We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.January kicks off the new year with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), arguably the biggest tech event of the year. While the new product announcements are exciting for tech geeks, it's a good time for bargain hunters too, as with them come discounts on older products. That's all to say that If you're looking for a stylish portable Bluetooth speaker with good bass and an array of features, take a look at the Beats Pill, which is currently matching its Prime Day price of $99.99 (originally $149.95), the lowest it has been since its recent release, according to price-tracking tools. For less than a hundred dollars, this speaker is a steal. Beats Pill Channels: Stereo, Bluetooth: Yes, Multi-Room: Yes, Physical Connections: USB-C, Water Resistant: Yes $99.99 at Amazon $149.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal Get Deal $99.99 at Amazon $149.95 Save $49.96 I've been using the Beats Pill speaker since it came out in June, and it has everything I want in a portable: It offers stereo sound when connected to at least one other compatible speaker, it can handle multi-room to play across multiple speakers, it works with Apple's Find My Device feature if you misplace it, and it has a microphone that allows you to use it as an extension of your phone. This Beats speaker is not just for Apple users; Android devices can also connect to it via Bluetooth 5.3, though it only supports AAC and SBC codecs, so there are no Android-friendly codec options that will make the audio really pop. Apple users also get seamless iOS compatibility for a much smoother experiencethe Pill will automatically show up as a pairing option on iPhones, while Androids will have to search for it. You can read about all of this in more detail in PCMag's "excellent" review.When it comes to battery life, you can expect around 24 hours per charge, depending on your use, which is up there with other speakers of its size. Sound-wise, it offers the classic bright Beats signature, balanced yet bass-heavy. The biggest negative is that there is no adjustable EQ within the app, but in my experience, it sounds great out of the box, and is a good buy at this price.

When Apple dropped iOS 18.2, it made a bit of a splashespecially for iPhones compatible with Apple Intelligence. The update brought dedicated image generation to iOS, including both Image Playground and Genmoji, as well as an AI-updated Mail experience and more control over default apps.Over the past few weeks, we've had our first look at the company's next update for iPhones: iOS 18.3. Apple seeded developers the first beta for 18.3 on Monday, Dec. 16, then the second beta this past Wednesday for both developers and public beta testers. There's not much new, however. If these first two betasare any indication, iOS 18.3 is not going to be a feature-filled update; rather, it will be one that brings some minor changes and bug fixes to iPhones. Big Siri changes, for example, will probably ship with iOS 18.4.That said, Apple could add more features and changes in subsequent beta updates for iOS 18.3. As the company continues beta testing, and eventually releases the full iOS 18.3 update to compatible iPhones, I'll update this piece to report on what's new. In the meantime, here's what we know is coming based on this first developer beta:Robot vacuum support in Home appApple's Home app does not currently support robot vacuums, but it will soon. The company first announced support as part of iOS 18 back in June, but then kicked back the release. Officially, robot vacuum support is delayed, but MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris found code in iOS 18.3 beta 1 indicating the new update supports these vacuums: This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Currently, Apple says the following about robot vacuum support in iOS 18, which it still says is coming in an update: "The Home app now supports the core functionality of robot vacuum cleaners, such as power control, cleaning mode, vacuum, mop, and charge status. They can also participate in automations and scenes, and respond to Siri requests. So you can add them to your cleaning routines or tell Siri to do some spot cleaning in the living room." Repeated calculations are backAs 9to5Mac discovered, the second 18.3 beta brings back something that never should have leftrepeated calculations. For some reason, Apple removed the ability to keep a calculation going when you tap the equals key with iOS 18 (e.g. hitting equals after five times five gives you 25, and hitting equals again then multiplies by five again to get you 125). If you have the beta, this feature is back. Apple may be working on an "Invites" app 9to5Mac also found code in the latest beta that points to an "Invites" app Apple may be cooking up for future release. In fact, the site found this code in an iOS 18.2 beta, but Apple removed it. It now appears to be back.9to5Mac believes this Invites app would act as a meeting scheduler and organizer. It has functionality with Apple's GroupKit, which can keep track of a group of potential attendees, including whether or not individuals have agreed to attend a meet. At this point, it's not clear whether this will be a