Technology

Our close call with crafty scammer posing as Microsoft support

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Our close call with crafty scammer posing as Microsoft support

Microsoft support scams are probably the oldest type of online scam, and they remain just as dangerous as they were a decade ago, perhaps even more so now with scammers having access to better technology, AI tools and advanced hardware. We’ve reported on countless numbers of these scams, but “Bob” from Washington, D.C., forwarded a new one that we wanted to share with you. This particular scam uses Google search results to redirect you to scammers instead of Microsoft customer support.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

A woman encounters a Microsoft support scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How a Microsoft support scammer nearly stole $14,000

Bob mentioned in the email that he and his wife lost access to their Microsoft Exchange email service. They searched Google for Microsoft support and called a number they found, which connected them to a technician. They then gave him permission to access their computer.

“After a couple of hours of running ‘security’ scans he told us he had found that other IP addresses were trying to get into our system. Getting suspicious I asked him for his ID number and contact information for his supervisor. I called his ‘superior’ who asked me all the ‘right questions’ and confirmed the technician I was talking to was legit,” Bob wrote.

The technician then claimed to have frozen Bob’s account and told him that one of the suspicious IP addresses had attempted to withdraw money from their bank account.

When Bob asked if he should contact the bank about the issue, the technician told him, “Don’t do that. We want to set up a sting and catch them red-handed. We believe there’s an employee leaking customer information, and we don’t want you tipping them off.”

Bob added, “Now nationwide, I believe my bank probably has over 100,000 employees. What are the odds that I would be alerting the one crooked bank employee? Then he said give us permission to access your account. We will ‘borrow’ $14,000, and set up a sting in South Carolina where the police are already waiting to catch the crook.”

The technician, who by this point was clearly a scammer, also promised Bob a $500 reward. But when Bob asked about their original request to have the email account restored, the scammer replied that the IT team would handle that later. Realizing it was a scam, Bob and his wife ended the call.

A woman carrying a Microsoft laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND AVOID BEING A VICTIM OF VACATION RENTAL SCAMS

How did a Microsoft support number lead to a scammer?

Scammers often take advantage of search engines like Google by creating fake websites or ads that mimic legitimate Microsoft support pages. When users, like Bob, search for “Microsoft support” or “Microsoft customer service,” they may unknowingly click on one of these fraudulent links, which appear at the top of search results. These fake pages display phone numbers that look official but actually connect users to scammers posing as Microsoft technicians.

Once on the phone, the scammers use scare tactics, like claiming there’s suspicious activity on your account, to gain access to your computer and personal information. In Bob’s case, he called what he thought was a Microsoft support number, but it was really a scammer who tricked him into allowing access to his computer.

A woman working on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MOST TARGETED CITIES FOR TRAVEL BOOKING SCAMS

5 ways to protect yourself from Microsoft support scams

Microsoft scams are getting more sophisticated every day, but you’re not defenseless. Here are some ways to protect yourself from Microsoft support scams:

1) Verify contact information: Always use official contact information from Microsoft’s official website. Microsoft does not offer support via unsolicited calls or pop-ups.

2) Be cautious with search results: Be wary of search engine results or ads that appear too good to be true. Use official websites and contact numbers to reach support.

3) Check for red flags: Scammers often use urgent language or threats to create a sense of panic. Be suspicious if you’re pressured to act quickly or if the person asks for remote access to your computer.

4) Invest in personal data removal services: Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods of obtaining personal information. They often scour the web for publicly available data, piecing together details from various sources to create targeted phishing attacks. These personalized scams can be alarmingly convincing, making it crucial to limit the amount of personal information accessible online. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

5) Have strong antivirus software: If you have strong antivirus software installed on your device, it can protect you from visiting harmful websites on the internet that might be mimicking a company like Microsoft. Antivirus software also helps you avoid opening malicious attachments or links.

While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

HEARTLESS SCAMMERS ARE PREYING ON PEOPLE’S LOST PET ANGUISH

Kurt’s key takeaways

This Microsoft support scam is a reminder to double-check who you’re dealing with before sharing any personal info. Scammers are getting slicker, using fake support numbers that pop up in your search results to trick you into giving them access to your computer or bank details. To stay safe, stick to official contact info from Microsoft’s website, be skeptical of urgent or unexpected calls and keep an eye out for red flags.

Have you ever encountered a Microsoft support scam or any other similar scam? How did you handle it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover .

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

The best deals from Amazon’s October Prime Day sale

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Press Room

The best deals from Amazon’s October Prime Day sale

It’s time yet again for another Prime Day event, as the second annual Prime Big Deal Days is now underway. We’re compiling all manner of deals for your perusal, but we’re sticking to our style of only surfacing the worthwhile stuff — the “good stuff,” if you will. Below, you’ll find discounts and savings on smart home devices, laptops, tablets, TVs, headphones, e-readers, and many other items our expert team of editors and writers have tested or can personally vouch for.

Amazon’s Prime Day events usually offer a firehose of deals, many of which are worthwhile if you plan on starting your holiday shopping early and don’t want to wait until the steepest discounts land on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The bulk of the deals are exclusive to those with an Amazon Prime subscription (which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year), but if you haven’t subscribed before, you can still participate with a 30-day free trial.

