Teenage Engineering adds lo-fi mode, USB audio, and more to its KO II sampler
Teenage Engineering has already issued multiple substantial updates for its surprisingly capable $329 EP-133 KO II sampler. Its latest is one of the biggest yet. OS 2.5 adds audio over USB, selectable sample rates for lo-fi fun, sample reverse, an arpeggiator, equal-length autochopping, and it extends the maximum length of a sample from 20 seconds to 40 seconds by capturing mono, instead of stereo, audio.
Sample reverse is such a simple feature that it's shocking it wasn't implemented earlier. An arpeggiator doesn't always make a ton of sense on a sampler, but the KO II sounds so incredible repitching samples (like the SK-1 successor I've a …
Margaret Atwood says the problem with AI is ‘garbage in, garbage out’
Maraget Atwood, the storied author of The Handmaid's Tale and The Blind Assassin, was interviewed as part of the Babell Literary and Cultural Festival in Porto, Portugal. As it usually does at these things, the issue of AI came up, and Atwood didn't mince words.
According to Deadline's recap, Atwood said she'd used an AI chatbot exactly once, Anthropic's Claude, and came away unimpressed. She was looking for information about the British detective series Father Brown and, well:
"Claude gave me the wrong answer, or it lied. Of course, it didn't know it was lying because it's not a human being; it's a large language model… It had skimmed a …
Apple wants permission to buy memory from a blacklisted Chinese supplier
Apple is looking to alleviate some of the pressure on its supply chain by seeking an exception from the Trump administration to buy RAM chips from CXMT, a company blacklisted by the Pentagon over ties to the People's Liberation Army, according to the Financial Times. The skyrocketing prices of RAM and storage have driven Apple to raise prices on almost all of its products this week, so it makes sense that it would seek alternative sources.
Legally, Apple isn't barred from buying chips from CXMT, but doing business with a company tied to the Chinese military would carry serious reputational risks. It's possible that CXMT could still find it …
The Guardian’s Kai Wright refuses to buy a new phone
Kai Wright is the co-host of Stateside with Kai and Carter over at the Guardian. But Wright has been bringing his unique insights to listeners for years. He's also hosted Notes From America, The United States of Anxiety, and Indivisible. He's a Peabody Award-winning journalist who has profiled powerful men, explored what it means to be American, and chronicled the AIDS epidemic.
When he's not diving deep on sex, race, and politics, he's gardening, listening to John Coltrane, and steadfastly refusing to buy a new phone. Wright was kind enough to give us a glimpse into his daily routine, how he unwinds, and offer some simple but powerful advi …
Indie developers got tired of waiting for a new Star Fox, so they’re making their own
Nostalgia remains a powerful force. So much so that, in exploring the echoes of a late-'90s childhood spent skimming the water of Corneria and sneering "cocky little freaks!" in time with a monkey encased in a Gundam suit, I'm simultaneously describing playing Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars if you're nasty) in 1997 and streaming it through Nintendo Switch Online today.
The franchise has been revived through a splashy remake on the Switch 2, but it's also a series that has not seen an all-new entry since Star Fox Zero on the Wii U. Yet Nintendo's neglect of the series has been gently offset by indie creators. Ex-Zodiac and Whisker Squadron: Survivo …
Why is Apple asking me to pay more for Big Tech’s AI obsession?
Tim Cook recently said price increases were "unavoidable" and described the company's pricing as "unsustainable." The 16-inch MacBook Pro saw its price go up by $300. The 11-inch iPad Air went from $599 to $749. Even the HomePod Mini got a $30 bump to $129. Cook squarely placed the blame at the feet of the AI industry, which is not surprising. RAMageddon has already come for your desktop PCs and gaming consoles. The Xbox has seen its price climb nearly 25 percent depending on the model, and Nothing even canceled an entire phone launch. Apple is just the most recent to jack up prices and point the finger at AI.
The price hikes are "basic eco …
Inside the room where the smart home industry is still betting on Matter
Four years ago, overlooking a canal in Amsterdam, the smart home industry collectively launched Matter, the one interoperability standard to rule them all. Heralded as the solution to the industry's struggles, Matter was built on open standards and existing technologies and is the result of years of collaboration between traditional rivals, including Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung.
Matter promised an end to walled gardens and ecosystem lock-in. It promised to make a smart home device, like a lock, lightbulb, or sensor, easy to buy and set up. It promised you could choose any brand, use any platform, no expertise required - it would just …
This puzzle game’s simple premise hides surprising depth
What's the Password? has a simple concept: To solve each of the game's more than 100 puzzles, you have to type in the right four-digit password on a number pad. That might sound like a limited constraint. But the simplicity gives solo developer Dan DiIorio, better known as TrampolineTales, lots of room to play with clever ideas. Over the course of a few hours, the game never stopped surprising me.