standalone app, or integrated in existing apps across iOS. Give AI image generation feedbackPart of how AI image generation improves is through user feedback: If a model spits out an image, and the user says something went wrong, the model can then take that feedback in as part of its training, and, hopefully, return a result that is closer to the expectation over time. With iOS 18.3, Apple has added a thumbs-up and thumbs-down option for image generation for both Image Playground and Genmoji. When using the beta, you'll have the option to quickly tell iOS whether the image or emoji it generated is right, or if it missed the mark. Credit: Brandon Butch/YouTube Camera control settings icon has dark mode optionThis one's a very small change, but a good one for those with an eye for these details. On iPhone 16 devices, the settings icon for the Camera Control button now has a dark mode option. If you go to Accessibility settings on iOS 18.2 and older, this icon will be bright in both light and dark modes, mismatched from the rest of the icons, which adjust depending on the system theme. Credit: Zollotech/YouTube Bug fixesiOS 18.3 developer beta 1 added two fixes for bugs in previous versions of iOS. One is for Genmoji, and fixes an issue where a personalized Genmoji wouldn't generate without selecting another person first. The other fixes a bug with Writing Tools, where third-party apps using the Writing Tools API wouldn't be able to use the inline experience if the first responder is not a UIView. (This one, as you might guess, is specifically for developers.)Genmoji is coming to macOS 15.3This one won't apply to your iPhone, but if you have a Mac, be aware that Apple is bringing Genmoji support with macOS 15.3. Genmoji is probably my favorite of the Apple Intelligence features: I would, quite literally, never use images generated from Image Playground for anything, but I do enjoy generating a custom emoji to react to a part of my current conversation. Apple isn't bringing Image Playground to the Mac yet, but that's fine: Genmoji support will be more than enough. How to install iOS 18.3Again, iOS 18.3 is currently in beta, and should not be installed haphazardly. At this time, the beta really is meant only for developers to test their apps out on the new OS, and alert Apple to any bugs they find. As such, it's not meant for general use, so unintended consequences could arise from downloading it on a personal device. If you're okay assuming those risks (please, back up any important data first), it's quite easy to install 18.3 right now. You'll just need an iPhone compatible with iOS 18. To install the developer beta, sign into developer.apple.com on this iPhone with your Apple ID. To install the public beta, make sure you've enrolled your iPhone from beta.apple.com. Then, head to Settings >General > Software Update. From here, tap Beta Updates, then choose either iOS 18 Developer Beta or iOS 18 Public Beta. Tap Back, then, after a moment, you should see iOS 18.3 Beta 2. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the software on your iPhone.

CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) is the biggest tech convention of the year. It helps set the stage for all the wonderful gadgets we're going to see over the next 12 months. However, among all the quadcopters, questionably benevolent robots and devices with fancy flexible screens, there's a lot of small things that go into making CES a one-of-a-kind event. To highlight some of the silly, stupid and occasionally wholesome things we encountered at the show this year, we humbly present the very unofficial Dumb Fun awards for CES 2025.Cutest digger - Komatsu PC01E-2Sam Rutherford for EngadgetKomatsus PC01E-2 looks like a childrens playground toy, except that it actually works and is really goddam cute. You almost want to walk over and pinch that little bucket until it turns pink. But its not all fun and games because this little digger is meant to help excavate things even in tight spaces. In fact, its small enough to fit in most elevators, so if you run into a situation where you need to get some digging done, say, on the roof, Komatsu's got you.Most likely to be vaporware - FX Super OneFaraday FutureWe generally try to be optimistic about new tech. But ever since Faraday Future announced its first concept car back in 2016, the company has made less than 20 cars in total. And for the massive accomplishment of producing less than two dozen vehicles, Faraday Futures founder and CEO went and gave themselves raises. Now at CES 2025, the company is trying to make a comeback with its new line of FX EVs, except that it couldn't even be bothered to paint them. That special camouflage automakers use is usually meant to help hide a vehicles design before it gets announced, not make it look like a half-finished product at its own press event. That said, calling it 50 percent done is probably way too generous. So while there's always a chance a company turns it around, dont be surprised if you never see a FX Super One on the road.Most dapper (Dan) - EcoFlow Solar hatDaniel Cooper for EngadgetIf you ever need someone to sacrifice their sartorial elegance for a story, hes your man. And yet, even with a floppy photovoltaic-equipped, mess of a head ornament, theres