Category: Technologies

Tablets are a great choice for people who don’t want to carry around a laptop but still need a screen that’s larger than a traditional smartphone. There are so many tablets on the market, and some stand out more than others. Apple’s iPad typically dominates the tablet market, so it’s understandable that a lot of folks will be on the lookout for an iPad deal.

That being said, there are reasons why you might choose an Android tablet or a Windows tablet instead. Whether you’re all in on Apple gear or you want a tablet that offers a similar experience to your non-Apple phone, we’ve got tablet deals for you. And don’t forget about Amazon Fire tablets, which are great value for money, or Windows tablets, which are good for bridging the divide between work and home.

We keep track of tablet deals all year round and round them all up below so that you always get the best prices available.

Best tablet deals

Walmart

10.9-inch iPad Air (5th gen): $551

Save $48

You can save $48 on Apple’s latest iPad Air right now. It costs $599 from the Apple Store and features Apple’s M1 chip, found in the company’s iPad Pros, along with 5G and a wider-angle, front-facing camera with the Center Stage autofocusing video feature. CNET’s iPad expert Scott Stein still recommends the less expensive 10.2-inch iPad for most people, but sees this iPad Air as a solid step up. Available in select colors, the $48 discount at Amazon is the biggest price break we see right now but less than half the $99 discount offered last month. Read our iPad Air 2022 review.

$551 at Amazon

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Apple

Apple iPad Mini (2021): $469

Save $30

There are supersized smartphones that are getting close in size to the smallest iPad, but this is still a great product for a specific slice of the audience. It’s best if you want something nearly pocket-sized for casual video viewing, gaming or reading. It’s also a good match for new cloud gaming services when paired with a controller. The current discount is less than last month’s $99 price break, but the Mini is still one of the few iPads you can find for less than full price right now. Read the iPad Mini (2021) review.

$469 at Amazon

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Fire HD 8 Plus: $80

Save $40

Amazon continues to make the best inexpensive tablets for media consumption. The Fire HD 8 is the middle of the lineup, hitting a sweet spot for price and performance. The 2022 model boasts a thinner and lighter design along with a faster processor and an hour more battery life (13 hours versus 12) than its predecessor. It’s definitely a good low-cost option for streaming video, reading ebooks and web browsing, but we still recommend waiting to pick it up when it’s discounted, which Amazon regularly does, including right now at $40 off. We also recommend spending an additional $20 for the Plus version, which adds more RAM (3GB instead of 2GB) and wireless charging.

Read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review.

$80 at Amazon

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Amazon

Fire HD 10: $120

Save $30

Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is the biggest and most powerful tablet that the company offers. It features a 10-inch screen that’s not only bigger than the 8-inch screen of the Fire HD 8 but also brighter. The Fire HD 10 comes packed with benefits for Prime subscribers, making it easy for members to stream and download movies, TV shows and games. The Fire tablets don’t use a pure version of Android. Instead, they use Amazon’s Android-based Fire operating system, pulling apps from the Amazon App Store. You can still get apps from Google Play, even though you’ll have to install the store yourself — meaning gaming enthusiasts have access to all of their favorite mobile games for an excellent gaming tablet experience. The Fire HD 10 starts at $150 but is currently selling for only $120.

Read our Amazon Fire HD 10 review.

$120 at Amazon

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Dan Ackerman/CNET

Microsoft Surface Pro 9: $1,400

Save $200

If you want the latest Microsoft tablet, the Surface Pro 9 is it. It offers 12th-gen Intel Core processors, 5G support and some new colors. To get this $200 discount, however, you’ll need to be OK with the standard black graphite color. And also be OK with connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi; this model doesn’t feature 5G cellular. What it does offer is a modern 12th-gen Core i7 CPU, an ample 16GB of RAM and a relatively roomy 256GB SSD. The 13-inch display offers a crisp 2,880×1,920-pixel resolution. One last note: You’ll need to purchase the requisite keyboard cover separately, unless you have one from an older Surface Pro 8 or Pro X — those are compatible with the new Surface Pro 9.

Read our Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review.

