Amazon has recently announced the dates for its highly anticipated annual shopping event, Prime Day. Taking place on July 11th and 12th, Prime Day 2023 is bound to be one of the biggest shopping events of the year. Starting at 12AM PT/3AM ET on Tuesday, July 11th, and running until the end of Wednesday, July 12th, Prime Day offers Prime members the exclusive opportunity to access incredible deals on a wide range of products.
While Prime Day is not a direct perk of Amazon’s subscription service, Prime members have the advantage of being able to enjoy most of the deals available during this two-day event. However, becoming a Prime member does come at a cost. Over the years, the price of an annual Prime membership has seen a significant increase. Currently, an annual Prime membership sets you back $139, which is $20 more than its previous price. Despite the increase in price, Prime Day continues to attract millions of shoppers worldwide, highlighting the value that Prime membership brings.
Prime Day is not only an excellent time to score deals on various products, but it has also become synonymous with significant discounts on Amazon’s own devices. From Kindle e-readers and Fire tablets to Echo smart speakers and Ring doorbells, Prime Day offers Prime members the opportunity to upgrade their tech at a discounted price. In addition to Amazon’s devices, shoppers can expect to find worthwhile sales on a range of other products, including headphones, robot vacuums, laptops, SSDs, and much more. To stay up to date with the latest news and deals during Prime Day, it is recommended to follow Engadget Deals on Twitter and sign up for the new Engadget Deals newsletter, which delivers the best deals straight to your inbox.
In other news, Panasonic has recently launched the S5 II and S5 IIX full-frame cameras, embracing phase-detect autofocus to compete with its rivals. While the S5 II has already been tested, the S5 IIX has caught the attention of many due to its ability to record high-quality, easy-to-edit ProRes video internally. This model shares many features with the S5 II, such as the new autofocus system and highly effective in-body stabilization. However, the addition of the ProRes video recording option sets the S5 IIX apart, making it a desirable choice for vloggers and content creators. Engadget’s Steve Dent has thoroughly tested this camera and provides insights into its performance and capabilities.
The Recording Academy has also made an important announcement regarding the eligibility of AI-generated music for awards recognition. While the organization is open to considering music with limited AI-generated voices or instrumentation, it remains committed to honoring songs that are predominantly written and performed by humans. This decision raises questions about the growing presence of AI in the music industry and its potential impact on award-winning music. Artists like Holly Herndon, who utilized an AI version of her voice to cover Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” and upcoming projects involving AI-generated elements, pose intriguing challenges for award organizations like the Grammys.
In the tech world, Apple has expanded its Self Service Repair program to include its more recent devices. Starting from June 21st, iPhone 14 range and M2 versions of the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro users can now access the parts, tools, and manuals necessary to perform their own repairs. Additionally, Apple has expanded component repairs on older models, allowing users in the US, UK, and seven European countries to fix the TrueDepth camera and top speaker on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. The convenience of the expanded Self Service Repair program lies in the System Configuration tool, which verifies and authenticates fixes with official parts. Users can now complete repairs simply by putting their device into Diagnostics mode and following the provided instructions, eliminating the need to contact Apple.
When it comes to smartphones, the misconception that great devices come with an exorbitant price tag still persists. However, the availability of high-end features in more affordable mid-range smartphones is slowly changing this perception. With big batteries, multi-camera arrays, and high refresh rate displays becoming increasingly common in mid-range devices, there is no longer a need to compromise on features when shopping on a budget. Engadget provides a comprehensive guide to the best mid-range smartphones available for those with a budget of less than $600.
In conclusion, Amazon’s Prime Day 2023 promises to be an incredible shopping event, exclusively available to Prime members. With the opportunity to access exclusive deals on Amazon devices and a wide range of other products, Prime Day is expected to attract millions of shoppers. Furthermore, advancements in camera technology, the impact of AI on the music industry, and Apple’s expansion of its Self Service Repair program are just some of the exciting developments in the tech world worth keeping an eye on. As the landscape of consumer technology continues to evolve, Engadget remains dedicated to providing the latest news and insights to keep readers informed and entertained.