still no doubt hes the most dapper Dan.Biggest bully - Unitree robotEveryone is always worried about when our robot overlords are going to come and conquer us. Except its the humans we should probably be worried about the most. Thats because during a demo for Unitrees robot, its homo sapien operator fumbled the controller, resulting in the robot basically tackling our very own Karissa Bell. Human or robot, thats just not OK.Most adorable - MirumiCheyenne MacDonald for EngadgetOriginally this list was meant to highlight interesting things we saw at CES that didn't get a lot of praise (or hate) elsewhere, but then the Mirumi went and won an award. I dont care, though. This robot is designed to do one thing hold onto your arm and stare cutely at things as you walk around. It's basically a puffball with eyes and a clingyness that can't be denied. And I will protect and cherish it with my life.Biggest nightmare fuel: Sharks red light facemaskCherlynn Low for EngadgetLook, taking care of your skin is important. Its the largest organ in your body after all! But if traditional moisturizers, creams and exfoliants arent enough for you, Im not convinced Sharks red light mask is the answer. If Im at home and my significant other comes out of the bathroom looking like goddam Doctor Doom, Im not getting in bed. Im running out the door and calling Reed Richards for help.Chillest booth: AARPSam Rutherford for EngadgetThe AARP describes itself as "the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age." So instead of encouraging people to hustle around from booth to booth while checking out all the new-fangled gadgets during CES, the AARP went and decided to install a whole-ass pickleball court right on the show floor. Naturally, attendees both young and old stepped up to the net and causally batted balls back and forth with everyone seemingly having a relaxing time in the midst of the biggest tech convention of the year. Good on yall.Company with the most FOMO - JackrabbitLas Vegas is an affront to Mother Nature. Its an unwalkable city in the middle of the desert filled with all manner of temptations and enough neon lighting to melt your brain. So when a company doesnt feel like flying in to attend CES, we get it. But that doesnt mean you can try to weasel your way into the spotlight by sending email pitches about being perfect for CES, but smart enough to skip it. Either stop fence sitting and suffer with the rest of us or shut up. So hey Jackrabbit, you say youre fine not being at CES. Thats cool, we feel the same way.Most reckless gadget: Rictor SkyriderDaniel Cooper for EngadgetYou know what sounds safe? An electric moped that turns into a quadcopter, but only if you position the propellers and arms yourself. The base model also only has about 25 minutes of flight time. While the company claims there are a number of safety features, theres also a built-in parachute. Dont get me wrong, Im not saying we cant have air taxis and other hybrid aerial vehicles. But this thing does not inspire confidence. However, if you have more guts and than sense, please give it a try and let us know how it goes.Most fun PC component: MSIs CPU cooler with a built-in turntableSam Rutherford for EngadgetNot every computer part needs to be about pumping out higher framerates and MSI proved that this year by making a CPU cooler with a built-in turntable. Whats the point, you ask? Well check out that happy little dragon sitting atop its throne. Just look at him. But really, you could put anything up there that makes you happy. The only sad part is that this water block is merely a concept and MSI has no actual plans to put it on sale. What a bummer.Most blasphemous branding: Dells new unified name scheme/Lenovo ThinkPad X9Sam Rutherford for EngadgetWe couldnt decide which one was more outrageous, so we ended up with a tie in this category. For Dell, its new unified branding is largely fine. After all, no one really cares about lines like Latitude, Inspiron and Optiplex. But killing off the XPS name, which is the only Dell sub-brand that has really ever meant something, is a step too far.Meanwhile, in an attempt to woo younger buyers who might not have an affinity for its classic black laptops, Lenovo made a ThinkPad with no carbon fiber or a Trackpoint nub. Thats downright sacrilegious. Admittedly, if youre younger than 50 you might not care, but any nerd who grew up using rotary phones is probably pissed.Horniest booth: HandySam Rutherford for EngadgetCES is home to all sorts of sex tech, but even among all the vibrators and various toys, the Handy booth somehow managed to be hornier than any other. Thats because in addition to having a selection of kinky gadgets on display, the company had guests lining up to spin a wheel for the chance to take home a prize of their own. And if people eagerly awaiting a chance to take away a pleasure device so they can get their rocks off isnt horny, I dont know what is. Just maybe keep it in your pants until you get home.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/our-unofficial-silly-and-meaningless-ces-2025-awards-just-for-fun-210041744.html?src=rss

Wi-Fi HaLow boasts 9.9-mile range and sub-GHz waves promising reliable, long-distance connectivity for IoT and industrial setups.

