If your morning routine could use a perk-up, these Black Friday coffee maker deals can help. The sales bonanza taking place during Cyber Week is yielding a deluge of deals on programmable single-serve machines, high-end espresso machines with add-ons like built-in milk frothers, options for iced coffee fans, plus some new takes on the classic drip coffee maker. Even those who prefer tea over a cup of coffee will find a win in the following listsome of the machines promise water heated perfectly for your wake-up mug of tea.Best Black Friday Coffee Maker DealsBest-looking coffee maker: Technivorm Moccamaster 10-Cup Coffee Maker (was $359, now $180)Best pod coffee maker: Keurig K-Elite Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker (was $190, now $110)Best large batch coffee maker: Zwilling Enfinigy 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker (was $200, now $150)Best budget coffee maker: WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker (was $70, now $56)Best splurge coffee maker: Terra Kaffe TK-01 Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine (was $895, now $720)Were keeping tabs on the finest deals on coffee makers and related accessories that will help you stay caffeinated. You know what they say about early birds, so grab your brew of choiceyoure going to need it to stay on top of all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to come.Best coffee maker dealsKeurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee BrewerFor those looking for the perfect excuse to finally splurge on one of the most classic pod coffee makers out there, this coffee maker deal is just for you. Shop now to get the Keurig K-Elite for 47% off the standard price.Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee MakerNow might not be the season for cold coffee, but if there were ever the time to invest in a cold brew coffee maker, its now when you can score one with major savings. This pitcher from Takeya is on sale for 25% and can even be put in the dishwasher.KitchenAid KCM1208DG Drip Spiral Showerhead Coffee MakerKitchenAid is a staple name in the kitchen appliance space, so it makes sense that the brand would have coffee brewers in the rolodex of gadgets and cookware it produces. This 12-cup coffee maker features a 29-hole showerhead that helps coat your ground coffee more evenly and give you the best coffee every morning. Plus, its currently 23% off.Zwilling Enfinigy 12-Cup Drip Coffee MakerAmong Nordstroms many holiday deals, youll find this stylish Zwilling drip coffee maker that has a showerhead designed to moisten coffee grounds thoroughly and evenly, resulting in smoother and richer coffee. Throw in a good-quality and reusable coffee filter, and youve got a gift any caffeine lover would appreciate. handy about Cuisinarts fully automatic coffee machine is the 24-hour advanced brew start, which makes it easy to schedule your next caffeine fix. It also has a self-cleaning function, an adjustable auto-off, and a ready alert to deliver the easiest brewing experience possible. Plus, the over-ice feature means you can make iced coffee that isnt watered down.Technivorm Moccamaster 10-Cup Coffee Maker with Glass CarafeThe retro-looking Moccamaster coffee maker from Technivorm is one of the coolest looking machines out there. Thanks to its simplicity and dialed-in design, its super easy to useyou just fill the brew basket, add water, and flip the on/off switch. It brews in just 5-6 minutes and can handle up to 10 cups of coffee at one time.Ninja CFP201 DualBrew System 12-Cup Coffee MakerNinja is a well-known brand in the kitchen gadget space. Many know them for their air fryers and blenders, but it also has a few coffee makers on the market. For a versatile machine that can handle both pods and ground coffee, pick up this Ninja coffee maker thats on sale now. You can have make servings by the mug or in a glass carafe to add some variety to your routine.Braun KF7070 BrewSense Drip Glass CoffeemakerA stylish and pretty affordable coffee maker, the Braun is just a little more reasonably priced this Black Friday. It can brew both small and large batches (either a few cups at a time or a large carafe) and comes with customization features like two different brew strengths and three different settings on the warming plate. Plus itll automatically shut off whenever you remove the carafe from the machine.Caf Specialty Drip Coffee MakerFor a futuristic-looking coffee maker thatll add to your counters curb appeal while also delivering a quality cup of coffee again and again, try this drip coffee maker from Caf Specialty. With a small footprint and sleek colorways, its especially ideal for anyone living in a studio apartment.Wolf Gourmet Programmable Coffee Maker SystemWolf does a perfect job of extracting just the right amount of flavor for a quality coffee-drinking experience, and thats why its one of the best drip coffee makers. It has the iconic red knobs (which can be swapped out for black or stainless steel options instead) and also offers the level of quality and precise temperature control that you would expect from Wolf.DeLonghi Magnifica Evo with LatteCrema SystemOur favorite coffee maker with espresso capabilities, the Magnifica Evo brews a delicious, regular-old cup of joe, but it also can also make espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, over ice, and customized lattes. The LatteCrema System technology uses a manual froth maker to create textured art, and the frother can be used with regular milk and also alternative milks. It also has a built-in grinder, which saves you time and cash. Our reviewer Terri Williamss favorite feature? The coffee and espresso maker has a conical burr grinder with 13 settings, but it can be bypassed to use ground coffee instead to make a pot or cup of coffee. It is a significant $300 off during the Amazon Black Friday sale, so we recommend jumping on this one while its hot!Terra Kaffe TK-01 Automatic Espresso Coffee