Month: November 2024

GFN Thursday: GeForce NOW Black Friday Deal

Posted on by faz_business


Turn Black Friday into Green Thursday with a new deal on GeForce NOW Ultimate and Performance memberships this week. For a limited time, get 50% off new Ultimate or Performance memberships for the first three months to experience the power of GeForce RTX-powered gaming at a fraction of the cost.

The giving continues for GeForce NOW members: SteelSeries is offering a 30% discount exclusively to all GeForce NOW members on Stratus+ or Nimbus+ controllers, perfect for gaming anytime, anywhere when paired with GeForce NOW on Android and iOS devices. To redeem the discount, opt in to GeForce NOW rewards and look out for an email with details. Enjoy this exclusive offer on its own — it can’t be combined with other SteelSeries promotions.

It’s not a GFN Thursday without new games — this week, six are joining the over 2,000 titles in the GeForce NOW library.

Plus, the Steam Autumn Sale is happening now, featuring stellar discounts on GeForce NOW-supported games. Snag beloved publishers’ top titles, including Nightingale from Inflexion Games, Remnant and Remnant II from Arc Games, and Cult of the Lamb and The Plucky Squire from Devolver — and even more from publishers Frost Giant Studios, Metric Empire, tinyBuild, Torn Banner Studios and Tripwire. The sale runs through Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Stuff Your Stockings

This holiday season, GeForce NOW is spreading cheer to gamers everywhere with an irresistible Black Friday offer. Those looking to try out the cloud gaming service can now level up their gaming with 50% off new Ultimate and Performance memberships for the first three months. It’s the perfect time for gamers to treat themselves or a buddy to GeForce RTX-powered gaming without having to upgrade any hardware.

Black Friday Deal on GeForce NOW
Thankful for cloud gaming discounts.

Lock in all the perks of the newly enhanced Performance membership, now featuring crisp 1440p streaming, at half off for the next three months. Or go all out with the Ultimate tier — delivering the same premium experience GeForce RTX 4080 GPU owners enjoy — now available at the regular monthly cost of a Performance membership.

With a GeForce NOW membership, gamers can stream over 2,000 PC games from popular digital gaming stores with longer gaming sessions and real-time ray tracing for supported titlgames across nearly all devices. Performance members can stream at up to 1440p at 60 frames per second, and Ultimate members can stream up to 4K at 120 fps or 1080p at 240 fps.

Don’t let this festive deal slip away — give the gift of gaming this holiday season with GeForce NOW’s Black Friday sale. Whether battling winter bosses or exploring snowy landscapes, do it with exceptional performance at an exceptional price.

Elevating New Games

In addition, members can look for the following:

  • New Arc Line (New release on Steam, Nov. 26)
  • MEGA MAN X DiVE Offline Demo (Steam)
  • PANICORE (Steam)
  • Resident Evil 7 Teaser: Beginning Hour Demo (Steam)
  • Slime Rancher (Steam)
  • Sumerian Six (Steam)

What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.



c# – Selecting an image stops Visual Studio debugging

Posted on by faz_business


I am following a tutorial and I am stuck

I am trying to upload an image using C# MVC. Although the issue appears to be only in the HTML.

My HTML is

    <form action="/Admin/UploadImage/" enctype="multipart/form-data" onsubmit="AJAXSubmit(this);return false;" method="post">
        <dl>
            <dt>
                <label for="FileUpload_FormFile">File</label>
            </dt>
            <dd>
                <input id="FileUpload_FormFile" type="file"
                       name="FileUpload.FormFile" />
            </dd>
        </dl>

        <input class="btn" type="submit" value="Upload" />

        <div style="margin-top:15px">
            <output name="result"></output>
        </div>
    </form>

If I click the Choose File option and select an JPG image, Visual Studio stops. I don’t even click the submit button!! I have to reclick the start button in visual studio to restart IIS-Express. And this issue occurs every time I chose an image to upload!

The same issue happens with jpg, png (even small files of 50kb)

Because of this I don’t see any error message or exception.

I’m totally lost. I don’t know how to progress this at all

Still Live: The Best Black Friday Tech Deals

Posted on by faz_business


The biggest shopping day of the year is upon us, and we’re dazzled by the scope and depth of Black Friday deals this year. All major retailers have delivered massive price drops on well-reviewed technology, including desktop and laptop PCs, components, peripherals, and more. We’ve gone through all of the listings and carved out 12 ExtremeTech categories, with three or more can’t-miss deals in each. Happy shopping!

Lenovo V50T Desktop Computer


Credit: Amazon

Lenovo V50T Desktop Computer

If you’re hunting for a starter desktop that’ll handle your family’s basic computing needs at an ultra-bargain price, this Black Friday Lenovo deal will hit the sweet spot. Although the six-core Intel i5 Processor isn’t much to write home about, pairing it with 32GB of RAM makes the V50T a capable multitasker, perfect for people who keep a lot of tabs open in their web browser. Storage is also solid, with a 1TB internal SSD spacious enough for all your documents. This config comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, as well as an included wired keyboard and mouse.

