Windows 11 has been plagued by a bug in its 22H2 update that affects some users, causing stuttering in games, and leading Microsoft to block the upgrade for those people – but the good news is that a fix has now been implemented by the software giant.
The solution to this annoying glitch is contained within the code of patch KB5020044, a recently deployed cumulative update – but note that this is still a preview update. In other words, the patch is still in testing, but you can grab it the normal way, by checking under Windows Update.
You may recall that Microsoft took action against this bug recently, when the software giant pinned down the games and apps which were problematic and suffered from stuttering, and therefore lifted the block on the 22H2 update for many folks, leaving only those who run an affected game (or games) unable to upgrade.
With this full fix, once it’s applied, anyone can upgrade regardless of what games they have installed on their Windows 11 PC. (Incidentally, Microsoft didn’t share the details of which PC games or applications were provoking the slowdown issue, which was related to GPU debugging features being switched on by mistake, with that debugging work eating resources).
Analysis: Grab it now – or maybe wait just a bit longer?
It’s good to see a solution to this bug come through relatively quickly, as naturally it was frustrating for those who were blocked from upgrading to 22H2 due to the flaw.
That said, remember that as KB5020044 is a preview update, installing it could have unforeseen consequences with it still being in the testing phase. But that said, if you’re keen to finally upgrade to 22H2 after being blocked by a safeguard hold for some time, odds are you might want to give it a whirl.
More cautious types, though, should wait for the full release of this update. The finished version of this patch will be out mid-December, only a couple of weeks away now, and if there are imperfections in the preview update, any wrinkles should be ironed out by that time. (Or we certainly hope so, though from previous experience, we can’t take anything for granted when it comes to Windows patching).
So, the choice is yours, but even if you don’t fancy chancing the fix right now, you can simply bide your time for a little longer in the knowledge that the full release version of the cure is literally just around the corner.
This cumulative update is actually a pretty hefty one, coming with some other major bug fixes besides the resolution of these gaming problems. That includes several important fixes for issues with File Explorer – the beating heart of the Windows interface, which lets you browse through folders and the files therein – including a glitch which caused File Explorer to completely crash and burn (a pretty disastrous situation, ushering in a full reboot).
Google is finally rolling out its biggest Google Pixel update yet, which gives all owners of its Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones free access to the VPN from its Google One service.
That's right – Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro users can now access a service that usually costs at least $9.99 / £7.99 / AU$12.49 per month for nothing. However, they won’t get access to the other Google One benefits that paying subscribers enjoy, like the ability to store up to 2TB of data in Google’s Cloud, and 10% back on Google Store purchases.
To get started using the free VPN you’ll need to open up the Google One app (or install it from the Play Store if you haven’t already). After doing so you may see a pop-up alerting you that your phone now comes with VPN by Google One, and there should be a new option in the app’s Benefits section that tells you about the VPN. Tap the 'View details' button on this option and you'll be taken to a 'Use VPN' toggle that you can switch on, giving you access to the Google One VPN in your phone’s Quick Settings.
You’ll also be able to activate and deactivate your VPN connection by going into your Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro’s Network and Internet Settings, and heading to the VPN section. The Pixel 7’s free VPN will be available in most countries where the smartphone is sold, with the exception of Singapore and India.
If you’re not in one of those countries and the service isn’t live for you yet, you may have to be a little patient; the update is currently rolling out, so it may not have been pushed to your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 pro quite yet. Double-check your Pixel 7 and Google One app for updates, and check back every so often to see if the free VPN has gone live for you yet.
The Googler One VPN is now available on Google Pixel 7 phones for free(Image credit: Google)
It’s worth noting, though, that while the Google One VPN isn’t one you should immediately dismiss, it won’t be quite as useful as some of the alternatives out there.
Analysis: you get what you (don't) pay for
The Google One VPN is a lot like the services provided by the likes of ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Like its rivals, you can use Google’s VPN to keep your online activity private and secure; while using the VPN you can more safely browse data while using a public Wi-Fi connection, and no matter your connection the data can’t be tied to your identity.
What’s more, Google has promised that, like many of the best VPN services, it won’t use data transmitted over its VPN to “track, log or sell your browsing activity” beyond some minimum logging to ensure the quality of its service (though Google says it doesn’t associate your IP address or traffic with this collected data).
There is one major letdown though: you can’t use Google’s VPN to change your IP location. This means you won’t be able to use the service to view content that's otherwise not available in your region (a major draw for services like ExpressVPN).
