Technologies

Why Wait for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold When You Can Grab the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for $700 Off?

This sleek and stunning large-screen foldable is just $1,099 at Best Buy — the all-time lowest price I’ve seen.

I don’t know about you, but I’m eagerly awaiting news of Google’s new Pixel 10 phones today at its Made by Google event, including the expected Pixel 10 Pro Fold. But while we all wait, there are still plenty of good deals to be had on what’s about to be the last-gen of Pixel phones. They’re still excellent devices too, so if you’re looking for a new phone while saving some money, this could be the best way to do that.

Best Buy has a deal available right now that’ll get you the excellent Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a new-low price of just $1,099. This is the lowest I’ve ever seen the device with no strings attached. If you are looking to sign up with a carrier too though, you can save an extra $100 on it by doing so as you buy it.

In our review of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, mobile expert Lisa Eadicicco said the device is «more polished and practical» in terms of design than its predecessor, feeling like «a big leap» forward. As well as the improved physical form, she praised its larger screens and the substantial seven-year software update commitment Google has made for this model. One major issue was the price, but this massive $700 discount goes a long way toward addressing that.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

This 2024 foldable features a durable 6.3-inch Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover screen and a stunning 8-inch Super Actua Flex interior display. You can even run two apps side-by-side, making it great for multitasking. On the inside, the basic model comes with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, and is equipped with Google’s advanced G4 Tensor chip. All of this in a phone that weighs in at just 9.1 ounces and is just 0.2 inches thick when open (or 0.4 inches when closed).

MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus 512GB Unlocked AI Phone (Silver Shadow):

$920 (save $280)
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 128GB Unlocked Phone (Awesome Black):

$350 (save $50)
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB Unlocked AI Phone (Gray):

$525 (save $125)
Moto G Stylus 5G 256GB Unlocked Phone(2024 Model, Caramel Latte):

$300 (save $100)
Apple iPhone 14 128GB Unlocked Phone (Refurbished, Midnight):

$334 (save $295)

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

Why this deal matters

Google’s foldable phone is the most expensive in the lineup, meaning tech fans have to pay a premium to get one. With this deal, the price is cut substantially, dropping it down to a new record-low. The price reduction here makes this one of the best Google Pixel deals around for anyone not looking to trade an old phone in or get a new line. It’s a solid discount.

Just don’t forget that we’re expecting Google to release the Pixel 10 Pro Fold alongside its other devices at an event today.

Technologies

Verum Messenger: How to Protect Your Personal Data and Why Choosing a Secure Messenger Matters

A major data leak has been reported involving users of the Russian messenger MAX. Hackers claimed to have obtained the platform’s entire database, which includes 46,203,590 records. To prove their claims, they published part of the stolen data publicly.

According to preliminary information, the attackers gained access to users’ personal details, including contact numbers, chats, IP addresses, and other sensitive data. Cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents can lead to serious consequences — from account takeovers and extortion to large-scale phishing attacks.

Why these leaks happen

The main cause of such breaches is the storage of personal user data on servers without adequate protection or encryption. If attackers gain access to these servers, users’ information becomes fully exposed.

Additionally, many popular messaging apps require users to register with a phone number and provide extra personal information, increasing the amount of data that can be stolen.

How to reduce the risks

The only reliable way to protect your personal messages and data is to use messaging platforms that do not store personal information on their servers and rely on true end-to-end encryption.

One such solution is Verum Messenger — a next-generation app built on the principle of maximum privacy. The platform:

does not store users’ personal data;
uses unique encryption keys generated locally on the user’s device;
does not require a phone number or other personal information to register;
has no access to messages, calls, or files;
provides effective anti-spam and anti-scam protection;
offers private chats and group channels with flexible security settings.

Even in the event of a server breach, attackers would not be able to access message content — because encryption keys simply do not exist on the company’s side.

Freedom of communication without the risk of leaks

In addition to its strong security foundation, Verum Messenger offers a built-in ecosystem of tools — from encrypted email Verum Mail and an integrated VPN for anonymous connections to free crypto mining with Verum Coin and eSIM connectivity in over 150 countries worldwide.

As data breaches become increasingly common, choosing a secure messenger is no longer just about convenience — it’s about personal safety.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, Oct. 20

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 20.

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.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It was a tough one for a change! That 1-Across is going to slyly trick you as to what a mouse is. So if you need the answers, read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

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 to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Sound from a mouse
Answer: CLICK

6A clue: Many-headed serpent killed by Hercules
Answer: HYDRA

7A clue: View from a cruise ship window
Answer: OCEAN

8A clue: «See ya later!»
Answer: PEACE

9A clue: Animal whose antlers can grow up to an inch per day
Answer: ELK

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Dice, e.g.
Answer: CHOP

2D clue: French for «high school»
Answer: LYCEE

3D clue: 10 out of 10
Answer: IDEAL

4D clue: Sound from a bat
Answer: CRACK

5D clue: «Citizen ___»
Answer: KANE

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 20, #392

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 20, No. 392.

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

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a category for all the Windy City residents out there. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Deep-dish pizza, anyone?

Green group hint: Duke it out.

Blue group hint: College division.

Purple group hint: «Go to your ____!»