Sonos’ Super Bowl sale knocks hundreds off its audio gear
Sonos isn’t exactly synonymous with the Super Bowl, although the brand discounts its gear every year around this time like clockwork. It’s knocking 20 percent off many of its marquee products, including soundbars and standalone speakers — all of which can be paired together to improve sound quality and to put audio in more places at home. Through February 16th, the company is keeping its prices in place on the Era 100 and the larger Era 300 speakers, the Beam and Arc Ultra soundbars, as well as its selection of wireless subwoofers. To put the prices in context, some of these discounts match — or beat — the current costs of Sonos’ certified refurbished gear. The Era 100 very well may be the best, most feature-packed smart speaker around in its price range. In our 2023 review, we praised its stereo sound playback and improved bass response over its predecessor, the Sonos One. Notably, it supports Bluetooth...
Sonos isn’t exactly synonymous with the Super Bowl, although the brand discounts its gear every year around this time like clockwork. It’s knocking 20 percent off many of its marquee products, including soundbars and standalone speakers — all of which can be paired together to improve sound quality and to put audio in more places at home.Through February 16th, the company is keeping its prices in place on the Era 100 and the larger Era 300 speakers, the Beam and Arc Ultra soundbars, as well as its selection of wireless subwoofers. To put the prices in context, some of these discounts match — or beat — the current costs of Sonos’ certified refurbished gear.The Era 100 very well may be the best, most feature-packed smart speaker around in its price range. In our 2023 review, we praised its stereo sound playback and improved bass response over its predecessor, the Sonos One. Notably, it supports Bluetooth playback (in addition to Wi-Fi connectivity) as well as line-in audio via USB-C, in case you’d rather plug in a wired audio source. While this model typically sells for $219, it’s currently available for $179 through Sonos, as well as Amazon and Best Buy.
Sonos Era 100
Where to Buy:
$219 $179 at Amazon
$219 $179 at Sonos
$219 $179.99 at Best Buy
The Era 300 is Sonos’ modern spin on the Sonos Five, offering bigger sound than the Era 100. Its specialty is spatial audio, which sounds incredible when you find a song that’s been mixed just right (the thing is, not all Dolby Atmos tunes are mixed equally). Like the Era 100, this model offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connections, as well as line-in via USB-C. Our review notes, however, that stereo playback is an area where the Era 300 actually falters compared to its predecessor. But given its improvements overall (and since the Five that launched in 2020 is no longer on sale), the 300 is a great speaker to consider if you really want to feel immersed in your music. It’s $379 during the sale period at Sonos and Best Buy, down from $479.
Sonos Era 300
Where to Buy:
$479 $379 at Amazon
$479 $379 at Best Buy
$479 $379 at Sonos
Jumping to soundbars, the second-gen Beam is down to $369 from its original $499 price. While it’s definitely not the most feature-packed soundbar that you can get at around this price, its ability to tie-in with other Sonos products, plus its improved soundstage over the first-gen model might make it worth considering for you. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos is its marquee feature, although we noted in our review that it’s a virtualized effect since it lacks upward firing speakers that truly enable the vertical sound effects to shine. Note that it’s lacking in physical connectivity compared to most other models, with just a power plug, an HDMI eARC port, and an ethernet jack. In the event that you wish to connect the Beam to your TV or receiver via optical audio, you’ll need to purchase this $25 HDMI-to-optical adapter.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Where to Buy:
$469 $369.99 at Amazon
$499 $369.99 at Best Buy
$499 $369 at Sonos
The Arc Ultra is a much better soundbar than the Beam, and carriers a larger $899 price (down from $1,099). Our reviewer noted that the bass improvements in this model are such that it can stand on its own without the purchase of a wireless subwoofer. It also boasts more immersive sound quality, plus Bluetooth connectivity, which was missing in the original Arc. The Arc Ultra’s sound can be further enhanced by connecting other Sonos speakers to the mix, although its older Play:1 and Play:3 speakers are ineligible to join the speaker family for surround sound.
Sonos Arc Ultra
Where to Buy:
$1099 $899 at Amazon
$1099 $899 at Best Buy
$1099 $899 at Sonos
If you’re considering either the Bean or the Arc Ultra (or if you already own one of its soundbars), their performance will benefit greatly with the addition of a Sonos subwoofer, of which the company makes two models. The Sub 4 is its high-end option, which is $759 during the sale period (down from $899). Anything this close to $1,000 is extremely expensive for a subwoofer, especially considering that most companies include one with their surround sound systems. The Sub 4 is able to lay horizontally or sit vertically — however suits your room best.
Sonos Sub 4
Where to Buy:
$899 $759 at Sonos
For almost half the cost of the Sub 4, you can get the Sub Mini. It’s $399, down from $499. You may be thinking that even this one is still pretty costly, and I agree. Although, it’s a product that Sonos loyalists were begging for, as before it there was no other choice than to spring for its more expensive subwoofer. In our review, we deemed it unworthy for filling large rooms with bass, but totally sufficient in most other ways. Something cool about its design is the force-canceling effect that reduces floor vibrations, which could be great if you’re worried about disturbing neighbors or other people in the house.
