Hasta La Gadget!

The final holiday weekend of summer is here and there are Labor Day sales to be had. Historically, Labor Day isn’t a boon for tech deals but there are always a few decent ones that pop up, particularly in the outdoor tech space. Labor Day sales often overlap with back-to-school sales as well, so there’s a good chance you can save on tech like tablets, speakers, kitchen tech, charging gear and other items that can help make for a smooth return to campus.

We’ve collected the best Labor Day deals on tech here, including discounted gear from Apple, Amazon, Anker and others. Particularly if you’re an Amazon Prime member, just be mindful that the company’s “big deal days” will return in October — if something on your list isn’t on sale now, there’s a chance it will be in a few weeks’ time.

Labor Day sales on Apple gear

Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

• iPad (9th gen) for $199 ($130 off): This model is being discontinued, but at this record-low price, it’s a great option for kids or anyone who wants to snag an iPad for dirt-cheap.

• iPad Air (M2) for $729 ($60 off): The iPad Air remains our top pick for the best iPad for most people, and this 13-inch version gives you a little extra screen real estate.

• AirPods Max for $399 ($150 off): One of our biggest issues with the AirPods Max since their debut has been their sky-high price tag. They’re a much better buy at this sale price.

• Apple MagSafe Charger for $29 ($10 off): This is a rare discount on Apple’s own MagSafe charging pad, which provides up to 15W of wireless power to your iPhone and a strong, magnetic attachment.

• MacBook Air (13-inch, M3) for $899 ($200 off): Just $50 shy of a record low, this deal on the latest 13-inch MacBook Air gives you our top pick for the best MacBook at a great price — a solid opportunity for students going back to school to snag an excellent, lightweight laptop for less.

• MacBook Air (13-inch, M2) for $799 ($200 off): Don’t sleep on the M2 MacBook Air. It’s plenty powerful despite not having Apple’s latest chipset, and the 13-inch model is down to a near record low.

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) for $299 ($100 off): If you just can’t wait for (presumably) the Series 10 to drop in September, $100 off the Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the best deals we’ve seen on our top pick for the best smartwatch.

• Mac Mini (M2 Pro) for $1,150 ($150 off): If you’re looking to upgrade your desktop computer, this discount-plus-coupon deal is a solid one on the Mac Mini with an M2 Pro chipset.

• Apple Music 3-month free trial for $0: New subscribers can get an extra-long free trial of Apple Music, three months instead of the usual one.

Labor Day sales on outdoor tech

Ooni

• Ooni Fyra 12 pizza oven for $250 ($100 off): This is one of our top picks for the best pizza ovens, and its compact size makes it a little more manageable, plus it convenient runs on wood pellets that you can easily refill from its built-in chute.

• Ooni Karu 16 multi-fuel pizza oven for $649 ($150 off): This Ooni oven can make pizzas up to 16-inches, and it supports wood, charcoal or gas as fuel sources.

• Solo Stove Labor Day sale — up to $150 off with code LABORDAY: Use code LABORDAY at checkout to get up to $150 off fire pits, pizza ovens and more. A highlight is the Bonfire Backyard Bundle discounted to $455.

Labor Day subscription sales

Paramount+

• Paramount+ annual subscriptions — 50 percent off with plans starting at $30/year: The Essential plan is only $30 for your first year, while the upgraded plan with access to Showtime (and limited ads) costs just $60 with this discount.

• 1Password Families annual plan for $45 (25 percent off): This is a great discount on our top pick for the best password manager, and the Families plan includes access for five people on an unlimited number of devices.

• Masterclass annual subscription for $60 (50 percent off): Annual plans range for $60 to $120 for your first year, with the major differences between the plans coming in how many simultaneous device streams you have, plus the ability to download classes for offline viewing.

