Apple’s 2021 iPad is on sale for $299 at Amazon - The Verge

It’s New Year’s Eve, and while that means we are very soon waving goodbye (and good riddance) to the year 2021, it just wouldn’t be special enough day without a selection of great tech deals from your friends at Verge Deals. This has certainly been a jam-packed year full of, well, chaos, but also some great gadgets and worthwhile savings that help you save some coin along the way. While we can’t wait to bring you even more in 2022, let’s not get ahead of ourselves too quickly. Below, we’ll highlight some of the best deals for you in the world of tech.

Starting us off, there is no better bang-for-the-buck tablet on the market for most people than Apple’s latest base-model iPad. The 10.2-inch model mostly stands alone in terms of the price-to-performance ratio while also having such an expansive ecosystem of apps, accessory compatibility, and long-lasting support via software updates. Whether it’s mostly a Netflix-machine for your family or the main homework tool for a child, the base iPad is a workhorse that easily sells at its $329 entry price point. That is probably why we have seen such infrequent discounts this year, though we are now in luck. Amazon has the base 64GB Wi-Fi configuration for $299, saving you $30. If you’re in need of more storage, the 256GB model has the same discount, knocking it down to $449.

While the latest iPad looks nearly the same as most models before it, its updated A13 Bionic CPU is much faster than its predecessor. Also, its front-facing camera now has Center Stage, to automatically follow you in the frame during video calls. How perfect, since it seems like our Zoom-centric ways will not change just yet for early 2022.

Looking for a little more than Apple’s entry-level offerings? The iPad Air is the mid-range option in Apple’s lineup — sitting well above the base model, but less costly than the iPad Pro options — and for many people it’s the Goldilocks of being “just right” in terms of power and features. The iPad Air features a speedy A14 Bionic processor and Touch ID fingerprint sensor combined with a 10.9-inch screen in a fairly compact footprint. It has all of the looks of the Pro models without the same heft in price. Today, you can get it from Walmart for just $539, which is $60 off its usual price of $599 for this base configuration with 64GB of storage and Wi-Fi radio. Read our review.

You’ve probably already heard plenty of “new year, new you” hyperbole, and unfortunately, that will continue to ring out well into January and February, but here’s a resolution you might have not considered: get better lighting. If you’re working from home or just spending a lot of time at your place during the long and dreary winter months, lighting can be a robust mood-enhancer. Nanoleaf’s Elements line of illuminated wood-look panels can brighten up a workspace and give a touch of warmth to an otherwise humdrum room. You can choose your desired pattern layout when you mount them, and customize the glowing effects to suit your vibe or mindset.

Nanoleaf has been running some great discounts across a variety of its products, though the Elements are our choice for the best deal around. You can get the a seven-panel starter kit direct from Nanoleaf or Best Buy for $70 off, bringing them to their all-time low price of $229.99. For additional coverage, a three-panel kit is $20 off at Best Buy as well. Though time is running out on this deal, as it’s set to expire on New Year’s Day.

Ready to close out 2021 strong? Here’s an idea. Get a great pair of noise-canceling headphones, and block out the rest of the world for a little while. I think that’s what most of us want to do with 2021, and let’s be honest, we owe it to ourselves. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones are tied for fourth place in our list of best headphones for 2021, but they are without a doubt one of the most unique looking sets you can buy that back up good looks with quality sound.

Amazon has the Momentum 3 Wireless in white for just $217.13, saving a whopping $182 off MSRP. These are an excellent set of headphones with a punchy sound, and they’re back down to their all-time low price. Read our review.

More deals that still won’t help you recall the words to Auld Lang Syne

• If you need some speedy external storage for a phone, tablet, drone, or Nintendo Switch, a Lexar 256GB 1066x microSD card is currently $32.99 on Amazon ($27 off).
• Logitech’s G335 wired headset could be described as an affordable, no-frills gaming headset, but it’s got some vibrant stylings to accompany its affordable price. The black model is just $48.23 on Amazon (about $22 off). The mint and white colorways are $49.99 each, and all of them feature colorful accents and a mic that mutes when you flip it up.

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Samsung says it sold more foldables in Galaxy Z Fold 3's launch month than in all of 2020 - CNET

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Lexy Savvides/CNET

As 2021 draws to a close and CES 2022 approaches, Samsung has reported that consumers have come out in droves to buy its foldables, with the company shipping four times as many this year as it did in 2020.

