Technology - Google News

Amazon will let you easily share clips from its Prime Video content - The Verge
Second-gen Apple Airpods at Walmart are back to their lowest price ever - The Verge
PS5 restock tracker: Where to look for a console right now - CNET

Amazon will let you easily share clips from its Prime Video content - The Verge

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 10:35 AM PST

Amazon has announced that it'll let you easily share video clips showing up to 30 seconds of some of its Prime Video content, right from its iPhone app. The feature will only be available for a very limited number of shows initially, but letting users share video from shows is a very different attitude than the one displayed by some other streaming providers.

According to Amazon's press release, its video-sharing feature will be available on iOS devices. When you're watching a show, the Share Clip button will show up alongside the rest of your controls. Tapping it will create a 30-second video clip, which you can then fine-tune to make sure it contains the part of the show you're trying to share. From there, you can share it using Apple's built-in sharing feature, sending it to a friend over iMessage, or posting it on social media.

When asked about whether the feature will be available on Android, an Amazon spokesperson told The Verge that clip share is currently only available to iPhone users with version 8.41 (or later) of the Prime Video app.

It seems like an obvious feature for any streaming service to add — people genuinely like sharing clips from the shows they're watching, and them doing so is basically free marketing for that show. However, Amazon's competitors like Hulu and Netflix go in pretty much the exact opposite direction: when you take a screenshot while watching one of their shows, the video content just ends up blacked out, leaving you with just the subtitles if you have them turned on.

While this is perhaps an understandable tactic for third-party content (Netflix's download feature also has some limitations on which shows you can download), for original shows made by the streaming services themselves, it feels like a missed opportunity to let people do marketing for them.

Amazon says you can only share clips from The Wilds, Invincible, Fairfax, and season one of The Boys to start, but it will add more movies and shows later. It's unclear if we'll end up getting this feature for any non-Amazon content on Prime Video in the future.

Updated November 11th, 2:55PM ET: Added information from Amazon about the availability of the feature.

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Second-gen Apple Airpods at Walmart are back to their lowest price ever - The Verge

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 07:22 AM PST

Grab the second-gen Apple AirPods at Walmart for just $89, matching the lowest price we've seen for these earbuds. This model normally costs around $120 and doesn't include the wireless charging case. This model of the ubiquitous white earbuds wasn't a big step forward compared to the first iteration, but our reviewer was still happy with their wireless performance and overall reliability.

A pair of Samsung's best QLED TVs have been marked down at Amazon and Best Buy as part of their early Black Friday deals. QLED TVs aren't quite as feature-packed as competing OLED models, but they come closer to reaching parity with their brightness and contrast ratios than cheaper LED TVs. The 65-inch QN90A from Samsung is currently marked down to $1,700 at Amazon and Best Buy, roughly $400 cheaper than the MSRP, and the lowest price we've seen for this model.

The high-end 65-inch QN800A has also hit its all-time low at Best Buy and Amazon and is marked down to $2,500 at both retailers. This model has many of the same benefits as the QN90A above, such as smart assistant capability and access to the Tizen streaming platform, however, the GN800A is capable of a maximum 8K resolution in addition to 4K playback at 120Hz.

This 48-inch soundbar from the audio experts at Klipsch is currently enjoying a deep discount at Woot. This same system is discounted elsewhere for as low as $600, but Woot currently has the best price at $480. This is easily the best price we've seen on this system so far, and it matches the price we've seen for similar 5.1 sound systems from JBL and Sony. This system comes packaged with wireless rear-channel speakers and a wireless subwoofer to keep cable clutter to a minimum, and while this soundbar only has a single HDMI port, this shouldn't be an issue as long as your TV has an audio return channel (HDMI ARC).

A mainstay of the noise-canceling headphone category, the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II are currently discounted by $100 at Target. Normally $300, they're $200 for now. Available in black and silver, these robust noise-canceling headphones offer up to 20 hours of playtime between charges, and you have the choice between using Alexa or Google Assistant capabilities to direct playback or search for music.

A great companion to any streamer or podcaster, the Blue Yeti USB microphone is on sale at Amazon for $100, matching one of its best prices to date. The Yeti can conform to a number of recording environments with its optional software download, which also allows you to change pickup patterns, modulate, and fine-tune your audio in other ways you might find to be useful. The mic comes packaged with its own stand but is also compatible with a wide variety of mic arms if that's more your style. The current discount applies to the black, blue, gray, and silver models, meaning you've got a variety of styles to choose between.

Available by itself or as part of a bundle, the Abode Cam 2 is an excellent entry point for anyone who wants to step up their home security, and at $25, you'll have a hard time finding a better value. This versatile little indoor / outdoor camera can be mounted nearly anywhere and provides you with motion detection, two-way communication, and low-light recording. While it isn't compatible with Apple HomeKit, it does play well with both Alexa and Google Assistant. However, this camera doesn't have local storage, so access to some of its best features requires a subscription to one of the Abode plans, either $6 / month for motion-activated recording or $15 / month to have the camera record 24/7.

