Uber aims to launch Europe’s first robotaxi service with Pony AI and Verne
Uber is joining forces with two companies, China's Pony AI and Croatia's Verne, to launch what it claims will be Europe's first commercially available robotaxi service. The vehicles are already being tested in Zagreb, Croatia, where Verne is headquartered, and will soon be available to customers on Uber's ridehail network.
The announcement is the latest move by Uber to shield itself from the financial blowback of robotaxis potentially overtaking the traditional ridehail business. The company has allied itself with dozens of autonomous vehicle developers over the past year in an attempt to persuade investors that it can survive the impendin …
Intel and LG Display may have beaten Apple and Qualcomm with the best laptop battery life ever
One of the coolest laptops we saw at CES in January was the new Dell XPS 16, with a unique 1-120Hz variable refresh rate display that can sip power when you don't need the screen to stay speedy.
Just how little power might it consume? Notebookcheck has tested a version of the laptop with that LG Display screen and a new Intel Panther Lake chip - and it appears to be the most efficient laptop that's ever gone through its Wi-Fi web browsing test. At idle, the Core Ultra 325 laptop drew as little as 1.5 watts, and lasted nearly 27 hours of web browsing despite only housing a 70 watt-hour pack. That's well shy of the 99.5Wh Dell has sometimes …
The Sonos Ace are a hefty 25 percent for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Amazon’s third annual Big Spring Sale might be a great opportunity to pick up a color ebook reader or an RGB-equipped table lamp, but the pickings are slimmer when it comes to noise-canceling headphones. Sure, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are just over $60 off, though I’d argue the Sonos Ace are a better deal, given they’re currently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos’ online storefront for a cool $299 ($100).
The Sonos Ace are a great product that came at the wrong time. The company’s app crisis pretty much overshadowed their debut in 2024, which is a shame considering they’re a gorgeous pair of over-ear headphones with powerful, detailed sound and a comfortable design that lets you easily swap the ear pads. Sound-wise, you can expect something on par with what you might get from a pair of Bose or Apple headphones, with a natural-sounding transparency mode that’s really only second to the original AirPods Max (no word on the Max 2).
The biggest downside to the Ace is that you can’t play music over Wi-Fi or group them with the company’s in-home speakers (although they do support wired audio over USB-C). However, for me, the fact that they can leverage Sonos’ TV Audio Swap feature is what makes them a standout. The unique tool allows you to instantly transfer the sound from a Sonos soundbar — including the Sonos Arc, the entry-level Sonos Ray, and both iterations of the Sonos Beam — to either one or two pairs of the Ace with the simple press of a button. You can also trigger the feature within the Sonos app, which lets you enable spatial audio and head tracking for a fuller, more cinematic experience.
Admittedly, TV Audio Swap is only going to appeal to those already tapped into the Sonos ecosystem. That said, I routinely use the feature to listen while watching movies and gaming (with minimal lag!), mostly so I don’t disturb folks in my household who might be sleeping. Sonos’ newer TrueCinema mode even lets me fine-tune the virtual surround sound in a similar fashion to the company’s speaker-based TruePlay feature, ensuring the headphones reflect the acoustics of my space.
Read our full Sonos Ace review.
Other Sonos deals
Sonos Beam (second-gen)
The Sonos Beam (second-gen) is a compact soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and can stream music from a plethora of services. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Roam 2
The Sonos Roam 2 is a compact and travel-friendly Bluetooth speaker that easily syncs up with Sonos’ home audio ecosystem via Wi-Fi. While it looks much like the original, the Roam 2 has some small quality-of-life improvements, like a separate button for Bluetooth connections.
Where to Buy:
The best deals we’ve found from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (so far)
Amazon loves to manufacture an event. March is historically a dry spell for deals; however, with Amazon’s third annual Big Spring Sale, which starts today and runs through March 31st, the retail behemoth is hoping to lure in would-be shoppers with the promise of steep(ish) savings and discounts on more seasonal, spring-centric items to hold folks over until Prime Day surfaces at the onset of summer.
The bulk of the deals we’re seeing right now aren’t quite on par with Black Friday or Prime Day, and, as with most shopping events, not everything on sale is worth picking up. That said, Amazon’s latest sale is one of the first big opportunities we’ve seen this year to save — and bypass some tariff-induced pain — especially since some of our favorite gadgets are currently matching their lowest prices to date, including headphones, robot vacuums, and a slew of charging accessories.
