Tech Heroes among us: Celebrating American bravery on Veterans Day 11 inspiring podcasts, audiobooks, documentaries honoring courage of US service members Published November 11, 2024 8:00am EST close Veterans Day: Quaid, Adkins among Hollywood stars honoring military Stars such as Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins and Erik Estrada share with Fox News Digital what Veterans Day means to them. In a time when stories of courage and sacrifice deserve to be heard, a collection of podcasts,documentaries and audiobooks shines light on the incredible journeys of American heroes.From the inspiring tales shared on the "Proud American" podcast hosted by Johnny Joey Jones to the eye-opening documentaries like "Wildcat" and "To Be of Service," these platforms honor the bravery of veterans, first responders and everyday individuals who embody the spirit of service. Join us as we explore these powerful narratives that not only celebrate their sacrifices but also highlight the ongoing challenges they face, offering a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an American hero.Enter bysigning up for my free newsletter! Americans honoring our veterans (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) "#STILLSERVING" podcast (VFW) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)This podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the current challenges facing veterans today. This engaging podcast, produced by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), dives deep into critical issues that affect service members and their families. With conversations featuring congressional leaders, Department of Defense officials and everyday veterans, each episode tackles important topics like legislation, mental health and community support. As we honor our veterans this Veterans Day, tuning into #StillServing is a great way to stay informed and connected to the ongoing dialogue about the needs and experiences of those who have served our nation. "Proud American" podcast (Fox News) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)"Proud American" is another podcast available on every major podcast platform. It is hosted by Johnny Joey Jones, a Fox News correspondent and an Army veteran. In the podcast, Jones honors those who have protected and served our country over the years and echoes stories not only from veterans but also from first responders and everyday American heroes. "Modern Warriors" audiobook (Amazon) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Written by Army veteran and "FOX & Friends Weekend" co-host Pete Hegseth,"Modern Warriors"highlights 15 inspiring stories from great American heroes, including Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Marines and more. These people discuss what made them want to serve, what sacrificing for their country really means and so many other meaningful topics. You can find this audiobook on Audible now. "The Team House" podcast (YouTube) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)"The Team House" is a podcast hosted by Jack Murphy and Dave Parke, both of whom are former Rangers. Murphy eventually became a Green Beret while Parke was a paramilitary contractor.They focus on interviewing other veterans and experts in their field of work. Some of their clips are only a few minutes long, while others go as long as 3.5 hours. The Team House podcast is available on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.Listen to "The Team House" "Signature Wounds" audiobook (Amazon) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)If you want to listen to a good audiobook about veterans, you can listen to"Signature Wounds: The Untold Story of the Military's Mental Health Crisis" by David Kieran. The audiobook explores how much of an effect the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that the U.S. fought throughout the 2000s had on our troops mentally after the fact and how doctors labeled traumatic brain injuries as the "signature wound" among those who fought. You can find this audiobook on Audible right now. "Wildcat" documentary (Amazon) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Available on Prime Video now,"Wildcat" is a documentary that was released back in 2022. It follows a young former soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and how he copes with his suffering by developing a bond with a baby ocelot in the jungles of Peru. He meets this ocelot through a young woman who runs a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in the area. Watch the documentary with a Prime Video membership now. "Danger Close" podcast (officialjackcarr.com) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)"Danger Close" with Jack Carr is another great podcast that you can listen to on major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Jack Carr is the host, and he spent 20 years as a Navy SEAL. He has served in various positions, including team leader, platoon commander, troop commander, task unit commander and sniper. Carr has written a series of books about his experiences as a SEAL, and on this podcast, he takes listeners beyond his experiences and has conversations with other veterans, writers and more. "By All Means Available" audiobook (Amazon) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)"By All Means Available"by Michael G. Vickers is also currently available on Audible. Vickers is a former Green Beret, and in 1984 he took on the immensely difficult job of taking charge of the CIAs secret war against the Soviets in Afghanistan. In this audiobook, he talks about all his experiences and how they have shaped him today, as well as the challenges that our nation is still facing 40 years later. "To Be of Service" documentary (Amazon) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)If you're a dog lover, then you should watch"To Be of Service," available for rent on bothPrime Video andApple TV+. This documentary focuses on service dogs who help veterans work through their struggles with PTSD and how these dogs help restore a sense of independence and inner peace within these men and women who served. "The Protectors" podcast (Buzzsprout) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Available on every major podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music, "The Protectors" is hosted by Dr. Jason Piccolo, who is a seasoned veteran and a retired special agent. Piccolo interviews everyone from fellow veterans to authors and entertainers. It takes a look at both the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform have made and how those experiences have been turned into some noteworthy literature, films and other art forms that we read and watch today. "Here. Is. Better." documentary (Amazon) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)"Here. Is. Better." is another inspiring documentary that is available to rent or buy on Prime Video right now. It follows four men and women suffering from PTSD after their time serving our country and how new breakthrough treatments are helping them to overcome their struggles. It's an information-packed film about how human beings experience and process trauma and how we can overcome it.Kurt's key takeawaysAs we reflect on the incredible stories shared through these podcasts and documentaries, it's clear that the journeys of our veterans deserve to be celebrated and understood. Each narrative not only highlights their bravery but also sheds light on the challenges they continue to face. By engaging with these powerful stories, we can foster a deeper appreciation for their sacrifices and contribute to ongoing conversations about support and healing. Lets honor their experiences and ensure that their voices are heard.What stories of courage and service have inspired you the most, and how do you think we can better support our veterans in our communities?Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Published November 11, 2024 6:00am EST close 'CyberGuy': Avoiding Siri-ous confusion on your work, personal iPhones Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it. When it comes to using voice assistants across multiple devices, things can get a bit tricky. "Mike" from St. George, Utah, found himself in a comical yet frustrating situation with his personal and work iPhones. Let's dive into his predicament and explore some solutions.IM GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYSEnter bysigning up for my free newsletter! Man making a call using Siri on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The dilemmaMike has two iPhones, one for personal use and another for work. In his email to us, he explained his issue: "When using Siri to call my wife (Terrie) on my personal phone, my WORK phone dials a guy I work with also named Terry. So Im constantly having to explain my butt dial to him."This leads to awkward explanations and unnecessary "butt dials." The situation highlights a common challenge faced by many users with multiple devices, where voice assistants can become more of a hindrance than a help. Siri being used on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IPHONE & IPAD FROM MALWAREAttempted solutionsMike's first attempt was to rename his wife's contact to "Wifey" on his personal phone. However, this didn't fully solve the problem, as Siri still struggled to differentiate between similar-sounding names across devices. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't allow users to change Siri's activation phrase to something custom like "Hey Wife." This limitation means we need to look for alternative solutions. iPhone and a laptop on a coffee table (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)HOW TO ASSOCIATE A RINGTONE WITH ONE OF YOUR CONTACTS ON YOUR PHONEEffective workarounds1) Use Siri Shortcuts:You can create a Siri Shortcut for calling your wife and assign a unique phrase to it. This way, you can say something like "Call Wifey" and it will only trigger on the phone where the shortcut is set up.Create a shortcutOpen the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.Tap the "+" icon to create a new shortcut.Add the action Call and select your wifes contact.Click Done Steps to create a Siri Shortcut on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Use Voice Control: You can enable Voice Control and create custom commands that wont interfere with Siri.Go to SettingsTap AccessibilityClick Voice ControlTurn on Voice Controlby toggling it onClick the Commands row Steps to set up Voice Control on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Click CustomClick Create new commandIn the phrase field, type "Call Wifey"Click the Action rowClick Run shortcutClick the first row you just set above called "Call"Click backClick Save in upper right-hand corner Steps to set up Voice Control on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Now go back to your home screen and say to your phone "Call Wifey" and it should call her.2) Disable Siri on one device: If you primarily use Siri on one phone, you can disable it on the other to prevent accidental triggers.Go to SettingsTap Siri (or could appear as Siri & Search depending on which iOS you have installed).Tap Talk to SiriTurn off Listen for "Hey Siri" and enable Press Side Button for Siri Steps to disable Siri on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)3) Rename contacts differently: Since youve already tried renaming your wifes contact, you might want to use a more unique name that wont conflict with your work contacts. For example, you could use a nickname or a combination of her name and a unique identifier.IOS 18: MAXIMIZE YOUR PRIVACY BY TURNING OFF THESE 3 IPHONES SETTINGS NOWKurt's key takeawaysWhile Siri's confusion can be frustrating, there are several ways to work around the issue. The most effective solution seems to be using Siri Shortcuts or Voice Control, as these methods create unique commands that are less likely to be misinterpreted across devices. It's worth noting that voice assistant technology is continually improving. In the future, we may see more sophisticated context recognition that can better distinguish between similar names on different devices. Until then, these workarounds should help Mike avoid any more awkward explanations to his colleague Terry!In what ways do you think voice assistants could be improved for a better user experience? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

NetApp has upgraded its AFF A- and C-series flash storage arrays while also boosting capacity and performance in StorageGrid object storage and E-series storage area networks (SANs), mostly as a result of new 60TB arrays plus central processing unit (CPU) and backplane enhancements.AFF A- and C-series performance and capacity-oriented respectively get new-generation CPUs, reworked peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) connectivity, and are now fully modular to allow component upgrades in place while the chassis remains. With 60TB drives, capacity is now boosted also.Storage is via the Ontap operating system and can be file, block or object. While that is the case, NetApp also has its ASA block storage array, which it upgraded in September. Dedicated object storage capacity comes in its StorageGrid line, of which more below. AFF arrays come with full cloud connectivity for backup, tiering and migration.The arrays in the performance-oriented A-series are the A20, A30 and A50. NetApp claims they are now 41%, 96% and 153% quicker than their predecessor products, A150, A250 and A400.These new arrays replace existing ones at the lower end of the AFF range. They complement the A70, A90 and A1k at the high end that go to nearly 4PB raw and more than 15PB useable in the A1K, with nearly 200PB possible in a cluster configuration.In the QLC flash-equipped C-series, the new arrays are the C30, C60 and C80. Maximum capacity in the largest of these is nearly doubled over its predecessor, the C800 from 7.4PB to 14.7PB while at the other end, the new C30 goes to 2.2PB compared with the older C250, which went to 1.5PB.Possible capacities in the C-series can go to just over 700PB in a cluster of C80 arrays.Read more on NetAppNetApp maintains push to data management for AI. From data storage to intelligent data infrastructure thats the plan from NetApp, which has announced data curation for artificial intelligence as well as additions to its ASA and FAS storage arrays.NetApp: NAS pioneer well set for the cloud revolution. In this storage profile, we look at NetApp, which built a reputation in file access storage but seems to be set fair to navigate a future of hybrid cloud, cloud-native and containerisation.Grant Caley, UK and Ireland solutions director at NetApp, said: Since the advent of flash storage, the bottleneck of disk performance is no longer the factor for platform refreshes. Now it is about controller performance to that storage. So, capacities arent changing significantly, but controller performance is.Also, NetApps StorageGrid object storage arrays the offspring of E-series hardware and Bycast object storage software get an upgrade centred on 60TB arrays with more than 2PB possible in 3U possible in its SGF6112 product. An upgrade to StorageGrid software also allows for workloads in a cluster to be segregated into nodes for data only and metadata, plus 5,000 buckets per tenant possible.While object storage is possible in NetApps Ontap-equipped hardware, StorageGrid targets dedicated object storage use cases.Dynamic policy management allows the customer to decide on security, lifecycle, etc, in a much larger platform than object in Ontap, which is aimed at transient storage of object data or where it is managed by an application, such as backup, said Caley.Meanwhile, the companys E-series SAN arrays the only ones in the product line that dont use the Ontap OS also get 60TB drives and a CPU refresh, to provide two new platforms. These are the E4012 and E4060, which go to 264TB and 1.3PB raw capacity respectively. Those go to 2.1PB and 6.6PB raw with expansion shelves.E-series hardware is SAN-only, and aimed at customers that want affordable, basic storage capacity. Caley said the E-series target is simple SAN.It has snapshots and replication but is aimed at video surveillance, backup, archive storage, he said. It is for extreme performance or density, not data management, and has Infiniband, so it can be used for HPC storage.Besides array hardware upgrades, NetApp also announced a raft of enhancements to the software ecosystem surrounding it. These included Kubernetes data protection in Trident that includes snapshots, backup and restore, disaster recovery, and workload migration, available on-premise and in the cloud.Tridents data protection features are now also available where it works with Red Hats OpenShift environment, where there are also new collaborations between NetApp and Cisco in FlexPod converged offerings for OpenShift configurations aimed at virtualisation and artificial intelligence.

