Hasta La Gadget!

Australia is set to ban under 16s from social media services after the Senate passed a bill to that effect by 34 votes to 19. The legislation will return to the House of Representatives, which will need to approve amendments before it becomes law. That is all but a formality as the government holds a majority in that chamber. The bill, which has been fast-tracked, sailed through the lower house in a 102-13 vote earlier this week.

The government has said that the likes of Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and X will be subject to the new rules, which won’t come into force for at least 12 months. However, officials still have to confirm which platforms the ban actually covers as they aren’t detailed in the bill. The BBC notes that the country’s communications commissioner, Michelle Rowland, will determine that with help from a so-called eSafety Commissioner. The latter will be responsible for enforcing the law.

The rules will not apply to health and education services, gaming platforms or messaging apps, nor those that don’t require an account. So, the likes of Fortnite, Roblox and YouTube are likely to avoid any ban.

Companies that are subject to the legislation could face fines of up to $49.5 million AUD ($32.1 million) if they fail to comply. They will have to employ age-verification tech, though the specifics of that have yet to be determined. The government plans to assess various options in the coming months, but Rowland confirmed this week that platforms won’t be able to compel users to submit a personal document (such as passport or driver license) to verify their age.

Researchers have claimed that mooted age-verification systems may not work in practice. Critics, meanwhile, have raised concerns over privacy protections.

While there are certainly valid concerns about the harms of social media, such platforms can be a lifeline for younger people when they’re used responsibly. They can help vulnerable kids find resources and peers they can turn to for advice. Social media can also help those in rural areas forge authentic social connections with others who live elsewhere.

Under 16s who continue to access banned platforms won’t be punished. Resourceful teens may find it very easy to bypass restrictions using a VPN, which could make the law largely toothless. The online world also extends far beyond the reach of a small number of centralized social media platforms. There are other pockets of the internet that teens can turn to instead. For instance, there are still a large number of active forums for various interests.

When the legislation becomes law, Australia will set the highest minimum age for social media of any jurisdiction. France has tabled legislation to block users under 15 from social media without parental consent and it’s now pushing for the European Union to move forward with a similar undertaking across the entire bloc. Norway plans to bring in legislation along those lines, while the UK’s technology secretary recently indicated that it was an option for that country.

Utah last year passed laws to limit minors’ social media use. The state’s governor repealed and replaced those earlier this year following legal challenges. However, in September, a judge blocked the most recent legislation just days before it was set to take effect. Other states have considered similar laws.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/australia-is-one-step-away-from-banning-social-media-for-under-16s-160454882.html?src=rss

The Redmi K80 Pro has been launched with significant upgrades in performance and endurance compared to its predecessor, the K70 Pro. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the K80 Pro offers top-tier performance at a competitive price starting at CNY 3,700 (~$510/€485).

This price is for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but options go up to a high-end 16GB RAM and 1TB storage version. A special Lamborghini edition of this top model is also available.

The K80 Pro features a 6,000mAh battery, an increase of 20% over the K70 Pro’s 5,000mAh, and supports 120W wired charging (full charge in 28 minutes) along with 50W wireless charging. The battery is designed for 1,600 charge cycles and is managed by Xiaomi’s Surge P3 and G1 chips. To prevent overheating from the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite, Xiaomi has implemented a 3D dual-loop vapor chamber for improved thermal management.

Redmi K80 Pro and the Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse special edition

The phone is equipped with a 6.67-inch OLED display that supports QHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and features like HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. It boasts a peak brightness of 3,200 nits and is protected by Dragon Crystal 2.0 glass. For security, an ultrasonic fingerprint reader is integrated under the display.

Redmi K80 Pro colors

On the camera front, the K80 Pro has a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, 32MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP telephoto lens offering 2.5x optical zoom. The phone also supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0.

Specs

Price and Availability

The Lamborghini Squadra Corse edition, which adds unique branding, comes in a 16GB/1TB configuration for CNY 5,000 (~$690). The Redmi K80 Pro is available in China, with various configurations priced from CNY 3,700 (~$510). to CNY 4,800 (~$662).

