s Black Friday extravaganza.

    The Apple Watch lineup as a whole includes some of the very best smartwatches on the market, but they can also be among some of the most costly. That’s definitely something Black Friday can help with, and we’ll be doing all of the deal hunting so you don’t have to. Whether it’s a budget option you’re looking for or just a way to make a saving on the epic Apple Watch Ultra, we’ve got a deal for you.

    Black Friday Apple Watch deals

    2023 Apple Watches

    Will the Apple Watch go on sale for Black Friday?

    Unlike most Apple products, pricing on the Apple Watch has been known to fluctuate throughout the year and it’s especially prone to price drops during major shopping events. For that reason, we expect some significant Apple Watch Black Friday deals this year.

    Where’s the best place to buy an Apple Watch on Black Friday?

    While Apple won’t be offering direct discounts on the Apple Watch directly, the wearable device is available to purchase at third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Those two have offered some steep Apple Watch savings in the past and will likely be among the best places to buy one ahead of the holidays. Other retailers to keep tabs on include Walmart and Target — plus, don’t shy away from carrier deals if you’re in the market for a cellular-enabled model and don’t mind opening a new line of service.

  • Apple Black Friday Deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and Much More

    Apple Black Friday Deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and Much More

    The big Black Friday vibe is getting louder and the Apple deals are already starting to pick up steam. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself to the latest Apple Watch or iPad, or you’re ready to drop big bucks on a fancy new Mac, there are definitely worse times of year to do it than right now.

    We’ve rounded up some of the best pre-Black Friday Apple deals you can already shop below so that you don’t have to scour the internet for the best prices. We’ll continue to update this page as more deals pop up throughout the month, so be sure to check back often for the best bargains available.

    Early Black Friday Apple deals

    Below, we’ve collected all the best Apple deals you’ll find ahead of Black Friday, which includes big savings on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks and much more. We’ll continue to update this page as we get closer to the main event on Nov. 24, so be sure to check back periodically for even more can’t-miss offers.

    Early Black Friday AirPods deals

    More AirPods deals:

    Early Black Friday Apple Watch deals

    More Apple Watch deals:

    Early Black Friday Mac deals

    More Mac deals:

    Early Black Friday iPad deals

    More iPad deals:

    Early Black Friday Apple TV deals

    More Apple TV deals:

    Early Black Friday Apple accessory deals

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    Will Apple offer Black Friday discounts?

    Apple tends not to directly discount its own products at any time of year, even the popular Black Friday shopping season. It has in previous years, however, bundled Apple gift cards with the purchase of its hero products like iPhones, iPads and Macs. The company did that in 2022 and we’d be surprised to see any major deviation from that approach in 2023.

    Where can I find the best Black Friday Apple deals?

    Though Apple might not be the go-to place for deals, plenty of third-party retailers also stock Apple gear and do tempt buyers with steep discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There will likely be several Amazon Black Friday deals on Apple devices like iPads and Apple Watches, plus we know Walmart’s Black Friday sale has a $69 AirPods deal that is sure to be popular. Best Buy, Target, B&H Photo and many more stores will also be cutting Apple prices to entice shoppers into their seasonal sales.

  • Best Black Friday Laptop Deals: Save Up to $700 on Gaming and Work Laptops

    Best Black Friday Laptop Deals: Save Up to $700 on Gaming and Work Laptops

    With the whole of November taken over by Black Friday sales, deals on laptops have started to roll in across all of the major retailers already. That means everybody from HP to Best Buy is offering some kind of sale, and you can find a laptop that exactly fits your needs and budget, whether you’re going for a MacBook, Chromebook or Windows laptop.Many PC makers offer discounts if you buy directly from them, including Lenovo, Dell, HP and Acer.

    We’ve also found deals available from retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg and Walmart, and it’s always worth taking a look at our overall Black Friday deals roundup.

    Best Black Friday laptop deals and PC sales

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    What should you look for in a Black Friday laptop deal?

    One of the biggest considerations is which laptop configuration is actually on sale. Often with the best laptop deals, only a specific version of the laptop is on sale, and making any changes could affect the price. This means that sometimes you find the 512GB model is actually cheaper than the 256GB option, or a similar situation. Be careful when adjsuting specs and look out for sudden price changes.

    Ultimately, you’re looking for the biggest savings versus not only the price but the usual “street” price for a laptop. Don’t be fooled by list prices and use price comparison sites or shopping extensions to make sure the discounted price is actually a good deal.