MachineThis beautiful machine will not only spruce up your kitchen immediately, it will brew up a darn good shot of espresso with no effort on your part (and no coffee pods). The TK-01 grinds and brews according to your exact specifications, which you set up via touch screen. Plus, the TK-01 comes with a water filter and milk carafe. Yes, barista!Espro P7 French PressIf you want a portable coffee maker that you can use anywhere, or you just like the idea of being totally in control of the brewing process for the perfect cup of coffee, the Espro P7 French Press is for you. It requires no electricity, just hot water and coffee grounds. After mixing, it needs to sit for four minutes before pressing the plunger. And unlike many French press options that leave a lot of grinds in the coffee, the Espro P7 uses dual micro filters to keep sludge out for a great taste every time.OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee MakerThis is our favorite coffee maker you can buy. If you dont like punching a bunch of buttons and dials, youll love this drip coffee maker because it has a single button all programming. The display shows the time and the brew status. Were fans of stainless-steel carafes, and this one has a double-wall stainless-steel thermal carafe to ensure hot coffee for a long time. It also has a pause and pour feature: When you remove the carafe before the brew time, the cycle will automatically pause so you can pour a cup of coffee and then place the carafe back in place for it to continue brewing.Cuisinart Coffee Center 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker & Single-Serve BrewerCuisinart's sleek-looking one-cup coffee maker has three different ways for you to brew coffee, whether you prefer single-use pods, pre-ground beans, or fresh-ground beans. The machine also gives you the ability to choose between 8 oz., 10 oz. and 12 oz. serving sizes and features a removable drip tray which can make extra room for extra large travel mugs.Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus 3-in-1 Coffee MakerInstant Pot makes more than just, well, Instant Potstheyve also got some coffee makers on their roster that have garnered positive review. So if you love the Instant Pot and are interested in trying more of their products, this Dual Pod Plus single serve coffee maker (thats compatible with K-Cup pods and Nespresso capsules) is discounted as we speak.Best Espresso Machine DealsAeropress Original Coffee PressAnother one of our favorite espresso makers on deal during Black Friday is also one of the simplest: The Aeropress, which allows you to brew and enjoy a solid cup in under two minutes. Resident foodie Lauren Jospeh called this very portable gadget about as close as you can get to an espresso at home without a counter space-stealing espresso machine.WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso MakerEver wanted to make coffee on the go? Now you can. This portable espresso maker uses pressure and a pumping system to brew espresso in a compact container wherever you are. Once youre done, simply dispense into the small attached espresso shot cup. You can buy it now at 20% off in black or in three other colorways.De'Longhi Espresso machine, Premium FrotherA great entry into the world of at-home espresso, this machine from DeLonghi will have you brewing up espresso and pouring cappuccinos like a real barista. It comes with a built-in milk steamer and is a manual machine, meaning you can pull a shot just like they do at your local caf. Next thing you know, youre an expert espresso maker.Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'LonghiEven though the Essenza Mini by Nespresso that our contributor and coffee aficionado Lauren Joseph called an excellent choice that consistently yields great espresso isnt on sale at the moment, this equally sleek Nespresso machine is available at a notable 30% off discount. You can choose from six different brews, including four drip settings and two espresso settings. Plus, you can choose to brew over ice, meaning you wont end up with a watery iced latte.Best Coffee Accessory DealsFellow Ode Brew GrinderDigital design editor Zo Sessums called using her Fellow grinder for the first time instant joy. For a consistent grind, slim profile, and less mess, wed snag this 32% off while it lasts.Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Electric KettleKitchen appliances may not always be the most aesthetic, but thankfully the Stagg EKG Electric Kettle from Fellow is an exception. With a sleek silhouette and ergonomic design, the adjustable electric kettle heats water and maintains it at your precisely chosen temperature for up to an hour, so you dont have to keep reheating for refills.Carter Move Mug & Splash GuardThe Fellow love continues, but when its all on sale, how can it not? The Carter Move Mug comes equipped with a snap-in splash guard for on-the-move sipping and a pleasant ceramic coating that will steal a few glances.OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee GrinderThis OXO grinder has 15 settings to help you achieve the perfect blend of beans. The one-touch start timer even allows you to pre-set your previous grind, whether youre whipping up a piping hot latte or a refreshing cup of cold brew.Mug SetOur Places mug set is on super sale for Black Friday. Available in three different colorways, the handmade porcelain mugs are optimally sized for a generous cup of coffee so youre not constantly running back for a refill.Aerolatte Milk Foamer, the Original Steam-Free Frother, 8.5-Inch Satin FinishAlso one of our top picks for coffee accessories, this currently under $20 milk frother has more than 6,000 positive reviews on Amazon to boot.Ember Temperature Control Smart MugLooking to upgrade or add to your mug collection? This tech-y Ember mug should do the trick. We like its delicate handle and sleek design and best of all, you can use your phone to control the temperature of your beverage.