Labor Day sales on kitchen and smart home gear

Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

• Ninja Creami ice cream maker for $149 ($50 off): This model of the popular, at-home ice cream maker includes 5 one-button programs, including ice cream, milkshake and sorbet, and it comes with two 16-ounce pints with storage lids for you to save all of your creations.

• Ninja end of summer sale: A number of Ninja’s tabletop appliances are on sale right now, including the 11-in-1 version of the Creami (with extra storage pints) and the Thirsti sparkling drink maker.

• iRobot Roomba Q0120 robot vacuum for $179 ($70 off): This basic Roomba has three power levels, up to 120 minutes of run time and connects to the iRobot mobile app for easy cleaning scheduling and maintenance.

• iRobot Roomba Combo j5 robot vacuum and mop for $299 ($300 off): This is the best price we’ve seen on the Combo j5, which vacuums and mops thanks to its included mopping pad and water reservoir. Just note that it does not come with a self-emptying base.

• Roborock Q5 Max+ robot vacuum for $330 ($120 off): This is an upgraded version of one of our top picks for the best budget robot vacuums and it has 5500Pa of suction, LiDAR navigation and its own self-emptying base.

Labor Day sales on Amazon devices

• Echo Spot for $55 ($25 off): While not quite as cheap as it was around Prime Day in July, the revived Echo Spot is down to one of the best prices we’ve seen. You can get the same sale price on a bundle that includes the Echo Spot and a Sengled smart light bulb, too.

• Echo Pop + Sengled smart light bulb bundle for $23 ($37 off): This is Amazon’s smallest Alexa-power speaker and the free Sengled smart light bulb this bundle includes is one of our favorites.

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $40 ($20 off): This is a return to the streaming stick’s record-low price, and this model supports 4K HDR content and Wi-Fi 6E.

• Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) for $100 ($80 off): This tablet has extra storage than the base, plus a 10-inch touchscreen and up to 13 hours of battery life.

Labor Day sales on tech

Anker

• Anker 10K magnetic power bank for $30 ($10 off): This slim, MagSafe charging brick can power up an iPhone easily without adding too much bulk, and this is the best sale price we’ve seen.

• Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds for $150 ($50 off): One of our top picks for the best headphones for running, the Elite 8 Active have an IPX4 design, great sound quality and ANC and a solid battery life. Jabra may be exiting the consumer headphone business, but the company will continue to support products like this for a while.

• Theragun Elite massage gun for $299 ($100 off): This massage gun comes with five attachments, includes a built-in OLED screen and allows you to save three preset treatments to your device using its accompanying mobile app. Also available at Theragun.

• Theragun Mini 2.0 massage gun for $149 ($50 off): The most compact of Theragun’s massage machines, the Mini 2.0 is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than its predecessor, and remains a great gift for the runner in your life. Also available at Theragun.

• Samsung Music Frame for $300 ($100 off): This frame-like speaker can hold album art and includes two woofers, two tweeters and two mid-range drivers.

• Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 projector for $600 ($200 off): The latest version of this projector rotates 180 degrees so you can get the exact right placement for your screen (even if that happens to be on your ceiling), and it comes with a built-in speaker for 360-degree sound.

• Keychron C3 Pro keyboard for $25 ($12 off): This is a record-low price on our budget pick in our guide to the best mechanical keyboards; just note that this particular model does not have RGB lighting or hot-swappable keys.

• Astro A40 TR gaming headset for $100 ($30 off): This is a great deal on a top pick in our guide to the best gaming headsets, and we liked it for its comfortable design, spacious sound profile and solid value.

• Sonos Labor Day sale — up to 20 percent off speakers: Sonos’ discounts for the holiday weekend include $50 off the Era 100 speaker and $180 off the Arc soundbar.

• JBL Labor Day sale — up to 40 percent off: Bluetooth speakers, wireless earbuds and more gear are included in JBL’s holiday sale, with highlights being the PartyBox 310 speaker for $420 and the Tune Flex earbuds for $50.

