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samedi 30 novembre 2019

Skip the Cyber Monday deals and buy this USB-C hub instead

Sometimes you have to step outside the deals section to get the best bang for your buck.

I spend a lot of time fawning over USB-C hubs because they make my life easier, and if you use a laptop that only has USB-C ports like a MacBook or a Pixelbook Go, then a USB-C hub is an absolute necessity. There are plenty of USB-C hubs scattered through the Cyber Monday sales going on this weekend, but I'm here to tell you to save yourself some money and sanity and skip them all for the excellently-priced and newly improved AUKEY Link PD Pro.

Awesome everyday price

AUKEY Link PD Pro USB-C Hub

This upgraded model adds an Ethernet port to our favorite USB-C hub on the market and supports for 100W Power Delivery pass-through charging. This price is lower than most Cyber Monday deals while offering better build quality.

$33 at Amazon

I've used AUKEY hubs for about three years now and they've never let me down. The Link PD Pro improves on the 7in-1 Link PD, which was an improvement on my former favorite USB-C hub, the shiny little AUKEY CB-C59. If you're wanting a single hub that you can use on the go or at home as a workstation dock, AUKEY's hub will not disappoint, and to find an 8-in-1 hub with Ethernet under $45 is a rare thing.

If you're not a fan of using a USB-C hub with a cord that short — the AUKEY's six inch cable is the same length as most USB-C hubs — you might also want to take a look at the uni USB-C Hub. It's available in 6-in-1 and 8-in-1 form factors and has a detachable cable you can swap out for longer cables, a feature I take advantage of at my standing desk so that my hub sits flat on the table while my Chromebook sits atop my makeshift laptop stand.

Black Friday!



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Here are all of Cyber Monday's best unlocked phone deals

How to get a great deal on a discounted phone this Cyber Monday.

You don't have to spend a lot these days to get a pretty decent Android phone. We've seen manufacturers push the limits to bring the prices down, and for just a few hundred bucks you can get a truly capable device. From Nokia and Samsung to Google and OnePlus, just about everyone offers affordable Android phones these days, and Cyber Monday is sure to bring these prices even lower.

Some of the biggest Cyber Monday deals on smartphones have already hit the online stores, so if you see a deal on the phone you want, be sure to take advantage of it immediately instead of waiting, as it could expire at any time.

Best Cheap Android Phone Cyber Monday Deals

  • Nokia 2.2 ($120 at Best Buy)
  • Nokia 4.2 ($159 at Best Buy)
  • Nokia 7.1 ($299 at Best Buy)
  • Nokia 9 PureView ($399 at Best Buy)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10 ($750 at Amazon)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ ($900 at Amazon)
  • Samsung Galaxy S10 ($700 at Amazon)
  • Samsung Galaxy S10+ ($800 at Amazon)
  • Samsung Galaxy S10e ($550 at Amazon)
  • Google Pixel 4 ($755 at Amazon)
  • Google Pixel 4 XL ($899 at Amazon)
  • Google Pixel 3 ($449 at Amazon)
  • Google Pixel 3 XL ($535 at Amazon)
  • Google Pixel 3a ($398 at Amazon)
  • Google Pixel 3a XL ($460 at Amazon)
  • OnePlus 7 Pro ($549 at OnePlus)
  • OnePlus 6T ($449 at OnePlus)
  • Razer Phone 2 ($300 at Amazon)
  • Moto G7 Power ($180 at Amazon)

Pixel 3a and 3a XL

The Pixel 3a was one of the more exciting phones released in 2019, offering the outstanding Pixel software experience and camera at a mid-range price. It's definitely worth keeping an eye out for deals on this phone throughout Cyber Monday as we're expecting to see an additional $100 in savings here.

Here's why it's the only Black Friday phone deal our editor, Daniel Bader, was recommending this year.

The smaller option

Google Pixel 3a

$299 at Amazon $299 at Walmart $299 at B&H

A more affordable Pixel.

Google's intention with the Pixel 3a lineup was to deliver the same great Pixel experience at a mid-range price. It's smaller size means you get less battery life, too, so that's the major trade-off for settling for the smaller phone.

