Technologies

Get $300 Back in Your Pocket With a Brand-New Pixel 10. Here’s How

Amazon and Best Buy are both offering up to $300 in gift cards when you buy a phone from the Pixel 10 lineup.

Google revealed its newest phone lineup during this week’s Made by Google event: the Pixel 10 series. We loved the previous Pixel 9 series, and this one is primed to be even better. Though you can’t get one in your hands for another week, you can preorder the phone and score a nice freebie.

The Pixel 10 series consists of the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold. It has a similar build to the Pixel 9 series, with a glass back, shiny edge and pill-shaped camera bar. The phone is made with a Tensor G5 processor and 16GB of RAM.

Amazon and Best Buy are both offering up to $300 in gift cards when you purchase a phone from the lineup. Since the phone has been revealed but not released, orders will start shipping on Aug. 28.

You’ll get a free gift card with the purchase of a Pixel 10 series phone at Amazon. The exact amount depends on the phone you choose, with the base Pixel 10 landing a $100 credit. The dual-screen Pixel 10 Pro Fold gives you $300 back. If you want something in between, the Pixel 10 Pro comes with a $200 gift card. Keep in mind that if you return the phone, you must return the gift card too, or you’ll be charged for it.

You can also get a gift card worth up to $300 with the purchase of a Pixel 10 series phone at Best Buy. Like at Amazon, the exact amount depends on the phone you choose. It matches Amazon’s deal range, with the Pixel 10 offering $100 in value, the 10 Pro offering $200, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offering $300 in value back.

You can also get an extra $100 off when you connect to Verizon or AT&T. Finally, Best Buy also has a trade-in program, where you can get up to $575 off the Pixel 10 or 10 Pro when you trade in an eligible device. For the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, you can get a $350 gift card and up to $760 back when you trade in.

MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK

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

The Pixel 10 series isn’t even shipping yet, and we’re already seeing some great preorder offers. A gift card of up to $350 can be a big help when buying a new phone, as those don’t come cheap. Take advantage of these offers before it’s too late.

How much does the Pixel 10 series cost?

Pricing on the new models is similar to the Pixel 9 lineup. The base Pixel 10 costs $799, the Pixel 10 Pro costs $999 and the premium Pixel 10 Pro XL costs $1,199. There’s also the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which starts at $1,799 and will be available on Oct. 9.

Deals are showing up at multiple retailers and carriers, helping you save on the latest flagship devices.

When will the Pixel 10 series be available for purchase?

The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL will be available for purchase online and in stores on Aug. 28. However, if you want the Pixel 10 Pro Fold or the Pixel Watch 4, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. Those won’t be available online or in store until Oct. 9.

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 ____!»