Be sure to check out all our coverage of the two-day event through tomorrow, October 9th, and let us know if we helped you score that just-right deal you’ve been on the lookout for.

Prime Big Deal Days spotlight

The Pixel Watch 2 lasts a reliable 24 hours on a single charge with the always-on display enabled. It offers the same Qualcomm processor as the new Pixel Watch 3, along with a multipath health sensor, Wear OS 5 compatibility, and a host of welcome safety features. Read our review.

The Roomba j7 features obstacle avoidance that allows it to navigate around furniture and smaller objects that it deems hazardous. Besides cleaning on a set schedule, the j7 can also jump to work via voice commands or the Roomba app.

Hoto’s electric screwdriver is perfect for making small to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a case and 12 steel bits.

Amazon’s kid-friendly Paperwhite is the same as the standard Paperwhite, but it’s ad-free and comes with the added benefits of a two-year hardware protection plan, one year of Amazon Kids Plus, and a choice of three kid-friendly covers. Read our Kindle Paperwhite review.

Amazon’s highest-end streaming stick is faster than its predecessor with Wi-Fi 6E and double the storage. It also now displays widgets and artwork when idle while continuing to offer a terrific selection of streaming apps and Alexa integration.

Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro photographed on a reflective black surface.

The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our review.

A compact, flexible Qi2 charger for vent and dash mounting. Read our review.

Close-up of the Fitbit Ace LTE in the Spicy Pebble variant with a neon green bumper.

Fitbit’s latest fitness tracker sports some of the same hardware found on the Pixel Watch 2 and a variety of step-activated games, which can help motivate your child to keep moving. It also offers calling, messaging, and location sharing when you sign up for a monthly or annual data plan.

A photo of a Sonos Era 100 beside a turntable.

Sonos’ Era 100 smart speaker is a replacement for the older Sonos One, utilizing two tweeters (left and right) and one larger woofer. In addition to Wi-Fi, the Era 100 supports Bluetooth audio and line-in playback via an optional adapter. Read our review.

The fifth-gen Echo Dot touts a temperature sensor, better sound, and faster response time than the prior model. It can also act as an extender for your Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review.

Anker’s Qi2-certified MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) is down to $83.99 ($26 off) at Amazon, which is a new low. The portable charger — which remains one of our top picks among MagSafe / Qi2 options — can charge a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, and pair of AirPods all at the same time.

The best headphone and earbud deals

With improved comfort, refined sound, and even better active noise cancellation, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 offer a compelling mix of features for the price. Read our review.

Bose’s latest flagship headphones are a replacement for the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 that offer a more travel-friendly design, spatial audio, better call quality, excellent comfort, and some of the best noise cancellation around. Read our review.

A hands-on product photo of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 / Galaxy Buds 3 Pro.

Samsung’s premium Galaxy Buds 3 Pro sport the same stem-based design and pinch gestures as the standard Galaxy Buds 3, only they deliver better sound, improved ANC, and an in-ear fit with silicone tips.

The ultra-affordable Sony WH-CH520 have fallen to $38 ($40 off) Amazon, which is one of their better prices to date. The wireless on-ear headphones offer a lot of value if you don’t require noise cancellation, especially since they provide up to 50 hours of playback and support for multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.
JLab’s Go Air Pop in a variety of colors are as low as $17.42 (around $8 off) at Amazon. They may be a little basic for wireless earbuds, but they carry an IPX4 rating for water resistance, 32 hours of total playing with the included case, and a variety of fun colors that make them the perfect pick for a kid (who might just lose them).
Amazon is selling Jabra’s semi-open Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds for a new low of $199.99 ($80 off). Jabra may be exiting the consumer earbud space, but this swan song is one of its most advanced. They pack noise cancellation, physical buttons, and multipoint, but their real selling point is the included LE Audio charging case, which lets you wirelessly transmit audio from an external device.

Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds improve upon the previous model with richer sound quality, slightly more powerful ANC, and vastly improved comfort thanks to their reduced size and weight. Read our review.

With dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a terrific pick if you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.

Olive-colored Sennheiser Momentum Sport buds in their case on top of a patterned book.

Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport earbuds mix good sound quality and noise cancellation with fitness tracking thanks to an integrated heart rate sensor. They can free up your wrists from fitness band duty while exercising, which is especially helpful for those with tattoos that block the optical sensors of a wearable.

The Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are currently matching their all-time low of $124.95 ($55 off) at Amazon. Their open-ear bone conduction design is a great way to listen to audio on runs without tuning out the world (and any hazards) around you, and they offer up to 10 hours of continuous playback for extended runs.
Amazon is discounting the Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation to $34.99 ($85 off) with a wired charging case or $44.99 ($95 off) with a wireless charging case. They’re not exactly our favorite pair of ANC earbuds, but they offer an excellent passthrough mode, satisfactory sound, and support for hands-free Alexa. Read our review.
The Google Pixel Buds A-Series are a little long in the tooth now but still offer good value (especially for Pixel phone owners) at their discounted price of $59 ($40 off) at Amazon. They feature IPX4 water resistance, in-ear detection, and a comfortable fit — that is, so long as you’re okay with nonremovable ear hooks. Read our review.

