Mesh Deals for Black Friday through Cyber Monday: Sonos and eero

Seems that I’m a sucker for a well-made mesh network, likely because “well-made mesh” means “it’s simple and it works without you having to mess with it.” Or, said another way, “mesh not mess.”  Ok, enough of that, on to the deals, shall we? These are from two companies that traditionally do not offer discounts, and they’re only good through Monday, so snap them up while you can.

Mophie Powerstation XL External Battery (Manufacturer-Refurbished): $39.95

We have a deal on a manufacturer-refurbished Mophie Powerstation XL External Battery. This beefy battery holds 12,000mAh, and delivers current in either 500mAh, 1A, or 2.1A, depending on the device you’re charging. It has two USB ports for simultaneous charging, and is itself charged with a standard Micro-USB port. You can get this device through our deal for $39.95.

There Ain't No Such Thing as Free TV (TANSTAFTV)

The science fiction writer Robert Heinlein reminded us that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. (TANSTAFL). The same applies to TV. If you watch TV over the air, there will be commercials. Lots. If you subscribe to cable, most channels will also have commercials. If you stream or buy content that doesn’t have commercials (Blu-ray or the OTT services) you will pay what the industry sees fit for you. While cord cutting looks to be appealing cost-wise, for now, the industry is never going to settle for decreased revenues in the long run. A recent Hulu decision proves that.

Leawo Professional Media for Mac: $19

We have a deal for you today on Leawo Professional Media for Mac. This software converts multiple video formats, and it can read and rip DVDs and Blu-ray, and it has a 2D/3d converter. This software retails for $119, but you can get it through our deal for $19.

Zus Smart Car Charger and Locator: $29.99

Check out this handy gadget, the Zus Smart Car Charger and Locator. Plug it into your car’s A/C outlet and it will charge your devices through USB ports. It’s a smart charger, too, in that it sends the current each device needs. But, it also serves as a locator by communicating with an app on your iPhone so you can find your car. You can get this device through our deal for $29.99

Apple's Mac Problem Could Soon be a Mac Crisis

Apple is long overdue for a refresh of its Macintosh line. The last Mac mini update was October 2014. The 2013 Mac Pro has never been updated. The last MacBook Pro (15-inch) was updated in May of 2015. The company still sells a 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro with a SuperDrive. Only the iMac and MacBook lines are less than a year old. The Verge lays it all out and questions why Apple isn’t keeping most of its Macs more current. Yet there are glimmers of hope. It’s all on page 2 of Friday’s Particle Debris.

NightStand for Apple Watch: $19.95

Check out Nightstand for Apple Watch, a charging stand that puts your Apple Watch in nightstand mode. It features a suction cup so that it sticks where you put it, making it easy to pull your Apple Watch off the stand. You can get it through our deal for $19.95.

PDFpen 8 All-Purpose PDF Editor for Mac: $37

Hey, cool. We get to offer you a deal on PDFpen 8 for Mac from Smile Software. This software is an all-purpose PDF reader and editor. You can edit text, add images, redact information, export to Microsoft Word format, and a lot more. PDFpen 8 is priced at $74.95, but you can get it through our deal for just $37.

The Complete iOS 10 Developer Course: $25

We have a deal for you today on the Complete iOS 10 Developer Course. It features 30 hours of content, including 217 lectures. You’ll learn SiriKit, Messages, Maps—all with new features for developers in iOS 10, as well as an in-depth look at the rest of the operating system. You can get this course through our deal for just $25.

Are Humans Becoming Robotic Faster than Robots Can be Human-like?

People are walking around, staring at their iPhones, mesmerized by messages and selfies. They’re reading lurid news, glued to YouTube videos and immersing themselves in Pokémon GO. Is this robotic behavior slowly replacing typical human behavior? Is it happening faster than robots can become more human? Could robots someday role reverse and become more human than we used to be? Page 2 of Friday’s Particle Debris expands the initial discussion and leaves us to ponder.