This is in large part due to the new foldables that launched in August, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. Combined, sales of both devices in the month after their debut surpassed how many the company sold the entire previous year, according to a press release.

Both foldables are refined versions of their predecessors, with better software and features, but more importantly, they're also notably cheaper. Though the Z Fold 3's $1,800 price still kept it out of reach of most consumers, the clamshell Z Flip 3 launched with a price tag of $999, finally giving consumers a foldable option at the same starting price as an iPhone 13 Pro.

For consumers who owned a non-Samsung phone, more switched brands to buy a Z Flip 3 than bought the $800 Samsung Galaxy S21, the company also said. The clamshell foldable served as a more attractive next phone than Samsung's flagship as well as the stylus-packing Samsung Galaxy Note 20.

Though Samsung didn't provide sales numbers, the growth matches Counterpoint Research's August expectations that 9 million foldables would be sold worldwide in 2021, a threefold increase over 2020. Samsung accounted for 88 percent of the foldable market last year, and while the report projects that'll wane (likely due to new devices, like the Oppo Find N, siphoning share), the company is still expected to sell three-quarters of the world's foldables through 2023.

That's when the mobile device landscape could change in a major way, as analysts expect Apple to release its rumored iPhone Flip foldable in 2023. But given how many more of the devices will be sold, with Counterpoint expecting foldable shipments to triple again by then, Samsung will have a sizable head start over its rivals.

The biggest winner will likely be consumers. We'd expect foldable prices to fall as manufacturers continue to refine designs and ramp up production of components like flexible displays and hinge mechanisms that've been costly to design but cheaper with every iteration. How cheap they'll get is anyone's guess, though companies are trying to drive the price down. TCL, for instance, chose not to mass produce its Project Chicago clamshell phone rather than release it at a $1,000 price point, though it's continuing to develop foldables – presumably aiming to get closer to the $500 and $600 prices of its most expensive phones.

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JLab's latest $20 earbuds are designed to complement your skin tone - Engadget

When it comes to blending in, nearly all true wireless earbuds fail miserably. That's mostly due to predominantly black and white color options, with a few brightly-hued variants tossed in along the way. Even if the buds are tiny, they're still highly visible due to their color. JLab is on a quest to remedy this and the audio company teamed up with nail care brand ORLY to develop a solution. With the Go Air Tones, the duo selected a collection of seven Pantone colors that are "flattering for people across a spectrum of skin tones." 

JLab says it worked with ORLY to select the final hues from an original collection of over 60 options. Given the beauty brand's experience with creating nude nail polishes, the seven colors "encompassed a variety of skin tones with a mix of warm, neutral and cool undertones. While the colors reflect actual skin tones, most users will find the colors "flattering" without an exact match, according to JLab. If you're having trouble selecting the best option, JLab offers an AR fitting room for a virtual try-on that might help you decide.

JLab

The Go Air Tones are the same earbuds as the $20 Go Air Pop that JLab debuted back in August. This means you'll get on-board touch controls, the ability to use either bud on its own, a collection of EQ presets and IPX4 protection from moisture. There's also an enclosed case with built-in USB cable for charging. JLab says you can expect up to eight hours on the earbuds themselves with an additional three charges from the included case. The only difference between the Pop and the Tones are the available color options for each. 

The Go Air Tones are available for pre-order today for $20. They're scheduled to begin shipping in mid-January. 

JLab

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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CES 2022 will introduce HDMI 2.1a, another confusing new spec - The Verge

The HDMI standards are a mess. HDMI 2.1, in particular, is a uniquely frustrating mess, with haphazard support among TV manufacturers, cable makers, and devices that make setting up, say 120Hz gaming on a PS5 or Xbox Series X a uniquely harrowing experience.

Fortunately, the HDMI Forum is swooping in ahead of CES with its latest revision to the HDMI specification stack, HDMI 2.1a, which is here to make everything better and simpler.

... I’m kidding, of course. It’s gonna make things more complicated. It’s a new HDMI standard, what on earth did you expect?

Let’s start with the good: HDMI 2.1a is an upcoming revision to the HDMI 2.1 stack and adds a major new feature, Source-Based Tone Mapping, or SBTM. SBTM is a new HDR feature that offloads some of the HDR tone mapping to the content source (like your computer or set-top box) alongside the tone mapping that your TV or monitor is doing.