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds have integrated wing tips that help keep them secure during runs and workouts. They also have excellent noise cancellation, and their sound has just the right amount of bass and kick to keep you motivated. Read our review.

The Beats Studio Pro noise-canceling headphones are matching their Black Friday price of $169.99 (a pretty massive $180 off) at both Amazon and Best Buy. If you don’t mind a slightly dated design, they’re a very cost-effective way into some solid ANC headphones that work great on both iOS and Android ecosystems, and they also feature a very good transparency mode. Read our review.

The best tablets and e-reader deals

The 2023 Amazon Fire HD 10 sports a 10.1-inch, 1080p display and 3GB of RAM, which is plenty if you’re streaming or browsing. It’s lighter than the last-gen model, too, and comes with support for both the Made for Amazon Stylus Pen and Amazon’s handwriting recognition technology.

A Pixel Tablet mounted on its speaker dock showing a Weather Frog screensaver.

Google’s 11-inch Pixel Tablet uses the same Tensor G2 chip found in the Pixel 7 lineup. It’s also available with a magnetic charging dock so you can use it as a de facto smart display. Read our review.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is on sale at Amazon with ads starting at $74.99 ($65 off) or without ads for $15 more. The 10.1-inch tablet is a pretty basic consumption device for a very low price, but the tradeoff is Amazon’s less-than-stellar app store experience.

purple iPad mini back with pencil attached on blue background and vignette

Apple’s revamped iPad Mini ditches the home button and opts for a larger edge-to-edge display. It also comes outfitted with a faster processor, support for USB-C, and a top-mounted power button that moonlights as a Touch ID sensor. Read our review.

Amazon’s big, stylus-equipped Kindle Scribe is down to $254.99 ($85 off) at Amazon, which is one of the best prices we’ve seen on the ebook reader in recent months. It has a sharp 10.2-inch E Ink display and great battery life, though, as noted in our review, it suffers from a somewhat lackluster note-taking experience, even if it has gotten better thanks to Amazon’s frequent OTA updates.

The 10th-gen iPad in yellow, resting face up on a wooden table.

Apple’s 10th-gen iPad is the successor to the older ninth-gen model. In exchange for its revised design, landscape-oriented webcam, USB-C port, larger 10.9-inch screen, and faster processor, it ditched the headphone jack and home button. Read our review.

A screenshot of the Apple Pencil Pro taken from Apple’s Let Loose iPad presentation.

The Apple Pencil Pro offers a slate of new features, including Find My support, so you can find the stylus when it gets lost. It also touts new creative capabilities, like squeeze gestures and a “Barrel Roll” gyroscope.

Woman holding a purse while modeling the Stripes watchface on the Apple Watch SE (2022)

The latest SE borrows a few features from the Series 8, including the same chipset and Crash Detection feature, but it’s an otherwise subtle upgrade from the last-gen SE. Read our review.

The latest base-model 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage is at its lowest price of $849 ($250 off) at Amazon (exclusive for Prime members) and Best Buy. The M3 Air came out earlier this year and looks a lot like the previous M2 generation, with modest improvements like a faster chip, improved Wi-Fi, and the ability to power two external monitors with the lid closed. And one of the best things that remains the same as the prior generation is the Air’s excellent all-day battery life. Read our review.
If the base 13-inch M3 MacBook Air above is too simple a configuration for you, it’s also available with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD for $1,249 (the same $250 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.

A photo of Apple’s M3-powered MacBook Air laptop.

The 15-inch MacBook Air is also equipped with Apple’s M3 chip. It features a larger display and better speaker array than the 13-inch MacBook Air M3. Read our review.

Hands holding the silver Apple AirPods Max.

Apple’s AirPods Max feature exemplary build quality, sound phenomenal, and keep up with the best at noise cancellation. Read our review.

Both versions of Apple’s AirPods Max are on sale at Amazon for their lowest prices to date. You can get the original AirPods Max with Lightning port for around $394.99 (around $244 off), or you can opt for the updated version that’s mostly the same but with USB-C for $499.99 (about $50 off). Either flavor of Apple’s flagship wireless headphones offers great noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and seamless integration across Apple devices like Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

The best TV and streaming device deals

The LG C4 is similar to its predecessor, with support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate tech. However, it now sports a max 144Hz refresh rate, a brighter panel, and overall better picture quality.

An image of Amazon’s Fire TV Omni QLED television on a wall with onscreen widgets for weather, sticky notes, music, and more.

Amazon’s Fire TV Omni QLED features built-in microphones for Alexa commands, low input lag, and support for two-way video calling with a compatible webcam. It also provides access to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and most major streaming services.

A photo of Amazon’s Fire TV Cube on a TV stand.

The hybrid Echo and Fire TV is faster than its predecessor with extensive hands-free voice control capabilities, support for Wi-Fi 6E, and excellent performance. Read our review.

Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K is down to $34 (around $16 off) at Amazon, which is one of its better prices to date. The basic 4K streaming device offers an easy-to-use software interface and a host of solid specs — including support for Dolby Vision HDR — all within a svelte form factor that easily tucks behind your TV.
The latest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is going for $24.99 ($25 off) at Amazon, matching its lowest price to date. It’s hard to beat in terms of value at this price, especially given its broad HDR support for Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, but it often feels like Amazon’s interface goes out of its way to center Prime Video content and ads when possible.
If you have an older Fire TV streaming device or want to use your Echo Show 15 as a small TV, you can pick up the Alexa Voice Remote Pro for an all-time low of $24.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. It’s arguably Amazon’s best clicker, with backlighting, two customizable buttons, and a handy remote finder feature that makes it easy to locate in a pinch. Read our review.

The latest Hisense 4K TVs boast excellent value for image quality and Google Play, giving you access to a wide selection of streaming apps. They also support Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10 Plus.

A photo of a man leaning over on a couch and using LG’s StanbyME Go briefcase TV.

LG’s StanbyME Go is a fun 27-inch panel nestled within a briefcase. The basic 1080p display doesn’t offer high-end specs, though it does come with a selection of preloaded games, versatile viewing options, and a wide selection of streaming apps. Read our review.

Amazon’s own Fire TV Soundbar is a 2.0-channel speaker that stretches 24 inches long. It’s got support for Dolby Audio, DTS, and Bluetooth and connects to a compatible TV via an HDMI port with eARC or ARC. Read our hands-on impressions.

The latest Sonos Beam fits into the middle of Sonos’ soundbar lineup. It supports Dolby Atmos through virtualized surround sound and offers eARC compatibility with newer TVs.

The best smartphone deals

The base-model Samsung Galaxy S24 with 128GB of storage is $599.99 ($200 off) at Amazon. Samsung’s latest entry point into its current crop of flagship slab phones has a 6.2-inch OLED display, 50-megapixel main rear camera accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and 8GB of RAM. It also sports a revised iPhone-like design with flat edges and a promise of seven years of OS updates. Read our review.

Unlike years past, the Galaxy S24 Plus gets the same QHD resolution as the Ultra model. Otherwise, it offers a very similar experience to the base model, only it’s noticeably bigger at 6.7 inches. That makes it roomy enough for a bigger 4,900mAh battery with 45W fast charging, too.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 on a purple and green background.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers slight design and performance upgrades compared to the previous generation. The AI-ready Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 now comes with 12GB of RAM and a vapor chamber for cooling. It also has a new 50-megapixel camera sensor that enables 2X optical zoom.

The OnePlus 12 and its massive 6.8-inch display is starting at $599.99 ($200 off) at Amazon — a new low price for the flagship-level phone with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Or you can opt for a model with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM in green for $664.99 ($235 off). The latter is quite a value for a spec-heavy phone that focuses on everyday performance and battery life (not so much all the AI fluff). Read our review.
The midrange OnePlus 12R is on sale for $379.99 ($120 off) in its 128GB configuration at Amazon. The 12R has an excellent 6.78-inch screen with 120Hz refresh at a low price and flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to keep things speedy. It just lacks some extras and niceties like wireless charging and lower-spec weather resistance. Read our review.

OnePlus Open in hand showing camera array.

OnePlus’ first take on foldables is a valiant effort to improve on the big tablet / smartphone hybrid form factor. It’s well engineered and includes a compelling Hasselblad camera system but skimps on features like wireless charging and water resistance. Read our review.

Google Pixel 8A in aloe green showing back panel.

Google’s latest midranger touts a whopping seven years of software support and a number of small upgrades, including Google’s speedy Tensor G3 processor, a 120Hz display, and plenty of new AI features. Read our review.

Google Pixel 8 in pink on a pink background with red transparent squares.

The last-gen Pixel 8 comes with just a couple of key upgrades over 2022’s Pixel 7, and it misses out on several higher-end features on the 8 Pro, like a telephoto lens. But its combination of price, features, and the promise of seven years of OS updates makes it one of the best mainstream Android phones. Read our review.

The best robot vacuum deals

The iRobot Roomba i3 Plus EVO robot vacuum lying on a wooden floor.

The best bang for your buck, the Roomba i3 Plus Evo cleans just as well as the j7 but won’t avoid clutter and doesn’t have app-enabled clean zones or keep-out zones.

Dreame’s X40 Ultra is available for $1,399.99 ($500 off) at Amazon, a new all-time low. The terrific robovac offers enough suction for high-pile carpets, and its built-in mop pad can be automatically detached and left at its self-emptying station for mostly hands-off use.
The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is down to ~~$599.99 ($200 off)~~ $549.99 ($250 off) at Amazon. That’s a new all-time low price on our top pick among midrange hybrid robot vacuums / mops. (As long as you’re willing to trust Anker’s Eufy brand after its security camera fiasco from over a year ago.)

The Q5 Pro has a big 770ml bin, 5,500Pa of suction power, and can be paired with an auto-empty dock, making it a great budget option when it’s on sale. It also mops with a removable mopping pad with a small built-in water tank. It has dual rubber brushes, lidar mapping, and keep-out zones, and the app is very good.

The Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop mops very well — doing a swingy, scrubbing movement with its rear end when in “Matrix mode.” However, you have to manually fill and attach the mop reservoir and empty the bin when it mops, as it only self-empties in vacuum mode and can only avoid larger objects.

The best smartwatch and fitness tracker deals

The latest SE borrows a few features from the Series 8, including the same chipset and Crash Detection feature, but it’s an otherwise subtle upgrade from the last-gen SE. Read our review.

The Amazfit Band 7 is an unassuming, basic fitness tracker with a bright OLED display, long battery life, and an incredible feature set for the price. Read our review.

Garmin’s Venu Sq 2 is ~~our favorite Garmin stand-in for a Fitbit, and it’s currently going for just $149.99 ($100 off) at~~ ~~Amazon. The fitness watch sports a variety of training and health features without the need for a subscription, and its battery easily lasts over a week.~~ ~~Read our review~~.
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is on sale for $227.49 at Amazon when you click the on-page coupon for $122 off. The fitness- and health-focused smartwatch has an Apple Watch-like digital crown for scrolling, along with a multiday battery thanks to its ultra-low-power display. Read our review.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 came out over the summer, but it’s already on sale at Amazon starting at $269 ($30 off). The latest generation of Samsung’s smartwatch doesn’t rock the boat with changes, but it offers an upgraded processor and 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor for snappier performance over prior generations. Read our review.

The best smart display and speaker deals

The latest Emberton speaker is an IP67-rated Bluetooth speaker with great sound, long-lasting battery life, and a timeless design that takes a cue from Marshall’s classic guitar amps.

A purple Echo Pop smart speaker on a table surrounded by Ring Pop candy.

Amazon’s Echo Pop is an Alexa-enabled smart speaker that offers a unique semisphere form factor and can function as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender. Read our review.

Amazon is discounting the latest Amazon Echo (fourth-gen) to its previous low of $49.99 ($50 off). The orb-shaped smart speaker delivers some good sound quality for its size if you choose to listen to music or podcasts on it, but one of its unique features is acting as a home hub for Zigbee and Matter, allowing it to bridge the gap to various other smart home devices with a simple Alexa voice command. Read our review.
The Echo Show 8 (third-gen), the latest version of Amazon’s midsize smart display, is down to $84.99 ($65 off) at Amazon. The eight-inch device looks a lot like previous models, but it’s got widget support for added versatility, a more responsive touchscreen, and nice-sounding speakers. Just don’t expect to take any Zoom meetings on it, as only Alexa video calls are currently supported. Read our review.
If you want a smart alarm clock with a great display and zero mics / cameras, the latest Echo Spot is on sale at Amazon for $44.99 ($60 off) with a TP-Link Tapo Smart Color Bulb. The 2.83-inch touchscreen can’t display videos or double as a digital photo frame, but it can tell you the weather when you wake up, and its accompanying bulb can be controlled via Alexa voice commands or set to turn on with your alarm. Read our review.

The third-gen Echo Show 5 turned on while on a desk in front of the window during a rainy day.

The latest Echo Show 5 is just as small as its predecessor but features updated mics and a speaker system that delivers double the bass and clearer sound quality.

Sony’s adorable SRS-XB100 speaker offers USB-C charging, a built-in strap, and great sound for the price, rendering it a terrific travel speaker or home office companion. Read our review.

The best smart home deals

Amazon’s Smart Air Quality Monitor touts a compact design, voice alerts, and automated triggers that allow it to turn on air purifiers and other Alexa-enabled devices. It lacks a display, however, and pairs best with an Echo device. Read our review.

A large silver door lock on a door above a lever handle

Expensive but with a premium feel, this smart lock is reliable, feels good in your hand, and doesn’t require switching out your entire deadbolt. You can keep your existing key, and it will auto-unlock as you arrive home. But beware of the poor battery life and prepare to stockpile those CR123 batteries.

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener offers a very inexpensive way to smarten up most powered garage doors, allowing you to open and close them remotely with your phone or give guests and family members easy access. Right now, you can get the model that’s compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings for $25.79 (about $5 off) at Amazon.
The Eve Energy smart plug is down to $28.95 ($11 off) at Amazon. The single-plug outlet supports Matter for easy cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to use the app of your choice across Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or SmartThings. Read our smart plug buying guide.

A black wireless camera mounted on a wall.

The 1080p Blink Outdoor 4 security camera offers support for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. There’s the option of local recording with the Sync Module 2, and unlike the third-gen model, it supports person detection and has a wider field of view.

Amazon’s new Echo Hub is kind of like a small Fire tablet you mount on your wall that gives you full-time access to all your smart home controls. It’s got an eight-inch touchscreen and support for Matter and Thread. Read our review.