The inability to change your location is certainly a disappointment, but considering that this service is free for Pixel 7 and 7 Pro users, a few downgrades compared to what’s offered by paid rivals isn't the end of the world. That said, if you're considering paying for Google One to get access to Google’s VPN on non-Pixel 7 hardware (like the Google Pixel 6, a Samsung Galaxy S22, or the iPhone 14) this is something to be aware of.
Today's best VPN deal
ExpressVPN - best VPN service in 2022 ExpressVPN has all there is to offer, from fast speeds to security smarts, supreme ease-of-use to 24/7 customer support – and even free cloud backup. It's a little pricier than some of the competition, but you certainly get what you pay for, and you can even try it for 30-days risk-free to see why we rate it so highly in our extensive testing. View Deal
The Acolyte will take Star Wars fans on a journey that's "never been done before", according to one of its stars.
Speaking exclusively to TechRadar during a junket for His Dark Materials season 3, Dafne Keen teased that the forthcoming TV show – one of many new Star Wars TV shows and movies in development – will be unlike anything fans have seen from Lucasfilm's legendary sci-fi franchise.
Given the secrecy around the Disney Plus show, Keen, who was recently revealed as part of The Acolyte's all-star cast, was hesitant to give too much away. However, the former Logan actor teased some bits about what fans can expect from The Acolyte, including a tiny but important piece of information about its plot.
"I can tease that it's a prequel!" Keen joked when asked what she could say about The Acolyte. "No, I mean, as you know, it's set 100 years before the prequel movies, and it's kind of an explanation of how the Sith infiltrated the Jedi. It's a Sith-led story, which has never been done before.
"It's been really fun to film – the cast is amazing, and the director and crew are just lovely. The whole experience is wonderful, and I'm already excited for people to see it."
Production has begun on “The Acolyte,” an upcoming Original Star Wars series from Lucasfilm coming to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/g6apnGXSmrNovember 7, 2022
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As Keen says, Star Wars: The Acolyte is set a century before the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The series, which began filming in late October, takes place during the High Republic era, a time when the Galactic Republic and the Jedi order were at the height of their powers.
However, not all is as it seems. The show's plot synopsis – as revealed on StarWars.com – confirms that evil forces are stirring somewhere in the galaxy, and it's these events, which play out in The Acolyte, that eventually lead to the Jedi and Galactic Republic's downfall in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. As such, The Acolyte will be fully canon in the Star Wars universe when it launches on Disney Plus.
"The Acolyte is a mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era," the story synopsis reads. "A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated."
Stenberg is joined by a number of recognizable stars in the show. As well as Keen, Lee Jung-Jae (Squid Game season 2), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Resurrections), Dean-Charles Chapman (1917), Jodie Turner-Smith (Without Remorse), and Manny Jacinto (Top Gun: Maverick) have been cast in supporting roles. Leslye Headland (Russian Doll) is on writing, directing, and executive-producing duties, while Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is among the show's other executive producers.
Star Wars: The Acolyte will comprise eight episodes upon release, though it's unclear when it'll land on Disney Plus – and there's a good chance that it'll find its way onto our list of the best Disney Plus shows when it does launch.
Sony is trying its hand at the metaverse with new motion capture devices collectively known as Mocopi.
Comprised of six color-coded sensors, the Mocopi system goes at key parts of a person's body (your head, hip, wrists, and ankles) using velcro straps or a clip in order to capture movement via a dedicated smartphone app. With this tech, users can control an anime style avatar in real time to either create videos or hang out with people in compatible metaverse services like VRChat. It’s similar to a big Hollywood-style motion capture system but without the dedicated equipment or operators. Sony hopes Mocopi will help content creators “involved in movie and animation production” and facilitate development in key areas like fitness platforms, according to the announcement.
If the preview video is to be believed, Mocopi is actually pretty accurate. The avatar closely follows a person's motions from running, dancing, and even lip syncing. Once done, users can view the video of the avatar in motion on the mobile app.
Features
The sensors themselves measure 32mm (a little over an inch) in diameter and weigh 8 grams (0.28 ounces). They’re battery-powered and come with a charging case, so users don’t have to worry about getting tangled in cords. According to the Mocopi product page, each sensor has a battery life of up to 10 hours depending on how often you would use them. They even have a protection rating of IP65 meaning they’re completely protected against dust and can survive splashes of water.