More to love

Google Pixel 3a XL

$379 at Amazon $379 at B&H

Flagship size at a mid-range price.

The Pixel 3a XL is a solid phone that doesn't skimp on size or capabilities. It's flagship-sized, and most importantly, has a battery that's over 20% larger than the base Pixel 3a — you'll want that extra screen space and battery longevity.

Nokia 2.2, 4.2, 7.1, and 9 PureView

Best Buy has got some pretty solid deals on four Nokia phones that are all part of the Android One program, which means you get a streamlined Android experience and two years of OS and security updates on the Nokia 2.2 and 4.2, as well as Nokia's more upscale offerings in the Nokia 7.1 and the Nokia 9 PureView. These deals will run during Cyber Monday week from November 24 to December 2 and then once more from December 16 up until Christmas Eve.

You can also take advantage of Best Buy's "Activate Today" deal and save an additional $50 on top of these deals.

Great starter smartphone

Nokia 2.2

$120 at Best Buy

One of the best Android budget phones you can buy.

The Nokia 2.2 is a capable phone at a bargain price that offers 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage with a microSD slot and a sizable 3000mAh battery. It offers streamlined Android software along with a dedicated button for triggering the Google Assistant.

A phone that really glows

Nokia 4.2

$160 at Best Buy $159 at B&H

Looks way more expensive than it actually is.

Just because a phone is priced as a budget phone doesn't mean it needs to look like a budget phone. The Nokia 4.2 is a fine example of this, with a unique LED-lit power button that doubles as a notification indicator, a trendy looking display, and a 3000mAh battery that delivers all-day battery life.

A mid-range flagship

Nokia 7.1

$210 at Best Buy

It's actually on clearance right now.

Nokia knocked it out of the park with the Nokia 7.1. It looks and feels great, has a gorgeous display, excellent battery life, and much more. Performance can be a little sluggish at times, but you're definitely getting far more than your money's worth — especially so with this discounted deal

Five cameras are better than one

Nokia 9 PureView

$400 at Best Buy $400 at B&H

A phone with a ton of potential for photography.

The Nokia 9 PureView is a beautiful phone that has a lot going for it, but to get the most out of the impressive five-lens camera set-up, you're going to need to familiarize yourself with editing RAW photo files to get the sort of results you'd expect. Still a great value at these discounted prices

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+

The Galaxy Note 10 just might be the best phone of 2019, and it can be yours for $200 its regular price if you act fast. This limited time deal is available for both the Galaxy Note 10 and the larger Note 10+, and you can get the phone bundled with a pair of Galaxy Buds ($120) at no additional cost.

A deal to take Note of

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 256GB

$750 at Amazon $750 at B&H

Give yourself the power of the S Pen.

The Galaxy Note 10 is one of the best phones of the year. It features an incredible nearly bezel-less display and the latest S Pen which brings even more features and functionality to the table. The 256GB of internal storage is ample and the massive battery should last you well through the day. Plus, this deal includes a free pair of Galaxy Buds so you just can't beat the value here.

Even bigger canvas to work with

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 256GB

From $900 at Amazon $900 at B&H

Great discount on Samsung's biggest phone.

The phone du jour among large phones aficionados, there's so much to love about the Galaxy Note 10+. The 6.8-inch Infinity-O display is incredible for all your media watching and productivity needs, and with 12GB of RAM, it will easily handle any task you throw at it. You can save $116 on either the 256GB or 512GB version in your choice of colors and a free pair of Galaxy Buds for a limited time.

Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e

Samsung has rolled out some steep discounts for the entire Galaxy S10 line up, while also bundling in a pair of free Galaxy Buds for the 128GB versions of the Galaxy S10 and S10+. Don't miss out on these great deals on Samsung's best phones of the year.

Don't forget the free Galaxy Buds

Samsung Galaxy S10 128GB

$700 at Amazon $670 at B&H

Great deal on a great phone.