Identity and access management (IAM) is a difficult and enduring challenge for enterprises. Organisations need to balance securing and managing identities effectively with ease of use for employees, customers and suppliers. Put in too many layers of identity and access control, and the result is friction: processes that make it harder for employees to do their jobs.Many organisations start their identity journey with a combination of only short-term objectives, poor identity data, immature identity architecture and weak user verification, warns Scott Swalling, a cloud and data security expert at PA Consulting.A poor IAM approach, at best, can make it cumbersome and frustrating for your users and administrative staff. Onerous processes that dont take full advantage of IAM capabilities will breed users finding ways around them as they always have leading to security issues and potentially breaches.Even with the expansion of measures such as multifactor authentication (MFA) and biometrics, access remains a weak spot in enterprise security, as well as data compliance and privacy. IAM has become even more critical as enterprises move away from a fixed perimeter to flexible working, the cloud and web applications.The scale of the problem is very real. According to Verizons 2024 Data breach investigations report, stolen credentials were used in 77% of attacks against basic web applications. Googles 2023 Threat horizons report found that 86% of breaches involve stolen credentials.We need to transition to an identity-first security culture, warns Akif Khan, a vice-president analyst at Gartner who focuses on IAM. If you dont identify your users, its hard to have any type of security. If you dont know who is accessing your systems, how do you know if they should be accessing them, or not?IAM, Khan suggests, is replacing the old idea of organisations having a secure perimeter. The risks of relying on perimeter security alone are clear.In June this year, data breaches at Ticketmaster and Santander were traced back to unsecured Snowflake cloud accounts.Securing privileged accounts goes hand in hand with strong identity management and initiatives such as zero trust. But as zero trust requires significant, long-term investment, CIOs and CISOs should also be looking to improve existing security for credentials and move to risk-based approaches for identity.This is prompting organisations to move towards policy-based access controls and risk-adaptive access controls. These systems allow firms to enforce multifactor authentication if an action appears high risk, or block it altogether. But this depends on a clear IAM strategy throughout the organisation.Get the basics right to ensure you have clear visibility and control of who has access to your resources, recommends PAs Swalling. Ensure identity data is good. Coupling this with robust privilege access management, utilising automation and machine learning where possible, will streamline and enhance administrative tasks and reduce user frustration.Frustrated users make for ready victims, agrees Mustafa Mustafa, EMEA solutions manager for identity at Cisco, with a very real risk of MFA flood attacks.Cisco is a proponent of the zero-trust security model, but Mustafa admits few organisations have fully achieved it.In fact, Cisco research found that 86% of enterprises have started on zero trust, but just 2% say they have reached maturity. Barriers include complexity and an inconsistent user experience.The principle is trust no one, verify everyone, says Mustafa. The only way to implement a zero-trust policy is continuous verification of all users, devices and applications at all times and locations within or outside a given network. This includes deploying multifactor authentication, least privilege access and micro-segmentation.Zero trust is worth the effort, he argues. It improves security, compliance and risk management, but also simplifies operations once it is properly implemented and potentially allows organisations to reduce administration overheads, costs, and delays and frustrations for users. It also makes hybrid and remote working easier to manage.Meanwhile, enterprises need to continue to invest in MFA, identity governance and administration, privileged access management, and single sign-on, to list just a few. This can force CIOs to operate in two lanes one for improving security around identity and access now, and a separate, longer-term objective of moving to zero trust.In time, this will include making more use of artificial intelligence (AI) to spot unusual user behaviour or actions that could be evidence of a breach, and a move towards IAM based on risk, rather than just identity. This is sometimes also called adaptive authentication.By integrating real-time risk assessments, organisations can grant access based on context rather than identity alone, says John Paul Cunningham, CISO at Silverfort, an identity protection provider. This shift would reduce the operational overhead and data burden of managing authentication and authorisation. Ultimately, adopting this model would enable businesses to strengthen security, improve user experiences and lower the cost of maintaining identity security, he says.In practice, organisations are likely to rely on layers of security for layers of access, at least for now.The more forward-thinking organisations are prioritising identity. But the challenge still exists of stitching together disparate systems, says Cunningham. Looking at the future you can build new platforms, but people still have a lot of legacy architecture.However, enterprises still need to verify the identity of a user whether an employee, supplier, or customer in the first place. Here, the move towards global identity wallets (GIWs), usually part of a government-backed scheme, can help.Most often associated with digital government initiatives, GIWs might not be the most suitable tool for day-to-day access management, but they could play a role in onboarding staff or customers, and potentially cut fraud and credential theft. Already, there is some convergence between GIWs and IAM, with Microsofts Entra Verified ID integrated into the companys Authenticator app, for example.According to Gartner, more than 500 million people worldwide will use phone-based digital identity wallets by 2026. This represents significant growth, and should ease a number of issues around identity verification, especially for government services.In principle, you could have an identity wallet on your phone, and its not hugely different from an authenticator app. That could be used, says Khan. Its not a Microsoft ID, but an ID in a Microsoft app.Open standards around digital ID and interoperability between platforms are likely to drive adoption among government agencies and, in turn, take-up by citizens. Global identity wallet technology, for all its advantages, is likely to be too expensive for enterprises to set up on their own. And part of their advantage lies in scale, and in the trust that comes with government-issued ID.The market is moving towards portable digital identity, so users wont have to verify their identities again and again, but instead have an ID wallet on a mobile device which verifies that ID, says Khan.Businesses that currently pay for third-party identity verification services could even save money through a GIW. How the commercials stack up will be key to this, he says. Organisations also need to accept the identity asset in the wallet, which is again why government backing, and open standards and interoperability, are so important. And using GIWs could give advantages in areas as diverse as recruitment or providing services to new customers.From a technical point of view, it makes perfect sense if there is a route to onboard someone more quickly, says Khan. In a competitive market, organisations will look to explore that.Even so, GIWs look set to be part of the IAM landscape, rather than a replacement for internal identity and authentication systems. You have an ID, and that ID has attributes such as Im an employee of Gartner. Then you have your attributes for access rights, which is layers upon layers of information, says Khan. That might not all be in the wallet. Firms will still need to check details against their own identity infrastructure.The prospects for enterprise use of identity wallets, and much of the future development of IAM, will depend on the type of information, and the levels of access, organisations need to secure.Read more about identity and access managementBlack Hat USA 2024 showcased recurring themes of data security and IAM, encompassing the platform versus point product debate, cleaning identity data and GenAI security.The IAM landscape is experiencing profound change thanks to the advent of biometrics. Learn about the latest advantages and key benefits of biometrics in identity.Digital wallets can play a significant role in day-to-day authentication, extending beyond one-off events like onboarding or identity verification, says Silverforts Cunningham. By embracing digital wallets as a daily authentication tool, organisations can strengthen their security posture while enhancing user convenience and productivity.He expects to see take-up in healthcare, government, access to benefits and border control, at least initially.But digital wallets could also strengthen MFA and give hard-pressed data security teams some breathing space as they look at longer-term options, including zero trust.Digital wallets serve as an additional factor in MFA, a unique identifier similar to certificate-based tokens, and a secure storage solution for sensitive data like passwords and cryptographic keys, says Cunningham. Used well, they could improve security and ease of use while also reducing support costs for enterprises.