Oversleepers everywhere will feel validated by reports that iPhone alarms are simply not going off, an issue that has persisted for nearly an entire year.

You go to a tech expo like CES expecting to be absolutely wowed by phones, laptops, GPUs, cars, and all sorts of prominent product categories. I went to CES 2025 and was wowed by a mouse yes, a wireless mouse that connects to your computer. Designed by the folks at Lenovo, the AdaptX Mouse easily impressed me as one of the most audaciously creative ideas ever brought to life.Designed to be modular, portable, and flat-packable all at the same time, the AdaptX Mouse comes in multiple parts that snap together to make the mouse of your dreams. Youve got one half that has the buttons and wheels, and the other half that forms the rear of the mouse. Snap two halves to make the mouse you need an ergonomic rear for a grippy mouse, a flat rear for a portable mouse, or even rotate the flat rear 180 to get the mouse propped up at an angle for a more grip-friendly experience. Its just the kind of project Id expect to see from a budding designer on Behance except, this was from Lenovo it was real, it worked, and it was flawlessly clever.Designer: LenovoThis is the AdaptX Mouse POC from Lenovo the POC stands for Proof Of Concept, which means that as much as I rave about how clever its design is, theres a fair chance it wont ever launch. I spoke to the folks at Lenovo and coaxed them for a price and launch date, but their answer was firm they were merely gauging public interest and showcasing their design and tech abilities. The AdaptX isnt on the launch schedule any time soon, and might just never launch if Lenovo doesnt believe its worth it. Im here to say that it is.Whats so wonderful about the mouse is that it has the demeanor of a chameleon, shapeshifting to suit your needs. The mouse itself is a two-piece unit. The actual mouse is just the front half, with buttons, a scroll wheel, and an optical sensor. The rear, however, completes the mouses avatar, giving it body quite literally. The front and rear are designed to snap together at will, and Lenovo basically built an ecosystem around this snapping action.The most basic avatar of the mouse is shown above, with its simple, angled design that makes it perfect to grip while still keeping it sleek. Look at the mouse and you intuitively know that the crease running along that angle means the front and rear halves can be separated. Pull them apart and your mind instinctively tells you to rotate the rear 180. Join the mouse back together and it goes from being the angled grippy peripheral to a slick, flat mouse that hugs the floor, like the one shown below.Lenovo could have left things like that, just making a mouse thats sleek, magnetic, and easy to travel with but they went one step ahead by building out as many accessories as they possibly could, making the mouse more versatile and useful than you would ever expect.What you see above are the AdaptXs multiple modules that let your mouse be much more than its most basic self. Sure, its sleek when you want something sleek but what if you want something ergonomic? What if you want a mouse that also has extra features like a USB hub, or a mouse with double the battery life? Lenovos modules for the AdaptX just give the average wireless mouse superpowers, all packaged into a gorgeously foolproof system that turns your cursor-manipulating device into something overwhelmingly more useful.There are four broad rear modules to choose from one ergonomic module, and three sleek modules that all hide extra features. The ergonomic module is simply a hollow plastic shell that snaps to the front half, giving you a mouse that feels a lot more traditional as it embraces the natural curves of your palm but thats almost every regular mouse.The three sleeker modules are exactly the same in form, but all have different functions. One serves as a power bank that charges the mouse but can also charge your phone, another stores small cards like SD cards, MicroSDs, SIM cards, TF cards, etc. and a final slim module doubles as a USB-C hub with a USB-A and HDMI input for your computer. Use the modules with the mouse, or detach them to use them independently as their own separate peripherals.For now, the AdaptX has no specifics. It has no battery level, no DPI, no power bank battery capacity, no price, or no launch date. Logitech decided to keep this just as a concept, but honestly, its the one device I kept gravitating to at their showcase (and mind you, they were showcasing a rollable laptop too).The reason why the AdaptX still occupies space in my brain is because its so simple, so clever, yet such an unexplored concept. Mice have stayed the same for years, whether theyre made for desk-use or for travel. The AdaptX challenges both the function as well as the form of the conventional mouse, allowing it to do everything while still being fairly user-friendly and intuitive. And thats what is so remarkable about it the fact that the AdaptX is so brilliantly creative in its design, while still sticking to the form follows function theme that makes it every users dream mouse. All I hope, is that Lenovo doesnt let this mouse remain a dreamThe post I Cant Stop Thinking About Lenovos Brilliant Modular Mouse Concept at CES 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Technology users can be a source of ingenious ideas rather than a barrier. Here's how to seek out innovative disruption.Read More