Framework gave its 12-inch laptop some hardware upgrades
Framework launched a second-generation of its colorful 2-in-1 convertible laptop. | Image: Framework Framework has refreshed its 12-inch convertible laptop, introducing Intel's latest Core Series 3 processors, expanded hardware customizations, and a pre-built Linux option. The cheapest pre-built base configuration for the Framework Laptop 12 now starts at $699 -...
Framework launched a second-generation of its colorful 2-in-1 convertible laptop. | Image: Framework Framework has refreshed its 12-inch convertible laptop, introducing Intel's latest Core Series 3 processors, expanded hardware customizations, and a pre-built Linux option. The cheapest pre-built base configuration for the Framework Laptop 12 now starts at $699 - $100 less than the previous version when it launched last year. Preorders are open now, with the first wave of deliveries expected to ship in October.That pre-built base configuration is only available in green, and includes an Intel Core 3 304 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. It also comes preloaded with Linux Fedora 44 KDE Plasma, a decision brought on by Framework finding …Read the full story at The Verge.
Tâmiris Mendes Brazil
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Nvidia’s new financial strategy does not compute
“Compute is an asset class! Compute is an asset class!” I continue to insist as I slowly shrink down and turn into a corncob | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images April - 1805 Napoleon is master of Europe Only the British fleet stands before him Compute is...
“Compute is an asset class! Compute is an asset class!” I continue to insist as I slowly shrink down and turn into a corncob | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images April - 1805Napoleon is master of EuropeOnly the British fleet stands before himCompute is now an asset classI see it is once again time to talk financial innovation. Apollo, BlackRock, Blackstone, Brookfield, Goldman Sachs, and KKR are all working with Nvidia to put together $500 billion in financing to turn compute into an asset class."This is really the first time that technology chips have become an investable asset class," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said to CNBC. "These are revenue-generating assets now. They're productive, they're long-lived, they're fungible, they're flexible.""This is the very beginning, like what it was whe …Read the full story at The Verge.
Mateusz Lindgaard Norway
Published by: aplhsindia.in
Someone made a Raspberry Pi D&D DM cyberdeck that tracks campaigns, rolls dice, and generates NPCs
There's nothing like being put on the spot as a D&D dungeon master when your players ask to talk to someone you haven't made notes for. And you know you can't just make up a random name and backstory, because your players will somehow make that one NPC a bigger...
There's nothing like being put on the spot as a D&D dungeon master when your players ask to talk to someone you haven't made notes for. And you know you can't just make up a random name and backstory, because your players will somehow make that one NPC a bigger part of the story than your planned villain.
John Doe New York
Published by: aplhsindia.in
This $30 Scythe CPU cooler handles Intel and AMD’s latest chips, and it’s 60% off
The Scythe Mugen 6 Black Edition CPU cooler is compatible with Intel and AMD's latest chips and delivers impressive cooling with its six-heat-pipe design and two Wonder Tornado 120 fans. If the hardware lineup doesn't sound like much, know this fan moves a lot of air. The MSRP is $75,...
The Scythe Mugen 6 Black Edition CPU cooler is compatible with Intel and AMD's latest chips and delivers impressive cooling with its six-heat-pipe design and two Wonder Tornado 120 fans. If the hardware lineup doesn't sound like much, know this fan moves a lot of air. The MSRP is $75, but you can now get one from Woot for 60% off, down to $30 for a limited time.
Sophia Wilson Atlanta
Published by: aplhsindia.in
Microsoft is finally adding privacy tools to Windows 11 that block microphone and webcam access to apps
After Microsoft came out of its Copilot-driven stupor earlier this year, we've seen the company focus its attention back on Windows 11. We've already seen the start of its big Windows K2 rollout, which aims to tackle some of the operating system's biggest pain points. Now, it seems the company...
After Microsoft came out of its Copilot-driven stupor earlier this year, we've seen the company focus its attention back on Windows 11. We've already seen the start of its big Windows K2 rollout, which aims to tackle some of the operating system's biggest pain points. Now, it seems the company is also taking note of the privacy concerns people have had with Windows 11, as it is adding a way to disable microphone and webcam access to certain Win32 apps.
Daniel Martinez Dallas
Published by: aplhsindia.in
The everyday tech I use to track my corgi
The Apple AirTag may be a jack-of-all-trades - people use it for keeping track of keys, suitcases, backpacks, purses - but I think the most logical use case for it, by far, is keeping track of your pet. I attach it to my corgi Jelly's collar via a matching silicone...