NetApp has upgraded its AFF A- and C-series flash storage arrays while also boosting capacity and performance in StorageGrid object storage and E-series storage area networks (SANs), mostly as a result of new 60TB arrays plus central processing unit (CPU) and backplane enhancements.AFF A- and C-series performance and capacity-oriented respectively get new-generation CPUs, reworked peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) connectivity, and are now fully modular to allow component upgrades in place while the chassis remains. With 60TB drives, capacity is now boosted also.Storage is via the Ontap operating system and can be file, block or object. While that is the case, NetApp also has its ASA block storage array, which it upgraded in September. Dedicated object storage capacity comes in its StorageGrid line, of which more below. AFF arrays come with full cloud connectivity for backup, tiering and migration.The arrays in the performance-oriented A-series are the A20, A30 and A50. NetApp claims they are now 41%, 96% and 153% quicker than their predecessor products, A150, A250 and A400.These new arrays replace existing ones at the lower end of the AFF range. They complement the A70, A90 and A1k at the high end that go to nearly 4PB raw and more than 15PB useable in the A1K, with nearly 200PB possible in a cluster configuration.In the QLC flash-equipped C-series, the new arrays are the C30, C60 and C80. Maximum capacity in the largest of these is nearly doubled over its predecessor, the C800 from 7.4PB to 14.7PB while at the other end, the new C30 goes to 2.2PB compared with the older C250, which went to 1.5PB.Possible capacities in the C-series can go to just over 700PB in a cluster of C80 arrays.Read more on NetAppNetApp maintains push to data management for AI. From data storage to intelligent data infrastructure thats the plan from NetApp, which has announced data curation for artificial intelligence as well as additions to its ASA and FAS storage arrays.NetApp: NAS pioneer well set for the cloud revolution. In this storage profile, we look at NetApp, which built a reputation in file access storage but seems to be set fair to navigate a future of hybrid cloud, cloud-native and containerisation.Grant Caley, UK and Ireland solutions director at NetApp, said: Since the advent of flash storage, the bottleneck of disk performance is no longer the factor for platform refreshes. Now it is about controller performance to that storage. So, capacities arent changing significantly, but controller performance is.Also, NetApps StorageGrid object storage arrays the offspring of E-series hardware and Bycast object storage software get an upgrade centred on 60TB arrays with more than 2PB possible in 3U possible in its SGF6112 product. An upgrade to StorageGrid software also allows for workloads in a cluster to be segregated into nodes for data only and metadata, plus 5,000 buckets per tenant possible.While object storage is possible in NetApps Ontap-equipped hardware, StorageGrid targets dedicated object storage use cases.Dynamic policy management allows the customer to decide on security, lifecycle, etc, in a much larger platform than object in Ontap, which is aimed at transient storage of object data or where it is managed by an application, such as backup, said Caley.Meanwhile, the companys E-series SAN arrays the only ones in the product line that dont use the Ontap OS also get 60TB drives and a CPU refresh, to provide two new platforms. These are the E4012 and E4060, which go to 264TB and 1.3PB raw capacity respectively. Those go to 2.1PB and 6.6PB raw with expansion shelves.E-series hardware is SAN-only, and aimed at customers that want affordable, basic storage capacity. Caley said the E-series target is simple SAN.It has snapshots and replication but is aimed at video surveillance, backup, archive storage, he said. It is for extreme performance or density, not data management, and has Infiniband, so it can be used for HPC storage.Besides array hardware upgrades, NetApp also announced a raft of enhancements to the software ecosystem surrounding it. These included Kubernetes data protection in Trident that includes snapshots, backup and restore, disaster recovery, and workload migration, available on-premise and in the cloud.Tridents data protection features are now also available where it works with Red Hats OpenShift environment, where there are also new collaborations between NetApp and Cisco in FlexPod converged offerings for OpenShift configurations aimed at virtualisation and artificial intelligence.

Virtual private networks, also known as VPNs, are excellent tools to help protect your privacy and security.At ZDNET, we've been testing top VPNs for years, and we recommend that you sign up for one to stop people from spying on your online activities. As VPNs create a secure, encrypted tunnel to protect your data and mask your IP address, you can use them as an additional layer of protection for changing your location, streaming, and more.If you're looking for a great VPN deal ahead of Black Friday, you're in luck. We found the best promotions and deals on VPN services before Black Friday begins. Check out our recommendations below. (Note that while many of these are for a monthly price, you typically have to pay the full contract amount up front, though there are often money-back guarantees if you change your mind.)Our favorite VPN deals for Black Friday 2024Surfshark: $1.99 (four months free): Surfshark's entry-level VPN plan is only $1.99/month on a two-year contract. It's also our tested pick for the best value VPN.NordVPN: $3.59 (three months free): NordVPN is one of our favorite VPNs across the board for speed, streaming, and security. If you sign up for a one- or two-year contract, you will receive three months of free access.PureVPN: $1.99/month: If you want a set-and-forget VPN for up to five years, consider the discounts available when you sign up for a PureVPN subscription. Ahead of Black Friday, you will only pay $1.99/month on a standard five-year contract.PrivadoVPN: $1.99/month (three months free): Another excellent deal is for PrivadoVPN, a VPN service with a reasonable server network that's also one of our picks forthe best cheap VPNs.Private Internet Access: $2.19/month (two months free): Also known as PIA, Private Internet Access is a solid VPN and our pick for the best open-source option, which ahead of Black Friday, is only $2.19/month if you agree to a two-year contract.CyberGhost: $2.19/month (two months free): CyberGhost is an excellent VPN option if you want a service able to handle streaming services without any fuss. June Wan/ZDNET Current price: $1.99/monthFour months freeSurfshark's entry-level VPN plan is on sale ahead of Black Friday. You will only pay $1.99/month on a two-year contract, and as a bonus, you will be given four months of free access, added to the length of the contract.We recommend Surfshark as an affordable VPN suitable for beginners and experienced users alike. It offers excellent value for money, reasonable speeds, and a solid server network. View now at Surfshark June Wan/ZDNET Current price: $3.59/monthThree months freeNordVPN is one of our favorite VPNs for speed and security. It offers an excellent server network with 111 countries, easy-to-use apps across numerous operating systems, and great customer support. Ahead of Black Friday, you can pay as little as $3.59/month (on a two-year contract) and you can enjoy three months of free access. View now at NordVPN Privado VPN Current price: $1.99/monthThree months freePrivadoVPN is a consistently affordable VPN with a reasonably sized server network. If you sign up for a two-year plan, you will only pay $1.99/month, and you will be given three months of free access. This VPN service also comes with useful features such as ad blocking and parental controls. View now at PrivadoVPN June Wan/ZDNET Current price: $2.19/monthTwo months freePrivate Internet Access, also known as PIA, is a solid VPN that often launches promotional deals. Ahead of Black Friday, you can sign up for only $2.19/month if you are happy to agree to a two-year contract. As a bonus, two months of free access have been thrown in. View now at PIA June Wan/ZDNET Current price: $2.19/monthTwo months freeCyberGhost is an excellent VPN option if you want a service able to handle streaming