$1,400 at Amazon

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Microsoft Surface Pro 8: $779

Save $421

The Surface Pro 8 was supplanted by the Surface Pro 9 at the top of Microsoft’s tablet lineup last fall, but the new model offers only a modest upgrade — newer Intel CPUs, a slightly faster type of RAM, 5G support, and some new color options. When you can find a Surface Pro 8 at a sizable discount, it makes a compelling cost-saving alternative to the Surface Pro 9. This Surface Pro 8 features a high-resolution 13-inch display powered by an 11th-gen Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The list price for this model is $1,200, but the price has dropped by more than $400 at Amazon. You can put a fraction of those savings toward a snap-on keyboard cover, which is not included in the price of this sale model.

Read our Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review.

$779 at Amazon

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Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: $449

Save $81

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is a midlevel Android tablet that occupies the space between a basic iPad and an iPad Pro. The baseline Galaxy Tab S7 FE (short for Fan Edition) with 64GB of storage is discounted by $81 right now at Amazon. The tablet features a roomy 12.4-inch display and includes Samsung’s S Pen stylus for drawing and jotting down notes.

$449 at Amazon

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Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite: $130

Save $30

At its discounted price, this relatively budget Android tablet is a good pick as an affordable entertainment tablet for kids. It features a small (kid-friendly) 8.7-inch display with a 1,340×800-pixel resolution protected by a sturdy, metal (kid-resistant) enclosure. Note that the keyboard case is not included.

$130 at B&H

Whether you’ve been persevering with a busted controller or you want an extra for co-op gaming, now’s the time to nab one. Various retailers are offering significant savings on Xbox controllers with prices starting at just $40. Shop direct at Microsoft and you can get the standard wireless Xbox controller in the basic colors of black, white, blue or red for that low price, a $20 savings. Select colors are also seeing similar discounts at both Amazon and Walmart.

While there are plenty of Xbox controllers out there, Microsoft’s own controller remains our favorite option on the market in 2023 for those that just want the basics covered well. It’s compatible with both Series X and Series S consoles, as well as the previous-gen Xbox One (not to mention PCs and smart phones via Bluetooth). It has wireless connectivity and boasts up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge, or you can plug it into your console or PC for wired play without interruption. It’s also equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack so it’s compatible with a wide variety of different Xbox headsets.

And for hardcore gamers, you can also save on the Elite Series 2 Core controller, which is down to $99 at Walmart, a $26 savings, or $110 at Amazon. Unveiled in September, it offers advanced features like like adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks and wrap-around rubberized grips. There’s also the option to upgrade it with various customization options down the line with a separate component pack if you need it. And for even more bargains, you can check out our roundup of all the best deals on Xbox gaming gear available right now.

You might have to start paying to see your favorite TikToker make their morning latte or share a makeup routine. On Tuesday, TikTok launched Series, a new feature that lets creators put a collection of videos behind a paywall.

One Series can have up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long, TikTok said in a blog post. The feature is currently available to select TikTokers, but the company said Series will be available for those interested in the coming months.

“Series joins our growing range of monetization solutions as we continue to build new ways for creators to feel valued and rewarded as they inspire and engage our community,” TikTok said in the blog post.

Creators will be able to select how much their Series cost, ranging from roughly $1 to $190, according to TikTok spokesperson Maria Jung. For a limited time, TikTokers will be able to keep 100% of their earnings from Series after fees are applied, TechCrunch reported. It’s unclear what TikTok’s cut will be after that point.

Series is TikTok’s latest tool that lets creators make money off the videos they post on the app. In May, TikTok said it was “exploring” an ad revenue sharing program that would provide 50% of the revenue from advertising to the videos of top creators, public figures and publishers that run next to the ads.

Samsung last month released the Galaxy S23 lineup, the newest models in its flagship series, which means that right now is a great time to snag an older model if you don’t need absolutely the latest and greatest. The Galaxy S22 Ultra was the most advanced model of the previous generation, and right now at Amazon you can snag an unlocked 128GB model for as little as $900, saving you $300 compared to the usual price. You can also save $300 on the 256GB model or $304 on the 512GB model if you want some extra storage. There’s no telling how long these phones will remain discounted and in stock, so you may want to think about getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

While it may be a generation old, the Galaxy S22 Ultra still comes packed full of powerful hardware. With an advanced Snapdragon 8 processor, as well as 5G connectivity, it boasts lightning-fast performance and load times. The 128GB version has 8GB of RAM, while the 256GB and 512GB models feature 12GB. The screen is a stunning 6.8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and the embedded S Pen makes navigating and notetaking easier than ever. Aspiring photographers are sure to love the impressive 108-megapixel wide-angle rear camera, and it also boasts some truly impressive low-light shooting capabilities. It’s also fairly rugged, with a IP68 weather-resistance rating so it’s completely waterproof up to 1.5 meters, and a Gorilla Glass screen that’s resistant to scratches and dings. And it has impressive battery life, averaging about a day and a half of use during our tests, so you won’t have to worry about stopping to recharge in the middle of your day.