The Apple AirTag may be a jack-of-all-trades - people use it for keeping track of keys, suitcases, backpacks, purses - but I think the most logical use case for it, by far, is keeping track of your pet. I attach it to my corgi Jelly's collar via a matching silicone holder. Have I ever once truly needed it to find her, and do I think she'd ever run off on me? No - she's a pretty loyal herding dog, so she likes to keep an eye on her parents - but just like whatever else you may attach an AirTag to, there's a significant chance that the one time you truly need it, you'll be thanking God that you had it. (Kind of like insurance.)I think it'd b …Read the full story at The Verge.
John Doe New York
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Handheld prices aren’t coming back down, and the one worth buying now isn’t the new one
The handheld gaming market is vastly different today. While there are plenty of options, their sticker prices feel like they belong in a different league than two years ago. It’s tempting to treat this supply-demand blip as a temporary situation and assume that MSRPs will drift down once component costs...
The handheld gaming market is vastly different today. While there are plenty of options, their sticker prices feel like they belong in a different league than two years ago. It’s tempting to treat this supply-demand blip as a temporary situation and assume that MSRPs will drift down once component costs settle. That’s not how this plays out.
Emily Brown Houston
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I disabled these Google features and my Pixel battery life instantly improved
Pixel phones have never been battery champions for me, but I had mostly learned to live with it. I blamed the usual suspects without realizing that some of Google’s own features were quietly adding to the drain. Once I started digging through their settings and disabled a few things I...
Pixel phones have never been battery champions for me, but I had mostly learned to live with it. I blamed the usual suspects without realizing that some of Google’s own features were quietly adding to the drain. Once I started digging through their settings and disabled a few things I barely used, the difference was noticeable almost immediately.
Sophia Wilson Atlanta
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The women’s soccer league trying to fix fantasy sports
The WSL’s first official fantasy game is putting player photos front and center, which is less common than you might expect. | Image: WSL Football Most fantasy sports leagues suffer the same problem: retention. Leagues play out over months-long seasons, require regular attention, and can punish players severely for missing...
The WSL’s first official fantasy game is putting player photos front and center, which is less common than you might expect. | Image: WSL Football Most fantasy sports leagues suffer the same problem: retention. Leagues play out over months-long seasons, require regular attention, and can punish players severely for missing even a single week. I've started Fantasy Premier League (FPL) multiple times, but never finished a season. That's a problem for any fantasy league, but especially so for a new game in a growing sport, hoping to attract new fans who might grow along with it. And so when Manchester United take on London City Lionesses on the opening day of the Women's Super League (WSL) season next month, fans will have a chance to compete in a fantasy league that's a little differen …Read the full story at The Verge.
Sophia Wilson Atlanta
Published by: aplhsindia.in
I found out my GPU wasn’t hitting its boost clock, and the fix was easier than I thought
As a PC gamer, I always want to get the most out of my graphics card. In this economy, I don't really want to upgrade from my RTX 3080 to any new GPU, at least not for the next two years. So, ensuring I squeeze every last ounce of performance...
As a PC gamer, I always want to get the most out of my graphics card. In this economy, I don't really want to upgrade from my RTX 3080 to any new GPU, at least not for the next two years. So, ensuring I squeeze every last ounce of performance from my Ampere card is always on my mind.
Sophia Wilson Atlanta
Published by: aplhsindia.in
It took me a year to find a real Pocket replacement, and it was self-hosted the whole time
I was genuinely annoyed when Pocket disappeared because it was one of those apps I never thought much about until I no longer had it. I tried different apps that promised to fill the gap, but most felt too complicated or lacked the simplicity I wanted. Eventually, I stopped looking...
I was genuinely annoyed when Pocket disappeared because it was one of those apps I never thought much about until I no longer had it. I tried different apps that promised to fill the gap, but most felt too complicated or lacked the simplicity I wanted. Eventually, I stopped looking at the usual cloud-based options and started exploring what was available in the self-hosted world. That's when I came across Karakeep.
Olivia Miller Seattle
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Amazon’s drones will soon deliver to nearly 500 US cities and towns
Prime Air is launching in Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Idaho, and New York soon. | Image: Joseph Ciembroniewicz/Omaha World-Herald via Getty Images Amazon says its drone delivery service will reach "nearly 500 cities and towns in the United States" by the end of this year, increasing its coverage by six times compared...
Prime Air is launching in Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Idaho, and New York soon. | Image: Joseph Ciembroniewicz/Omaha World-Herald via Getty Images Amazon says its drone delivery service will reach "nearly 500 cities and towns in the United States" by the end of this year, increasing its coverage by six times compared to the current footprint. Prime Air deliveries will soon be launched in the Chicago, Illinois; Syracuse, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho metro areas, according to Amazon's announcement, with "more communities to come later this year."These will join 11 locations across the US where Amazon already offers drone deliveries, with each Prime Air site serving an area of approximately 175 square miles. The service aims to quickly deliver packages o …Read the full story at The Verge.