• Barnes & Noble Lego sale — up to 25 percent off: A handful of Star Wars, Mario, Disney and other sets are discounted at the book retailer, including this Death Star Trench Run Diorama for just under $53.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/labor-day-sales-to-shop-right-now-the-best-tech-deals-we-found-from-apple-amazon-samsung-and-others-100032999.html?src=rss

IFA is around the corner, and HONOR will unveil it’s upcoming HONOR Magic V3, which will feature an industry-first AI Defocus display technology designed to reduce eye strain and myopia. This innovative tech simulates traditional optical methods through AI algorithms, incorporating defocus signals into screen layers to enhance eye protection. In addition to it, the Magic V3 will include ultra-high PWM dimming to reduce screen flicker, reflecting HONOR’s commitment to user health.

The AI Defocus technology, inspired by “defocus incorporated multiple segments” (DIMS) used in specialized glasses, aims to address the global rise in myopia. Lab tests indicate that AI Defocus can reduce near work-induced transient myopia by an average of 13° and increase central choroid thickness after just 25 minutes of screen time.

Currently, AI Defocus is compatible with apps like YouTube and Amazon Kindle, with plans to expand support to more applications in the future. HONOR has partnered with tech YouTuber Phonebuff to showcase this technology, offering a preview of the HONOR Magic V3‘s display advancements ahead of its global launch at IFA 2024.

Making assistive tech more accessible

The brand announced the global rollout of its intent-based eye-tracking technology, which enables users to control their smartphones using only their eyes. This feature, first introduced earlier this year, will be available on devices like the HONOR Magic6 Pro starting August 27th. HONOR is also exploring the potential of its multimodal AI tech, including investments in non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, with the goal of making assistive technology more accessible.

BBC Storyworks’ latest episode explores the inspiring story of Bernard Muller, who was diagnosed with ALS 14 years ago. Despite the challenges of the disease, Muller uses eye-tracking technology to communicate and create remarkable artworks. The episode delves into how this technology has enabled him to continue expressing himself and sharing his creativity.

The HONOR Keynote Launch Event will be at 14:00 (CEST) on September 5th, 2024, at Hall 6.2B, Inspiration Stage. The next day, HONOR will present another official keynote and host a discussion with leading technology companies in the industry to explore the future of AIPC and on-device AI. The IFA Official Keynote and Panel Discussion will start at 14:00 (CEST) on September 6th, 2024, at CityCube-A, Innovation Stage.

Don’t just imagine the future. Be there when it unfolds.

Witness the debut of #HONORMagicV3 #HONORMagicPad2 #HONORMagicBookArt14 on Sep 5, at IFA 2024.#UnfoldYourMagic #HONORIFA2024

See more: https://t.co/Phx1coo60C pic.twitter.com/gGB59Bn3kk

— HONOR (@Honorglobal) August 19, 2024

For Eye Protection: HONOR To Unveil AI Defocus Display Tech On Magic V3 at IFA 2024

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A judge in Brazil has blocked Starlink’s bank accounts in the country amid a deepening dispute with X. The move comes as the same Supreme Court judge has threatened to shut down X in the country, and is a direct response to the ongoing legal battle with the social media company, Reuters reported.

X owner Elon Musk has been feuding with Brazil Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes for months over demands to block certain accounts in the country. The company closed down its operations in Brazil earlier this month as a result of the court orders, which X has characterized as “censorship orders.”

Now, Moraes is apparently attempting to use one of Musk’s other companies, SpaceX-owned Starlink, in an attempt to get X to comply with the court order. “This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied—unconstitutionally—against X,” Starlink wrote in a statement on X. “It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to address the matter legally.”

Moraes has also threatened to shut down X in the country entirely. On Wednesday, the judge said X would be shut down in Brazil if they didn’t appoint a legal representative in the country. X said in an update Thursday, shortly after that deadline had passed, that it “soon” expects Moraes to order the shutdown.

