Microsoft Cloud strength drives first quarter results

November 3, 2022Posted inInvestor Relations, Microsoft Earnings Results, Press Releases, Technology

REDMOND, Wash. — October 25, 2022 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the following results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal year: Revenue was $50.1 billion and increased 11% (up 16% in constant currency) Operating income was $21.5 billion and increased 6% (up 15% in constant […]

The post Microsoft Cloud strength drives first quarter results appeared first on Stories.

Microsoft earnings press release available on Investor Relations website

November 3, 2022Posted inInvestor Relations, Microsoft Earnings Results, Press Releases, Technology

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 25, 2022 — Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced that fiscal year 2023 first-quarter financial results are available on its Investor Relations website. The direct link to the earnings press release is https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/earnings/FY-2023-Q1/press-release-webcast. As previously announced, the company will host a conference call at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time. A live webcast of […]

The post Microsoft earnings press release available on Investor Relations website appeared first on Stories.

The best early Black Friday pet deals to help you treat your furry friend

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
Dog with smart collar eating kibble

UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EDT This list has been updated to reflect pricing and availability as of Nov. 3.

Holiday shopping is all about buying gifts for your loved ones, and if your loved ones happen to be cats or dogs, you're in luck. This upcoming Black Friday, we plan on seeing tons of great pet deals, so you'll be able to spoil your furry friend for a bargain this year.

SEE ALSO: The Black Friday deals are already starting and these ones are the best

We've already spotted some solid discounts on smart collars, DNA kits, and more, so expect to see lots more pet tech deals as the Black Friday season ramps up. Find all those deals and more below, and be sure to check back on this page often — we'll be updating it regularly with new discounts.

Please note: All newly added deals have been marked with a ✨. Anything with a strikeout was either sold out or no longer available at the sale price as of this writing, but check back often — we're updating this page constantly.

Pet tech deals

Whistle Switch
Credit: Whistle
Our pick: Whistle Switch (opens in a new tab)
$147.02 at Amazon (save $52.93)
(opens in a new tab)

Why we love it

Whistle's smart collars all pack in a ton of helpful features, and the Switch is no different. You'll get access to Whistle Health, which allows you to track your pet's health stats and behaviors, as well as accurate GPS services with the ability to mark safe zones. Rest easy knowing that your four-legged bestie is in safe hands.

More pet tech on sale

Pet DNA kit deals

Wisdom panel premium dna kit
Credit: Wisdom Panel
Our pick: Wisdom Panel Premium (opens in a new tab)
$127.99 at Amazon (save $32)
(opens in a new tab)

Why we love it

If you want to be more connected to your pet, a DNA kit is a great way to do just that. The Wisdom Panel Premium kit will give you accurate breed testing across over 350 breeds, 210 health tests for genetic risks, and can even help you find your pup's biological family.

More pet DNA kits on sale

Pet bed deals

Black dog on a fluffy white bed
Credit: Paw.com
Our pick: Paw.com Pet Beds (opens in a new tab)
Save up to 50% at paw.com
(opens in a new tab)

Why we love it

Let's say you want your dog to be cozy, but you also want their bed to match your stylish home decor. Checking both boxes might sound like a far-off dream, but Paw.com's rug beds actually fit the bill. With a removable, washable cover, memory foam inner, and a design that's meant to look like a decorative rug, these beds are the all-in-one pet product you've been looking for. You can also score up to 50% off nearly every bed on the site ahead of Black Friday.

More pet beds on sale

Deals on pet toys and accessories

dog playing with puzzle toy
Credit: Outward Hound
Our pick: Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Game (opens in a new tab)
$13.99 at Amazon (save $17)
(opens in a new tab)

Why we love it

If you have a genius dog on your hands, a puzzle toy is one of the best ways to release some of that mental energy. This well-rated Nina Ottosson toy has multiple compartments that hold treats, and your pup will learn to flip, slide, and lift the pieces to reveal their snacks. It's sure to keep boredom at bay, so you can get some work done while your dog plays.

More pet toys and accessories on sale

The best gifts for men: Creative ideas for every type of guy

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
Collage of products from Hydro Flask, Polaroid, Felix gray, Kindle, and Lodge.

No two guys are the same, and not every man spends their days dreaming of whiskey stones. (In fact, we'd guess that very few of them do.) Traditional male stereotypes are a thing of the past, y'all, and it's time we started embracing that fact when we're looking for gifts.

Before you click “buy” on something that will definitely require a gift receipt, let us take the wheel and show you some options that are sure to make an impression on whomever that lucky guy is. (Need more specific gift ideas? Check out this gift guide for the father figure in your life, or this one if you’re shopping for your boyfriend.)