SBTM isn’t a new HDR standard — it’s not here to replace HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Instead, it’s intended to help existing HDR setups work better by letting the content source better optimize the content it passes to the display or by removing the need to have the user manually calibrate their screens for HDR by having the source device configure content for the specific display. Other use cases could be for when there’s a mix of content types, like for streamers (who could have an HDR game playing alongside a window of black and white text), displaying each area of content

The HDMI Forum does note that it’ll be possible for set-top box, gaming companies, and TV manufacturers to add support through firmware updates for HDMI 2.1a and its source-based tone mapping “depending upon their design.” Given the usual trajectory of TV spec updates, though, it seems virtually guaranteed that in the majority of cases, users won’t be getting the new features until they buy a new TV that supports HDMI 2.1a right out of the box (which, as of now, is precisely zero of them, given that the spec has yet to be fully released).

Now here’s the bad: like every other unique HDMI 2.1 feature, including variable refresh rates, automatic low latency connections, and the bandwidth necessary to offer things like 10K resolution or 120Hz refresh rates, SBTM will be an optional feature that manufacturers can support — but not something that they’re required to support.

That’s because the HDMI Forum and HDMI Licensing Administrator (the two organizations that define and license out HDMI standards, respectively) run the standards as a set that contains all the previous standards. As TFTCentral explains, according to the HDMI Licensing Administrator, now that HDMI 2.1 exists, there is no HDMI 2.0 standard anymore: all new HDMI 2.0 ports should be lumped into the HDMI 2.1 branding, despite not using any of the new features included in the “new” 2.1 standard.

HDMI 2.1a will function in a similar manner: once the standard is released, by the HDMI Licensing Administrator’s rules, all new ports will, in theory, be labeled HDMI 2.1a — but they won’t have to offer the new SBTM or even any HDMI 2.1 features. The HDMI Forum’s argument is that this is always how its standards have worked, and that optional features allow manufacturers to have flexibility in what functionality they offer (an entry-level set, for example, probably doesn’t need ports that support 8K 120Hz VRR gaming). And the group says companies are required to list what features their hardware supports so that it's clear to customers what their hardware is capable of, beyond the number expectation.

That argument doesn’t really hold up, though. The whole point of standards is that they’re meant to simplify this sort of thing by, you know, standardizing it across devices — if you have to dig into a spec sheet to figure out if the specific refresh rate feature you want is supported on a new TV, why bother with the HDMI 2.x branding in the first place?

Even better, TFTCentral’s report notes that most manufacturers aren’t following the HDMI licensing recommendations for port labeling. At least for now, TV companies have for the most part still listed HDMI 2.0 ports as “HDMI 2.0” and reserved the HDMI 2.1 labeling for ports that actually support the newer features. But the crucial issue is that under the rules of the organization that licenses out the standard, these companies don’t have to do this — and technically, shouldn’t be labeling things like this, despite the fact that it’s more helpful to customers. This means that there is a chance less scrupulous (or simply more ignorant) companies could start to market HDMI 2.1 ports that don’t actually offer any 2.1 or 2.1a features.

That leaves the upcoming HDMI 2.1a standard and its new SBTM feature in much the same place as the rest of HDMI 2.1 and its feature set: a potentially helpful new feature that could make the content you watch and play look better, but that will likely require buying new hardware and cables, and which may not even be actually supported by devices that claim to have “HDMI 2.1a” ports. That means that as CES 2022 and its slew of TV announcements are about to arrive, the only way to make sure that you’re getting the HDMI features that you want is to — as always — make sure to read the fine print.

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LG says next-generation OLED EX technology delivers improved brightness and accuracy - The Verge

LG is the maker of some of our favorite OLED TVs, so when the company says it’s improved on its basic panel technology, it’s worth paying attention. Today it did just that, with LG Display announcing its next-generation OLED technology — dubbed OLED EX — which the company says will increase brightness by up to 30 percent, boost picture accuracy, and allow for smaller bezels in finished products.

These improvements are due to two key changes. The first is the use of an element known as deuterium in the chemical make-up of LG’s OLED panels, and the second is the incorporation of algorithmic image processing. LG says the latter will predict the usage of each individual light emitting diode in your TV based on your personal viewing habits to “precisely [control] the display’s energy input to more accurately express the details and colors of the video content being played.”

This all sounds well and good, but we’ll have to wait until we see these new panels in person to really judge whether OLED EX is a significant improvement or just an incremental advance with some enthusiastic branding. (On that note, LG helpfully explains that the “EX” in OLED EX comes from the words “evolution” and “experience.” Very ‘90s, I thought.)

