The Scribe and Amazon’s e-book (e-read aloud), a new way to read and write on a slate
Amazon’s many different Kindles are pretty identical in how they perform, with minor differences separating the base Kindle from the Paperwhite and the Oasis. That’s mostly by design, and I don’t mind. I don’t need my ebook reader to do 20 different things—I just want to read with zero distractions. The new Scribe changes things up and adds a new twist, the ability to write or draw on the slate.
If you pick them up with the tablets, all of the leather, fabric, and premium leather covers will be discounted.
Amazon says it will have a battery life of up to 12 weeks. Once you’re out of juice, the device can fully charge in 2.5 hours using a 9W USB-C charger, or in 7 hours when plugged into your computer with a basic USB-C cable.
WIRED Gear: Amazon Prime Day Deals on HD 8 Tablets, Fire TV Sticks, and MicroSD Storage Capacity Bundles
Amazon recently refreshed the Fire HD 8 tablet, and it’s available for preorder right now for $100. If you don’t want to spend that much, the predecessor is still a good buy. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson says the Fire HD 8 is “one of the best values around for a tablet.” It offers fast performance, an HD display, and 12 hours of battery life. If you want a Fire HD 8 Plus that has more features like wireless charging and more memory, you can buy it for $55 off.
There is a new version of the Fire HD 8 announced, but it will not be available for purchase until after Prime Day 2. It does feature a faster processor and slightly thinner design, but it’s very much an incremental update (and it will be slightly more expensive at $100). We still think the 2020 version of the Fire HD 8 is quite possibly one of the best values around for a tablet, especially when it’s on sale.
The WIRED Gear team tests products year-round. We made these picks from hand after sorting through hundreds of thousands of deals. Crossed out products are out of stock or no longer discounted. Our Amazon Prime Day coverage page and our Prime Day Shopping Tips will help you avoid bad deals. You can get a 1-year subscription for $5 here.
Amazon is also offering this tablet in a bundle. You can purchase the Fire HD 8 tablet with a Fire TV Stick for $65 ($65 off). The Fire TV Stick streams in HD, and the included remote has Alexa Voice built in, allowing you to search and launch shows using voice commands. Its interface is also the same as the rest of Amazon’s smart devices.
If you want more space, you can add up the total storage capacity on the 32-gigabyte and 64-gigabyte models to 1TB with a MicroSD slot. Amazon will show advertisements on the lock screen, whichever you choose. To get rid of that, you need to spend an extra fifteen dollars for the version that does not have special offers.
Other stores have started offering competing deals that don’t require an Amazon Prime membership (and others likely will). A list of merchants that may be getting in on the action.
Deals on Amazon devices are a dime a dozen, but since Amazon recently unveiled several new gadgets, we’re seeing discounts on older models. We highlight the best deals here, but you can check out all of the Amazon device discounts here.
The third-gen Echo Dot may be one of Amazon’s older smart speakers, but it’s a great budget gift for those who have yet to dip their toe into the world of smart home tech. The Alexa-enabled also currently comes with a dimmable Philips Hue bulb, which makes it an inexpensive smart home starter pack for those who want set their bedroom light on a timer or quickly check the weather report with just their voice. The price is $17.98.
If you are looking to add a source of light to your child’s bedroom, then the echo glow night-light is a good option. You can control the lamp by using a device you already own, or you can use the Amazon app. With speakers built in, it can be used as a sound machine too. This is also the best price we’ve seen yet for the Echo Glow.
In addition to displaying the weather, news, calendar, and groceries, the Echo Show 8 can be used to display a number of other things. It can also be used to control smart home devices, listen to music, and watch video. It even supports video calling via Zoom and Amazon’s Alexa calling service.
The Best Early-Amazon Prime Day Deals Access Sale 2022-2: The Flip Z4 and the Ultra-compact Pixel 6A
Our top choice for the Best Cheap Phone is the Pixel 6A, and it’s our favorite phone. This deal is a match of the best discount we’ve seen. When it is not on sale, the Pixel 6A is an incredible value, with great performance, excellent cameras, impressive battery life, and a nice display. This is a great deal if you are in the market for a new phone.
The flip Z4 is the smallest folding phone, and it can be folded up and stashed away in small pockets. It’s just like a real screen and almost like a StarTak. The battery will get you through the day, but not much longer. Still, if you’ve been wanting a folding phone, this deal is the cheapest we’ve seen on this new model.
