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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Aqara Provides Price Reductions on HomeKit Smart Locks, Doorbells, and Additional Items for Black Friday
    Aqara Provides Price Reductions on HomeKit Smart Locks, Doorbells, and Additional Items for Black Friday

    ### Aqara’s Black Friday Smart Home Promotions

    Aqara, a key player in the smart home market, has unveiled its Black Friday promotions, featuring substantial markdowns on an array of smart home devices such as smart locks, doorbell cameras, and vital accessories. These items are especially appealing to Apple enthusiasts using HomeKit and Siri, but they also work with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

    #### Smart Lock U100

    The **[Smart Lock U100](https://amzn.to/4oKownE)** is an affordable deadbolt smart lock priced at **$119.99**, showcasing a **37% reduction**. It boasts IP65 water and dust resistance, an impressive battery life lasting 8 months, and includes a backup mechanical key. The U100 facilitates entry via fingerprint and passcode, NFC tags, and Apple Home Key, enabling users to unlock doors with an iPhone or Apple Watch. A distinctive feature safeguards your passcode by allowing you to enter a random combination of digits as long as your actual passcode is present. The lock also features a gyroscope for auto-locking and sends alerts if the door isn’t locked.

    #### Smart Lock U300

    For those who favor a traditional lever lock, the **[Smart Lock U300](https://amzn.to/4oPGIvU)** is offered at **$149.49**, representing a **35% discount**. This version provides comparable functionalities to the U100, including fingerprint and passcode access, along with support for temporary passcodes for visitors. Unlike the U100, the U300 utilizes Thread technology, allowing compatibility with newer Apple Home hubs. It also features a passage mode that keeps the door temporarily unlocked and is rated IPX4 for water resistance, operating in temperatures as low as -22°F.

    #### Camera Hub G5 Pro

    The **[Camera Hub G5 Pro](https://amzn.to/4pck5lV)** is Aqara’s inaugural outdoor camera hub, available for **$119.99** following a **33% discount**. It offers locally hosted AI for facial recognition, authentic full-color night vision, and privacy safeguards. The hub combines Zigbee and Thread for an easier setup and supports numerous automations via the Aqara app. With a 4MP lens and graphene-cooled sensor, it delivers superior video quality, compatible with HomeKit Secure Video and RTSP streaming. The G5 Pro is also IP65 rated for water and dust resistance.

    #### Doorbell Camera Hub G410

    Aqara’s **

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on The HDMI Port of the Steam Machine Encounters Compatibility Challenges
    The HDMI Port of the Steam Machine Encounters Compatibility Challenges

    Valve’s introduction of the Steam Machine has generated considerable excitement about the forthcoming gaming PC. Equipped with an AMD Zen 4 CPU, an AMD RDNA 3 GPU, and up to 16GB of RAM, the cube-shaped device isn’t expected to arrive until 2026 — providing gamers ample time to speculate on specifications and the launch of Steam’s new VR headset, revealed alongside the Steam Machine.

    That being said, a perplexing issue has emerged: The Steam Machine’s HDMI is merely 2.0-certified. For those who may not be aware, HDMI 2.1 has been around since 2017, and it’s the type of connection you’ll find on contemporary consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, along with various gaming PC graphics cards. It certainly seems peculiar that Valve’s latest gaming system is categorized as a 2.0 device, but the intrigue only deepens.

    Examining the Steam Machine’s specifications more closely, one will note that the HDMI 2.0 port supports up to 4K/120Hz and is compatible with HDR, FreeSync, and CEC. All of these are HDMI 2.1 specifications — which essentially indicates that the Steam PC is technically HDMI 2.1-compatible. The sole reason the new device can’t claim the official 2.1 designation is that the HDMI Forum prohibits HDMI 2.1 on Linux devices, the operating system that powers all Steam hardware.

    HDMI 2.0, or HDMI 2.1 in disguise?

    Does this imply you’ll be able to connect the Steam Machine to an HDMI 2.1 port on a 4K television effortlessly? The reality is that we’re uncertain, at least until we can put it to the test. However, we do know that Steam’s newest hardware will also feature a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, an alternative that some users may choose when connecting the Machine to a PC monitor. On paper, DisplayPort 1.4 surpasses HDMI 2.0 in terms of bandwidth capabilities, supporting up to 32.4Gbps compared to HDMI 2.0’s 18Gbps.

