Monthly Archives: June 2024

LEGO Unveils 1506-piece Lamborghini Countach Replica with Detailed V12 Engine

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Sure, you may not be able to afford the real deal, but LEGO’s replica of the Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole ensures it’s as close to the original as possible. Detailed down to sheer perfection, this 1506-piece LEGO build comes with scissor doors, a massive rear spoiler, an openable hood, and a boot that you can lift up to see a proportionally accurate V12 engine inside the car. A detailed cockpit, deep-dish rims, expansive taillights, and a sleek rear spoiler all contribute to the car’s undeniable authenticity, making it a captivating display piece that will be a standout in any home or office. If Marcello Gandini were alive, he’d love this tiny brick-based homage.

Designer: LEGO

The 1,506-piece set meticulously captures the essence of the legendary 1980s supercar. From the sleek, wedge-shaped design to the signature scissor doors, every detail is faithfully recreated using LEGO bricks. The model boasts a wealth of realistic features, including a working steering wheel, opening trunk and hood, and a meticulously crafted V12 engine. Deep-dish rims, a large rear spoiler, and the instantly recognizable taillights complete the authentic look.

This LEGO Lamborghini Countach is more than just a display model. Builders can explore the intricate inner workings of the car thanks to the opening features. The detailed engine compartment allows for a closer look at the powerful V12 engine, a feat of engineering ingenuity replicated in LEGO form.

The finished model measures over 3.5 inches high, 13 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide, making it a substantial and impressive centerpiece for any home or office. The set also includes digital building instructions accessible through the LEGO Builder app, providing an interactive and alternative way to follow the construction process.

The LEGO V12 Engine is visible once you lift the trunk up

The LEGO Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole starts at $179.99, and is coming to the LEGO online store as well as everywhere else on the 4th of July this year.

The post LEGO Unveils 1506-piece Lamborghini Countach Replica with Detailed V12 Engine first appeared on Yanko Design.

The ADATA XPG Invader X boasts a cyber-minimal design backed by eco-friendly recycled materials

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With its retropunk fishtank design and a few design awards under its belt, the ADATA XPG Invader X immediately grabbed our fancy at Computex 2024. A cool-looking gaming PC chassis no doubt, the Invader X also scored major points for its ESG-compliant design that uses post-consumer recycled plastic to be cutting-edge yet sustainable. Crafted with eco-friendly materials, The XPG Invader X’s design minimizes waste by allowing for easy upgrades. Pre-installed, eco-friendly fans utilize innovative reverse spinning technology to prevent heat buildup, maximizing airflow and maintaining optimal system temperature.

Designer: ADATA

Beyond aesthetics, the Invader X boasts features to keep your high-performance system cool. It comes pre-installed with five ARGB fans, with three in the front for intake and two reverse-flow fans in the back for exhaust. This airflow configuration helps maintain optimal temperatures, making the Invader X suitable for overclocking enthusiasts.

The case supports radiators up to 360mm in both the side and top positions, which means it can accommodate even the most powerful liquid cooling setups. Additionally, it boasts ample space for graphics cards up to 400mm in length.

A unique feature of the Invader X is its compatibility with the new BTF motherboard standard. This standard positions motherboard connectors on the underside, contributing to the clean, uncluttered look and keeping cables hidden from view. For those using traditional motherboards, the Invader X offers ample space for cable management with pre-installed straps and strategically placed cutouts.

For those who prefer a vertical GPU presentation, the XPG Invader X includes a dedicated GPU holder and a high-quality 180mm PCIe Gen 4 riser cable.

The post The ADATA XPG Invader X boasts a cyber-minimal design backed by eco-friendly recycled materials first appeared on Yanko Design.

TikTok says it fixed a vulnerability that enabled a cyberattack on high-profile accounts

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TikTok says it has fixed a vulnerability that allowed for a cyberattack that targeted high-profile accounts, as reported by Axios. A TikTok spokesperson added that the company is currently working to restore access to impacted users.

