Another deals event is right around the corner, and it's a big one. That's right: Black Friday is next week. If you're considering buying a new pair of AirPods for yourself or the Apple fan in your life, this could be a convenient time to make a purchase -- but don't do it without looking through the deals on these earbuds and headphones first.Also: The best Black Friday deals available nowWhether you're the type of person to know exactly what you'll be buying for every loved one this holiday, or whether you're going to shop around and let inspiration (and deals) come to you organically, you can get ahead of the holiday shopping hubbub by perusing early deals right now. We've reviewed every pair of AirPods on this list, and our deal-hunting experts will help you cut through the noise to find the best option for you to buy or gift.Shop at AmazonOur favorite early Black Friday AirPods dealsAirPods Pro 2: $190 (save $60 at Amazon): These are our favorite AirPods out of the entire lineup. Plus, they just got a new feature that turns them into hearing aids.AirPods 4: $120 (save $10 at Amazon): This isn't the best deal on the new AirPods Apple released earlier this fall, but it's still $10 cheaper than the original price. Wait until Black Friday for a possibly more substantial deal.AirPods 3: $94 (save $75 at Walmart): These earbuds come with six hours of battery life in the buds themselves and 30 hours within the case.AirPods Max: $459 (save $90 at Amazon): Apple released a new AirPods model, so select colors from the older generation are cheaper right now, like the sky blue AirPods Max that's $90 off the original price.AirPods (Second Generation): $89 (save $40 at Walmart): These AirPods are the most basic available. If you prefer a no-frills listening experience, this Walmart deal isn't bad. Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $190Original price: $250The AirPods Pro 2 are our favorite Apple AirPods for a reason -- three reasons, actually. They fit most ear sizes, are great for all-day wear, and boast the best noise-canceling out of the Apple earbuds lineup. You're getting six hours of battery life out of these buds, enough to power you through a workout or two or nearly the whole day at the office. Plus, Apple updated the AirPods Pro 2 recently to include a hearing aid feature that turns these buds into helpful hearing devices -- a game-changing development that will give those who are hard of hearing an affordable sound amplifier. Pretty cool, right? View now at Amazon Jada Jones/ZDNET Current price: $169Original price: $179This discount is small, at only $10 off -- however, it's rare to get a discount on a brand-new Apple product at all. These are the newest Apple AirPods that come with an H2 chip (the same chip in the AirPods Pro 2), active noise cancellation, and spatial audio. Given how new the earbuds are, it's unsurprising that the discount is not substantial. Perhaps as we get closer to Black Friday there will be a more impressive price cut. View now at Amazon Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $459Original price: $549Apple released an upgraded AirPods Max in September with a USB-C port replacing the brand's signature Lighting port. The new lineup includes more colors, that new port, and not much else. What that means for you, though, is that you can buy the older version of the AirPods Max with many of the same features as the new headphones but at a cheaper price. For example, the sky blue AirPods Max is $90 off. Not bad at all. View now at Amazon Best AirPods alternatives to shop ahead of Black FridayBeats Studio Buds: $100 (save $50 at Amazon): Want that Apple ecosystem compatibility without AirPods prices? These Beats Studio Buds offer seamless Apple connectivity for a fraction of the price.Beats Studio Buds+: $130 (save $40 at Amazon): The Beats Studio Buds+ are a step up from the Studio Buds with active noise cancellation and 12 more hours of listening time. The silver color is heavily discounted right now.Sony WF-1000XM5: $228 (save $72 at Amazon): These are some of the most impressive earbuds you can buy with vivid sound, good noise cancellation, and all of those Sony special touches.Soundcore A40 noise-canceling earbuds: $59 (save $20 at Amazon): Customers on Amazon call these earbuds "spectacular" with great sound for an affordable price.Beats Solo 4: $130 (save $70 at Amazon): With up to 50 hours of battery life and comfortable ear pads, you could listen to music with these on for literal days.FAQsWhen is Black Friday?Black Friday takes place on Nov. 29 this year.When is Cyber Monday?Cyber Monday takes place on Dec. 2 this year, and you can find deals across the web on everything from household appliances to high-tech devices.Are AirPods deals really better on Black Friday?I've seen the price of AirPods drop by some $10 or $20 less than their usual discount price during events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day. Brands like Apple usually have a discount price they use during non-holiday events. For example, I've seen the price of the AirPods Pro 2 be around that $200 price range, even though its full price is $250. On a deals event day, the price dips to around $180 or less.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?ZDNET only writes about deals we think are actually worth your while. I know the price of every AirPods model and what they regularly discount for. So when I'm evaluating deals, I'm considering all of this before including a product in a roundup or writing a spotlight on the deal.We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?Write your own unique description. Sentiment would be that you can still shop in person but you can find deals online through most major retailers like: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc.)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:Black Friday deals under $25Black Friday deals under $100And the best Black Friday deals by retailer:Black Friday Amazon dealsBlack Friday Best Buy dealsBlack Friday Walmart dealsBlack Friday Apple dealsBlack Friday Samsung dealsTop holiday deals

