Author Archives: Jeff Dunn

The Meta Quest 2 VR headset is on sale for a low of $199

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The Meta Quest 2 may not be Meta's latest and greatest virtual reality headset, but it remains a strong value for those who want to give VR a try without spending a ton of cash. Now, it's even more affordable: A new deal has dropped the headset down to $199 at several retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Meta's own online store. That's $50 below the device's standard going rate (after a permanent price cut earlier this year) and the largest discount we've seen.

At Walmart, the discount comes with a $50 credit to the Meta Quest Store. The retailer says that you'll need to redeem the credit in VR within 90 days of activating the headset, but it's still a nice way to save on any games or apps you plan on using first. Best Buy, meanwhile, is throwing in Logitech's Chorus add-on speaker for no extra cost. (Though we haven't tested that accessory.) There are no special bonuses at Amazon as of this writing, but the deal comes as part of the company's wider Big Spring Sale event.

We gave the Quest 2 a review score of 89 when it was released back in 2020, and it's now the top budget pick in our guide the best VR headsets. To be clear, if you can afford the newer Meta Quest 3, you should still buy that instead: It has better screens, a faster processor, more RAM and a modicum of mixed reality functionality. Its full-color passthrough makes it easier to interact with the real world while keeping the headset on, and the whole thing should hold up better with new games going forward.

But it costs $500. For far less cash, the Quest 2 can still run just about all of the platform's best games and apps, from Asgard's Wrath 2 to Walkabout Mini Golf. It's still completely wireless and relatively comfortable — insofar as a VR headset can be comfortable — and it gets around the same two to three hours of battery life. Compared to the Quest 3, its LCD screens aren't as sharp (with a 1,832 x 1,920 resolution per eye instead of 2,064 x 2,208) and have a narrower field of view, but they should still be sufficient for most people getting into VR for the first time. With a link cable, it can still hook up to a gaming PC and play VR games like Half-Life: Alyx as well. If you've been curious about VR but aren't sure if you'll use your headset as anything more than a toy for occasional gaming, the Quest 2 should be enough, and this deal makes the upfront investment a little less daunting.

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-meta-quest-2-vr-headset-is-on-sale-for-a-low-of-199-151521310.html?src=rss

The best deals under $50 from the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Earbuds, chargers, streaming sticks and more

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Amazon's Big Spring Sale is still rolling on. While the offers aren't as extensive as what we typically see during Black Friday or Prime Day, there's still more than a few discounts worth calling out. And if you're specifically looking to make an upgrade without spending too much, a few of the sale's best deals apply to budget tech we've recommended in our various buying guides. To help you cut through the noise, we've picked out the best Amazon Spring sale deals under $50 below. The highlights include our favorite affordable earbuds, a handful of good Bluetooth trackers and Amazon's own Fire TV Stick streaming players and Echo smart speakers. As a refresher, Amazon says the sale will run through March 25.

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-deals-under-50-from-the-amazon-big-spring-sale-earbuds-chargers-streaming-sticks-and-more-160014238.html?src=rss

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale tech deals on AirPods, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iPads and more

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The Amazon Big Spring Sale is in full swing. While not as heavy on tech deals as regular Prime Day is, there are some good Amazon deals available on tech we recommend, including a number of Apple devices. In truth, the pickings are pretty slim — and most of these discounts are not explicitly tied to the spring sale — but they're still worth noting as some of the best tech deals we found amongst all of the clothing, home goods and outdoor gear on sale at Amazon right now. Here are the best Apple deals we could find in the Amazon Spring Sale. As a reminder, this sale will run through March 25 and isn't exclusive to Prime subscribers.

A quick PSA on iPad deals

Most people should hold off on buying a new iPad right now. Apple is widely expected to announce new tablets in the coming weeks, with past reports suggesting that we'll see two new iPad Pros, a refreshed iPad Air and an all-new Air model with a 12.9-inch display. That said, neither the 10th-gen iPad nor the iPad mini are expected to be updated until later in 2024, so if one of those slates suit your needs and you absolutely must buy a new tablet today, both should be a little safer to buy than the iPad Air or iPad Pro. (Or the older 10.2-inch iPad, which is likely to be discontinued with the next round of refreshes.) We'll highlight a couple of decent prices on those devices below.