To help you sift through it all, we’re focusing squarely on the gadgets that are actually worth picking up, many of which we’ve tested and recommend even at full price. You’re not limited to Amazon, either. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are offering the same deals in a lot of cases, meaning you don’t necessarily need to succumb to shopping at the so-called “Everything Store” just to save a buck (or 50).
Smart home deals
Echo Show 8 (2025)
The updated Echo Show 8 features an 8.7-inch display with 720p resolution, wider viewing angles, and higher contrast. It includes a 13-megapixel camera, new stereo speakers, and supports Alexa Plus, while doubling as a smart home hub with support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Echo Show 11 (2025)
The Echo Show 11 features an 11-inch screen and 1080p resolution. It includes Alexa Plus and can be used as a smart home hub with support Thread, Matter, and Zigbee smart home protocols. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Echo Spot is on sale for $49.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is $5 more than its best price to date. The tiny, Alexa-enabled gadget features a customizable 2.83-inch screen that can display a slew of info at a glance, such as the weather and various reminders, and it serves as a handy alarm clock for your bedside, should you need one. It also sounds surprisingly good for its size and lets you control compatible smart home devices with your voice, including your lights. Read our review.
- The Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro X Sound by JBL is currently on sale at Amazon for $134.99 ($45 off), matching its best price to date. The color-changing smart lamp offers preset scenes to help you set the mood, but it also lets you create lighting effects. It’s a Bluetooth speaker as well, one that delivers decent sound and syncs with your lights. Plus, thanks to Matter support, it’ll work with all major smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa. Read our review.
Bird Buddy Pro (solar)
Bird Buddy’s charming, camera-equipped feeder identifies and snaps shots of each bird that stops by, supplementing its 5-megapixel stills with insightful facts via an app.
Where to Buy:
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
Where to Buy:
Govee Table Lamp 2
Govee’s Table Lamp 2 is way more fun than your average table lamp. The color-changing device boasts built-in scheduling and more than 60 dynamic lighting effects, including preset scenes for various holidays. You can even create custom color combos for when “Dandelion” and other presets just aren’t cutting it.
Where to Buy:
- You can buy two Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim smart plugs on sale for $21.99 ($8 off) at Amazon, which is $2 shy of the bundle’s all-time low price. The basic plug lets you add smart features to traditional gadgets like fans and lamps, and it offers energy monitoring, so you can keep tabs on how much power you’re consuming — which is helpful if you’re trying to cut down on your electricity bill. It’s also compatible with Matter, meaning you can connect it to multiple smart home platforms for voice control.
- Govee’s 11.8-foot Envisual TV Backlight T2 is on sale for $69.99 ($70 off) at Amazon and directly from Govee, which is $2 more than its lowest price to date. Designed for 55-and 65-inch TVs, the backlight uses a dual-camera system to match on-screen colors in real time, allowing you to create immersive lighting behind your display. It also features bright RGBIC lighting effects, syncs with music, and supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip
Kasa’s aptly titled Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip features six smart outlets with surge protection, each of which can be individually controlled via Amazon Alexa or Google Home. It also has three non-smart USB-A ports for powering phone chargers and other small devices.
Where to Buy:
SwitchBot Bot
If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what the SwitchBot Bot does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set.
Where to Buy:
- The Aura Carver Mat is on sale for $143 ($36 off) at Amazon, which is its best price of the year. The 10.1-inch digital picture frame features a 1280 x 800 HD display and lets you easily add photos and videos via the Aura app, which offers unlimited cloud storage and lets loved ones contribute images remotely. Unlike more feature-heavy frames like Nixplay’s, the Carver prioritizes simplicity and design, with a white inset mat that mimics the look of a more traditional matted frame.
- The Lutron Diva Caseta is available for $99.95 ($25 off) on Amazon right now, which is $10 shy of its lowest price to date. The smart dimmer kit lets you add smart controls to your existing lights without requiring new bulbs. It includes a dimmer switch, a Pico remote, and a hub, allowing you to control lighting through the Lutron app, set schedules, or adjust brightness from anywhere. It’s also easy to install without a neutral wire and works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and other major smart home platforms.
Nixplay Classic 10.1-inch HD Touch Screen photo frame
Nixplay’s 10.1-inch digital picture frame lets you upload photos and videos through its Android and iOS app or via email. It also offers a touchscreen and auto-rotation, so images automatically adjust to either portrait or landscape orientation.