The setup seems pretty straightforward too. Each puck connects to smartphones via Bluetooth LE, but must stay stationary during the pairing process so they can connect properly. Afterward, you calibrate the sensors so the avatar is properly synced.
Video recordings will be saved as an MP4 file with a 1080p (1920x1080) resolution and a frame rate of 30fps. The motion data itself is recorded separately, which can be uploaded to a PC for further animation. If you don’t like the avatar’s anime style, you can upload your own.
Sony will provide a Mocopi software development kit (SDK) on December 15, allowing creative users to create custom assets. Motion data can also be edited on select 3D development software like the Unity game engine and MotionBuilder. The full list of supported software is still unknown, but that info will be released on December 15 alongside the SDK.
Mocopi will be exclusive to Japan as it launches in late January 2023 for 49,500 yen (around $356 USD) alongside the official app. Pre-orders start mid-December. It’s unknown whether or not Mocopi will see an international release, but considering the app is entirely in English, it’s definitely possible. Besides, Sony is no stranger to exporting its tech to willing buyers overseas.
Future of VR
Admittedly, Mocopi is pretty cool, but it’s way too early to tell whether or not it can convince people to join the metaverse. Part of the hesitancy is the high barrier to entry whether it's expensive headsets, the lack of a killer app, or in Sony’s case, limited smartphone support. According to the Mocopi product page, Android users must own one of six Sony Xperia models like the 5 IV to use the app. The selection for iOS devices is much bigger, however, ranging from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Still, putting virtual reality tech into the hands of users may be the push the metaverse needs to break into the mainstream.
If you’re interested in diving into virtual reality, be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated best VR headsets list.
Microsoft Teams is getting a significant upgrade to its accessibility tools that should make the video conferencing platform better for more users.
In a Microsoft blog post , Accessibility Architect Chris Sano announced the creation of a “best-in-class experience for the deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) community” on Teams.
Sano, who is deaf himself, had been tasked with making the platform more accessible, and the first release - Sign Language View - is now ready, and hopes to transform how D/HH users to take part in Microsoft Teams calls for the better.
Teams Sign Language View
When needed, up to two sign language interpreters’ video feeds are kept in a consistent location so that D/HH meeting participants can dive straight into the call. The video tiles are also designed to be an optimal shape and size, and will automatically stream at the highest possible quality.
In its promise to listen to customer feedback, Microsoft has made Sign Language View preferences “sticky”, so that any settings don’t need to be re-applied for each call.
According to Sano, you can also "pre-identify a set of preferred signers that you work with inside your organization on a regular basis – for example, your regular interpreters (or for interpreters, your regular clients)." There is an option to turn on captions by default for all of your meetings as well.
Sano asks that D/HH customers continue to provide feedback through the ‘Help’ menu from within Teams, or to call the US helpdesk to communicate directly in ASL.
It is expected to roll out “in the coming weeks” which coincides with an entry on the company’s roadmap stating a December 2022 general availability. Right now, a version of Sign Language View has been rolled out to the Public Preview program on a per-user basis, so you may be able to get it that way, too.
Amazon has a hot Cyber Monday deal going on its Fire TV Stick 4K streamer: just $24.99, a 50% savings. That’s the lowest price we’ve yet seen on this Amazon streamer, which supports not just 4K video but Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range. A similar deal in the UK takes the Fire TV Stick 4K to £27.99.
The Fire TV Stick 4K is Amazon’s least expensive 4K streamer. Among the Cyber Monday deals to be found on Amazon is a similarly featured Roku streamer selling for the same $24.99 price, though that model omits the HDR10+ support you’ll find on the Fire TV Stick 4K.
One great thing about Amazon’s streamers is the Alexa Voice Remote they come bundled with. Using it, you can simply ask Alexa to show movies in a specific genre like action or 1970s sci fi, and it will turn up a wide array of choices. Beyond that, you get access to the Alexa smart home ecosystem, which lets you use voice commands to control lighting, doorbell cameras, and many other functions.
With an Amazon Fire TV Stick you get a full library of apps, including Prime Video and Freevee free ad-supported TV streaming. And there’s also the Amazon Luna cloud gaming service, which gives you a range of gaming options at various price tiers.