The new iPad mini looks like an iPad pro with a smaller, 8.3-inch screen. Its portable size makes it great for traveling. There is a chance you can fit it into your pants pocket.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/best-early-amazon-prime-day-deals-access-sale-2022-2/
The Best Soundbars and Mice: Apple’s Second Generation Apple Watch for the Price of $149.99 ($489.00, WIRED Recommendations)
The recently released Apple Watch Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Apple Watch, and it’s already on sale. (The 41-mm version is also on sale for $349.) This second generation watch includes an always-on display, electrocardiogram, and a more accurate heart-rate monitor and can measure blood oxygen levels. Check our Apple Watch accessories guide for more suggestions.
This is the smaller, corded companion to our favorite Razer mouse, the Razor Ultimate. Don’t let the “mini” in the name fool you—this is a standard-size mouse and the accuracy is very good. You can get a cheap mouse with the one below, if it’s out of your budget.
The TCL 6-Series (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best TV for most people. This is still a great deal, even though it was $10 cheaper earlier in the week. The quantum dot panel means viewers will experience bright colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. This TV also has Roku built right in for easy streaming capabilities. If you don’t need the latest and greatest, the TCL 5-Series is nearly as good as the 6-Series—we recommend it for entry-level TV shoppers—and every size is on sale. Read more about them in our Best TVs guide.
The previous discounts we’ve shared were by $50. Everybody should have a soundbar, and this model is one of the best out there. It has fantastic audio quality for the price, and the included subwoofer adds depth with impressive bass. There is more than one way to stream music with baked-in Amazon alexa and Bluetooth for music streaming. In our guide to the best soundbars, you can read more about it.
Top 10 Best Thermapens for Home Cooking: Thermapen One, a brew machine at a low price, and their AmazonBasics free weights
Shipping adds $5, but even with those costs factored in, this is a match of one of the better deals we’ve seen. Thermapens are popular, and we like them a lot. This specific model is featured in our Best Gifts for Home Chefs guide, while a slightly more expensive thermometer from the brand is included in our Best Grills and Best Grilling Accessories guides. The Thermapen One spits out a temperature reading in one second, and the backlight allows for accurate temperature taking even in the dark. It folds down flat for easy storage.
We last saw a deal like this last December. It is a good time to join the market if you missed it, but it is unlikely that it will ever go on sale again for this price. The espresso machine has a built-in burr grinder and hot water spout. Simply load it with beans and put it in a drink container. There is even a steam wand that can help you make easy lattes and cappuccinos. Some picks in the Best Espresso Machines and Best Latte Machines guides can be found easier on your wallet.
These go on sale frequently during the holidays, but this is a solid price if you’re in the market and you don’t want to wait. I have this same brewer on my desk. It is good for people who don’t have a lot of counter space. There are several colors on sale. A refillable pod makes pod brewers more economical.
Many different weights of AmazonBasics free weights are on sale for historically low prices, making them a great tool for home workouts. We haven’t tested these ourselves, but they have good customer reviews overall. Some reviews mention the rubber has a bad odor on arrival, but a few days of ventilation should nix that if it arises. If you are trying to buy a pair of these, you will need to add two to your cart.
Amazon-owned Blink: A Very Low-Cost Video Doorbell for During Workouts and the Night at the LHC (Extended Abstract)
We tested a lot of speakers and smart displays. You can read our Best Echo and Alexa Speakers guide for more Alexa-powered devices. If you want to go beyond Amazon’s very own, check out our Best Smart Speakers guide and Best Smart Displays guide.
You’ll get better audio quality with the larger 10-inch display, and you’ll also be able to see what’s happening on the screen when you’re on a video call.
These buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have dipped to a lower price before, but this is still a great deal. They’re easy to pair, have a good sound, and you get Alexa right in your ear to help with any task. It comes with a carrying case, as well as different sizes of ear tips. Just know that the noise cancellation isn’t great, and the touch controls can be triggered by sweaty hair (during workouts).
Amazon-owned Blink makes one of the most affordable video doorbells you can buy. Its battery-powered doorbell packs all the basics — motion-activated alerts, night vision, two-way audio, etc. — which is perfect for anyone looking to be more cognizant of the goings-on in front of their door without spending a ton of money. Price: $32.49.