Ring’s Stick Up Cam Battery is available at Amazon for $54.99 ($45 off), matching its best price to date. The indoor / outdoor security camera can be easily mounted just about anywhere and supports 1080p live video, motion alerts, and two-way audio. It also comes with a rechargeable battery pack.
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, our top choice among battery-powered video doorbells, is down to $99.99 ($50 off) at Amazon, matching its previous Prime Day low. It’s a great value with square, high-quality 1536 x 1536 resolution with HDR that can capture a head-to-toe view of your porch — including package notifications if you pay for Ring’s subscription.
Amazon’s Smart Plug is a very simple way to add some smart functionality to conventional devices around your house, and Amazon has it for just $12.99 ($12 off) through Prime Big Deal Days. For example, you can easily set up a coffee maker with a smart timer via Alexa or use it to turn on your floor lamp with a simple voice command as you enter the room.

The black Blink Video Doorbell hung up on a brick wall outside of a house.

Blink’s Video Doorbell is the best if you’re looking for a budget-friendly buzzer that offers motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and up to two years of battery life.

The 1080p Blink Mini 2 adds weather resistance to the affordable security camera, so you can use it both indoors and out while continuing to offer a ball-and-socket mount for easy mounting to a wall. It has the option of local storage with a Sync Module or cloud storage and features like person detection for $3 a month. Read our review.

The Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is the best budget-friendly model you can get, and that makes sense because it sports 1080p video and bright 2,600-lumen lights, all for just $59.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. That’s a new low for the affordable floodlight, which also offers motion detection, two-way audio, and added smart notifications if you pay for Blink’s subscription.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat is selling for $55.99 ($24 off) at Amazon. It’s not as good a deal as its all-time low of about $42 (from a time when it used to sell new for $60), but the smart thermo offers a very affordable way to smarten up your home HVAC. It uses Alexa Hunches to try and predict your habits and efficiently heat / cool your home, letting you save on your monthly utility bill. Read our review.

The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro delivers high-quality video with adjustable, accurate radar-powered motion detection, 2,000 lumens of light, and a good digital zoom. It offers smart alerts for people or motion and works with Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Ring’s excellent app.

Ring’s Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is matching its all-time low of $49.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. The versatile indoor camera plugs into power, so you don’t have to worry about charging it or changing the battery, and it makes a great pet cam since you can look all around a room to keep an eye on a dog or cat.
The Matter-compatible TP-Link Tapo Outdoor Smart Plug is just $15.99 ($14 off) at Amazon. The smart plug offers two weather-resistant outlets and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to connect to Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home ecosystems. It’s especially handy this time of year if you want to smarten up some old conventional holiday lights.

The best gaming deals

Naked Snake and The Boss face off in a field of flowers.

A remastered collection of Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the two original Metal Gear titles from the MSX2. The love letter to these classic “tactical espionage action” games is also coupled with extra spinoffs like Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions. Read our review.

Bluey: The Videogame isn’t a very long or in-depth game, but children obsessed with the popular kids show from Australia are likely to get a kick out of the family-friendly co-operative experience starring the Heeler family.

Physical copies of EA Sports College Football 25 for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are on sale for a new low of $42.99 ($28 off) at Amazon. It’s been an 11-year hiatus since the last college football game by EA Sports, and the new one came out just a few months ago to marching band-level fanfare and positive reception. The new installment has a robust Dynasty Mode that allows you to do all your own recruiting, and for the first time, it features real player names and likenesses.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on PS5 and Xbox Series X is just $19.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. The Metroidvania-style game has a massive map to explore and some excellent side-scrolling combat and puzzle-solving. Read our review.
You can get a massive 1.5TB SanDisk Ultra microSD card for $89.99 ($60 off) at Amazon. The tiny card adds multitudes more storage to a Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or other handhelds like an Asus ROG Ally — allowing you to fit many games before having to worry about running out of space.

A Seagate 1TB Expansion Card plugged into the back of an Xbox Series X console.

Proprietary SSD expansion for the Xbox Series X / S consoles. The plug-and-play drives are designed to be as fast as the Xbox internal SSD and are sold in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.

The WD_Black SN850X is one of the fastest M.2 drives around, with a sequential read speed of up to 7,300 MB/s and a write speed of up to 6,600 MB/s. It performs best in a PC with a PCIe 4.0 motherboard or in a PS5 (with a requisite heatsink).

Samsung’s ultrafast 990 Pro is a PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD that can reach sequential read speeds of 7,450MB/s and write speeds of 6,900MB/s. It’s more than capable for high-end PC builds, and its preinstalled heatsink means it’s easily installable into a PlayStation 5. Its heatsink even has a bit of RGB lighting for some extra pop (if you’re able to see it).

The 8BitDo Ultimate Controller comes with its own charging dock, features remappable controls, and is compatible with PCs, Valve’s Steam Deck, and mobile devices thanks to its 2.4GHz connectivity. This revised version has upgraded drift-free Hall effect sticks.