services without any fuss. Currently, the VPN provider has a promotional deal available on two-year contracts: you will pay the equivalent of $2.19/month and you will receive twomonths of free access at the end of your plan. View now at CyberGhost Best Black Friday long-term VPN dealsPureVPN: $1.99/month: If you want a set-and-forget VPN for up to five years, consider the discounts available when you sign up for a PureVPN subscription. Ahead of Black Friday, you will only pay $1.99/month on a standard five-year contract.Best Black Friday family VPN dealsSurfshark: $1.99 (four months free): Surfshark's entry-level VPN plan is $1.99/month on a two-year contract and as it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, it's a great option for families.PrivadoVPN: $1.99 (three months free): PrivadoVPN, available for only $1.99/month, is a VPN service with a reasonable server network, parental controls, and ad blocking.Norton Ultra VPN Plus: $60/year: Norton Ultra VPN Plus is also offering a family plan for $5/month. This plan allows you to protect up to 10 devices and use parental controls, including screen time restrictions.Best Black Friday VPN router dealsASUS RT-AX1800S wireless router: $66 (save $24 at Amazon): The ASUS RT-AX1800S is a budget-friendly router with a built-in VPN.TP-Link AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 router: $86 (save $44 at Amazon): You can save 34% off the typical RRP if you pick up the TP-Link AX3000 WiFi 6 router, another great option if you want blanket VPN coverage in your home.GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 travel router: $113 (save $57 at Amazon): If you need a pocket-sized, travel-friendly router, this option supports AdGuard Home, OpenVPN, or WireGuard-based VPN services.Archer AXE75 router: $155 (save $37 at Amazon): You can also save $37 on the TP-Link Archer AXE75, a budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 router with VPN client support.M3000 WiFi 6 Mesh VPN FlashRouter: $230 (save $120 at FlashRouters): If you need a VPN solution for large homes and multiple devices, consider the $120 discount on an M300 model.FAQsWhen is Black Friday?In 2024, Black Friday will launch on Nov. 29, one day after Thanksgiving, in the United States. Deals will appear not only on the actual day but also during the week of Black Friday and days afterward. The best sales will likely emerge from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.When is Cyber Monday?Cyber Monday will land on Dec. 2 this year. There will be plenty of deals on tech, accessories, clothing, and more in the run-up to Thanksgiving, throughout Black Friday week, and during Cyber Monday.Are VPN deals really better on Black Friday?They can be. Many VPN providers use countdown timers as marketing tools and display the typical plan price as a "sale" rate, but this doesn't mean that the occasional promotion isn't genuine. Historically, we've seen some great deals appear for VPNs around Thanksgiving and Black Friday.What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Black Friday and Cyber Monday are similar, but one appears before the other. Black Friday launches on Nov. 29, 2024, while Cyber Monda will launch on Dec. 2. The days in between are often called Cyber Week.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?At ZDNET, we only write about products we like or want to buy, and we endeavor to let you know about every deal we find that we believe offers great value. Our deal-hunting experts look for deals that are at least 20% off retail price, when possible, but we also highlight deals for products that are rarely on sale, such as Apple devices.We consider customer reviews and our own hands-on product experience and conduct extensive research to ensure we only recommend the best deals. We aim to help you shop smarter and get the best return for your money.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?You can enjoy the in-store Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, in recent years, many shoppers have opted to make their purchases online, with Amazon becoming one of the top retailers to visit. What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals? ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category:You can also find the best Black Friday deals by price:And the best Black Friday deals by retailer: Top holiday deals

Black Friday is still a few weeks away, but if you've got an Apple device on your holiday shopping list, you're in luck: We've already spotted several early deals on MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, and more. While Apple discounts can be rare, this month is often when you find some of the best ones, sometimes of over 20% off.The deal-hunting team at ZDNET has found the best Apple deals available ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday so you can start shopping ahead of time. We will update this list as more deals appear, so remember to bookmark this page and check out the new discounts that arrive in the coming weeks.Shop deals at AmazonOur favorite Apple deals ahead of Black Friday 2024Apple AirPods 4: $119 (save $10 at Amazon): It's not too often you see deals on Apple earbuds before a sales event formally launches, but you can still save $10 on Apple's brand-new AirPods 4 range, which our reviewer says "features significant improvements to sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort."Apple Pencil Pro: $117 (save $12 at Amazon): Find a 9% discount on an Apple Pencil Pro stylus, a useful accessory for work and creative tasks.Apple iPad (9th Generation): $200 (save $129 at Amazon): If you need an affordable iPad and you don't mind going back a few generations, you can save $129 on a classic iPad with a 10.2-inch Retina display and 64GB of storage. It's our tested pick for the best budget iPad.Apple 2023 MacBook Pro: $1,350 (save $249 at Amazon): If you're in the market for a MacBook Pro suitable for work and study, you can save $249 on a model with 512GB of storage.Apple AirTag: $23 (save $6 at Amazon): If you are forever losing your keys, consider this discount on Apple's AirTag tracker, our tested pick for the best Bluetooth tracker you can buy. You can save $19 on a four-pack, too.Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds: $179 (save $59 at Amazon): Save nearly $60 on a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds with spatial audio technologies and active noise cancellation, thatcan be used as an over-the-counter hearing aid, too. These are our pick for the best AIrPods you can buy.Apple iPad Air 11-inch: $694 (save $55 at Amazon): You can save $55 on an 11-inch iPad Air. This lightweight tablet comes with an M2 chip, a Liquid Retina display, Wi-Fi and Cellular connectivity, and 128GB of storage.Apple iPad Air 13-inch: $1,299 (save $150 at Amazon): Alternatively, save around the same amount on a 13-inch model. This tablet's benefit is a massive 1TB storage capacity, as well as both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.Apple iPhone 16 (128GB): $0 (save $830 at Amazon): If you sign up for a Boost Mobile plan, you can pick up an iPhone 16 for free at Amazon. It is available in a range of colors.Apple 2024 MacBook Air: $1,100 (save $199 at Amazon): If you want a flagship MacBook with a fair amount of storage for a reasonable price, consider the $199 discount on a 13-inch 2024 MacBook Air model with an M3 chip and 512GB of storage. Jada Jones/ZDNET Current price: $119Original price: $129It's not too often you see deals on Apple earbuds before a sales event formally launches, but you can still save $10 on Apple's new AirPods 4 range. Powered by Apple's H2 chip, these earbuds provide quality audio and up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. We hope to see the price continue to fall as we get closer to Black Friday. View now at Amazon Amazon/ZDNET Current price: $1,099Original price: $1,299You can save $200 on a MacBook Air. If you're looking for a lightweight, highly portable laptop with enough power for work and entertainment, this 2024 model will likely suit your needs. Apple's M3 chip powers the new Apple MacBook Air and comes with a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. View now at Amazon Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $759Original price: $799Smartwatch fans might be interested in a premium