More Black Friday Desktop Deals

Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024)


Credit: Amazon

Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024)

Designed to power the latest Copilot AI features, the latest Microsoft Surface Laptop uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor built for efficiency and power. In PCMag’s review, the site said that this portable was “superbly made and a positive (albeit pricey) debut for Copilot+ PCs,” lauding its high-quality all-metal build and haptic feedback touchpad. The display is a bright, clear 13.8″ touch screen, and under the hood, you also get 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Carving 19% off the list price makes this a hard-to-resist offer.

More Black Friday Laptop Deals

Samsung 55


Credit: Amazon

Samsung 55″ 4K OLED TV

Samsung has been the top-ranked TV maker in the world for nearly two decades, and its products are universally high-quality and good value for the price. Slashing $700 off the sticker price of this bright, vivid 4K set for Black Friday is a killer deal. The Samsung S85D is an excellent mixed-use set with bright colors, excellent contrast, and low blurring. It’s solid for gaming as well, with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. Even the audio stands out, with 20W 2.0 channel speakers that support Dolby Atmos. There are a lot of TV deals on Black Friday, but this is one of the absolute best.

More Early Black Friday TV Deals

Samsung 990 EVO 1TB SSD


Credit: Amazon

Samsung 990 EVO 1TB SSD

If you’re using the holiday season to build out a new PC, Amazon has some super deep discounts on internal storage. One of the best deals is the Samsung 990 EVO internal drive, which PCMag raved about in its review, saying that the drive was “an excellent-value mainstream M.2 internal SSD, with whizzy performance and the class-leading warranty, software, and security that you’d expect from Samsung.” With 5,000/4,200 MB/s read/write speeds and tons of stability, it’ll hold everything you need it to and last you a long while. It also boasts 70% improved performance per watt than the 990 PRO, its predecessor.

More Early Black Friday Storage Deals

Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT Graphics Card


Credit: Amazon

Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT Graphics Card

Here’s a quality midrange card that’s seeing a big jump in popularity, due to the lack of 6600 cards on the market right now. The Radeon RX 6650 XT is a capable GPU for 1080p gaming, with reliable 60fps frame rates on modern games and manageable temperatures. The dual fans keep it cool and quiet, and although it’s running off of just 8GB of RAM, the card architecture is efficient. It’s a great budget choice for a battlestation, especially at $90 off the regular retail price.

More Early Black Friday Graphics Card Deals

Arlo Pro 5S camera mounted to the side of a house


Credit: Amazon

Smart security cameras are becoming incredibly affordable, and many of the top models boast cool features like package monitoring, two-way audio, motion alerts, and more. PCMag reviewed the Arlo Pro 5S 2K system positively, saying it “offers nearly every feature you could need” and praising its simple installation and crisp, clear 2K video. Internal dual-band Wi-Fi supports 2.4 and 5GHz networks, automatically connecting to the strongest signal. Battery life runs up to six months, or eight in Low Power mode. Amazon has them discounted for a whopping 60% off.

More Early Black Friday Security Camera Deals

eufy Robot Vacuum 11S Max


Credit: Amazon

eufy Robot Vacuum 11S Max

A reliable and affordable way to get your floors cleaned, eufy’s 11S Max robot vacuum gets a drastic $120 price drop this Black Friday, making it one of the least expensive models on the market. Featuring a tiny profile that stands just 2.85″ high, it’ll make its way around your home without drawing attention to itself. It’s exceptional for varying messes, with eufy’s BoostIQ technology allowing it to evaluate suction needs and adjust fan strength within 1.5 seconds of encountering a change. Anti-collision sensors and drop awareness keep it on track and let it dodge pitfalls and hazards.

More Early Black Friday Robot Vacuum Deals

Linksys AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router


Credit: Amazon

Linksys AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router

This Linksys router is perfect for apartments or smaller houses, as it tops out at 1,500 square feet of coverage and support for up to 20 simultaneous devices at speeds of up to 1.8Gbps. It’s currently on sale at Amazon for 54% off, which is a massive discount. Setup couldn’t be simpler, and it also includes a suite of parental control tools to keep your young relatives away from nefarious content. You can also set up separate guest accounts for holiday visitors without giving them the master router password.

More Early Black Friday Router And Mesh Wi-Fi Deals

Gigabyte M28U 28


Credit: Amazon

Gigabyte M28U 28″ Gaming Monitor

Here’s a great 45% discount on a 28″ IPS panel that acquits itself nicely with modern games thanks to its bright, clear 4K display that refreshes at 144Hz. One of the biggest advantages this screen has is in its black and white handling. Contrast is sharp and responsive, making it great for horror games and other titles where visibility is key. Response times of 2ms MPRT and 1ms GTG mean you’ll be able to react to on-screen action instantly, and although the screen is a little small compared with others on the market, it’s a great pick for dorm rooms and other cramped locations.

More Early Black Friday Monitor Deals

Apple iPad (10th Generation)


Credit: Amazon

Apple iPad (10th Generation)

The 10th-generation iPad is one of the most reliable tablets on the market, and Black Friday is bringing us some deep discounts on this classic slate. In PCMag’s review, the site said it “remains the best tablet for most people thanks to its many improvements in design and performance” and gave it an Editors’ Choice award. With USB-C charging and a beefy battery, it’ll let you work up to six hours, and the A14 Bionic processor is speedy and capable. Amazon has a $9.01 coupon for a tiny double discount, so make sure to click it.