Where to Buy:
Govee Smart LED Bulb (four-pack)
Govee’s 800-lumen A19 bulbs can be controlled with either your phone or a smart speaker. You can also set the hubless smart bulbs — which work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant — to adjust their brightness and color automatically in time with your music using your phone’s built-in microphone.
Where to Buy:
- Amazon’s Smart Air Quality Monitor is on sale for $49.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, just $5 shy of its best price to date. The budget-friendly gizmo can track your indoor air quality and send alerts via Alexa when it worsens. You can also set up Alexa Routines so that compatible devices — including air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and fans — automatically turn on or off in response. Read our review.
- You can buy the Meross Outdoor Smart Plug for $22.09 ($8 off) at Amazon, which is $2 shy of its best price to date. The weather-resistant, IP44-rated plug is designed for outdoor use, allowing you to add smarts to everything from string lights to sprinklers. It features two outlets and supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for voice control. You can also use it to set schedules, and the smart plug offers sunrise and sunset timers so that connected devices turn on or off accordingly.
Nuki Smart Lock
The Nuki Smart Lock is the most advanced retrofit smart lock we’ve tested, with a compact design and lightning-fast locking. It’s also incredibly easy to install and supports Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread.
Where to Buy:
Google Nest Thermostat
Google’s Matter-compatible Nest Thermostat is a simple thermostat with a minimalist, mirrored-finish screen. It doesn’t automatically adjust to your habits, but it’s easy to install, controllable with your phone, and compatible with most HVAC systems. It also supports the new Matter standard, unlike the Nest Learning Thermostat. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Charging accessory deals
Anker Nano 45W charger with display
Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.
Where to Buy:
Anker 621 Magnetic Battery (MagGo)
Anker’s 621 Magnetic Battery is a slim, 5,000mAh charger that can attach magnetically to the back of any MagSafe-ready iPhone.
Where to Buy:
- The Anker Nano Charging Station is on sale for $33.99 ($16 off) at Amazon, matching its best price to date. The travel-friendly power strip can charge up to six devices via a pair of AC outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. It delivers up to 67W of power, which is enough to charge a laptop or keep multiple smaller devices topped off at once, while its flat design and 5-foot cord make it easy to use in small spaces.
- The Ugreen 145W 3-Port Power Bank is on sale at Amazon and Ugreen’s online storefront for around $65.64 ($25 off), which is its best price to date. The 25,000mAh power bank features a pair of USB-C ports and one USB-A port that can output a combined 145W of power, allowing you to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro to over 50 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. It should be able to charge most laptops at least once, or smaller devices several times, and can charge in about two hours with a 65W charger. It also features a handy digital display that shows the remaining battery life.
Anker MagGo Qi2 Certified 15W Wireless Charger
Where to Buy:
Baseus Free2Pull Retractable USB-C Cable 100W
Baseus’ slick USB-C charger supports 100W passthrough and takes a puck-like form when not in use, with male connectors on either side that retract inward with a quick tug.
Where to Buy:
- Ugreen’s MagFlow Charging Stand is currently on sale at Amazon for $21.97 ($14 off), its lowest price to date. The adjustable, magnetic stand can prop up your phone in StandBy mode and delivers up to 7.5W of power to MagSafe-compatible devices. It also features a separate Qi charging pad on the base, allowing you to top off a pair of wireless earbuds or another compatible device simultaneously.
- Ugreen’s Nexode 65W USB-C Charger is on sale for $24.97 ($15 off) at Amazon, which is just $2 shy of its best price to date. The small GaN adapter delivers up to 65W of power and can charge a MacBook Air to around 50 percent in about 30 minutes. It also features a pair of USB-C ports and one USB-A port, so you can also charge three smaller devices at once.
Jackery Explorer 240D
The Explorer 240D is a 256Wh DC-only portable power station that features four USB ports and a 2-in-1 handle that doubles as a USB-C cable.
Where to Buy:
Robot vacuum deals
Deebot X8 Pro Omni
The Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni features an extendable mop that can clean itself and 18,000Pa of suction power. It also comes with a multifunction dock that can refill the robovac using an integrated water tank and move dirty water into a separate waste tank to prevent it from dragging stains across your home.