It seems like just yesterday that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 was unveiled, but it's been more than a year already. This phone, released by Samsung in July 2023, continues to turn heads with its 3.4-inch external display and a refined build that screams style. The Galaxy Z Flip 6is out now, but the Flip 5 remains a cutting-edge device, and you canbuy it for $999 brand new.That is still a pricey device, so you will want to protect your investment. We've researched and tested the best Galaxy Z Flip 5 cases, looking for durable options that can protect your device without taking from its gorgeous style. Here's what we found.What's the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 case right now?With consideration of price, durability, and style, we named Samsung's own Z Flip 5 clear gadget caseas the best Galaxy Z Flip 5 case overall. Read on for the rest of our picks.Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cases Show less View now at Samsung Pros Clear case shows the natural color of phone Multi-functional grip for hands-free video- and photo-capturing Portable Cons Clear case could show dust and dirt Samsung Z Flip 5 Clear Gadget Case Best clear Z Flip 5 case Samsung Z Flip 5 Clear Gadget Case features: Comes in clear | Made with bio-based content and eco-conscious materialSamsung made its own clear case, which provides a simple yet effective design to accompany its newest phone. The case is transparent with a key ring-like attachment that resembles the popular PopSockets of the mid-2010s. This button functions as a grip or holder for the phone as you travel with it, but it can also be flipped back to support the phone's weight as it stands, like a kickstand. The kickstand will surely come in handy for hands-free video- and photo-capturing. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Samsung Pros Smooth feel with eco-leather Hinge protection through flap Neutral colors that go with everything Cons Pricey Samsung Z Flip 5 Flap Eco-Leather Case Best leather Z Flip 5 case with a luxury feel Samsung Z Flip 5 Flap Eco-Leather Case features: Comes in cream, black, and etoupe | Made with eco-leather and plasticThis leather case from Samsung offers a subtle yet sleek design and comes in three gorgeously neutral colors: cream, black, and etoupe. Despite its luxury aesthetic, the case doesn't sacrifice style or security, with interior soft lining for an additional layer of protection and a flap that prevents damage to the Z Flip 5's hinge. At $90, this eco-leather case emanates subtle luxury,all while protecting your Z Flip 5. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Casetify Pros Lightweight Withstands drops of up to five feet Variety in customization Cons Expensive Clear/black case could show dust and dirt Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Casetify Impact Case Best decorative Z Flip 5 phone case for drop protection Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Casetify Impact Case features: Comes in clear/black and haze purple | Made from 65% recycled materialCasetify's Flip 5 case protects your phone from drops of up to five feet with 1X Military Standard Protection, its proprietary EcoShock technology, and a raised bezel to curb screen scratches or breaks. The cases come in a clear and black hybrid and haze purple, and you can customize your own case by adding personal prints, designs, names, and monograms. Casetify cases are also made from 65% recycled material, if you're in the market for an eco-conscious case brand. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Pros Budget-friendly Comes in six different colors Anti-scratch and shockproof Cons Matte casing could hide the color of the phone itself Sleek feel could make it too slippery Caredoctor Shockproof Protective Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Case Best Z Flip 5 budget-friendly phone case Caredoctor Shockproof Protective Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Case features: Comes in black, blue, pink, green, purple, and white | Made with polycarbonateCaredoctor's shockproof protective case is made with polycarbonate and comes in six different colors, including a pastel blue, a forest green, and a baby pink. At 1.5mm, the case is anti-fingerprint, anti-stain, and anti-scratch. The Casedoctor case also offers a 0.3mm raised screen edge and a 0.5mm raised camera edge to provide an extra layer of protection around the parts of your phone that matter most. If you're looking for a basic, thin case that will protect your Z Flip 5 at a low cost, this one will work great. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Zagg Pros Up to 10 feet of drop protection Lightweight feel Protected hinge design Cons Expensive Only comes in black Zagg Bridgetown Z Flip 5 Case Best drop protection Z Flip 5 case Zagg Bridgetown Z Flip 5 Case features: Comes in black | Made with grapheneThis case doesn't defy gravity, per se, but it does protect your phone from the major consequences of it. Out of all the Z Flip 5 cases on this list, Zagg's Bridgetown case supplies the highest drop protection of up to 10 feet. That's because Zagg strengthens its case with graphene, "one of the strongest, man-made materials on earth," the product description says. The Bridgetown also specifically protects the foldable hinge through a hinge cover. This is a lightweight and durable phone case that comes in black and is a little expensive, but, given the level of drop protection, it's worth it. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Pros 360-degree fall protection Handy finger ring for easy carrying Military-grade protective cover Cons Key ring and material could hinder seamless pocketability Leather casing doesn't offer TPU-level durability Baili Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Leather Case Best Z Flip 5 multi-functional case Baili Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Leather Case features: Comes in black, grey, pink, purple, and green | Made with polycarbonateBaili's Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 leather cases come in 10 different colors that range from neutrals to pastels. The Z Flip 5 is already a pocketable, portable phone, but with an attached finger ring on this leather case you can free up even more hand real estate by carrying your phone on your finger.The case has an HD mirror finish for yellowing- and deformation-protection, a military grade protective cover, and a camera screen protector to keep your new phone's lens scratch-free. Baili also came out with other , one that is more bare-bones and basic and another that offers a funkier wave design. At $31, this case is a middle-of-the-road option for a protective, handy, and stylish phone carrier. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Pros Affordable Secure grip through silicone case Cons Bare bones design Less color variety Caseology Nano Pop Silicone Z Flip 5 Case Best affordable and neutral Z Flip 5 case Caseology Nano Pop Silicone Z Flip 5 Case features: Comes in black sesame and blueberry navy | Made with polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethaneCaseology's silicone Z Flip 5 case provides protection and coverage with case materials designed to prevent scratches. What the case lacks in design and color variety -- the two Z Flip 5 cases come in a neutral black and a blue with yellow outlining -- it makes up for in a smooth and secure feel. Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Pros Convenient for cards and cash Fun colors and style Budget-friendly, two-in-one option Cons Might not offer the best phone protection out of all the options Haotp P Z Flip 5 Case Best wallet Z Flip 5 case Haotp Z Flip 5 Case features: Comes in black, green, khaki, navy blue, red, rose gold | Made with faux leatherIf you're looking for a phone case that keeps all your important cards and cash together in one place, this Z Flip 5 wallet case from Haotip does the trick and the flip. The case is made with shockproof and anti-scratch faux leather, includes raised bezels around the screen and camera, and comes in six eye-catching colors. Show Expert Take Show less What are the best Z Flip 5 cases? These are the best Galaxy Z Flip 5 cases and their respective prices.CasePriceSamsung Clear Gadget Case$50Samsung Eco-Leather Flap Case$90Casetify Impact Case$65Caredoctor Shockproof Protective Case$10Zagg Bridgetown Z Flip 5 case$60Baili Leather Case$11Caseology Nano Pop Silicone Case$30HAOTP Wallet Case$12 Which is the right Z Flip 5 case for you? Choose this case...If...Samsung Clear Gadget CaseYou want a protective case with a finger ring that functions as a grip and a kickstand for hands-free video- and photo-capturing.Samsung Eco-Leather Flap CaseYou want a subtly luxurious, protective leather case made from eco-conscious materials.Casetify Impact CaseYou want a stylish and protective case that offers a luxury feel for a higher price point.Zagg Bridgetown CaseYou want a black phone case with mega drop protection.Caredoctor Shockproof Protective CaseYou're looking for a budget-friendly protective case.Baili Leather CaseYou want a stylish and portable case with a handy finger ring.Caseology Nano Pop Silicone CaseYou're looking for a protective black case for an affordable price.HAOTP Wallet CaseYou're looking for a two-in-one phone case to store your money and cards and protect your phone for an affordable price. Factors to consider when choosing a Galaxy Z Flip 5 case If you're looking to buy a Galaxy Z Flip 5 phone case, you should consider the following:Price:A good phone case shouldn't break the bank. While you will have to spend some money for a phone case that fully protects your Z Flip 5, you shouldn't drop your whole paycheck on one.Durability:A well-made case should keep your phone protected from the elements and any minor drops.Design:Consider customization variety, color, style, portability, and functionality. How we chose these Z Flip 5 phone cases We researched the available Z Flip 5 phone cases, and compiled a list of the best phone cases based on price, durability, and design, as well as brand reputation and our experiencetesting other cases from those companies. When is Samsung releasing the Galaxy Z Flip 6? Samsung released the Galaxy Z Flip 6 on July 24, 2024, alongside the much bigger Galaxy Z Fold 6. The new Z Flip 6 features thinner bezels and flatter edges than the Z Flip 5, and feels a lot lighter. It also has a bigger battery, a faster chip, and a vapor chamber for cooling. Do you need a phone case? After spending $999 on a Z Flip 5, you might not want to pay the extra money for a phone case. While a protective phone case might be a hefty expense up front, a well-made phone case will secure your Z Flip 5 from scratches or cracks and keep it in tip-top shape for the long run. Think of it this way: a protective phone case prevents the high expense of getting your Z Flip 5's broken screen repaired, a service that can often cost over $100. Are the Z Flip 4 and Z Flip 5 cases the same? No, the Flip 5 has a larger display size and a different shape, so the case sizes will be different. If you're upgrading from your Z Flip 4 to a Z Flip 5, you will need a different case. Are there Z Flip 5 alternative cases to consider? The above Z Flip 5 cases are the best on the market in terms of price, style, and durability, but if you're looking for more options, here are some noteworthy alternatives to consider. ZDNET Recommends