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As hes poised to leave office in two months, President Joe Biden will leave a legacy of proactive, nuanced and effective tech policy strategy behind him, technologists across different sectors told States Newsroom.Bidens term was bookended by major issues in the tech world. When he took office in early 2021, he was faced with an economy and workforce that was struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and longstanding issues with a digital divide across the country. As he prepares to exit the White House, federal agencies are working to incorporate the principles from the 2023 AI Bill of Rights, on evolving technologies that will undoubtedly continue changing American life.Though he was unable to get federal regulations on AI passed through Congress, Bidens goal was to bring tech access to all Americans, while safeguarding against potential harms, the technologists said.I think everything that he does is foundational, said Suriel Arellano, a longtime consultant and author on digital transformation whos based in Los Angeles. So it definitely sets the stage for long term innovation and regulation.The digital divideFor Arellano, Bidens attempt to bring internet access to all families stands out as a lasting piece of the presidents legacy. Broadband internet for work, healthcare and education was a part of Bidens 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, especially targeting people in rural areas.Biden earmarked $65 billion toward the project, which was dolled out to states and federal departments to establish or improve the physical infrastructure to support internet access. As of September, more than 2.4 million previously unserved homes and businesses have been connected to the internet, and $50 billion has been given to grant programs that support these goals across the states.Arellano said he thinks theres still work to do with the physical broadband infrastructure before that promise is realized I think that should have come first, he said.But I think as a legacy, I think breaching the digital divide is actually one of the strong maybe not the strongest, but I would say its definitely a strong legacy that he leaves, Arellano said.Shaping the U.S. conversation about AIDuring Bidens presidency, practical and responsible application of artificial intelligence became a major part of the tech conversation. The 2023 AI Bill of Rights created the White House AI Council, the creation of a framework for federal agencies to follow relating to privacy protection and a list of guidelines for securing AI workers, for navigating the effects on the labor market and for ensuring equity in AI use, among others.The guidelines put forth by the administration are subtle, and not likely to be felt by the average consumer, said Austin-based Alex Shahrestani, an attorney and managing partner at Promise Legal, which specializes in tech and regulatory policy.It was something thats very light touch and essentially sets up the groundwork to introduce a regulatory framework for AI providers without it being something that theyre really going to push back on, Shahrestani said.In recent months, some federal agencies have released their guidelines called for by the AI Bill of Rights, including the Department of Labor, and The Office of Management and Budget, which outlines how the government will go about responsible acquisition of AI. It may not seem like these guidelines would affect the average consumer, Shahrestani said, but government contractors are likely to be larger companies that already have a significant commercial footprint.It sets up these companies to then follow these procedures in other contexts, so whether thats B2B or direct-to-consumer applications, thats like more of a trickle down sort of approach, he said.Sheena Franklin, D.C.-based founder of Kept Health and previously a lobbyist, said Biden emphasized the ethical use and development of AI, and set a tone of fostering public trust and preventing harm with the AI Bill of Rights.Franklin and Shahrestani agreed its possible that President-elect Donald Trump could repeal some of Bidens executive orders on AI, but they see the Bill of Rights as a fairly light approach to regulating it.It was a really nuanced and effective approach, Shahrestani said. Theres some inertia building, right? Like a snowball rolling down the hill. Were early days for the snowball, but it just got started and it will only grow to be a bigger one.The CHIPS actBidens CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which aimed to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing, supply chains and the innovation economy with a $53 billion investment, is a major piece of his legacy, Franklin said. The bill centered on worker and community investments, and prioritized small businesses and underrepresented communities, with a goal of economic growth in the U.S., and especially in communities that needed support.Two years after the bill was signed, the federal government, in partnership with American companies, has provided funding for semiconductor manufacturing projects that created more than 100,000 jobs and workforce development programs. The U.S. is on track to produce 30% of the worlds semiconductor chips in 2032, up from 10% today.He was really trying to position the U.S. as a global leader when it came to technology, because that industry is going to continue to grow, Franklin said.Its hard to quantify what the lasting impact of the CHIPS act will be, but one immediate factor is computing, Shahrestani said. The AI models being developed right now have infinite abilities, he said, but the computing power had previously held the industry back.Being able to provide more compute through better chips, and more sophisticated hardware is going to be a big part of what provides, and what is behind the best AI technologies, Shahrestani said.Accountability for Big TechMany in the Big Tech community see Bidens AI Bill of Rights, and its data privacy inclusions, as well as the Justice Departments monopoly lawsuits against tech giants like Apple and Google, as hampering innovation.Arellano is optimistic about the technological advances and innovation that the U.S. may see under a less regulation-focused Trump presidency, but he cautions that some regulations may be needed for privacy protections.My concern is always on the public side, you know, putting the dog on a leash, and making sure that our regulations are there in place to protect the people, he said.Franklin predicts that if Biden attempts any last-minute tech policy before he leaves office, it will probably be to pursue further antitrust cases. It would align with his goal of fostering competition between startups and small businesses and reinforce his legacy of safeguarding consumer interests, she said.When she considered how to describe Bidens tech legacy, Franklin said she nearly used the word strength, though she said he ultimately could have done a little bit more for tech regulation. But she landed on two words: thoughtful and proactive.Meaning, hes thinking about everybodys concerns, Franklin said. Not just thinking about the Big Tech and not just thinking about the consumers, right? Like there has to be a balance there.GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

2Erigen35m agoI'm so worried for this remaster. Why'd it take so long?Knowing Konami, I would not be surprised if it came out that they lost the source code and used the long period of time to rebuild all the lost parts.4Daniel361m agoThis is the most important game in my life, so I am absolutely ecstatic that I get to revisit it once again, in HD form this time.I see they even upgraded the objectively bad CGI elements in the intro, but kept the... badness. Haha. The only part of this game that wasn't good. Well... and the US boxart.It would've been nice if they had added an anim intro like in Suikoden 3 and the Suikogaiden games, but I am nitpicking now.I cannot wait.I see the release date in Japan as 3.6 - a cool coincidence with my online handle.