Apple Watch deal currently available. Over at Amazon, you can take $40 off the typical price of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Stocks are quickly disappearing but you can still save on a 49mm GPS and Cellular model in orange. It's also our tested pick for the best Apple Watch you can buy. View now at Amazon Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $350Original price: $499Another deal we like the look of ahead of Black Friday is for the 2021 Apple iPad Mini. This wallet-friendly tablet, now available with a $149 discount, is powered by an A15 Bionic chip and is equipped with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, 64GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. In total, you are saving 30% off the typical price. View now at Amazon Jason Cipriani/ZDNet Current price: $200Original price: $329If you need an affordable iPad and you don't mind going back a few generations, you can save $129 -- or 39% based on the typical price -- on a classic iPad with a 10.2-inch Retina display and 64GB of storage. This iPad comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and an A13 Bionic chip. View now at Amazon Best Black Friday iPad deals Kerry Wan/ZDNETApple iPad Air 11-inch: $694 (save $55 at Amazon): You can save $55 on an 11-inch iPad Air. This lightweight tablet comes with an M2 chip, a Liquid Retina display, Wi-Fi and Cellular connectivity, and 128GB of storage.Apple iPad Air 13-inch: $1,299 (save $150 at Amazon): Alternatively, save around the same amount on a 13-inch model. You can enjoy the discount on a model with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, alongside a massive 1TB storage capacity.Apple iPad Mini: $350 (save $149 at Amazon): Looking for a cheap iPad? Consider the $149 discount on an iPad Mini.Apple iPad (9th Generation): $200 (save $129 at Amazon): If you need an affordable iPad and don't mind going back a few generations, you can save $129 on a classic iPad with a 10.2-inch Retina display and 64GB of storage.Apple iPad Pro: $640 (save $259 at Best Buy): We've also spotted a $259 discount on an iPad Pro at Best Buy. This renewed Wi-Fi-only model comes with 256GB of storage.Apple iPad Air (renewed): $99 (save $30 at Walmart): For a discount on a renewed iPad Air, head over to Walmart. While renewed, this 9.7-inch iPad Air will see you through basic tasks and internet surfing.Best Black Friday MacBook deals Kerry Wan/ZDNETApple 2024 MacBook Air: $1,099 (save $199 at Amazon): If you want a flagship MacBook with a fair amount of storage for a reasonable price, consider the $199 discount on a 13-inch 2024 MacBook Air model with an M3 chip and 512GB of storage.Apple 2022 MacBook Air: $749 (save $250 at Amazon): Another thin and light MacBook Air model is on sale ahead of Black Friday. You can save $250 (25%) on a 2022 13-inch model, which comes equipped with an M2 chip and 256GB of storage.Apple 2023 MacBook Pro: $1,350 (save $249 at Amazon): If you're in the market for a MacBook Pro suitable for work and study, you can save $249 on a model with 512GB of storage. This model, released in 2023, is powered by an M3 chip.Apple MacBook Pro: $1,599 (save $300 at Best Buy): You can save $300 on a 14-inch MacBook Pro at Best Buy. This option comes with 18GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.Apple MacBook Pro: $1,599 (save $50 at Best Buy): If you want to pre-order a device from Apple's new MacBook Pro line, powered by an M4 chip and equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, you can save $50 through Best Buy's Plus program. Three months of Apple TV, iCloud+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music are available upon purchase.Apple MacBook Air: $649 (save $50 at Walmart): If you need an affordable MacBook, you will only pay $649 for a 13-inch MacBook Air powered by Apple's M1 chip. This option comes with 256GB of storage.More Black Friday Apple deals: iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watches, and more Jason Hiner/ZDNETApple iPhone 16 (128GB): $Free (save $830 at Amazon): If you sign up for a Boost Mobile plan, you can pick up an iPhone 16 for free at Amazon. It is available in a range of colors.Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds: $190 (save $59 at Amazon): Save almost $60 on a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds which come with spatial audio technologies and active noise cancellation.Apple Watch Series 10: $399 (save $30 at Amazon): There is a small discount available on a Series 10 Apple Watch ahead of Black Friday. This 46mm model comes with GPS connectivity and a denim band.Apple Watch SE: $189 (save $60 at Amazon): For only $189, you can snap up a second-generation Apple Watch SE with GPS connectivity and a Midnight sport band.Apple Watch Series 9: $344 (save $85 at Amazon): Interested in the Apple Watch Series 9? You can save $85 on a 45mm GPS model.Apple Watch Ultra 2: $759 (save $40 at Amazon): Another discount we like the look of is $40 off a 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2. This model comes with GPS and Cellular connectivity.Best Black Friday Apple accessory deals Kayla Solino/ZDNETApple AirTag: $23 (save $6 at Amazon): If you are forever losing your keys, consider the discount available on Apple's AirTag tracker.Apple Pencil Pro: $117 (save $12 at Amazon): You can enjoy a 9% discount on an Apple Pencil Pro stylus, a useful accessory for work and creative tasks.Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max clear case: $39 (save $10 at Amazon): You can save a few dollars on a clear protective case if you have upgraded to Apple's latest smartphone range.Apple MagSafe charger: $25 (save $14 at Amazon): A MagSafe charger suitable for Apple devices, including iPhones and AirPods, is also on sale.Apple USB-C to Lightning cable: $24 (save $5 at Amazon): A $5 discount is available on a 2m USB-C to Lightning cable.Apple 20W USB-C power adapter: $15 (save $4 at Amazon): You can also save on an Apple device-friendly power adapter. This wall charger has a USB-C connection.Wireless CarPlay adapter for iPhone: $70 (save $20 at Amazon): Looking to make your car smarter? Consider the $20 discount on a wireless CarPlay adapter. A coupon for a further discount is also available.FAQsWhen is Black Friday?Black Friday launches on Nov. 29, one day after Thanksgiving, this year in the United States. Black Friday was once just a 24-hour event, but now, the sales event carries on for days. You will likely see the best deals from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.When is Cyber Monday?Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024. This post-Black Friday event often includes new deals on tech.Are Apple deals really better on Black Friday?Apple products are rarely on sale throughout the year. While we like to list deals with at least 20% off the typical RRP, Apple promotions won't always have such steep discounts. However, you can still find some great deals on Apple iPads, iPhones, accessories, and more during Black Friday.What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Black Friday and Cyber Monday are very similar, but they differ in terms of timing. Black Friday launches on Nov. 29, 2024, while Cyber Monday -- which always falls on the Monday straight after Black Friday week -- will launch on Dec. 2. The days in between are often called Cyber Week.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?At ZDNET, we only write about products we like or want to buy, and we endeavor to let you know about every deal we find that we believe offers great value. Our deal-hunting experts look for deals that are at least 20% off retail price, when possible, but we also highlight deals for products that are rarely on sale, such as Apple devices.We consider customer reviews and our own hands-on product experience and conduct extensive research to ensure we only recommend the best deals. We aim to help you shop smarter and get the best return for your money.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?You can enjoy the in-store Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, in recent years, many shoppers have opted to make their purchases online, with Amazon becoming one of the top retailers to visit. What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals? ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category:You can also find the best Black Friday deals by price:And the best Black Friday deals by retailer: Top holiday deals

