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Best Buy Provides $500 Off on Robust Previous Generation Samsung Tablet Following Prime Day

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Continues to Impress, But This Offer Expires on Sunday

Prime Day has wrapped up, but tech fans still have a chance to grab an incredible deal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra at Best Buy’s Black Friday in July event. This weekend, smart shoppers can take advantage of a hefty $500 savings on this powerful last-gen tablet, which comes with the first-party S Pen stylus. Originally listed at $1,199.99, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is now priced at only $699.99, making it a tempting choice for those in search of a top-tier tablet experience.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra features a gorgeous 14.6-inch screen, ideal for work, studying, or entertainment. At launch, it was the most powerful tablet offered by Samsung, and it continues to excel in both performance and features. The 256GB model offers plenty of storage for most users, while a microSD slot allows for additional space when needed.

This exclusive deal from Best Buy is a unique chance to acquire a high-performance tablet at a significantly lowered price. The S9 Ultra is powered by a formidable processor, features a vibrant AMOLED display, and is equipped with a huge 11,200mAh battery supporting 45W fast charging. These attributes guarantee a smooth user experience, whether you’re multitasking, streaming media, or running resource-heavy applications.

However, prompt action is crucial, as this offer will end on Sunday. For those who value a large, visually appealing screen and need a tablet adept at handling demanding tasks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a top recommendation. Conversely, if you are contemplating an upgrade to the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra or require functionalities like cellular connectivity and a headphone jack, it may be wise to consider other alternatives.

In summary, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra remains a strong player in the tablet arena, delivering outstanding performance and features at a remarkable price point. Don’t let this chance slip away to own a high-end tablet for a fraction of its original price. Check out Best Buy’s website to take advantage of this deal before it concludes on Sunday.

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Indie App Highlight: ‘Timescape’ Delivers All-Inclusive Year-Round Calendar Organization

# Indie App Spotlight: Timescape – Your Annual Planner

Organizing events can be challenging. Timescape strives to simplify that by offering a comprehensive view of your entire year, making it easier to identify long-term commitments you may have set.

## Key Features

While there are many calendar applications available on the App Store, Timescape differentiates itself with an exclusive all-year calendar perspective. It boasts a highly efficient user interface that allows you to see every date at a glance, free from cramped text or sparse indicators.

It’s often easy to overlook an event that was scheduled far in advance. That’s the issue Timescape addresses. It is intentionally designed to provide a wide-angle calendar view, helping users maintain awareness of their entire schedule.

When you click on dates within Timescape, a small bar at the bottom reveals the details of events for that day. You can also add new events directly from that bar. This small event ribbon at the bottom keeps your yearly calendar visible at all times.

Additionally, Timescape permits you to swipe between years, allowing for further advanced planning if desired. The app comes equipped with calendar filters, granting you the ability to exclude specific calendars from syncing with Timescape if you choose.

## Download the App

Timescape is priced at $0.99/month or $7.99/year, with a 7-day free trial option available. While the annual subscription saves money, the developers suggest using the monthly option temporarily for sporadic planning. You can download it on the App Store [here](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/timescape-year-planner/id6744339214).

**My top accessory suggestions for Apple:**

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Factors Influencing the Shift in Moonlight Colors

Blue moons and blood moons are intriguing astronomical events that draw the attention of observers globally. While certain lunar names, such as the strawberry moon, are associated with terrestrial occurrences like the strawberry gathering, the variations in moonlight color often appear enigmatic. Nonetheless, this is a result of the Moon reflecting sunlight instead of producing its own light.

The surface of the Moon, mainly made up of gray anorthosite rock, uniformly absorbs and reflects sunlight, resulting in a grayish-white look. However, the atmosphere of Earth is essential in changing the color of moonlight as it travels to our eyes. When the Moon is positioned high in the sky, the path of light through the atmosphere is brief, allowing most of the white light to reach us. On the other hand, when the Moon is close to the horizon, the light passes through a thicker layer of atmosphere, scattering various wavelengths and changing the observed color.

During a blood moon or lunar eclipse, the atmosphere of Earth absorbs blue light wavelengths, permitting only red and orange wavelengths to reach the Moon and reflect back to Earth, imparting a reddish tint. This occurrence underscores the intricacies of light and its influence on how we perceive celestial phenomena, providing understanding into the science that governs our universe.

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Assessing the Acquisition of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 seems to encompass everything we desired in a Samsung flip smartphone. However, appearances can be misleading…

Following numerous leaks and speculations, Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Flip 7 has arrived, delivering a host of design and software enhancements. Like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it feels as though Samsung has something to demonstrate with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and its striking yet recognizable design indicates that it does listen to users… at least to some extent.