Image: SEGAWe already know Sonic 3 movie director Jeff Fowler has a special connection with Shadow the Hedgehog, and now ahead of the third movie's launch this month, he's taken to social media to show off the "first piece of concept art" created for the latest outing.As mentioned (spoiler warning), it shows an emotional moment between Shadow and Maria - with the third outing highlighting "one of the most important [stories] in the entire Sonic Universe"."We knew we had to make it GREAT"In case you did miss our existing story, Fowler mentioned earlier this year how one of his first jobs in the "VFX industry" was actually animating Shadow the Hedgehog, with the official Sonic social media account describing the third movie as a "full circle moment" for the director."Twenty years later, I could not feel more HONORED to bring SHADOW to the big screen in #SonicMovie3"Sega released a new official trailer for the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie earlier this week. The film will launch in cinemas on 20th December 2024. Guns, motorbikes, and some crucial backstoryJeff and Shadow go way backTalk about ambitiousAre you looking forward to the movie adaptation of Shadow's story? Let us know in the comments.[source x.com, via mynintendonews.com]Share:01 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesThree Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Games Have Been Added To Switch Online's Expansion PackHere's what's includedRandom: A New Sega Genesis Cart Has Been Created For The Sonic 3 MovieTalk about ambitiousSonic 3 Movie Trailer Gives Shadow The Hedgehog Fans Everything They WantGuns, motorbikes, and some crucial backstorySonic X Shadow Generations 'Sonic 3 Movie Pack' Adds Keanu ReevesUpdate: It seems we've got a standalone priceININ Games Acquires Shenmue 3 Publishing Rights, Teases AnnouncementFans are already calling for a Nintendo release

As one of the most decorated track cyclists of all time, Sir Chris Hoy might not seem an obvious candidate to back the burgeoning electric bike movement. The common refrain, after all, is that e-bikes arent real bikes.However, the six-time Olympic gold medalist has done exactly that, investing in a fledgling U.K. startup that has built a click-on contraption that makes it easier to convert a pushbike to electric, and back again, with minimal fuss.Skarper, as the company is called, has raised 12.8 million ($16.3 million) since its inception in 2020, with Hoy contributing to an early seed tranche. While the click-on e-bike system was originally mooted for a 2023 launch, the first production run only started going out last week to a few hundred people, with the remaining pre-orders set for the coming months.TechCrunch chatted with Hoy as he took receipt of the first official Skarper delivery (an investors perk, for sure), to get his take on why this could be the next big thing in the world of e-bikes even if you do prefer pure pedal-power, as someone of Hoys stature surely does.Im probably not the kind of person youd imagine would be an e-bike advocate, but once I tried my first e-bike years ago, I got it, Hoy told TechCrunch. When you see that youre still cycling, youre still using your body, but youre getting that invisible hand pushing you along, you get it. And you realize that for certain situations, youd much rather ride on a pedal-assist bike than on a non-pedal assist bike.Sir Chris Hoy unboxing the first delivered Skarper system in Manchester. Image Credits:SkarperThe benefits of electric bikes are well-understood. A commuter might not want to arrive at the office sodden with sweat, making motorized support for those uphill climbs an appealing proposition. Theres also the reduced environmental impact with zero emissions compared to other motorized transport, while e-bikes can also circumvent heavy traffic with aplomb, cutting through lines of cars, winding through parks and other spaces typically out-of-bounds to motorized vehicles.And some people simply cant get out and about on a fully self-propelled bike, be that due to their age or a health condition.But not everyone wants to buy a dedicated e-bike, especially if they already have a bike. And this is where Skarper enters the fray. Too good to be trueShortly before retiring from competitive cycling in 2013, Hoy actually launched his own range of bikes in partnership with U.K. retailer Evans. With that project put on hiatus, Hoy says he was already having thoughts about e-bikes before Skarper came along.Ive been a big fan of e-bikes, and I was thinking about doing my own range, Hoy said. But I saw this, and thought: Why would I want to build an e-bike when this is the solution that you need?It was during a mid-pandemic Zoom chat with Skarper CEO Eon Brown and COO Uri Meirovich that Hoy was first introduced to the concept. He was presented with the idea of attaching a unit to a bikes rear disk brake to make it electric, with the added kicker that it could be promptly removed.Ive been there since the beginning back then I was given a picture, an idea, and it seemed almost too good to be true, Hoy said. I thought how on Earth is it going to work, how are they going to deal with the heat, the vibrations, and generate enough power to propel the bike?This was one of Hoys big questions at the start how was this going to work from a physical and structural standpoint? A standard bicycle isnt built the same as a motorbike. And most other e-bike conversion kits on the market involve messing around with cabling and wiring, while they are often front-wheel drives too, which completely alters the feel and balance of the bike.Skarper is designed for disc-brake bikes with a 160mm disc rotor, though its possible to adapt other kinds of bikes for those with a little technical know-how. The kit consists of a DiskDrive rotor, replete with integrated gearbox, which replaces the bikes existing disc brake rotor at the rear wheel. This also serves as the mounting system for a clip-on electric motor.While anyone is able to fit the Skarper e-bike drive system themselves, the company has also partnered with an installer network to do the work for free.Skarper on a gravel bikeImage Credits:SkarperWhile electric bike conversion kits have existed for some years, Skarpers pitch is all about ease not only is it click-on and click-off, but it also causes minimal disruption to the bike itself. Indeed, co-founder and COO Uri Meirovich stresses that Skarper isnt about changing or converting a bike.Were here to enhance it, Meirovich told TechCrunch. Traditional conversion kits change your bike permanently, often compromising its original design and ride quality by changing critical components such as the wheel of the bike, running wires all over, or adding a battery on the handlebars or elsewhere, compromising the bikes balance and appearance.So in some ways, this is all about having two bikes in one. This means that someone with a beloved road-, mountain-, hybrid-, or gravel-bike doesnt have to compromize the integrity of its original design and quality. Like all great ideas, its very simple when its already part of the bike a disc brake, which already deals with huge forces, huge torque [rotational force], and huge amounts of heat, Hoy continued. So thats a great starting point, to drive the back wheel using the structural rigidity and integrity of the frame. From an engineering perspective, I think its a beautiful solution.The Skarper kitImage Credits:SkarperOnce the Skarper unit is mounted, it can be removed in seconds, but its also possible to disable the e-bike functionality by turning it off, or through engaging pause mode by back-pedaling three times if the rider dont need electric assistance for a while. This can also conserve battery.The Skarper system takes 2.5 hours to fully-charge from empty, providing a range of up to 50km (31 miles) with a top speed of 25km/hour (15 miles/ hour).Grand designUnclipping SkarperImage Credits:SkarperSkarper counts some 22 employees, including more than a dozen engineers spanning the industrial, mechanical, electronics, software and testing disciplines. Additionally, the company worked closely with Red Bulls Advanced Technologies outfit, which is behind the Red Bull Formula One racing team.However, Hoy himself