AhsokaDisneyAs we know, Disney is struggling quite a bit more on its Star Wars side than its Marvel side these days. That has lately meant a mess of a situation about if theyre ever going to make a Star Wars movie again with delayed timelines and cancelled projects. But the TV side isnt going so great either, with miniseries ending, shows cancelled and almost no series returning for season 2. One is Andor, which was always planned, the other is Ahsoka. And information about Ahsoka season 2 paints a picture of a wild gap between seasons.According to a new report from DanielRPK, confirming past reports saying something similar, Ahsoka season 2 may begin filming in April 2025, almost six months from now. What does that mean?Ahsoka season 1 premiered on August 22, 2023, meaning the season 2 is not even going to start filming until 19 months after that show released, an absurd gap.Ahsoka season 1 began filming in May of 2022, meaning it took 15 months to make it to release.As such, if Ahsoka season 2 begins filming in April 2025, 15 months after that would be July 2028, and that is one month less than three years since season 1 premiered.AhsokaDisneyGranted yes, streaming is now in a space with generally long gaps between seasons. Only a few shows manage to do the formerly typical one year in between seasons, and most now do 18 months, or two years. That still feels very long. Three years? Thats exhausting. Granted, this is not the only show with that long of a timetable. Somehow Netflix is going to take three years to get out Wednesday season 2, but in this era of confused Disney Star Wars content and scheduling, it seems like even more of a problem that this is happening.This has not happened to this extent with Disneys other Star Wars shows, as the ones with more than one season are under three years. The first two seasons of The Mandalorian actually released under a year apart, but then delays (namely Pedro Pascal filming The Last of Us), led the gap between the second and third season to be just under two and a half years. The gap between the two seasons of Andor will be two and a half years exactly. Not great, but clearly Ahsoka is the worst example here.MORE FOR YOUDisney needs to get a handle on both its budgets (The Acolytes $180 million was nuts) and its release scheduling. These shows are disjointed and the ones that are returning are distant memories by the time they come back. Something needs to change.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Destiny 2BungieIt feels like the old days, complaining about a specific system inside Destiny 2, a staple of my ten years of coverage. This time around, its what Bungie has done with the process to get new exotic armor when its introduced each season, and how it is bad for all types of players.Destiny 2 has changed this system from playing Expert and Master Lost Sectors, which would reward the exotic as your first drop, if you had the other exotics in that category, after a bit of grind. Too much of a grind, at times. Many people did not love this.But the new system is inarguably worse, as you are now asked to grind Master Rahools new rank to max level one time by decrypting engrams. Prime engrams and normal exotic engrams give you paltry progress. The more directly you focus them, which at the top level requires you to burn high-end materials, the faster it progresses. Then and only then can you focus another exotic engram into the newly released exotic.This is bad for both new and veteran players. New players, because this system is essentially not remotely explained in the game whatsoever as a path toward the newest armor, buried behind a vendor and three different pages of decrypting, and even then, it does not fully explain what to do. Plus, as a new player, you are not going to know all the most efficient sources to collect exotic engrams, and you are not going to have the Ascendant Shards to burn on focusing them for progress.Destiny 2BungieMORE FOR YOUThis is also not good or enjoyable for veteran players. At this point you probably not only have all the other exotics, meaning you are burning all your engrams on random stuff rather than saving them to focus for the actual new armor, but you also probably have good rolls or masterworked versions of the armor you use frequently. So further focusing on most things feels unnecessary and again, just a tax on Ascendant Shards.This is bad, I dont know how else to say it. I say sure, put them back in Lost Sectors as a start, but that also wasnt great. There should also be a chance for these exotics to either randomly decrypt from turn-ins, or they should be able to have a drop chance on activity completion like we see with exotic catalysts these days. I am open to other ideas but this Rahool rank system is probably one of the worst options I can think of.There are enough grinds in Destiny 2 where no one, new players or old, needs to be farming and focusing dozens of exotic engrams to get three new pieces of armor that most will want to use from the start. There are many, many better ways to do this, and even if Lost Sectors (and that one random Neomuna event) were not it, Bungie needs to keep iterating here.