The Jall Digital Alarm Clock – A Simple and Minimal Smart Plug for a Coffeemaker, Kitchen Gadgets, and Speakers
If you need to view them elsewhere, you can share these notebooks via email. It’s possible to send a quick reply directly to the email of your choice, which I found helpful. On your computer, you’ll notice much more white space around the margins than what it looks like on the device, something that is especially obvious when using the blank page. It’s a small quibble, but you need to do some cropping if you are sending it to other people.
Sometimes it is better to go with something simpler than to use a smart alarm clock. The Jall Digital Alarm Clock has a sleek wooden look and lights up to display the temperature and humidity in addition to the time. It’s simple, but it’s also minimalist. Price: $21.99
If you want the coffee maker to automatically brew a cup if you wake up, then you should use a smart plug. Thankfully, Kasa’s four-pack of smart plugs has you covered even if you don’t own a hub and works with Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. The price is $39.99.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
A19 x A19 Smart Speakers Vacuums for a Smart Home Decorated Kitchen Bath and Kitchen Gadgets Gift Guide 2022
You can help the obsessed Star Wars fan in your life with something they still enjoy. Many people don’t know that these rugs have subtle designs that might not be noticed by the average person. That’s because each rug looks sleek and tasteful, regardless of the pattern. $109+ is the price
Nothing helps set the mood or get you into the holiday spirit quite like a set of color-changing light bulbs. When it comes to setting up a smart lit home, the included A19 bulbs give helpful timers and automation options so it is still one of the easiest ways to do it. It even comes with a Hue Bridge, giving you access to a range of additional features. Price: $149.99
With the exclusive Matrix Clean navigation, the robot can clean multiple times, leaving no spots missed. Innovative cleaning technologies like CleanEdge technology, removes debris out of corners and edges, and Sonic Mopping, scrubs 100x per minute, ensure confidence and convenience in a deeper, smarter clean every time. Price: $699
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
Smart Home Tech Holiday Gift Guide 2022 Kitchen Gadgets Lights Speakers Vacuums Using APC’s Rebooter
“Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?” Even though your home network is advanced, it is bound to change from time to time. The Rebooter does it for you automatically, though, making it an especially helpful gift for family members who usually just call on you for free tech support. Price: $54.95
Even if there was a newer model available, Apple’s base iPad from the year 2020 is worth the investment in the household. The affordable last-gen slate is great for streaming and sharing content, sharing control of various smart home tech and entertaining kids with accessories like the first-gen Apple Pencil. Price: $269.99
A backup battery with surge protection, even if it’s not a very exciting gift, will make your giftee very happy when the power goes out and they can’t use their computer. APC’s chonky 450W offering features nine outlets in total as well as two USB ports for charging various electronics. Price: $116.70
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
How to Keep an Eye on Your Dog with Furbo Pet Cameras: Low-Cost Smart Home Detectors and Smart Home Controls
With Furbo’s latest interactive pet camera, you can keep an eye on the dog when you’re not at home. The small device is small and light and can be used to pack a night vision and wide-angle lens, as well as toss your dog a treat. The best part is that you don’t even need to own a dog — it works for cats, too. Price: $147
The latest Ikea Symfonisk is as cheap as connected Sonos speakers come. Yet, despite its affordable price tag, it still sounds quite good for the money. The speaker can be positioned horizontally or vertically, and has both a black and white finish, meaning it will fit most home decor. The price is $119.99.
Reliable Wi-Fi is a must-have these days, whether for work or pleasure, and a mesh router setup makes it easy to blanket your home with a speedy internet connection. The Eero 6 Plus allows you to cover a 3,000-square-foot home and achieve gigabit speeds without spending big money for Wi-Fi 6E support and cutting-edge features that may go unused by most. The price is $167
Amazon and Google are always slugging it out for smart thermostat supremacy, but Ecobee is a great choice if you’re looking to monitor the temperature in rooms with problematic insulation and keep things comfy. The premium version comes with a remote temperature sensor and a sleeker design than previous models, not to mention an easy-to-use interface. Price: $249.99
It is 2022, which means that you won’t have to leave the comfort of your windowless apartment just to touch grass. The Grow Smart Garden 3 has everything you need to grow your own vegetables and herbs indoors, including a light, water tank and pre-seededpods that will let you skip the nursery. The price is $74.96.