was involved in the design process from the get-go.My input has been from a cyclists perspective thats my area of expertise, obviously Hoy said. It was all about how it rides and how it feels. Does Skarper affect the handling? What can we get away with in terms of size or weight or shape? I would be a kind of test pilot I would take the unit away, and I was properly using it and testing, applying it in different scenarios and situations.However, theres no escaping the price-point at 1,500 ($1,900), Skarper is not cheap by any stretch. But its not pitched as a budget conduit for obtaining an e-bike, and its not meant as a device that will be used once in a blue moonLets say you have a 1,000 e-bike: the quality of the componentry, the brakes, the gears, the tires, the materials used on the frame-set, the saddle everything about it is budget, Hoy said. Its the cheapest they can make it to try and keep that price down. With Skarper, this is basically the highest quality motor you could get, and youre attaching it to your pride and joy. And if you look at the number of times youll use it throughout a year, it will become very economically viable.Theres also the issue of security. An expensive standalone e-bike is an alluring proposition for thieves, and were even seeing startups spring up off the back of this trend, helping victims reclaim their stolen bikes. With Skarper, a user can of course attach it to their $5,000 road bike, but equally they can attach it to a heap of junk to give it a little extra pizzazz, and then remove it when they get to their destination.I envisage somebody with an old, tatty bike that theyve had for years, or maybe they just bought on eBay something that theyre happy to leave locked up outside their office, Hoy said. Nobodys going to bother stealing it, or even look twice at it. But then, they can clip this onto it and convert it to a really high quality e-bike.For now, Skarper is only shipping to U.K. customers, however Meirovich confirmed that it will open orders to mainland Europe in mid-2025, with the U.S. to follow. Notably, the model that will eventually go on sale in the U.S. will have a greater top speed than that in the U.K and European Union (EU), as the U.S. has an upper speed-limit of 20mph for this kind of vehicle.Skarper has received well over 100 distribution requests from all over the world including big box retailers in the USA and key players in most European markets, Meirovich said, adding that few modifications will be required to fulfil international orders. There are minor changes that will be needed to adhere to EU and US regulations, and we are in the process of obtaining these certifications.

President-elect Donald Trump made no secret during his campaigning that he doesnt think the U.S. should take an aggressive stance on climate change. From leading chants of drill, baby, drill to frequently criticizing everything from wind turbines to electric vehicles, he appears poised to cast a shadow over the climate tech sector for the next four years.Or will he?Like many of Trumps positions, its hard to pinpoint his exact stance on climate change and technologies that serve to mitigate or adapt to it. Whats more, some of his proposed policies might stand to benefit climate tech broadly, even as they prop up oil and gas.If you deregulate and you drill, baby, drill, you can get more natural gas and oil. You can also get heat like geothermal. You can potentially get geologic hydrogen, Leonardo Banchik, investment director at Voyager Ventures, told TechCrunch.Banchik and other climate tech investors are cautiously optimistic that policy changes being considered by the second Trump administration wont be universally detrimental to climate tech.A lot of the climate tech wave started during the Trump administration, Banchik said. Regardless of which administration is in power, these technologies are going to continue coming down the cost curve.Sophie Bakalar, a partner at Collab Fund, agreed, and added she wouldnt be surprised if this second Trump administration also inspired more entrepreneurs to start building in the sector. Climate does not operate on a four-year cycle, these are very long-term trends and problems, she added.Much of investors optimism stems from lessons learned from the clean tech cycle that went bust over a decade ago. Then, many companies grew too quickly, building massive factories and supply chains before demand had fully materialized. They also grew overly dependent on government subsidies, whether through grants, loan guarantees, or otherwise.We are not investing in companies that are relying on federal subsidies or really bold ESG mandates from corporates. We are only investing in companies that provide a concrete value to their customer that is independent from climate, said Bakalar.Joshua Posamentier, managing partner at Congruent Ventures, echoed that sentiment. We dont invest in anything that we think will require subsidies forever in order to have any unit economics.Not all clear skiesStill, some companies will be in for a rough ride. Anything thats reliant on tax credits for consumers will be vulnerable, several investors told TechCrunch. Some expect that wind power and related industries will take a hit, given Trumps vocal distaste for the renewable power source. One investor predicted the Environmental Protection Agency could see budget cuts too.Lack of federal support might push some companies that were close to the brink over the edge. Its going to be a distillation, a thinning out of the herd, Posamentier said. I think they were probably already on deaths door.Startups that survive might benefit from some clarity when dealing with potential customers, said Shaun Abrahamson, managing partner at Third Sphere. The really hard thing, at least in the last four years, was the gap between what [companies] say in public, or what they feel they have to say, and then what happens when you ultimately run into the CFO. Youll get purer signal.A less climate-friendly administration could also hurt climate VCs themselves. Bakalar said that while we will likely see climate startups change their messaging and branding, to avoid being associated with the sector if it does fall out of favor, venture firms cant really do that and climate-focused VCs could see less LP interest over the next four years.Silver liningsBut there are plenty of sectors that could get a boost. Anything involving drilling, as Banchik mentioned earlier, including geothermal and geologic hydrogen, will likely ride the coattails of policies that are favorable to oil and gas extraction. Grid-related startups are likely to benefit from proposed permitting overhauls, both Posamentier and Banchik said.Companies that generate power stand to gain, too. Surging AI investments have pushed companies to expand their infrastructure rapidly. The breakneck pace has strained electric utilities and independent power producers to the point that just under half of all new AI datacenters could be underpowered by 2027.Nuclear startups building small modular reactors (SMR) and geothermal companies will likely be among the beneficiaries, Banchik said. SMR startups Kairos and X-Energy are already riding the AI wave, having signed deals with Google and Amazon, respectively. Geothermal startups are playing the game, too, with Fervo Energy partnering with Google and Sage Geosystems working with Meta to power their datacenters.Both technologies have a potential ally in Chris Wright, who Trump has tapped to be his energy secretary. Wright is on the board at Oklo, an SMR startup, and his company, Liberty Energy, has invested in Fervo.Hes oil and gas all day long, but hes a smart guy, said Posamentier, who has spent time with Wright in the field. There, Wright explained to Posamentier that he was electrifying his companys fracking equipment because it was the better technology. This is a guy thats being pilloried for being anti-climate. Hes not anti- or pro-climate. Hes just like, Do the economic thing.Investors, and their portfolio companies, will have to wait and see what predictions actually play out in a new administration and which ones dont come to fruition.The only constant is change and instability in the next four years, Posamentier said.