Today's best Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K deals
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K:was $49.99 now $24.99 at Amazon Amazon is selling its Fire TV Stick 4K for just $24.99, a 50% price reduction and a smokin' hot Cyber Monday deal. This is Amazon's cheapest streaming stick with 4K and HDR support, which includes both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It also comes with an Alexa voice remote for content searches using, yes, Amazon Alexa, which can also be tapped for smart home control. View Deal
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K:was £49.99 now £27.99 at Amazon In the UK, the Fire TV Stick 4K gets a similar discount from £49.99 to £27.99. Today's deal is fine, but we have seen this version of the streaming stick for as low as £24.99 in the past. It's likely that this cheaper offer won't return given the current economic climate, so this is the best price we'll see for the rest of the year.View Deal
This deal on the Fire TV Stick 4K streamer makes the price so low that Amazon is almost giving it away for free. Maybe that’s the idea: rope you into the Amazon ecosystem so you can buy stuff using Alexa voice commands while streaming shows from Prime Video.
Whatever the case is, the Fire TV Stick 4K is an impressive and full-featured streaming stick, and it’s now selling at an unbeatable price.
Amazon is letting go of a 65-inch Sony A80K OLED TV and HT-A3000 Dolby Atmos soundbar for just $1,889.99 in this Cyber Monday bundle deal. That’s a 36% savings, and $306 less than what you’d pay if you bought the TV and soundbar separately.
Some of the best Cyber Monday deals we’re seeing this year are for TVs and soundbars and this power bundle featuring Sony’s mid-range A80K OLED TV and HT-A3000 Dolby Atmos soundbar is a match made in AV paradise. The A80K OLED sits on our list of the best 4K TVs, and while we haven’t yet reviewed the HT-A3000, it’s a model that caught our attention at the recent IFA trade show.
Why would you need a soundbar with Sony’s TV? The company makes some of the best TVs for sound, and this set scored high for its audio quality in our Sony A80K review. But TVs can’t deliver the surround and height effects in Dolby Atmos soundtracks (though TV makers regularly claim that they can). That’s why adding an Atmos soundbar to your TV is a must, and this fantastic bundle deal will make that audio investment less of a financial burden.
Today's best Sony A80K and soundbar bundle deal
Sony 65-inch A80K OLED and HT-A3000 soundbar: was $2,999.98now $1,899.99at Amazon This Sony 65-inch A80K series OLED TV is a great deal made even better in this Amazon Cyber Monday bundle. In our review of the A80K, we praised it for its deep blacks, impressive brightness, and great suite of gaming features. Add in a Sony Dolby Atmos soundbar and you've got an instant home theater. This deal is for Cyber Monday only, so don't miss out!View Deal
What can you expect from the Sony A80K OLED? Our review praised its deep blacks, impressive brightness, and good out-of-box color accuracy. It runs on the tried-and-true Google TV platform with Google Assistant and has two HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K 120Hz video, variable refresh rate, and auto low latency mode for gaming. And there’s also an Auto HDR Tone Mapping feature that kicks in specifically when playing games with a PlayStation 5 console.
As for the HT-A3000 Dolby Atmos soundbar part of this bundle deal, it’s a 3.1-channel model with virtual Dolby Atmos processing to deliver the height effects in Atmos soundtracks. Sony does virtual Atmos better than many other soundbar makers, so we expect the performance here will be quite good, especially for the price.
This Sony A80K OLED TV and HT-A3000 soundbar bundle is a limited-time deal, and it expires with the expiration of Cyber Monday. If you’re serious about getting a good price on a great TV and an all-in-one Sony soundbar to go with it, this is a deal you’ll want to jump on.
LG’s 65-inch C2 OLED TV is selling for its lowest ever price – you can now get it for just $1,696.99 in this Amazon Cyber Monday deal, and other retailers like Best Buy have it listed at a similarly low cost. That’s an incredible deal for a TV of this quality, and one we can easily endorse.
The C2 is proving to be among the hottest Cyber Monday deals – Walmart dropped its price for the 65-incher to $1,599, and that's now sold out. All the more reason to jump on the remaining C2 sales!
The reason we can single this deal out is that the LG C2 was the TV of the year in the TechRadar Choice awards. It’s not the cheapest set you’ll find among the wide-ranging Cyber Monday TV deals we’re following, but it’s one of the best and is the set I’d personally choose.
Why did the LG C2 receive our award? It uses the company’s next-gen OLED Evo panel, which delivers higher peak brightness than previous OLED models. That’s something you’ll notice when watching movies with 4K HDR, and the C2 series also uses LG’s latest Alpha a9 Gen 5 processor to enhance HDR picture performance.