“We are absolutely not insisting that other countries have the same free speech laws as the United States,” the company wrote in a statement published in English and Portuguese. “The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that.” The company said it planned to publish Moraes’ “illegal demands and all related court filings” in the coming days. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/starlinks-local-bank-accounts-are-frozen-as-x-prepares-to-be-shut-down-in-brazil-234046493.html?src=rss

A judge in Brazil has blocked Starlink’s bank accounts in the country amid a deepening dispute with X. The move comes as the same Supreme Court judge has threatened to shut down X in the country, and is a direct response to the ongoing legal battle with the social media company, Reuters reported.

X owner Elon Musk has been feuding with Brazil Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes for months over demands to block certain accounts in the country. The company closed down its operations in Brazil earlier this month as a result of the court orders, which X has characterized as “censorship orders.”

Now, Moraes is apparently attempting to use one of Musk’s other companies, SpaceX-owned Starlink, in an attempt to get X to comply with the court order. “This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied—unconstitutionally—against X,” Starlink wrote in a statement on X. “It was issued in secret and without affording Starlink any of the due process of law guaranteed by the Constitution of Brazil. We intend to address the matter legally.”

Moraes has also threatened to shut down X in the country entirely. On Wednesday, the judge said X would be shut down in Brazil if they didn’t appoint a legal representative in the country. X said in an update Thursday, shortly after that deadline had passed, that it “soon” expects Moraes to order the shutdown.

“We are absolutely not insisting that other countries have the same free speech laws as the United States,” the company wrote in a statement published in English and Portuguese. “The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that.” The company said it planned to publish Moraes’ “illegal demands and all related court filings” in the coming days. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/starlinks-local-bank-accounts-are-frozen-as-x-prepares-to-be-shut-down-in-brazil-234046493.html?src=rss

The latest round in the Spotify vs. Apple battle concerns volume controls. The streaming service says Apple “discontinued the technology” that allowed it to employ the volume buttons on iOS devices to make level adjustments when using Spotify Connect. Spotify says it’s working on a solution, but for now, you’ll have to use the volume slider in the iOS app. The company explains that this issue doesn’t affect Bluetooth or AirPlay connections, nor does it impact Android users. 

“Apple has discontinued the technology that enables Spotify to control volume for connected devices using the volume buttons on the device,” the company says in a support article. “While we work with them on a solution, you can use the Spotify app to easily adjust the volume on your connected device.”

Spotify Connect allows you to sync with speakers, TVs, and other devices from inside the streaming app. It works with either Bluetooth or WiFi, showing a list of compatible options when you click the display/speaker icon on the app’s media player. Once connected, you have full control over the device from inside the Spotify app. It’s a lot faster than swiping through the settings menu on your phone. 

Until recently, that included the ability to use an iPhone’s volume buttons to make adjustments. This functionality works on Apple TV and HomePod, but TechCrunch reports that Apple told Spotify it would need to integrate with HomePod in order to restore the controls. Direct Spotify integration has been absent on HomePod since the first device launched in 2018. Pandora support was added in 2020 and YouTube Music followed in 2023. Deezer, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio are also on the list.

For now, Spotify will prompt users to make volume changes inside the app with a notification when they try to use the buttons. If you’re already inside the app, the volume slider will pop up directly. This is certainly less convenient than before, but it sounds like it’s only temporary. What’s more, the issue seems to also impact Google Cast on iOS, as users reported a similar issue on Spotify’s forums back in February. 

According to TechCrunch, Spotify is once again blaming Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to stop “gatekeepers” from using “unfair practices” with their products and services. This includes interoperability with operating systems and software features. Spotify was only able to display pricing in its app in the EU this month, following a €1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) fine back in March for restrictions it placed on other music streaming apps on the App Store.

Engadget has asked Apple for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/spotify-says-apple-broke-some-of-its-volume-controls-on-ios-204746045.html?src=rss