More Early Black Friday Tablet Deals

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6


Credit: Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

One of the top non-Apple smartwatches on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 does everything you need a wearable to do, with a robust selection of integrated apps for productivity and entertainment, paired with multiple biometric sensors to monitor heart rate, skin temperature, sleep quality and more. In PCMag’s review, the site said that this unit delivered “striking display upgrades” and praised its seamless synchronization with other Samsung devices. This is a staggeringly low price for the best Android smartwatch out there.

More Early Black Friday Smartwatch Deals

Beats Solo 4 Headphones


Credit: Amazon

Beats Solo 4 Headphones

50% off these awesome over-ear headphones is the best deal we’ve seen on the Beats Solo 4 all year. PCMag said they “deliver sculpted sound and seamless Apple device support” in its review, praising their extended battery life, comfortable fit, and one-touch pairing with most Apple devices. With 40mm dynamic drivers in each earpiece, their audio quality is solid and bass-forward, with crisp, clear highs as well. They feature reliable physical control buttons that are responsive and easy to use.

More Early Black Friday Headphones Deals

Stay tuned, because more deals will be added throughout Black Friday and into the weekend.

Praying Mama Wallpaper – Sarah Titus

Posted on by faz_business


Praying is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things we can do as a Christian.

There’s so much POWER in a prayer. This amazing Praying Mama Wallpaper will help you remember to pray always, tapping into that power you have right at your fingertips. We can talk to our Heavenly Father anytime we want!! What an amazing gift He’s given us!!! ❤️

Praying Mama Wallpaper

You’ll get 4K HD quality wallpapers for your phone, iPad, desktop computer, laptop, Instagram, and Facebook cover pictures. You also have a pin for Pinterest at the very bottom that you can share!

Need help saving them to your device? Click here for the full tutorial.

Phone (1849 x 3798 px):

Praying Mama-Phone

Laptop (2550 x 2048 px):

Praying Mama-LaptopPraying Mama-Laptop

Instagram (2550 x 2550 px):

Praying Mama-InstagramPraying Mama-Instagram

Large Computer (2550 x 1435 px):

Praying Mama-Large ComputerPraying Mama-Large Computer

Facebook Cover (2550 x 948 px):

Praying Mama-FacebookPraying Mama-Facebook

Pinterest (2702 x 1548 px):

Praying Mama-PinterestPraying Mama-Pinterest

Enjoy!

Bluesky implements a ‘more aggressive’ impersonation policy

Posted on by faz_business


Bluesky has updated its impersonation policy to be “more aggressive” after third-party analysis highlighted its verification problem. The Bluesky Safety account said that the social media service is removing accounts that are impersonating other people and those squatting on handles. Bluesky doesn’t have a conventional verification system, so it’s easy for unscrupulous users to pretend to be someone else either for attention or to scam other people. That may not have been a serious problem in the past, but the recent influx of new users threw the issue into stark relief.

While users can verify their identities on Bluesky by linking their account to a domain name, the process isn’t as straightforward as paying for a checkmark. They’d have to add a string of text to the DNS record associated with their domain so that they could claim their URL. For instance, we could claim the Engadget.com handle on Bluesky if we go through this self-verification process. Individuals can link their accounts to personal domains or pay for Bluesky’s custom domain service. In its new announcement, the platform say’s it’s working with organizations and high-profile individuals to set up their verified handles.

That said, when a user verifies their account, their old handle (typically username.bsky.social) gets freed up and becomes available to other people who sign up. Alexios Mantzarlis, the third party from Cornell Tech who analyzed the app’s userbase, found that 44 percent of Bluesky’s 100 most-followed accounts have a doppelganger. That is why Bluesky now requires parody, satire or fan accounts to label themselves as such in both their handles and their bio. If they don’t, or if they only indicate the nature of their account in one of those elements, then they’ll be treated as an impersonator and will be removed from the platform.

Bluesky now explicitly prohibits identity churning, as well. Accounts that start as impersonators with the purpose of gaining new users, and who then switch to a different identity in an attempt to circumvent the ban, will still get booted off the app. Finally, it says it’s exploring “additional options to enhance account verification,” though they’re not quite ready for rollout.

The best-selling graphics card deals on Amazon right now, and which we recommend

Posted on by faz_business



The best-selling Amazon GPU deal right now is a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 for $284.97. That’s not a bad pick: The RTX 4060 is the most popular new GPU right now, and gets you the latest Nvidia gaming architecture, which supports DLSS 3.5 upscaling—great tech for squeezing as many frames-per-second as you can out of a lower-end card.

The RTX 4060 isn’t our favorite of Nvidia’s 40-series cards, though: We don’t think it’s a worthwhile upgrade over a last-gen Nvidia card, and based on its performance, the “60” designation feels like an overstatement, we said in our review.

How To Make AI Voice Assistant App

Posted on by faz_business


How To Make AI Voice Assistant App?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) personal voice assistants for android have a wide scope in this digital world. Now, we have many virtual voice assistant applications like Bixby, Siri, Cortana, and Ok Google. These advanced voice assistants are making our lives more luxurious and simpler. Undoubtedly, these AI-powered virtual apps will occupy many parts of our lives in the future.

