The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• As Black Friday 2018 gets closer, Walmart has announced a ton of its deals, and even started setting some of them live.
• Fortunately, you don't have to fight the crowds first thing Friday morning to get a great deal — most of them are available online, too.
• We've rounded up some of Walmart's best deals— take a look below, and don't miss our complete Black Friday shopping coverage.
• To potentially save more on Black Friday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores, including Black Friday heavyweights Walmart and Target.

Black Friday is just around the corner, but Walmart isn't waiting to start dropping deals. As the big-box store continues to try and compete with Amazon— which has also been releasing Black Friday deals throughout Thanksgiving week — it's launched steep discounts across a ton of different product categories.

We've rounded up Walmart's best deals to help you have a successful Black Friday. Most of Walmart's Black Friday deals go live early — on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET — but some are available right now, and others will launch on Thursday and Friday.

Although Walmart saves a few of the deals for in-store shoppers, most are also available online, meaning you can get them without having to get up early and fight the crowds.

Take a look at the best deals below, and be sure to check out our complete Black Friday deals coverage, including 100+ other noteworthy Black Friday sales we're shopping, men's fashion sales, women's fashion sales, Jet.com's Black Friday sale, some incredible Black Friday deals from Cole Haan, or dozens of Black Friday deals from our favorite startups, like the Casper and Leesa mattresses and Brooklinen bedding.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

DON'T MISS: Business Insider's guide to the best Black Friday sales of 2018

• Hisense 40" 1080P TV, $99 (originally $178) [You save $79] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Vizio 60" 4K UHD TV, $498 (originally $598) [You save $100] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Samsung 32" Class Smart TV, $178 (originally $197.99) [You save $19] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Sceptre 50" 1080P LED TV, $199.99 (originally $349.99) [You save $150] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Samsung 55" 4KTV, $397.99 (originally $699.99) [You save $302] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET

• Google Home Mini, $25 (originally $49) [You save $24] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Google Home, $99 (originally $149) [You save $50] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Google Home Mini and Chromecast Bundle, $45 (originally $74) [You save $29] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Lenovo Smart Display 8" with Google Assistant, $99 (originally $199) [You save $100]

The best game console deals

• Sony PS4 1TB Slim Spider‑Man Bundle, $199 (originally $299) [You save $100]
• Xbox One X 1TB Console, $399 (originally $499) [You save $100]
• Xbox One S, $199 (originally $229) [You save $30]
• Microsoft Xbox One S 1TB Forza Horizon 4 Bundle, $229.99 (originally $299.99) [You save $70]
• Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 Delxue, $299 (originally $359.99) [You save $60] *available on November 23

The best game accessory deals

• Xbox One Controller, $39.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $10]
• PlayStation DualShock 4 Controller, $39 (originally $53.66) [You save $14]
• Sony PlayStation Plus 12 Month Subscription, $39.99 (originally $59) [You save $20]
• Turtle Beach Headset $25 (originally $34.82) [You save $9.82] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Xbox Live 3-Month Subscription Card, $12.50 (originally $24.96) [You save $12.46] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET

The best VR deals

• Sony PlayStation VR Astro Bot Bundle, $199 (originally $299) [You save $100] *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Lenovo Explorer Bundle, $179 (originally $399.99) [You save $220.99]

The best video game deals

• Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, $35 (originally $53) [You save $19] (Nintendo Switch) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, $35 (originally $50) [You save $15] (Nintendo Switch) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, $35 (originally $50) [You save $15] (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• God of War, $39.85 (originally $25) [You save $14.85] (PlayStation 4) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Online Edition, $25 (originally $59.88) [You save $34.88] (PlayStation 4) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Fallout 4 Game Of The Year Edition, $25 (originally $59.88) [You save $34.88] (Xbox One) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET
• Diablo III, $17 (originally $39.88) [You save $22.88] (PlayStation 4) *available at November 21 at 10 p.m. ET

• I've been playing around with a handful of new Apple accessories from Twelve South, the company that exclusively makes accessories for Apple products.
• One of my favorite accessories surprised me, because I thought it was something I wouldn't need: a case for my AirPods.
• But the AirSnap for AirPods case, which costs $30 from Twelve South, surprised me with how nice and useful it actually is.

Apple products are excellent, but they're not always perfect. That's where accessories come in: Cases, chargers, and stands can make the experience of owning an Apple product feel more complete. 

And when it comes down to choosing Apple accessories, Twelve South is one of the best in the business.

The Charleston, South Carolina company has been making Apple accessories exclusively since 2009, and many of their products feel like Apple products in their own right: From their delicate but easy-to-disassemble packaging, to the way the accessories fit Apple products perfectly, it really feels like Twelve South goes above and beyond to approximate Apple's quality for its relatively affordable third-party accessories.

Twelve South recently sent me a handful of new accessories to try out, but one of my favorites actually surprised me, since I was initially skeptical that I would like it, or use it, at all.

SEE ALSO: Apple charges a ton of money for built-in storage — here's how to get around it

The $30 AirSnap for AirPods is a beautiful leather case for your AirPods. It actually fits around your tiny white AirPods case: Just pack it in, snap it shut, and you're ready to go.

I was surprised by how cute the case was. The soft light-brown leather highlighted by black buttons was more fashionable in person than I thought it would be based on the box.

Once I got past its looks, though, I understood how useful it was.

• The CDC recommended on Tuesday that Americans avoid all forms of romaine lettuce.
• At least 32 people in 11 states have been infected with E. coli after consuming romaine — but the source of the outbreak is unknown. 
• Leafy greens — especially those sold prewashed — are one of the riskiest foods when it comes to food poisoning.

Leafy greens — specifically romaine lettuce — are under the microscope as another food-poisoning outbreak sweeps the United States. 

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that Americans avoid any form of romaine lettuce. According to the CDC, at least 32 people in 11 states have reported E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce that started last month, according to the CDC. Thirteen people have been hospitalized.

Read more:The CDC tells people to stop eating romaine lettuce — again — after another E. coli outbreak sickens at least 32 people in 11 states

This incident follows an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that killed five people and sickened more than 200 earlier this year. 

Leafy greens are among the more dangerous foods when it comes to food-poisoning risks. A CDC study found that, from 1998 to 2008, leafy greens were associated with more incidents of food poisoning than any other type of food. 