At $300 off for an unlocked model, this S22 Ultra deal is a great value, but you can also check out our roundup of all the best deals available on the new Galaxy S23 lineup for bargains on the latest models as well.

If you need an extra workstation at home, but don’t want to invest in a whole new computer, a smart monitor offers the best of both worlds. They allows you to run basic apps for both work and entertainment — without being connected to a computer — and right now, you can pick one up at a great price. Amazon currently has Samsung’s 27-inch M50B Series smart monitor on sale for just $170, which saves you $110 compared to the usual price. There’s no set expiration for this deal, so there’s no guaranteeing how long it will be available. We’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

While we haven’t reviewed this model, the specs tell an interesting story. The Samsung M50B monitor is essentially an even smarter smart TV. In addition to entertainment and streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, it can also run Microsoft Office 365 programs so you can edit documents, type up spreadsheets and much more — all without the help of a PC. Additionally, It works great as a second monitor with multiple HDMI ports and Apple AirPlay built-in so you can wirelessly stream content from your iPhone, iPad or MacBook. The screen itself is a 27-inch full HD LED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, and HDR10 support for sharp contrast. It also has a built-in webcam so it’s ready for video calls and virtual meetings right out of the box, and an adaptive picture feature that automatically adjusts the brightness so you can clearly see the screen in any environment.

If you prefer a bigger screen, the 32-inch model is also on sale for $250 ($50 off), or you can check out our roundup of all the best monitor deals for even more bargains.

In the world of apps and smart devices, anyone can be an awesome party planner. From music and games to drinks and everything else, there’s an app that can teach you to throw the greatest shindig your friends and family have ever been to.

Check out these party-planning apps to throw a bash your guests will be talking about for the rest of the year.

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Pro Party Planner

Best all-in-one party planner

Pro Party Planner (download for iOS) serves as your event planner.

Once you know how many guests are coming, create a task list to get everything done before the big day. The feature also lets you set reminders, so you won’t fall behind. You’ll need to set a budget and start building your shopping list for the party. Track your budget for food, decorations and party favors.

Manage guests attending by sending them invitations and checking off RSVPs. If applicable, create a seating chart with Pro Party Planner’s augmented reality feature to better visualize what your party will look like.
Pro Party Planner costs $5 to download, plus $1 per month.

See at Pro Party Planner

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Evite

Best invitation maker

Before you begin planning an event, you need to get an idea of how many people will be there. You don’t want to plan for 50 guests only to have 10 show up and leave you with tons of uneaten food.

Use Evite (download for iOS or Android) to invite your guests with personalized invitations. Design templates with photos from your phone, and add the event name, time and location.

Send invitations via text or email. Track the RSVPs to see who has viewed your invitation, and who has accepted or declined. Nudge guests who haven’t responded and create polls for party and food ideas.

See at Evite

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Pinterest

Best for finding inspiration

Planning a party from scratch isn’t easy, so gather inspiration from Pinterest (download for iOS or Android). If you have an idea of what theme you want, search for it on Pinterest to see thousands of boards with party designs.

If you’re planning a low-key party, search for “simple party ideas” or if you’re planning a more upscale event, search for “fancy party ideas.” Sometimes people will post where they found the decorations and the cost.

See at Pinterest

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

BigNight

Best for planning party meals

Begin planning the meals you’re going to cook for your event with BigNight (download for iOS). If you’re hosting a formal party, create a menu for your guests. Name the menu and organize by courses, like drinks, appetizers and the main dish.

Import recipes from Pinterest or your favorite recipe website by using the in-app browser. Then create a shopping list with the ingredients you’ll need. Check each item off the list as you shop.

Set reminders for each task, like bake the cheesecake the night before, and add whipped cream one hour before the party begins.

BigNight costs $4 to download.