Right now, your best deal for the Samsung Galaxy S10 is the 128GB version bundled with a free pair of wireless Galaxy Buds. If you'd prefer the 512GB version, you should probably opt for just the phone and pay just $850 — a savings of $300 off the regular price.

Maximum display

Samsung Galaxy S10+ 128GB

$800 at Amazon $680 at B&H

Larger phone at a smaller price.

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is a top choice for fans of large phones. The best available deal is for the 128GB version bundled with a free pair of wireless Galaxy Buds, while the 512GB model's price doesn't dip below $1000 with or without the Galaxy Bud bundle.

E stands for Excellent value

Samsung Galaxy S10e

$550 at Amazon $550 at B&H

Bigger is always better.

The Galaxy S10e is the smallest phone in the S10 line up that still manages to offer a near-complete Galaxy S10 experience for less. While there isn't a Galaxy Buds bundle available, you can enjoy the S10e for $200 off the regular price for either the 128GB or 256GB configurations.

Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL

Every year, Google reliably offers a nice discount on its latest Pixel phones for Black Friday shoppers. Its a perfect excuse for thrifty consumers eager to read the reviews as they roll in and then snag the phone at a to hold off on buying the latest Pixel until you see those Black Friday prices start rolling out.

Get it for less

Google Pixel 4

$599 at Amazon $799 at Walmart $599 at B&H

A flawed flagship with an amazing camera.

The Pixel 4 does everything the 4 XL does, which is a boon for small phone fans. However, its battery life is so bad that you may be better off negating the Black Friday discount and snagging the XL version.

The one you want

Google Pixel 4 XL

$699 at Amazon $699 at B&H

Bigger is always better.

It may be $100 more, but the Pixel 4 XL also has decent battery life. It also has a bigger display to give you more room for work and play.

Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL

Now is a great time to upgrade to a Pixel 3 or 3 XL and enjoy a pure Android experience along with the best phone cameras from 2018. These Pixels are already discounted by up to 44% with even more enticing deals potentially on the horizon.

Last year's gem

Google Pixel 3

$452 at Amazon

Still a winner in 2019.

The Pixel 3 is a simple, powerful phone with an excellent camera and simple software that anyone will enjoy using.

Go big or go home

Google Pixel 3 XL

$549 at Amazon

Bigger is always better.

The Pixel 3 XL offers the same great Pixel experience with a larger screen and battery that allows you to get more use out of your phone throughout the day.

OnePlus 7 Pro and 6T

OnePlus has built its reputation on delivering outstanding flagship smartphones at prices that drastically undercut the competition. This year, OnePlus has announced its Black Friday deals a bit early, so you can save an additional $150 when you buy either the OnePlus 7 Pro for $549 or last year's OnePlus 6T for $449 until December 2 while supplies last.

One of the year's best phones

OnePlus 7 Pro

$549 at OnePlus

An outstanding phone at a great price.

The OnePlus 7 Pro is an outstanding device with a near bezel-less display that offers a buttery-smooth 90Hz refresh rate with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Don't sleep on this deal because at these prices they won't be available for too long.

Save even more

OnePlus 6T

$449 at OnePlus

A phone deal that's hard to beat.

Even a year on, the OnePlus 6T remains an impressive smartphone with great hardware design and specs that often performs and feels like a $900 flagship but can be yours for under $500.

Razer Phone 2

For the past couple years, Razer has been dabbling with Android and delivered two gaming smartphones offering great specs for gamers in a unique chassis that's unlike any other flagship on the market in 2019. It's been just over a year since the Razer Phone 2 launched and you can snag your very own at a deep discount for a limited time only. Deals are available for just the phone itself or the phone bundled with a Junglecat mobile gaming controller.

Get your game on!

Razer Phone 2

$300 at Best Buy $425 at Walmart $300 at Razer

This is a great deal for mobile gaming fanatics.

The Razer Phone 2 is a dazzling phone that offers a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, big front-facing speakers featuring Dolby Atmos, a massive 4000mAh battery that supports wireless charging, and stands out with a customizable glowing Razer logo on the back.