As the holiday season approaches, and Black Friday with it, many of us hope to make a head start on our shopping lists. If you plan to buy presents for loved ones or treat yourself to a new gadget or two, now's the time to start looking for decent deals online.Samsung is a brand that always appears during sales, including Black Friday. You often see cut-price Samsung TVs,laptops, smartphones, appliances, and more during the annual event. However, in the lead-up to the popular sale, we've spotted some excellent deals on Samsung devices you won't want to miss out on -- especially if you don't want to wait until Black Friday launches.Shop deals at AmazonOur favorite early Samsung deals for Black Friday 2024Samsung 65-inch Q80D Series QLED 4K TV: $898 (save $500 at Amazon): One of our favorite deals ahead of Black Friday is 36% off a Samsung TV with QLED 4K technologies, object tracking, a motion accelerator, and depth enhancer. (It's also our pick for the best TV under $1,000.)Samsung 98-inch QLED 4K Q80C Series Quantum HDR+ TV: $3,998 (save $4,000 at Amazon): If you're in the market for a TV with enough real estate to impress anyone, you can save 50% off the typical price on a 98-inch Samsung TV. This 2023 model offers QLED 4K resolution, Q-Symphony 3.0, and a 120Hz refresh rate, and is our pick for the best big-screen Samsung TV.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,090 (save $210 at Amazon): You can save over $200 on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, a top-of-the-range 2024 model with 256GB of storage.Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S90D TV: $1,598 (save $600 at Amazon): You can save $600 on a 65-inch Samsung OLED TV model, which could be a great addition to your living room.Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB): $280 (save $65 at Amazon): Available in three colors, you can save $65 on a lightweight, budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 gaming monitor: $800 (save $500 at Amazon): You can enjoy a $500 discount on the Samsung Odyssey G9 gaming monitor. This model comes with a 49-inch curved display, a 1m/s response time, and a 240Hz refresh rate.Samsung Galaxy Buds FE earbuds: $60 (save $40 at Amazon): If you're in need of a pair of affordable earbuds for your Samsung smartphone, you can save $40 on a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds FE earbuds.Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 earbuds: $150 (save $30 at Amazon): You can also enjoy $30 off a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 earbuds, some of the latest in the tech giant's range complete with active noise cancellation and 360-agree audio.Samsung Galaxy S24+: Verizon will give you a free Samsung Watch 7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablet when you purchase this smartphone and sign up for an eligible plan.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6: Up to $1,000 off: With the right trade-in of an older device, you can take up to $1,000 off the cost of a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. You can also take advantage of discounts on Samsung smartwatches and tablets through this promotion. Amazon Current price: $978Original price: $1,298An excellent deal ahead of Black Friday is 25% off a high-end Samsung TV at Amazon. This model has a 65-inch display with a QLED 4K resolution, object tracking, motion accelerator (4K, 120Hz), and gaming mode. View now at Amazon Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $1,090Original price: $1,300Do you want to upgrade your elderly Samsung smartphone? You can save over $200 at Amazon if you opt for the premium Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. This mobile device range comes in numerous colors, has a quality camera setup, and offers users 256GB of storage. View now at Amazon Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $800Original price: $1300Gamers can take advantage of the $500 discount on the Samsung Odyssey G9, a monitor perfect for their next streaming session. This model comes with a 49-inch curved display, a 1m/s response time, and 240Hz refresh rate. View now at Amazon Samsung Current price: $170Original price: $220If you're in the market for a cheap Samsung tablet, you can save $50 on the already budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. This tablet comes with an 11-inch display, quad speakers, and 64GB of storage. Sure, it's not the most high-spec tablet out there, but it is perfectly suitable for daily tasks and entertainment. View now at Amazon Adam Breeden/ZDNET Current price: $3,998Original price: $7,998If you're in the market for a large TV, you can save 50% -- or $4,000 off the typical price -- on a 98-inch Samsung TV. This 2023 model offers QLED 4K resolution, Q-Symphony 3.0, and a 120Hz refresh rate. If you want a lot of display real estate for sports events or movie nights, you can't go wrong. It's also one of our picks for the best Samsung TVs you can buy. View now at Amazon Best Black Friday Samsung TV deals Adam Breeden/ZDNETSamsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S90D TV: $1,598 (save $600 at Amazon): You can save $600 on a 65-inch Samsung OLED TV model, which could be a great addition to your living room.Samsung 65-inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90L TV: $998 (save $302 at Amazon): For an affordable option, you will save $300 on a Samsung BRAVIA XR TV, powered by the Google TV operating system.Samsung 85-inch Neo QLED 4K QN90D TV: $2,300 (save $2,500 at Samsung): Samsung is offering $2,500 off a new 85-inch Neo QLED TV. This model utilizes Quantum Matrix Mini LEDs for superior picture quality.Samsung 4K The Frame: $946 (save $150 at Amazon): TVs can match your aesthetic, no matter your taste, when they aren't in use. Interested? Samsung's The Frame TV comes with a matte option for displaying your favorite artwork alongside a range of bezels and frames to suit your living room. You can save $150 on a 43-inch model.Samsung 55-inch Class QLED 4K Q60D TV: $648 (save $50 at Amazon): You can also take advantage of $50 off a 55-inch Samsung TV. This mid-range TV comes with a 4K QLED display.Best Black Friday Samsung tablet deals Matthew Miller/ZDNETSamsung Galaxy Tab A9+: $170 (save $50 at Amazon): You can save $50 on a Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, an 11-inch tablet equipped with quad speakers and a bright display, making it a great option for watching content or gaming.Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB): $280 (save $65 at Amazon): Available in three colors, you can save $65 on a lightweight, budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB): $230 (save $45 at Amazon): If you'd like to save even more, by dropping down to 64GB of storage, you will only pay $230 for the same tablet.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: $460 (save $140 at Amazon): An interesting tablet on sale is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, a 12.4-inch option with 128GB of storage and an S Pen stylus.Best Black Friday Samsung phone deals Jason Hiner/ZDNETSamsung Galaxy S24 (128GB): You can purchase this device from Samsung and take advantage of up to $400 in trade-in credit.Samsung Galaxy A15: $180 (save $20 at Amazon): For a supremely affordable Samsung smartphone, you can now pick up an unlocked Samsung Galaxy A15 with 128GB of storage for only $180. However, the sale only includes the blue option.Samsung Galaxy A35: $325 (save $75 at Amazon): You can save $75 on the Samsung Galaxy A35, a mid-range device with 128GB of storage, an AMOLED display, and a triple camera system.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,090 (save $210 at Amazon): You can save over $200 on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, a top-of-the-range 2024 model with 256GB of storage.Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: $307 (save $293 at Amazon): You can enjoy a discount of 49% off the typical RRP on an affordable, entry-level Samsung Galaxy S21 FE smartphone.Samsung Galaxy S24: Free: You can pick up a Samsung Galaxy S24 for free at T-Mobile when you trade in an older device and sign up for a qualifying plan. You can also save $800 on the cost of a second device when you purchase a Samsung smartphone.Samsung Galaxy S24+: Verizon will give you a free Samsung Watch 7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablet when you purchase this smartphone and sign up for an eligible plan.