There’s certainly much to appreciate about the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but there are notable uncertainties. This includes transitioning to a different chipset, even though Samsung’s other devices this year utilize Qualcomm’s latest, along with Samsung’s determination to diverge from Motorola’s approach regarding the management of the newly enlarged cover screen.

So, is it advisable to purchase the Galaxy Z Flip 7? Should you consider the more affordable Galaxy Z Flip FE or perhaps last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 6? Or should you forego Samsung’s flip phone entirely and opt for the Motorola Razr instead? Let’s analyze it.

Let’s cover the essentials

As of this writing, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is open for preorder and will be available in stores starting July 25. The phone is priced from $1,099 for the 256GB version, which matches the starting price of last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 6, while the 512GB version is available for $1,219. Nonetheless, there are numerous preorder promotions for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, including one from Amazon offering a free storage upgrade and a $200 gift card.

Here’s a summary of the specifications:

| Category | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 |
|———-|————————-|
| Display | 6.9-inch, 2520 x 1080, FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO (1-120Hz) |
| Cover display | 4.1-inch Super AMOLED, 60/120Hz, 948 x 1048 |
| Operating System | Android 16 (One UI 8) |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 2500 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Camera 1 | 50MP, f/1.8 wide |
| Rear Camera 2 | 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide |
| Front-facing Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 wide |
| Battery | 4,300mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired charging, 10W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging |
| Weight | 188g |
| Dimensions (folded) | 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 166.7 x 752.2 x 6.2 mm |
| Protection | IP48 |
| Colors | Blue Shadow, Jetblack, Coralred |

Significant design modifications

While much of the focus has been on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for achieving an ultra-thin design, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is also slimmer than its predecessor, despite housing a bigger battery. This is partially due to a revamped hinge, which is more slender and durable. In fact, Samsung claims the Z Flip 7 is 1.1mm thinner than the Galaxy S23 when opened. It’s an impressive accomplishment and one that arguably is more relevant for flip phones than foldables.

Due to the limited internal space in flip phones, fitting a large battery is quite challenging. Moreover, folding them creates increased vertical compactness, which is beneficial, but it also doubles the thickness relative to a standard smartphone. This is why a slimmer design is always preferable, as it ensures that Galaxy Z Flip 7 cases won’t feel excessively bulky when the device is closed.

For this reason alone, I have a strong appreciation for what Samsung has achieved with this phone.

From an aesthetic perspective, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is visually appealing, and while not every color choice is a standout, there is a selection for everyone. Personally, I find the Mint and JetBlack variants somewhat lackluster, but the CoralRed and Navy color options clearly excel, posing a challenge to Motorola’s more vibrant devices.

The cover screen we desired… nearly

Along with a sleeker profile and improved colors, Samsung has drawn inspiration from Motorola and introduced a significantly larger cover screen. Spanning the entire upper half of the phone, the external display measures 4.1 inches, which is slightly bigger than the cover screen on the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025.

This is advantageous as it provides more space for content on the cover screen, from selfie previews to app panels, and beyond. It will also enhance the visual flow and overall experience.

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Anticipated Release of iPhone 17e: Latest Insights and Anticipations

Apple has been investigating the idea of a cost-effective iPhone for multiple years, with varying levels of achievement. The iPhone 5c, introduced in 2013, marked Apple’s initial effort to provide a more affordable option to the iPhone 5s, although it fell short of significant sales. After that, the iPhone SE series was unveiled, generally refreshed every three years. Recent information points to a more budget-friendly iPhone possibly becoming a regular feature in Apple’s offerings.

The recent unveiling of the iPhone 16e has ignited speculation regarding the possibility of an annual launch of budget iPhones. A report from Bloomberg suggests that this pattern is likely to persist, prompting inquiries about the features and specifications of the forthcoming iPhone 17e, anticipated to launch in spring 2026.

### iPhone 17e Upgrades

The main upgrade expected for the iPhone 17e is the chipset, which will shift from the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 to the new A19 chip. This improvement is predicted to boost performance and facilitate future developments in Apple’s technology, especially in artificial intelligence.

At present, there are few rumors about further features for the iPhone 17e. It is likely to keep the design of the iPhone 16e, showcasing a single 48MP camera and a notch for Face ID. While many users wish for the addition of Dynamic Island, it remains uncertain whether this will be included in the new model.

There is conjecture that the iPhone 17e could be the first device to feature the C2 modem, although reports indicate this technology may launch with the iPhone 18 later in the year.

### Release Date

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17e is scheduled to be released in spring 2026, alongside various other new Apple products, such as updated MacBook Pros, new iPads, and an external monitor for Macs. Gurman highlights that the iPhone 17e will closely resemble the 16e but will include the upgraded A19 processor.

In conclusion, the iPhone 17e is expected to deliver minor upgrades, primarily centered on performance improvements, while preserving the design features of its predecessor. As Apple continues to refine its approach to budget-friendly devices, the iPhone 17e may be instrumental in attracting a wider audience.

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HP Chromebook Reduced by $270 for Best Buy’s Anti-Prime Day Sale This Weekend

Only $180 for this HP Chromebook featuring a 15.6-inch display.

(Image credit: HP)

It’s the time for budget-friendly Chromebook offers, even after Prime Day has passed. A variety of discounts remain available from other retailers, like Best Buy, which has decided to reduce the price of this 15.6-inch HP Chromebook by $270 for the weekend.

This 15.6-inch HP Chromebook is available for just $180 and comes with 64GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, and features the intuitive Chrome OS. Although it is definitely an entry-level laptop and may not match the performance of high-end models, it’s an excellent option for anyone seeking an economical device for browsing the internet and performing light tasks.

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The Evolution of Android Throughout the Years

It began as an operating system for your camera.

(Image credit: Jerry Hildenbrand / Android Central)

The evolution of Android from a small startup’s idea to the most widespread mobile operating system is a reflection of ongoing innovation and transformation. This significant change commenced even before its public launch, rooted in Google’s strategic purchase of Android Inc. in 2005.

Android & Chill

(Image credit: Future)

Among the web’s longest-lasting tech columns, Android & Chill offers your Saturday talks about Android, Google, and all aspects of technology.

In the years following that crucial acquisition, Android has not just reflected but frequently influenced the swift advancement of mobile technology, dramatically changing how we engage with our digital environment. Let’s examine the key developments in Android since Google’s takeover, emphasizing the changing relationship between devices and consumer expectations,

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Company Provides Resolution to Preserve NASA’s Mars Sample Return Initiative

Lockheed Martin is attempting to establish itself as a rescuer for numerous NASA initiatives currently at risk due to the actions of the Trump administration. The administration has already outlined significant budget reductions for NASA, potentially leading to a complete halt of the Mars Sample Return mission, which Perseverance has been diligently working on for several years.

Nevertheless, Lockheed Martin — the same corporation recognized for its substantial involvement in the defense sector of the United States — has devised a fixed budget strategy to save the Sample Return mission and recover the collections that Perseverance has already obtained.

Throughout the years, NASA has encountered difficulties in bringing its Mars exploration ambitions to fruition. While the notion of the Mars Sample Return mission was commendable, its actual implementation has not been seamless, with the costs frequently soaring well above the original estimates from years ago when the mission commenced. The figures have fluctuated so dramatically that, even prior to the Trump administration’s unexpected budget reductions, NASA was already contemplating the potential cancellation of the MSR or seeking less expensive alternatives. Fortunately, those cuts appear to have been halted for the time being, but it does not imply that NASA is out of the woods just yet.

However, Lockheed Martin’s proposal could render that unnecessary. Based on an extensive article and video posted on Lockheed Martin’s website, the company has identified at least one method to use existing resources and vehicles to accomplish NASA’s costly Mars Sample Return mission. Furthermore, the company claims it could execute the plan for $3 billion, which is less than half of NASA’s current $7 billion estimate.

If accurate, this could provide NASA the assistance it requires to realign the Mars Sample Return mission. While Trump and others have renewed their emphasis on actually sending humans to Mars, gaining a deeper understanding of the Red Planet is essential for survival and establishing a sustainable human colony there. This is why these samples hold great significance.

They could ultimately aid in resolving crucial questions regarding the history of water on Mars and identifying the optimal locations for landing and colonization. Of course, NASA and the U.S. government must first approve all of this. However, it’s at least a solid proposal for the influential figures to contemplate in the interim. With a bit of fortune, we may witness the plans to scrap the Mars Sample Return being reversed. That would be a remarkable outcome to witness.

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Blackpink Partners with Google Maps for Deadline World Tour Directions

Blinks, the official fanbase of Blackpink, are enthusiastically waiting for the Deadline World Tour in the US, commencing this weekend. After launching in South Korea, Blackpink will be touring North America and Europe from July to September.

Fans with tickets are well-equipped, but Blackpink is elevating the experience by collaborating with Google Maps. Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa invite fans to utilize Google Maps for finding their way to the shows. Google Maps continues to be a premier resource for accessing local venues, providing driving and public transit options, live traffic updates, and integrated transit modes for seamless travel.

While many will be using Google Maps on their mobile devices, desktop users will discover a unique Easter egg. Searching for upcoming venues (SoFi Stadium, Soldier Field, and Citi Field) on Google Maps desktop unveils a Blink substituting the regular Pegman in Street View, in honor of the tour.

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