Moto G7 Power

Motorola released three versions of the Moto G7 device this year, and the Power model is the best of the three when it comes to battery life, as it features the ability to last for three days straight before needing to be recharged thanks to its 5,000mAh battery. It's also equipped with a 6.2-inch HD+ Max Vision display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a microSD card slot where you can expand its memory with a microSD card up to 512GB. It runs Android 9.0 out of the box with the option to upgrade as future software becomes available.

Battery for days

Moto G7 Power

$180 at Amazon $180 at B&H

Still a winner in 2019.

This Moto G7 variant has a 6.2-inch display and is accompanied by a 5000mAh battery to help you get through more than two days without needing to charge.

What should you look for in a cheap phone?

Everyone loves a deal on a brand new phone, and Black Friday is a great time to upgrade to something new for less. Of course, not all phones are made equal and when we're talking about cheap phone deals you're still going to want to avoid spending on budget devices from brands you're not familiar with.

We're going to be updating this article with the best Black Friday deals we find, but for now, we know to look out for steep discounts from some of the big phone makers such as Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, and Google. In the case of Google, you can expect to find its brand new Pixel 4 and 4XL discounted by $100 or more, with even steeper discounts available for older model Pixels such as the 3 and 3a.

Check out our Best Cheap Android Phone Buyer's Guide for a comprehensive breakdown of the best cheap Android phones you should keep an eye out for this Black Friday.

Is it worth buying an Alexa Built-In Phone?

Amazon has been busy integrating its Alexa voice assistant into all sorts of devices, from speakers, smart displays, tablets, streaming boxes and more. While Amazon does not offer an Alexa-branded smartphone of its own built around Alexa, it does partner with brands like Motorola, LG, and Sony to get a collection of Amazon apps pre-installed on the devices including Amazon Shopping, Amazon Music, Audible, and Alexa of course.

If you've already got some Alexa-enabled devices set up around your home, an Alexa Built-In phone makes a lot of sense, since you'll get another convenient way to access information using just your voice.

Moto G7

The Moto G7 is a mid-range phone with a sleek glass design, giving it a nice premium feel despite the steeply discounted sticker price. You'll enjoy Motorola's software optimizations, which include the always-on Moto Display and Moto Actions that let you, for example, launch the camera with a twist of the wrist. All of that, along with hands-free support for Alexa, makes the Moto G7 a phone worth considering this Black Friday.

Hands-free Alexa support

Moto G7

$180 at Amazon

Sleek design and software

Moto G7 is a stalwart mid-range phone that offers well-rounded features in a stylish package. It's also an absolute steal at this discounted price.

Motorola One Action

From a hardware standpoint, the Motorola One Action has a lot to offer. Its 6.3-inch Full HD+ display has a unique 21:9 form factor, giving you an extra tall and narrow canvas. There's also a snappy Exynos octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, a 3,500 mAh battery, and NFC. The triple-camera system on the back delivers with a 16-megapixel "action camera" lens, which lets you shoot landscape video while comfortably holding your phone in portrait mode.

This might be the One

Motorola One Action

$240 at Amazon

The best Alexa Built-In phone you can buy

The Motorola One Action stands tall as one of the best Alexa built-in phones you can buy. It offers a great display and camera package at a competitive price.

LG G8 ThinQ

The G8 ThinQ is LG's flagship device for 2019. With this phone you get solid and attractive hardware built around a 6.1-inch display that looks great and also doubled as a speaker through LG's "Boombox" technology. There are also some legacy features you might enjoy, such as a proper fingerprint sensor on the back, microSD card slot, and a headphone jack with a built-in DAC.

Your biggest savings

LG G8 ThinQ

$400 at Amazon

Save 50% off the regular price

The LG G8 is a solid and well-designed phone with great battery life. It features some old faves such as a fingerprint sensor on the back and a headphone jack.

LG Stylo 5

When you think of phones with a built-in stylus, you probably think of Samsung's (crazy expensive) Galaxy Note series. However, you can enjoy the full convenience of a stylus without breaking the bank with the Stylo 5. You can use the stylus for handwriting notes, drawing pictures, or just navigating around the phone on its 6.2-inch display. Other notable features include NFC for contactless transactions via Google Pay, expandable storage via microSD, and push-to-talk support for Alexa that uses the phone's power button.