See at BigNight

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Cocktail Flow

Best for becoming the party bartender

Your guests will be impressed with your bartending skills when you use Cocktail Flow (download for iOS or Android). The app gives you detailed drink recipes that you can make with ingredients you already have.

Plan ahead of time by having a cocktail menu for your guests and include classics like wine, beer or fun cocktails. You can customize the drinks for your event attendees by liquor, drink type (tropical, creamy, shot) and strength (light, medium, strong).

See at Cocktail Flow

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Spotify

Best for finding party music

A good party doesn’t last long without music. It puts people in a good mood and helps loosen them up.

Spotify (download for iOS or Android) is our music streaming service of choice, with more than 50 million tracks available and 232 million users, according to the company. Keep in mind what your guests like, and make or find a playlist with a good variety of songs, or find a station that will play fun party favorites from every decade.

Spotify is free to use if you listen with commercials. To listen commercial-free, subscribe to Spotify Premium. It’s $10 per month for an individual account.

See at Spotify

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Karaoke

Best for a karaoke party

Once everyone is feeling good, keep the party going with Karaoke (download for iOS or Android). Whether your guests like country, pop or rock, there’s a huge catalog of songs to choose from, ranging from 7 Rings by Ariana Grande to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton.

Browse through categories like popular, recommended and genre to find a song. Tap Sing when you’re ready to begin your karaoke session.

Record your songs and hear them played back. Don’t worry if singing isn’t your forte — the app uses sound effects to auto-enhance your voice.

See at Yokee

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Heads Up

Best party game

For guests not interested in singing karaoke, set them up with a game full of laughs, like Heads Up (download for iOS or Android). This game can be played with any number of people, so everyone can get involved.

The player selects a category and then holds the phone to their forehead so the other players can see the screen. The other players act out what’s on the screen so you can guess what it is. Category options are celebrities, animals, movies and more.

See at Warner Bros.

Hogwarts Legacy, the hit open-world game that takes place in the Harry Potter universe, will soon move past the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S and float to last-gen systems on May 5, the game’s official Twitter account said on Monday.

This means that those that haven’t upgraded to a next-gen system will soon be able to run around Hogwarts on their PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. The Hogwarts Legacy Twitter account didn’t give additional detail for the Switch version, which is currently slated for July 25.

Warner Bros. Games didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hogwarts Legacy was released on Feb. 10 and sold 12 million units within its first two weeks on the market. This is despite comments made by series creator J.K. Rowlingin regards to transgender issues. The game’s developers distanced themselves from Rowling, saying on the game’s FAQ that she wasn’t involved with the creation of the game but that her team was consulted to ensure it still fit her original vision.

While Hogwarts Legacy has sold tremendously well on PS5, Xbox Series and PC, there are still many last-gen systems under people’s televisions. With 117 million PS4s and 51 million Xbox One systems in existence, it’s not too surprising WB Games is making the effort in producing a last-gen version of Hogwarts Legacy. Although, graphically the game will look its best on current gen consoles.

For those interested in jumping in, be sure to check out these five tips before playing Hogwarts Legacy.

Outlook is now free for Mac users, meaning a Microsoft 365 subscription — formerly Microsoft Office — won’t be necessary to use the email app, Microsoft said in a blog post on Monday.

Additionally, Microsoft said new features will be coming to Mac users. This includes being able to “peek” at upcoming calendar events and connect a person’s Outlook profile to Apple Focus, a feature that allows people to customize their notifications.

Microsoft said it didn’t have an additional comment outside of the blog post.

Outlook is an email, calendar, note-taking and contact-management app that’s been around since 1997. It was primarily used as enterprise software, but Microsoft slowly opened it up to more mainstream audiences, folding in email messaging from MSN and live.com.

While Microsoft’s Windows operating system is a major competitor to Apple’s MacOS, both companies do create software for each other’s platforms. Microsoft’s enterprise software, like Word, Excel and PowerPoint, is available to Mac users. Apple’s iTunes is also present on Windows.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is now available, and if you’re looking to buy one, you’ll want to get a discount on it. We’re rounding up the top promotions on the new flagship devices with price cuts, gift card, bundles and boosted trade-in prices all available on the latest Samsung phones. And for people looking to save on the previous-gen devices following the S23 release, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Galaxy S22 deals.