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-amazon-big-spring-sale-tech-deals-on-airpods-apple-watches-macbooks-ipads-and-more-110027642.html?src=rss

The Google Pixel Tablet is up to $150 off ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale

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The Google Pixel Tablet is one of the better options for those dead set on an Android slate, as it doubles as a sort of smart display when hooked up to an included charging speaker dock. If you've been interested, now looks like a decent time to take the plunge: The 11-inch tablet is back down to $399 at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Target and the Google Store. 

Google ran this deal a few times toward the end of last year, but it matches the lowest price we've seen and comes in $100 below the 128GB model's usual going rate. If you need more storage, the 256GB version is $150 off and available for $449, another all-time low. The offer comes as part of a wider spate of sales on Google devices and just ahead of Amazon's "Big Spring Sale" sales event. Google says these deals will run through April 3.

My colleague Cherlynn Low gave the Pixel Tablet a score of 85 in her review last June, and we note the device in our tablet buying guide. The aforementioned dock is really what helps it stand out: Plop the tablet onto that and it becomes something akin to a detachable Nest Hub Max. It doesn't have all the same functionality, but you can use it to control smart home devices, showcase photos, stream music with the improved speakers, cast video from your phone and so on. It all makes this the rare tablet that can be useful even when when you aren't holding it. 

Without the dock, the Pixel Tablet isn't quite as remarkable: Its LCD display is limited to a basic 60Hz refresh rate, its Tensor G2 chip is now a generation old and Google doesn't support it with a custom-made keyboard or stylus. The screen's rectangular 16:10 aspect ratio may take a bit to get used to as well. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9, the top Android pick in our guide, costs a few hundred extra but has more premium hardware and better tools for getting work done. And all Android tablets still lag behind Apple's iPadOS when it comes to optimizing apps for large displays. 

That said, even if it's not superlative, the Pixel Tablet is still perfectly solid for web browsing, streaming video and playing games. Unlike the iPad, it also supports multiple user profiles, so it's a good choice if you want share one tablet with everyone in your family. Google says it'll supply OS updates through June 2026 and security updates through June 2028. There's at least some chance that a follow-up device is in the works, but for now, this is a decent deal if you want a big-screen Android device.

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-google-pixel-tablet-is-up-to-150-off-ahead-of-the-amazon-big-spring-sale-152009518.html?src=rss

The Google Pixel Tablet is up to $150 off ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale

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The Google Pixel Tablet is one of the better options for those dead set on an Android slate, as it doubles as a sort of smart display when hooked up to an included charging speaker dock. If you've been interested, now looks like a decent time to take the plunge: The 11-inch tablet is back down to $399 at multiple retailers, including Amazon, Target and the Google Store. 

Google ran this deal a few times toward the end of last year, but it matches the lowest price we've seen and comes in $100 below the 128GB model's usual going rate. If you need more storage, the 256GB version is $150 off and available for $449, another all-time low. The offer comes as part of a wider spate of sales on Google devices and just ahead of Amazon's "Big Spring Sale" sales event. Google says these deals will run through April 3.

My colleague Cherlynn Low gave the Pixel Tablet a score of 85 in her review last June, and we note the device in our tablet buying guide. The aforementioned dock is really what helps it stand out: Plop the tablet onto that and it becomes something akin to a detachable Nest Hub Max. It doesn't have all the same functionality, but you can use it to control smart home devices, showcase photos, stream music with the improved speakers, cast video from your phone and so on. It all makes this the rare tablet that can be useful even when when you aren't holding it. 

Without the dock, the Pixel Tablet isn't quite as remarkable: Its LCD display is limited to a basic 60Hz refresh rate, its Tensor G2 chip is now a generation old and Google doesn't support it with a custom-made keyboard or stylus. The screen's rectangular 16:10 aspect ratio may take a bit to get used to as well. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9, the top Android pick in our guide, costs a few hundred extra but has more premium hardware and better tools for getting work done. And all Android tablets still lag behind Apple's iPadOS when it comes to optimizing apps for large displays. 

That said, even if it's not superlative, the Pixel Tablet is still perfectly solid for web browsing, streaming video and playing games. Unlike the iPad, it also supports multiple user profiles, so it's a good choice if you want share one tablet with everyone in your family. Google says it'll supply OS updates through June 2026 and security updates through June 2028. There's at least some chance that a follow-up device is in the works, but for now, this is a decent deal if you want a big-screen Android device.