Push-to-Talk with Alexa

LG Stylo 5

$160 at Amazon

The best Alexa built-in phone with a stylus

If you like the idea of a stylus-touting phone but don't have the kind of cash for a Note, the LG Stylo 5 is calling your name.

Where is the best place to buy a cheap Android phone on Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is a misnomer these days, given that the sales typically start trickling out well before Black Friday and extend over the weekend and into Cyber Monday and beyond.

To be sure you don't miss out on a great deal on a new phone, you'll undoubtedly want to check out everything being offered on Amazon's Black Friday, where new deals are updated every hour. You'll also want to follow the deals at Best Buy and also check out Walmart to be sure you don't miss out on anything.

Black Friday!



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Suck up those Cyber Monday savings with this sensational Dyson vacuum deal

I'll be honest with you, I'm having some trouble typing this over my insides crying out for retroactive justice. See, when I bought my Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright vacuum, I paid full price for it. But that full price at the time was, let's just say, a lot more than it is today. So when I saw this regularly $500 vacuum on sale for $240, I just had to put my hat in the ring for a recommendation.

Dyson is kind of like Apple: their products are really good and extremely, often prohibitively, expensive. They're also well-designed and generally perform well, though they have a few quirks to figure out. The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is no exception: it's really powerful, and can extract dirt from floors and carpets most other vacuums can't. It's also really easy to maneuver around tight spaces despite the massive head and ball-rotating turbine.

This deal doesn't suck

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum

The Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuum is one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's powerful and yet easy to maneuver around the house, with plenty of attachments to get at hard-to-reach places, plus a cord that's simple to store. Two HEPA filters keep dust particles out of the air, and the canister is easy to clean. At $240, this is a must-buy.

$240 $500 $260 off

See at Amazon

This vacuum has a lot of things going for it. Its brushes dig into surfaces and extract whatever's there for the suction to more easily do its job. Its ball head pivots around corners and, when the main head is too wide, there's a narrower tube you can use, with any of the attachments for areas taller or further away than you can reach by hand.

There are two HEPA filters to keep dust and other particles from spreading around, and they're also easy to extract and clean — which you only have to do monthly. The actual head, too, is quite well designed, and I've had no issues getting hair and other objects out of it so it's able to do its job.

The canister has a capacity of just over half a gallon, which is pretty big for a bagless design. And when it's full, it's one button to dislodge it and open it above a garbage can.

I rewarded myself with a Dyson Ball Animal 2 vacuum a while back, and it was one of the best purchases for my home I've ever made. At $240, this is a ridiculously good deal.

And if a more portable, cordless Dyson vacuum is more your style, this V7 Animal Pro+ at $265 is also an amazing deal. Plus there are other Dyson vacuums and fans on sale for Black Friday, so take a look at all of them.



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Sony's a7 III, the camera I use every day, is $200 off

By far one of my favorite things in my tech kit is my camera, which has been to countless cities and countries with me for both work and pleasure. I love shooting video (and the occasional photos), and few cameras nail both quite as well as the Sony a7 III.

If you've watched any of my Android Central videos in the last year, you've already seen plenty of footage from the a7 III. It's an incredibly versatile camera that does amazingly well in virtually any lighting conditions, even near-pitch dark environments, making it a great option for anyone who shoots in often unpredictable situations.

Right now for Black Friday weekend, the a7 III is 10% off, which may not sound like much, but for such a pricey purchase, that sale will save you hundreds of dollars.

My daily camera

Sony a7 III

Incredibly slim 4K full frame mirrorless camera

The a7 III shoots stunning 4K video with incredible depth of field thanks its full frame sensor. The battery is good for hours of shooting, and Sony pulls off incredible low light performance. It also has modern appointments like USB-C and wireless transfers to your phone.