We are aware that 99.9% of android mobiles support AI virtual voice assistant apps. Personal assistant apps for android have been popularizing day over day. It’s a hot topic among tech leaders.

Initially, Siri is the best voice assistant app for android. As technology is advancing, there are plenty of alternatives to Siri that have flooding in the market.  The ultimate goal of all voice assistants is to make your life simpler.

  • Top 6 Artificial intelligence apps for android.
  • What technologies used to develop a voice assistant app?
  • How much does it cost to develop an app like Cortana?
  • Enterprise-level benefits of using voice assistants
  • Top 5 predictions for the future of AI-based voice assistants

Recommend: Top 13 Artificial Intelligence Apps for iOS and Android

Best 7 AI Virtual Assistant Apps for Android

Here the list of a few best AI apps for android. Let’s have a look into it.

#1 Google Assistant

Is there something an android assistant app like Siri?

Yes, we have Siri like assistant app for android.

As demand for Siri type apps is increasing, mobile app development companies are focusing on delivering virtual assistants that hit Siri capabilities.

Google Assistant is the best Siri alternative for android. Google voice assistant app for android is released in May 2016. It has a plethora of smart features and offers great compatibility with smart lights. Thus, Google assistant is now the best Siri like virtual assistant app for android users

Google Assistant recognizes and understands voice commands. You can simply activate the smart personal assistant with the “OK, Google” voice command.

The best thing is, the latest version of the Google Assistant app seamlessly works with iOS/iPhone. It works with Siri. With the “Hey Siri, OK Google” voice command, smart Siri activates your Google assistant.

Thanks to AI technology.

Recommend: Know How to make your own AI-based virtual voice assistant, Siri

If you would like to taste the benefits of smart AI virtual assistants, talk to USM. We deliver an AI app like Siri or Google assistant within a promised time frame.

Get a free quote now!

#2 Cortana

Cortana is the best personal virtual assistant app. This android Cortana app records your important data like videos, images, and many more. It syncs your smartphone and PC. You can track your important files from your smart device.

It also helps to get information about your favorite TV shows, sports, and more on your smartphone.

#3 Robin Personal Assistant

Robin is an AI personal voice assistance app. This app is a well-known AI app for iOS and Android users. It allows users to send SMS without touching the phone and send it through voice.

You can also get GPS navigation, set reminders by this Robin app. According to the requirements of the users, this AI-driven app updates itself.

#4 Hound

It is the best AI-powered mobile voice assistant app, and this android app is something like Siri. It includes all standard functionalities of maximum voice assistants and provides improved intelligent services. Like Siri virtual assistant, this voice assistant application helps android users in booking hotel rooms, searching for music, playing some interactive mobile games, etc.

#5 FaceApp

FaceApp is an ideal AI-driven app for Android and iOS. It is proficient in changing complete looks like a smile, hairstyle, and many other features on the face.

USM has delivered hundreds of AI mobile apps for androids. Our top-notch AI-driven solutions for different industries are trendy in the market. Let us know your app ideas. We bring them into reality J

#6 Dragon Mobile Assistant

It is one of the best voice command apps for android users. This intelligent personal voice assistant for android understands your queries related to stock and responds with the best stock quote and its past data. Dragon mobile assistant app operates even if the screen is locked. It helps you to customize your mobile device to your voice.

#7 Jarvis

Jarvis is one of the best virtual assistants for Android users. It provides updates on weather status, news, calls, and SMS text. Accordingly, this artificial intelligence-powered personal phone assistant app helps you in doing your tasks like Wi-Fi on/off, Bluetooth on/off, set alarms, sends notifications and plays your favorite music, and so on.

Know more about Artificial Intelligence apps that you can download from Google Play Store.

Best Technologies To Develop An Android Voice Assistant App?

The below are the few major intelligent technologies used to develop voice assistant apps for 2021.

  •  Voice/ Speech to Text (STT)

Voice assistant means that it takes the assistance of your voice to offer excellent performance.  This STT technology plays a vital role in converting your voice commands to text. Later, it processes text using Sphinx (speech recognition library) and CMU.

Recommend: Know how to create your own AI-based virtual voice assistant, like Siri

It takes the text or images and converts them into human understandable speech. This AI-technology is perfect when you want to know the exact pronunciation of a word.

  • Intelligent Tagging and Decision Making

This technology makes it easier for the voice assistants to understand the user request. For instance, if you give a voice command for the latest Bollywood songs, the system provides a list of beautiful songs.

It is one of the necessary technologies to add significant features to a voice assistant app. This intelligent android app technology can identify people, places, and objects using AI and machine learning algorithms. In-built algorithms can efficiently recognize images using a camera system.

This technology reduces the background noise and lets you recognize the correct voice. If you wish to develop the best own AI personal assistant apps for android or iPhone, this feature offers a more personalized experience to the users.

While creating your voice assistant, voice biometrics adds a security feature to your app. This technology identifies the voice and analyzes whether it is authorized to the system or not.

This technology helps the users to compress the voice information and briefly send it to the server. Without any delay, it fastens the performance of your voice assistant application. You can apply the G.711 standard to apply this feature.

When the user listens and replies to the request, the voice interface comes into the picture. As a developer, you have to set the speech rate and way of speaking, etc. For the visual part, you have to choose the data visual representation that the user is supposed to see on the screen.