The tail end of our deals roundup today is a big one. In anticipation of Black Friday, SteelSeries has discounted the entirety of its peripheral catalog by as much as 50 percent, with many of these accessories available for their lowest price ever. The only caveat is that you need to have a SteelSeries account to take part. The Arctis Pro headset and GameDAC is down to $160 — a wired headset available in black or white and compatible with PlayStation or Windows platforms.

The Apex Pro keyboard, available for $160, does something unique among mechanical keyboards by allowing you to fine-tune the actuation distance for each individual key. Another neat addition is a small OLED screen that can provide you with contextual info like profile selection or volume adjustment, or you can use it to play GIFs, if that's your thing.

Adopting the incredibly popular honeycomb shell design to shed a few ounces, the Aerox 3 Wireless has been discounted to $70, taking $30 off the regular retail price. Weighing in at a paltry 68 grams, the Aerox 3 Wireless features Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity and has a maximum DPI of 18K. The mouse is rechargeable via USB-C and SteelSeries claims it lasts up to 200 hours between charges.

Some more deals that you might be interested in

The Beats Studio Buds are available refurbished in every color through Best Buy, costing $95. These originally sold for $150, and Best Buy claims that they include all original accessories (three sizes of ear tips, a USB-C cable, and a sticker).

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PS5 restock tracker: Where to look for a console right now - CNET

Posted: 11 Nov 2021 06:29 AM PST

Best Buy offered the PS5 Disk Edition for a few minutes today and is now sold out, and unlike earlier this week there was no limitation to who can make a purchase. No Totaltech program, just consoles.

According to emails sent out last night, Sony will have a PS5 restock at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) Thursday through its PlayStation Direct service. In the past, if Sony has not sold all of the consoles intended for those who have signed up for the waiting queue by 5 p.m. ET, the consoles are made available for the public to purchase. If you have not already registered for the PlayStation Direct queue, you can do so here.

Wednesday was the only day this week without a PS5 restock, thanks to multiple events from Walmart, Best Buy and PlayStation Direct. We also learned Verizon will soon sell consoles too, though they'll be limited online to subscribers. We might expect to see a PS5 restock from GameStop or Target this week unless they've decided to withhold stock for a big Black Friday PS5 restock event. As these companies reveal more of their Black Friday plans, a related PS5 restock announcement seems likely.

Most other retailers now offer a way for you to pay to cut the line by joining their membership programs. Here are the services we've seen so far:

Walmart Plus: In addition to early access to Black Friday sales, Walmart has made it so subscribers can get access to the next PS5 restock at least one hour earlier than normal Walmart shoppers. This subscription costs $13 a month or $98 a year, and has a 15-day free trial right now.
GameStop PowerUp Rewards: The first company to offer a way to cut the PS5 restock line is also the cheapest. In addition to increased points to spend on discounts in the store, you can get access to a console at least one hour before normal GameStop shoppers. And for $15 a year, that's not a bad deal.
Best Buy Totaltech: $200 a year is a big ask if all you want is early access to a PS5 restock, especially when Best Buy doesn't guarantee the console will be in the Totaltech program before it's available to anyone else. But the other things you get with this program throughout the year make it more worthwhile if you regularly shop here.

One major retailer we haven't seen charge for access to a PS5 has been Amazon, specifically through its Treasure Truck program. You don't have to be a Prime subscriber to sign up for Treasure Truck, and when a PS5 restock becomes available there you will get a text message early in the day to pick one up. The name is a little confusing -- you don't actually have to go to a physical truck to pick up your PS5. Instead, it will be delivered right to your door. If you're not signed up for Treasure Truck texts, here's how you do it.

We're constantly tracking the best way for you to get your hands on a PS5, but there are plenty of things you can do to increase your odds before the buy button lights up. Check it out below.

ps5-playstation-5-sony-hoyle-promo-11 — Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Why is the PS5 so tough to find?

There are three big reasons why you're still struggling to get a PS5. The first is the most obvious: The system is really popular. Sony says the PS5 is its best-selling console and has already sold 10 million units since launch.

The second reason is the current chip shortage impacting most of the world's electronics. Sony did say it has secured enough chips to meet its goal of 14.8 million consoles for the fiscal year.

As for the last reason, it comes down to bots. Resellers are using software to purchase a massive number of PS5s at once, leaving only a few for actual humans to buy. Retailers added various bot protections during PS5 restocks, but these restrictions only hamper resellers so much.

Where has the PS5 been available lately?

Stock refreshes were thin on the ground earlier this month, though they've accelerated recently. Here's a look at the recent PS5 restock history:

Antonline: Oct. 28
Walmart: Oct. 28, Nov. 1, 2, 4, 8
PlayStation Direct: Oct. 14, 20, 21, 22, Nov. 9
GameStop: Oct. 22, 26, 29
Amazon: Oct. 26
Target: Oct. 1, 20, 27
Best Buy: Oct. 11, Nov. 8

How can I get a PS5 from PlayStation Direct?

