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The Google Pixel 3 Is Our Favorite Android Smartwatch and It’s Now $80 Off

Put the Google Pixel 3 on your wrist for just $270 before it’s too late.

If you’ve been on the fence about picking up a new smartwatch to monitor your health and fitness, now is a great time to take the plunge. It just so happens that our favorite Android smartwatch — the Google Pixel Watch 3 — is available with a solid $80 discount, but you’ll need to be quick. Limited-time deals like this don’t hang around for long.

Right now, you can score the 41mm watch for just $270 in your choice of four different colors. The 45mm watch is $115 off, and you can grab that for just $320. While neither of these prices quite match Amazon’s lowest, they’re still noteworthy savings.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is our top choice Android smartwatch because of its attractive design, large screen and speedy charging. It also no longer requires a Fitbit Premium membership to access your readiness score. And it has plenty of tools that are great for runners. It’s important to keep in mind that, although the watch comes with Google Assistant, it does not include Gemini, Google’s AI. 

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Lisa Eadicicco, former tech senior editor, said in her review, «The Pixel Watch 3’s upgrades are enough to keep it as my top pick for a general-purpose Android smartwatch. If you’re anything like me and consider yourself a casual runner in need of a general-purpose Android watch that’s sleek and comfortable, the Pixel Watch 3 won’t disappoint.»

If this isn’t the Pixel watch for you, take a look at our full roundup on the best Pixel watch deals going on right now. 

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

Google Watches don’t go on sale often, and especially not the newest model in the Google Watch lineup, the Google Pixel Watch 3. Keep in mind that we expect Google to announce the Pixel Watch 4 next month, but if you want a great watch at a great price right now, this is the deal for you.

Technologies

Google’s Powerful New AI Model Can Solve Your Most Complex Problems. If You Can Afford It

Gemini 2.5 Deep Think has scored well in math competitions, and a version of it is now available for those who fork over $250 a month.

A supercharged version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 large language model recently reached gold medal status at the International Mathematical Olympiad. Now you can ask a version of it (only a bronze medalist) to answer your toughest math questions. Like, how am I going to pay $250 a month for this AI subscription?

Naturally, this new version of Google’s Gemini 2.5 Deep Think is designed for complicated questions that require much more work than you’d expect from a free or cheap AI chatbot. Google said it’s designed to handle prompts that require strategic planning, creativity and deep reasoning. 

Google’s making it available now to subscribers of the company’s $250-per-month AI Ultra plan. That subscription, first announced earlier this year at Google’s I/O developer conference, is a steep price to pay for generative AI tools. The tech giant teased then that this model would be among the offerings to make that price worthwhile. (You can still access other Gemini models either for free or at a $20-per-month tier.)

Generative AI developers are intent on building ever more powerful models, and one big way they’re doing so is by expanding their ability for research and increasing the amount of time these models can work. OpenAI has a Deep Research tool for ChatGPT users, and Google’s Gemini has a tool by the same name for all users. 

While those research modes allow models more time, Deep Think uses «parallel thinking» to consider different ideas at once, combining or revising them as it goes. Deep Think also just has more time to think and process, which helps it find better answers but also costs more money and uses more computing power.

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Technologies

These Are the Switch 2 Launch Games You Should Actually Consider

Cyberpunk 2077 leads the pack but Fast Fusion and Bravely Default also make for interesting gameplay.

The Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t been out long but it’s still somewhat disappointing that not many new games are available yet to use the new hardware. Yes, Donkey Kong Bananza is probably the biggest hit for the Switch successor that everyone should pick up but aside from that and Mario Kart World, there’s not much else to get. 

For those who are still looking for something else to play on their Switch 2, here’s a list of some of the more interesting launch games to pick in the meantime. 

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

Aside from Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077 is the most impressive launch game for the Switch 2. Not only does the game look great but it runs incredibly well. Even better than the Steam Deck. CD Projekt Red did an incredible job making arguably the best-looking Switch 2 game.

There is, however, a catch: Night City, which is huge for a video game map, is practically empty. This is a significant compromise as the other versions of Cyberpunk feature a living, robust city. Granted, the roaming NPCs didn’t do much to affect your game but they provided that feeling of being in a sprawling city landscape. 

Aside from that, Cyberpunk on the Switch 2 has fast loading times, makes use of ray-tracing and has a steady frame rate, and it’s likely there will be subtle improvements over the course of multiple updates. This version also makes use of the touchscreen during hacking and there is some use of the motion controls when playing. 

The key thing with Cyberpunk on the Switch 2 is understanding who this is for. As this comes with the Phantom Liberty DLC, this version of the game is solely for those Switch 2 owners who never played the game. They’ll be in for a treat but if you played any version of Cyberpunk, there is little reason to spend money on this game. 

Fast Fusion

Fast Fusion is the other launch racing game for the Switch 2, with a look and feel similar to the Wipeout series found on the PlayStation consoles. The futuristic racing game is considerably more affordable than the other launch titles at only $15, but it’s appropriate, as the game doesn’t have much content. 

In Fast Fusion, players drive a hover-racer that reaches speeds of 500 mph, although races aren’t just about who can go the fastest. The courses have a unique dynamic where players have to switch their vehicle’s colors from red to blue. If the color matches the boost lanes found throughout the track then the vehicle will hit top speeds while obtaining a bit of boost to use at any time during the race. However, if your vehicle’s color doesn’t match, then it will slow down considerably. 

The tracks are futuristic-looking and have different obstacles, such as giant fans and boulders. The tracks’ structures are also dangerous, as vehicles can do a hop that, if done at the wrong time, can lead them to smash right into a building or platform. Players can also spin out other racers by timing their boosts just right. 

While the racing is fun, that’s all there is to the game. Winning races earns you money to access new races and vehicles, but that’s about it. There’s no online play, but there is split-screen multiplayer. 

In a way, Fast Fusion seems barebones, but then it dawns on you that it’s only $15. This is one of those games to purchase if you feel an urgent need to play an arcade racing game with superfast speeds. 

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster

One of the few games that’s truly an upgrade for the Switch 2 launch titles is Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster. Square Enix remastered the 2012 3DS game Bravely Default and, while it’s a big improvement, it’s still a remaster, meaning it’s not doing anything particularly huge with the original game. 

Bravely Default HD Remaster is a turn-based JRPG that has a unique job system. A character can change from one job to another, bringing the skills they learned to the new job, such as having a monk know black magic or a red mage able to trap monsters like they’re Pokemon. It’s developing those character job combos that make the game so interesting to play, even though its storyline has the typical fantasy plot found in many JRPGs.

Because it’s a remaster, this version of Bravely Default has upgraded visuals from the 2012 Nintendo 3DS game, making it look more modern. There’s also reorchestrated music, voice cutscenes and some quality-of-life improvements over the original, like autosaves and an in-game glossary to understand everything about the game. The Switch 2 also helps in making the game a bit snappier when loading and going in and out of menus. But if you want the original 3DS experience, there is a «Legacy Mode» that takes you back to 2012. 

With a price of $40, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster is an easy pickup for anyone in need of a JRPG to play.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

If there is a truly unique game, it’s Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Not just because of how much it draws from Japanese folklore but also because it’s an interesting take on the tower defense formula. 

In Kunitsu-Gami, players control Soh, who is a warrior defending a maiden with the help of villagers. The gameplay involves placing villagers in certain positions to fend off waves of monsters while, at the same time, Soh has to go around attacking the enemies directly with typical hack-and-slash gameplay. After battles, players do a bit of strategizing by leveling up the villagers and Soh to face the next day’s onslaught of enemies. The fun comes down to having to actually think about what’s going on at all times, instead of sitting back like in a typical tower defense game or just mindlessly button-mashing.

As for graphics, Kunitsu-Gami is not a visual giant, but the game has a charm to it. The cel-shaded look and lighting give it a fantastical look, which works for the game’s folklore roots. As it’s not so graphically intensive, you get plenty of time playing the game before the Switch 2 battery empties, too. 

For $40, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a game to pick up for those who want an action game with a change of pace. For those willing to wait, it is likely that publisher Capcom will drop the price by the time the holidays roll around. 

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening

Let me make this very clear for those unfamiliar with this series: Nobunaga’s Ambition is the driest of strategy games. There are some high-profile samurai games set in feudal Japan, such as Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and the upcoming Ghost of Yotei, but do not get it twisted. This game isn’t about recruiting samurai to take down a warlord; it’s about figuring out the right amount of rice is needed so your people won’t starve. 

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening is one of the oldest turn-based strategy video game franchises. It originated in Japan in the early ’80s and made its way to the US on the NES. Players step into the role of a daimyo and have to expand their lands while also being diplomatic with other leaders. 

There is no «action» in the game. You will have to read a lot and figure out the best strategy to win. It’s a very slow and complex game, which, funnily enough, longtime fans of the franchise will say is more streamlined and dumbed down from previous entries in the series. There aren’t really any «visuals» other than world maps, character portraits and so many menus. Your fingers will get numb from constantly turning pages to read everything. 

If you love methodical, turn-based strategy games and are super interested in feudal Japan, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening is likely worth the $60. If that description doesn’t fit you, steer clear.

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Technologies

Today Only: You Can Grab Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for Just $100 if You’re Quick

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro deliver great sound quality, and right now, they can be yours for less.

While the new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro may have taken the older model off our list of 2025’s top wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are still plenty good enough for a lot of people. If you’ve been looking to invest in a pair, now is the time to make the move.

Right now, Best Buy is offering the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in black for just $100 — that’s a massive $130 discount for today only. It’s just $10 more than the lowest price we have seen on these, but it ends at midnight, so we recommend acting fast while you can.

CNET audio expert David Carnoy found a lot to love about these earbuds in his initial review, noting their comfortable stemless design, excellent sound quality and impressive voice-call performance. The noise-canceling capabilities won’t compete with pricey, premium pairs like the Sony WF-1000XM5, but are decent for the price. They also boast an IPX7 water-resistance rating and have a battery life of up to 18 hours with ANC on.

It’s also important to note that these earbuds are designed as a companion for Samsung phones, and there are a few features that are only available when paired with a Galaxy device. That includes virtual surround sound, hands-free voice assistance and new AI-powered features like real-time translation.

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Fortunately, there are plenty of Galaxy S25 deals or offers on the previous S24 series available right now to help you get one of these powerful Android phones in your hand for less.

There are plenty of other excellent earbuds and headphones on sale right now, and Apple users will want to check out our roundup of all the best AirPods deals as well.

Why this deal matters

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro would normally cost you $230, and while there are plenty of people who paid that price for them, it’s not necessary with deals like this. While the new version of these earbuds is technically better, they’re nowhere near this price, so this is an excellent deal.

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