SEE ALSO: The best Father's Day gifts: Surprise Dad with something memorable

Whether he’s into kitchen accessories, fashion-forward athleisure, self-care products, or something more eccentric, we’re confident that he'll love the picks on this list.

Multiple Fitbit trackers are on sale for their lowest prices ever

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
A woman with the Fitbit Sense 2 on her wrist

Looking to pick up a new fitness tracker? Check out these Fitbit deals, available as of Nov. 3:

  • OUR TOP PICK: The Fitbit Sense 2 is a full-featured, affordable alternative to the Apple Watch with heart rate, temperature, and atrial fibrillation sensors — $199.95 $299.95 (save $100)

  • BEST VALUE: The Fitbit Luxe is a solid, versatile option with a sleek design and fitness tracking essentials — $79.95 $129.95 (save $50)

When it comes to fitness trackers, the Apple Watch is hardly the only notable model. Fitbit's expansive product line offers a slew of great features at typically affordable prices.

The Fitbit Sense line has historically been a bit on the pricier side, and that hasn't changed with its most recent launch, the Sense 2, which just debuted in August. If you've had your eye on one of the brand's newest releases and can't wait for the holidays to bring discounts on trackers across the board, this early Black Friday sale is a great time to grab one.

As of Nov. 3, you can head to Amazon to pick up the Fitbit Sense 2 for 33% off (just $199.95) — and the great-looking, dressier Fitbit Luxe for 38% off ($79.95), both currently sitting at their lowest respective prices.

Not sure which model fits your needs? Here are both Fitbit models on offer at Amazon and Fitbit for their lowest prices ever.

Our top pick

Black Fitbit Sense 2 displaying clock face home screen
Credit: Amazon
Our pick: Fitbit Sense 2 (opens in a new tab)
$199.95 at Amazon (save $100)
(opens in a new tab)

Why we like it

Launched in Aug. 2022, the Fitbit Sense 2 is one of Fitbit's newest trackers. In addition to a larger display and tons of health tracking capabilities, it includes an all-day "Body Response" sensor to help with managing stress — a harder-to-find component in most fitness wearables. It also includes a full laundry list of tracking tools, including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep and workout tracking, Active Zone Minutes, and up to six days of battery life.

Snag it at Amazon or Fitbit in select colors for just $199.95 — that's 33% off its $299.95 MSRP and its lowest price ever.

Best value

Pink Fitbit Luxe displaying clock face home screen
Credit: Amazon
Our pick: Fitbit Luxe (opens in a new tab)
$79.95 at Amazon (save $50)
(opens in a new tab)

Why we like it

The fashion-forward Fitbit Luxe is one of the best-looking fitness trackers around. But don't judge a book by its cover, as it's more than just a pretty face. It offers 24/7 heart rate monitoring, menstrual and sleep tracking, step counting, stress management scoring, and two dozen exercise modes, with up to five days of battery life. Unlike the Fitbit Sense 2, it doesn't include phone and text functionality, but this budget-friendly pick does offer a subscription to Fitbit Premium for $9.99/month that unlocks advanced metrics that bring it more in line with Fitbit's other offerings.

Grab one at Amazon or Fitbit in multiple colors for just $79.95 — that's 38% off its $129.95 MSRP and its lowest price ever.

It looks like China does have access to U.S. TikTok user data

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
TikTok logo

UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2022, 11:31 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to reflect new information confirming suspicions about China's access to U.S. and European user data.

Despite the repeated assurances that TikTok's parent company, the China-based ByteDance, isn't checking out data collected about users in the U.S. and Europe, it looks like the company absolutely does and can.

According a report from The Guardian on Wednesday, TikTok’s head of privacy in Europe, Elaine Fox, told employees: "Based on a demonstrated need to do their job, subject to a series of robust security controls and approval protocols, and by way of methods that are recognized [sp] under the GDPR, we allow certain employees within our corporate group located in Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States, remote access to TikTok European user data."

We already knew that TikTok employees based in China can see U.S. data. On July 1, TikTok confirmed that employees based in China are able to access U.S. user data through "approval protocols." According to the New York Times, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew provided details about how it plans to keep data about its American users separate from ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, in a letter to nine Republican senators. In that letter, he noted that ByteDance employees in China were able to access TikTok data only through “subject to a series of robust cybersecurity controls and authorization approval protocols overseen by our U.S.-based security team.” Chew added, “We know we are among the most scrutinized platforms from a security standpoint, and we aim to remove any doubt about the security of U.S. user data."

The nine Republican senators write to TikTok with questions about its practices after a Jun. 17 from BuzzFeed News in which they reviewed recordings containing over a dozen separate statements from nine different TikTok employees showed that engineers in China had access to U.S. data from at least September 2021 through January 2022. One member of TikTok’s Trust and Safety department said, in September 2021, that "everything is seen in China," according to BuzzFeed News. Apparently, there's even one Beijing-based engineer who "has access to everything" — they call them a "Master Admin."

That means former President Donald Trump may have been correct in his assessment of the app when he said in an August 2020 executive order that TikTok's "data collection threatens to allow" China to "access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information." TikTok repeatedly said it has never and would never share U.S. user data with the Chinese government.

In response to BuzzFeed News' investigation, a TikTok spokesperson said the app is "among the most scrutinized platforms from a security standpoint" and that it plans to "remove any doubt about the security of U.S. user data."

TikTok has already come under fire for its data collection, and this is just another step in yet another app collecting information on its users and doing whatever it pleases with it. It seems being online in 2022 is becoming more and more difficult to do while maintaining some semblance of privacy and data autonomy.

Texans vs. Eagles livestream: How and where to watch Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
Vyncint Smith of the Houston Texans celebrates a touchdown against the Eagles

The NFL week 9 matchup between the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles will be the latest game brought to your screen via an 11-year partnership in which Amazon Prime Video is the new home of Thursday Night Football. It’s the first time a streaming service has secured exclusive, season-long streaming rights to NFL games in the US.

The $1.2 billion-per-year contract kicked off in September, and will continue on Nov. 3, with the Texans looking to upset the heavily favored Eagles.

Both the NFL and Amazon heavily promoted the new deal after confusion over how to stream the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals back in 2020.

So here is how you can find games on Prime Video each week, including the Texans vs. the Eagles.

SEE ALSO: The NFL is finally launching its own streaming service with live games. Here's how it works.

How to stream Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime

The Thursday night game will be available to stream via the Prime Video app on phones, tablets and televisions, as well as being available at Amazon.com. 

All 15 Thursday Night Football games will be played live on Prime Video and will be included with your Prime membership.

How to sign up to Amazon Prime, and is there a free trial?

Good news for NFL fans new to the service, new customers can sign up for a free 30-day trial which means if you sign up on the day of the first game (Thursday, 15 September), you will be able to view five games absolutely free.

After that trial period a Prime membership costs $14.99 per month plus tax. Amazon also offers Prime Video a standalone streaming service without shopping features for $8.99.

Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime
Credit: Amazon
Stream Thursday Night Football (opens in a new tab)
Amazon Prime
(opens in a new tab)

The Black Friday deals are already starting and these ones are the best

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
girl looking for Black Friday deals in the middle of the night

We've rounded up all the best early Black Friday deals as of Nov. 3 — here are our top picks:

For better or for worse, Black Friday looks a lot different now than it does pre-pandemic.

This year, we've unlocked a new fiasco to navigate as we shop for the holidays: inflation. But if there's anything retailers have learned since 2020, it's how to provide cushion for shoppers who are budgeting extra hard during these tight times. Mostly, that looks like stretching Black Friday deals across the entire month of November — in some cases, a little bit of October, too.

Below, you'll find a complete list of all the holiday doorbusters that are live right now (with sales grouped by retailer, category, and brand). We continue to update this post as more deals pop up throughout the weeks leading up to actual Black Friday, but don't hold out too long if something on your shopping list is enjoying a discount — most retailers are saying screw it and putting a "Black Friday price" badge on items now.

The best early Black Friday deals at each retailer

Best Buy

The electronics store's official Black Friday sale technically began on Oct. 24, nearly a month ahead of its 2021 kickoff on Nov. 19. That October announcement also details how Best Buy is planning to offer Black Friday deals "almost every week" until its main event in November. Any current deals at Black Friday prices will be clearly marked as such, and if anything you bought there earlier this month happens to be cheaper today, you'll get a refund under the Black Friday Price Guarantee.

Walmart

The big box store is once again reviving its popular Black Friday Deals for Days event from 2020, this time dropping new deals every Monday in November plus a preview on Oct. 26. Each event kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and continues into stores a few days later, though Walmart+ members get access beginning at noon that day — crucial leverage for items that are at risk for selling out. Walmart will go out with a bang with one final Cyber Monday event on Nov. 28.

Amazon

Jeff Bezos and co. do not rest. Less than two weeks after its second Prime Day of the year, Amazon has begun rolling out early Black Friday deals on TVs, air fryers, beauty tech, and of course, Amazon devices. You can see what's up for grabs by visiting its daily deals page, installing its mobile app, or by asking your smart home device, “Alexa, what are my deals?" Like in previous years, it pays to be an Amazon Prime member: Subscribers get 30-minute early access to select Lightning Deals, which go quick once they're live; click here to sign up for a free 30-day trial.

We'll be adding more great deals to this story as more sales info is released.

The holiday shopping calendar has been shifting, but 2022 is the most intense example so far

Anyone who would appreciate if Halloween could live out the entirety of its season in peace (damn it) will be the first to tell you that holiday shopping feels like it starts earlier and earlier every year. Black Friday-worthy deals start trickling in around mid-October, and the inbox cramming levels up from there until stores begin officially announcing deals with Black Friday and holiday terminology around early November.

It always feels a bit preemptive, like those neighbors who insist on putting up their Christmas lights while the trees are still green. But 2022's fall frenzy was more intense than what we've seen in recent years. Things kicked off when Target revived its Deal Days event from Oct. 6 to 8 (complete with a Holiday Price Match Guarantee) which rolled nicely into its almost two-month long Black Friday sale that went live on Oct. 10.

Days later on Oct. 12 and 13, Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale hit. A second Prime Day in all but name, the Prime Early Access Sale (PEAS) was technically meant to give shoppers a super head start on holiday shopping and featured some of Amazon's lowest prices of the year. Naturally, Best Buy and Walmart held similar sales to compete. At this point, modern Black Friday is full season in its own right.

Inflation could make for a more frugal Black Friday

The volatility of item inventory, shipping times, and other supply chain-related chaos didn't necessarily stop people from spending big in 2021. The National Retail Federation found that holiday sales between November and December grew over 14 percent compared to 2020 (findings in line with predictions from earlier that fall) despite slower December-specific sales due to, you guessed it, an earlier and more spread-out sale season.

While pickles should be easier to find than a Playstation 5s this year, consumers are now working around the fallout of another fuzzy economical mess — one with an even more direct effect on their wallets.

Inflation is responsible for jacked up prices on just about everything since spring 2022, leaving folks spending more than they're used to on daily necessities like gas and groceries. For now, peak inflation seem to be behind us. But between holiday traveling, feeding guests, and of course, gifting, it's likely that folks may stay in that frugal state of mind throughout the next few months.

This could mean more intentional Black Friday spending: more hunting for deals on essentials that you'd have to buy anyway and less impulse buys. Amazon's October Prime Day gave us a glimpse on how hard (or not) shoppers may be willing to go this holiday season. Data compiled by Numerator, a consumer insights firm, indicates that people didn't go as balls to the wall as they have in the past — that might because 79% of PEAS shoppers had inflation on the brain. While one in three still hit "add to cart" on a specific item they'd been waiting to get discounted, a fourth of people ditched really good deals "because it wasn't a necessity."

Amazon's Back-to-School campaign, which spoke to budget-conscious shoppers by confirming that, yes, it's fine to buy the cheapest notebook for your kid, also alluded to the fact that retailers are aware of where customers want savings this year. While TVs and robot vacuums will undoubtedly still be Black Friday hits, we could see more doorbuster deal spots given to smaller, more essential purchases.

Mapping out a game plan now will help you avoid them when they inevitably crop up in the coming weeks. Here are all the must-know details you can use to strategize:

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is a shopping holiday that takes place every year on the day right after Thanksgiving. It used to be synonymous with viral fistfights and stampedes and lines that stretched around city blocks before 3 a.m., but in recently years has become more of an online event.

When is Black Friday?

While Black Friday proper falls on Nov. 25 in 2022, most stores began rolling out their holiday doorbusters in October and early November.

Black Friday versus Cyber Monday — what's the difference?

The National Retail Federation officially coined the term "Cyber Monday" in 2005 after it noticed that in previous years, the Monday after Thanksgiving saw a massive uptick in online sales. It credited the phenomenon to two factors: Online retailers were starting to vie for a piece of the Black Friday pie, and shoppers were waiting to peruse the deals on their faster work computers come Monday morning. (At the time, office PCs had better broadband than home setups.)

Last year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales effectively bled together since in-person shopping wasn't really a thing. We'll almost certainly see that repeat this year.

What are in-store schedules like for Thanksgiving and Black Friday?

With most COVID-related mandates and crowd control tactics a thing of the past, Black Friday 2022 should feel reminiscent of the pre-pandemic stampede we're used to. One major difference? Many brick-and-mortar locations are still embracing the "closed on Thanksgiving" trend first seen during COVID. Now, firmly closing doors frees up the holiday for time spent with loved ones.

Online shopping on Turkey Day, however, is still very much a thing. Official Black Friday deals at most retailers will be live on Thursday (if not earlier in the week), still somewhat solidifying Thanksgiving as the unofficial start to Black Friday weekend.

Below is everything we know about in-person shopping hours for The Big Retailers:

  • Target: Closed on Thanksgiving; most stores open at 7 a.m. local time on Black Friday. Drive-up and in-store pickup are available.

  • Walmart: Closed on Thanksgiving; stores open at 5 a.m. local time on Black Friday. Curbside and in-store pickup are available.

  • Best Buy: Closed on Thanksgiving; opening time on Black Friday TBA. Starting Oct. 30, Best Buy will also extend store hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week except for Sunday, which will be open 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. Curbside and in-store pickup are available.

  • Bed Bath & Beyond: Closed on Thanksgiving; doors open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday. Curbside and in-store pickup are available.

  • JCPenney: Closed on Thanksgiving; doors open at 5 a.m. local time on Black Friday. Exclusive in-store coupons will be given to the first shoppers in line. Curbside pickup is available.

  • Kohl's: Closed on Thanksgiving; opening time on Black Friday TBA. Drive-up and in-store pickup are available.

  • Macy's: Closed on Thanksgiving; stores are open from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time on Black Friday. Curbside and in-store pickup are available.

Google recognizes Native American Heritage Month with new interactive features

Google recognizes Native American Heritage Month with new interactive features

November 3, 2022Posted inTechnology
A screenshot of a red Google Chrome homepage. The art behind the search bar shows two white birds drawn in a particular artistic style using curved lines.

As November ushers in Native American Heritage Month, even your virtual assistants are joining in the nationwide celebration of Indigenous culture.

A new Google Assistant feature lets users hear from first-hand interviews with members of Indigenous communities as they reflect on their cultural experiences. After waking up your Assistant, say "Tell me a human story" and your device will play the voices of people like Nanieezh, a girl sharing what it means to be Native American.

SEE ALSO: Google Assistant launches parental controls and kid-friendly updates

Users will also be able to access a collection of Native American Heritage facts via Google Assistant, focused on important cultural moments and leaders in Native American history. To hear your daily fact, users just need to say, “Happy Native American Heritage Month'' or “Give me a fact about Native American Heritage."

In addition, Google Chrome and ChromeOS unveiled new themes for users, designed by a cohort of five Native American artists.

"Hey, Google! Happy Native American Heritage Month."

Blair Huffman, group product manager for ChromeOS and member of the Cherokee Nation, wrote in a Google blog post that the new themes showcases important traditions and highlights the artists' unique experiences and identities.

"As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, I celebrate this month by taking time to reflect and express gratitude for my ancestors, the resilience of my tribe and other Indigenous people, and future generations carrying our tribal traditions forward," Huffman wrote. "Richard D. York’s piece 'ᎤᎧᏖᎾ (Uktena, or 'Horned Serpent')' in particular brings me back to my childhood listening to the stories of Uktena and other tales from my elders. A more solemn work, 'A Lot Meant,' reminded me of growing up in Oklahoma and how historical policies like allotment impacted my family and so many others."

A screenshot of the Google Chrome homepage, with one of the new custom themes applied. The art behind the search bar is an abstract wash of various colors and shapes.
Another theme, titled "ᎤᎧᏖᎾ (Horned Serpent)”, depicts a malevolent dragon present in Cherokee stories. It was created by artist Richard D. York. Credit: Richard D. York / Google
Three birds (one blue, one green, and one red) are drawn flying over a color-blocked landscape. A bright white crescent moon is behind them.
One of the new themes titled "Primary Ravens". It was created by artist Crystal Worl. Credit: Crystal Worl / Google

This month's updates follow previous initiatives by Google and Google Assistant, including voice features that taught users important aspects of Black history and civil rights in honor of Juneteenth, as well as interactive personal health support in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Google launched its recognition of Native American Heritage Month on Nov. 1, with a Google Doodle celebrating Indigenous North American stickball. The ceremonial game has its history in several Native American communities, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, and Yuchi tribes. The celebratory Doodle was created by artist Marlena Myles, a member of the Spirit Lake Dakota / Mohegan / Muscogee tribe. "This sport has played an active role through the generations in our many tribes and it will continue to do so," Myles wrote. "We’re keeping traditions alive."

Just ask Google: "Tell me a human story."

The new features allow all users to engage with the stories, art, and history of our country's Indigenous communities, so use your Google devices as a starting point for a deeper exploration of this vast and varied heritage. All it takes to begin is a simple "Hey, Google..."