    When are the best laptop deals available?

    Generally, you’ll find the best laptop deals during back-to-school shopping time in late summer or early fall and a bit later in the year during annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales events. There are laptop deals available throughout the year, but if you’re looking for the best deal and can afford to wait a little, these are the best times of the year to buy one.

    Which retailers usually offer the best Black Friday laptop deals?

    You can usually find deals across a variety of retailers when it comes to laptop sales. Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg and other retailers tend to offer sales on more specific models while manufacturers like HP, Lenovo and Dell usually host larger sales that cover more models and configurations. If you’re looking for a specific model, you’ll want to keep checking back regularly for the latest set of deals.

  • Bag Apple’s Awesome M2 Mac Mini For Just $500 Today

    Bag Apple’s Awesome M2 Mac Mini For Just $500 Today

    When it comes to the Mac the transition to Apple silicon has been a huge boon in terms of performance. The M2 Mac mini is a beast of a machine yet it’s so small and quiet you could be forgiven for forgetting it’s even there. It’s cheap, too, and right now it’s even cheaper thanks to a discount that means you’ll pay just $500 for one of these things.

    The M2 Mac mini would normally retail for around $600 but Amazon was already discounting it before offering an additional $49 off via the on-screen coupon — be sure to click that if you want to get that special $500 asking price as part of this early Black Friday deal.

    In this configuration the M2 Mac mini comes with an eight-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, more than enough for the majority of Mac users. It includes 256GB of storage and a gigabit Ethernet port, while all of the usual wireless communication features are present and correct including Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Around the back, you’ll find two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two SUB-A ports not to mention a HDMI port for connecting to a TV or monitor.

    If 256GB of storage isn’t quite enough there’s an option to get 512GB, with Amazon also offering that configuration at a discount. The 512GB model would normally sell for $800 but click the on-screen coupon and you’ll get it for just $690.

    Looking for something a little different? There are sure to be tons of Amazon Black Friday deals if the Mac mini doesn’t quite scratch your particular computing itch.

  • This RCA Home Theater Projector Is Down to $65 During Walmart’s Black Friday Sale

    This RCA Home Theater Projector Is Down to $65 During Walmart’s Black Friday Sale

    Just like with TVs, there’s a massive number of home theater projectors out there. If you’re looking to score a low-cost option during Black Friday, now’s your chance. There’s no need to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to take advantage of huge discounts. Walmart’s Black Friday sale officially started last week, bringing with it massive markdowns.

    If you’re looking for an affordable option for your entertainment space, this 1080p RCA home theater projector is down to just $65. This deal should be available through tomorrow, Nov. 14, but there’s no guarantee it will stay in stock so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later if you want to score one at this price.

    This projector sports 1080p full HD resolution and can support screens up to 200 inches in size. It also has two built-in speakers and backlit controls to make it easy to use while trying to stream your favorite content, even in low light. And speaking of streaming, this device comes equipped with three HDMI inputs, a USB port and a TF/micro SD card slot so that you can plug in any gaming consoles or steaming devices you may want to connect to this projector.

    It’s worth noting that this model only delivers 250 ANSI lumens, which may not be as bright as some of the competition, so you’ll want to be sure to use this in a dark room for the best result. But at this price, this is a stellar deal — and this projector makes for a pretty great gift idea for those getting a head start on your holiday shopping list for the season ahead.

  • Pre-Black Friday Bargain Knocks $114 Off Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 3

    Pre-Black Friday Bargain Knocks $114 Off Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 3

    With Black Friday deals already in full swing, right now is one of the best times of the year to snag yourself some new tech. And if you’re looking to buy a new laptop without breaking the bank, we’ve spotted a deal you won’t want to miss. Amazon is currently offering a $114 discount on the platinum variant of Microsoft’s sleek Surface Laptop Go 3, which drops it down to just $686. Though there’s no set expiration for this pre-Black Friday bargain, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out.

    The Surface Laptop Go 3 has an Intel Core i5 1235u processor, which is a midrange CPU that the Go 3 has been optimized for. As such, you have enough power to do productivity tasks or editing work on the go without having to worry about the laptop not being able to handle what you throw at it. While it’s ideal for school and day-to-day activities, don’t expect to get any serious gaming done, except maybe some older indie or casual games.