Google’s Nest Hub Max is a terrific smart display for taking video calls, filling a room with music, and displaying shared photos in a never-ending slideshow. The 10-inch display also features a wealth of smart home controls and, thanks to a recent software update, allows you to call up Google Assistant just by looking at it. So much has happened since the “Hey Googling” thing began, huh? Price: $174.99
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
The Ninja Fit: An Energy-Efficient Smart-Home Technology Holiday Guide for Kitchen Gadgets Lights Smart Speakers Vacuums
The Ninja Fit is perfect for blending up some healthy, protein-rich shakes for pre- or post-workout nutrition — or you can use it to make your own version of a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. No judgments here, especially since the 16-ounce blender is the perfect size for just one person and can take on frozen fruit, ice, nuts, and pretty much anything you want to throw at the 700-watt motor. price was $54.99
Coffee shouldn’t take a ton of money to brew, but if you pony up a bit of cash you can get the same brew that looks good on your kitchen counter. Thankfully, Bodum’s minimalist French press is simple to use, relatively affordable, and looks stylish as hell in its all-black finish. Price: $16.99 to $23.11
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
Miffy Nightlight: The Best Night’s Sleep Spectator on the Second Gen Set-Top Box (with a review by Nixplay)
Your skin, nose, and quality of life can suffer as a result of the dry months. This adorable USB-C humidifier features the adventurous Dutch cartoon rabbit Miffy and a built-in night light — a handy feature given the ungodly hour at which the sun now sets. You wouldn’t be right to think it’s only for kids. I mean… it’s also for, like, kids at heart. Price: $28.68
Although not as fast as last years model, the 2021 Apple TV 4K is still plenty fast with support for many audio and video formats. Both boxes allow you to have add-on subscriptions such as Apple Arcade, and integrate with other Apple devices to allow you to control your device from your phone. So long as you can live without HDR10 Plus and a Siri Remote that supports USB-C, the second-gen model is a good budget-friendly alternative to Apple’s newer set-top box. Read our review.
A Nixplay frame is the ideal smart photo frame if you’re someone who prioritizes clean lines and subtlety over something more flexible, like an Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest display. They help blend in with your normal frames in your home and allow you to choose from a variety of photo album sizes, so you can have multiple albums in your home. $129.99 is the price.
Grid Studio: Introducing Smart Home Technology Holiday Gift Guide 2022 Kitchen-Gadgets Lights Smart Speakers Vacuums
You can control your existing garage door opener from any location via the Meross app or voice, once you’ve set up the garage door remote. The basic device is compatible with more than 1,600 different models too, and this premium HomeKit-compatible version integrates nicely with the iPhones for faster operation. $50.00 is the price.
DrinkMate’s no-fuss OmniFizz is a great alternative to a SodaStream, as it allows you to use more options for CO2 and fizz up water, iced tea, juice, and just about any drink you might want to consume with a hint of bubbles. Don’t drink milk. Milk isn’t ever a good idea. Price: $110.99
If you like to view exploded views of tech and classic gadgets, then you may enjoy getting your walls decorated with some elevated artwork made from the real thing. Grid Studio deconstructs and frames all kinds of cool devices, from the original iPhone and Nokia 3310 to the classic Game Boy Color of the late 1990s. Price: $199
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
The Cosori Swivel Peeler: A Smart Home Tech Holiday Gift Guide for Low-Energy Kitchen Gadgets
The air fryer is just a small oven on your counter, but they’re still great for cooking small meals in a few minutes. The wide, shallow basket and easy preset of Cosori’s Pro model make it an attractive option for all kinds of food, as well as being more compact than similar models from other brands. That price is $94.49.