    Nonetheless, this is not to suggest that gamers won’t experience excellent performance from the Steam Machine’s HDMI 2.0 port, which appears to function as an HDMI 2.1 in disguise. 4K/60Hz and even 1440p/120Hz are still visually impressive, and that’s before incorporating features like FreeSync. Still, since we’re compelled to deal with the HDMI 2.0 label, some gamers might end up evaluating the port by standards it no longer truly fits.

    While the Steam Machine’s HDMI port seems to be experiencing an identity crisis, the Steam Deck’s USB-C port possesses a multitude of tricks, all of which are delightful surprises.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Top 3 HDMI Cables for Purchase Recommended by Users
    Top 3 HDMI Cables for Purchase Recommended by Users

    dynamic HDR formats along with eARC/ARC compatibility. While cable producers are more inclined to secure formal accreditation for HDMI 2.1 cables, the earlier models usually lack certification, which places you at the mercy of the manufacturers. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t be concerned; we have carefully selected the top HDMI cables that come highly recommended by satisfied customers.

    HDMI 2.1 cables from Anker and Ugreen

    If you’re in the market for a UHS or HDMI 2.1 cable for your gaming or home theater arrangement, you can’t go wrong with the Anker A8743 UHS HDMI cable or the<a href="https://r.bttn.io?btn_ref=org-225e4e0aac880b8f&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUGREEN-Braided-S

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Google Cuts Features in Gemini’s Free Tier Because of High Demand for Gemini 3
    Google Cuts Features in Gemini’s Free Tier Because of High Demand for Gemini 3

    The leaked benchmark results for Gemini 3 Pro provide insight into what we can anticipate from Google’s most advanced AI model to date. Once it became available, users rushed to explore the full range of capabilities that Gemini 3 Pro presented — including generative UI. Naturally, users had to navigate a few hurdles to activate Gemini 3 AI, but even so, the effort was well justified in unlocking the model’s fullest potential. However, it appears that users have been leveraging Gemini 3 excessively, prompting Google to restrict the free tier of the AI chatbot to mitigate bandwidth consumption.

    Google has typically been somewhat accommodating with its constraints across its various AI offerings. For instance, AI Mode in Chrome appears to not necessitate any particular AI subscription for utilization, and even the company’s premier image generation model — Nano Banana — was free for Gemini users, albeit with certain limitations. Now, those constraints are set to become more stringent, as recent modifications to the Gemini app access support page (via 9to5Google) imply that the company has significantly reduced the access to more advanced AI features for users on the free tier.

    Deeper thinking is becoming somewhat more restricted

    <picture id="pb

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    Why tempered glass stands out as the best choice

    Any form of screen protection is preferable to having none at all. Even an inexpensive plastic film can be a lifesaver for your phone’s screen — particularly when it comes to shielding against surface scratches, dirt, and dust. However, since many plastic screen protectors are crafted from materials like thermoplastic polyurethane and thermoplastic elastomer, they tend to be too lightweight and flexible to offer the protection that a tempered glass shield provides. During their production, tempered glass protectors undergo a demanding heating and cooling procedure that renders them five times stronger than standard plastic protectors. They excel at safeguarding against scratches and cracks, and owing to their superior transparency, they deliver a clearer viewing experience compared to plastic covers.

    Thanks to their enhanced rigidity, tempered glass protectors are typically simpler to apply, often leading to fewer air bubbles than seen with plastic varieties. It’s worth noting that very few screen protectors can eliminate all fingerprints. Luckily, if your Android or iOS device gathers smudges, <a href="https://www.bgr.com/2010696/how-to-get-fingerprints-off-android-phone-screen/" target

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    Google Pixel 9a discounted by 30% for Cyber Monday

    Although labeled as the Pixel 9 (which was Google’s flagship for 2024), the Google Pixel 9a was actually launched later, in April 2025. Initially priced at $499 on Amazon, it is now available for $349 — a 30% reduction — for Cyber Monday. This mid-tier Android smartphone is equipped with the Google Tensor G4 chip and 8GB of RAM, offering two options for internal storage: 128GB and 256GB.

    The phone features a 6.3-inch Actua display shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It provides a resolution of 1080×2424, a refresh rate between 60 to 120Hz, with HDR support and 16 million color options. The front-facing camera is 13MP, while the rear offers a dual-camera setup; one camera is 48MP for wide shots, and the second is 13MP for ultrawide perspectives. Both rear cameras support Super Res Zoom up to 8x. For video recording, the rear cameras can shoot up to 4K@30 or 60fps with up to five times digital zoom. The front camera can also record 4K videos, albeit at only 30fps.