The social media giant hasn’t announced how many accounts were hit by the attack, but we do know that CNN and Paris Hilton were targets. The hack involved sending messages to users that were filled with malicious code. When the user opened up the message, the code went to work and took over the entire account. Oddly, the impacted accounts didn’t post anything while they were compromised.

It remains unclear who was behind the attack and what their ultimate goal was, aside from taking over celebrity TikTok accounts. TikTok also remains mum as to the specifics regarding the vulnerability that allowed for the attack in the first place. This type of hack is extremely rare, however, so it shouldn’t be a big concern for average users. 

The hack is known as a zero-click attack, meaning that you don’t have to click on anything to get infected. In this case, users just had to open up a direct message. The method used here is similar to zero-click spyware attacks, only those hackers target high-profile government officials and journalists for the purpose of secretly gathering information. This attack took over the whole account for unknown purposes.

This isn’t the first big TikTok hack. Last year, over 700,000 accounts in Turkey were compromised due to insecure SMS channels. Researchers at Microsoft discovered a flaw back in 2022 that let hackers overtake accounts with just a single click. Later that same year, an alleged security breach allegedly impacted more than a billion users. That’s a whole lot of people.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-says-it-fixed-a-vulnerability-that-enabled-a-cyberattack-on-high-profile-accounts-184313591.html?src=rss

Brisk It Launches Vera™ A.I.: Your New Grilling Assistant

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Brisk It™ has introduced Vera™, a cutting-edge A.I. assistant designed to elevate your grilling experience. Announced at CES 2024, Vera offers a seamless way to manage your grill, from custom recipe creation to real-time cooking adjustments, all via voice commands.

Vera AI 1.jpg

Vera stands out by providing personalized grilling solutions. Users can interact with Vera through the Brisk It app to request specific cooking tasks, such as grilling a medium-rare rib-eye or smoking multiple dishes simultaneously. Vera’s ability to create new recipes on the fly eliminates the need to search through cookbooks or online recipes. Simply tell Vera what ingredients you have or what you’re craving, and it will generate a recipe tailored to your preferences.

One of Vera’s key features is its adaptability during the cooking process. Vera doesn’t just follow a set recipe; it actively monitors and adjusts to ensure optimal results. If a user forgets to flip a steak or wrap a brisket, Vera can compensate to ensure the food is cooked perfectly. This level of automation and intelligence sets Vera apart from traditional grilling methods.

Briskit AI Grill

“Vera takes the guesswork out of grilling, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” said Brisk It CEO Christopher Huang. “From choosing what to cook to managing the entire grilling process, Vera is designed to handle it all, allowing users to focus on enjoying their time with family and friends.”

Vera AI 3.png

Building on Brisk It’s previous InnoGrill technology, Vera leverages machine learning to continuously expand its capabilities. While InnoGrill was limited to pre-defined recipes, Vera accesses an ever-growing database of recipes and grilling tips, ensuring users always have fresh ideas and techniques at their fingertips.

Vera AI 6.png

In practical terms, Vera can handle complex grilling scenarios, such as smoking a prime rib roast and a whole chicken for a large gathering, all while avoiding allergens and dietary restrictions. It also integrates with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling hands-free control and convenience.

Vera’s debut at CES garnered significant attention, with many praising its potential to revolutionize the grilling experience. As grilling can often seem daunting and time-consuming, Vera aims to simplify the process, making it accessible to both novices and seasoned grill masters.

The Vera™ A.I. by Brisk It™ is now available for consumers looking to transform their grilling experience with smart technology. For more information and to explore Vera’s capabilities, visit Brisk It’s official website.

The post Brisk It Launches Vera™ A.I.: Your New Grilling Assistant appeared first on OhGizmo!.