Where to Buy:
Narwal Flow
The Flow has one of the best roller mops we tested, and it offers top-notch vacuuming and excellent obstacle avoidance. It can also hook directly into your plumbing, and while a low mop lift and some navigation issues hold it back, it’s ideal for tackling hard floors like tile.
Where to Buy:
- The newer Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni is also available from Amazon, Best Buy, and Ecovacs for $679 ($621 off), which is its best price to date. It’s very similar to the aforementioned X8 Pro Omni, but it’s able to capitalize on Ecovacs’ Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology, which can suck up dust and debris more easily for a more thorough clean.
- The Dreame L10s Pro Ultra is on sale for around $349.98 ($50 off) at Amazon and directly from Dreame with coupon code L10PUXM. The robovac / mop hybrid offers a respectable 7,000Pa of suction along with an extendable mop that can reach closer to edges. Its self-cleaning dock washes the mop pads with hot water and dries them with hot air. Plus, it can empty its own dustbin, refill its own water tank, and even automatically dispense cleaning solution.
- Roborock’s S8 MaxV Ultra is on sale for $849.99 ($550 off) at Amazon, which is its best price of the year and $100 more than its all-time low. It was our top robovac pick before the Matic came along, in large part due to its sonic mop, which vibrates up to 4,000 times per minute and extends to clean corners and baseboards. It also delivers 10,000Pa of suction and features dual rubber roller brushes, along with AI obstacle avoidance and Matter support, so you can connect it to any major smart home platform.
Roborock Q10 S5 Plus
A budget robot vacuum and mop without a multifunction dock. It has AI-powered obstacle avoidance, sonic mopping, auto mop lifting, and an auto-empty dock.
Where to Buy:
Speaker deals
Echo Dot Max
The Echo Dot Max features a flat design and a redesigned sound system, which delivers nearly three times the bass as its predecessor. It also offers improved conversation detection and better noise filtering, thanks to Amazon’s new AZ3 chip. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Move 2
With double the battery life of its predecessor and better-sounding stereo audio, the Sonos Move 2’s improvements don’t stop there. It supports line-in audio, can stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers, and more. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Amazon Echo Studio is on sale for $189.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which matches its all-time low price. Like the smaller Echo Dot Max, the Echo Studio supports Alexa Plus and is compatible with Matter, Thread, and Zigbee so it can double as a smart home hub. Unlike the Dot Max, though, it supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, delivering fuller, room-filling sound. In our tests, it even sounded better than Apple’s second-gen HomePod. Read our review.
- If you’re looking for a relatively affordable Bluetooth speaker, you can pick up Soundcore’s tiny Select 4 Go at Amazon for $22.99 ($3 shy of its best-ever price), from Best Buy for $24.99, and directly from Soundcore (with code WS24A31X1USC) for $23.99. The portable, IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof speaker can float in a pool and lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge. You can also charge it via USB-C or pair it with a second Go speaker for richer, stereo sound.
Ultimate Ears Miniroll
The UE Miniroll is a funky, disc-shaped Bluetooth speaker that can get surprisingly loud — especially if you make use of its support for Auracast, which lets you pair it with other Miniroll speakers. It provides up to 12 hours of continuous playback, and thanks to its IP67 rating, it’s ready for your next pool session.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Roam 2
The Sonos Roam 2 is a compact and travel-friendly Bluetooth speaker that easily syncs up with Sonos’ home audio ecosystem via Wi-Fi. While it looks much like the original, the Roam 2 has some small quality-of-life improvements, like a separate button for Bluetooth connections.
Where to Buy:
Headphone and earbud deals
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace are the company’s first set of wireless headphones. They feature a premium, comfortable build and active noise cancellation, along with compatibility with Sonos Arc and other Sonos soundbars. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Beats Studio Pro
The latest Beats Studio Pro feature improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They also support lossless audio over USB-C, making them the first Apple headphones to do so. Plus, like other Beats headphones, they offer native support for a range of iOS and Android features. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Beats Solo 4 are down to $119.99 ($80 off) at Amazon in several colors. This is the best price we’ve seen so far this year, though it’s nowhere near the best-ever price of $79 we saw during the holidays. These wireless headphones lack active noise cancellation, but they do support lossless playback over USB-C (or 3.5mm) for detailed, clear sound, along with spatial audio. They’re also platform-agnostic, and can last a whopping 50 hours on a single charge. Read our review.
AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also offer stronger noise cancellation, a crystal clear transparency mode, and lengthy battery life. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- You can currently purchase Sony’s WH-1000XM5 for $298 ($100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. Although we saw them drop to as low as $205 in recent months, that’s still one of the better deals we’ve seen on the over-ear headphones, which still offer terrific sound and great noise cancellation despite being a last-gen model. The newer XM6 improve on both fronts and feature a foldable design, but the XM5 remain a great investment when you can find them on sale. Read our review.
- Sony’s WF-C510 are on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for around $48 ($20 off), which is the best price we’ve seen. The IPX4-rated buds offer up 11 hours of playback, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, and a helpful transparency mode, which is a nice perk given that most cheap pairs of closed-style earbuds skip out on the latter feature in an attempt to keep costs down.
CMF Buds 2A
With 12.4mm drivers, active noise cancellation, and an IP54 rating, the CMF Buds 2A offer high-end features at an affordable price. You can also customize the sound, adjust ANC levels, and find the earbuds using the Nothing X app.
Where to Buy:
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The OpenRun Pro 2 are Shokz’s best bone conduction headphones yet, with better sound and more bass than their predecessor. Our reviewer Victoria Song praised their cozy fit as well as their USB-C charging (goodbye, proprietary charger!). Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Streaming and soundbar deals
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (second-gen)
Amazon’s highest-end streaming stick supports Wi-Fi 6E and offers double the storage of its predecessor. It also displays widgets and artwork when idle, while continuing to offer a terrific selection of streaming apps. Plus, it runs on the new and improved Fire TV OS, which makes it easier to find something to watch.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Beam (second-gen)
The Sonos Beam (second-gen) is a compact soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and can stream music from a plethora of services. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is also on sale for $24.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which matches its lowest price to date. Like the 4K Max above, Amazon’s mid-tier streaming stick runs on the redesigned Fire TV OS and supports Dolby Atmos, but it offers only half the storage (8GB) and supports Wi-Fi 6 instead of Wi-Fi 6E.
- The latest Amazon Fire TV Cube is also on sale for $99.99 ($40 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The fast streaming device supports Wi-Fi 6E along with Dolby Atmos and all the major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, and features an HDMI input that lets you connect devices like a cable box or game console. It also pulls double duty as a decent sounding speaker with support for Amazon Alexa, so you can control smart home devices and even navigate the Fire TV interface with your voice. Read our review.
Fitness tracker and smartwatch deals
Amazfit Active 2
The Amazfit Active 2 delivers outsized value for the price. It looks spiffy and has a wide array of health tracking features, plus built-in GPS and AI chatbots to provide extra context to your data. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 features a haptic side button, an improved heart rate algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the ability to broadcast your heart rate on certain Bluetooth gym equipment. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The Fitbit Ace LTE is down to around $99.95 ($80 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy, matching its best price to date. The fitness tracker is designed specifically for kids, with movement-based games that encourage physical activity. It also supports GPS location tracking, along with the ability to send messages and place calls to a limited number of contacts. However, keep in mind that a Fitbit Ace Pass subscription ($9.99 per month / $119.99 per year) is required for location tracking, messaging, and access to the Fitbit Arcade. Read our hands-on impressions.
- The entry-level Fitbit Inspire 3 has returned to its all-time low of $69.95 ($30 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. The basic fitness band nails the basics, providing heart rate, sleep, exercise, blood oxygen, and menstrual health tracking. It can also provide you with a sleep score every morning, along with tips for improving your sleep. You can also remove the Inspire 3 from its band and wear it as a necklace, which is less obtrusive but disables heart rate tracking. Read our hands-on impressions.
Apple Watch SE 3
Where to Buy:
Best e-reader deals
Kindle Paperwhite (12th-gen)
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite — aka our favorite ebook reader — is waterproof, has a seven-inch display, and lasts weeks per charge. Read our review.
Where to Buy:
- The standard Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) is on sale for $169.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, matching its all-time low. The 7-inch model features a 150ppi color E Ink display but is otherwise identical to the latest Kindle Paperwhite, with IPX8 water resistance and a sharp, 300ppi screen. It lacks adjustable warm lighting, wireless charging, and the 32GB of storage found in the step-up model, but it’s still a great option if you often read comics, magazines, cookbooks, and other content with lots of visuals.