The store with the most frequent PS5 restocks is Sony's official store, PlayStation Direct. Drops usually happen at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET) during the middle of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). What Sony has done lately is give a lucky few email invites for exclusive access to the store, which typically starts at 12 p.m. PT (3 p.m. ET).

To get one of these special invites, you not only need luck, you also need a PSN account. You can sign up for one on the PSN website and it's free. After you have an account, you just register your place in line to buy a PS5 on this page. From here, it's a matter of being patient and having a little luck on your side. It appears priority access emails are sent randomly, but you will need to partake in one of the queues on PlayStation Direct in order to be considered.

PlayStation Direct PS5 restock works a little differently than other retailers. At the start time, there's a welcome page with a countdown clock indicating when the queue will start. You can stay on this page and when time is up, the website will begin placing people in line to buy a PS5. The page will update and say how long you'll have to wait, but it's not a guarantee. To help your chances, once you're in a queue, share the link with your other devices like your phone. Make sure each device uses a different IP address (such as having your phone on its mobile plan while your computer uses your home Wi-Fi). This can improve your chances, as your other device might be put into a different line that moves at a faster pace. Even if you don't get a PS5, as mentioned earlier, you still could get a pass to buy one on the next go-round.

What are some helpful tips for buying a PS5?

Major retailers like Walmart, GameStop, Amazon, Target and Best Buy don't usually give much notice ahead of a restock. Sometimes they'll have a restock in the morning, other times in the afternoon and in some cases, even in the middle of the night. Here are some tips to help you get the jump on the competition.

First tip: Don't wait until you see an alert for a PS5 inventory drop. Check the links at major retailers for stock updates daily or even multiple times a day. (We've got them all lined up below.) If you do happen upon some PS5 availability, go all-in with as many browsers and devices as possible. On a desktop, for example, open the retailer's page in Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Then do the same on your phone and tablet. The more devices and browsers, the better. It's like with lottery tickets: The more you have, the better your chances of winning.

Second tip: Create accounts at the different retailers and make sure you're already logged in if you're going to try to get a PS5. Make sure all your shipping, bill and payment info is updated on whatever device you can buy from, whether it's a laptop, desktop or phone. This makes checking out a lot faster, which is crucial as retailers' sites get quickly bogged down, leading to people losing their chance of securing a PS5.

Third tip: Keep checking back with this post and follow CNET and Oscar Gonzalez on Twitter for updates.

How can I get early access to a PS5 restock?

While most retailers very much want you to show up when something is marked in stock, the extended difficulty in getting a PS5 has encouraged Best Buy and GameStop to offer early access to sales for its paid members.

The recently expanded Totaltech program from Best Buy offers a ton a benefits for its $200 per year price tag, but the big one for would-be PS5 owners is early access to "hot products during the holiday season" which means there will be limited access events where you could get a PS5 without having to click refresh on your browser because you're in a member's only queue.

If you want to increase your chances of getting a PS5 from GameStop, all you need to do is sign up for the PowerUp Rewards Pro program. This is a subscription program GameStop has had for years, and it uses this program to offer discounts and coupon codes as well as a subscription to Game Informer magazine. This program costs $20 per year, and if GameStop is true to its promise people who are a part of this program will be able to get a PS5 before it is available to everyone on the website.

Where else can I buy a PS5 if I'm willing to pay extra?

If you're starting to crack and considering buying a PS5 right now (and we know that with the number of big PS5 games about to drop over the next few months, the pressure is on), you can do so, but at the cost of a hefty markup on sites like eBay or StockX. On eBay, for example, we've seen PS5 units priced over $1,000, although prices have slowly made their way down to approximately $700.

Where to buy a PlayStation 5

Target offers the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500 in addition to the PS5 Digital Edition, which you can find by clicking the button below.

Best Buy is offering the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500 as well as the $400 Digital Edition (which you can find by clicking the button below). The retailer is also offering a slew of accessories on its PS5 landing page.

You can check inventory on the $400 Digital Edition at Walmart by clicking the button below, or you can try to snag the pricier PS5 with Blu-ray for $500.

You can check out Amazon's page for the $400 Digital Edition via the button below, or, if you'd rather, get in line for the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500.

See the detailed instructions above for more info on how to queue up for a PS5 availability at Sony's PlayStation Direct.

Newegg's PS5 page has multiple bundles that include additional controllers and games along with the console. You can see the different options by clicking on the button below.

If you've decided you simply can't wait another moment for Sony to get its act together and flood the market with inventory, eBay is a shortcut to getting your own PS5 right now. That said, let me reiterate our advice: No PS5 is worth spending hundreds over list price, and that's exactly what you'll have to do if you buy from an eBay reseller. The average PS5 price on eBay is about $850.

OK, you've exhausted all of the online and brick-and-mortar retailers, and you've decided you're willing to pay upward of a $300 markup to get this puppy soon. As your friends, we have to tell you: Don't do it. But if you don't want to listen to us, you might want to check out StockX, an eBay alternative that made its name in the secondary market for sneakers and designer clothing. Last time we checked, prices for the PS5 were hovering around $800.

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This story is regularly updated with the latest PS5 stock news.

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