Sony’s WH-CH720N wireless headphones are down to $98, plus the rest of this week’s best tech deals

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We're still a ways out from Amazon's upcoming Prime Day sale and most Memorial Day promotions have ended, but this week, we still found a decent amount of discounts on gadgets we've reviewed and recommend. Searches turned up a surprising number of deals on Apple stuff. Does that have anything to do with the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next week? I have no idea. What matters is you can now get a new iPad Air, the latest Apple Watch, the second-gen Apple Pencil and a pair of AirPod Max headphones for less than you'd pay otherwise. If you could care less about Apple, there are plenty of other deals to check out, including discounts on Samsung Bluetooth trackers, the Google Pixel 8 Pro and some great earbuds for running. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.    

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/sonys-wh-ch720n-wireless-headphones-are-down-to-98-plus-the-rest-of-this-weeks-best-tech-deals-173016749.html?src=rss

My one wish for WWDC 2024 is better notifications on iPhone and Mac

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Qualcomm’s new commercial that revives Justin Long as a frustrated Mac user who decides to spend hundreds of dollars on a new computer rather than manage his notifications is objectively terrible. (The mocking has been so brutal that Qualcomm deleted the commercial from its YouTube channel!) But, it does raise one fair point: notifications, regardless of what OS or device you’re using, are a complete mess. The tools you’ll find on your computer or phone for managing them are overly complicated and hard to explain to someone who isn’t intimately familiar with the settings menu. I’ve been covering and using iOS for years, so for some stupid reason I do understand how Apple’s various notification options work, but wish me luck if I have to explain it to someone else.

That’s why the number one thing on my list for Apple to fix in iOS 18 (and really all its platforms) when its announced at WWDC next week is notifications. Rumors haven’t pointed to any big change this year, but a boy can dream. But the big problem with notifications isn’t really with Apple, or Microsoft, or Google — it’s with app developers.

Poshmark, a platform for buying and selling fashion items, is a perfect example. My spouse gets constant notifications from the app, making me wonder why she hasn’t just turned them off. Turns out that when you’re selling something, you want to know if someone messages you or buys something — but sorting those notifications from the myriad of other promotional junk the app shoves at you is near impossible.

To test things, I just went through the onboarding process for Poshmark myself. After creating an account and signing in, the app asked if I wanted to turn on notifications. Every app on iOS is required to ask you if you want them — but if you say yes, you’re opting in to anything the app wants to send you. Buried in the Poshmark app itself are more granular controls that let you turn various types of notifications on or off, including things like “party invites,” “just picked for you” items, “daily deals,” “live events” and more. In fact, there are nearly two dozen different notification types in this app alone! That is too many. I also got something like four notifications in the first hour, after barely using the app. Too. Many.

Apple has done what it can to help users find these settings. If you go to the global iOS notifications settings, you can manage preferences for every app on your phone. There’s now an option at the bottom of that list to take you directly into the app to let you do things like turn off most of Poshmark’s 23 different notification types. There’s also an option to allow “time sensitive” notifications (things like direct messages or calendar reminders) to alert you immediately while shuttling other notifications into a summary.

The problem is that most people don’t have the time or mental bandwidth to do this for every app they install, which leads to situations like the one that Qualcomm so cleverly skewered in its awful ad. I’ve accepted the fact that when I get up in the morning, I’m going to find a ton of notifications cropped up on my phone that aren’t meaningful, even though I’ve done my best to aggressively prune them where possible. At this point, it’s a crapshoot whether I’ll find anything useful when I swipe into my Notification Center, which means that I am surely missing important reminders about things I need to deal with.

It's also worth noting that Apple has tried to fix notifications over the years with tools like Do Not Disturb, grouping notifications, sending them to a summary and of course letting you decide how intrusive they are to begin with. You can easily turn off red bubbles if they give you agita, or make it so your phone doesn't light up with every message you get. But again, the onus is on the user to be aware enough of the many ways they can customize notification settings, and a lot of people don't do that until their phone is completely overwhelming them with pings.

Of course, I don’t have anything useful like a “solution” to offer here, but I think the best way forward is for Apple to figure out how to disincentivize developers to flood users with notifications. Perhaps in addition to the existing opt-in dialog for notifications when you first launch an app, Apple can force developers to show you the notifications preferences so you know exactly what an app wants to send you. And instead of turning on all notifications, an app could start with everything off by default and you only check the things you actually want to see.