- The last-gen Kindle Scribe has fallen to a new low at Amazon, where you can pick up the 16GB model for $249.99 ($150 off). Over the years, software updates have turned the 10.2-inch e-reader into a far more capable note-taking device, especially since you can now jot notes directly in Kindle books. Newer AI-powered tools also let you quickly summarize your notes and clean up your handwriting with just a tap, while Amazon’s updated stylus includes a customizable shortcut button. Read our review.
Kindle Colorsoft Kids (2025)
Like the standard model, Amazon’s kid-friendly Colorsoft comes with a seven-inch color display and waterproofing. The 16GB e-reader also offers parental controls, a two-year warranty, a protective cover, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus.
Where to Buy:
Kindle Kids (2024)
Amazon’s Kindle Kids is identical to the standard Kindle — meaning it packs a 300ppi display and support for USB-C charging — but comes with a case, an extended two-year warranty, and six months of Amazon Kids Plus.
Where to Buy:
Other Verge-approved deals
Owala FreeSip
Owala’s insulated bottle can keep drinks cool for up to 24 hours and features a leak-proof, push-button lid that prevents it from accidentally popping open. Best of all, you can either sip through its built-in straw or use a wider spout.
Where to Buy:
Fanttik X9 Pro Portable Tire Inflator
Whether you primarily drive a car, motorcycle, or a bicycle, the one thing in common with all three modes of transport is the need for a well-inflated tire. This rechargeable 150psi inflator might just save you from a flat (or from being dangerously close to one) when you least expect it.
Where to Buy:
Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Pro
Hoto’s rechargeable screwdriver is ideal for small repairs. It offers three torque modes, a rotational speed of up to 220rpm, and a helpful circular LED for illuminating dark spaces. Meanwhile, the durable case holds all 25 steel bits and an extension bar for getting into hard-to-reach places.
Where to Buy:
- Insta360’s Antigravity A1 is available starting at $1,279 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Antigravity’s online storefront through April 16th for the “Standard” set, which includes Vision Goggles, a remote control, a battery, a carrying case, and four spare propellers. The 360-degree drone can shoot 8K video at 30 frames per second, with the goggles letting you see exactly what the drone sees while it’s flying, providing you with a first-person view. As of February, you can use the goggles to practice flying without sending the drone into the air. In April, additional software updates will add voice controls, timelapse photography, and fun virtual effects.
- Google’s Pixel 10 is on sale starting at $549 ($250 off) at Amazon, which is its best price so far this year despite being $100 more than its all-time low. The phone is $599.99 at Best Buy. Compared to the recently released Pixel 10A, the 6.3-inch Pixel 10 offers a more advanced camera system that includes a telephoto lens, as well as support for Qi2 wireless charging with built-in magnets. It features a 120Hz display and runs on Google’s Tensor G5 processor while offering 12GB of RAM. The phone also offers additional AI features like Magic Cue, which can offer relevant suggestions depending on what you’re doing on your phone. Read our review.
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro is its first wireless controller for Xbox and PC. It features Hall effect sticks, mouse click-like hair triggers, swappable stick toppers, and six customizable buttons.
Where to Buy:
Hoto PixelDrive
Hoto’s latest electric screwdriver delivers an adjustable 6Nm of torque, along with a built-in pixelated display that lets you check the battery life and other info.
Where to Buy:
- The Hoto Mini Bike Tire Pump is on sale for $41.98 ($18 off) at Amazon, which matches its best price to date. The palm-sized device can quickly refill bike tires up to 150 PSI, inflating a 700×23C tire from flat to 80 PSI in about a minute. Powered by a 2,000mAh battery, it can inflate up to eight flat tires per charge, and it automatically shuts off once it reaches your preset pressure.
- The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is on sale for $16.99 ($6 off) at Amazon, matching its best price to date. The versatile adapter features four built-in plugs that work in more than 200 countries and regions, along with four USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and an AC socket so you can easily charge laptops, phones, cameras, and other electronics on the go.
Keychron V1 Max
Keychron’s V1 Max supports Bluetooth, wired connectivity via USB-C, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, with one USB-C receiver and one USB-A receiver included. It’s a reliable mechanical keyboard and likely to be good enough for most people.
Where to Buy:
Lofree Flow84
The Lofree Flow84 is a sleek, low-profile mechanical keyboard with a 75 percent layout and hot-swappable switches. It offers a nice typing feel and great build quality, though its customizability options are limited.