Redmi K80 Pro Launches With Snapdragon 8 Elite, 6,000mAh Battery, And Lamborghini Edition

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Engadget

For many of you, the turkey is probably already in the oven, and the appetizer noshing has begun. But in between bites — or while the commercials roll on today’s NFL games — Thanksgiving Day is actually a great time to start your Black Friday shopping. Here’s why: Nearly all of the best deals are live now, and we don’t expect further major price drops. Really. And that goes for Cyber Monday as well. So for Thanksgiving, we thought we’d give you a sort of executive summary of the best tech deals this year. 

This list includes some Engadget team favorites (and some personal ones) along with a bevy of alternate picks, as well as a large swath of Apple deals. That final one is notable because we’re seeing some of the best prices of the year — in some cases, the best prices ever — on a wide range of current Apple gear, including AirPods, iPads and MacBooks, all of which Engadget readers have been scooping up over the past few days and weeks, and the price drops have settled in. 

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list, check out our best Black Friday tech deals roundup, which has more than four dozen picks and growing. And we’ve linked to several of our other deal roundups below, too, if you want some more specific breakouts. 

PlayStation

PlayStation 5 Slim game console: As a longtime Xbox guy, it pains me to say this: The PS5 is the game console you probably really want. That’s largely due to its impressive list of exclusive titles that you can’t play on Microsoft’s (or Nintendo’s) rival gaming machines — franchises like God of War, The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, Helldivers and Marvel’s Spider-Man, to name some of the most noteworthy. If you haven’t yet taken the PS5 plunge, now’s a better time than ever: The “Slim” version of the console is slightly less chunky than the 2020 original in both girth and cost, starting at just $375 for the all-digital version, and $424 for the PS5 model with a built-in Blu-ray drive. (Get the latter if you want to play disc-based games or movies.) Alas, there are no discounts on the $699 PS5 Pro, but that’s overkill for all but the most hard-core PlayStation fans. See more Black Friday video game deals.

AirPods Pro 2 earbuds: Apple’s best earbuds are now on sale for nearly $100 less than their price at the Apple Store, despite being more full-featured than ever. And while the latest firmware update lets them work as hearing aids, average users will be more impressed with their top-notch noise-canceling, as well as their effortless compatibility with Apple devices, from iPhones, iPads and Macs. Want Android compatibility? Go for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for 23 percent off, or opt for full-size headphones like the Beats Solo 4 (down to $100) or the superb Sony WH-1000XM5 (25 percent off). 

JBL Clip 5 Bluetooth speaker: Yes, you can get Bluetooth speakers for as little as $20 this Black Friday. But we’d recommend spending up for something like the JBL Clip 5. I own — and love — the predecessor, but this new-for-2024 model adds stereo pairing (if you get a second set) and an adjustable EQ via JBL’s app. It’s also fully dust- and waterproof, in addition to being partially made from recycled plastics. Sealing the deal? It’s currently discounted 37 percent. Save a bit more with the even smaller stepdown model, the JBL Go 4, now marked down to $40. See more Black Friday deals under $50.

Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Apple iPad (10th generation): For the past several months, Apple has been blowing out its discontinued 9th generation iPad for as little as $199. But now the current baseline model has dipped down to $250, making it even more appealing. This 2022 model doesn’t have the computing muscle to run current or future Apple Intelligence apps, but it’s otherwise a solid entry in the company’s touch-screen computing line, with a Touch ID power button, a big 10.9-inch screen and compatibility with the Apple Pencil (sold separately). Need more storage? The 256GB model is down to $410 — twice as much space as you’ll get with the admittedly nicer and newer iPad Air (also currently on sale for $100 off). See more Black Friday Apple deals.