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-google-pixel-tablet-is-up-to-150-off-ahead-of-the-amazon-big-spring-sale-152009518.html?src=rss

Our favorite budget wireless earbuds from Anker are cheaper than ever during the Amazon Spring Sale

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Even though it's not technically another Prime Day, the Amazon Spring Sale includes a number of decent deals on gadgets we've recommended. Case in point: You can pick up the top pick in our best budget wireless earbuds guide, the Anker Soundcore Space A40, for an all-time low of $49. That's a dollar less than the noise-canceling pair's previous record low and $10 below its typical street price over the last couple of months. This deal is sold by Anker directly and applies to the black model; if you'd prefer a different finish, the blue and white versions are also on sale for a dollar more.

We like the Space A40 for blending pleasant sound with strong active noise cancellation (ANC) and most of the features you'd find on more expensive earbuds. That ANC isn't quite as powerful as higher-end pairs like Sony's WF-1000XM5, especially when it comes to muting voices and other treble-range sounds, but it still punches well above its price range. It'll automatically adapt to the noise level of your surroundings by default, though you can manually set it to different intensity levels as well. 

While this isn't the most detailed-sounding set of earbuds you can buy, it's a more pleasant listen than most budget-level options we've tested. It boosts the upper-bass range out of the box, but it doesn't come off as bloated or sloppy. If you don't like the default sound profile, you can pick from one of several EQ presets or customize the EQ curve yourself through Anker's companion app. 

The actual earpieces are light and comfortable, with an IPX4 water-resistance rating that's enough to survive most workouts. They last around eight hours per charge, with another 40-ish hours available through a compact case that supports wireless charging. They can also connect to two devices at once. There are still some trade-offs: The mics are mediocre for phone calls; the touch-based controls are a little limited; and there's no wear detection, so your music won't pause automatically when you take out an earbud. But at this price, the pros should outweigh the cons. 

This discount comes as part of a wider sale on Anker headphones that includes the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, the runner up in our guide, on sale for $74.50. That's a $25 discount. The Space A40 is a better value, but that pair offers most of the same benefits for those who prefer a more AirPods-style design. Other in-ear and over-ear models are also discounted.

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, hear from Autoblog’s car experts on the best spring auto deals on Amazon, and find spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/our-favorite-budget-wireless-earbuds-from-anker-are-cheaper-than-ever-during-the-amazon-spring-sale-141811743.html?src=rss

Amazon Big Spring Sale: 20 early deals from Apple, Sonos and Sony you can shop today

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Amazon’s first Big Spring Sale in the US begins tomorrow, but we’re already starting to see some electronics deals trickle in. Admittedly, tech isn’t at the forefront of this event (unlike Prime Day, where we usually see a healthy number of tech discounts). Amazon stated in its announcement that the Big Spring Sale would feature deals on fashion, outdoor, cleaning and home organization products, with tech only getting a brief shout otherwise. But we at Engadget see this as an opportunity to surface all of the best tech deals you can get at Amazon nonetheless — whether they be explicitly tied to the Big Spring Sale or not. Here are the best Amazon spring deals on gadgets you can shop ahead of the main event.

Best Spring Sale deals on Apple devices

Best Spring Sale deals on headphones, earbuds and speakers

Best Spring Sale deals on Anker devices

Best Spring Sale deals on smartphones

Best Spring Sale deals on gaming gear

Best Spring Sale deals on other tech

Best tech deals available elsewhere on the web

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, and find the best spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-big-spring-sale-20-early-deals-from-apple-sonos-and-sony-you-can-shop-today-161534774.html?src=rss

Amazon Big Spring Sale: 20 early deals from Apple, Sonos and Sony you can shop today

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Editor's Note 3/20/24: The Amazon Big Spring Sale is officially live now. Most of the early deals we covered previously are still available today. But if you want to see a list of the most up-to-date discounts, you can check it out here.

Amazon’s first Big Spring Sale in the US begins tomorrow, but we’re already starting to see some electronics deals trickle in. Admittedly, tech isn’t at the forefront of this event (unlike Prime Day, where we usually see a healthy number of tech discounts). Amazon stated in its announcement that the Big Spring Sale would feature deals on fashion, outdoor, cleaning and home organization products, with tech only getting a brief shout otherwise. But we at Engadget see this as an opportunity to surface all of the best tech deals you can get at Amazon nonetheless — whether they be explicitly tied to the Big Spring Sale or not. Here are the best Amazon spring deals on gadgets you can shop ahead of the main event.