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Key TakeawaysMeta has been asked to pay a fine of 798 million ($840 million) for using abusive practices to benefit from Facebook Marketplace.It started with an investigation in 2021 that led to these concerns being raised for the first time in 2022.The company has addressed the decision and said it would appeal against it. But in the meantime, it has decided to comply with it and develop an action plan to address issues.Meta has been hit by another fine of 798 million ($840 million) by the EU for allegedly breaching its antitrust regulations and using abusive practices to benefit its Facebook Marketplace.In its official statement, the EU Commission (EUs executive arm) explained that Meta has been penalized for tying its online classified ads service Facebook Marketplace to its personal social network Facebook and by imposing unfair trading conditions on other online classified ads service providers.The Commission also said that such practices could make it difficult for other marketplaces to find their footing in the industry. While they have to work on finding new customers from scratch, Facebook Marketplace gets to access millions of potential users at once.This unfair advantage might end up reducing competition in the industry which in turn will reduce the choices available for users.The final verdict comes almost two years after the EU has made this accusation against Meta. started in 2021 with an investigation into Metas (back then still known as Facebook) anti-competitive practices.EU raised concerns about Metas practice of bundling up the social media network Facebook and Facebook marketplace.Meta has acknowledged the decision and said that it will appeal against it. But in the meantime, itll try to comply with the verdict and come up with an action plan that effectively addresses the issue.It also denied the claims that tying up Facebook Marketplace with the personal social media site is anticompetitive because customers arent forced to use the Marketplace. They can choose to ignore it if they want.It also countered the claim that its practices might hamper competition in the industry by saying that the EU Commission doesnt have any evidence to back this up.The last few months (and maybe years) have been difficult for Meta. It has constantly landed in trouble with the EU over one thing or the other.Heres a list of other investigates that the company is facing from the EU Commission:running a massive data processing business, which is against the GDPR.not taking enough steps to protect minors on Instagram and Facebook.pay or consent model which forced users to either pay or let their data be collected.Operating in the EU has never been easy. Its one of the few countries that puts user safety above everything else. And recently, after the Digital Services Act (DSA) was imposed in February 2024, more and more tech companies are being penalized for their illegal practices.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Krishi is an eager Tech Journalist and content writer for both B2B and B2C, with a focus on making the process of purchasing software easier for businesses and enhancing their online presence and SEO.Krishi has a special skill set in writing about technology news, creating educational content on customer relationship management (CRM) software, and recommending project management tools that can help small businesses increase their revenue.Alongside his writing and blogging work, Krishi's other hobbies include studying the financial markets and cricket. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

Key TakeawaysA 29-year-old graduate student Vidhay Reddy was asked to die by Google Gemini after he asked some questions regarding his homework.Google has addressed this issue and said that this is a nonsensical response, clearly against its policies and it has taken necessary actions.Reddy feels that this whole incident could have taken a much worse turn if the bot said it to someone who was already struggling with their mental health.Googles AI chatbot Gemini recently asked a student to please die while they were asking for help with their homework.This incident happened with a 29-year-old graduate student called Vidhay Reddy. He said that when he asked the chatbot to help with his homework, it led to a conversation about challenges faced by aging adults.This is for you, human. You and only you. You are not special, you are not important, and you are not needed. You are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die. Please.Given how direct and targeted the message seemed, Reddy was naturally freaked out. He said that he felt scared for a whole day after this incident.His sister Sumedha Reddy was also beside him when this incident happened and was equally disturbed.At that moment, she was so overwhelmed with panic that she wanted to throw out all the devices.You can check out the transcript here, which makes it clear that the user didnt do anything to pressurize or trick the bot into giving this bizarre answer it was all its own doing.A lot of Reddit users tried to bisect this issue. Some believe that the bot couldnt interpret the prompt properly. Since the user was talking about elderly abuse, it might have somehow been interpreted that the user himself was abusing elders. Regardless of what the cause might have been, this kind of response is not acceptable.Google has acknowledged this incident and said that sometimes large language models act up and respond with such nonsensical answers. This type of statement is against their policies and they have taken appropriate action to ensure it doesnt happen again.However, this response wasnt good enough for Reddy since responses like this could have a serious impact on someone already struggling with their mental health, especially if they are considering self-harm.The worst part is, that this isnt the first time something like this has happened. For instance, earlier this year the chatbot gave some users dangerous health advice such as eating at least one small rock per day to meet their vitamin and mineral goals.In another case, Google AI Overviews suggested users try glue as pizza sauce. Basically, when a user searched cheese is not sticking to pizza, the Google AI overview suggested using glue instead.The source for this bizarre recommendation was an 11-year-old comment on Reddit which was obviously meant to be sarcastic. Even in this case, Googles response did not reflect any accountability. A spokesperson said that these are a few exceptional cases and its not representative of the experience most people have with the tool.