Roku Ultra: Engadget’s list of best video streamers is littered with Roku models, including this new-for-2024 Ultra box. And with good reason: This latest high-end Roku pretty much erases complaints from the previous version, with a full range of HDR compatibility, an updated rechargeable voice remote (USB-C, finally) and both Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 support. The 20-percent Black Friday discount gets it to $80, but if you’re on a tighter budget, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($29) will get you most of the same features at less than half the price. And we’ll give an honorable mention to the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max — currently on sale for just $33 — which is a better choice for anyone who uses a VPN to increase their streaming options. And whether you’re buying a new streamer or you’re already covered on that front, note that Disney/Hulu, Peacock and Max all have some solid Black Friday specials worth checking out.

Apple Watch 10: The Apple Watch got a nice redesign for 2024, with a thinner body and larger face — the “small” one is now 42mm while the larger one is 46mm, effectively eclipsing the Apple Watch Ultra. Yes, you’ll still need to recharge it almost every day, but the always-on screen and more efficient battery make this a nice upgrade for anyone who’s still rocking a Series 7 or earlier. With the starting prices down to $329 for Black Friday, it’s a great time to buy. It’s worth noting, though, that the Apple Watch SE has dipped as low as $149, if you don’t need all the latest and greatest features. 

MacBook Air: There are at least three “new” MacBook Airs you can buy right now, with prices starting as low as $600 for the M1 model at Walmart. My advice? Splurge not only for the latest M3 model, but pay a bit extra to get it with half a terabyte of storage. That 512GB MacBook Air M3 model, paired with the now-standard 16GB of RAM gets you an extremely capable Apple laptop for just $1,049. That’s $250 less than the Apple Store price, and a cool $150 lower than what I paid when I purchased that configuration at Amazon last March. Of course, the inevitable M4 version of this product is expected by next spring — but that won’t help you hit your gifting deadlines, will it? See more Black Friday laptop deals.

Devindra Hardawar / Engadget

Meta Quest 3S: Yes, a standard Xbox, PS5 or Switch will never disappoint under the tree, but if you’re aiming for bleeding-edge gaming, it’s hard to beat the Quest VR headset. The latest 3S model delivers most of the same experience as the earlier Quest 3 model at a much lower starting price, and the Black Friday deal — Amazon is throwing in a free $75 credit on top of the bundled Batman: Arkham Shadow game — makes this a great time to jump in. See more gift ideas for gamers.

Apple AirTags (4-pack): This is pretty much the only Apple product priced to qualify as a “stocking stuffer,” but it’s a can’t-miss gift for anyone who’s got an iPhone. Drop one of these little half dollar-sized trackers anywhere — a purse, backpack, suitcase or even a keychain — and you’ll be able to track them down using your Apple device. At $24 for a single tag, the better deal is to go for a 4-pack, which is currently hovering at a record-low $73. See more gift ideas under $25.

LG OLED TV: The axiom of TV shopping for the past several years still applies: OLED TVs offer the best overall image quality and black levels, bar none. While Sony and Samsung have finally brought some competition to this space, LG remains the go-to choice — and the Black Friday season is still the best time to buy. The top of the line evo C4 model will run you close to $1,500 for 65-inch screen, but the very similar LG B4 OLED has dipped under $1,200 at the same screen size. And bargain hunters shouldn’t ignore the 2023 B3 OLED, which is currently under $1,000 for the 65-incher at Walmart. If those price tags are all too rich, or if you’re not enough of a videophile to care about perfect black levels, don’t fret: We’ve got plenty of other, more affordable Black Friday TV deals, too.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-28-best-thanksgiving-black-friday-tech-deals-you-can-get-right-now-122523747.html?src=rss

Engadget

For many of you, the turkey is probably already in the oven, and the appetizer noshing has begun. But in between bites — or while the commercials roll on today’s NFL games — Thanksgiving Day is actually a great time to start your Black Friday shopping. Here’s why: Nearly all of the best deals are live now, and we don’t expect further major price drops. Really. And that goes for Cyber Monday as well. So for Thanksgiving, we thought we’d give you a sort of executive summary of the best tech deals this year. 