LG’s claims about reduced bezel sizes with OLED EX are a little more concrete at least. The company says that based on calculations involving a 65-inch OLED display, it will be able to reduce bezel thickness from 6mm to 4mm. It’s not a huge change on paper, but given how optimized this technology already is, every little improvement has to be fought for.

LG says it plans to start incorporating OLED EX technology into all its OLED panels starting in the second quarter of 2022, though it’s not clear how much longer it might then take for this technology to reach consumers. As well as improving its OLED tech, LG has also been playing with some wilder concepts at this year’s CES conference, showing off new transparent displays as well as reclining, curved OLED thrones.

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10 of the best games from 2021 to check out on your new gaming PC - The Verge

Getting a new gaming PC is a bit like opening Pandora’s Box when it comes to deciding what to play. With frequent releases on Steam, a never-ending flow of free games on the Epic Games Store, a plethora of indie arthouse games on itch.io, and countless other launchers and storefronts to install and choose from, it can feel like the Netflix effect of paralysis by choice.

So if you got yourself a new PC for the holiday, or even earlier, this list of excellent games released this year is a primer on what to consider. Some may be no-brainers because they are the biggest releases of the last few months, but others should not be overlooked.

Many titles featured here can be downloaded and played via a PC Game Pass subscription, the PC version of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, while subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate get access to games on both Xbox and PC platforms. Whether you prefer to buy each title individually or subscribe to gain access to many, here are our top games with which to initiate your new gaming PC.

Many game titles can be downloaded and played on a Windows PC via a PC Game Pass subscription, while subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate get access to games on both Xbox and PC platforms. 

Halo Infinite

This may be the most obvious first choice, as it’s arguably the biggest game release of the holidays, but Halo Infinite’s open world promises to be both a technological test of PC hardware and a compelling title for some throwback solo campaign fun. Combine that with free-to-play online multiplayer that launched early, and Halo is back, baby!

Now, there are some oversights and key features missing at launch, but there is still a lot to enjoy with Halo Infinite in its current form. It hopefully only gets better from here as they eventually expand it with campaign co-op and continue to grow the multiplayer.

Ba-da-buh-buhh ba-da-buh-buhhhhhhh!

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Forza Horizon 5

What happens when you mix together a ton of cars, Playground Games’ open-world arcade racing franchise, and the beautiful landscape of Mexico? You get the best racing game of 2021, complete with AI Drivatars based on your friends list to challenge you. Part of the fun of Forza Horizon 5 is you can play it however you want. Looking to embrace its hardcore motorsports side? There are cars and courses for that. Want to take it off-road in the mud and the muck? That’s here, too. Prefer to take it easy and just enjoy driving around? The rewind feature makes it easy to undo any careless errors that could cost you a race. Forza Horizon 5 makes for a great pick-up-and-play experience, and there’s a lot to experience among all the cars and environments.

Get out of my dreams and into my Drivatar.

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Inscryption

It doesn’t have to be spooky season for you to get into one of the top indie hits of the year. Inscryption is a horror-themed deck-building card game with a blend of roguelike loop progression. The real trick, though, is how the game keeps changing things on you as the story progresses. We’re not going to get into spoilers here but be prepared for some unexpected turns.

Even if you’re scarcely a fan of card games or escape rooms — even if you just played a couple of games of Magic: The Gathering as a kid or did one escape room with friends at their peak a few years ago — you should try out Inscryption. It may not put your PC’s graphics to the test, but if you have a good monitor with quality black levels, you can really immerse yourself in the creepy aesthetic as you play cards and sacrifice little monsters to battle your eery AI opponent hiding in the shadows.

Long live spooky season!

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Back 4 Blood

Back 4 Blood is the spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead franchise of four-player co-op zombie shooters. It not only carries a similarly styled title but also maintains some of the original Left 4 Dead developers of Turtle Rock Studios. Now, Back 4 Blood merges the classic, co-operative FPS action of Left 4 Dead with a modern take on power-ups based around a card system. The cards make each session feel a bit different, keeping you on your toes as you mow down hordes of zombies and have to adapt to what fate draws you. Aside from the cards, the weapons and quip-filled characters are the stars of the show. Get yourself three friends to team up with and blast zombie after zombie until you’ve had your fill.

Use your brains to help. Your delicious brains!