CTA

How much it cost to develop a voice assistant app for android?

Honestly, no one can estimate the final cost to develop a voice assistant apps for android. It depends on the features it has.

USM has immense experience in delivering the most advanced android AI virtual applications. We quote every app with reasonable pricing.

Get a free quote now!

Now, we will have a look into how voice assistants benefit businesses.

What are the business benefits of voice assistants?

The voice assistants are not only good at meeting your personal needs. The next-gen AI-enabled voice technology meets the desired needs of an enterprise as well.

We found that the usage rate of talking assistant apps like Siri for Android and iOS is moving forward rapidly. It was proved that over 80% of businesses are gaining competitive advantages by integrating voice assistants into their operations.

The below are a few of the key benefits of deploying AI voice assistant for your business.

  • Enhances consumer personalization
  • Augment human talent
  • Improves marketing efficiency
  • Provide improved insights to the marketing team
  • Improves product sales
  • Offers efficient problem-solving abilities

These benefits are attracting businesses to make their investment in popular voice technology. Apart from the above-listed benefits, integrating voice assistants help enterprises to maintain streamlined operations.

If you are looking to improve business productivity using voice assistants, contact USM Business Systems today. We make everything possible without compromising in quality and accuracy.

The future scope of AI-based voice assistants

The biggest tech brands such as amazon and google are fueling their business using voice assistants. These are not only permitted to tech industries, other sectors like healthcare, banking, and retailers are also benefiting by integrating these digital voice assistants into their businesses.

What researchers are forecasting about voice command assistants future?

Developers are focusing on delivering customer-centric assistants that offer modernized conversations. Voice assistants are more advanced than earlier. For instance, Alexa and Google voice apps woke up when the user calls them with a name or command.

  • Personalized individual Experience

The digital personal voice assistant apps using AI offer more personalized services. For instance, Google Home, a personal voice assistant can differentiate individual voices in a family. It supports up to six unique voices.

  • Search Behaviors of Users

Modern voice assistants save a lot of time spend in typing text to start our search.

The integration of voice and visual capabilities will provide a seamless experience to the users. It allows users to get more interacted with digital assistants.

Smartphone users have a major fear regarding the privacy and security of innovative voice assistant apps. Moreover, voice payments will be going to expand aggressively in the future. So, companies need to be more focused on providing more secure platforms for users.

Conclusion

USM Business Systems is the leading and best Artificial Intelligence Development Company. We have highly experienced AI developers who gained hands-on best practices in using various advanced technologies. Feel free to discuss today your AI project! We will promise the best and more advanced AI solution for your business growth.

Wordle today: Answer and hint #1260 for November 30

Posted on by faz_business


It’s the weekend—time to put your feet up, relax, and look forward to winning today’s Wordle. Spend some time with it if you like, using our tips and today’s clue to gently guide you in the right direction, or turn a struggling game around. Or click your way to the November 30 (1260) answer instead if that’s more your style, and enjoy an easy win.

I was about halfway down the board and up to my eyeballs in grey letters when I started to despair. I’d messed up, and I couldn’t see a way out. My win streak decimated, my pride shattered. And then it all suddenly made sense, like a little light bulb had gone off and it couldn’t have been more obvious. So, today’s advice: 1) Persevere, no matter what. 2) Take a look at our help if that doesn’t work out.

Today’s Wordle hint

(Image credit: Josh Wardle)

Wordle today: A hint for Saturday, November 30

The best Black Friday 2024 Kindle deals: Shop sales while you still can

Posted on by faz_business


Black Friday is winding down and your chance to score a deal on gifts for friends and family, and yourself, is quickly disappearing. There are still some great sales on Kindle, so get in there while there’s time. 

Also: The best Black Friday deals: Live updates

I have been obsessed with my Kindle. It’s allowed me to read anything from anywhere (with the help of library e-book loans, of course).  I follow Kindle deals all year long and have rounded up the best Black Friday Kindle deals we’ve found so far here.

