Author: alex

Shopify outage disrupts admin, POS and checkout systems during Cyber Monday Shopify experienced a platform disruption on Cyber Monday that affected merchant logins, the admin dashboard, point-of-sale (POS) systems and checkout flows. The company reported degraded performance across multiple services and later identified and fixed an authentication issue that caused many merchants to be unable to access admin and POS systems. According to Shopify’s status updates, some merchants saw problems logging in and processing POS checkouts, while API, mobile and support systems also experienced degraded performance. Shopify’s team deployed fixes and began monitoring recovery; many services showed signs of returning to normal within hours. Timeline & official updates Initial reports: merchants unable to access Admin and POS, plus checkout disruptions and degraded API performance. Shopify status updates: company investigated the…

Anker Cyber Monday deals: Power banks, MagSafe chargers, GaN adapters & Soundcore audio on sale Anker’s Cyber Monday sale brings significant discounts across its charging lineup and Soundcore audio products — think power banks, MagSafe and Qi2 batteries, multi‑port GaN bricks, wireless charging pads and portable speakers/earbuds. Many of these items are among our top picks for value and reliability, and several models are discounted up to about 50%. Highlights include discounted laptop power banks, the Ultra‑Slim MagSafe bank and MagGo Qi2 stand banks, 3‑in‑1 portable chargers with built‑in cables, and a range of GaN wall adapters that speed up phone and laptop charging. Soundcore (Anker’s audio brand) also has markdowns on budget earbuds and portable speakers if you want both power and sound under one brand. Top picks to…

Best Cyber Monday tech deals under $50: chargers, speakers, smart plugs and streaming Cyber Monday isn’t just for big‑ticket buys — it’s a great time to stock up on useful tech under $50. From fast chargers and MagSafe power banks to compact speakers, streaming sticks and subscription deals, many of our tested picks are on sale. Below are curated highlights and buying tips to help you snag genuine bargains. Top streaming & subscription deals under $50 HBO Max (ad tier) — 1 year for $36: Access prestige TV and Warner Bros. films at a steep discount; auto‑renews so set a reminder if you plan to cancel. Paramount+ — 2 months for $6: Try Premium or Essential at $3/month for two months — good for catching live sports and CBS shows.…

Panels app shutting down Dec 31 — what went wrong and what’s next Marques Brownlee’s Panels app — a subscription-based marketplace for smartphone wallpapers — is closing on December 31. The developers cite difficulties building a team that shared their vision and say they couldn’t continue development. Annual subscribers will receive refunds and any wallpapers downloaded through the app will remain usable after the shutdown. In a conciliatory move, the team plans to publish the app’s source code so others can build on the project. That may let independent developers salvage features, create forks, or repurpose the code for new projects. Why Panels struggled Panels launched with heavy ambition but faced backlash over pricing — many users balked at the subscription model for wallpapers, a product category that historically struggles…

India may require a government security app preinstalled on iPhones — what it means Reports indicate that India’s telecommunications ministry is asking smartphone makers to ship devices sold in the country with a government security application preinstalled. The requirement would apply to phones sold locally — including iPhones — and comes on top of existing rules that push for local manufacturing and other compliance measures. Details remain scarce: it’s not yet clear which app the government would require, whether the app would be mandatory to run, or how it would be distributed and updated. Officials and manufacturers appear to be in talks, and the situation could evolve as regulators and vendors negotiate technical and privacy safeguards. Why this matters Privacy & trust: Preinstalling a state app raises questions about data…

Cyber Monday speaker deals: big discounts across Bluetooth, smart speakers and soundbars Cyber Monday brings deep discounts on audio gear across budgets — from pocket‑sized Bluetooth speakers under $50 to premium soundbars and smart speakers. Brands on sale include Anker/Soundcore, JBL, Bose, Sonos, Ultimate Ears and more. We tracked standout offers and grouped them by price range to help you pick the best value. Deals move quickly during the holiday window, so if you see a price you like, consider buying before stock runs out. Below are highlights, buying tips and when each type of speaker makes the most sense. Top picks by price range Under $50 Anker Soundcore 2 — great battery life and surprising bass for the price. JBL Go 3 / Go 4 — rugged, waterproof pocket…

Disney+ + Hulu (with ads) bundle: One year for $5/month ($60) — Cyber Monday deal ends today Disney is offering a Cyber Monday promotion that lowers the price of the Disney+ + Hulu (with ads) Duo Basic bundle to just $5 per month for one year — a total of $60. The deal is available to new and eligible returning subscribers and expires at the end of the day today, so act fast if you want to lock in the savings. The bundle pairs Disney+’s family-friendly catalog (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney classics and recent theatrical releases) with Hulu’s broader TV lineup and adult‑oriented originals. For many households, the ad‑supported Duo Basic plan strikes a strong balance between price and content variety. Key details Price: $5 per month for 12…

Sony WH-1000XM5 hits Cyber Monday low: $248 — great value vs the XM6 Cyber Monday has brought the Sony WH-1000XM5 down to about $248, roughly $152 off its regular $400 price and close to its record low. While Sony’s newest flagship, the WH-1000XM6, improves on sound and noise cancellation, the XM5 remains an outstanding buy for most listeners at this discounted price. We originally scored the WH-1000XM5 very highly for comfort, sound quality and ANC. The headphones offer around 30 hours of battery life, deep immersive sound with punchy bass, and upgraded ANC compared with older models thanks to additional microphones and processors. Why the XM5 is still a great pick Comfort: Lightweight design and soft earcups make long listening sessions easy. Noise cancellation: Excellent ANC that blocks a wide…

Anker Cyber Monday deals: power banks, MagSafe chargers and Soundcore audio on sale Cyber Monday brings solid discounts on Anker’s charging ecosystem — power banks, MagSafe‑style batteries, GaN wall chargers, multi‑port hubs and Soundcore audio products. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade travel power, tidy your desk or grab a versatile wireless charger, several standout Anker models are discounted right now. Below we highlight notable picks, brief buying tips and where to check stock. Prices and availability change quickly during sales events, so if you see something you want, act fast. Top Anker deals to watch Laptop Power Bank — High‑capacity, laptop‑capable bank (often $50+ off during Cyber Monday). Great if you need USB‑C PD for laptops and consoles on the go. Ultra‑Slim MagSafe bank — Sleek MagSafe‑style battery that…

Top Cyber Monday subscription deals: streaming, VPNs, productivity and more Cyber Monday is delivering unusually deep discounts across subscriptions — from streaming services and VPNs to productivity apps and lifelong learning platforms. Whether you want to binge shows, lock down online privacy, or grab a useful productivity tool, now is a strong window to buy. Below is a curated roundup of the most notable offers we found, grouped by category. Always confirm eligibility and renewal terms on the provider’s checkout page before buying. Streaming highlights HBO Max (Basic with ads) — one year for $36 (about $3/month). Access to HBO originals, Warner Bros. films and Discovery content on the ad-supported tier. Disney+ + Hulu (Duo Basic) — one year for $60 (ad-supported bundle). Great family + adult lineup covering Marvel,…