More than 50 million people passed through one of Manchester Airports Groups (MAG) three sites in 2023, travelling to one of 250-plus destinations around the globe.As well as the millions of passengers flying in and out of Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, MAG handled 395,000 tonnes of cargo out of the latter, making it an important international trade hub for the UK.MAG has ambitions to increase the number of passengers from 53 million to 60 million by the end of 2024, and to carry on that growth over the next five years.To enable this level of expansion, the organisation is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to better integrate its systems, banish data silos and deliver efficiencies.One of the main elements of the project was investing in the AWS data lake infrastructure, and establishing a visualisation strategy for how to plug various data sources into that.Initially, MAG took a bottom-up, technology-led approach, hoovering up as much data as possible, according to MAG chief digital officer, Ryan Cant.Once the foundational aspect of the technology was in place, ensuring there was one data lake and one visualisation tool rather than multiple versions, the project needed to pivot to top-down.This allowed the team to think about different functions of the business like operations, commercial or people, and their desired business outcomes that required better data insights. We can ask for all the data in the world, but if the application isn't capable of generating it because we're not capturing it properly, it's not automated, it's not got the right API connectivity to get the data out - then we're on a hiding to nothing Ryan Cant, Manchester Airports GroupThe company assigned product teams aligned to application stacks in support of each particular business area. These teams understand the specific people, processes and customer outcomes for that function, what it means for partners and airlines, and how the technology enables that.And importantly, what data elements are required to best optimise that area of our business and how do they come out of the application stack that we've got, Cant saysWe have gone with a fairly integrated strategy in terms of each product area [being] accountable for not just its application stack, the roadmap around that, and the business functions that it supports, but the data outcomes as well supported by an underpinning data technology capability.While this has left MAG with separate product teams, the company has avoided data silos as a result of having a single data technology team pulling it all together. But ultimately, the vertical product teams are empowered to define what data outcomes they are trying to achieve and why, and how their applications need to enable that.Because at the end of the day, the data will only come out of applications, Cant says. We can ask for all the data in the world, but if the application isn't capable of generating it because we're not capturing it properly, it's not automated, it's not got the right API connectivity to go and get the data out - then we're on a hiding to nothing.All this data goes into a centralised data lake, managed by a team responsible for not just the technology side, but also the data structure element, to ensure data consistency. If a passenger in one product area is defined in a certain way, that definition has to be consistent everywhere across all MAG airports and applications.While this approach means MAG can avoid data silos, it is facing a challenge with the various applications it has yet to integrate or transform.Over the next 12 to 18 months, the organisation will pick off the important applications and ensure they are integrated into the data stack.One of the potential targets is MAGs asset management system. The airport group is ultimately an infrastructure operations business, and is very asset-heavy.The firm, which uses IBM Maximo for all its asset management, is keen to ensure that it integrates the right data points from that into the lake thoughtfully, rather than simply taking all the data in Maximo and attempting to make sense of it afterwards.MAG is using an AWS data lake on an S3 environment, with Redshift on top of that for business logic. The Redshift streaming product allows the company to bring both batch and real-time data insights and analytics together, giving the reassurance that the same business logic is being applied to the data after the event and in the moment.If you are an operator looking at a live view of what's happening now, you're getting the same trusted view as you'll get on the report after. That sounds really simple, but it was quite complex to achieve that one, both from a technical perspective and a business data logic, Cant says.The organisation is trying out Bedrock, Amazons tool for building generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications, to enhance the passenger experience. The aim is for a prototype customer service agent powered by natural language to provide intuitive interfaces for passengers to help them make their way around airports.MAG is also working with AWS on innovation around computer vision AI, which takes unstructured data and images, and turns that into structured data. The company is using the technology to see whether it can start to capture events happening out on the airfield - for example, a plane on a stand.Currently, MAG is reliant on a complex ecosystem of airlines, ground handlers and airport staff to get this information. Operators - who may or may not work for the airports - are required to fill in semi-manual, semi-automated processes so MAG can understand the latest status on the turnaround journey of an aircraft. The opportunity to get a trusted data stream for that process would be incredibly helpful to the organisation.Another proof of concept is being tested for monitoring baggage loaded on and off planes, which will let MAG predict when an aircraft will be ready to depart and provide real-time information about waiting times in baggage recovery halls.Some of the computer vision models and the ability to go and very quickly develop new models is one of the things where cloud computing gives us a really interesting opportunity, says Cant. The concept of computer vision has been around for quite a while, and that use case in airports has been around for quite a while. Where we see the opportunity with Amazon is being able to get there quickly and to a very high quality.Read more about tech in the aviation industryUK government committee clears regulation as contributing factor to UK satellite launch failure, but slams UK government for lack of action on vital component of space programmeCIO interview: Stuart Birrell, chief data and information officer, EasyJet - The short-haul airline fills an aircraft every 10 seconds through its e-commerce operation all while transforming its booking systems and migrating its IT estate to the cloud.Newly designated cyber criminal group favours highly specific lures and a tried-and-tested modus operandi to compromise targets in