CRKD’s latest Nitro Deck Plus dockable handheld controller for the Nintendo Switch is $54.99 ($15 off) at Amazon, or $63.99 ($16 off) with an included HDMI adapter. The new Nitro Deck remixes the formula of the original model with an updated symmetrical stick layout that uses drift-free Hall sensors. It essentially turns your Switch into a Steam Deck-like experience, acting as both full-featured handheld controller and a dock with passthrough USB-C charging.
Logitech’s G305 Lightspeed sports a 12,000 DPI sensor and up to 250 hours of use on a single AA battery. The six-button wireless gaming mouse is a great value for both PC and Mac users, one that’s currently available at Amazon for $33.24 (around $17 off).
Razer’s Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox Series X / S controllers (and Xbox One-era ones as well) is on sale for $19.99 ($20 off) at Amazon. It comes with a charging cradle, a USB cable, and — most importantly — a rechargeable cell and replacement battery cover for the controller, allowing you to rid yourself of your reliance on AAs.

The InZone H3 is the wired (3.5mm / USB-A) model in Sony’s latest lineup of gaming headsets, which are compatible with both PlayStation and PC. You can customize the sound profile of InZone headsets with the InZone companion app and Sony’s Spatial Sound Personalizer.

The H9 is at the top end of Sony’s InZone gaming headsets. It features active noise cancellation, compatibility with both PCs and the PlayStation 5, and can simultaneously connect to two devices (one over 2.4GHz wireless and one over Bluetooth).

The Amazon Luna Wireless Controller is on sale for 50 percent off at Amazon, dropping it to $39.99 ($40 off). The official gamepad of Amazon’s cloud streaming service can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB to play across a variety of devices and platforms (including Windows, Mac, Amazon Fire devices, iPads, iPhones, Android, and Chromebooks).

The best charging accessory deals

A Qi2 pad on the front and a party in the back, with three AC outlets and four USB ports. It can deliver up to 67W through a single USB-C port or divided between its two USB-C and two USB-A ports.

Belkin’s 15W MagSafe Charger Pad is on sale without the required 20W power supply for $23.99 ($6 off) at Amazon. It may not support Qi2 charging like newer models, but if you have a compatible iPhone, it can charge your phone at 15W with a lengthy 6.6-foot built-in cable and a convenient kickstand. Read our MagSafe / Qi2 charger buying guide.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip is available for $39.99 ($40 off) at Amazon, matching its all-time low from Black Friday. The surge-protected strip allows you to individually control its six outlets and three USB ports without the need for a hub; it can even monitor their energy consumption.
Most devices require USB-C power these days, and Anker’s 30W Nano Charger offers some of the most versatility you can get for $12.99 ($10 off) — which is the charger’s current price at Amazon. The GaN charger is tiny and easily portable thanks to its foldable prongs, and it even comes in a handful of fun colors.

Twelve South’s 3-in-1 charging stand offers full 15W MagSafe iPhone charging and can simultaneously top up a set of AirPods while fast-charging a compatible Apple Watch. The charger includes a power supply (with travel adapters) to deliver enough juice over its five-foot / 1.5m USB cable.

Verge Deals on X /

Join more than 50,000 followers and keep up with the best daily tech deals with @vergedeals

The best deals on other Verge favorites

LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.

The Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker is one of the easiest ways to crush or mince the greatest-tasting plant known to humanity, and it’s on sale for $11.98 (about $8 off) at Amazon. The simple design makes cleaning it much easier than more complicated garlic presses with tiny holes that easily get clogged.
You can get a Glocusent book light that goes around your neck to easily illuminate your reading material in bed for $17.99 ($15 off) at Amazon. The neck-style book light ensures it lights up your book without shining in your eyes and can also be used for various tasks around the house that require using both hands.

Coway’s surprisingly efficient Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is compact enough to fit in any corner of your home and offers a three-stage filtration system, including a true HEPA filter.

Hand holding green safety cutter over a wrapped brown tube.

The slice is a petite cutting tool with a ceramic blade that’s quick, easy, and safe.

The AeroPress Clear takes the tried-and-true single-use coffee brewing method (which is great for camping and road trips) and adds a touch of flare with translucent finishes. Right now, you can get the updated version of the 10-ounce coffee maker at Amazon for $34.95 (around $15 off), which is a new low price.
The critically acclaimed tabletop game Splendor is down to $22.49 (around $18 off) at Amazon. The easy-to-learn strategy game for two to four players is a great gateway into all kinds of unique designer board games.

The Brother HL-L2460DW is on sale for an all-time low of $129.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. It’s not the exact model from our famous / infamous laser printer “buying guide,” but it’s similar. The black-and-white printer can print up to 700 pages with the included toner at up to 36 pages per minute, while holding 250 sheets in its tray.
The 10.1-inch Aura Carver digital picture frame offers an easy way to send pictures remotely via Wi-Fi and sports a matted display, helping it resemble a framed photo rather than your typical smart display screen. It’s available for $141 ($38 off) at Amazon.
A single Tile Mate is available at Amazon for $18.29 (around $7 off), its second-best price to date. The platform-agnostic Bluetooth location tracker comes with a battery that lasts up to three years, and unlike Apple’s AirTags, it features a built-in lanyard hole to easily attach it to your keys without the need for another purchase.

Furbo’s rotating 1080p gadget can fling treats on command and automatically track your dog as they roam around your home, allowing you to keep a closer eye on your pet via a mobile app when you’re away.