The C2 series OLED is also a great gaming TV, with four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 120Hz (with Dolby Vision support), VRR, and AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. It should be added that, along with being our overall TV of the year, the C2 received our Gaming TV of the year award.
(Not in the US? Scroll down for deals in your region.)
Today's best Cyber Monday LG C2 OLED TV deal
LG 65-inch C2 OLED TV: was $1,796.99now $1,696.99at Amazon LG's 65-inch C2 series OLED TV has hit its all-time low price in this Cyber Monday sale. We loved the C2 when we reviewed it, and it ended up winning for both the best gaming TV and best overall TV of 2022 in the Tech Radar Choice Awards. At almost $1,700, the LG C2 isn't the cheapest 65-inch TV around, but given its outstanding combination of features, performance, and value, this is still a fantastic deal.View Deal
I had an opportunity to compare a 65-inch model with the company’s G2 “gallery” series OLED TV at LG’s corporate headquarters in New Jersey when the C2 series was first released. The C2 held up amazingly well next to the company’s pricier OLED series, matching it on nearly every picture quality parameter. It’s that good!
I don’t have a need to buy a new TV at the moment – I’ve already got a bunch of them lined up to review. But if I were looking for a Cyber Monday deal on a new TV, the LG C2 is the one I’d go for. Amazon currently has all C2 versions in stock, so you can buy the 42-incher for $895.50 or the gargantuan 83-inch model, which is selling for just under $4,000 in another Cyber Monday deal.
LG C2 OLED TV big or small, you really can’t go wrong with this fantastic TV. And with the C2 selling at an all-time low price, this is the time to click that Buy button.
LG Display has confirmed that all new OLED displays produced at its plants will feature improved performance and brightness now that the company has completed the transition to its more efficient OLED.EX technology.
A statement for LG confirmed it had completed the transition to the new tech during the second quarter 2022, meaning that all new panels it now produces will feature OLED EX.
LG, who provide panels to the likes of Hisense, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, and Vizio, as well producing for its own branded TVs, claim that OLED.EX offers up to 30% higher brightness than regular OLED displays.
The tech makes use of deuterium, a substance that’s an isotope of hydrogen in atomic structure but packs an additional neutron particle (hence the nickname of ‘heavy water’ when water is enriched with deuterium rather than the more common protium version of hydrogen).
Deuterium replaces the more common hydrogen in the creation of OLED TVs, enabling an increase in brightness. OLED.EX panels also make use of new algorithms to stabilize the OLED pixels, letting the company's panels predict and precisely fire the lighting patterns of millions of pixels.
LG first unveiled its OLED.EX technology back in December last year, and is seen by many industry watchers as a response to Samsung’s QLED technology, with TV's featuring the rival panels beginning to feature on our best TVs list
Analysis: Cyber Monday shoppers need to be smart about enhanced new OLED TV tech
With many weighing up the purchase of a new OLED TV right now thanks a deluge of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, discerning shoppers will be wanting to make sure their new purchase features an improved OLED.EX panel with boosted brightness and accuracy.
While all OLED TV’s made using LG panels from this point are likely to feature the improved displays, it’s worth remembering that current stocks on retailer shelves may have been assembled before the switch or use older stockpiled panels.
With that in mind, it’s worth doing your research and perhaps checking in with your chosen retailer for confirmation on whether that OLED TV you have your eye on may be blessed with an older or newer panel before dropping your hard-earned readies on it.
The Cyber Monday deals are flooding in, with a host of deals going live throughout the day. Some of these deals are better than others, but this half-price deal on the Grammarly writing tool is one of the better offers we've seen.
If you're looking to improve your spelling and grammar in emails and documents, Grammarly can help you do just that – and right now you can get 50% off any Grammarly Premium plan. The best deal is on an annual plan, with the price slashed from $144 to just $72, but you can save on quarterly and monthly plans too.
Today's best Cyber Monday Grammarly deal
Grammarly Premium on iOS, Android and Windows:was $144 now $72 at Grammarly Once you install the app, you can use a Grammarly keyboard, which will go over what you've written, and suggest corrections and alternate sentences to be clearer for the recipient. This is a yearly subscription, saving you 50% off, but you can use it on as many devices as you wish.
Today's best Cyber Monday Grammarly deal (UK)
Grammarly Premium on iOS, Android and Windows:was £144 now £72 at Grammarly This is a yearly subscription, saving you 50% off, but you can use it on as many devices as you wish. You can use a Grammarly keyboard once you've installed the app on your iPhone, Windows laptop or Android phone; the app will then suggest corrections and alternate sentences to make your writing clearer.