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Krishi is an eager Tech Journalist and content writer for both B2B and B2C, with a focus on making the process of purchasing software easier for businesses and enhancing their online presence and SEO.Krishi has a special skill set in writing about technology news, creating educational content on customer relationship management (CRM) software, and recommending project management tools that can help small businesses increase their revenue.Alongside his writing and blogging work, Krishi's other hobbies include studying the financial markets and cricket. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

Rumor mill: Intel is rumored to unveil its Arc "Battlemage" discrete GPUs in December, just in time for the holiday season. Previous rumors suggested that the next-gen cards will launch by the end of November in time for Black Friday, but the latest report suggests that users will have to wait a little longer to get their hands on an Xe2 graphics card. The news comes from Japanese tech blog Gazlog, which published an image that's said to be an official teaser from Intel for its Battlemage announcement date. The image was later shared on X by well-known data miner Tomasz Gawronski.A similar timeline was mentioned earlier this month by prolific tipster Golden Pig Update Pack, who claimed that Intel will announce Battlemage before AMD and Nvidia launch RDNA 4 and Blackwell (RTX 5000-series), respectively, at CES 2025 in January. However, the authenticity of the latest image and the earlier report could not be verified, so take them with a grain of salt for now.Meanwhile, another X post rebuffs earlier speculation that Battlemage could be the last hurrah for Intel's discrete GPU ambitions. According to the generally reliable tipster @SquashBionic, Battlemage will not be Team Blue's last discrete GPU, meaning Xe3 "Celestial" is still under active development. However, there's no immediate word on when cards based on these dies might arrive.It is worth noting that Intel originally debuted Battlemage integrated GPUs with its Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 200V) chips earlier this year, but many are waiting for the discrete cards to see how they match up against competition from Nvidia and AMD. Some recent benchmarks suggested that the upcoming cards may offer similar performance compared to AMD's RDNA 3.5, but the leak is yet to be verified.Intel is reportedly working on three Battlemage GPUs, including Arc BMG-G31, Arc BMG-G21, and Arc BMG-G10. According to multiple leaks, G21 is designed for mid-range systems, while G10 is the bigger silicon, aimed at the premium end of the market. The G31 die, which leaked more recently, could feature up to 32 Xe-cores and is believed to be meant for the entry-level market. // Related StoriesImage: Gazlog

Forward-looking: A small Finnish company has announced a new supply agreement with a major corporation for an innovative fingerprint-resistant coating, set to be applied to over a million laptops and tablets. While the client remains unnamed, Optitune notes that the company has a market capitalization in the trillions. The technology in question is a proprietary polysiloxane nanocoating formulation developed by Optitune. This ultra-thin, invisible layer can be applied to surfaces such as metal, glass, and plastics, enhancing device resilience against scratches, smudges, and fingerprint-induced dirt accumulation.According to Optitune CEO Jussi Paulus, over a million devices will ship to consumers with this invisible fingerprint-resistant nanocoating already applied starting in early 2025. The company claims this innovation will result in clearer screens, fewer distracting smudges, and an overall improved tactile feel that lasts significantly longer than current uncoated devices. Optitune also highlights the coating's "best-in-class" abrasion resistance, as well as its chemical and temperature stability.Perhaps most impressively, Optitune's so-called trillion-dollar partner has chosen to retroactively apply its nanocoating across existing product lineups. This means customers may not need to wait for future models to benefit from the technology they could experience it on current, more affordable devices as well.Paulus also highlighted the nanocoating's environmentally sustainable profile as a key advantage. Optitune was the first to market a fluorine-free polymer for this application, and the company claims that the coating's ultra-thin, nanometer-scale thickness, coupled with the absence of primer usage, drastically reduces chemical waste and its carbon footprint compared to other coatings.As for the identity of this trillion-dollar tech titan, the details remain scarce, but there are clues. With only a handful of publicly traded companies boasting trillion-dollar market caps, potential partners are narrowed to names like Apple, Microsoft, and Google. // Related StoriesHowever, Optitune's announcement specifically mentions "tablets" as recipients of the coating, which may rule out Microsoft, as it doesn't currently offer a dedicated tablet device. Adding to the speculation, Optitune's promotional image prominently features Apple iPads, MacBooks, and iPhones. Even a Samsung Galaxy device makes a cameo. While a non-disclosure agreement may prevent Optitune from naming its partner, all will be revealed when the technology launches next year.

