Author Archives: Sarah Fielding

Apple told to remove LGBTQ+ dating apps by China

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LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance have taken another hit in China, with Apple removing two of the countries biggest LGBTQ+ dating apps. Wired reports that Blued and Finka are no longer available on the iOS App Store or certain Android App Stores following orders from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's internet regulator and censor. 

Apple told Wired that it must "follow the laws in the countries where we operate." Both dating apps were available solely in China, where LGBTQ+ dating apps are minimal — Grindr, for instance, hasn't been available on Apple since 2022. Blued exists internationally under the name HeeSay. 

China has increasingly cracked down on LGBTQ+ individuals' rights and groups in recent years, allegedly shuttering large organizations like the Beijing LGBT Center in 2023. For reasons unknown, Blued previously stopped new registrations this past July, with individuals buying second-hand accounts to use the app. However, it reopened in the middle of August. 

sBlued and Finka share a parent company, BlueCity, which is, in turn, owned by Newborn Town. BlueCity also operates in the healthcare space, with a non-profit dedicated specifically to prevention and treatment for diseases such as HIV/AIDS. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-told-to-remove-lgbtq-dating-apps-by-china-130022336.html?src=rss

Our favorite budgeting app has 50 percent off subscriptions for Black Friday

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Budgeting can be a stressful, challenging and uncomfortable experience. While it's completely possible to do it on your own, we've become fans of a few great budgeting apps. Take our favorite budgeting app Quicken, which is having a 50 percent off sale for Black Friday.

The Quicken Simplifi app is down to $3 monthly from $6 monthly, adding up to $36 for the year. Quicken Classic, the company's "original desktop software" for "experienced investors" is also half off at $6 monthly, down from $12 monthly. The sale starts today and is available until Wednesday, December 3. 

One of the many things that sets Quicken Simplifi apart from its competitors is its sleek, easy to use interface. The setup is pretty straightforward and it allows for your spouse or financial advisor to act as co-manager of the account. 

It also clearly shows figures like net worth, recent spending, upcoming recurring payments and more. Plus, there's an option to say if you're expecting a refund. Quicken Simplifi unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial so testing it out with a discount means less money invested if it's not for you. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-budgeting-app-has-50-percent-off-subscriptions-for-black-friday-160025270.html?src=rss

Get $430 off this Roomba robot vacuum and mop with an AutoWash dock

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While Black Friday can be a great opportunity to score deals on your Christmas shopping, sometimes it's just a way to get the things you need at better prices. Take the iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot Vacuum & Mop, which is down to $869 from $1,300 at Wellbots. This practical purchase is available for a Black Friday discount by using the code ENGABF430 at checkout. 

We're big fans of iRobot, with the company making two of our favorite robot vacuums for 2025. Its Roomba Max 705 Combo offers both a vacuum and a mop to, hopefully, get out any messes this holiday season. The device also comes with an AutoWash Dock, which empties the robovac, washes the mop, dries it with heat and then charges its battery. 

The robot vacuum has dual rubber brushes for cleaning up any debris, while the PowerSpin roller mop gets rid of extra grime and streaks. The company uses PrecisionVision AI and ClearView Pro LiDAR to make a 3D map of all rooms and to avoid obstacles like dogs and their toys. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-430-off-this-roomba-robot-vacuum-and-mop-with-an-autowash-dock-140023379.html?src=rss

IKEA announces new Matter-compatible smart home products

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IKEA has officially announced its range of Matter-compatible smart home products. The Swedish furniture store is releasing 21 new items under the tentpoles of lighting, sensors and control. IKEA teased these releases back in July. 

Part of the roll out will include updates to existing categories in order to work with Matter, an open source smart home standard. "We're upgrading our most-appreciated products while also adding new ones to solve even more everyday challenges," Stjepan Begic, product developer at IKEA. "Our focus has been on keeping things simple from setup to daily use, so it’s easy for people to start, use and grow a smart home."

As for the products themselves, 11 come as part of the KAJPLATS smart bulb range. They will have a mix of shapes and sizes, along with dimming functionality. Then there's the five smart sensors., starting with an indoor and outdoor motion sensor called MYGGSPRAY, which automatically turns on lights. Similarly, there's MYGGBETT, which sends a notification when a door or window gets opened or closed. 

On the more technical safety side are sensors like TIMMERFLOTTE, which monitors temerature and humidity. Then there's ALPSTUGA, an air quality sensor and KLIPPBOK, a water leakage sensor. 