But I’m also skeptical that more settings to wade through are going to fix anything. People are still going to want to install an app and get started using it without spending five minutes going through an increasingly granular notification settings process. The end result would be the same, too many apps taking up valuable real estate on your phone and in your brain. But they pay Craig Federighi and company the big bucks to figure this stuff out, not me — here’s hoping he has some good news on Monday.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/my-one-wish-for-wwdc-2024-is-better-notifications-on-iphone-and-mac-172004630.html?src=rss

Daniel Arsham and Hublot Reinvent the Pocket Watch with the Arsham Droplet

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In a bold departure from traditional watch design, Daniel Arsham and Hublot have collaborated to create a timepiece that is as much a piece of art as it is a functional object. The Arsham Droplet, a pocket watch that defies convention, pushes the boundaries of horological innovation. This creation captures the convergence of past, present, and future, encapsulated in a form inspired by the fluidity of water and the precision of modern engineering.

Designer: Arsham Droplet +

Daniel Arsham

From the first glance, the Arsham Droplet captivates with its organic, droplet shape, setting the stage for a tactile and visual experience that is unique and mesmerizing. The watch’s sapphire crystal body showcases material innovation, providing a window into the intricate mechanics within. Unlike the solid, opaque cases of traditional pocket watches, this transparency invites the wearer to engage with the movement of time on a deeper level.

The vibrant Arsham Green accents break the monochrome norm, adding a splash of color that is both striking and playful. This bold choice enhances the aesthetic appeal and underscores the watch’s modern, innovative identity. The incorporation of titanium and rubber elements further distinguishes the Arsham Droplet from its predecessors, emphasizing durability and contemporary design sensibilities.

This limited-edition masterpiece, restricted to just 99 pieces, is a collector’s dream. The collaboration between Daniel Arsham and Hublot challenges the status quo, presenting a pocket watch that is anything but ordinary. It is a daring exploration of form, function, and artistry, set to redefine the future of watchmaking.

Design, Craftsmanship, and Functionality

The Arsham Droplet diverges from traditional pocket watches with its unique drop shape, reminiscent of fluid droplets. This form is not only visually striking but also ergonomic, ensuring a comfortable fit in the hand. The design reflects Daniel Arsham’s fascination with organic, fluid forms found in nature, creating a seamless blend between natural aesthetics and technological precision.

The use of sapphire crystal as the primary material enhances the tactile and visual appeal. It offers exceptional clarity and durability, allowing an unobstructed view of the intricate mechanics within. This choice of material ensures that the watch maintains its pristine appearance over time, resisting scratches and wear. The sapphire crystal’s transparency also highlights the inner workings of the watch, making the movement a central visual element. Traditional pocket watches often utilize materials such as gold, silver, or stainless steel, which, while luxurious and durable, do not offer the same level of transparency or modern aesthetic as sapphire crystal.

Titanium is used for the case and chains, lending the watch a modern, industrial aesthetic. Its lightweight yet strong properties enhance the overall durability of the watch, ensuring it can withstand daily use. The addition of Arsham Green rubber bumpers adds a contemporary touch, providing extra protection against impacts and a striking visual contrast. The vibrant green color pops against the metallic and clear elements, drawing the eye and adding a playful element to the design. In contrast, traditional pocket watches typically use more classic materials like leather for the chain or fob, which offers a different, more vintage aesthetic.

The craftsmanship involved in creating the Arsham Droplet is meticulous. The open-worked titanium case resembles delicate lace, showcasing Hublot’s expertise in detailed metalwork. This intricate design is not only a realization of technical skill but also of artistic vision. The delicate, almost skeletal structure of the case allows light to pass through, creating dynamic shadows and reflections that change with movement. Traditional pocket watches tend to have solid cases with engraved or polished surfaces, offering a more static visual appeal.