Grammarly is one of the most popular apps for improving grammar and structure, and we praised its ease of use and effectiveness in our Grammarly review.
This one of the best Cyber Monday deals we've found today, so if you're looking for some help with your writing, this is great opportunity to give Grammarly a try.
The Swiss company's service, whose USP is end-to-end encryption of user emails, has fallen behind the likes of Gmail and Apple Mail in recent years, both of which tout more advanced features.
Proton now hopes to reverse its fortune by improving the current user experience of its suite and offering similar elements to its competitors.
Proton Mail updates
In a game of catch-up, Proton has introduced some fairly substantial updates to its app - most notably email scheduling.
This has become a more in-demand feature since the surge in hybrid working and flexible hours has blurred the boundaries between work and home life, allowing workers to send mail at times appropriate for their colleagues to read.
Also added is email snoozing, designed to allow workers to set up their own focus times, and categorization, which the company hopes will be able to automatically filter out emails like social media notifications.
Behind-the-scenes work has also been rolled out to prevent spy trackers and improve integration with the rest of Proton’s products.
Regarding the Calendar, users can expect to find a to-do list for task management and easier sharing to help alert colleagues of availability.
The user experience seems to have been a high priority this time around, too, with improvements set to come to homescreen widgets, in-app weather information, local holidays, and contacts’ birthdays.
The company hasn’t specified when these updates will become available, but has instead shared them as a work in progress. Expect rollouts to begin in 2023.
* Amazon launches official Cyber Monday sale
* Thousands of carry-over deals from Black Friday
* New promotions expected
Cyber Monday is just around the corner now and there are already thousands of deals to check out this weekend. As the dust starts to settle on Black Friday we're starting to pick up our coverage early with a live blog of news, tips, and of course tons of deals recommendations.
So far, Best Buy and Walmart are yet to officially label their deals 'Cyber Monday', but Amazon has already made the switch. It won't come as a surprise that most of the deals that have been listed over the past few days are rolling on through into this weekend, give or take a few exceptions that have sold out.
Will there be any fresh promotions? If the last few Cyber Mondays are anything to judge by then we could be in store for a few surprises. Sit tight for any highlights as we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any diamonds in the rough.
So far, we've seen some fantastic discounts on everything from big-screen TVs to mattresses, and we'll of course be posting our favorites shortly. Need a quick overview of what's available this weekend? Check our quick links section at the top of the page. Looking for a full run-down of everything at once? Head on over to our main Cyber Monday deals hub page.
TechRadar deals editors Alex Whitelock and James Pickard are running our Cyber Monday deals live blog this morning. But you'll find tips, tricks, and expert product insight here from the whole TechRadar team to help you grab the gear and gadgets you want at the lowest possible price.
We're busy searching all the top retailers for discounts on the top-performing tech, home, fitness and wellness products that have made it through our tough testing process. Sometimes we'll surface great deals here on interesting items that we haven't tested, too (we'll tell you when we haven't used a product ourselves.) And if we can find a better offer on the same product at another retailer, we'll share that as well.
Good morning all! We're kicking off our Cyber Monday deals coverage for 2022 a little earlier this year, giving plenty of time to find any highlights - and post a couple of our favorite holdouts from yesterday's sale.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Get Sony's five-star earbuds for the lowest price ever
The excellent Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds are on sale at Amazon as part of the retailer's early Cyber Monday sale - for the lowest price we've ever seen.
We awarded these top-tier, class-A Sony buds the full five stars in our Sony WF-1000XM4 review. They deliver stunning sound quality, strong active noise cancellation and a solid eight hours of battery life.
If you’re looking for a deal on some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds ahead of Cyber Monday, then we don't expect this price to be beaten on the day itself. Snatch them up while you can.
Sony WF-1000XM4:was $279.99 now $178 at Amazon Cyber Monday offers like this don't come along very often. We briefly saw them dip to $198, but this is a whole $20 cheaper than we've ever seen them. Sony's immersive LDAC, excellent ANC, eight hours of battery life from just the earbuds and stunning five-star sound quality all for $100 off the RRP? We'll take it. View Deal
If you're in the market for a MacBook Air, you're in luck: the 13-inch M1 model from 2022 plummeted in price to just $799 a few days ago and it's still looking like this amazing $200 deal is sticking around for Cyber Monday. For the record, this is the lowest price yet on this fantastic ultrabook.