The Eero Max 7 is a mesh Wi-Fi 7 router, offering some of the fastest wireless speeds you can get for a home network. One router covers up to 2,500 square feet with speeds up to 4.3 gigabits per second and can easily handle more than 200 simultaneous connections. It also has two 10-gigabit ethernet ports that offer generous bandwidth for wired networks.

Amazon’s Echo Glow can light up in a variety of fun colors and goes great in kids rooms, where it can double as a wake-up light or reading light. The colored smart lamp is selling right now for just $16.99 ($13 off) at Amazon, matching its lowest price to date.
The Logitech Litra Glow — a nifty webcam / streaming light — is back down to one of its best prices to date at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $49.99 ($10 off). The Litra Glow easily mounts to the top of a monitor, and its adjustable brightness and color temperature are controllable via desktop software on either a PC or Mac.
Now through the end of Prime Big Deal Days, new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited (who don’t have an Amazon Prime membership) can get a three-month free trial direct from Amazon. And if you have a Prime subscription but never used Amazon’s premium music service before, you can qualify for a bonus four-month trial. The subscription runs $10.99 a month after that (making this free trial worth $32.97 for non-Prime members and $43.96 for Prime members), so be sure to cancel ahead of time if you don’t plan to keep it going after the promo period.
You can get a 1,073-piece Lego set of The Child (aka “Grogu”) from The Mandalorian at Amazon for just $62.99 ($27 off) right now — one of its best prices to date. The Star Wars building kit stands 7.5 inches tall once fully built and comes with a matching minifig.

The AirFly Pro Deluxe is a dongle for plugging into a simple 3.5mm headphone jack and wirelessly connecting a pair of AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones. It offers around 25 hours of battery life and includes an adapter for the dual-prong headphone connectors used by airlines.

Update October 8th: Added additional deals like the Apple Pencil Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, adjusted prices where applicable, and removed or struck deals no longer available.

Technology

Samsung apologizes for making just $6.8 billion last quarter

Published

12 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Press Room

Samsung apologizes for making just .8 billion last quarter

To our customers, investors, and employees who have always loved Samsung Electronics,

Today, we, the management of Samsung Electronics, would like to first apologize to you.

The performance that fell short of market expectations has raised concerns about the fundamental technological competitiveness and the future of the company. Many people are talking about Samsung’s crisis. All of this responsibility lies with us who are leading the business.

Dear customers, investors, and employees,

Samsung has a history of challenge, innovation, and overcoming that has always turned crises into opportunities. We will definitely make the serious situation we are currently facing into an opportunity for a leap forward. Our management will take the lead in overcoming the crisis. Above all, we will restore the fundamental competitiveness of technology. Technology and quality are our lifeblood. It is Samsung Electronics’ pride that we can never compromise on. Rather than short-term solutions, we will secure fundamental competitiveness.

Furthermore, I believe that only new technologies that do not exist in the world and perfect quality competitiveness are the only ways for Samsung Electronics to make a comeback.

Second, we will prepare for the future more thoroughly. We will rekindle our unique passion to fearlessly pioneer the future and to cling to our goals until the end and achieve them. We will re-arm ourselves with a challenging spirit to run toward a higher goal, rather than a defensive mindset to protect what we have.

Third, we will reexamine our organizational culture and work methods and immediately fix what needs to be fixed. We will rebuild our traditional organizational culture of trust and communication. If we find a problem in the field, we will expose it and have a heated discussion to improve it. In particular, we will actively communicate with investors whenever we have the opportunity.

Dear customers, investors and employees,

I am confident that if we challenge ourselves fiercely, we can definitely turn the current crisis into a new opportunity. I ask for your support and encouragement so that Samsung Electronics can once again demonstrate its strength.

Thank you.

Samsung Electronics DS Division Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun

Technology

Apple’s next MacBook Pros might have leaked in Russia

Published

20 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Press Room

Apple’s next MacBook Pros might have leaked in Russia

At least two Russian creators have posted videos in which they unbox what appears to be the next base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 chip. Apple, which hasn’t announced the laptops yet, is rumored to have a launch planned for November.

Over the weekend, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman pointed to a video posted by the Russian YouTube channel Wylsacom. He points out that the packaging looks the same as the M3 MacBook Pro, down to the wallpaper on the label that Apple tends to change annually.

In the 13-minute video, the host sets up the laptop and runs some Geekbench tests alongside a 2022 MacBook Air. Based on the times and CPU scores shown in the video, these appear to be those benchmarks. Overall, the MacBook Pro shown in the video aligns with expectations of models with spec bumps but no major outward changes.

Then, this afternoon, Gurman highlighted another Russian YouTuber, Romancev768, who also posted a video that they said was of the M4 MacBook Pro. Like the first video, its box has last year’s wallpaper. But this one includes a look at the “About This Mac” screen of the laptop, indicating it has an M4 chip.

Gurman called the potential leak “unprecedented,” a sentiment echoed by leaker ShrimpApplePro, who writes that “some seller” claimed to have 200 MacBook Pros in stock. “This is probably the biggest warehouse leakage I’ve ever seen,” they wrote. ShrimpApplePro had also posted some images last month of apparently leaked 14-inch MacBook Pro packaging: