Technologies

Tempted by Black Friday Deals? Don’t Buy These Gifts Without Reading This

Whether you’re thinking about buying a smartwatch or a tablet this Black Friday, there are a few ground rules you should know first.

It’s not quite Black Friday yet, but deals are already in full swing, with sales on the AirPods 3, Echo Dot and Hue smart bulb bundle, Google Pixel 6A and so many other items like video doorbells and bluetooth speakers.

But before buying any tech toy you plan to give as a gift, it’s our job to make sure you’ve thought through all the angles, so that your present doesn’t turn into an accidental burden.

Unlike a TikTok-approved hot air brush or clothing from Carhartt, tech gifts add another dimension of reward and usability, but they also introduce issues ranging from privacy and security to old-fashioned compatibility. And that could become an issue for whoever you’re gifting to.

Here’s what you need to know before you buy certain tech gifts — and we’re not talking about the gift receipt.

Beware of extras someone else will have to buy

Nomatter what type of device you end up buying as a gift, keep any extraaccessories it may require in mind. Ask yourself — or the salesperson— if the device is ready to use right out of the box.

For example, if you buy color-changing bulbs like Hue or Wyze, do they require a hub to get them to work? If it’s a phoneor tablet, does it make sense to also give a case, or to let yourfriend or loved one pick one out later? Many phones have ditched the headphonejack, so a dongle to go from a USB-C or Lightning plug to a 3.5mm audioconnection may be needed if you know your recipient has wired headphones or accessories they love.

Another aspect to consider is if your giftee will need to replace stuff they already have. Maybe that new phone requires a different kind of charging cable than what they already use. It may not be your responsibility to replace that, but be aware that your gift could have ripple effects.

More examples to heed: For a Roomba,extra brushes, filters or virtual barriers are going to be items yourloved one will eventually need. Odds are, if you gift a smart speaker,which also doubles as a voice-activated speaker for streaming music, agift card for a subscription to Spotify or Pandora will also be appreciated.

Don’t buy gifts that clash with what they already have

You may have to be crafty about finding out what your friend or family member does or doesn’t already have, but it could make all the difference between a thoughtful gift they can start using right away or one they may need to swap, if integrating it into their life becomes troublesome.

You wouldn’t want to get an Apple Watch for a friend who uses an Android phone (use would be extremely limited) and an all-Apple household probably won’t appreciate the latest Amazon Echo, even if it does have cool new features.

Wireless earbuds are usually a safe bet, and smartwatches (outside of the Apple Watch) generally work with any type of smartphone. Streaming devices like Roku or Fire TV typically work with any TV, as well (just make sure they don’t already have a Roku-enabled TV).

We don’t mean to frighten you, just do what you can to suss out the situation first and of course include a gift receipt so your giftee can make a gift-free exchange if it comes to it. If you have a general idea of what kind of device (or devices) the giftee already uses around the house, here are more specific angles to consider when giving smart home gifts.

If you’re buying a phone as a gift…

If you’re buying someone a phone, the most important thing to consider is making sure the device will work with their wireless carrier of choice.Wireless providers use different technology that can prevent phonesfrom working across competitors’ networks. The last thing you want to dois buy a phone that only works on Verizon Wireless for someone who’s entrenched in T-Mobile.

Eitherask the gift recipient which wireless carrier they use or considerbuying an unlocked phone. Many phone-makers offer an unlocked versionthat will work on almost all wireless carriers. Just know that not everycarrier feature might work, like Wi-Fi calling, which is tuned tospecific networks. This gift is all about the gesture, but it helps to know your audience.

Watch out for privacy red flags

Someproducts have privacy and security implications. Even if you’re OK withhaving a Google Nest speaker and its always-on microphone in your home, yourgiftee might not be as comfortable with the idea. Westore a lot of information on our phones and gadgets. Privateinformation such as banking info, frequently visited locations, ourcurrent location, photos and conversations are all things we blindlytrust our devices with.

At the least, you should take note of companies such as Meta or Amazon, which are constantly surrounded by privacy questions and concerns, if you’re considering buying the Quest 2 or the latest Ring Video Doorbell 4 as a gift.

If you’re looking at a product from a company you’ve never heard of, or even for companies you have, a quick Google search is in order. Looking up «Meta/Facebook privacy issues,» for example, should surface any red flags.

Know how long a company will support its product

Routinesoftware updates are an important part of owning a tech product. Notonly do updates make a product better over time but they can fix andimprove the security of a device.

As such, it’s important to haveconfidence that companies are going to continue to support a devicethrough updates, especially when security issues are discovered (as theyoften are).

If you’re shopping for a phone, the Apple iPhone and Google Pixel receive consistent and timely updates. Outside of Google’s own phones, Samsung has a good track record for consistent updates to its Android phones, as do the OnePlus phones.

Software updates for smart speakers and streaming devices such as a Chromecast or Apple TV are handled in the background, without you ever knowing. That’s ideal for those who aren’t all that tech-savvy.

It’s a good idea to look into how long a company promises to support a product with software updates after its release.

Finally, there are bound to be many great deals and promotions this shopping season, especially around Black Friday.Don’t be swayed by a deal on a product that seems too good to be true.If the product is discontinued (or soon-to-be), your gift could end upbecoming an expensive paperweight. Again, Google is your friend when itcomes to learning more about a product and its future.

Make sure you grab the right model

Evenif you’re handed a list with a specific gadget gift idea, make sure you’re getting the right model. Many look and sound the same.

For example, the Nintendo Switch comes in three versions: the original ($300 full retail price), OLED ($350 retail) and Lite($200 retail). If you’re opting for the Lite — the least expensive version —you should know that it doesn’t come with Joy-Con controllers, not allgames are compatible with it and it doesn’t feature TV or tabletop mode.And while you could swing for the fences with the OLED model (whichcomes with a 7-inch touchscreen, 64GB of storage and abuilt-in wired LAN port), the original still packs a punch and comeswith many of the features the Lite is missing.

Thesame can be said for products that were released earlier in the yearand are likely to be upgraded and replaced shortly after the holidays.Take some time, do your research and make an educated choice.

Still not sure where to start? Here are the best phones of 2022, along with our 2022 Black Friday cheat sheet that includes items for different budgets and gifts for different kinds of people. Youcan also check out our favorite selections for popular products likesmart speakers, tablets and laptops.

Technologies

Every iPhone 17 Air Rumor: What to Know About a Slim New iPhone

Speculation around a thinner iPhone raises questions about battery capacity and camera features. Here’s what we know so far.

Rumor has it, we may soon see an ultra thin iPhone. The rumored iPhone 17 Air — or it might be called the iPhone Slim — could potentially replace the current iPhone Plus amid Apple’s next iPhone release in the coming months.

The buzzed-about «Air» is getting a lot of attention in the iPhone 17 rumor mill, but the prospect also has people asking if Apple may have to sacrifice features to get a super thin phone.

Here’s the skinny on what we could expect with the newest iPhone.

iPhone 17 Air release date: Is the slimmer iPhone coming this year?

For nearly a decade, Apple has held an event in September to announce its new phones. This year we expect Apple to reveal the iPhone 17 series, including the rumored iPhone 17 Air.

If the iPhone 17 Air rumors are true, Apple would be the latest to join the ultra-thin phone trend this year. Last week, I got to try out Samsung’s new lightweight Galaxy S25 Edge after previewing it and a slew of shockingly thin phones at the Mobile World Congress in March.

The iPhone 17 lineup may be the last to follow this fall-release model, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a report from The Information. Starting with the iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly split its phone releases so that lower-cost iPhones launch in the first half of the year (previously reserved for iPhone SE models) and higher-end pro models are announced in the latter half. That would likely mean a rumored iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Air and new foldable iPhone model could debut in fall 2026. Keep in mind that an iPhone Flip or Fold has been rumored for years.

You’ll likely be able to preorder a new iPhone the Friday after the announcement, with the phone shipping a week later.

What will the iPhone 17 Air cost?

Early rumors about an iPhone 17 Air hinted that it could cost even more than the iPhone 17 Pro, but a March Bloomberg report suggested the phone could cost around $900. That price tag would align with the rumor that the «Air» could replace the Plus, which currently costs $899. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge starts at $1,100.

However, there’s also the question of how tariffs could affect the price of an iPhone. Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff drama, Apple has mostly escaped additional taxes by stockpiling inventory and getting most of its products on a tariff exemption list.

Apple has moved some production of US iPhones to India to avoid the steeper tariffs imposed on China. However, Trump recently said he pushed Apple CEO Tim Cook to move US iPhone production from India to the US. How much all of this could affect iPhone prices is yet to be determined.

Regardless of how tariffs play out, Apple is expected to raise the price of the iPhone. These price hikes are rumored to start with the iPhone 17 line, so prepare now to pay more for «Air.»

iPhone 17 Air camera: potential downgrade?

Among the rumored potential sacrifices Apple may have to make to get a skinnier phone is limiting the camera features.

The rumored iPhone 17 line is getting a new camera bar that extends across the width of the phone. But Front Page Tech shared an iPhone 17 Air video in February that showed a physical mockup of the phone based on rumors. One of the more surprising reveals was a smaller camera bar with one lens on the left, suggesting the «Air» phone has a single rear camera, similar to the iPhone 16E ($599). It’s not clear if the camera would be the same as the 16E or if Apple would go the route Samsung did and include the main camera from the iPhone 17 Pro.

The single camera theory is backed up by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a Bloomberg report, which said that the rumored Air may not have the ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses that have become staples of Apple’s premium iPhones.

In a bit of good news, it’s also rumored that the front-facing «selfie» camera on all iPhone 17 models, including the Air, will be upgraded to 24 megapixels, according to analyst Jeff Pu.

iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro

It may be getting a lot of attention, but the rumored Air appears to be less an advanced Pro model and more a replacement for the Plus.

However, rumors are that the Air would have a 6.6-inch display, according to analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. If accurate, that would mean the Air’s display is slightly smaller than the iPhone 16 Plus, with a 6.7-inch display, but larger than the iPhone 16 Pro, which features a 6.3-inch display. The iPhone 16 Pro Max leads with a 6.9-inch display. It’s unclear if the 17 Air’s screen would be a Pro Motion display like the one found on iPhone Pro models.

If the rumored Air lives up to its name, then the biggest potential advantage it could offer over a Pro is its size and weight. A Bloomberg report from March notes that the iPhone Air could measure 5.5mm thick, compared to the iPhone 16 Pro at 8.25mm.

Mac Rumors reported that a leaker on the Korean-langauge Naver blog, going by «yeux1122,» said that the rumored iPhone 17 Air weighs approximately 145 grams (5.11 ounces). Compare that to the iPhone 16 Pro, which weighs in at 199 grams (7.03 ounces). If this rumor proves true, the Air would be just slightly heavier than the iPhone 13 mini, which weighs 141 grams (4.97 ounces).

Bloomberg’s report also notes that the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have super slim bezels compared to the rest of the line, along with a Camera Control button and a Dynamic Island cutout in the display.

iPhone 17 Air battery life expectations

Among the challenges of slimming down an iPhone could be figuring out how to reduce the battery size without compromising battery life.

Initially, it was assumed that a skinnier iPhone would simply have a reduced battery life since there would be less space to house a large battery. But more recently, AppleInsider reported that a skinnier iPhone might use a silicon-anode battery that could help extend its battery life.

Yeux1122 said the battery capacity is 2,800mAh, based on details that originate with «mass production confirmed sample,» according to MacRumors. It added that a high density battery in the Air could increase its «actual capacity» by 15 to 20%.

If the rumored iPhone 17 Air does use the silicon battery technology, it would be the first iPhone to do so.

Are iPhone Air rumors and leaks to be trusted?

Rumors are just that. The speculation leading up to the iPhone’s release is often based on insider knowledge or leaked information from the teams working on the iPhone’s design, but those plans can continue to evolve and are not necessarily reflected in the final product. We’ll only be able to confirm these rumors with certainty when Apple officially releases the next iPhone and we can see it for ourselves.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, May 21

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for May 21.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword is a bit of a tough one. 6-Across and 2-Down want you to come up with words that match up with another word that starts with the same two letters. 2-Down was easy, but 6-Across stumped me until my other answers filled it in. (Hint: It’s not green grass…) Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Either role played by Michael B. Jordan in 2025’s «Sinners»
Answer: TWIN

5A clue: «Wow, wow, wow!»
Answer: OHMY

6A clue: Gr-» word that follows «green»
Answer: GRAPE

7A clue: Bit of land in the ocean
Answer: ISLE

8A clue: Père ___, name for Santa Claus in France
Answer: NOEL

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Trunk of the body
Answer: TORSO

2D clue: «Wh-» word that follows «white»
Answer: WHALE

3D clue: Urge forward
Answer: IMPEL

4D clue: Bill ___ the Science Guy
Answer: NYE

6D clue: Alcohol paired with tonic
Answer: GIN

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

Technologies

I Took Google’s New Try On Feature for a Spin — It Was Fascinating (and Hilarious)

Commentary: I used AI to see how different outfits would look on me, and the results were revealing.

Online shopping often feels like a shot in the dark. It’s hard to predict how an outfit a model is wearing will fit me. But at Google I/O on Tuesday, I demoed a new feature called Try On that uses AI to show you how a dress, shirt, skirt or pants will actually look on you. I was surprised, and also incredibly amused.

After posing for a quick photo, a Google employee showed me different clothing options in the Shopping tab. I settled on a cute long-sleeved denim jumpsuit, tapped it and uploaded my photo. After about 30 seconds, my real-life floral jumpsuit was replaced by the denim one. The generated image looked impressively real: the sleeves were perfectly tailored, the collar was popped and my pink headscarf (which I was wearing in real life and Gemini thankfully kept on) was neatly tucked in.

«It actually looks like I’m wearing it,» I said in amazement. «I’m quite impressed.» It even added a purse in my right hand, which was a funny touch.

Try On is powered by Google’s custom image generation model, which can demonstrate how materials drape, fold and stretch on different body types. It’s available now in Search Labs, which lets people try out Google Search features before they roll out to the masses.

After opting into the feature, you’ll see an icon that says «try it on» when browsing for clothes in Google. Upload a full-length photo of yourself (ideally with good lighting and fitted clothing), and watch in wonder as that dress or shirt miraculously appears on you. You can also save the generated image and share it with friends.

Of course, I had to have some fun with Try On. As someone who wears hijab, I only wear long sleeves and long pants when I’m out and about. So I decided to test the feature and see what it would do if I picked a pink sleeveless dress. The result was hilarious.

It did in fact expose my arms (or what it thinks they look like), and also added some random bracelets and a watch that I was definitely not wearing in real life. Thankfully, it kept my headscarf on (which perfectly matched the pink dress), but that only made for a more hilarious juxtaposition with my exposed AI skin. Well, at least it maintained the dress’s accuracy.

If you’re worried about privacy concerns, my colleague Katelyn Chedraoui reached out to Google to ask about Try On’s privacy policies. In response, a Google spokesperson said: «Your uploaded photo is never used beyond trying things on virtually, nor is your photo used for training purposes. It is not shared with other Google products, services or third parties, and you can delete or replace it at any time.»

So, if you’re keen to see how that outfit you would totally wear — or totally wouldn’t — looks on you, look no further than your phone; no fitting room required. Personally, I look forward to trying on more outfits, both appealing and ridiculous, just for the heck of it.