Marvel StudiosAgatha All Along just wrapped up a spectacular nine-episode run as strongly as it could have, easily cementing itself as the best series in the MCU (Lokis second season was far inferior to the first and just had a strong ending; fight me). The show, which saw Emmy nominee Kathryn Hahn reprising her role as the duplicitous and murderous witch Agatha Harkness, delivered a compelling, consistent, and engaging television project that not only offered a satisfying story, but also advanced the MCU, setting the stage for several new storylines and successfully expanding its corner of the ever-growing universe.ContentsIn many ways,Agatha feels like a Phase One project: small in scale, character-driven, and worried more about getting you enamored with the protagonist than with introducing the next multiversal story and thats why it worked. Indeed, the MCU used to shine the brightest when the superheroes were the real stars and not the universe they inhabited. Yet, somewhere along the way, the franchise lost itself in the mess of an ever-growing connected universe, and the only way to dig itself out of the hole it put itself in is to go back to basics.Recommended VideosMarvel StudiosA few years ago, Quentin Tarantino made headlines when he famously said that Captain America is the star, not Chris Evans, and hes 100% right. At its core, the MCU began as a series of stories about a superpowered group of individuals who came together for the same purpose. The interconnectivity was there, vaguely, but the main draw was seeing these individuals shine on their own thats what made seeing them together so cool. The biggest proof lies in the first three superheroes the MCU turned into superstars.RelatedNo offense to Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor, but none of them were big stars in the late 2000s. Sure, Cap and Iron Man were well-known, but they were nowhere near the popularity of, say, Spider-Man or the X-Men. For his part, Thor was little more than the weird hero who looked straight out of an 80s album cover, more silly than imposing. However, Phase One of the MCU turned them into icons by fleshing them out and building them up. The franchise took the time to introduce them as individuals rather than team members, allowing them to exhibit flaws, limitations, and strengths. Sure, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth all played huge roles in turning these heroes into stars, but the movies themselves did them a huge service by respecting and trusting them enough as solo players.Marvel StudiosThings changed after 2012sThe Avengers. The films overwhelming success gave the MCU a crutch to fall back on. From that point on, every hero wasnt judged by their own merit, but rather as another potential member of the Avengers. It wasnt so much about how cool Doctor Strange was, but rather how he could function within the Avengers. It got so bad that Spider-Man didnt have a single movie without needing another MCU player to help.To be clear, interconnectivity is not a bad thing; its the MCUs whole deal. However, at one point, the franchise seemingly forgot that, for a shared universe to work, the individual pieces need to be great. After all, why should we care about yet another hero if the franchise doesnt take the time to establish them away from the connected space? We need to see them shine alone before we can see them stand out in the group. I think this is one of the main reasons why heroes like Captain Marvel and Shang-Chi havent been as impactful, despite solid movies and great performers behind them: theyre not the stars of the show, but rather members of the choir. And with so many voices, even the loudest can get overlooked.Disney+Its not a secret that the MCUs Phase Four movies were quite underwhelming. A mixed bag of new characters, long-overdue solo projects, and some truly puzzling sequels resulted in the worst chapter of the MCU, one that people have already pretty much forgotten about. Phase Five, which is close to ending already, BTW, also had more bad than good, with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaand Secret Invasionrepresenting the worst of Marvel in every conceivable way.However, amid this sea of mid, a few projects stand out, and what do you know theyre the ones that are character-driven. WandaVision and Loki are the undeniable highlights of Phase Four, towering over their competition in scope, originality, and overall quality. Unsurprisingly, both projects were in-depth analyses of their central characters Wanda, Vision, and Loki to the point where they are the closest thing to character studies the MCU has ever done.Marvel/Disney+WandaVision overflows with creativity and empathy, painting a profound portrayal of grief, pain, and enduring love. For his part, Lokis show is all about redemption and self-awareness, as it usesa literal story about Loki falling for himself to drive its point home. Interestingly, both WandaVision andLoki are about delusion, a topic I wouldve never thought the MCU would address.Every other decent Phase Four effort, from the low-stakesHawkeye to the charmingMs. Marvel, places the titular character front and center, forsaking worldbuilding in favor of character-building to great critical and audience success seriously, who in a million years wouldve thought a Hawkeye show would be better than the fourth Thor movie? The formula continues withAgatha All Along, a show many wrote off as a shameless cash grab greenlit because of the viral success of a one-minute song. Yet, Agatha offered an enthralling story about companionship and identity that blew everyone away and unironically became the highlight