Our favorite Kindle deals for Black Friday 2024

  • Kindle Paperwhite: $130 (save $30 at Amazon): The Kindle Paperwhite is a delightful fit for people who are already sold on e-readers and want one with a longer battery (12 weeks) and a responsive display. 
  • New Kindle base model: $85 (save $25 at Amazon): This is the Kindle most people should buy if they’re looking for their first e-reader. 
  • New Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition: $155 (save $45 at Amazon): The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition promises more storage for your favorite books with 32GB, compared to the non-Signature Edition’s 16GB. 
  • New Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle: $200 (save $83 at Amazon): This bundle packages the Kindle Paperwhite (with 32GB of storage) with a wireless charging dock and a case. 
  • New Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle: $480 (save $60 at Amazon): You can already get Amazon’s brand-new Kindle Scribe at a discount if you opt for the Essentials Bundle. It comes with a leather cover and a power adapter, too. 
  • New Kindle Kids: $95 (save $35 at Amazon): This e-reader is designed for your tot and comes with a no-questions-asked return policy. If your kid breaks it, Kindle will replace it. 
  • Kindle Paperwhite Kids: $140 (save $40 at Amazon): The Kindle Paperwhite for kids offers more battery life and a faster display. 
  • Kindle Oasis (International Version): $135 (save $135 at Amazon): Save 50% on a Kindle Oasis with an ergonomic handrest and page-turn buttons (but note that this deal applies to those outside the US only).
  • Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition: $238 (save $20 at Amazon): The 2022 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition comes with a fabric cover and a charging dock.
  • Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle: $245 (save $20 at Amazon): This 2022 Kindle Paperwhite is two years old, but if you aren’t interested in purchasing the newer Kindle and want a good deal on an e-reader and charging dock, this is a solid pick. The Paperwhite is also our tested pick for the best Kindle overall.
  • Kindle Paperwhite Charging Dock: $23 (save $10): Wirelessly charge your Paperwhite with this device that’s $10 off. 
  • Kindle Scribe Slimshell Case: $19 (save $17): If you just purchased the new Kindle Scribe, this case is fit for it and at a 47% discount right now. 
  • Base Model Kindle Case: $9 (save $21): This cover is for the base model Kindle–and is 67% off. It fits both the new base model that came out in 2024 and the 2022 model. 
  • Amazon Fire Max 11: $175 (save $90): Maybe you don’t just want an e-reader, but also something you can check emails and watch videos on. This is one of our favorite Fire tablets, and offers all those capabilities for nearly the same price as a Kindle Paperwhite. 

  • Current price: $85
  • Original price: $110

I’ve tested a few e-readers in my day but I’ve found that the new base model Kindle proves the most useful for most people. It’s the lightest and most compact Kindle out of the lineup, with a six-inch display that I can fit into my coat pocket and a six-week battery life that makes charging a breeze. I’ve loved reading my novels on it on the go, and with such an agreeable price (and a $25 discount), I know it will be a great present for the bookworm in your life. 

  • Current price: $130 
  • Original price: $160

The Kindle Paperwhite is a boosted version of the Kindle base model. It’s got double the battery life at 12 weeks (compared to the base model’s six weeks), 16GB of storage, and a speedy display. 

  • Current price: $175 
  • Original price: $350

This deal is reserved for readers outside of the US, since this Kindle Oasis is an international version. I tried out the Kindle Oasis, and enjoyed how pocketable it was — I stashed it in my coat pocket to read on the subway, on park benches, and while hanging at home. This Kindle Oasis is the only model in the lineup with an ergonomic handrest, which makes the e-reader easy to read with one hand. Plus, it’s got page turning buttons, if you’re into that. 

  • Current price: $480
  • Original price: $540

The new Kindle Scribe will be released on Dec. 4, but if you’re already sold on it, you can get the e-reader that doubles as an e-notebook for $60 off through this essentials bundle. The Kindle Scribe comes with a redesigned, flush-front 300-ppi display, built-in AI features, and a Premium Pen. The new Kindle Scribe comes in two fun colors, metallic jade and tungsten.

  • Current price: $23
  • Original price: $33

Forget the USB cord. Charge your Kindle Paperwhite with this charging dock instead, now $10 off. 

Black Friday Kindle accessories deals 

kindle-strapsicles

Kayla Solino/ZDNET
  • Kindle Paperwhite Charging Dock for $23 (save $10): Wirelessly charge your Paperwhite with this device that’s $10 off. 
  • Strapsicle Kindle E-reader Holder for $17 (save $4 on Amazon): This band straps on to the back of your Kindle to create a steady grip while you read. 
  • CoBak 6-inch Kindle Case for $10 (save $10): This leather smart cover has auto wake and auto sleep support for your Kindle, making it a top choice – and it’s available in tons of colors. 
  • Kindle Scribe Slimshell Case for $19 (save $17): If you just purchased the new Kindle Scribe, this case is a great fit at a 47% discount right now. 
  • Kindle Case in Denim for $27 (save $5): This light green Kindle case will go wonderfully with the new Matcha Kindle color. 
  • Base Model Kindle Case for $9 (save $21): This cover is for the base model Kindle. It fits both the new base model that came out in 2024 and the 2022 model. 
  • CoBak Clear Kindle Case for $9 (save $1): This case fits the new Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft. 

Black Friday Kindle rival deals

  • Amazon Fire Max 11 for $175 (save $90): If you want an e-reader that you can also use as a tablet, consider this discount on the Amazon Fire Max 11, which is nearly the same price as a Kindle Paperwhite. 
  • Refurbished Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for $75 (save $35): At less than $100, this refurbished Fire HD 8 tablet is far less expensive than any Kindle — on sale or not — and you can access the Kindle app on the tablet to read your ebooks.  
  • Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet for $65 (save $75): Whether your little one is reading their very first book or playing word and number games, they can do it all with this tablet. 

FAQs

When is Black Friday 2024? 

Black Friday is today, Nov. 29, though some products were discounted a few days before and will likely continue to be after the deals event as we get through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2.

Are Kindles really cheaper on Black Friday? 

For some Kindle products, 100% yes. We’ve seen Amazon slash the prices on Kindle Scribes and other models during its Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals events in the past. Your best bet is to buy one during these events when the deals are more substantial. 

So, is Black Friday or Cyber Monday the better time to buy? Historically, I’ve seen the same discounts run throughout the entirety of a deals event. For example, on Prime Day, the discounts on Kindles stayed the same over the two days. They drop especially low during these events and return to their normal prices once the event ends (or once they go out of stock). 

