Popular pharmacy chain CVS has been hit with a lawsuit that alleges the company sold data from customers who shopped on its websites (cvs.com and cvshealth.com) or the mobile app. 

The lawsuit alleges that CVS disclosed private health information, browsing data and more from users to advertising company Criteo and other third parties, though the pharmacy denies any wrongdoing. It has settled to the tune of $20.5 million to avoid additional expenses by continuing the lawsuit and other business disruptions. 

Email notifications (PDF) for potential class members were sent out earlier in September, but the deadline to submit the claim form is Nov. 16, 2026. If you’ve ever shopped on any of the CVS websites or mobile apps prior to July 27, 2026, you’re considered eligible to receive payment, but you must still submit a claim. 

According to the official settlement website, customers who submit a claim without documentation may receive up to $5, and those who submit a claim with valid documentation of belonging to the class may receive up to $10, but the amount may be reduced depending on the number of valid claims submitted. 

As is typical with class action lawsuits, potential class members may also opt out of the settlement. Opting out of the settlement will prevent payment, but will allow you to maintain your rights to directly sue the company yourself. The final date to opt out of the settlement is Nov. 1, 2026.

The final hearing is set to take place on Dec. 1, 2026, and if the court approves the settlement, payments will be issued 120 days after approval. Class members can be paid via check, PayPal, Venmo or Zelle.

Blake has over a decade of experience writing for the web, with a focus on mobile phones, where he covered the smartphone boom of the 2010s and the broader tech scene. When he’s not in front of a keyboard, you’ll most likely find him playing video games or watching horror movies.

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Black Friday 2026 lands on November 27. Phone pricing tends to see some of the sharpest movement of the entire year during this window. Refurbished listings for recent flagship models typically see the steepest cuts, since new-device pricing stays firm for months after launch. Resale inventory also grows once trade-ins pick up. Here’s a breakdown of what’s worth watching across the iPhone and Galaxy lineups.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro specs and refurbished pricing

Anyone tracking iPhone Black Friday pricing should watch the iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max specifically. All three models see meaningful refurbished discounts once a new generation launches. The iPhone 16 runs on Apple’s A18 chip. It pairs with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and a 48-megapixel main camera with a secondary ultra-wide lens. Storage options run from 128GB to 512GB. The phone supports 5G connectivity across sub-6GHz and mmWave bands depending on the region.

The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max both carry the A17 Pro chip, built on a 3-nanometer process. They feature a titanium frame, which cut weight compared to the stainless steel design of prior Pro models. The camera system includes a 48-megapixel main sensor with 3x optical zoom on the telephoto lens. Refurbished pricing on both models tends to sit well below the 16s, given the extra year of depreciation, with the Pro Max carrying the widest gap due to its higher original retail price.

The best Black Friday phone deals this year tend to favor buyers who skip the newest chip. Refurbished iPhone 16 and 15 Pro listings deliver comparable specs to new retail units at a lower price point. Condition grading is attached to each listing, so buyers know exactly what they’re purchasing before checkout.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Specs Worth Comparing

The Galaxy S25 Ultra pairs a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with a 6.9-inch AMOLED display. The display runs at a 120Hz refresh rate. It includes a 200-megapixel main camera and a built-in S Pen stylus. Battery capacity sits at 5,000mAh. The phone supports up to 1TB of internal storage on higher-tier configurations.

Refurbished S25 Ultra units tend to hold value better than most competing flagships. This is largely due to strong resale demand tied to the S Pen feature set, which has no direct equivalent in Apple’s current lineup. Buyers comparing Samsung against iPhone will often find the price gap between refurbished and new narrows less on the S25 Ultra than it does on comparable Apple models.

Why sim-free refurbished phones are the smartest Black Friday deal

Sim-free refurbished phones remove the pricing structure carriers build around multi-year contracts. A discount only unlocks through a locked-in monthly plan in that structure. A SIM-free device shows its cost upfront, without a bundled service fee obscuring the price. This distinction matters most during Black Friday. Carrier promotions frequently advertise markdowns that only apply within a two-year commitment.

Refurbished vs New: What’s the difference

Refurbished and new devices have the same hardware specs. Refurbishment is a cosmetic condition and battery health, not internals. Each device sold through a reputable refurbished marketplace is inspected. They are graded and listed for sale after testing for screen condition, battery capacity, and full functionality. Back Market is a leading global marketplace for verified refurbished electronics. Its grading system covers each of these categories, with a warranty attached regardless of the condition tier selected.

How to choose the right phone deal on Black Friday

Choosing well comes down to comparing storage tier, condition grade, and warranty length side by side. The size of the advertised discount matters less than these three factors. The price difference between Excellent and Good condition units frequently exceeds the gap between refurbished and new at the same storage tier. This makes the condition grade the most important variable to check first. Confirming warranty terms before purchase remains the clearest way to separate a solid deal from one that only looks favorable at first glance.

In Guadalajara, Mexico, many high schools have motivated teachers and talented students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but they lack access to advanced tools such as robotics laboratories. The resources shortfall limits the students’ opportunities for hands-on learning on cutting-edge applications.

A team from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, is working to change that. Through the EPICS in IEEE initiative, a multidisciplinary group of 15 engineering students, faculty advisors, and IEEE Guadalajara Section volunteers developed RoboMeshA. The portable, self-contained educational platform brings robotics and AI experiences into classrooms.

EPICS is administered by IEEE Educational Activities and funded by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.

A mobile laboratory

Rather than requiring a school to build a dedicated computer lab or install complex software, RoboMeshA operates as an all-in-one mobile learning network.

“RoboMeshA brings robotics and AI to students who don’t have access to specialized facilities or preinstalled software,” says team member Fernando Vidal Luna, an IEEE student member and a mechatronics engineering major at ITESO.

Students connect directly to the platform from a user-friendly web browser. They can interact with the robot manually or use its control modes to watch it move and detect and avoid obstacles.

“The project combines mechanical design, embedded systems, control engineering, computer vision, and AI into a single robotic system that functions as a mobile learning laboratory,” says faculty advisor Jorge A. Lizarraga.

The team says young students are interested in technology, programming, and robotics but don’t have an opportunity to work with systems that combine mechanics, electronics, software, and control.

“RoboMeshA allows students to see how all these disciplines work together in a tangible and understandable way,” says team member José S. González, who also is studying mechatronics engineering.

The team has built two units and is developing a modular coupling framework to expand the system’s capabilities for research and classroom demonstrations. The structured system design approach connects independent software components while minimizing internal dependencies, enabling four RobotMeshA robots to operate together.

Overcoming design challenges

The team faced significant hurdles while designing the project.

“One key challenge involved the robot’s structural design,” Luna says. “It wasn’t only about making a chassis where all the components fit and the design had sufficient stability, rigidity, and weight distribution. It was also about ensuring that the electronics were protected while still being accessible for maintenance, testing, and modifications.”

“It was also challenging to design a platform that could be used by students with different levels of experience,” González adds.

“When students realize the technology they develop can inspire others and improve lives, engineering becomes far more meaningful.” —Luis Fernando Luque-Vega

The team partnered with the CETI Colomos and Prepa ITESO high schools to validate the platform in classroom settings.

“We wanted the first interactions with the robot to be simple and intuitive,” González says, “such that students could simply power the robot, connect to its network, and begin interacting with it, rather than having to deal with software installation, extensive configuration, or troubleshooting.”

Engineering with social impact

Many of the students who participated were from ITESO’s applied professional projects program. The experience offered them practical training in project management, system integration, and user-centered design.

The team also presented a research paper and a project poster in May at the Engineering Congress of the Jesuit University System.

“Seeing a design move from a digital model to a physical system was invaluable,” González says. “Working with students from different backgrounds taught us to listen to end users and design for their actual needs.”

Project lead Luis Fernando Luque-Vega, an IEEE member, says he’d like the venture to serve as a blueprint for engineering education.

“I hope RoboMeshA is adopted by schools, universities, and IEEE student branches across Mexico and internationally as a model for integrating technical innovation with community engagement,” Luque-Vega says.

By pairing engineering talent with community service, initiatives such as EPICS in IEEE demonstrate how targeted support can turn academic concepts into real-world solutions.

“When students realize the technology they develop can inspire others and improve lives, engineering becomes far more meaningful,” Luque-Vega says.

For more information on service-learning opportunities, visit the EPICS website.

The app is getting a “hands-free” mode that can narrate recipe steps.

• A chatbot invented entirely false cargo details about a Chinese vessel
• Armed troops prepared to board the ship before anyone checked the source
• Military aircraft were already active when officials caught the error

A false intelligence assessment nearly triggered a US military invasion of a Chinese vessel after AI-assisted analysis wrongly identified its cargo.

The report circulated during the Iran conflict and prompted preparations to intercept the vessel before officials discovered serious problems with its underlying information.

from the good-deals-on-cool-stuff dept

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Razer has upgraded its Kiyo V2 webcam with the Kiyo V2 Pro, adding 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, a more capable imaging sensor, and several AI-powered features for streamers, remote workers, and creators. Priced at $300, the new webcam is already available through Razer and other retailers.

The upgrade comes as dedicated webcams face competition from compact cameras and increasingly capable smartphone cameras. Razer’s answer is to focus on image quality while adding software features designed to make the camera easier to use without constant manual adjustments.

4K at 60fps is the big upgrade

The Kiyo V2 Pro’s headline feature is its ability to capture 4K video at 60fps. The higher frame rate should result in smoother footage and less motion blur during video calls, livestreams, and other recordings.

Under the hood, the webcam uses Sony’s 8.3-megapixel STARVIS 2 sensor, paired with a lens with an f/1.9 aperture. Razer says the combination is designed to improve low-light performance while also producing a stronger background-blur effect.

Razer has also focused on dynamic range. The company says the webcam can capture ultra-high dynamic range, allowing it to preserve more detail across different lighting conditions. Interestingly, the Pro model has a narrower 86-degree field of view, compared with 93 degrees on the standard Kiyo V2. Razer says the reduction helps maintain image quality at 4K and reduces fisheye distortion around the edges.

AI handles framing and image adjustments

The Kiyo V2 Pro also adds AI features that can take some of the work out of setting up a shot. Its auto-framing system uses intelligent pan, tilt and zoom to keep the user in the frame as they move around.

There is also a one-click output enhancement feature that automatically adjusts exposure, white balance and noise based on the surrounding environment. That could be particularly useful for users who switch between rooms or lighting conditions without wanting to manually tweak camera settings every time.

For users who prefer manual control, the webcam works with Razer Synapse, allowing adjustments to settings including ISO and shutter speed. It can be attached directly to a monitor or laptop using the included clamp, while a universal mount supports tripod setups. Razer has also built in a physical privacy shutter with a camera-shutter-style mechanism.

At $300, the Kiyo V2 Pro is positioned as a premium webcam rather than a basic video-call accessory. It is now on sale through Razer and other retailers.

RAM prices have become increasingly painful during the 2026 memory crisis, making discounts on higher-speed DDR5 kits welcome. The 32GB TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan ECO offers DDR5-6400 speeds and support for both Intel and AMD performance profiles.

• Best for: Desktop builders who want 32GB of relatively fast DDR5 memory with support for both major performance-profile standards.

• The deal: The TeamGroup 32GB T-Force Vulcan ECO DDR5-6400 kit is now $429 (was $479) at Newegg when you use code TEF395.

• Why it matters: DDR5-6400 provides much more theoretical bandwidth than slower DDR5 standards. You’ll need compatible hardware and the appropriate XMP or EXPO profile enabled to reach the 6,400MT/s speed though.

Today’s TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan ECO DDR5 deal

Why we recommend it

Price context & historical value

Should you buy it?

Nikon used the same 24.5-megapixel backside-illuminated full-frame sensor and EXPEED 7 processor found in the Z5II, then cut the electronic viewfinder so the body could sit flatter, weigh less, and sell for $1,399.95. That price is $450 under the current Z5II list, and a kit with the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lands at $1,699.95. Shipping is set for mid-October, with pre-orders already open and B&H listing an October 15 date. Black and silver finishes are both available, the silver version pairing a light top plate with a dark body.

The C model of Nikon’s camera is based on removing the finder and overall bulk. They call that letter ‘Casual,’ and the result is a relatively compact package that measures 134 by 80.5 by 72 millimeters, barely two centimeters shorter than the Z5 II, and weighs 538 grams on its own, or 620 grams with a battery and memory card jammed inside. The magnesium alloy remains in the stress points where it belongs, weather sealing is retained, and the grip extends far enough down to be secure even when a long lens is mounted. There is now a little light on top of the redesigned top plate to alert people in front of the camera when video is actually being recorded. You compose on a 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen that isn’t as sharp as the 2.1 million-dot one on the Z5 II – it has 1.04 million dots – and as a result, you focus on the multi-selector without the use of a separate autofocus joystick.

Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera Double Zoom Lens Kit

• Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF and eye detection AF 24.1 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor with is 100–6400 (H: 12800)
• Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC technology working temperature range: 32-104°F/0-40°C
• 9-Point AF system and AI Servo AF

Despite the more compact body, all of the important tech stayed the same. According to the CIPA 2024 test with a 24-120 f/4 S lens on the long end, five-axis in-body stabilization still achieves 7.5 stops in the center of the frame and 6.0 stops at the edges. Instead of relying on an electronic shutter, you can use a real mechanical shutter, which prevents the rolling shutter from being too severe as compared to other compact full frame devices that solely have an electronic shutter. The mechanical shutter allows you to shoot at a fairly steady 14 frames per second. JPEG files achieve this rate, whereas RAW files achieve 11 frames per second, and High-Speed Frame Capture+ achieves 30 frames per second using the electronic shutter. Pre-Release Capture allows you to capture up to one second’s worth of images before pressing the button, but only for JPEG Large files at regular quality. The natural sensitivity allows you to shoot from ISO 100 to 64,000, with plenty of room to go beyond that. The EN-EL15c battery provides around 350 shots on the back screen, and USB power delivery allows you to keep the camera running for an extended period of time.

Autofocus in the Z7IIC relies on the same deep learning subject detection as the Z5II, and it holds up down to -10 EV, an impressively low light level. People, dogs, cats, birds, vehicles, and aircraft are all on the list, with Nikon now also throwing in fish as a tenth type to include. This last one needs plenty of light on the subject and is mainly useful in fish tanks and similar setups. In Auto mode the camera can read the scene, set the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus all on its own without needing any extra input. For the first time on a full frame Nikon mirrorless camera, there are 15 scene modes sitting on the dial, and these can be used to shift white balance, brightness and color profiles for portraits, pets, food, nighttime landscapes and other common scenarios. Then theres the Imaging Recipes button which lets you download looks from Nikon’s Imaging Cloud – including film-style treatments – and a Film Grain control that lets you adjust size and strength to your hearts content, even if you’re working on a clip. Product Review Mode does a great job of pulling focus from a presenter to an object held near the lens – its been designed with unboxing and tabletop clips in mind.

Even though the Z7IIC is less expensive than some of Nikon’s high-end models, the video quality appears quite impressive. You get full width 4K UHD at 30p with oversampling, which is usually a plus, but if you want 4K at 50 or 60 frames per second, you’ll have to settle for a DX reduction of about 1.5x in size. If you want the highest frame rates, full HD may run up to 120 frames per second, and the in-camera slow motion is a wonderful touch, allowing you to play back 1080p at 4x or 5x depending on your base frame rate. The internal codec options are also quite extensive, with 10-bit H.265 in MOV files, 8-bit H.264, N-Log, and HLG in MOV files, as well as 12-bit N-RAW transferred to an SD card in NEF format. N-RAW at 4K is limited to 24, 25, and 30 frames per second, and Nikon recommends using a V90 card for this purpose. If you prefer to work with pristine 10-bit 4:2:2 images, you can send them over HDMI. Recording can last for up to 2 hours and 5 minutes, which is handy for those without extra batteries.

Recording also has all of the standard shooting aids, such as a waveform display, zebras, focus peaking, a front REC lamp, and a red border on the screen to help you set up. You may also link the USB-C port into a computer and use the camera as a UVC/UAC webcam for live feeds, which is a useful choice for individuals who enjoy live streaming. The camera also includes ports for headphones and microphones.

The Z7IIC has a slightly less generous approach to storage, with only a single UHS-II SD slot to call on, meaning that if one card breaks in the middle of a job, there is no backup. The lower-resolution screen, the lack of a finder, and the single card slot all point to Nikon cutting expenses to reach a $1400 price point. However, you still get N-RAW, a mechanical shutter, and flagship-class processing, which is a good price. Nikon also designed the camera to operate nicely with tiny Z prime lenses such as the 26mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, and 40mm f/2, with soft bundles expected in the future. SnapBridge 2.14 allows you to send files to your phone and contains a useful camera simulation tool and a few brief training. Nikon Imaging Cloud will handle recipe downloads and file management following the shoot.
[Source]