Everyone likes peeling vegetables because it’s faster and easier during the holidays. Like most OXO stuff, the company’s twin-bladed Swivel Peeler represents a quality kitchen upgrade — even if for very specific, limited tasks. $13.20 is the price
Form over function is okay sometimes. The smart light board has a clock, stock ticker, and weather updates. The attractive Kickstarter-fueled desk accessory doesn’t offer a ton of functionality, but if your giftee is prone to doomscrolling, perhaps the lack thereof could be just what they need. It was $179.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
A New Wireless Earbud Pair under $100: A Review of Ember’s Smart Mug and Other Cool Techie Gifts for the Home
What’s a better techie gift for the home than your own personal astromech droid? Lego sets like the Imperial Star Destroyer and Eiffel Tower do receive a lot of praise, but this replica of R2/D2 is 13 inches tall, which is just small enough for you to not even notice. $2399.99 is the price
Most of us at The Verge are hooked on coffee, and the winter months are a terrible time to be surprised by a cold cup of the black stuff. Thankfully, Ember’s ceramic Smart Mug keeps your beverage heated to your preferred temperature for up to 80 minutes (or indefinitely when it’s resting on the included charging coaster).Price: $119.95
Cheap gadgets are often cheap because, well, they’re not the best in terms of quality. That’s not true of Jabra’s Elite 3, however, which are once again on sale for $59.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.
As our favorite pair of wireless earbuds under $100, the Elite 3 sound terrific for the price and offer a few niceties typically reserved for more expensive earbuds. A rating of IP55 and the ability to use either earbud independently are included. If you don’t want active noise cancellation and multipoint wireless support, they are a good pair of buds that will fit in nicely with your lifestyle. You can read our review.
The Paperwhite: Best Buy Deal on a Second-Generation Apple TV 4K and Other Novel Amazon Kindle E-Readers
Gaming laptops are fun, but they’re not the most practical if you’re someone who tends to move around a lot. The exception to the rule is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which is one of the reasons why it is our favorite laptop for gaming on the go. And right now, you can buy it at Best Buy with an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, a Radeon RX 6700S GPU, a 1TB SSD, and 16GB of RAM for $1,099.99 ($550 off).
Sometimes we stumble upon deals that are not necessarily new but are just too good to exclude — like today’s Costco deal on the last-gen Apple TV 4K. For the past few weeks, Costco has been selling the second-gen Apple TV 4K with 64GB of storage for just $99.97 ($100 off), one of the best prices we’ve seen on the streaming device. It is on sale for $104.97 with a 5 percent surcharge, which is not bad if you are not a member.
The Paperwhite is one of the lowest prices we have seen this year, and that is because of the best discounts we have seen. The Paperwhite has a long battery life so you can enjoy reading it for hours on end in the bath or by the pool. It also has a bigger 6.8-inch display that’s sharp, alongside a convenient USB-C port for fast charging. Read the entire review.
When it comes to finding a device to use to read your ebooks, you have a few options to choose from. Even though you can always use your phone or Tablets, they’re more versatile and can be used for a lot of things, like surfing the web or scrolling through pins on social media. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.
Amazon Kindle e-readers come in different storage configurations, but there is also an additional option that allows you to buy the e-reader with or without ads. Ad-supported Kindles will display personalized advertisements on the lock screen when it is in sleep mode or at the bottom of the homescreen when the device is connected to Wi-Fi. If you decide to remove ads later on, you can make a one time payment to cover any difference, but you will still save about $20.
Amazon introduced a number of e-readers in September. The entry-level model is identical to the standard model but comes with a handful of accessories and age-appropriate content for younger readers who prefer digital books. The new model retails for more than the base model, and the price jumps to $119.99.
As a part of a bundle, you’ll get the base Paperwhite for $169.47, a leather cover for $179.97, and a cork cover for $189.47, all of which are $20 off.
The premium Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition offers the same design and performance as the standard model but with more storage, an automatic light sensor, and Qi wireless charging.
The Kindle Oasis is the most expensive of the lineup, starting at $250. Like the other models, you can get it with either ads on the lock screen or no ads at all, and the device comes in both 8gigabyte or 32gigabyte versions.
The 2019 Kindle Oasis looks very similar to the previous model. It retains its waterproof 7-inch 300ppi E Ink display and supports Audible audiobooks via Bluetooth. However, unlike previous models, it can adjust the color temperature to a yellow-toned display, making it easier to read at night.
The Bose QuietComfort 45: A Cool Noise-cancelling Over-ear Headphone for a Workday at an Office
Wish you could just enjoy some peace and quiet so you can focus while working? The Bose QuietComfort 45 can help drown out all the noise when you’re busy working at an office. The over-ear headphones are amongst the best noise-canceling headphones on the market and particularly stood out to us because of how comfortable they are. The battery life is good and they last 24 hours on one charge, which means you can wear them for as long as you want. Right now you can buy them for $279 from Amazon, which is the lowest price so far this year. Read our review.