Unveiled at the company’s Unpacked event earlier this month, Samsung’s refreshed Galaxy S lineup includes the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra. All three models retain the same screen sizes as the 2022 models at 6.1, 6.6 and 6.8 inches, respectively, with a refined external design and some modest upgrades to the camera hardware, battery sizes and internal storage of the larger two models. A special version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, optimized for the new Galaxy S23 lineup, powers the new phones, which the company claims should result in faster performance.

Whether you want to be the first to get your hands on one of Samsung’s latest phones or maybe it’s just time to upgrade from an older phone, we’ll help you save some cash on your S23 purchase. Note that the below deals and bonuses are all limited in time and could change at a moment’s notice.

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How much does the Galaxy S23 cost?

The three models of the Galaxy S23 are available in various storage configurations. US pricing for each model starts at:

• Samsung Galaxy S23: $800
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: $1,000
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: $1,200

Note that Samsung has improved the base storage for the Galaxy S23 Plus and S23 Ultra, doubling it to 256GB instead of the 128GB found in the S22 models. The base-spec Galaxy S23 model remains at 128GB, however. Both the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus offer 8GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with 12GB of RAM.

What colors does the Galaxy S23 come in?

As always, Samsung has clothed its latest phones in an attractive array of colors. This time, there’s a selection of nature-inspired colors including phantom black, cream, green and lavender. All three S23 phones are available in those four colors regardless of where you buy them from, though Samsung is also offering four colors exclusive to its own online store. Those colors are lime, graphite, sky blue and red.

Best Galaxy S23 preorder deals

Hogwarts Legacy has officially launched, allowing wizarding fans the chance to enter their own magical fantasy. The open-world RPG is set in the Harry Potter universe, and it seems like the game that many fans of the books have long hoped for.

The new game from developer Avalanche Software lets playersexperience the famed school of witchcraft and wizardry as a student in the 1800s, before the events of the Harry Potter books. Here are some basic things to know about Hogwarts Legacy, including when you can snag a copy depending on your platform.

What’s the story?

Hogwarts Legacy players will “embark on a dangerous journey to uncover a hidden truth of the wizarding world,” according to the game’s website. You can explore Hogwarts Castle, where you attend classes. You can also go beyond it to new and familiar locations, per the website.

You can customize your character, choose a Hogwarts house and grow your magical abilities by brewing potions, mastering spells and taming beasts. Hogwarts Legacy sticks to the lore but doesn’t adapt the Harry Potter books and films.

What systems can I play Hogwarts Legacy on?

PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC versions of the game launched on Feb. 10. Those looking to play the PS4 and Xbox One versions will, unfortunately, need to wait until April 4.

Nintendo Switch users will have to hang on even longer, until July 25, to play Hogwarts Legacy.

The game was first announced in 2020, and its release dates have changed three times. It’s published by Warner Bros. Games under its Portkey Games label.

Is there early access?

The Deluxe Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC included 72 hours of early access, starting Feb. 7.

The PS4 and Xbox One versions won’t have an early access period.

Where can I buy Hogwarts Legacy?

If you’re interested in the Standard Edition, you can buy the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions from stores, including GameStop, Amazon and Best Buy for $70 (about 57, AU$99). You can preorder the PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions from those stores for $60 (roughly 49, $AU85). The PC version is available for $60 at Steam and the Epic Games store.

You can view more ways to purchase Hogwarts Legacy (including how to buy the Deluxe Edition) on the game’s website. The Collector’s Edition has already sold out, but you may be able to find it online for a markup. The official site breaks down what comes with each edition.

What are critics saying?

The game has a Metacritic score of 84 on PS5. (The score is higher on Xbox Series X|S, and a bit lower on PC, but the PS5 score is based on the most reviews, 84.)

CNET critic Sean Keane played the PS5 version and writes in a positive review that “it captures the wonder of the early books, with an intriguing original narrative, engagingly varied gameplay and intricately designed world to explore.”

J.K. Rowling and Hogwarts Legacy

The game’s connection to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has led her critics to call for a boycott, according to The Week. Over the past few years, Rowling has repeatedly made comments that mocked transgender individuals and infuriated trans advocates.

The Hogwarts Legacy website notes that Rowling isn’t involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy. But her writing is the foundation for the project and she still makes money off of sales.

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