the aviation, aerospace and transport sectorsOverall, the aim of these innovations and experiments are technology building blocks towards a great passenger experience and a great colleague experience, something MAG sees as two sides of the same coin.Motivated, happy colleagues are the folks who are going to make your journey through our airports feel good. The tech alone will not make your journey good, it's the tech enabling our colleagues to deliver excellent service, saysCant. As we join up some of these technologies, the opportunity to delight passengers is pretty good.Passengers should experience a good flow through MAGs airports, with all the parties in the airport geared up to process them as efficiently as possible.That's a foundational piece and I'd like to think we've got that right over the past year or so in a way that's quite obvious now to our passengers, he adds.Cant pointed toward some of the organisations Net Promoter Score ratings, which he said place Manchester Airport Terminal 2 higher than Apple, as a proof point of the success of the organisations efforts to modernise.However, Manchester Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 both fare badly according to the latest Which? customer survey of the UK best and worst airports, showing the importance of testing out tools like Amazon Bedrock and computer vision AI to enhance the passenger experience.Cant notes that, according to MAGs own data, all passengers across Manchester and Stansted airports have been processed through security in under 15 minutes since October 2023.That's as a deliberate focus on technology investment alongside operations colleagues, who've been [focusing] on delivering that level of service. It is absolutely about delivering the basics, and then having won the right to play by enabling those basics, then delivering real added value experiences, he says.One enhanced experience MAG is hoping to offer is an environment more personalised to traveller needs and the reasons for their travel.In other consumer worlds, people can generally be segmented into a certain profile and then organisations can tailor a service around that - from a travel or passenger perspective, this is more of a challenge, Cant explains. When people travel for business, they have a different persona to when theyre travelling with family and friends.Its being able to use technology and data to start to understand the different profiles that are passing through an airport on a particular day, and then being able to tailor the services that we offer and promote to you, [such as the] mix of food and beverage offerings that our partners provide. That is increasingly data-driven and to a certain extent can become a bit more dynamic, he says. The airport group has also teamed up with AWS and Ryanair to develop a near-real-time event platform, aimed at improving the passenger experience at London Stansted and Manchester.The cloud platform drives information updates out from core airport systems, so passengers receive automated gate announcements via departure boards and screens in the terminal at the same time they get the update on the Ryanair app.The intention is to expand this technology to other airlines in the future. The group currently serves more than 250 destinations, with almost 60 airlines flying from Manchester alone.The more we can collaborate and share using cloud-based technology as a foundation for that, the better for all our passengers, Cant says. Ultimately, the passenger expects the airline and the airport to work collaboratively together in service of delivering them a great experience.Read more about IT strategy at Manchester Airports GroupInterview: Nick Woods, CIO, Manchester Airports Group - The IT chief of the UKs biggest airport operator wants to give his organisation the worlds most intelligent airports he explains the data-led approach thats aiming to reach that destination.

Want to shop from your couch? Retailers are featuring some big discounts on devices through Cyber Monday and DoorDash can deliver them on the same day.

Black Friday is done, but there are still some incredible deals at Sam's Club as Cyber Monday deals begin to open up. There's still time to snag great discounts.Like Costco, Sam's Club is a membership-based wholesale retailer. While non-members can shop at Sam's Club with a guest account online, only members can access the full savings for the store's holiday deals and sales events. Customers looking to start a Sam's Club membership can pay $50 a year for a Club membership or $110 a year for a Plus membership. For a limited time, you can join Sam's Club for $20and get a 60% discount (you can find this membership deal through StackSocial, too).Our favorite Sam's Club deals for Black Friday 2024Apple Watch Series 10: $379 (save $40): Save $40 on the latest 46-mm Apple Watch. Alternatively, you can get a 42-mm Series 10 Apple Watch for $349.TP-Link Deco AX4300 Pro: $169 (save $60): This is a great deal for a three-pack, whole-home mesh Wi-Fi 6 system for up to 150 connected devices.Dyson Outsize Extra Cordless Stick Vacuum:$400 (save $150): This vacuum has attachments for any sort of surface, and it comes with the reputation Dyson carries, so you know it's good. Save $150 with this special.bObsweep Dustin Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop:$200 (save $400): This robot vacuum and mop is an amazing $400 off. It self-empties into a 4.6L bag that holds up to 100 days of dust and debris, meaning you don't have to empty it often.Apple AirPods Pro: $189 (save $10): Get the second-generation AirPods Pro with USB-C charging at $10 off.Bose QuietComfort headphones: $169 (save $150): These Bluetooth headphones offer up to 24 hours of battery life and rich, vibrant audio.Acer Aspire 3 Spin laptop: $299 (save $100): This Windows laptop features a 14-inch spinning touch display, Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.Samsung 11.1.4 home theater system: $1,499 (save $500): You can get a Q-Symphony Samsung home theater system with Dolby Atmos Audio support at $500 off. Apple/ZDNET Current price: $380Original price: $469The sixth-generation iPad Mini with 64GB of storage is down by $89 thanks to this Black Friday deal. This smaller iPad features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the A15 Bionic chip, and support for Wi-Fi 6 and the Apple Pencil 2. View now at Sam's Club Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $1,298Original price: $1,998Save $700 on a 65-inch Samsung The Frame smart TV. This QLED panel delivers crisp 4K resolution images in an aesthetically pleasing package. The Frame is a class of televisions designed to look like art pieces when not in use, giving your TV extra life. Act fast because the sale ends on December 2. View now at Sam's Club SimpliSafe/ZDNET Current price: $129Original price: $229This is a great home security starter kit or a way to expand a SimpliSafe system. This eight-piece indoor security bundle is a great deal at $129. It includes four entry sensors, a keypad, a motion sensor for human detection, an indoor