Finishing the lineup is a range of remote controls and one smart plug, GRILLPLATS, which works with regular lamps and appliances to turn them on and off, along with tracking energy use. Then there's the four BILRESA products, starting with a dual button remote control that can turn lights on and off, adjust the brightness, and create a preset scene. Meanwhile, the remote control with a scroll wheel does similar functions, along with dimming. Two kits of three controls each are available for each type. 

IKEA doesn't include exact pricing or release dates, noting that it might vary market to market. In its July teaser, the company said these products would be available come January next year. 

The new products will further bolster IKEA's smart home lineup, which often alternates between hot and cold. For instance, the company's DIRIGERA smart hub debuted as far back as 2022, but the Swedish furnishing giant and Sonos dissolved their partnership earlier this year, despite the fact that many users (including us) found them to be an affordable alternative to more pricey Sonos-branded options. 

Update Nov. 7 2025, 3:56PM ET: Added more context, including links to coverage of IKEA's earlier forays into the smart home market.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ikea-announces-new-matter-compatible-smart-home-products-120013040.html?src=rss

Apple’s Mac mini M4 drops to $479 for Black Friday

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While there are lots of great Black Friday sales on cheaper devices, it's the big ticket items that really make a world of difference. Take Apple's 2024 Mac mini M4, which has dropped to $479 from $599 as part of early Black Friday deals. The 20 percent discount brings Apple's mini desktop computer with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD to only $10 more than its all-time low.

We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review, in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors. 

However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $719, down from $799. Then there's the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $889, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal.

If you're looking to build a desktop setup from scratch, there's a small but notable discount on Apple's Magic Trackpad as well. It's down to $120, which is only seven percent off its usual price but it's the cheapest we've seen it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-mac-mini-m4-drops-to-479-for-black-friday-150749921.html?src=rss

The Apple Watch SE 3 drops to an all-time-low price for Black Friday

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Black Friday is here, and you can save on some sought-after tech. Case in point: the new Apple Watch SE 3. Apple's most affordable smartwatch is even cheaper right now, down to just $199.

We consider this to be the best budget Apple Watch, and arguably the best smartwatch for folks who have never owned one before. The latest version runs on the same chipset found in the new flagship models, and it has most of the same fitness and workout tracking features you'll find in those more expensive devices as well.

The SE 3 also now has an always-on display, making it easier to glance down throughout the day to check the time or see activity stats without moving your wrist, and fast-charging support makes it a more viable sleep tracker. Just plop it down on its charger for a bit at the end of the day and put it back on to monitor your sleep overnight.

Also discounted is the flagship Apple Watch Series 11, which is $60 off and down to $339. We consider it to be the best smartwatch, period, thanks to its longer battery life, thin and light design, comprehensive health and fitness tracking features and extra perks like gesture control.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-se-3-drops-to-an-all-time-low-price-for-black-friday-133057653.html?src=rss

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is $300 off in this early Black Friday deal

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November is here, which means gift giving season is right around the corner, as is Black Friday. The latter, though, may feel like it's already here thanks to all the deals you can already get right now. A few of the best ones are on Google devices, namely the latest Google flagship smartphones.

Take the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which has only been out since late August. It's now down to $1,499 from $1,799 — a 17 percent discount. This deal is available at both Amazon and Best Buy, and seems to be the first big markdown on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Notably, this deal is on the 256GB model, but the 512GB and 1TB Pixel 10 Pro Folds are also $300 off.

We gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold an 88 in our review, thanks to its improved durability, with an IP68 rating. It also has upgraded software and multitasking, along with Pixelsnap charging. Plus, we found it has the "best cameras of any flexible phone." One of our biggest gripes is the price — though this discount certainly helps. It's also quite a bulky device and can feel pretty heavy. 

Other Google phones are also on sale for Black Friday right now. The Pixel 10 Pro has dropped to a record low of $749, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL with a whopping 1TB of storage is also cheaper than ever at $1,249.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-pixel-10-pro-fold-is-300-off-in-this-early-black-friday-deal-123036348.html?src=rss

How to cancel your Paramount+ subscription

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Do you have one streaming service too many? While you're far from alone in that, sometimes it's worth saying goodbye to one and saving some cash. Take Paramount+, which starts at $8 per month for its ad-supported Essential plan. Then there's its ad-free Premium plan, coming in at $13 a month. 

If you're not really using it, or just can't justify the cost, canceling your Paramount+ subscription is pretty easy. Plus, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are right around the corner if you change your mind. Paramount+ has run significant deals for both in recent years. 

In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about canceling your subscription through Paramount+ or third-party providers like Apple or Google.

If your subscription is directly through Paramount+ then canceling it takes only a few clicks. 