Even though the 2020 model has been superseded by the more powerful (and more expensive) new MacBook Air M2 (2022), it still sits at number three in our best laptops guide.
We gave it 4.5/5 stars in our Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review: its performance is incredible thanks to the powerful M1 chip, and the battery life is excellent. It's easily the best value laptop money can buy right now, and a great choice for work or school. It's also great for watching movies.
MacBook Air M1 (256GB):was $999 now $799 at Amazon We very rarely see the MacBook Air this low so now is the time to buy if you're interested in the excellent Apple laptop. It equals the record-low we've seen in previous years. This top-of-the-line device features Apple's powerful M1 chip and premium chassis – and sits as TechRadar's best value-for-money pick in our best laptop guide.View Deal
(Image credit: Future)
Super-low Nintendo Switch OLED bundle alert - but not at Amazon
This one isn't in the Amazon Cyber Monday sale, but we think it's too good to miss...
If you have a Nintendo Switch already and know you mostly play in handheld mode, or you think that's how you'll use it if you buy one, the Nintendo Switch OLED is an upgrade that's well worth considering. Its larger, brighter screen is a marked improvement over the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.
The console itself is going for the historic low price of $349 at Amazon, but this bundle deal at Dell is excellent value if you're looking to set yourself up with some games and accessories. For $399.99 you can get the console, a third-party Switchplate controller and a copy of Splatoon 3 - one of the best first-party games on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch OLED + Splatoon 3 + controller:was $439.99now $399.99 at Dell Save $40 - This is an excellent deal for the flagship Nintendo console. Considering the bonuses of Splatoon 3 and a Switch plate controller, you don't want to miss this discount. View Deal
We're in the awkward period right now between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with some retailers - notably Amazon - having already switched their headline banners over to the latter sale. Basically, the vast majority of deals that are available today are holdouts from the earlier sale, which is generally what we expect these days.
Over the past few years, we've seen these big seasonal one-day sales transform into a kind of 'deals season', so generally speaking, there are a lot of similar promotions going on. That's not to say the deals are bad, however, most of the listings we've found are still at their lowest prices all year - or at least matching their lowest prices.
Take the MacBook Air M1 we just posted below as an example, which is currently $799 at Amazon. This model is generally found at prices ranging from $899 to $929 at Amazon, and it's been on sale for $799 a couple of times in the last month. Those holding out for a 'record-breaking' price may be disappointed with this one but it's still a very strong deal overall.
5 popular deals at Amazon yesterday - that you can still get now
Following on from my previous post - Amazon's Cyber Monday deals are...very similar to its Black Friday deals. That's to be expected though: most retailers will be rolling their existing deals into their Cyber weekend sales over the next few days.
These five deals are all ones we either first noticed yesterday or during the week before. But they're all great value, so they're definitely worth checking out.
Toloco Massage Gun:was $259.99 now $69.99 at Amazon This top-rated massage gun has a massive 73% discount in Amazon's Cyber Monday sale: it's down to $65.57 from $259.99. The Toloco massage gun features 20 different speed levels and 15 replaceable massage heads to relieve pain on all parts of your body and has over 31,000 positive reviews on Amazon. It's one of the most popular deals from Friday.View Deal
National Tree Company Pre-Lit 6.5-feet Christmas Tree:was $399.99 now $214.99 at Amazon If you haven't picked out your Christmas Tree this year, Amazon's Cyber Monday sale is offering a massive $184.20 discount on this 6.5-foot artificial tree. The top-rated Dunhill Fir Full is pre-lit with 650 white lights that remain lit even when a bulb goes out. Plus, if you use ALEXATREE at checkout, you get a free Amazon smart plug and Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) with your purchase (just make sure all the items are in your cart).View Deal
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer/Brush:was $69.99 now $25.24 at Amazon Another hot item from the last few days - Amazon has the best-selling Revlon One-Step hair dryer on sale for a record-low price of $25.24. Thanks to the unique oval brush design, the hairdryer delivers a salon-like blowout with brilliant shine and extra volume.View Deal
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation):was $249 now $199.99 at Amazon This one's worth paying attention to as well: Apple's best-selling AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale for $199.99 - a new record-low price. Apple's all-new earbuds include improved audio quality and noise cancellation and include a wireless charging case that provides more than 24 hours of battery life. View Deal
Oculus Quest 2 (128 GB) Black Friday bundle:was $469.99 now $349.99 at Amazon If you've been after an Oculus Quest 2, this is the perfect time to pick one up. In our four-and-a-half-star review we commended the Quest 2's solid specs and easy-to-use nature, plus there are some great games on the platform (which this bundle includes two of: Beat Saber and Resident Evil 4 VR).View Deal
(Image credit: Amazon)
Is the cheapest TV on Amazon worth buying?