Best Spring Sale deals on Apple devices

Best Spring Sale deals on headphones, earbuds and speakers

Best Spring Sale deals on Anker devices

Best Spring Sale deals on smartphones

Best Spring Sale deals on gaming gear

Best Spring Sale deals on other tech

Best tech deals available elsewhere on the web

Your Spring Sales Shopping Guide: Spring sales are in the air, headlined by Amazon’s Big Spring sale event. Our expert editors are curating all the best spring sales right here. Follow Engadget to shop the best tech deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, and find the best spring sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-big-spring-sale-20-early-deals-from-apple-sonos-and-sony-you-can-shop-today-161534774.html?src=rss

The Backbone One mobile game controller is 30 percent off right now

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Most smartphone games are designed to be played with touch controls first and foremost. But if you want to stream games from an Xbox or PlayStation, or if you gravitate toward games with more complex control schemes like Call of Duty: Mobile or Diablo Immortal, a mobile gamepad like the Backbone One can make things more comfortable. 

If this sounds appealing to you, Backbone is running a sale that brings the Lightning-based version of the One down to $70 at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and its own online store. While that's not an all-time low, it's still $30 off the controller's usual going rate.

In general, discounts on the device have been uncommon. The offer applies to both the standard black model and the PlayStation-branded white model, which are functionally the same but use different icons. The discount technically started earlier this week, but Backbone says it'll run through March 10. Unfortunately, the sale does not extend to the USB-C version of the device, so Android users or those who plan on upgrading to an iPhone 15 anytime soon should pass.

If you plan to play on an iPhone 14 or older for the next couple of years, though, this deal should be worthwhile. As my colleague Mat Smith noted in his review, the One fits snugly and works immediately with remote streaming apps and virtually every iOS game with controller support. It has all the requisite buttons to play modern games, including pressure-sensitive triggers and analog joysticks, along with a built-in headphone jack and a pass-through charging port. Its clicky face buttons are on the noisy side, and its d-pad is somewhat spongy. Still, its rounded grips keep it comfortable to hold over time, and it balances its weight better than an Xbox or PS5 pad hooked up to a mobile gaming clip. It also comes with a handy companion app, which you can use to quickly launch games and start party chats. If nothing else, it should be a more cost-effective alternative to cloud gaming handhelds like the PlayStation Portal.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-backbone-one-mobile-game-controller-is-30-percent-off-right-now-163014567.html?src=rss

The Backbone One mobile game controller is 30 percent off right now

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Most smartphone games are designed to be played with touch controls first and foremost. But if you want to stream games from an Xbox or PlayStation, or if you gravitate toward games with more complex control schemes like Call of Duty: Mobile or Diablo Immortal, a mobile gamepad like the Backbone One can make things more comfortable. 

If this sounds appealing to you, Backbone is running a sale that brings the Lightning-based version of the One down to $70 at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and its own online store. While that's not an all-time low, it's still $30 off the controller's usual going rate.

In general, discounts on the device have been uncommon. The offer applies to both the standard black model and the PlayStation-branded white model, which are functionally the same but use different icons. The discount technically started earlier this week, but Backbone says it'll run through March 10. Unfortunately, the sale does not extend to the USB-C version of the device, so Android users or those who plan on upgrading to an iPhone 15 anytime soon should pass.

If you plan to play on an iPhone 14 or older for the next couple of years, though, this deal should be worthwhile. As my colleague Mat Smith noted in his review, the One fits snugly and works immediately with remote streaming apps and virtually every iOS game with controller support. It has all the requisite buttons to play modern games, including pressure-sensitive triggers and analog joysticks, along with a built-in headphone jack and a pass-through charging port. Its clicky face buttons are on the noisy side, and its d-pad is somewhat spongy. Still, its rounded grips keep it comfortable to hold over time, and it balances its weight better than an Xbox or PS5 pad hooked up to a mobile gaming clip. It also comes with a handy companion app, which you can use to quickly launch games and start party chats. If nothing else, it should be a more cost-effective alternative to cloud gaming handhelds like the PlayStation Portal.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-backbone-one-mobile-game-controller-is-30-percent-off-right-now-163014567.html?src=rss