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Age of Empires IV

The Age of Empires series is old enough to be past its college life and struggling through a middling job while living in a crummy apartment, but Age of Empires IV is a captivating new sequel that feels just like its roots. Anyone who has played a classic RTS before will be right at home here, though judging by conversations in The Verge Slack channels, that home is a very addictive one. Age of Empires IV expertly scratches that itch for base building, troop placement, and massive battles. The campaigns are quite dense, but be sure to try playing as the Mongols for a new twist on the old formula — with hit-and-run tactics and mobility being the new keys to the game.

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Death’s Door

There is no prettier game from 2021 than Death’s Door. It’s enough of a joy just to look at, with a lush world that’s beautifully animated, but the gameplay feels part-Zelda, part-Dark Souls, and all-satisfying when in action. The Nintendo Switch release just came out last month, but playing it on a PC to ensure the visuals are as juiced up as possible does wonders to make this lovely virtual space as immersive and captivating as can be. Don’t sleep on this indie hit. It’s a great way to spend a dozen or so hours of your time, and come on — the protagonist crow is just so dang cute.

Reap those souls, little crow.

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Hot Wheels: Unleashed

Imagine you’re a kid again and given an unlimited budget to build and race the zaniest Hot Wheels track you could possibly imagine. Now, even better, you’re an adult, and instead of tying up all your money and floor space in plastic tracks and 1:64 scale die-cast metal cars, you can play Hot Wheels: Unleashed. But before you write this off as a kids’ video game, you must see the dedication the developers at Milestone put into all these toy car models. There are 60 cars for you to collect and race, with each one lovingly rendered down to its tiny toy details, with visible vehicle damage that looks a whole lot like the way actual Hot Wheels develop wear and tear. Add those visual stylings to the high-speed racing with split-screen support, and you have a fun arcade racer that looks and plays great on a high-end PC.

Flames make everything faster.

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Aliens: Fireteam Elite

If a game like Back 4 Blood sounds appealing for its co-op chops, but you feel that zombies are a bit tired, check out Aliens: Fireteam Elite. This is a three-player, third-person shooter pitting you against the xenomorphs of the storied Aliens franchise lore. There’s a touch of RPG passive buffs to choose in your class loadouts, but in the end, it’s alien-shooting fun with friends. Keep your comms open and your tactics tight because these acid-blooded monsters like to swarm.

They mostly come at night — mostly.

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Psychonauts 2

Few games have had such critical acclaim and fan anticipation for a sequel as the original Psychonauts. Now, 16 years later, the classic Double Fine action-adventure game finally gets its follow-up. Just like the original, Psychonauts 2 is brimming with charm, excellent voice acting, and fun writing that, while lighthearted, also tackles some deeply personal themes. It feels a bit like an older game, for better and worse, but with a fantastical-level design that is supremely unique. Psychonauts 2 takes you on a journey of joyous platforming and thought-provoking empathy. Don’t pass this one up, especially if you already have a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.

Why do my teeth hurt?

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Boomerang X

Few games exhibit a sense of speed and agility quite like Boomerang X. The first-person action game is all about maintaining momentum as you fly around arenas by way of your character’s thrown boomerang. Throw it at enemies to slice them up, then vault towards it for aerial combos reminiscent of the visceral mid-air stunts of old Quake rocket jumps. The visual style and lighting of Boomerang X ensure that each arena is fun to explore, and the enemies keep it fresh and challenging. While Boomerang X is also available on Nintendo Switch, I believe playing it with a mouse and keyboard is the better experience. You get more pinpoint control, and it truly feels like a shooter of a bygone era with very fresh ideas.

Visceral boomerang action in first person

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Umurangi Generation

OK, so I cheated a little. Umurangi Generation first came out in 2020, not 2021. But double-check that headline and do the math — consider this just an added bonus because I cannot pass up any opportunity to recommend Umurangi Generation and its Macro DLC to anyone. The Nintendo Switch version did come out in 2021, but while it does feature new tilt controls, I believe it’s worth playing this excellent indie darling on a PC for the best representation of its awesome visuals.

Umurangi Generation is a first-person photography game that drips with style and weaves an excellent narrative through environmental storytelling. Enjoy its vibrant aesthetic, expansive photographic camera controls, and fantastic soundtrack by ThorHighHeels — all while the sense of dread sets in from its post-apocalyptic world. Remember, even if you don’t want to watch the world burn, you don’t have a choice.

Cops come here to kill us

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