Puzzle clues come in several different formats. Some are written text; the very first puzzle is a sentence that tells you what numbers to punch in. But you'll also have to decipher four-digit codes from things like the blinking digits of a clock, …
This might be the new best smart speaker
Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 134, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, hope you're okay in all this heat, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
This week, I've been reading about Polymarket lies and Jalen Brunson and the Arts and Crafts Movement, watching Not Suitable for Work and way too much of the World Cup, trying to catch up on The Bear before the final season starts, playing a bunch of Hank Green's 4×3 game, trying my absolute hardest not to preorder this amazing Stanley Kubrick collection even though I'm obviously going to, buying a bunch of …
Prime Day is almost over, but these are still the best Apple deals I’ve seen
Amazon’s Prime Day is now in its final hours, but whether you’re looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, there’s a good chance you’ll still find a discount. The Apple Watch Series 11 remains at its best price to date, while the AirPods Pro 3 are still on sale for $179. With Apple recently raising prices on several Macs and iPads, now may be one of the last chances to pick up the company’s hardware before those increases fully take effect. Some retailers are still offering discounts based on the previous list prices, making today’s deals even better. With that in mind, we’ve included several new tablet and laptop deals below.
Below are the best Apple deals currently available. Some are exclusive to Prime Day, while others are simply great discounts we think are worth highlighting. We’ll continue updating this guide, highlighting more deals as they become available.
Earbud and headphone deals
AirPods Pro 3
The latest AirPods Pro offer improved noise cancellation and richer bass, along with built-in heart sensors that work with Apple’s Fitness app to monitor calories burned across more than 50 workouts. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The AirPods 4 are on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for around $99 ($30 off). Apple’s entry-level earbuds offer richer bass than previous generations along with a more robust IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. They match the latest AirPods Pro in voice call quality and work well with other Apple devices too, though they lack more advanced features like active noise cancellation. It might be a pro or con to some that this model simply rests in your ear. They don’t create a tight seal like the AirPods Pro.
- The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and wireless charging are also on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $148.99 ($30 off). It’s a solid deal, but given the AirPods Pro 3 are currently available for about $30 or so more, we’d recommend buying those instead. They drown out noise better and offer additional features like a heart rate sensor that justify the small price difference. Read our review.
Beats Studio Pro
The latest Beats Studio Pro feature improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They also support lossless audio over USB-C and offer native support for a range of iOS and Android features like other Beats headphones. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Beats Powerbeats Fit are on sale for $159.95 ($40 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is $20 shy of their all-time low and their second-best price to date. Like all Beats earbuds and headphones, the noise-canceling Fit are platform-agnostic and natively support a number of iOS and Android features like one-step pairing and Find My support. The Beats Fit Pro successor also features a redesigned wingtip with built-in silicone fins and ear tips that are designed to provide a more secure fit during workouts than traditional earbuds.
- The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $179.95 ($90 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, which is also $20 shy of their all-time low price. Their ear-hook design helps keep them securely in place, while Apple’s H2 chip grants access to AirPods Pro features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and better noise cancellation than you’ll get with the Powerbeats Fit. Plus, unlike the Fit, they support wireless charging. Read our review.
AirPods Max 2
Apple’s over-ears retain the premium design of the original while delivering improved sound quality and better noise cancellation. They also sport Apple’s H2 chip, which enables newer features like live translation. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Beats Solo 4 have dropped to $99.95 ($100 off) at Amazon and Walmart, which is $10 more than their all-time low we saw last year. The wireless headphones offer a noticeable step up in performance from the Beats Solo 3, delivering more detailed sound and support for lossless audio over the included USB-C or 3.5mm cable. They also provide up to 50 hours of battery life, plus comfortable memory foam ear cushions, though they don’t include active noise cancellation. Read our review.
- You can buy the Beats Studio Buds Plus on sale for $89.95 ($80 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is one of their better prices to date. The wireless earbuds offer good active noise cancellation along with four swappable ear tips for a comfortable, secure fit (though perhaps not as secure as the Powerbeats Pro 2). They also sport a slick translucent colorway and can last up to 27 hours on a single charge. Read our review.