Why should I get a Kindle? 

So you aren’t quite sold on buying another piece of tech, let alone a piece of tech that replaces physical books (I mean, who has a problem with physical books?). I get it, and I was there with you. But let’s break this down. Kindles offer a portable reading solution, and most models are thin and compact enough to fit in your pocket. That means you can take them on the go (like I have on the subway) and read practically anywhere. It’s great if you wiz through books and don’t have enough space on your bookshelves to store another title — the ereaders offer enough storage for thousands of book titles. Plus, ebooks tend to be less expensive than physical copies, if you opt to buy these ebooks, so you end up saving a few extra dollars. The Kindle is even more cost-effective if you rent ebooks from your library. In fact, I’ve used my library card far more on ebooks than on physical books because of my Kindle’s portability and ability to bring more titles with me in one sleek and light tablet. 

How long does my Kindle last?

If you take care of your Kindle, it is sturdy enough to last for the long haul. I’ve had friends who have had their Kindles for over eight years with no issues. Sure, they’re not as speedy as the most modern models, but it’s an e-reader after all. If you want speed, read something off your iPhone. 

How can I get ebooks for free? 

Websites like Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Internet Archive, and Free eBooks offer, you guessed it, free ebooks that you can download to your Kindle and read. Another underrated but obvious way of getting ebooks for free is by renting them from your local library. I’ve rented so many Emily Henry romance novels through my local library and love reading them out and about on my Kindle. 

Will the Kindle Colorsoft get a Black Friday discount?

So far, it doesn’t seem like it. Every other model, from the new Paperwhite, Kindle Scribe, to the base model, has gotten a discount. But as our resident Kindle expert, I’ll be monitoring its price over Black Friday and will write something up if we see a discount drop. 

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops. 

We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. 

Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? 

You can shop anywhere for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but the major retailers, like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, will boast the most (and sometimes, the best) deals. 

What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals?

ZDNET’s experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category:

And more Black Friday deals:



Company Beauty and Cosmetic Packaging Designs that are Designed for Sustainability

Posted on by faz_business


The last few years have put the beauty industry under a great deal of serious scrutiny. Beauty and cosmetic companies are also dealing with the mounting pressure to become more sustainable and eco-friendly, from the specific ingredients used in their products to their manufacturing process and how they ship the products to customers. This is why there is now a high demand for beauty and cosmetic packaging designs that are designed for sustainability. 

What is sustainability?

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of design details of cosmetic packaging design services, first, it’s important to know the working definition of sustainability and how beauty and cosmetic companies can create designs aligned with this. While there are numerous strategies and variations on how companies approach the concept of sustainability, there are several overarching features that make packaging designs sustainable. For starters, the packaging must be 100% natural or recycled materials with an eco-friendly production process.

RELATED: Open innovation for more sustainable products

It means the need for a well-managed and ethical supply chain. The package’s production must also be in a closed-loop or zero-waste way for the packaging to be considered eco-friendly and sustainable. Second, it should also be easy for the customers to upcycle, reuse, or recycle the packaging in some form. It’s extremely important to remember that for most beauty and cosmetics companies, it can be tricky to integrate all these elements into a single package while trying to keep the price points at reasonable levels for customers. 

This is the reason why it’s important to set priorities for the values of the company as far as eco-friendliness is concerned and to focus on it while the packaging designer designs sustainable packaging for beauty and cosmetics products. For instance, although beauty companies can’t always produce the most eco-friendly packaging for lotions since bottles are mostly produced using plastic, the secret here is to make a resolute effort in the right direction.

The ultimate goal here is to make the packaging as eco-friendly as possible to protect the planet and still offer customers the value they deserve. The following are some of the best sustainable options for your beauty and cosmetic packaging designs:

RELATED: What are the benefits of sustainable manufacturing?

Bamboo packaging

Bamboo is an up-and-coming trend in eco-friendly packaging for cosmetic and beauty businesses. This is suitable for disposable packages such as lipstick or lip balm cases. Bamboo is among the best choices for plant-based cosmetic packaging because it uses completely renewable sources. Pesticides or insecticides are not used to cultivate and grow bamboo. Different species are also available to give companies lots of options to choose from. 

Bamboo is also a lightweight option for packaging, with its sheath adding an extra durability layer to cosmetic containers. Bamboo is highly recommended as a biodegradable alternative to paper and plastic because its wood is ideal for external jars that use glass or acrylic as an inner coating. Cosmetic jars made from bamboo can also be branded using different techniques such as engraving, hot stamping, screen printing, and more. 

beauty packaging design experts

Beeswax packaging

Beeswax is another excellent and intriguing sustainable material for beauty and cosmetic packaging concept design firms. This can be easily manipulated and molded which makes it an excellent layer of protection to serve as a cover or surround items. Beeswax packaging, as its name suggests, is made from beeswax, coconut oil, and jojoba oil paired with a coating in the form of cotton that resembles fabric. Beeswax is an excellent substitute for plastic that allows more unique opportunities for branding. 

RELATED: Sustainable product design tips for a healthy world

Beeswax packaging also comes in various patterns and colors and is a cheaper option compared to other sustainable packaging options for beauty and cosmetics products. Beeswax can also benefit cosmetics thanks to its distinct characteristics. The material has antibacterial elements that offer outstanding protection while being durable enough to keep the products safe from damage. 