Amazon's Cyber Monday TV deals seem to get cheaper and cheaper every year, so much so that, incredibly, you can now buy a smart display for under $100. It's true that at this price you tend to see the real budget models or own-brand displays, but we're always surprised by how cheap the retailer offers them over Cyber Monday.
Take this one, for example:
Insignia 24-inch F20 Series HD Smart Fire TV (2022):$89.99$79.99 at Amazon This 24-inch Insignia set is on sale for a record-low price of just $79.99, and it's the cheapest Cyber Monday TV deal we've spotted so far. While the Insignia F20-Series display lacks 4K capabilities, the HD TV does include smart features with the Fire operating system and hands-free control with Amazon Alexa. You can also get a larger 32-inch model for just $99 right now.View Deal
We haven't reviewed it here at TechRadar, but we can give you our honest opinion, based on the fact that we review dozens of TVs every year.
So, yeah, it's 24 inches, which is tiny in comparison to most common TV sizes today (it's more like a computer monitor). That said, it has got some surprisingly good features for the money.
The biggest positive of this display is that it has Amazon Fire TV built right in, so you don't have to pair it up with a Fire TV Stick or equivalent to get full access to all the best streaming services or compatibility with Echo devices. It'll basically work right out of the box and get you streaming Amazon Video or Netflix in no time - and it's small enough to fit on nearly any desk or tabletop.
What we don't like is the 720p resolution. For a display in 2022 - even one that's 24 inches - that's lacklustre. The 32-inch version for $99 features this same 720p resolution, too, which will look even worse on a slightly bigger screen size.
Based on that, if you can afford it, we'd recommend opting for a slightly bigger display like this one.
Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series 4K smart TV:$369.99$209.99 at Amazon Get the all-new Amazon 43-inch Fire TV on sale for just $209.99 - the cheapest price we've ever seen. This budget Cyber Monday TV deal includes the Fire TV experience for easy streaming and includes a handy voice remote so you can control your TV completely hands-free.View Deal
This 43-inch Amazon-branded display has the same handy Fire-TV smart features as the cheapo Insignia but has a much, much improved 4K resolution. It also supports HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus for an improved picture quality overall.
Should you buy the MacBook Air M1 (2020) - or the newer M2 (2022)?
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) has a fantastic design, bigger screen and incredibly long battery life, but also a much higher price tag. Think of it more as a replacement for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it starts to make a lot more sense. Read more:MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review
For
Great new design
Upgraded performance
Long battery life
Larger, brighter screen
Against
Much more expensive
Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is phenomenal value for money, which makes it incredibly tempting. It's no slouch in the performance stakes, although if you're looking to do heavy graphics editing and multitasking go for the M2. Read more:MacBook Air (M2, 2020) review
For
Excellent value for money
Great all-around performer
Good battery life
Silent in use
Against
Not as powerful
The 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 2020) has returned to its lowest-ever price. There's no question that it's incredible value for money, but it's no longer the newest model. So: should you buy the newer and more powerful MacBook Air (M2, 2022), or the better-value and still excellent MacBook Air (M1, 2020)?
It's a tricky choice, which is a testament to just how good the older laptop is.
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) brings some big changes, both inside, with the new M2 chip, and on the outside, with a radical redesign. If you want a modern experience and upgraded performance, it's the way to go. The new design is great, it’s more portable, and the screen is a big step up. The M2 could also prove to be a big upgrade.
However, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is a lot cheaper, which makes it incredibly tempting. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a laptop, choose this one, as it offers excellent value for money, while also being a great all-around performer. And that's true even more so today, now that the MacBook Air M1 is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon.
So far we've mostly rounded up pricey buys on tech, but it's well worth checking out Amazon's excellent 'under $25' Cyber Monday section if you're still on the hunt for some gifts this holiday season.
Under $25 at Amazon:toys, tech, kitchen gadgets, gifts ideas, and more If you're looking to spend no more than $25, Amazon has a wide range of cheap products, including toys, tech gadgets, kitchen tools, clothing, beauty, and more. It's a great place to look if you need a fun secret Santa gift or stocking stuffers for the whole family. View Deal