While cooking veggies and meat can kill germs, many leafy greens are eaten raw. Salads, in particular, are a food-poisoning risk, as they bring together a number of raw foods that have had countless opportunities for contamination.

Shoppers and restaurants that buy pre-chopped lettuce from suppliers put themselves at even greater risk. The process of washing, cutting, and bagging food increases the likelihood that it will become tainted, according to Bill Marler, a lawyer who specializes in cases of food poisoning. Marler says he avoids precut and prewashed fruit and vegetables"like the plague."

A 2010 study by Consumer Reports found "unacceptable" levels of bacteria that commonly cause food poisoning in about a third of the 208 salad bags tested. That doesn't mean these bacteria actually caused an illness — just that they had the potential to do so.

However, romaine lovers may find themselves confused about one last fact — why has this particular leafy green caused so many problems in 2018? According to Marler, there isn't anything about romaine lettuce that makes it intrinsically more dangerous than any other leafy green. 

"I think it's just romaine is getting a bad draw," Marler told Business Insider on Tuesday. 

SEE ALSO: Romaine lettuce has been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 32 people in 11 states. Here's why this food-poisoning expert never orders salad in restaurants.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How Alibaba turned a fake holiday into a $25 billion shopping extravaganza that's bigger than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined

• Apple CEO Steve Jobs delivered a memorable speech in 2005 about his struggle with cancer and facing his own mortality.
• Thirteen years later, business executives are trying to attain similar clarity by writing their own eulogies.
• Some leadership coaches say writing your own eulogy can help you realize what kind of person you want to be and what changes you need to make.

In 2005, Apple CEO Steve Jobs delivered a memorable commencement speech to graduates of Stanford University.

In the 14-minute speech, Jobs detailed his battle with pancreatic cancer and explained how facing his own mortality helped him recognize what was important in life.

"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," said Jobs, who succumbed to his illness in 2011.

"Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose."

Thirteen years after Jobs delivered that speech, business executives are finding a way to reach a similar epiphany: by writing their own eulogies. According to Fast Company, the exercise is becoming increasingly common in the business world, both in the US and in China.

The reasoning behind the exercise is that by imagining what might be said about you at your funeral, you'll gain clarity on what kind of person you want to be and what changes you'll need to make to achieve that.

The practice dates back decades, and has been recommended by therapists, psychologists, and business coaches.

"When we take the time to write our eulogies, it creates this magnetic pull power that draws us forward," executive coach Daniel Harkavy told Fast Company. "Our priorities and our vision for where we want to be as leaders and how we’ll get there come into sharp focus. This clarity enables us to make the best decisions, get up out of our comfortable patterns, create new habits, and start moving us toward a better future."

Read more:Obituary writers reveal the surprising things they learn by writing about the dead

Science seems to support the benefits of the eulogy technique, too. A 2012 study from the University of Missouri found that thinking about death can lead to positive changes in a person such as exercising, quitting smoking, and using sunscreen. It also found that thoughts of mortality "can lead to decreased militaristic attitudes, better health decisions, increased altruism and helpfulness, and reduced divorce rates."

Another paper from 2015 found that when people were reminded of death, it made them less likely to waste money in the present.

The research suggests why people stand to benefit from writing their own eulogies, and it's something Jobs alluded to in his famous speech:

"Death is very likely the single best invention of life," Jobs said. "It is life's change agent."

SEE ALSO: I was a principal software engineer at Apple for 15 years — this is what it was like to demo for Steve Jobs

DON'T MISS: When CEO Satya Nadella took over Microsoft, he started defusing its toxic culture by handing each of his execs a 15-year-old book by a psychologist

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Navy SEALs debunk 5 misconceptions about good leaders in the military and the workplace

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• We've charged our iPhones with dozens of lightning cables over the years to find the best ones.

• The durable Anker PowerLine lightning cable is a cut above the rest — plus, it's super affordable.

Anyone who has ever owned an iPhone loves to hate Apple's lightning cables. The charging cables that come with your iPhone or iPad don't usually last too long, and you end up needing more than one lightning cable at home anyway. 

Luckily, the internet is full of great lightning charging cables to suit your every need. Whether you need an extra long cord, a super short one, or the most durable one in the world, there's a lightning cable for you out there.

However, there are lots of cheap lightning cables that aren't MFi certified by Apple, and many of them are dangerous or ineffective. You should always buy MFi-certified lightning cords for your own safety, so we've rounded up the very best Apple-approved lightning cables we've tested over the years. 

Here are the best lightning cables you can buy:

• Best lightning cable overall: Anker PowerLine cable
• Best cheap lightning cable: AmazonBasics cable
• Best long lightning cable: Native Union Night cable
• Best tough lightning cable: Fuse Chicken Titan cable
• Best light-up cable: Monoprice Luxe Series Lightning Charge & Sync cable
• Best universal lightning cable: Nomad Universal Cable
• Best lightning to USB-C cable: Apple Lightning to USB-C cable

Updated on 11/21/2018 by Malarie Gokey: Updated prices, formatting, and links. Added related iPhone accessory guides.

Read on in the slides below to see which of the best lightning cables is for you.

The best lightning cable overall

Why you'll love it: The Anker PowerLine Lightning cable is the best cord for most people with its sturdy design, fast charging speed, and fair price point.

When it comes to lightning cables, you can't beat Anker's PowerLine lightning cables. These cables have it all: They're fast to charge your iPhone or sync data, they're durable, and they're affordable.

The cable is strengthened with Kevlar and the stress points near the lightning charger and the USB connector are reinforced for added durability. They're slightly wider than the connectors on Apple's cable, but the Anker cable should fit most iPhone cases.

In testing, Anker bent the PowerLine cables more than 5,000 times to ensure that they last. The company also offers an 18-month warranty and it has a great reputation for following through when users have problems.

Anker's PowerLine lightning cables come with a Velcro tie to help you wrangle up any extra cord length you don't need. It also makes traveling with your lightning cable easier. You can get the cable in black, white, blue, red, or gray. 

User reviews are very positive, and tech reviewers agree that Anker makes excellent cables for a very reasonable price. Digital Trends, Best Products, and The Wirecutter give Anker high marks.

Anker's lineup of PowerLine lightning cables is so good that The Wirecutter recommends every single length option as the best buy in its guide. PowerLine cables come in 1-foot, 3-foot, 6-foot, and 10-foot lengths to suit everyone's needs. We can't help but agree that Anker makes the best lightning cables you can buy for a great price.

Pros: Made from durable aramid fiber, lots of lengths, 18-month warranty, fast charging, reinforced stress points, and it's MFi certified by Apple

Cons: None

Buy the 1-foot Anker PowerLine Lightning cable on Amazon for $8.99

Buy the 3-foot Anker PowerLine Lightning cable on Amazon for $7.99

Buy the 6-foot Anker PowerLine Lightning cable on Amazon for $8.99

Buy the 10-foot Anker PowerLine Lightning cable on Amazon for $11.99

The best cheap lightning cable

Why you'll love it: The AmazonBasics 3-foot lightning cable is the cheapest cord on our list, but it's still excellent.

Sometimes you just need a cheap lightning cable for your iPhone. If you're not interested in paying a premium for your charging cable, Amazon has you covered with its no-frills AmazonBasics Apple Certified lightning cable.

Amazon offers three different lengths: four inches, three feet, and six feet. The neck next to the lightning cable is relatively thin, so it should fit into the cutout for the charging port for most iPhone cases. The ends are reinforced to improve durability, though, and Amazon says it put the cable through 4,000 95-degree bend tests. The AmazonBasics cable even comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Unlike most cheap lightning cables, you can count on the AmazonBasics cable to work with your iPhone or iPad, because it's MFi certified by Apple. That's rare for cheap cables, and it's incredibly important — uncertified third-party cables can be dangerous and result in charging problems or even damage to your iPhone. If money is a concern, buy this cable instead.

User reviews on Amazon are positive, and sites like Lifewire, Best Products, and Digital Trends all recommend the AmazonBasics cable. It comes in black and white, and you can get 3-foot, 6-foot, or 4-inch lengths. Amazon offers two packs of the 3-and-6-foot cords.

Pros: It's super cheap, extra protection at stress points, passed a 4,000 bend test, it's MFi certified by Apple, and it has a one-year warranty

Cons: It only comes in black or white

Buy the AmazonBasics 3-foot lightning cable on Amazon for $6.49

Buy the AmazonBasics 6-foot lightning cable on Amazon for $7.99

Buy the AmazonBasics 4-inch lightning cable on Amazon for $5.99

The best long lightning cable

Why you'll love it: The 10-foot Native Union Night cable makes charging your iPhone super easy when you need a long, strong, stable lightning cable.

If you've ever struggled with a short cord, you'll absolutely love Native Union's weighted Night cable. Not only is it 10 feet long, it's also durable and has a weighted knot that keeps it from pulling your iPhone off the table while it's charging.

Native Union makes its lightning cables out of braided nylon, which is strong and durable. It also means that the cable doesn't tangle as much. There are four layers of material protecting the cable's wires: braided nylon, a TPE rubber sleeve, a tinned copper braid, and a grounding layer. Inside all those layers are wires that are also protected and reinforced — some of them even have Kevlar fiber inside.

Native Union is so confident in its lightning cables that it put them through a 10,000 bend test to see whether they would break or fray, and the cables survived. The company also offers a limited lifetime warranty, so you know this cable is built to last.

I've used the Native Union Night cable for the past four years as my main charger, and it has never let me down. I've bent it all sorts of ways, and it hasn't frayed at all. I typically use the weight to keep my iPhone on my nightstand while I charge it, but it's easy to adjust when I need the weight anchoring the cord in another place. The cable comes in several fun colors, too, so it looks nice in any home. 

The Night cable is also highly rated by users on Amazon and Native Union's website. Many tech publications also recommend Native Union's Night cable. 

Pros: It's 10-feet long, weighted so it doesn't fall, covered in sturdy woven fabric, 12-month warranty, MFi certified by Apple, and it bends but doesn't break

Cons: Expensive

Buy the taupe 10-foot weighted Native Union Night cable on Amazon for $39.99

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• The Microsoft Store has announced a number of great Black Friday deals on laptops, tablets, gaming devices, and more.
• Whether you're a student in need of a new computer for a school, an avid reader looking for a new tablet to catch up on all your favorite books, or a gamer hoping to play the latest releases, Microsoft should be able to satisfy, and at low prices to boot.
• To potentially save more on Black Friday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores, including the Microsoft Store.

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and if carving the turkey doesn't get you all excited, then maybe the idea of carving up your wallet on Black Friday will do the trick. After all, what better way to follow the greatest day of caloric consumption than with some serious consumer spending?

Here to help you give your wallet some exercise is Microsoft, who has announced Black Friday deals on the Surface family, Xbox One bundles, Windows 10 PCs, and more of their most popular offerings. Many of these deals will actually be available starting not on actual Black Friday, November 23, but rather Sunday, November 18. 

Microsoft is offering hefty discounts both in physical stores and online on some of their most perennially popular items, but there are a few that stand out.

If you're looking to save early, the new Surface Laptop 2  in Black that we recently reviewed and liked quite a lotwill be available for $300 off its normal price, from November 18 to November 24. If you wait a few days longer, on November 22, you'll get what I think may be one of the best deals — $330 off select Surface Pro 6 + Type Cover bundles.

Read a full review of the Surface Pro 6 here. 

If you're more excited about the gaming aspect of things, Microsoft is offering new Xbox Game Pass customers their first month for just $1 between November 10 and January 3. Alternatively, you can get one month of Xbox Live Gold for just $1 between November 15 and November 30. Microsoft is also offering $100 off select Xbox One consoles. Games are also going on sale, with popular titles like Forza Horizon 4, State of Decay 2, and Sea of Thieves up to 50% off.

There are deals to be found for Windows 10 PC lovers as well. Even if you buy from a vendor that isn't Windows, you'll be able to save money — shoppers on NewEgg and Amazon can save $120 and $100 respectively on the MSI GL63 8RE-629, while the Odyssey Z and HMD Odyssey+ are on sale for $400 off on Samsung.com when purchased as a set (for a total price of just under $1,900). Of course, if you'd prefer to keep it within the Microsoft Store, you could buy the Huawei Matebook X Pro for $150 off.

Check out Microsoft's full list of Black Friday deals here and keep scrolling for some of the best deals you'll find on it below. Happy shopping!

Surface deals

• Nov. 18-24: $300 off the Surface Laptop 2 (Black)
• Nov. 18-24: $50 off the Surface Go
• Nov. 22-26: $330 off select Surface Pro 6 (Black) + Type Cover (Black) bundles, starting at $999
• Nov. 18-26: $310 off the Surface Pro Core M

Xbox deals

• Nov. 10-Jan. 3: Join Xbox Game Pass and get your first month for $1
• Nov. 15-30: Get one month of Xbox Live Gold for $1
• Nov. 18-26: $100 off select Xbox One consoles
• Nov. 22-30: Deals on games including Forza Horizon 4 for up to 35% off, State of Decay 2 for 35% off and Sea of Thieves for 50% off

Windows 10 PC deals

• Nov. 10-30: $120 off the MSI GL63 8RE-629 fromNewEgg.com and $100 off the MSI GV62 8RD-200 on Amazon.com
• Nov. 18-26: Get $400 off when you purchase the Odyssey Z ($1,799.99) and the HMD Odyssey+ ($499.99) together on Samsung.com
• Nov. 18-30: Save $150 on the Huawei Matebook X Pro at the Microsoft Store and get $30 off the Huawei MateBook D 14''on Amazon.com

Be sure to check out our complete Black Friday deals coverage, including 100+ other noteworthy Black Friday sales we're shopping, men's fashion sales, women's fashion sales, Jet.com's Black Friday sale, some incredible Black Friday deals from Cole Haan, or dozens of Black Friday deals from our favorite startups, like the Casper and Leesa mattresses and Brooklinen bedding.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday deals on the internet.

READ MORE: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

DON'T MISS: These $300 bookshelf speakers are the best in their price range — here's what they sound like at home

SEE ALSO: Microsoft's new Surface Laptop 2 is one of the best you can buy today — and it's a cheaper alternative to Apple's MacBook

Join the conversation about this story »

Facebook's advertising platform suffered from a major outage.

The company's Ads Manager, its tool that lets users create advertisements on its social network, crashed on Tuesday, leaving would-be advertisers unable to create new ad campaigns just days before Thanksgiving and crucial Black Friday sales.

The outage is unusual in its duration; and when the story was written, the system has been down for more than eight hours, one source who buys ads on the platform told Business Insider.

Click here to read more.

In other news:

'A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity': Amazon reportedly bid for Disney's 22 regional sports networks, and a bidding frenzy that tops $25 billion could follow. The company looks at the RSNs as a chance to bolster its sports offerings and could use it as another catalyst for Prime subscriber growth, an analyst told Business Insider.

A GDPR warning France's data-protection regulator issued to a little-known mobile ad-tech firm is causing ripples of excitement to run through privacy watchers in Europe, TechCrunch reports. Vectuary, a small DSP, was using the GDPR consent framework endorsed by industry association IAB Europe to collect consent strings from its many partners, but was ordered to delete the data. 

Apple just released this year's sentimental holiday ad. Watch this year's tearjerker here.

Seeking nominations for the rising stars of Madison Avenue. Please submit your nominations here.

Hear from Coca-Cola marketing veteran and DDB's first female global CEO, Wendy Clark, at IGNITION. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: A sleep expert explains what happens to your body and brain if you don't get enough sleep

• Many major retailers are offering deals on the Apple Watch for Black Friday.
• Stores like Target, Macy's, and Best Buy have discounted the Apple Watch Series 3, which came out last year, by as much as $80.
• So far, there are very few discounts on the new Apple Watch Series 4.

Now is the best time of year to consider an Apple Watch.

Everyone from Apple itself to major retailers like Target and Macy's are launching sales for Black Friday, and there are already some great deals on the Apple Watch.

With the help of the deal-tracking website BestBlackFriday.com and sites like MacRumors, Wareable, HuffPost, USA Today, and CNET, we put together a list of the retailers offering deals on Apple Watches this Black Friday.

The deals we've seen so far are primarily for the Apple Watch Series 3, the model that came out last year, rather than the brand-new Apple Watch Series 4 or any of Apple's older watches.

But they're still great gets — especially for people who aren't necessarily looking for the latest model:

Apple Watch Series 3

• Walmart: $20 off the 38 mm GPS model and $50 off the 42 mm GPS model, plus an extra band.
• Costco: $40 off the 38 mm and 42 mm GPS models with sport bands.
• Best Buy: $50 off the 38 mm and 42 mm models of the GPS-only, GPS + cellular, Nike, and stainless-steel versions.
• Target: $80 off both the GPS-only models and the GPS + cellular models, which regularly start at $279 and $379.
• Macy's: $80 off the GPS-only models and $50 off the GPS + cellular models.
• Sprint: $100 off when you add a line onto a qualifying service plan.
• Meijer: $100 off the base model.
• B&H: $180 off the 42 mm stainless-steel GPS + cellular model.

Apple Watch Series 4

• T-Mobile: $20 a month for the 40 mm GPS + cellular model. And when you buy one Series 3 or Series 4, you'll get a second one $200 off after 24 months of bill credits. 
• AT&T: $60 off the GPS + cellular models with the purchase of an iPhone 6 or later model.
• Sprint: $100 off when you add a line onto a qualifying service plan.

Accessories

• Best Buy: 25% off select bands.

We will update this list if we stumble upon more deals, so keep checking back.

Now tell us about your holiday shopping plans!

SEE ALSO: Amazon's ambitious Fire TV Cube is on sale for $60 for Black Friday — here's what it's like to use

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Jeff Bezos on regulating giant tech companies: 'I expect us to be scrutinized'

The best time to realize you need a new TV is in early November, when Black Friday is right around the corner. 

Indeed, stores like BestBuy, Walmart, and Target have offered up some pretty tempting deals for Black Friday. (You have no idea how difficult it is to resist temptation when compiling a list like this.) 

Below you'll find TVs sorted by size, premium, ultra-premium, and the holy grail of TV tech — OLED, a type of screen that offers superior color.

Some models with the same screen may cost a little more than others. That's usually attributed to a better design and sometimes a slightly better quality of TV panel, even though all these TVs have 4K resolution, and many have HDR capabilities (technology that offers better colors and detail in darker scenes).

Either way, sift through here to check out the most tempting TV deals:

SEE ALSO: 11 insider facts most Black Friday workers know — and you probably don't

43-inch TVs

LG 4K HDR (UK6090) — $270 at BestBuy. Usually $400.

Samsung 4K HDR (NU6900)— $280 at BestBuy, Target, Walmart, and B&H Photo. Usually $380.

50-inch TVs

Samsung 4K HDR (NU6900)— $330 at BestBuy, Target, and Walmart. Usually $450.

LG 4K HDR (UK6090) — $330 at BestBuy. Usually $500.

55-inch TVs

Sharp 4K HDR (LC-55Q7030U)— $320 at Walmart. Usually $500.

TCL 4K HDR 4-series Roku TV — $350 at BestBuy, Target, and Walmart. Usually around $450-$500.

Samsung 4K HDR (NU6900)— $400 at BestBuy, Target, and Walmart. Usually $500.

LG 4K HDR (UK6090) — $400 at BestBuy. Usually $550.

• Many stores have already launched their Xbox sales for Black Friday and the holiday season.
• Microsoft is offering big deals on the Xbox One X and Xbox One S this year, dropping the cheapest bundle down to $199.
• There's a wide variety of bundles depending on what games you prefer, but eBay's deals currently offer the most value for the Xbox One X.
• The holiday season will also be a great opportunity to start building your Xbox library with plenty of games on sale and a special discount on the Xbox Game Pass.

With Black Friday just a few days away, early video game sales have begun.

Microsoft got a head start on some of its Xbox holiday offerings during the X018 conference held earlier this month, revealing discounts on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X consoles.

Now, those deals are live with major retailers offering several different Xbox One bundles starting at $199, with a wide selection of games on sale to help sweeten the deal.

Here are the lowest prices for Xbox One consoles and games this holiday season:

SEE ALSO: These are the 7 best Black Friday gaming deals you'll find in stores

NOW READ: The 3 biggest games on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this holiday season

The cheapest Xbox One bundle is $199, and sales are already live.

The cheapest possible Xbox One you can buy during Black Friday — and the rest of the 2018 holiday season — is the Minecraft Creators Bundle.

This bundle includes an Xbox One S and a digital copy of "Minecraft," along with the Starter Pack and Creator Pack expansions for the game and 1,000 Minecoins. 

Though the Xbox One S is slightly less powerful than the Xbox One X, it's still capable of playing 4K video and will run all of the same games.

The Minecraft Creators Bundle can be found in stores like GameStop, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, or online at Amazon, eBay, and NewEgg.

More Xbox One S bundles with some of this year's best games start at $229.99.

If you're willing to pay a bit more to start building your game library on the Xbox One, you can choose from a few more expensive Xbox One S bundles that come with popular titles:

• Xbox One S with "Battlefield V,""Battlefield 1 Revolution," and "Battlefield 1943,"— $229.99 at Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target
• Xbox One S with "NBA 2K19"— $229.99 at Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target

There are other bundles that contain "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" and "Forza Horizon 4," too, but those games will be on sale during the holidays and can be played with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, lowering the value of those bundles.

Bundles for the more powerful Xbox One X start at $399.99.

The Xbox One X is the most powerful video game console on the market, featuring enhanced graphics for a number of games.

The price of the base console has been reduced by $100 for the holidays, and stores are extending those savings to several Xbox One X bundles. eBay's deals are the best in this category, offering multiple games at a deep discount:

• Xbox One X console — $399.99 at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and NewEgg
• Xbox One X "For Honor Marching Fire Edition" bundle — $399 at eBay
• Xbox One X 1 TB console with "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4" and "Fallout 76"— $429.99 at eBay
• Xbox One X 1 TB console with "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" and "NBA 2K19"— $429.99 at eBay
• Xbox One X with your choice of one game: "NBA 2K19,""Shadow of the Tomb Raider,""Battlefield V," or "Fallout 76"— $429.99 at Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and NewEgg.

• Google is offering its best deal of the holiday season before Black Friday even begins: Buy one Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL and get a second phone at up to 50% off.
• This deal ends on Wednesday.
• After the "BOGO" deal ends, Google will offer $150 off the Pixel 3 and $200 off the Pixel 3 XL.
• Other Black Friday deals from Google include discounts on the Google Home Hub, the Pixelbook, and the third-generation Nest Thermostat.

This year, Google is letting online shoppers get a head start on the holiday shopping rush.

Before Black Friday even begins, Google is offering its best deal of the season: Buy one Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL and get a second phone at up to 50% off.

Depending on which Pixel phone you choose, the savings could be between $350 and $450.

The deal ends on Wednesday, before the Thanksgiving turkey is served.

Pixel seekers who miss out on this early deal will still have an opportunity to save. Google will offer $150 off the Pixel 3 and $200 off the Pixel 3 XL until Sunday.

Some other Black Friday Google deals to consider:

• Google Home Hub for $99 (originally $149)
• Google Home Mini for $25 (originally $49)
• Pixelbook for $699 (originally $999)
• Third-generation Nest Thermostat for $179 (originally $249)

These deals will be available when you buy directly online from Google and at major retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

Read more:Here are the most over-the-top gifts on Neiman Marcus' guide for billionaires

Here's a complete list of Google's holiday deals.

SEE ALSO: Now is the best time to buy the latest version of Amazon's best-selling smart speaker, the Echo Dot

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The holiday season is meant to bring joy, happiness, and all of those warm fuzzy feelings, but gifting can inevitably bring the exact opposite feelings into your life. With so many people to shop for, and so many products you could buy, you're left to wonder how you could possibly find the right gifts to give everyone on your list.

Luckily, some things just have a universal appeal, like tech gadgets. They're useful, can make life more efficient, and let's face it, they're straight-up cool. We scoured the web for awesome tech products for the home that everyone from your best friend who majored in computer science to your tech-averse uncle can get on board with. Whether you're looking for something small and practical, like a shower speaker, or something with a little more of a wow-factor, like a powerful, portable projector, we've got you covered with 31 cool home tech gifts for everyone on your list.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

Looking for Black Friday deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday sales on the internet.

SEE ALSO: Business Insider's guide to the best Black Friday sales of 2018

A portable projector that turns any space into a mini home theater

Anker Nebula Capsule Projector, $349.99, available at Amazon

This device is about the size of a soda can, but don't let its looks deceive you — it's a surprisingly powerful projector that boasts 360 degree sound, Android 7.1 software, and is wire-free to boot. Whether they're traveling or relaxing at home, this portable projector will help them turn any device into a big screen experience. 

A convenient, wireless charging dock

Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad, $38.84, available at Amazon

Sure, you could give them a regular charging cord to juice up their phone, but a wireless charging pad is undeniably cooler. This is one of our favorites for its compatibility with many iPhone and Android models, speedy charging abilities, and minimalist design that looks nice in their space.

A turntable with modern specs

Audio Technica Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo, $99, available at Amazon

This makes a thoughtful gift for the vinyl aficionado in your life. They can plug this turntable into speakers of their choice to hear that clean, authentic sound that you really can only get with vinyl. Your loved one will thank you for helping them finally put that old record collection to use. 

Holding out for a PlayStation 4 this holiday? Perhaps you're waiting on a killer Xbox One X deal? Or maybe you just want to complete your set of both major game consoles from Sony and Microsoft?

No matter who you are, there are great deals to be found on every model of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this holiday — from the base level PlayStation 4 "Slim" and Xbox One S to the super-powerful/super-expensive Xbox One X. 

Here's everything you need to know to be ready for this year's biggest Black Friday video game console deals:

SEE ALSO: Xbox announced a bunch of new stuff over the weekend — here are the 8 things to get excited about

1. The PlayStation 4 with a free copy of "Spider-Man" is maybe the best deal of all this holiday.

The PlayStation 4 usually costs somewhere in the ballpark of $300. You can find them with games included for a slightly better deal, and you can buy used PS4 consoles that cost less — but the general price for a new PlayStation 4 is about $300.

During the week of November 18 to November 26, that price is dropping by $100 outright. 

To be clear: You can buy a PlayStation 4 for just $200 during the week of Black Friday. 

That alone is a super good deal; that it comes with one of the best games of 2018 is a huge bonus. "Spider-Man" on PlayStation 4 is excellent— a game that anyone with a PlayStation 4 should play regardless of their interest in the comic books/movies of the same name. 

There are a bunch of other great deals from Sony, from game discounts to PlayStation VR bundle discounts. Check out the full video from Sony right here:

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2. The Xbox One X for $400 is the first major discount on the most powerful home game console available.

The Xbox One X — the beefed-up version of the Xbox One released just last year — is a powerhouse. It's whisper quiet, capable of producing 4K visuals, and shockingly tiny. It's also very expensive, starting at $500 without any games included.

But during Microsoft's Black Friday sales week, November 18 to November 26, the console is getting its first major price drop: You can snag the Xbox One X for just $400.

Still expensive? Yes! But significantly less expensive than it once was.

• The head of US Indo-Pacific command recently accused China of building a "great wall of [surface-to-air missiles]" in the South China Sea.
• Despite the deployment of Chinese military equipment to the strategic waterway, the US continues to fly and sail through the South China Sea.
• A pair of US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers reportedly flew past Chinese-occupied territories in the South China Sea Monday.

Two US heavy long-range bombers tore past Chinese-occupied territories in the contested South China Sea Monday, demonstrating America's determination to continue its activities in the region despite China's militarization of disputed areas.

A pair of US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress out of Andersen Air Force Base on Guam conducted a routine training mission in the vicinity of the South China Sea, Pacific Air Forces told CNN Tuesday, explaining that the "recent mission is consistent with international law and United States' long-standing commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The US military regularly sends bombers through the contested waterway in support of the deterrence-oriented Continuous Bomber Presence mission. China, which claims the majority of the South China Sea, tends to typically react with sharp criticism of US activities, even when the US is simply transiting planes from its bases across the Pacific. 

Beijing has previously called these flights "provocative," accusing the US of militarizing the region, a counter to US accusations.

China has deployed surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), electronic jamming equipment, and anti-ship missiles to military outposts in the South China Sea, allowing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to keep US ships and planes in the region under threat of missile fires that outrange them any time they operate in the strategic waterway.

Deployments, according to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, include HQ-9 SAMs and YJ-12 and YJ-62 anti-ship missiles, among other weapons systems.

"The PLA secretly deployed anti-ship missiles, electronic jammers, and surface to air missiles," Admiral Phil Davidson, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, said last week at the Halifax International Security Forum.

"So, what was a 'Great Wall of Sand' just three years ago is now a 'Great Wall of SAMs' in the South China Sea," he said, stressing that these developments give China "the potential to exert national control over international waters and airspace through which over three trillion dollars in goods travel every year, along with commercial air traffic, as well as information and financial data through undersea cables."

China has demonstrated increased resistance to US military activities in the region, especially near Chinese-occupied territories.

A Chinese warship confronted a US Navy destroyer during a routine freedom-of-navigation operation in the Spratly Islands in September. The Chinese naval vessel nearly collided with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur in an incident widely considered China's most aggressive response to a a US ship to date.

Despite escalated tensions in the South China Sea, the US and Chinese militaries are attempting to restore relations through military exchanges. Following a visit by Chinese military personnel to the USS Ronald Reagan, the aircraft carrier and several of its escort ships made a port call in Hong Kong Tuesday.

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Apple doesn't usually have its own Black Friday deals for iPhones, but stores that sell iPhones do.

For the most part, Black Friday iPhone "discounts" from stores like Target and Walmart come in the form of a gift card that you can use at that store. Meanwhile, Best Buy offers a direct discount for certain iPhones, but it isn't as much as the gift cards you'd get at other stores.

You'll have to figure out for yourself whether you shop often enough at certain stores to make gift cards worth it, or whether you'd rather take the smaller direct discount.

Alternatively, there's always Apple's Refurbished iPhone Store, where you can get discounted used iPhones that Apple has refurbished.

Check out the 2018 Black Friday deals for the iPhone:

SEE ALSO: Bose's $350 noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have if you want to live in a quieter world – and they sound great, too

iPhone XS

Target: Get a $250 Target gift card when you activate with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, from 7 a.m. on Friday to Sunday. Target REDcard holders can get early access starting on November 11.

Walmart: $0 down and get a $300 gift card when purchased with AT&T Next, Sprint, or Verizon device-payment plans. Begins 6 p.m. on Thursday for in-store purchases or Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET for online purchases.

Best Buy: Up to $150 off with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint activation. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

iPhone XS Max

Target: Get a $250 Target gift card when you activate with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, from 7 a.m. Friday to Sunday.

Walmart: $0 down and get a $300 gift card when purchased with AT&T Next, Sprint, or Verizon device-payment plans. Begins 6 p.m. on Thursday for in-store purchases or Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET for online purchases.

Best Buy: Up to $150 off with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint activation. Doors open at 5 p.m. Thursday.

iPhone XR

Walmart: $0 down and get a $300 gift card when purchased with AT&T Next, Sprint, or Verizon device-payment plans. Begins 6 p.m. on Thursday for in-store purchases or Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET for online purchases.

Best Buy: Up to $150 off with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint activation. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

T-Mobile: Free iPhone XR when you add another line to your T-Mobile account and trade in an eligible device, including iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, and X. New T-Mobile customers need to activate two lines as well as trade in an eligible device.

• Nintendo won't be offering any major deals on the Nintendo Switch, even though the video game console is likely to be one of the most searched-for items this holiday season.
• The company's best Black Friday deal is a new bundle, which includes the console and a copy of "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" for $300. A new Switch console is usually $300 alone, so the deal is essentially for a free copy of "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," which normally sells for $60.
• Some stores, like GameStop and Kohl's, are offering additional cash back with the purchase of a new Switch — but those are limited to Black Friday doorbuster deals, so be advised.
• Nintendo also sells refurbished Switch consoles year-round for $275, a slight discount.

For the second year in a row, the Nintendo Switch is expected to be one of the most sought-after tech gifts of the holiday season — but Nintendo still isn't ready to start offering deep discounts on its newest video game console.

For Black Friday 2018, Nintendo is offering a new Switch bundle with the console and a copy of "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" for $300. The deal essentially offers the Switch at its regular price of $300 and adds a free game, which would normally cost $60. For most Switch shoppers, this will be your best bet.

That's not a bad deal. But the main competitors to the Switch, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, will be on sale for $200 with a free game during the holidays. For $200, you can get a PlayStation 4 console with the sensational "Marvel's Spider-Man" or an Xbox One S console bundled with "Minecraft" and some extras. Those bundles are available now.

Nintendo is known for its reluctance to drop prices. But after a relatively slow year for the Switch, which didn't see many big-ticket exclusive releases, a juicier Black Friday sale could've perhaps brought even more attention to the young console in the holiday season.

Of note: Nintendo is also offering a $360 bundle consisting of the Switch console as well as copies of "Mario Tennis Aces" and the party-game oddity "1-2-Switch." Given that the console is $300, "Mario Tennis Aces" is $60, and "1-2-Switch" is $40 or so, it's a decent deal — but by most reports, "1-2-Switch" isn't necessarily worth your time.

Nintendo doesn't appear to be offering sale prices for any of its first-party Switch games either, including best-selling titles from last year like "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Super Mario Odyssey." That said, Nintendo is known to introduce last-second sales on digital-download games on Black Friday itself, so stay tuned.

Read more:The Nintendo Switch is having a surprisingly weak 2nd year

For those still interested in buying a Switch, GameStop and Kohl's are offering some additional cash-back sweeteners on new Switch bundles purchased only on Black Friday — so get ready to brave the crowds if you want these offers.

GameStop is offering a $50 gift card with a purchase of the "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" bundle, which is almost enough for a second game. Kohl's is selling the Nintendo Switch on its own with a Turtle Beach headset and carrying case for $329, with $90 in Kohl's Cash as a bonus. The Kohl's Cash functions as a gift card but cannot be used on the same day of the purchase, making it a good deal for the frequent Kohl's shopper.

If you're willing to buy a used system, Nintendo offers refurbished Switch consoles for $275, plus shipping. Refurbished Switch consoles come with a guarantee from Nintendo and carry a one-year manufacturer's warranty. One Business Insider reporter, Antonio Villas-Boas, ordered a refurbished Switch in September and was thoroughly satisfied with his experience.

SEE ALSO: I bought a used Nintendo Switch console that was refurbished by Nintendo, and I'm happy I didn't buy it new

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• Starting Friday — a week before Black Friday — Amazon is offering promotions on its new Echo Dot, which debuted in September.
• The Echo Dot has been Amazon's best-selling Echo Device, and Amazon says it's the best-selling smart speaker ever. 
• The new Echo Dot is said to be 70% louder than the first-generation version, and boasts a new, fabric-coated design. But the reason why people seem to love the Echo Dot so much probably has to do with its small footprint and unobtrusive looks.

Starting Friday, Amazon is offering incredible deals on its best-selling smart speaker, the Echo Dot. 

Amazon debuted a redesigned version of the Echo Dot in September. Both the old version and the new version typically cost $50, but starting Friday, Amazon is offering a steal: three Echo Dots for $69.97.

If you're trying to do the mental math, that's a savings of $80. 

Amazon has offered deals on the Echo Dot in the past. Sometimes, you can get one free with the purchase of another Echo device; other times, Amazon will knock $10 or $20 off the price. 

But if you were thinking of buying a few Echo Dots as gifts, it's hard to beat 80 bucks off. 

If you're not swayed by this deal, you can wait until Black Friday actually kicks off: starting November 22, Amazon will sell the new Echo Dot for $24, or more than 50% off. 

Read more: Amazon revamped its most powerful Echo, the $150 Echo Plus — here's how it compares to the old version

What makes the new Echo Dot so great, anyway? 

The new Echo Dot has a lot of similarities to the first-generation speaker. Still, there are a few improvements that make it worth the money.

Amazon says that the new Echo Dot is 70% louder than the previous model. The updated Echo Dot also has a new mic array so you can hear everything more clearly — the device doesn't just have boosted volume, but louder sound "with lower distortion and enhanced bass reproduction."

Additionally, it sports a new fabric-covered design — a design that, it should be noted, makes it look a lot like Google's Home Mini smart speaker.

Otherwise, not much has changed. Just like the previous version, you can ask the new Echo Dot random questions, command it to play music, check the news and weather, set timers and alarms, and even order stuff from Amazon — all of that is powered by Amazon's voice assistant, Alexa. 

But the reason why people seem to love the Echo Dot so much — Amazon says it's the "best-selling smart speaker ever"— probably has to do with its small footprint and unobtrusive looks. It's about the size of a hockey puck, which means you can put it virtually anywhere in your home — or even your car. And it doesn't have a screen or a camera, which likely makes it feel slightly less invasive than other Echo devices, like the Echo Show or Echo Spot.

Plus, it's hard to beat the price (although Google sells its competing Home Mini for about the same amount of money).

If you want to try it for yourself — or gift it to loved ones — you can order an Echo Dot (or three) on Amazon's website.

SEE ALSO: It looks like Amazon has recruited Alexa for its plan to rename an entire neighborhood in Virginia

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It's almost time to start shopping for holiday tech gifts, but don't worry — Oprah has you covered. 

The mogul released her annual list of "favorite things" on Wednesday, and it includes a bevy of very giftable items, from clothes to cook wear to gifts for you pet — and even tech gadgets. 

Oprah's list includes a few flagship products that were released in 2018, like the iPhone XR and the Apple Watch Series 4. But it also includes a few items you may not have otherwise come across, like a panic button that attaches to your smartphone. 

Here are the 10 tech gadgets Oprah recommends for 2018: 

SEE ALSO: Google's new $150 Home Hub does a lot of things you probably don't need — but it has one feature that automatically makes the price tag worth it

10. Katana Safety Arc

The Katana Safety Arc is a personal alarm system that attaches to your smartphone. It comes equipped with two alarms: one is an audible siren, and the other is a silent alert button. The alerts will then bypass your lock screen and contact Katana's subscription service, which will in turn alert the police or your emergency contacts. 

The device costs $100, comes in 10 colors, and is available on Amazon. 

9. Ricoh Theta SC 360 camera

Ricoh's Theta camera takes 360-degree photos and videos, works with both Android and iOS devices, and has an optional weatherproof case for shooting outdoors. 

Oprah recommends trying it in "stadiums, gymnasiums, or any other vast space" to get the full effect. 

The camera costs $179.95 right now and is available on Amazon. 

8. Lumos smart bike helmet

The Lumos smart bike helmet is intended to make bikers more visible on the road. It's outfitted with LED lights: 10 on the front, 38 on the back, and 11 for both turn signals. Plus, it comes with a remote for your handlebars that lets you safely turn on your turn signal.  

Lumos says the battery will last about six hours on flashing mode and three hours on solid mode. 

The helmet costs $179 and is available on Amazon.

With the Fitbit Versa, Fitbit has created a near-perfect smartwatch.

The $200 Versa — now on sale for $149.95 for Black Friday— is Fitbit's second "true smartwatch." It has Fitbit's fitness tracking built in, along with a touchscreen that provides on-watch workouts, call, and text alerts, and in-depth fitness stats.

I tried Fitbit Versa for a little under a week, testing whether it held up to Fitbit's claims of four-day battery life (it did!) and whether it could be a more accessible, lower-cost option than the Apple Watch.

After several days of wearing Fitbit Versa nearly nonstop, I can say it's Fitbit's best wearable yet, and one of my favorite smartwatches I've ever tried.

Take a look at the Fitbit Versa, and why I like it more than the Apple Watch:

SEE ALSO: 6 reasons you should buy Samsung's new Galaxy S9 instead of the Galaxy Note 8

Fitbit says the Versa was designed with smaller wrists in mind, and it shows.

What immediately struck me about the Fitbit Versa was that I actually enjoyed wearing it. The watch is incredibly lightweight, so running with it or even wearing it to bed wasn't uncomfortable.

Typically, after wearing a watch on my wrist for long periods, it starts to feel constricting. When I come home at the end of the day, I can't wait to take it off. But I never felt that way while wearing Fitbit Versa. I slept with the watch on one night — something I never, ever do — and it was perfectly comfortable. 

And while you can't really tell from the photos, Fitbit Versa is smaller and better designed for thin wrists. I never felt like the watch overwhelmed my wrist or looked like I was wearing a man's watch. On the flip side, it's not overly feminine. I tried the black version of the Versa, and it would work just as well for men. 

The overall design does look ... familiar.

One thing that has to be said about the Fitbit Versa's design: It looks just like an Apple Watch at first glance. I know this because more than once while testing it, someone said, "Oh, you're using an Apple Watch?"

I feel conflicted about that similarity. On the one hand, it's smart thinking. Analysts estimate that Apple is the biggest watchmaker in the world, outselling Rolex, Omega, and Swatch combined. Why wouldn't Fitbit want a piece of that? (Plus, Fitbit's first watch — Fitbit Ionic— wasn't exactly great-looking, so the Versa is a welcome change.)

On the other hand, the design feels lazy. I've never loved the design of the Apple Watch to begin with, and Fitbit's version is only marginally better.

The band went a long way toward making Fitbit Versa feel more high end than its price tag.

I tried the Fitbit Versa in black with a metal mesh band for everyday wear and a white classic band for working out.

The metal mesh band instantly elevated the watch. It didn't look so much like a fitness tracker, but rather a fashionable watch that I was happy to wear every day.

I was worried that Fitbit Versa would feel cheap, especially since it's so lightweight and reasonably priced. But the watch is sturdy and well made, and the stylish accessories helped it look and feel high end.

• Kevin Jonas has been married for nine years. 
• His brothers, Nick and Joe, are both engaged.
• Kevin says they bothered him about his wedding planning, but understand what he was going through as they plan their own. 

Nick and Joe Jonas are soon joining Kevin Jonas as married members of the family. 

In an interview with Access, Kevin, 31, spoke about how his younger brothers now understand his reactions and emotions during wedding planning as they start to plan their own. 

"They gave me such a hard time when I was planning my wedding with Danielle," Kevin said. "I totally became a groomzilla, but they totally get it now. They understand the excitement and the level of stress and all the stuff I was dealing with."

Kevin married Danielle Deleasa in 2009. The couple has two daughters, 4-year-old Alena and 2-year-old Valentina. 

Joe, 29, became engaged to "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner, 22, in October 2017.

Read more: Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas got another set of matching tattoos — and the nod to 'Toy Story' is their most romantic ink yet

Nick, 26, and Priyanka Chopra, 36, officially announced their engagement in August 2018 after roughly three months of dating.

Read more: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas attended a party wearing coordinating, traditional Indian garments — here's a complete timeline of their relationship

As his younger brothers are in the planning stages, Kevin says he gets to stay calm.

"It's pretty exciting," he said. "I can just attend and hang out. It will be great."

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