Cornstarch packaging

Cornstarch is an ideal substitute for plastic for beauty and cosmetic companies looking for an eco-friendly and more organic packaging option for lotion bottles. This type of packaging is made from PLA or polylactic acid derived from renewable sources like sugarcane or cornstarch. Although there are concerns regarding supply chains if this is more extensively used, options are still available to integrate this packaging alternative into overall operations. 

Cornstarch as a viable replacement for plastic offers numerous possibilities as far as sustainable packaging options are concerned. It is recyclable and biodegradable at the same time, which makes it a great option for skincare cream jars and lotion bottles. Cornstarch is non-toxic and doesn’t produce huge quantities of emissions, which is why more and more companies are now turning to cornstarch as an ideal packaging alternative. 

RELATED: Sustainable product design and product development principles for firms to consider

Paper packaging

For the longest time, packaging design firms used paper as an eco-friendly packaging material in various industries, including the beauty and cosmetics industry. There are various ways to use this kind of sustainable packaging as an alternative to plastic. Lipstick and makeup packaging, for example, usually includes plastic filling like bubble wrap for added protection.

Using paper fillers made of recycled or cardboard paper as a replacement for plastic fillers is a great substitute to achieve more sustainable packaging for your company. Paper is biodegradable and renewable at the same time to offer a more sustainable protection alternative to single-use plastics. 

Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging is one of the most popular choices for eco-friendly packaging. It has quickly gained famed with projections revealing that the industry is expected to grow into several billion dollars soon. This type of packaging is produced using recycled items like paper, cardboard boxes, aluminum, plastic bottles, and other common materials. Once these recyclables reach a recycling facility, they are separated according to materials and sorted into bales. These bales are bought and molded to produce new items. 

cosmetic packaging design services

RELATED: Sustainable packing design tips for new products at your firm

It results in a solution with a plethora of capabilities in terms of the size and shape of the packaging produced, making it an ideal choice for beauty and cosmetics companies that want to pursue the initiative of using 100% recycled materials. What sets PCR packaging apart from other recyclable or compostable packaging options is the fact that it is made after sending the raw materials to recycling facilities. Reusing the materials gives them a new life.

On the other hand, with recyclable and compostable packaging, customers dispose of the packages, ending their lifecycle. Compostable and recyclable packaging also greatly relies on the disposal process of the customer because some conditions may change the biodegradability of the material. PCR packaging is often chosen over compostable and recyclable choices for beauty and cosmetics packaging and containers because of the different advantages it offers for customers and companies alike. 

It is also among the most accessible eco-friendly options for beauty packaging since it can be easily shaped into various sizes and forms, which makes it an ideal option for items such as lotion bottles or cream jars. The following are some of the key advantages of PCR packaging:

  • Flexibility
  • Good strength
  • Protection
  • Alternative for plastic film
  • Reduced carbon footprint
  • Strong barrier performance

PCR packaging is also beneficial as it helps beauty companies showcase and maintain eco-friendly initiatives through sustainable packaging. As modern customers become more conscious about the environmental effects of materials like plastic, PCR packaging is an excellent way to engage with the target market about environmental impact and sustainability without compromising the quality of the product packaging. 

RELATED: Effective cosmetic packaging design tips for new cosmetic products companies & firms

Refillable packaging

One of the biggest challenges in the beauty and cosmetics industry is reducing the use of plastic in traditional skincare and lotion packaging. However, with only a few waterproof and durable options available, beauty companies are trying to reach compromises to reduce the effects of abundant plastic use in items like cosmetic jars and lotion bottles. The best way to achieve this is to encourage customers to reuse the containers by offering refill services. 

Refillable cosmetic packaging helps companies lessen their environmental impact while engaging with customers and establishing product value. This allows companies to dramatically reduce the impact of plastics and at the same time, encourage customers to continue reusing and returning the product. Companies can also provide special discounts for customers who use refill services to encourage the extended and continuous use of their containers. While plastic itself is not eco-friendly, constant reuse is an outstanding compromise for sustainable packaging options. 

Seaweed packaging

Seaweed, on paper, may not sound like a possible option for sustainable packaging but it offers lots of potential for new concept design & product development companies. Seaweed packaging is dissolvable and edible which makes it an ideal option for biodegradable packaging. While seaweed is more commonly used in the food industry, it also offers lots of exciting benefits for the beauty industry. Seaweed is a great substitute for eco-friendly skincare packaging for gels, lotions, face masks, and other types of general liquid-based cosmetic products.

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Seaweed packaging also serves as a great alternative to plastic because it is an abundant resource without negative effects on the environment. Although the innovation is currently in the prototyping stage, the general idea here is to freeze the seaweed, thaw it, and then air-dry it to transform it into a packaging material. It produces a transparent film, packaging, or cushioning that can be further reinforced with other types of natural materials like fiber or algae for extra protection. 

How Cad Crowd can help 

Check out the Cad Crowd platform to find the best companies that can come up with sustainable packaging designs for your beauty and cosmetic products. 

author avatar

MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.

Connect with me: LinkedIn ✦ X ✦ Cad Crowd