If you live in Los Angeles, you are probably already intimately familiar with Watch Duty, the free app that shows active fires, mandatory evacuation zones, air quality indexes, wind direction, and a wealth of other information that everyone, from firefighters to regular people, have come to rely on during this weeks historic and devastating wildfires.Watch Duty is unique in the tech world in that it doesnt care about user engagement, time spent, or ad sales. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit behind it only cares about the accuracy of the information it provides and the speed with which the service can deliver that information. The app itself has taken off, rocketing to the top of Apples and Googles app stores. Over 1 million people have downloaded it over the last few days alone.The elegance of the app lies in its simplicity. It doesnt scrape user data, show ads, require any kind of login, or track your information. Its simple tech stack and UI most of which is maintained by volunteer engineers and reporters has likely helped save countless lives. While Watch Duty is free to use, the app accepts tax-deductible donations and offers two tiers of membership that unlock additional features, like a firefighting flight tracker and the ability to set alerts for more than four counties.With plans to expand the service across the United States, as well as overseas and into other emergency services, Watch Duty may eventually replace some of the slower and less reliable local government alert systems for millions of people. Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol / Anadolu via Getty ImagesAn app born from fireThe idea for Watch Duty came to cofounder John Mills while he was trying to protect his off-grid Sonoma County home from the Walbridge fire in 2020. He realized there wasnt a single source for all the information people needed to protect themselves from the blaze, which ultimately killed 33 people and destroyed 156 homes. John and his friend David Merritt, who is Watch Dutys cofounder and CTO, decided to build an app to help.This came out of an idea that John had, and he talked to me about it four years ago, Merritt tells The Verge. We built the app in 60 days, and it was run completely by volunteers, no full-time staff. It was a side project for a lot of engineers, so the aim was to keep it as simple as possible.Fire reporting is piecemeal at best in fire-prone areas and frequently scattered across platforms like Facebook and X, where fire departments and counties have verified pages sharing relevant updates. But increasingly, social media platforms are putting automated access for alert services behind paywalls. Governments also use a wide variety of alert systems, causing delays that can cost lives, especially in fast-moving fires like the Palisades and Eaton fires that have forced evacuations for more than 180,000 people. And sometimes, these government-run alerts are sent out mistakenly, causing mass confusion. Watch Duty simplifies all that for millions of people.We view what we are doing as a public service, says Merritt. It is a utility that everyone should have, which is timely, relevant information for their safety during emergencies. Right now, its very scattered. Even the agencies themselves, which have the best intentions, their hands are tied by bureaucracy or contracts. We partner with government sources with a focus on firefighting.We view what we are doing as a public service.One of the biggest issues around fires, in particular, is that they can move quickly and consume large swaths of land and structures in minutes. For example, the winds that drove the Palisades fire to spread to more than 10,000 acres reached 90 miles per hour on Tuesday. When minutes matter, the piecemeal alert system that Watch Duty replaces can cause delays that cost lives.Some of the delivery systems for push notifications and text messages that government agencies use had a 15-minute delay, which is not good for fire, says Merritt. We shoot to have push notifications out in under a minute. Right now, 1.5 million people in LA are getting push notifications through the app. Thats a lot of messages to send out in 60 seconds. In general, people are getting it pretty much all at the same time. Image: Watch Duty Image: Watch DutyA simple tech stackFor Watch Duty, this kind of mass communication requires reliable technology as well as a group of dedicated staff and skilled volunteers. Merritt says that Watch Duty relies on a number of corporate partners with whom it has relationships and contracts to provide its service.We shoot to have push notifications out in under a minute.The app is built on a mix of technology, including Googles cloud platform, Amazon Web Services, Firebase, Fastly, and Heroku. Merritt says the app uses some AI, but only for internal routing of alerts and emails. Reporters at Watch Duty those who listen to scanners and update the app with push notifications about everything from air drops to evacuation updates are mostly volunteers who coordinate coverage via Slack. All information is vetted for quality over quantity, he says. We have a code of conduct for reporters. For example, we never report on injuries or give specific addresses. Its all tailored with a specific set of criteria. We dont editorialize. We report on what we have heard on the scanners.According to Merritt, the app has 100 percent uptime. Even though it started with volunteer engineers, the nonprofit has slowly added more full-time people. We still have volunteers helping us, but its becoming more on the internal paid staff as we grow, as things get more complex, and as we have more rigorous processes, he says.All information is vetted for quality over quantity.He says there are no plans to ever charge for the app or scrape user data. The approach is kind of the Field of Dreams method to building a free app that saves peoples lives: if you build it well, the funding will come.Its the antithesis of what a lot of tech does, Merritt says. We dont want you to spend time in the app. You get information and get out. We have the option of adding more photos, but we limit those to the ones that provide different views of a fire we have been tracking. We dont want people doom scrolling. Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP via Getty ImagesCollecting information in the era of TrumpWatch Duty relies heavily on publicly available information from places like the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency. Should the incoming Trump administration decide to execute on threats to dismantle and disband the EPA (which monitors air quality) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parent agency to the National Weather Service, such moves would impact Watch Dutys ability to operate.Even still, Merritt is optimistic. We will be pretty well insulated from any change to policy, he says. We are either buying that information ourselves already or we are happy to buy it, and we will take that cost on. The fact that were soon going to be covering the entire US will defray the cost of anything that shifts from a policy perspective. Our operation costs are mostly salaries. We are trying to hire really good engineers and have a really solid platform. If we need to raise a grant to buy data from the National Weather Service, then we will.Regardless of what the next administration does, its clear that Watch Duty has become a critical and necessary app for those in Southern California right now. The app currently covers 22 states and plans to roll out nationwide soon.We got 1.4 million app downloads in the last few days, according to Merritt. I think we have only received 60 support tickets, so that shows that something is working there. We are really just focused on the delivery of this information.

The weekend is officially here, and we've rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Saturday, January 11, below:RIG 900 MAX HX Gaming Headset for $124.99RIG - 900 MAX HX Dual Wireless Gaming HeadsetThe RIG 900 MAX HX is one of the best gaming headsets you can score on the market right now. It's 50% off this weekend, making this the best deal available for today. The 900 MAX HX includes Dual-Mode Wireless, so you can use it with Xbox, PlayStation, PC, or Nintendo Switch. You've got a 50-hour battery life with the 2.4GHz connection, with up to 60 if you use Bluetooth. There's also a charging stand included to dock your headset when it's not in use. Save $44 Off This Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless ControllerXbox Elite Core Wireless Controller - RedThis deal from Target on the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core controller is one you can't miss. Widely regarded as one of the best controllers on the market, the Elite Series 2 has so many great features you can use to your advantage. This includes modifying the tension of the thumbsticks, creating custom button profiles, and so much more. The Core version of the Elite Series 2 controller allows for a cheaper price point with less premium outer materials and textures. Additionally, you won't get the paddles or charging dock in the box, so you'll need to buy those separately if you'd like them.Anker Zolo Power Bank for $15.99Anker Zolo Portable Charger, 10,000mAh 30W Power Bank with Built-in Lanyard USB-C CableIf you're looking for a compact portable power bank that you can take with you anywhere, this Anker Zolo Power Bank is perfect for you. Holding 10,000mAh, this power bank can charge an iPhone 15 twice all the way through, with up to 30W of power for fast and efficient charging. A USB-C cable is included, built into the device as a lanyard, so you won't need to bring a cord with you to charge up. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora for $19.97Avatar: Frontiers of PandoraAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora has hit $19.97 on Amazon, marking a new low. If you've been searching for a new open world adventure, this is a great option. You'll get to experience a full open world with Frontiers of Pandora, exploring and fighting enemies with plenty of Na'vi weapons at your disposal. M2 MacBook Air for $799Apple 2022 MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chipAmazon has this 2022 Apple MacBook Air on sale for $799 this weekend. This model includes the M2 chip, which supports Apple Intelligence, as well as 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 13.6-inch display. If you've been holding out on upgrading your MacBook this can be an excellent option. Anker 60,000mAh 192Wh Power Bank for $89.99Anker PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power BankThis massive Anker power bank is a solid option if you need some extra juice on your next road trip or getaway. With a 60,000mAh capacity, you can charge an iPhone 14 Pro Max up to 7.4 times or a MacBook Air 2.9 times. This power bank is made for activities like camping, as it has a built-in light at the top that you can retract up and down. Additionally, you can recharge the device with onboard solar panels, so you can continue to power your devices regardless of how long your trip is.Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition for $44.99Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive EditionIf you recently completed the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this is the perfect game for you. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Defintive Edition is the newest mainline title in the series, and there is so much it offers. For many, this is one of the best Dragon Quest games out there, and you can't go wrong picking this up for only $44.99. This is an RPG you can easily spend over 100 hours in.