    It has an excellent 12.4-inch touchscreen that runs a 1,536×1,024-pixel resolution and an HD webcam that’s fine for online meetings. Audio quality is also good, with a relatively high-end mic and the voice clarity tech it runs. In terms of RAM, you get 8GB of DDR5, which is on the lower end but should be fine if you aren’t a power user. The same goes for the 256GB of storage, although you could always supplement that with an external hard drive via its USB-C or USB-A ports if you feel it’s not enough. It also has a roughly 15-hour battery life, which is excellent and comparable to the MacBook Air.

    Overall, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a midrange laptop that’s very portable and great for daily life. That said, if you’d like to see something different, you can check out our full roundup of all the best Black Friday laptop deals for even more excellent offers.

  • Our Favorite 4K Streaming Device Is 38% Off for Black Friday

    Our Favorite 4K Streaming Device Is 38% Off for Black Friday

    Roku makes the best streaming devices on the market right now, claiming nearly half the spots on our list of the best models for 2023. That includes the top spot overall, which belongs to the Roku Express 4K Plus. Right now you can pick it up for just $25 at Amazon, which is $15 off and just $1 more than the all-time lowest price we’ve seen. Though there’s no set expiration for this early Black Friday deal, we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

    We named the Roku Express 4K Plus the best media streamer of 2023 thanks to its affordable price tag and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to find all your favorite shows and movies. Plus, it has an unbiased platform that doesn’t promote one streaming service over another. It supports 4K content with HDR for vibrant colors and sharp contrast, and it has Apple AirPlay built-in so you can wirelessly stream content from your iPhone, iPad or other Apple devices. It also comes with Roku’s convenient voice remote, which allows you to control your TV’s power and volume, and search for shows and movies completely hands-free.

    And if you’re looking for more bargains, you can check out our full roundup of all the best Black Friday Roku deals for even more savings on top-rated streaming devices and smart TVs.

  • 2023 Black Friday: Here’s How to Avoid This Year’s Elaborate Scams

    2023 Black Friday: Here’s How to Avoid This Year’s Elaborate Scams

    Black Friday arrives the day after Thanksgiving. This year that means it falls on Nov. 24. It’ll be a day filled with deals on items like headphones and air fryers, but with all the potential money flowing from customers to stores, cybercriminals will be looking to get their hands on some of it.

    Money Tips logo

    Scammers work year round, but they tend to turn up their efforts during the high-spending holiday season to exploit the spirit of giving.

    These holiday shopping scams range far and wide. As retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart roll out deals over the holidays, fraudsters create elaborate websites to trick you into spending money on products you’ll never receive. You may receive text messages or emails claiming you’re eligible for a refund for an item you never purchased, just so thieves can get your credit card information. You might even be enticed into donating to a charity that provides homes for abandoned puppies — only to find out it doesn’t actually exist.

    Scams come in all shapes and sizes, but they always come with red flags that can help you spot them. Here’s what you need to know about Black Friday scams and how to avoid becoming a victim this holiday season.

    For more about security and privacy this holiday season, check out the best identity theft protection and monitoring services of 2023. And here are 6 tips to help keep your personal data private.

    Fake websites and fraudulent apps go ‘phishing’

    In a phishing scheme, the goal is for hackers to get their hands on your personal information, like your credit card number, social security or account password. Pretending to be a large retail corporation, the fraudsters send out an official-looking email or text message, usually with a link to a fraudulent website designed to look just like a legitimate site.

    Researchers at security firm Avanan discovered that hackers were sending out spoofed Amazon order notification emails. The email resembled your run-of-the-mill order confirmation, except that the order is false and the charge is significant.

    Naturally, if you believe you’re being charged for a substantial amount, you would want to reach out to Amazon. But in this instance, if you use the link in the phishing email to get in contact, you’ll be redirected to a fake Amazon webpage with a false phone number to dial. If you call, the fraudsters won’t initially pick up, but they’ll soon call back, asking you to provide your card number, expiration date and CVV to “cancel the order.” And just like that, they’ve got your information.

    These types of attacks are commonplace throughout the year, but expect a surge in messages claiming to be from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target or other large retailers during the holidays.

    If you receive an email asking you to update your payment method or requesting other personal information, contact the company’s help desk to make sure the email is legit before you do anything else.