This list includes some Engadget team favorites (and some personal ones) along with a bevy of alternate picks, as well as a large swath of Apple deals. That final one is notable because we’re seeing some of the best prices of the year — in some cases, the best prices ever — on a wide range of current Apple gear, including AirPods, iPads and MacBooks, all of which Engadget readers have been scooping up over the past few days and weeks, and the price drops have settled in. 

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list, check out our best Black Friday tech deals roundup, which has more than four dozen picks and growing. And we’ve linked to several of our other deal roundups below, too, if you want some more specific breakouts. 

PlayStation

PlayStation 5 Slim game console: As a longtime Xbox guy, it pains me to say this: The PS5 is the game console you probably really want. That’s largely due to its impressive list of exclusive titles that you can’t play on Microsoft’s (or Nintendo’s) rival gaming machines — franchises like God of War, The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, Helldivers and Marvel’s Spider-Man, to name some of the most noteworthy. If you haven’t yet taken the PS5 plunge, now’s a better time than ever: The “Slim” version of the console is slightly less chunky than the 2020 original in both girth and cost, starting at just $375 for the all-digital version, and $424 for the PS5 model with a built-in Blu-ray drive. (Get the latter if you want to play disc-based games or movies.) Alas, there are no discounts on the $699 PS5 Pro, but that’s overkill for all but the most hard-core PlayStation fans. See more Black Friday video game deals.

AirPods Pro 2 earbuds: Apple’s best earbuds are now on sale for nearly $100 less than their price at the Apple Store, despite being more full-featured than ever. And while the latest firmware update lets them work as hearing aids, average users will be more impressed with their top-notch noise-canceling, as well as their effortless compatibility with Apple devices, from iPhones, iPads and Macs. Want Android compatibility? Go for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for 23 percent off, or opt for full-size headphones like the Beats Solo 4 (down to $100) or the superb Sony WH-1000XM5 (25 percent off). 

JBL Clip 5 Bluetooth speaker: Yes, you can get Bluetooth speakers for as little as $20 this Black Friday. But we’d recommend spending up for something like the JBL Clip 5. I own — and love — the predecessor, but this new-for-2024 model adds stereo pairing (if you get a second set) and an adjustable EQ via JBL’s app. It’s also fully dust- and waterproof, in addition to being partially made from recycled plastics. Sealing the deal? It’s currently discounted 37 percent. Save a bit more with the even smaller stepdown model, the JBL Go 4, now marked down to $40. See more Black Friday deals under $50.

Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Apple iPad (10th generation): For the past several months, Apple has been blowing out its discontinued 9th generation iPad for as little as $199. But now the current baseline model has dipped down to $250, making it even more appealing. This 2022 model doesn’t have the computing muscle to run current or future Apple Intelligence apps, but it’s otherwise a solid entry in the company’s touch-screen computing line, with a Touch ID power button, a big 10.9-inch screen and compatibility with the Apple Pencil (sold separately). Need more storage? The 256GB model is down to $410 — twice as much space as you’ll get with the admittedly nicer and newer iPad Air (also currently on sale for $100 off). See more Black Friday Apple deals.

Roku Ultra: Engadget’s list of best video streamers is littered with Roku models, including this new-for-2024 Ultra box. And with good reason: This latest high-end Roku pretty much erases complaints from the previous version, with a full range of HDR compatibility, an updated rechargeable voice remote (USB-C, finally) and both Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6 support. The 20-percent Black Friday discount gets it to $80, but if you’re on a tighter budget, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($29) will get you most of the same features at less than half the price. And we’ll give an honorable mention to the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max — currently on sale for just $33 — which is a better choice for anyone who uses a VPN to increase their streaming options. And whether you’re buying a new streamer or you’re already covered on that front, note that Disney/Hulu, Peacock and Max all have some solid Black Friday specials worth checking out.