security camera, and a Base Station with a siren and battery. Act fast because the sale ends on December 1. View now at Sam's Club JBL/ZDNET Current price: $89Original price: $149If you're in the market for a great Bluetooth portable speaker, you can't go wrong with this JBL Charge Essential 2. This waterproof Bluetooth speaker features surprisingly booming sound in a small package, up to 20 hours of playtime, and a hefty Black Friday discount. View now at Sam's Club Best Black Friday Sam's Club tablet dealsApple iPad (10th Gen): $639 (save $80): The 10th-generation iPad is my go-to iPad at home. This 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model is discounted by $80 and is available for $639.Apple iPad Mini (6th Gen): $520 (save $109): This more compact, 8.3-inch iPad Mini features Wi-Fi + Cellular support and 64GB of storage.Samsung A9+ tablet: $189 (save $60): The 11-inch display on this Samsung tablet offers all the real estate you need for entertainment, playing games, and other everyday activities.Best Black Friday Sam's Club TV dealsSamsung Class Q80D 85-inch TV: $1,748 (save $650): The popular Q80D series Samsung smart TV features QLED technology and up to 120Hz refresh rate.Vizio 2.1 soundbar: $99 (save $30): This Vizio all-in-one soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS.LG StanbyME Go portable TV: $799 (save $400): Yes, LG made a briefcase smart TV that you can take anywhere. At 27 inches, it's a full HD TV with WebOS and the portability to watch it in your backyard or while tailgating.Vizio Elevate SE soundbar: $399 (save $100): This Vizio 5.1.2 channel soundbar boasts Bluetooth support, Dolby Atmos, and 3D spatial audio.Samsung Class Q60D 65-inch TV: $698 (save $100): This QLED Samsung TV offers a vibrant image and up to 4K resolution.Best Black Friday Sam's Club headphones dealsBose Ultra Open earbuds: $249 (save $59): The Bose Ultra Open earbuds let you enjoy full audio without blocking your ear, making them comfortable enough to wear all day.Beats Studio Buds: $79 (save $70): The Beats Studio Buds offers an immersive music-listening experience. Each device lasts up to eight hours on a single charge. They offer both Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency mode.Altec Lansing kids Bluetooth headphones: $9 (save $6): Do your kids go through headphones like kindergarteners go through crayons? Then this $9 deal is made for you.Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth earbuds: $149 (save $30): Get noise canceling and up to 8.5 hours of battery life for only $149.Sony WH1000XM4 Bluetooth headphones: $199 (save $150): With up to 30 hours of battery life, these Sony headphones offer an over-the-ear fit and touch sensor controls. Sam's Club is also offering a free $20 digital Apple Gift Card.Best Black Friday Sam's Club laptop and PC accessory dealsLG Gram 17-inch laptop: $899 (save $500): Score a hefty $500 discount on a 17-inch LG Gram Windows 11 laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor.Logitech M317 mouse: $10 (save $7): I'm on team 'you can never have too many mice,' so I keep this Logitech mouse as a backup for my other Logitech mouse.LG UltraWide 34-inch monitor: $179 (save $120): A wide, 34-inch monitor is the perfect gift for that remote worker, gamer, or developer who can never have too much monitor real estate.HP Envy Inspire 7252e printer: $99 (save $70): Snag a great deal on an HP Inkjet printer that can be a staple in any home office.Best Black Friday Sam's Club smart home dealsArlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen): $79 (save $40): This is an amazing deal on a great Arlo video doorbell. At $40 off, this is the lowest price we've seen this device hit.Reolink Argus Series B340 security camera: $89 (save $50): The Reolink B340 supports smart detection of people, pets, and vehicles, and local with an included 64-GB microSD card for no monthly fees.TP-Link Tapo indoor camera: $27 (save $18): The 2K-resolution indoor security camera features a magnetic base and automated privacy shutter.Arlo 2K Pro 5S camera 3-pack: $199 (save $200): This huge discount on Arlo's flagship Pro 5S 2K-resolution security cameras. This bundle includes three battery-powered cameras and one solar panel for convenience.Reolink 4K+ PoE camera system: $449 (save $150): Security enthusiasts love these wired PoE camera systems, and this is a great deal for a 6-channel, 6-piece wired security system with a 2TB HDD.FAQsWhen is Black Friday?Black Friday is a big shopping event that occurs each year on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, it fell on Nov. 29.Since Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, many people are off through the weekend, so retailers have capitalized on this day, the last national holiday before Christmas. This makes Black Friday a great chance to finish checking off your holiday shopping list.When is Cyber Monday?Cyber Monday happens on the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2.Are Sam's Club deals really better on Black Friday?Yes, Sam's Club and many other retailers offer better deals during Black Friday than the rest of the year. Historically, we have seen the biggest discounts during the holiday shopping season at Sam's Club. This year is no different, with even bigger discounts than last year.What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Though there are many online deals, Black Friday has been historically a mostly in-person shopping event where people visit a brick-and-mortar store. With most big box stores featuring an online store, Black Friday online shopping has become as common as Amazon Prime Day shopping. Cyber Monday began and remains an online shopping event for online stores to capitalize on customers who may have missed a Black Friday deal and can shop from home or work on Monday.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?As a product reviewer at ZDNET, I've become familiar with many tech devices' unique features and tested different models in every price range. This experience helps me discern which products are worth their retail price and when a discount is a good deal.I often check for deals on robot vacuums, tablets, and smart home devices, always choosing the ones that deliver the most features for the least money. Using our expertise and different tools to track deals, we can determine when a deal is worth it and ensure we only cover those. This list of deals will be updated as new deals appear and others sell out.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?While retailers hold store-specific shopping events throughout the year, like Amazon with Prime Day, you can expect Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to appear everywhere. This includes your local businesses and big box stores. Black Friday is a huge shopping event, both in-person and online, with stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Costco, and more offering eye-popping discounts on different products.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:And more Black Friday deals:Top holiday deals