$1798.00 $1998.00 10% off

See at Amazon $1630 at Walmart

I travel a lot for work, and for the sake of portability (and my back), I try to pack as lightweight as possible. With the a7 III, I don't need to pack separate photo and video cameras. Sony's full frame mirrorless cameras have been incredibly popular for years because they're incredibly well-suited for both types of media, with great imaging and unmatched lowlight performance.

One of the biggest downsides of Sony's ultra-slim body has typically been poor battery life, but that's been resolved in the a7 III with a much larger battery that lasts for three hours of 4K video shooting. This means I rarely need to break out my spare battery, and you can even recharge the camera through its USB-C port.

That port isn't the only modern ammenity here, though. You also get dual SD card slots, which is fantastic for on-the-fly backups, 4K30 or 1080p120 video capture, LOG color profiles, and wireless capabilities that let you transfer photos and videos to your phone or even use your phone as an external monitor. Of course, you also get both microphone and headphone jacks, making it easy to record and monitor high-quality audio with an external microphone.

By far the best part of the a7 III, at least for me, is its low light capabilities. Covering events at various locations means I never know what the lighting situation will be, and on more than one occasion I've been on show floors with incredibly inconsistent lighting that makes shooting a nightmare. With the a7 III, I never have to worry too much about it; even if I need to crank up the ISO, the resulting image is relatively noise-free — something my old GH5 never could've pulled off.

The a7 III is on Amazon for $200 off through Black Friday weekend. If you've been hoping to start shooting more photo and video, now's a great time to jump on this stellar camera!

Black Friday!



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This HP Envy Photo Printer is crazy cheap for Black Friday / Cyber Monday

Do you ever take a selfie and think, "man, I should print a load of these out and stick them up around the place to remind myself of how awesome I am?" No? Well, even still, this photo printer is pretty rad, and it's on sale.

We live in an age of Instagrams, Tiktoks, and Snapchats. Nobody ever prints their photos anymore, wishing them away into a digital ether never to be seen again. Every now and then it's okay to indulge your inner boomer and go for something a little more analog, like, oh I don't know, physical photographs. Insane I know.

Few people actually print and keep their own photos nowadays, but they can be fun to create gifts or mementos for loved ones, commemorate a special occasion, or create postcards.

This printer comes with extra ink, photo paper, and everything you need to get started printing pictures wirelessly or via USB. You can use the HP Smart app on a mobile phone to send images across as well, skipping the need for a full-blown PC.

Print 'em up

HP ENVY Photo 6222 Wireless Printer

$70 (was $90) at Amazon

Rip those selfies out of cyberspace

What if photographs could be physical like the good old days? This $20 cheaper photo printer can make that a reality. It can't make any of us more attractive though, sadly.



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Buying a smartwatch during Black Friday weekend? Get the Versa 2

Fitbit made quite a few headlines in 2019. Not only was the company purchased by Google for $2.1 billion, but it also released a few top-notch wearables — one of which was the Versa 2.

The Versa 2 is Fitbit's latest smartwatch offering, and it's one of my favorite watches to be released during all of 2019. It's on sale right now for the Black Friday weekend, and for anyone that wants a capable smartwatch with a focus on fitness, it's one of the best options that exists.

We think the Versa 2 is already priced quite well at $200 for its MSRP, but with a new low price of $149 right now, the value proposition is insane.

Does it all

Fitbit Versa 2

Fitness tracking, notifications, and Alexa

Fitbit knocked it out of the park with the Versa 2, delivering a smartwatch that looks great, can track all of your activity throughout the day, and even has Alexa built right in so you can take the digital assistant with you wherever you go. The Versa 2 is seeing a nice discount for the Black Friday weekend, bringing its already low price down even more.

$148.99 $199.95 $50.96

See at Amazon

Not everyone is a fan of the Fitbit Versa 2's design, but I'm actually quite fond of how it looks. The simple squircle body doesn't favor one aesthetic over the other, meaning it fits in at the gym when paired with a silicone band while also looking quite stylish when worn with a metal or leather band. It also looks great when worn on both men and women's wrists, and I also appreciate that it's not too bulky or heavy.

