Tech

Amazon Prime Day 2020: Deals, Tips, And Everything To Know Before October 13 – GameSpot

Published

4 years ago

October 7, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into nearly every major event this year, and among the countless number of cancellations and delays is Amazon Prime Day, which, you may have noticed, didn’t happen in July as usual this year. Despite multiple delays, Prime Day 2020 is indeed happening this year, and Amazon has confirmed the dates: October 13 and 14.

Despite happening later than usual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Day is sure to bring steep discounts on some of the best games for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Prime Day is also an excellent opportunity to snag consoles and PC hardware at a discount, and you’ll also find sweet deals on gaming accessories, merch, Blu-rays, collectibles, and practically anything on your wishlist. Prime Day is known for having deals on par with Black Friday–and this year, the two events will be happening nearly back to back–so for gamers on a budget, October is sure to bring some of the best prices of the year.

The key to snagging the deals you want on Amazon Prime Day is to go in prepared. To help you out, we’ve assembled a guide with everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2020, including exactly when it starts, the best deals to expect, and more.

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What is Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day is a massive sale Amazon puts on each summer (usually in July) for Prime members. It all began in 2015, when Amazon had a sale to celebrate its 20th birthday. In the years since, Prime Day has grown into a shopping extravaganza in its own right, with deep discounts on all kinds of items across the whole store.

When is Amazon Prime Day 2020?

Amazon Prime Day 2020 will kick off at midnight PT / 3 AM ET on Tuesday, October 13, and end at 11:59 PM PT on Wednesday, October 14 (2:59 AM ET on October 15). The event will last a full 48 hours as it has in recent years.

How much is Amazon Prime?

The catch, of course, is that you have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of Prime Day deals. The annual price of a Prime membership is $119 / £79, or you can get a one-month membership for just $13 / £8. Having to buy a subscription is a bummer, but there are ways around dropping cash just to take part in Prime Day. If you’ve never been a Prime member before, you can get a free 30-day trial just by signing up. Students get an even better deal: the Prime Student membership begins with a free six-month trial.

Even if you’re a lapsed Prime member and you can’t get the free trial, signing up for a one-month membership may be worthwhile, depending on what Prime Day deals you want to take advantage of.

Early Prime Day deals

Some early Prime Day deals are kicking off as Amazon begins to build hype around the upcoming sale. As usual, these focus on Amazon-branded hardware and other aspects of the Prime membership, such as Prime Video and Kindle Unlimited. You can check out some of the best early deals happening now below.

Memberships

More Prime Day deals to expect

Practically anything under the sun will be on sale for Prime Day 2020, but some deals are much better than others. The largest discounts tend to be on Amazon’s own hardware, and the company just announced a slew of new devices ahead of Prime Day, including a redesigned Echo Dot and cheaper Fire Stick. We’ll likely see the first discounts on those during Prime Day. You’ll also find big savings on video games, VR headsets, gaming accessories, 4K TVs, other electronics, apparel, outdoor gear, baby products, and nearly anything else you can buy at the online retailer.

This year, Amazon is giving $10 credit to all Prime members who spend $10 or more on items sold by select small businesses between now and October 12–this includes more than half the items in Amazon’s store worldwide, according to a press release. You’ll then be able to use the $10 credit during Prime Day on almost any product on Amazon. You can check here to see if you have the credit in your account.

Prime Day PS4 and Xbox One deals

Both PlayStation and Xbox are launching next-gen consoles this holiday season, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, so their current-gen consoles will likely drop even cheaper as retailers attempt to clear out their remaining stock. That said, both the PS4 and Xbox One have been hard to find in stock during the pandemic due to a greater number of people gaming, so deals on those consoles may be extremely limited. The Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition have officially been discontinued, but the Xbox One S will still be sold, so we may see some solid bundles for less than $200 this Prime Day. The popular PS4 Slim Only on PlayStation bundle from last Black Friday (which featured three great console exclusives) was sold for $200, and it’d be great to see a similar bundle return for those who couldn’t–or didn’t care to–preorder the PS5.

Instead, we expect to see more deals around games–hopefully some that come with free next-gen upgrades–and online memberships. With Microsoft consistently pushing its Xbox Game Pass subscription rather than forcing people to upgrade to the Xbox Series X, it’s more likely we’ll see a great deal on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which will be worth taking advantage of if you’re primarily an Xbox gamer. PlayStation Plus usually drops to around $40 during sales like Prime Day, so look out for that as well.

Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals

As Nintendo fans are well aware, discounts on the brand’s games and hardware aren’t common, and both the Switch and Switch Lite have consistently been sold out for months due to the pandemic. Because of that, we don’t expect to see any discounts on Switch hardware during Prime Day. Instead, you’ll likely be able to snag some of Nintendo’s first-party titles, like Super Mario Party or Pokemon Sword and Shield, for at least $20 off. Seeing Switch games on sale for $40 is becoming more common throughout the year, so we’d love to see Switch games drop to $30 this holiday season.

Prime Day VR deals

Those interested in VR gaming should keep an eye out for VR headset deals during Prime Day as well. The excellent PSVR five-game mega pack from Black Friday may get discounted to $200 again for Prime Day and offers the best value of any PSVR bundle on the market. The new Oculus Quest 2 releases on October 13, the day Prime Day begins, so don’t expect any discounts there. The original Quest has been discontinued.

Prime Day game deals

Finally, expect thousands of game deals during Prime Day, not only at Amazon but also at other retail stores like Best Buy and Walmart as well as digital game stores like Steam, PSN, Xbox Live, and the Nintendo Eshop. While it’s hard to say exactly how low each game might go, you’re sure to find whatever’s on your wishlist at its best price during Prime Day. All the biggest games from the past few years are sure to be discounted. Sony and Microsoft always offer the steepest discounts on their first-party games, like God of War (PS4) or Gears 5 (Xbox One).

How will coronavirus affect Amazon Prime Day deals?

The biggest effect we expect to see is longer shipping times on some products, which is why you may want to do your holiday shopping on Prime Day rather than waiting until Black Friday this year. Available stock may be more limited as well, so if you see a great deal available on Prime Day, don’t wait to snag it.

The New York Times reported in February that Amazon was concerned it may not be able to meet demand during this year’s Prime Day, so the company has been taking measures to combat product shortages for months now, contacting third-party sellers early to discuss stock availability for Prime Day. The delayed event day has allowed Amazon more time to acquire the goods it needs to host the shopping event, but we still expect to feel the effects of COVID-19 during this year’s Prime Day. We expect Amazon will also emphasize certain categories like home office equipment or loungewear–things people will be looking for as they continue to work from home and minimize going out.

Best tips for Amazon Prime Day

To get the most out of Prime Day, it’s best to know exactly what you’re shopping for. Otherwise, it’s easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole of Amazon’s endless lineup of deals. While Black Friday offers you a lot of time to plan for the exact deals you want to take advantage of, Prime Day deals are generally kept secret until the event kicks off, so you’ll want to be ready at your computer that day to snag anything you want. The best deals are sure to sell out quickly.

There are different types of Prime Day deals to be aware of, and understanding what these are can help your planning. Prime Day will kick off with early access or countdown deals, which will appear on Amazon in early July. Throughout the event, you’ll also see spotlight deals–these run for 24 hours and can take place during the lead-up to Prime Day as well as the event itself. Lightning deals tend to be some of the best discounts of Prime Day, but these are limited-time, limited-stock items that will sell out fast. The best way to keep up with those is through the Amazon app on your phone as well as the upcoming deals page on Amazon. Hit “watch this deal” to get notified when it starts. Finally, there will be thousands of Prime Day-exclusive deals that run the entire duration of Prime Day, which will likely be 48 hours this year. These offers are still likely to sell out if they feature popular items, like the Nintendo Switch.

Check out our guide to the best Prime Day tips to ensure you don’t miss out on the hottest deals. Plus, stay tuned to GameSpot during Amazon Prime Day 2020 as we cover the best gaming, tech, and entertainment deals, and be sure to follow GameSpot Deals on Twitter for up-to-date info on lightning deals and more.

See more Prime Day 2020 deals:

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Tech

How to Preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada

Published

2 days ago

September 10, 2024

Harry Miller

Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:

Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.

Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers

While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:

Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source

Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:

Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.

3. Sign Up for Notifications

Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.

Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.

4. Prepare for High Demand

Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:

Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.

Final Thoughts

The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.

For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.

Tech

Introducing the PlayStation 5 Pro: The Next Evolution in Gaming

Published

2 days ago

September 10, 2024

Harry Miller

Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.

Key Features of the PS5 Pro

The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:

Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.

Optimized Games & Patches

Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:

Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West

These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.

Design & Compatibility

Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.

Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.

Pricing & Availability

The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:

$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY

Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.

The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.

Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.

Tech

Google Unveils AI-Powered Pixel 9 Lineup Ahead of Apple’s iPhone 16 Release

Published

1 month ago

August 13, 2024

Harry Miller

Google has launched its next generation of Pixel phones, setting the stage for a head-to-head competition with Apple as both tech giants aim to integrate more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features into their flagship devices. The unveiling took place near Google’s Mountain View headquarters, marking an early debut for the Pixel 9 lineup, which is designed to showcase the latest advancements in AI technology.

The Pixel 9 series, although a minor player in global smartphone sales, is a crucial platform for Google to demonstrate the cutting-edge capabilities of its Android operating system. With AI at the core of its strategy, Google is positioning the Pixel 9 phones as vessels for the transformative potential of AI, a trend that is expected to revolutionize the way people interact with technology.

Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president overseeing the Pixel phones, emphasized the company’s commitment to AI, stating, “We are obsessed with the idea that AI can make life easier and more productive for people.” This echoes the narrative Apple is likely to push when it unveils its iPhone 16, which is also expected to feature advanced AI capabilities.

The Pixel 9 lineup will be the first to fully integrate Google’s Gemini AI technology, designed to enhance user experience through more natural, conversational interactions. The Gemini assistant, which features 10 different human-like voices, can perform a wide array of tasks, particularly if users allow access to their emails and documents.

In an on-stage demonstration, the Gemini assistant showcased its ability to generate creative ideas and even analyze images, although it did experience some hiccups when asked to identify a concert poster for singer Sabrina Carpenter.

To support these AI-driven features, Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with a special chip that enables many AI processes to be handled directly on the device. This not only improves performance but also enhances user privacy and security by reducing the need to send data to remote servers.

Google’s aggressive push into AI with the Pixel 9 comes as Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 16, which is expected to feature its own AI advancements. However, Google’s decision to offer a one-year free subscription to its advanced Gemini Assistant, valued at $240, may pressure Apple to reconsider any plans to charge for its AI services.

The standard Pixel 9 will be priced at $800, a $100 increase from last year, while the Pixel 9 Pro will range between $1,000 and $1,100, depending on the model. Google also announced the next iteration of its foldable Pixel phone, priced at $1,800.

In addition to the new Pixel phones, Google also revealed updates to its Pixel Watch and wireless earbuds, directly challenging Apple’s dominance in the wearable tech market. These products, like the Pixel 9, are designed to integrate seamlessly with Google’s AI-driven ecosystem.

Google’s event took place against the backdrop of a significant legal challenge, with a judge recently ruling that its search engine constitutes an illegal monopoly. This ruling could lead to further court proceedings that may force Google to make significant changes to its business practices, potentially impacting its Android software or other key components of its $2 trillion empire.

Despite these legal hurdles, Google is pressing forward with its vision of an AI-powered future, using its latest devices to showcase what it believes will be the next big leap in technology. As the battle for AI supremacy heats up, consumers can expect both Google and Apple to push the boundaries of what their devices can do, making the choice between them more compelling than ever.