Where to Buy:
Apple AirTag (first-gen)
Where to Buy:
- The latest Tile Mate is on sale for around $19 ($6 off) at Amazon, which is $5 shy of its best price to date. The platform-agnostic Bluetooth tracker helps you keep tabs on valuables within a 350-foot range and offers an IP68 water resistance rating along with two days of location history for free. It can also send SOS alerts, though you’ll need the $14.99-per-month Life360 Gold subscription to use that feature.
- Black & Decker’s rechargeable Furbuster is currently on sale at Amazon for $84.99, $45 off its original list price. It’s a great handheld alternative that’s well-suited for picking up fur, dirt, and other unwanted debris, especially when you tack on the extra-long crevice tool or the included motorized pet brush.
PDP Riffmaster
PDP’s Riffmaster is a wireless guitar accessory compatible with Rock Band 4 and Fortnite Festival. It has two sets of color-coded buttons you can press to hit notes as they appear on the screen, a built-in 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones, and an analog stick to help you easily navigate through each game’s menus.
Where to Buy:
Razer Kishi Ultra
The Razer Kishi Ultra is a mobile gaming controller that works with Android and iOS devices, as well as PC and select iPad models. The versatile USB-C gamepad features Hall effect triggers, reprogrammable buttons, and haptic feedback, as well as support for passthrough charging.
Where to Buy:
- The DJI Osmo Mobile 7P gimbal stabilizer is on sale for around $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Adorama, which is also its best price to date. The smartphone gimbal doubles as a selfie stick with a built-in tripod and telescoping arm. It can automatically follow you, adjust framing of your shots, and even start or stop recording with a wave of your hand. You can also pair it with one of DJI’s wireless mics, making it a handy tool for vlogging or filming on the go.
DJI Mic Mini (with one mic and two transmitters)
DJI’s small wireless mic delivers clearer audio than your phone or camera alone. It’s easy to connect via USB-C or Bluetooth, while dual transmitters let you record from farther away. Lightweight and discreet, it clips on or attaches magnetically so you can wear it while filming.
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- The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker (6-Quart) is on sale for $99.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, which is $40 more than its all-time low but still the best price we’ve seen in months. The versatile multicooker can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and more, and the six-quart capacity is large enough for family meals or to do a ton of meal prep. It also offers 15 one-touch cooking programs and an easy-to-read display that shows cooking time, temperature, and pressure.
Xbox Wireless Controller
The official Xbox Wireless Controller has a dedicated share button for saving clips and screenshots and sharing them online, Bluetooth support, and a USB-C port for charging up Microsoft’s play-and-charge rechargeable battery.
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Xreal One Pro
The Xreal One Pro project a huge virtual display that feels like a 171-inch screen, using micro-OLED panels, a 57-degree field of view, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Powered by Xreal’s X1 chip, the smart glasses offer low-latency tracking with optional 6DoF spatial anchoring so your screen stays fixed in place. They also feature built-in speakers and work with a wide range of USB-C devices.
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Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light
Glocusent’s Bookmark Style Reading Light is perfect for those who burn the midnight oil reading. The clip-on USB light offers a lightweight design and multiple brightness levels, providing a soft, warm glow that’s dim enough that it won’t disturb anyone else trying to get some shut-eye nearby.
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- The Keurig K-Express coffee maker is on sale for $69.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, which is $20 shy of its all-time low. The small, single-serve brewer uses K-Cup pods and makes 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce drinks at the press of a button, with a “Strong Brew” option available if needed. It also features a removable 42-ounce reservoir that holds up to four cups, along with a removable drip tray that fits most travel mugs.
- The 20-ounce Yeti Rambler is on sale for $30.40 (about $8 off) directly from Yeti, which matches the best price we’ve seen on the handy Verge favorite. Made from durable, kitchen-grade stainless steel, it uses double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot or cold for hours. It’s also dishwasher-safe, features a leak-resistant lip, and sports a slim design that should fit most cupholders.
ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover
The ChomChom is a reusable roller that works great for removing unwanted pet hair from furniture, allowing you to skip lint rollers, vacuuming, and other cleaning tools in a pinch.
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Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator
The Grownsy snot sucker comes with three interchangeable soft tips for a good fit and provides three levels of suction. Your kid might still hate it, but at least one of you will have an easier time with it.