One of the big upgrades for the Versa 2 compared to the original Versa is Fitbit's transition from an LCD display to an AMOLED one, and it might be one of my favorite features of the watch. The display on the Versa 2 is colorful, easy to read outdoors, and plenty sharp so that text is easy on the eyes. It even has an always-on function, allowing the watch face to stay on 24/7 so you can always glance down and see the time.

As far as fitness tracking goes, the Versa 2 does it all. It can log your workouts, how much water you drink throughout the day, miles you've walked, and even has a pretty robust period-tracker for female users. All of this information syncs to the excellent Fitbit mobile app on your phone, giving you a dedicated place to see all of your health stats, connect with other Fitbit users, and compete with friends in activity challenges.

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the Versa 2 is good at the fitness side of things, but an area of the watch that really impressed me was how smart it is.

Alexa is one of the Versa 2's most powerful features.

Alexa is built into the Versa 2, allowing you to talk to the digital helper the same way you would on an Amazon Echo. You can use Alexa on the Versa 2 to ask about the weather, send text messages, start a workout, and countless other things. I also really like the addition of Fitbit Pay as a default feature, allowing you to pay for things in stores by holding the Versa 2 up to an NFC-capable terminal.

Fitbit's app selection for the Versa 2 may be one of the watch's weakest points, but things are regularly getting better on this front. You'll find apps for Starbucks, Uber, Walgreens, and United, just to name a few. However, as someone that typically doesn't spend a lot of time using apps on my smartwatch, this has never proven to be that big of a deal for me.

All-in-all, I've been really pleased with my time using the Fitbit Versa 2 this year. It looks great, is one of the best wearables on the market for fitness tracking, and has quite a few "smart" features that allow it to stay relevant even when you aren't breaking a sweat.

For just $150 during this Black Friday weekend, there's no reason not to pick one up.

Black Friday!



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How to play Apple Music with Alexa on an Amazon Echo

Apple Music made its way to the Alexa Skill ecosystem this past December, meaning that everyone who has an Amazon Echo device can now enjoy their Apple Music subscriptions on their smart speakers. Here's how to set up Apple Music on your Alexa-powered device.

Products used in this guide

How to set up Apple Music on your Echo device

  1. Open the Alexa App.
  2. Tap the menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
  3. Tap Skills and Games.

  4. Tap the search icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
  5. Type in Apple Music in the search menu.
  6. Tap on the Apple Music icon that pops up.
  7. Tap Enable to Use.

  8. Log in to your Apple account using your Apple ID username and password.
  9. (If you have 2-Factor Authentication Enabled) Enter your six-digit verification code on the following screen.
  10. Tap Allow on the Access Request screen that follows.

  11. Go back to the Settings screen in your Alexa app.
  12. Scroll down and tap on Music.
  13. Scroll down to Account Settings and tap on Default Services.
  14. Choose Apple Music for your Default Music Library and Default Station.

  15. Enjoy your Apple Music subscription on your Echo device!

At this point, once the setup is complete, you can stream your collection of music from Apple Music to whatever Echo device you own.

Our top equipment picks

Showtime

Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen)

$230 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy

The premier big screen Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) is such an amazing device. Bringing the Echo experience beyond just being a speaker, the Echo Show brings a screen that allows for an exceedingly versatile device that any and everyone can use.

With the Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen), you are no longer limited to just voice options. The Echo Show becomes like a true assistant and fixture in your home. To-do lists, calendars, weather updates, security hub, live TV, in-the-kitchen assistance, the possibilities are near endless with Amazon's premier Echo digital assistant.

Additional Equipment

Apple Music

From $10 per month at Apple

Apple Music is one of the top streaming services and can be easily connected to and controlled by Alexa through your Echo and Fire devices.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

$35 at Amazon

The Echo Dot is the lower-end option, but it isn't necessarily "lower-end." It does everything the Echo does, albeit with a smaller speaker.

Amazon Echo (3rd Gen)

$100 at Amazon

The flagship device of the Amazon Echo family, the Echo can be a staple in anyone's home, capable of room-filling sound, and access to a multitude of streaming music services.



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