Apple Watch deals
Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS)
Although the Apple Watch Series 11 is the same size as its predecessor, it features a display that’s twice as durable, 5G modem on cellular models, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- You can buy the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with an Ocean Band, Trail Loop strap, and Alpine Loop strap for $649 ($150 off) at Amazon, which is a new low price. The Ultra 3 is Apple’s most rugged and feature-packed smartwatch, making it a great choice for athletes and outdoorsy folks. It delivers up to 42 hours of battery life — six hours more than its predecessor — and features a larger wide-angle OLED display with a refresh rate that goes down to just 1Hz for battery savings, plus slimmer bezels. It also supports both satellite connectivity and 5G. Read our review.
Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- If you’re looking to change up the look of your Apple Watch Series 11, Woot is selling a variety of Apple Watch bands starting at $14.99 ($35 off) through June 26th. They’re available in multiple colors, sizes, and styles, and the deal marks a new low price.
iPad deals
iPad (2025)
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use, even if it is getting a little long in the tooth. Its high-res screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is still fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The latest 11-inch iPad Air is now pricier at $749, but you can still get the 128GB base model on sale
for $519.99 at Amazon orwith LTE connectivity at Amazon for $749 ($150 off). The Air is a sizable step up from Apple’s entry-level iPad, combining a faster M4 chip with 12GB of RAM, Apple Intelligence features, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. It also includes newer connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, making it more future-proof. Read our review.
iPad Mini (2024)
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
iPad Pro (2025)
Apple’s newest iPad Pros have an M5 processor, an N1 chip, and a C1X chip for cellular versions. They’re faster, support Wi-Fi 7, charge more quickly, and start with 12GB of RAM. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Apple Magic Keyboard for the 13-inch iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4 models) is on sale for $279 ($40 off) at Amazon, which is just $2 shy of its all-time low price. The accessory combines a keyboard and built-in trackpad, features adjustable viewing angles and USB-C support, and magnetically attaches to compatible 13-inch iPad Air models.
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
The entry-level stylus attaches magnetically on supported iPads, though it doesn’t support magnetic charging. Instead, you pair and charge it by connecting it to your device’s USB-C port. it comes with features like tilt sensitivity and Apple Pencil Hover support, but it doesn’t support double-tap gestures and pressure sensitivity.
Where to Buy:
MacBook deals
MacBook Neo
Apple’s most affordable laptop, with a 13-inch display, A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and optional Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The 13-inch MacBook Air is available with an M5 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD
for $949.99 at Amazon, much cheaper than the the $1,299 Apple is now charging. The 15-inch model, meanwhile, is also on sale at Amazon with 1TB of storage for $1,499.99 ($400 off). As good as the Neo is, the Air is still Apple’s best all-around laptop. Its balance of performance, battery life, and portability is still unmatched. And for $949 or $1,149 you’re getting a laptop that should last you the better part of a decade for what’s sadly now such a good deal. Read our review. - The base 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip is the sweet spot of Apple’s lineup if you do frequent content creation but can’t fathom paying much higher M5 Pro / M5 Max prices. It’s on sale for $1,549.99 ($450 off Apple’s new MSRP) at Amazon and Costco. The base model revised for 2026 comes with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of faster storage, and has lots of ports. It’s the ideal step up from a MacBook Air, but paying Apple’s new price of $1,999 makes it much less attainable than it was.
Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro / Max, 2026)
The M5 Pro and M5 Max versions of the latest MacBook Pro deliver exceptional power and speed, making them ideal for creative work while offering best-in-class battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The M4 iMac from 2024 is going from a starting price of $1,299 to $1,499. You can still get a base model with 8-core M4 chip, 16GB of memory, and 256GB SSD in various colors for $1,149 ($350 off the new price) at Costco. The 10-core M4 iMac with four Thunderbolt 4 ports instead of just two is $1,349 ($350 off the new price) at Costco.
Other Apple deals
Apple AirTags (second-generation)
Apple’s latest AirTag features an upgraded ultra-wideband chip for more precise location tracking, a noticeably louder speaker, and an expanded Bluetooth range. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Apple AirTags (first-gen)
The last-gen AirTags aren’t as precise as the newer model and don’t feature as loud of a built-in speaker, but they still offer more impressive item tracking than other competitors when paired with an iPhone. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Apple Magic Mouse is on sale for $59.99 ($19 off) at Amazon, which is a new low price. The wireless mouse features a multi-touch surface for gestures like scrolling and swiping between web pages, and a battery that lasts about a month on a single charge. It also pairs automatically with compatible Macs and charges via USB-C.
Apple MagSafe Charger (2m)
Apple’s latest MagSafe charger fully supports the newer Qi2.2 standard, allowing it to charge compatible devices (including the iPhone 17 series and Google’s Pixel 10 lineup) at 25W speeds.
Where to Buy:
Update, June 26th: Adjusted prices and availability and added a deal for the first-generation AirTag.