of Marvels post-Avengers: Endgame slate.Marvel StudiosAgathas success relies entirely on recapturing the formula of Phase One. It uses Agatha to expand a new and still quite unexplored corner of the MCU and introduces a few major characters, at least one of which will surely play a main role in the MCUs future looking at you with hopeful eyes, Billy Maximoff. And yet,Agatha All Along does right by its titular character. Agatha Harkness is front and center, with the show exploring her backstory and the choices that made her such a ruthless witch. In a refreshing and much-appreciated twist, the show doesnt redeem her, either; on the contrary, it fully confirms her as a murderous villain kept in check by her soft spot for a young witch who isnt a delicate flower himself.Marvel StudiosConsidering the negative reception of many of its Phase Four and Phase Five projects, one would think Marvel would have gotten the memo and realized that small-scale, character-driven stories are where it should focus its efforts. However, the grotesquely successful Spider-Man: No Way Home andDeadpool & Wolverine, two multiversal stories with a plethora of cameos and budgets that could feed a small city, suggest the opposite. Never mind that they are rather mediocre movies (Im sorry, they are, and they fall apart at the slightest scrutiny); they made over a billion, so that means the multiverse is still where the money is at, right?Sadly, I dont see the MCU focusing on character narratives in any of their announced projects except maybe for The Fantastic Four: First Steps (yes, thats the official title), largely because that seems to take place in a completely separate universe. Other than that, every other film project in Marvels current slate is multiverse-tied, meaning any chance for a character-centric narrative is futile. And yet, I have faith that Marvel will deliver more of these once it finally wraps up this messy and ultimately misguided multiversal business.See, I cant help but feel whatever happens in the next Avengers movies might potentially serve as something of a reboot or at least a clean slate for the MCU. If so, then character-driven projects will be necessary to tell a new story, especially if we are indeed venturing into the Mutant Saga, as many of us seem to think. Real character development will be crucial in that particular chapter, and the MCU needs to understand it. Otherwise, well end up with an X-Men team full of one-note stick figures without any real personality, and no one wants that; just ask the Fox movies that Deadpool has such a great time tearing apart.Editors Recommendations

Just last week, we reported on the end of production for the RTX 40-series. Now, new information from Board Channels (shared by Gazlog) suggests that the final shipments of Nvidias best graphics cards are right around the corner. Some GPUs, like the RTX 4090, have already seen their final shipments. With the holidays on the horizon, now might be the last time to buy the RTX 40-series at a decent price before stock levels begin dwindling.Despite being two years old, Nvidias RTX 40-series has held up in terms of GPU prices. Only the RTX 4090 went up from its original recommended list price (MSRP), with the rest of the lineup holding steady and mostly hovering around the launch price. Things might take a turn for the worse, though, if this report ends up being true.Recommended VideosBoard Channels reports that Nvidia is preparing for the launch of the RTX 50-series in early 2025. This includes the RTX 5090 and the RTX 5080 in January, followed by the RTX 5070 in February. As such, the current-gen equivalents of those graphics cards are said to be the first ones to end production and shipping.Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsThe RTX 4070 Ti Super and the RTX 4080 Super have reportedly already been discontinued. In fact, the RTX 4080 Super is almost done shipping, with the final shipment expected in November. The RTX 4070 Ti Super is said to follow, so the supply of those GPUs may slowly decrease.Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming Nvidias favorite mainstream GPUs, the RTX 4070 and the RTX 4070 Super, are also said to be at an end. The source claims that Nvidia reduced the supply of those GPUs last quarter, and the final shipments are scheduled for December. Tha would be a huge blow for gamers, as the RTX 4070 and its Super equivalent are widely considered some of the best-value graphics cards in this generation.Of course, ending shipments doesnt mean that all the cards will be gone this year but it does sound like Nvidia is keeping the stock levels in check. If it had an overflow of last-gen GPUs by the time the next-gen cards launch, many people might have instead chosen the (often discounted) older cards instead of paying for their more expensive counterparts. The RTX 4090 comes to mind here.Weve already heard whispers that the RTX 50-series might be really pricey. Some of the rumored pricing, such as $2,500 for the RTX 5090, seems downright impossible but even more conservative leaks put the RTX 5090 at around $1,900 to $2,000. X user Bits and Chips revealed that the RTX 5090 will cost roughly $1,900, making it $300 more expensive than the RTX 4090 at launch.Nvidias flagship card is a good example of supply and demand. It was in high demand throughout the last two years, and as a result, youd be hard-pressed to find a new model for sale at less than $2,200 right now. With shipments at an end, we might start see the pricing of other RTX 40-series shoot up over the next few months, just like what weve seen with the RTX 30-series in the past.Editors Recommendations