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Update, March 25th: Added several new deals, including those for the Owala FreeSip, Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, and Robrock Q10 S5 Plus robot vacuum.
The portable Fanttik X9 Pro tire inflator is down to its best price in months
If you’ve ever had to deal with a flat tire, you know how quickly it can derail your day. That’s why it’s worth considering a portable inflator like the Fanttik X9 Pro. The small, rechargeable air pump that can quickly inflate tires on cars and bikes is down to $59.98 ($20 off) at Amazon and directly from Fantikk as a part of Amazon’s Big Spring sale. This sale price is the best we’ve seen since July.
Fanttik X9 Pro Portable Tire Inflator
Where to Buy:
Fanttik’s portable pump can inflate a compact car tire from 30 to 35 PSI in about a minute, and with a maximum pressure of 150 PSI, it works with everything from SUVs and bikes to sports balls. Using it is simple; pull out its air hose, attach it to your tire (or other inflatable doodad), then select from one of the four preset modes for cars, motorcycles, bikes, and balls — or switch to manual if you want more control. The built-in display shows your tire’s pressure in real time, your selected target level, and remaining battery life, so you can easily track progress on the most important metrics. It also automatically shuts off when it’s done, so there’s no need to keep checking it.
Weighing in at about a pound, the X9 Pro should be easy to carry, and its slim design includes built-in storage for accessories (it comes with adapters for different valve types). Its battery recharges via USB-C and can run continuously for up to 23 minutes.
Meta is laying off hundreds of employees as it pours money into AI
Meta is laying off hundreds of employees across its company, according to reports from The New York Times, NBC News, and The Information. The job cuts impact workers on Meta's recruiting, social media, and sales teams, along with Reality Labs, the division that develops the company's smart glasses and virtual reality headsets.
"Teams across Meta regularly restructure or implement changes to ensure they're in the best position to achieve their goals," Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton says in an emailed statement to The Verge. "Where possible, we are finding other opportunities for employees whose positions may be impacted."
Clayton declined …
Spotify is letting artists manually approve releases to combat AI fakes
Spotify is beta-testing a new feature called Artist Profile Protection that lets artists review releases before they go live. Sometimes songs end up on the wrong artist pages because of metadata mixups or shared names. But increasingly, artists have been targeted by impostors and AI-generated fakes. Profile Protection offers a buffer against bad actors.
Everyone from Drake and Beyonce, to experimental composers like William Basinski, and indie rock acts like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have had fake tracks appear under their names on streaming platforms, with some that were likely AI-generated. It's an issue that has stoked a lot of …
Razer’s new Blade 16 gaming laptop has an Intel Panther Lake chip and very fast RAM
Razer is giving its Blade 16 gaming laptop a speed and battery boost for 2026. The high-end gaming laptop keeps the same thin chassis and RTX 50-series GPU options as last year's model, but it's now making the switch from AMD to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H "Panther Lake" chip, and corresponding faster RAM. The new Blade 16 is available now directly from Razer, starting at $3,499.99 with an RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. The top-end RTX 5090 model gets 2TB of storage and costs $4,499.99. According to Razer's specs sheet, a cheaper Blade 16 with RTX 5070 Ti will be priced and released at a later time.
Razer claims its new laptop is up …
The surprise hit Nex Playground is the latest console to get a price hike
Everything about video games is getting more expensive, and soon that will include a budget-friendly console. The Nex Playground - a Kinect-like device aimed at families that made headlines by outselling the Xbox over the holidays last year - will cost $299 starting on April 1st, a $50 bump.
In a statement on the Nex Playground site, co-founder and CEO David Lee cited a number of familiar reasons for the higher price point:
Over the past six months, the cost of key components - especially memory (DDR) and storage (eMMC) - has risen significantly across the industry. These increases are driven in part by the rapid expansion of AI infrastru …
Disney’s big bets on the metaverse and AI slop aren’t going so well
Less than a week into his tenure as Disney's newly-appointed CEO, Josh D'Amaro is already dealing with two separate crises that have cast a shadow over the company's future plans. OpenAI is shutting down its Sora image-generation program just months after Disney announced a $1 billion dollar collaboration to bake the tech into Disney Plus. And Fortnite maker Epic is laying off 1,000 employees at a time when we've heard basically nothing about the game studio's $1.5 billion investment deal with Disney to build a metaverse.
Disney could still integrate generative AI into its streaming service, and we might end up seeing some version of the co …