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6: Up to $1,000 off: With the right trade-in of an older device, you can take up to $1,000 off the cost of a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. You can also take advantage of discounts on Samsung smartwatches and tablets through this promotion.More Black Friday Samsung dealsSamsung 27-inch T35F Series FHD monitor: $120 (save $30 at Amazon): Save $30 on a 27-inch monitor, making this product a budget-friendly solution for home offices.Samsung 43-inch Class Crystal UHD 4K signage monitor/TV: $280 (save $70 at Amazon): If you need digital signage for your office or small business, you can save on a 43-inch Samsung solution.Samsung 32-Inch ViewFinity S7 monitor: $298 (save $102 at Amazon): A monitor suitable for home offices is available at a discount of over $100 at Amazon.Samsung Galaxy Buds FE earbuds: $60 (save $40 at Amazon): If you're in need of a pair of affordable earbuds for your Samsung smartphone, you can save $40 on a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds FE earbuds.Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 earbuds: $150 (save $30 at Amazon): You can also enjoy $30 off a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 earbuds, some of the latest in the tech giant's range complete with active noise cancellation and 360-agree audio.Samsung 4-door Flex custom refrigerator (29 cu. ft.): $3,299 (save $1,700 at Samsung): You can enjoy a substantial discount (plus $100 credit) if you purchase a top-of-the-range 4-door Flex refrigerator. Alongside a smart display, this refrigerator has AI and vision technologies for monitoring food.FAQsWhen is Black Friday?This year, Black Friday will launch on November 29 in the United States, which is one day after Thanksgiving. While the sales event is still known as Black Friday, deals will likely appear throughout the week and continue for days afterward.When is Cyber Monday?This year, Cyber Monday will launch on December 2. We expect to see plenty of deals on tech, accessories, clothing, and more in the run-up to Thanksgiving, throughout Black Friday week, and during Cyber Monday.Are Samsung deals really better on Black Friday?Samsung deals often have the best discounts during sales events, including Black Friday. That's not to say you can't find some excellent deals on Samsung devices throughout the year, but we often see discounts of at least 20% during November sales.What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Black Friday and Cyber Monday are very similar, but they differ in terms of timing. Black Friday launches on November 29, 2024, while Cyber Monday -- which falls on the Monday -- will launch on December 2. The days in between are often called Cyber Week.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?At ZDNET, we only write about products we like or want to buy, and we endeavor to let you know about every deal we find that we believe offers great value. Our deal-hunting experts look for deals that are at least 20% off retail price, when possible, but we also highlight deals for products that are rarely on sale, such as Apple devices.We consider customer reviews and our own hands-on product experience and conduct extensive research to ensure we only recommend the best deals. We aim to help you shop smarter and get the best return for your money.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?You can enjoy the in-store Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, in recent years, many shoppers have opted to make their purchases online, with Amazon becoming one of the top retailers to visit. What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals? ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category:You can also find the best Black Friday deals by price:And the best Black Friday deals by retailer: Top holiday deals

Apple has left the door open to upgrading the storage in the new M4 Mac mini, but this is an advanced operation.

A physician checks a medical record.gettyCare delivery has never been an easy task. For decades, it was seen as a function of society delegated solely to hospitals and clinicians. However, over the years, care delivery has also become increasingly more complicated, begging for more innovation and change as a means to improve quality of care, increase access to care and ultimately, optimize health outcomes.With the emergence of these changes, players that have not traditionally been involved in healthcare have taken it upon themselves to shape the future of the industry.One interesting trend has been the increased presence of venture capital and private equity players in the clinical care business. The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) indicates that in 2021 alone, there were nearly 1,013 private equity backed healthcare transactions, followed by nearly 863 in 2022. Another report by Guidehouse indicates that between 2019 and 2023, nearly $47 billion dollars in healthcare related deal flow took place, represented by an array of transactions ranging from hospital system purchases to investments in new care delivery models.Indeed, the amount of capital investment across these deals is immense.However, one must ask why exactly are there so many deals being made in healthcare? What is the incentive to enter such an incredibly complicated industry one that is riddled with intricate regulations, razor thin margins, siloed frameworks and ever-changing expectations.One of the key reasons is because healthcare is ripe for innovation, and investors are keen to be the catalysts for this disruption. In the US, healthcare is by and far one of the largest sources of national spend. This is due not only to an increasingly growing aged population, but also because of growing health complications across communities and an overall lack of access to care for millions of Americans. Investors are hoping that they can utilize their networks and business acumen to better scale care models and discover new opportunities to improve care outcomesall the while capturing social and financial returns on their investments.Take for example Summa Health, one of Ohios largest integrated healthcare systems. Earlier this year, famed venture capital firm General Catalyst (GC) announced that it would be acquiring the healthcare system as a step towards its mission to undertake a fundamentally different approach to yield a fundamentally different and better outcome one that helps to realize the promise of health assurance care that is more proactive, accessible, and affordable to people everywhere.Read More: Big Data Unicorn Innovaccers Latest Report Indicates 87% Of Healthcare Providers Want AIThrough its new Health Assurance Transformation Company, or HATCo, the firm is interested in a three fold mission with its healthcare acquisitions: 1) assist health systems in their transformation journey, 2) help optimize technology and interoperability, and 3) operate these systems in a way that can provide an example of transformation for the healthcare industry as a whole.However, GC isnt the only one interested in this thesis. Big technology companies are also entering the arena with a charge to transform healthcare for the better. One of the primary examples of this is Amazon, which has invested billions of dollars to build a robust healthcare delivery service ecosystem. From virtual care visits to primary care and rapid medication delivery, Amazon is hoping to inspire better processes, optimize the system and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.Another example is Walgreens. Although traditionally a retail pharmacy chain, the company made a play in recent years to enter the primary care service market with its VillageMD platform. However, despite immense efforts, the pharmacy giant announced recently that it would be shutting down many of these clinics and will instead be diverting its resources into more valuable assets.Despite the momentum and the unprecedented investments, one thing is certain: healthcare is not an easy nut to crack. Undoubtedly, only time will tell just how successful these disruptors will be.