  1. Sign in to your Paramount+ account on your browser. 

  2. Go to the Paramount+ Account page. 

  3. Tap on Cancel Subscription. 

It's still relatively simple to cancel your Paramount+ subscription even if you bought it through a third-party. Here's what you need to know based on where you purchased it. 

  1. Go to Settings in your iPhone or iPad.

  2. Choose your name.

  3. Tap Subscriptions.

  4. Click Paramount+ and then select Cancel Subscription.

  5. Tap Confirm. 

  1. Go to Settings in your Apple TV.

  2. Tap Users & Accounts.

  3. Select your Apple TV account.

  4. Choose Subscriptions.

  5. Click Paramount+ and select Cancel Subscription.

Cancel via Google Play Store on a web browser

  1. Go to the Google Play Store through a web browser.

  2. Sign in to your Google Play Store account. 

  3. Click Bills & Accounts on the left side of the screen.

  4. Choose Paramount+ and tap Cancel Subscription.

  1. Go to the Google Play Store app.

  2. Click on your profile icon. 

  3. Choose Payment & Subscriptions.

  4. Tap on Subscriptions.

  5. Click Paramount+ and then select Cancel Subscription.

  6. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancelation. 

Cancel via your Android TV

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.

  2. Go to Menu.

  3. Choose My Apps.

  4. Tap on Subscription.

  5. Click Paramount+ and then select Cancel.

  6. Choose Yes to confirm your cancelation. 

  1. Go to Amazon App Store Subscriptions.

  2. Sign in to your Amazon account.

  3. Find your Paramount+ subscription and choose Actions. 

  4. Tap Turn Off Auto-Renewal.

  5. Click Turn Off Auto-Renewal again to confirm your cancelation. 

No, there's no option as of yet to pause your Paramount+ subscription. If you want to cancel it then just do so and rejoin when the time is right — or a better deal is available. 

The good news is that your subscription won't end immediately. If you're in a free trial then your access to Paramount+ will remain until the trial period ends. Similarly, paid subscribers will lose the ability to use Paramount+ at the end of the current billing period. Notably, if you've used a multi-month promotion, your subscription will still stop at the end of your current billing period. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-cancel-your-paramount-subscription-140053714.html?src=rss

The Beats Solo 4 headphones drop to $100 for Black Friday

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Thanksgiving is just a week away and Black Friday deals are already coming in hot. Take Beats, which is leaning into the sale season with discounts on a range of its products across Amazon. There are a few great deals, including a 50 percent drop on the Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones bringing them to $100 from $200. 

The Beats Solo 4 headphones came out in April and received a 79 in our review. They're a solid item, especially for 50 percent off, and offer features like over 50 hours of battery life. They also have solid sound quality and clarity, especially with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. However, they aren't the most comfortable of headphones on the market (especially for big heads) and don't have automatic pausing. 

The overall sale includes the Beats Pill, a portable bluetooth speaker, that's also down to $100, from $150 — a 33 percent discount. The Pill can wirelessly connect to your Android or Apple device or to a laptop through a USB-C cable. It also holds 24 hours of battery and can charge your phone and other devices through that USB-C cable. Plus, it has an IP67 dust and water resistance rating so it's shouldn't have issues if you use it outside. 

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-beats-solo-4-headphones-drop-to-100-for-black-friday-150722417.html?src=rss

Herman Miller has a 25 percent off sale for Black Friday

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Herman Miller is not where you go to pick up a casual item — well maybe you do, and that's great. But, a 25 percent off sale on all its products in-store and online ahead of Black Friday is making the high-end brand's home offerings more accessible. Take their famous Aeron Chair, which is over $450 off, dropping from $1,805 to $1,354 (the gaming version is down to the same price). 

There are a range of items on sale that are relatively more affordable, like the Eames Wire Base Low Table, down to $221 from $295, and the Verus Task chair, which is down to $630 from $840. Accessories are also a lower point of entry if you want to take advantage of this sale. Take the Oripura Laptop Stand, available in three colors for $37, down from $49. Plus, there's a range of throw pillows, like the Mela Lumbar Throw Pillow by Sonnhild Kestler for $112, down from $150 and the Toostripe Pillow by Alexander Girard for $131, down from $175. 

Then there's Herman Miller's crème de la crème pieces, including the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. The 25 percent discount brings this set down to between $4,046 and $7,496 (typically $5,395 to $9,995). It's available in a range of wood shells and upholstery, as well as a standard or tall size. The company also has a few funkier pieces that are sure to get people talking if you're willing to drop a couple grand (see the Nelson Coconut Chair and Luva Modular Armchair, for examples). 

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/herman-miller-has-a-25-percent-off-sale-for-black-friday-133010737.html?src=rss