    Other ways to identify a phishing email, according to the Federal Trade Commission and StaySafeOnline.org, include:

    • The sender’s email address looks almost right but contains extra characters or misspellings.
    • There are misspellings or bad grammar either in the subject line or anywhere in the body.
    • They address you with generic terms (“Mr.” or “Ms.” or “Dear Customer”) instead of by name.
    • The message warns that you need to take immediate action and asks you to click a link and enter personal details, especially payment information.
    • The messages promise a refund, coupons or other freebies.
    • The company logo in the email looks low-quality or just plain wrong.
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    Credit card skimming goes all-digital

    You’ve seen it in movies. A hacker places an object over a card reader, disguised to look like part of the ATM, and then waits for people to swipe their cards. A day or week later, the thief takes the object — known as a skimmer — back and collects the mountain of stolen card information stored inside, which they can then use to make purchases, withdraw money and more.

    Instead of using physical hardware to steal payment card numbers, hackers can insert malicious code directly on a website to do the same thing as traditional skimming, but with online payment information instead.

    Regarding e-skimming incidents — sometimes called Magecart attacks after the name of the software used — Tim Mackey, principal security strategist for Synopsis, a digital security company, warns, “There isn’t an obvious way for the average person to be able to identify if or when a website has been compromised. The only potential tell-tale sign might be that the website itself doesn’t quite look ‘right.’”

    Mackey suggests a few strategies you can can use to protect yourself:

    • Don’t save your credit card information on retail sites.
    • If possible use a third-party payment method like Apple Pay, Google Wallet or PayPal.
    • Enable purchase alerts on all your credit cards.
    • Disable international purchases on all credit cards.
    • Only make purchases over your home network or cellular network, never on a public Wi-Fi where your payment could be intercepted.

    Avoid the ‘Secret Sister’ gift exchange — it’s a pyramid scheme

    Originating on Facebook, this sketchy gift exchange among internet strangers plays off the popular workplace practice of “Secret Santa,” a game where each person in a group buys a present for one other randomly selected group member, without the gift-giver revealing their identity.

    Instead, in Secret Sister, it’s a pyramid scheme dressed up in holiday clothes, according to the Better Business Bureau. The “Secret Sister” exchange invitation promises you’ll receive about $360 worth of gifts after purchasing and mailing a $10 gift for someone else. A variation includes swapping bottles of wine. And there’s even “Secret Santa Dog,” in which you gift money to a “secret dog.”

    Unfortunately, bad math hasn’t stopped this scam from resurfacing year after year. If you fall for it, you’ll probably be out 10 bucks when you don’t receive any gifts in return. You might lose personal details too, because the scam involves sending your name, email address and phone number to people you’ve never met in person.

    The Better Business Bureau recommends you deal with any request to become a Secret Sister by ignoring it — do not give your personal details to online strangers. You can also report the invitation to Facebook or whichever social network you were approached on.

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    Your donations might be going to a ‘faux charity’

    During the holiday season, it’s not uncommon to give back to the community. In fact, nonprofit organizations typically see an increase during the fall. The last three months of the year make up 36% of all charitable giving during the year, according to Blackbaud Institute, which creates fundraising applications.

    Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this generosity to make a bundle for themselves.

    The way these charity fraud scams typically work are by impersonating other successful charities. And it’s no wonder they work: The scammers come up with real-sounding charity names, create credible websites, run successful social media campaigns — and they’re persistent.

    Scammers typically call you using local phone numbers, which give you a false sense of security. However, it’s incredibly easy to spoof an area code. Next they’ll make their pitch, and it’ll be a good one. It will tug at your heart-strings, but they’ll never actually specify how they’ll help. And they may even claim that you’ve made a donation before, and suggest that you make another, and that if you do, it’ll be tax-deductible. And it’ll all be a lie.

    If you get a call from a charity and sense some red flags, the AARP and FTC suggest that you do the following:

    • Do your research. Use a watchdog like CharityWatch to get more information about a charity and learn how credible it is. Or use Google.
    • Pay close attention to the charity name and website. False charities like to mimic other popular charities. If it seems too close in name to another, it might not be real.
    • Keep track of your donations. Even if you accidentally donate to a scammer, you need to ensure that the donation isn’t recurring.
    • Don’t give away all your personal information. Of course it’s normal to provide your card information, but don’t do the same with your Social Security number or bank account number.
    • Don’t make a cash donation. Unless you’re certain about a charity’s credibility, don’t give away cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

    For any charitable donations that you make, you can also use the IRS tax-exempt organization search tool to make sure that the charity you’re contributing to is legitimate and that your gift can be deducted on your income tax return.