    In addition to the Corning Gorilla cover glass, the Pixel 9a is constructed from other durable materials. Its body has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The metal frame features a fingerprint-resistant coating, and color options include obsidian, porcelain, iris, or peony. For power, the Pixel 9a is backed by a 5,100mAh battery, offering about 30 hours of usage, extendable to 100 hours with the Extreme Battery Saver mode. On the software side, the Pixel 9a runs on the latest Android 15 version and will receive support for seven years.

    Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) now priced at $1,019.99

    The <a href="https://r.b

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on T-Mobile Expands Tablet and Watch Payment Plans to Two-Year Duration
    T-Mobile Expands Tablet and Watch Payment Plans to Two-Year Duration

    Will smartphone payment plans be the next to exceed 36 months?

    (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

    Essential Information

    • T-Mobile is lengthening its installment plans to 36 months for selected devices.
    • Smartwatches and tablets must be purchased outright or via three-year installment options.
    • Currently, smartphones are still available through 24-month installment opportunities.
    Notice

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    • sparta
    • Comments Off on Google Limits Usage of Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro Because of Strong Demand
    Google Limits Usage of Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro Because of Strong Demand

    Struggling to keep pace with the skyrocketing demand.

    (Image credit: Google / YouTube)

    Essential information

    • Access limits for Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro have been diminished without any formal communication from Google.
    • The rising interest in Gemini 3 Pro leads Google to limit free access and encourage paid upgrades.
    • Users on the free tier are now experiencing inconsistent access, affecting those who depend on these tools for their daily tasks.

    Notice

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Verizon Provides Complimentary Smart TV or $200 Gift Card with Home Internet Service Trial
    Verizon Provides Complimentary Smart TV or $200 Gift Card with Home Internet Service Trial

    Cyber Monday 2025 will be remembered for years to come.

    (Image credit: Verizon)

    With Black Friday behind us, Cyber Monday is on the horizon, and Verizon is ready to demonstrate that amazing tech deals can be found beyond conventional retailers. For a limited time, when you enroll in Verizon’s Fios 1 Gig or 2 Gig Home Internet service, you can select from a host of FREE gifts, including a 43-inch Samsung QLED smart TV, a portable Marshall speaker, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE tablet, and several others. If these gadgets don’t catch your eye, Verizon’s Cyber Monday promotion is also offering a FREE $200 Target gift card for those who, like me, can’t make up their minds.

    Not keen on Verizon Fios? It’s notable that Verizon 5G Home Internet is also providing the same array of free gift choices. The only caveat is that these Verizon Home Internet offers will end at midnight on Cyber Monday, so act quickly if you’re interested!

    <div data-image="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UCeZtvkNP9BA4oczdsqMwV-200-100.jpg" data-link="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-100048248-17197479?sid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="jdoqocy.com

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Enjoy More Than 50% Discount on Google Pixel 10 and a Year of Wireless with This Can’t-Miss Cyber Monday Offer
    Enjoy More Than 50% Discount on Google Pixel 10 and a Year of Wireless with This Can’t-Miss Cyber Monday Offer

    If you’re in search of an exceptional deal this holiday season, the Google Pixel 10 promotion from Mint Mobile is worth your attention. Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday are filled with offers, this specific deal has flown under the radar despite its remarkable value. Mint Mobile is featuring the Google Pixel 10 at a considerable discount, along with a year of their Unlimited plan.

    The Google Pixel 10, a premium smartphone, usually retails for $799. Yet, Mint Mobile’s promotion reduces the phone’s cost by $450 and provides 50% off the wireless plan. This translates to acquiring the phone and a year of unlimited T-Mobile-supported wireless service for just $529. This is $70 lower than Amazon’s phone-only deal, which lacks any wireless service.

    The Pixel 10 is a premier device, boasting a 6.3-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, and the Tensor G5 processor. It also showcases outstanding camera technology and seven years of software updates. Mint Mobile, recognized for its budget-friendly plans and T-Mobile network coverage, supplies unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as a mobile hotspot and international calls to select nations.

    This offer is ideal for those considering a carrier switch or seeking a complete package without the inconvenience of purchasing phone and service separately. With no trade-in necessary, it’s a simple proposal that could lead to savings and enhance your mobile experience for the upcoming year.

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