Arsham Droplet on a stand

The watch can be worn in three different variations: as a pocket watch, a pendant, or an eye-catching table clock. This versatility allows users to adapt the timepiece to various settings and personal styles. The titanium chains and decorative stand provide additional options for display and wear, emphasizing the watch’s multifunctionality. The stand itself is a work of art, complementing the watch with its smooth curves and reflective surfaces. Traditional pocket watches are primarily designed for pocket wear and occasionally come with chains or fobs but rarely offer the same level of versatility in wear and display.

Technical Specifications, Artistic Vision, and Collaboration

Measuring 73.2 mm by 52.6 mm by 22.5 mm, the Arsham Droplet is substantial yet manageable in size. The ergonomic design ensures it fits comfortably in the hand, while the smooth, rounded edges enhance its tactile appeal. At its heart lies Hublot’s Meca-10 manufacture movement, which boasts a 10-day power reserve. This enhances the user’s connection with the timepiece, offering a prolonged period of uninterrupted use. The exposed gears and mechanical components are functional and add to the watch’s aesthetic allure, showcasing the complexity and precision of its inner workings. Traditional pocket watches often feature mechanical movements as well, but the extended power reserve and visible mechanics of the Arsham Droplet provide a more interactive and engaging experience.

The double-sealing system and 30-meter water resistance ensure the watch is durable and capable of withstanding everyday wear. These features make the Arsham Droplet both a beautiful object and practical, suitable for various environments and activities. In contrast, many traditional pocket watches lack significant water resistance, making them more susceptible to damage from moisture.

Arsham is celebrated for transforming everyday objects into “future relics.” The Arsham Droplet reflects this vision, blending the past, present, and future in a captivating and unexpected way. As Arsham notes, “The Arsham Droplet is a true realization of the power of collaboration. By combining Hublot’s technical expertise with my own artistic vision, we have created a timepiece that transcends the traditional pocket watch.” This collaboration is a fusion of art and horology, pushing the boundaries of what a timepiece can be. Traditional designs tend to adhere to more established aesthetic and functional norms, focusing on heritage and classical elegance.

Hublot’s commitment to innovation and material mastery is evident in this collaboration. The seamless integration of advanced materials and technical precision showcases Hublot’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of horology. Their expertise in crafting complex, high-performance watches is perfectly matched with Arsham’s creative vision, resulting in a product that is both a functional timepiece and a piece of art.

Limited Edition and Collectibility, Visual and Aesthetic Details

Limited to just 99 pieces, the Arsham Droplet is a true collector’s item. Its distinctive design and exclusive production run make it highly desirable among watch enthusiasts and art collectors alike. Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, emphasizes the unique nature of this collaboration: “Together with Arsham, we made the impossible possible! The Arsham Droplet is a realization of Hublot’s unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of both form and function.”

The Arsham Droplet’s color scheme features a harmonious blend of clear sapphire crystal and Arsham Green accents. The open-worked titanium case and custom rubber bumpers add visual interest, while the artist’s monogram is a subtle nod to Arsham’s signature style. The green accents are strategically placed to highlight key design elements, such as the edges of the case and the tips of the hands, ensuring they stand out against the more muted metallic tones.

The overall aesthetic is both futuristic and timeless, challenging conventional notions of pocket watches. The combination of transparent, reflective, and matte surfaces creates a dynamic visual experience, with each angle revealing new details and interactions between light and shadow. The design invites viewers to explore it from multiple perspectives, appreciating the interplay of form, color, and material.

By integrating advanced materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and a visionary artistic approach, the Arsham Droplet redefines the boundaries of watchmaking. This limited-edition pocket watch stands as a realization of the power of collaboration and the endless possibilities of horological design.

The post Daniel Arsham and Hublot Reinvent the Pocket Watch with the Arsham Droplet first appeared on Yanko Design.

Microsoft moves to resolve privacy concerns over its Recall feature

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Microsoft has attempted to soothe privacy concerns regarding Recall, an upcoming Windows feature that’s said to help users resurface just about anything they’ve previously done or looked at on a Copilot+ PC. That naturally involves keeping tabs on how you use your computer in one way or another, which has raised privacy concerns over data storage and access. In an attempt to resolve those, Microsoft is making changes before it starts rolling out Recall later this month.

Recall will be opt-in, meaning that the feature won’t take snapshots (i.e. screenshots) of what you’re doing every few seconds or log your activity without your explicit permission. Microsoft will ask whether you want to enable Recall when you set up a Copilot+ PC, which is a positive move.

In addition, those who want to use Recall will need to use a Windows Hello authentication method such as facial recognition or a fingerprint scan. Authentication will be required before Recall allows a user to scroll through or search the activity timeline. But this measure won't necessarily make Recall super secure — all it takes is for someone to know your PIN and they can access it.

On top of that, Microsoft is adding more protections to the Recall snapshots. It will employ “just in time” decryption protected by Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security. Snapshots will only be decrypted and available after user authentication. The search index database is encrypted too.

Microsoft says snapshots will remain on-device (locked to a user account) and won’t be used to train AI models. You can block Recall from snapshotting specific apps, and pause or delete snapshots. The AI processing that powers Recall takes place on-device too.

Recall was designed to help users find something they've done on their Copilot+ PC based on whatever they can remember. So if they remember a shirt they looked at a few weeks earlier and now think they might want to buy, they can describe the item. Recall might do a better job of finding the shirt than you can by scrolling through your the web browser history. 

Recall will be able to unearth details from chats, productivity apps, emails and so on. Microsoft has described it as effectively a photographic memory for your PC. A preview of Recall will be available on Copilot+ PCs, which will start shipping on June 18.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-moves-to-resolve-privacy-concerns-over-its-recall-feature-170318905.html?src=rss

One of our favorite pairs of wireless earbuds for running is on sale for only $78

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The Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds are on sale via Amazon for just $78, which is a discount of 35 percent. This isn’t a record-low price for the earbuds, but it’s dang close. Unfortunately, this major discount only applies to the black version, though many of the other colorways are still on sale.

These earbuds easily made our list of the best headphones for runners, and it’s not just because the word “active” is in the name. We appreciated the comfortable fit and IP57 water and dust protection, which includes protection from sweat. They’ll do fine with your daily exercise routine.

Of course, earbuds live and die by their sound quality and the Elite 4 is no slouch in that department. It boasts a fantastic sound profile right out of the box, but you can tweak the EQ via the company’s proprietary app. This app also lets you save profile presets. Sometimes you just need a bit more bass when running, to account for all of that exterior noise.

Speaking of exterior noise, these earbuds feature decent ANC. The battery life is solid, thanks to the included charging case, and the multipoint connectivity is useful when switching audio sources. The case also includes the option for wireless charging, which is always a nice bonus.

These aren’t perfect, but what is? The company’s HearThrough transparency mode isn’t as natural-sounding as tech found with rival products like the Beat Fits Pro. The Elite 4 Active earbuds also lack the ability to play spatial sound with Dolby Audio. 

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/one-of-our-favorite-pairs-of-wireless-earbuds-for-running-is-on-sale-for-only-78-163046935.html?src=rss

Blink Mini two-packs drop to only $30 at Amazon

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Blink Mini security cameras are on sale via Amazon. You can scoop up a two-pack for just $30, which is 40 percent off and a record-low price. The sale extends to single packs, which are 33 percent off, and triple-packs.

The Blink Mini is not the most recent model, thanks to Amazon's release of the Blink Mini 2, but it's still a fantastic way to keep an eye on your home. These cameras are easy to set up, connect via Wi-Fi and capture 1080p video. They also capture infrared signals and send security alerts directly to your phone anytime the sensor detects movement.

There’s also two-way audio and an affiliated app, so you can yell “who’s the cutest in the world? It’s you the cutest in the world” at a pet while at work. Blink is owned by Amazon, so there’s full Alexa voice control, which is always nice. Finally, the Mini comes with a free 30-day trial of the company’s subscription plan, which lets you save and share video clips.

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/blink-mini-two-packs-drop-to-only-30-at-amazon-155700282.html?src=rss