Apple Watch 10: The Apple Watch got a nice redesign for 2024, with a thinner body and larger face — the “small” one is now 42mm while the larger one is 46mm, effectively eclipsing the Apple Watch Ultra. Yes, you’ll still need to recharge it almost every day, but the always-on screen and more efficient battery make this a nice upgrade for anyone who’s still rocking a Series 7 or earlier. With the starting prices down to $329 for Black Friday, it’s a great time to buy. It’s worth noting, though, that the Apple Watch SE has dipped as low as $149, if you don’t need all the latest and greatest features. 

MacBook Air: There are at least three “new” MacBook Airs you can buy right now, with prices starting as low as $600 for the M1 model at Walmart. My advice? Splurge not only for the latest M3 model, but pay a bit extra to get it with half a terabyte of storage. That 512GB MacBook Air M3 model, paired with the now-standard 16GB of RAM gets you an extremely capable Apple laptop for just $1,049. That’s $250 less than the Apple Store price, and a cool $150 lower than what I paid when I purchased that configuration at Amazon last March. Of course, the inevitable M4 version of this product is expected by next spring — but that won’t help you hit your gifting deadlines, will it? See more Black Friday laptop deals.

Devindra Hardawar / Engadget

Meta Quest 3S: Yes, a standard Xbox, PS5 or Switch will never disappoint under the tree, but if you’re aiming for bleeding-edge gaming, it’s hard to beat the Quest VR headset. The latest 3S model delivers most of the same experience as the earlier Quest 3 model at a much lower starting price, and the Black Friday deal — Amazon is throwing in a free $75 credit on top of the bundled Batman: Arkham Shadow game — makes this a great time to jump in. See more gift ideas for gamers.

Apple AirTags (4-pack): This is pretty much the only Apple product priced to qualify as a “stocking stuffer,” but it’s a can’t-miss gift for anyone who’s got an iPhone. Drop one of these little half dollar-sized trackers anywhere — a purse, backpack, suitcase or even a keychain — and you’ll be able to track them down using your Apple device. At $24 for a single tag, the better deal is to go for a 4-pack, which is currently hovering at a record-low $73. See more gift ideas under $25.

LG OLED TV: The axiom of TV shopping for the past several years still applies: OLED TVs offer the best overall image quality and black levels, bar none. While Sony and Samsung have finally brought some competition to this space, LG remains the go-to choice — and the Black Friday season is still the best time to buy. The top of the line evo C4 model will run you close to $1,500 for 65-inch screen, but the very similar LG B4 OLED has dipped under $1,200 at the same screen size. And bargain hunters shouldn’t ignore the 2023 B3 OLED, which is currently under $1,000 for the 65-incher at Walmart. If those price tags are all too rich, or if you’re not enough of a videophile to care about perfect black levels, don’t fret: We’ve got plenty of other, more affordable Black Friday TV deals, too.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-28-best-thanksgiving-black-friday-tech-deals-you-can-get-right-now-122523747.html?src=rss

Amazon isn’t exactly shy about slashing prices on its own products during major shopping events like Black Friday. Not even when it comes to devices that it announced and released just days ago. To wit, the company has taken 10 percent off the list price of the Echo Show 21. The smart display can now be yours for $360.

Amazon revealed the Echo Show 21 on November 20 and made it available to order immediately. No prizes for guessing that the device has a 21-inch screen. Of course, as with the Echo Show 15, this can be mounted on a wall. A countertop stand is available to buy separately.

The Echo Show 21 has a 1080p display and an upgraded camera. Amazon claims this offers more than double the field of view of the original Echo Show 15 as well as 65 percent more zoom. As the presence of a camera suggests, Amazon is hoping you’ll use this for video calls too. The company claims to have reduced unwanted ambient noise with this model. The Echo Show 21 is said to offer double the bass and immersive sound as well.

You can use the Echo Show 21 as a Fire TV and it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote. The unit has Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and you can use it as a smart home hub.

Amazon has also updated the Echo Show 15 with all these features and the smaller unit is on sale as well. It’s down to $270, which marks a discount of 10 percent.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-new-echo-show-21-is-already-40-off-in-this-black-friday-deal-191730669.html?src=rss