Apple introduced iCloud back in June 2011, and since then, the free tier of iCloud has remained at 5GB. However, Im not here to talk about that today. While 5GB of free iCloud is definitely too little for our needs nearly a decade and a half later, I think Apple has a bigger issue to address with iCloud: its paid tiers.iCloud storage historyFor a decent while, Apple has offered 50GB of iCloud for $0.99/month, 200GB for $2.99/month, and 2TB for $9.99/month. This pricing was introduced in 2017, and has remained that way since.Between 2015 and 2017 though, $9.99/month got you just 1TB, and 2TB would be $19.99/month. Its certainly neat that Apple brought 2TB down in price since 2015, but eliminating 1TB certainly left a gap in the storage lineup and thats where my gripe is. Ill get to that later, though.Apple has done a few other things with iCloud since they set this pricing in 2017. iCloud now includes Private Relay, Custom Email Domains, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video (for users with 2TB or higher). Apple also rebranded its paid iCloud tiers in 2021, now referring to them as iCloud+.In 2023, Apple decided that a lot of people actually want more iCloud+ storage. After all, after the launch of Apple One in 2020, users discovered that you could purchase Apple One Premier for $34.95/month (which includes 2TB of iCloud), and also stack a separate 2TB iCloud subscription for $9.99/month, unlocking 4TB total.Im not sure how many people actually purchased Apple One Premier for the sake of unlocking 2TB of iCloud storage, but Im sure it wasnt zero. Regardless, Apple introduced new 6TB and 12TB iCloud+ tiers in 2023, after the launch of iPhone 15 Pro. These tiers came in at $29.99/month and $59.99/month, respectively.And, that was it. Apple made no changes to any other tier of iCloud+ when they made that upgrade. The tiers originally introduced in 2017 stuck around, just with some new higher-end tiers for heavy users.Apple likely benefits a ton from the three tier setup (excluding the extreme tiers) that it offers today. Ive long requested that Apple make a simple 1TB plan in between 2TB and 2TB, but theres probably some well-thought-through business reason for not wanting to do that. So, instead, I have an easier proposal.My proposalInstead of introducing a new fourth lower end tier, why not just adjust how much storage everyone gets? After nearly ten years of the lower end 50GB and 200GB plans remaining at the prices they are today, I think its about time to change things up. After all, file sizes are only getting larger. 50GB is probably barely enough for most peoples iPhone backup at this point.This is what I suggest:Free: 5GB (I know, this sucks, but this isnt the focus here)$1.99/month: 100GB$3.99/month: 400GB$9.99/month: 2TBI took inspiration for the 100GB plan from Google, who currently offers 100GB for $1.99/month. Seeing as Google and Apple share the same $9.99/month price tag for 2TB, I think its a fair reference point for pricing.Above that, theres the 400GB plan for $3.99/month. I think thats a nice balance between offering more storage for an okay price and not completely cannibalizing the customer base for the 2TB tier.Many would likely argue that Apple intentionally keeps a large gap between 200GB and 2TB to push people to pay for storage they dont need, but I dont necessarily agree. I think in most cases, once running into the 200GB iCloud limit, customers just end up using iCloud storage less, whether that be by storing photos/videos locally, or straight up finding things to delete.Wrap upIn a lot of peoples minds, itll be a long time before they can utilize 2TB, so why pay for it now? My proposed pricing tier bridges that gap a fair bit, and provides an ample amount of storage for todays world. When Apple introduced the storage tiers it offers today, iPhones were just transitioning from 32GB to 64GB of base storage. Nowadays we have 128GB and 256GB depending on which iPhone you buy, so I think its fair for the iCloud tiers to reflect that.Do you agree with these proposed tiers, or would you like to see something else? Im sure many people would suggest more than 5GB for free, which would also be a welcome change. Share your thoughts in the comments.My favorite iPhone accessories on Amazon:Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel