I’m of the mind that there are more than enough actual products out in the world that I tend to not spend too much time worrying about the ones that don’t actually exist yet. But a couple of things stand out about two rumored Sonos endeavors that are too obvious to ignore.

Preface this with the caveat that it’s all conjecture on my part. But it also makes plenty of sense, especially given that Sonos itself has said it has a couple of products ready to announce — and ship — anytime now, stuck in limbo while it waits for the 2024 app debacle to rectify itself.

Let’s start with the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, which has had a few leaks of late. There’s the post on X in September that came with marketing materials. There’s also a latent Best Buy listing that appears in a Google search, though you run into a dead end when you click through to the product page. This is exactly the sort of thing that happens when you have a product ready to go that then gets shelved for a while.

Most recently, what are purported to be Arc Ultra specs have appeared on Reddit. For the most part, there’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary. Seven tweeters. Six woofers. Trueplay. All the Dolby standards you’d expect. Even the presence of a microphone shouldn’t be surprising — Sonos has baked them into speakers for years now. There’s also the TV Audio Swap feature that lets you hop back and forth between the soundbar and the Sonos Ace headphones. Not even the supposed addition of a quad-core A55 processor stands out — the original Sonos Arc also has a quad-core CPU.

What set off alarm bells for me, then? The inclusion of 16GB of RAM, and 8GB of NV. That stands for non-volatile memory. That’s a ROM, boys and girls, with enough RAM to run whatever sort of apps it has on board. The first-generation Arc only has 1GB of RAM and half as much NV memory. Combine that with the marketing image from September that clearly shows some sort of Sonos play screen, and we have a very real possibility (I’d even go so far as to say probability) that when the Sonos Arc Ultra finally sees the light of day, it’ll do so at the same time as Sonos TV. Not listed in the supposed specs? A remote control, which could well be problematic.

As for Sonos TV itself? That’s a completely different question. You probably don’t have to go too far out on a limb to figure that it’s something akin to what Roku has done with its soundbars — a fully embedded operating system. Chances are it’s an Android fork, though maybe we’ll be surprised by something new.

What’s all this mean? For one thing, we all need to stop referring to Sonos TV as some sort of “set-top box.” Never mind the fact that that’s a legacy device design that doesn’t really exist anymore, seeing as how TVs aren’t thick enough to put anything on top of them. That goes for myself, too. When I asked Sonos executive Eddie Lazarus in a recent interview if he wanted to talk “about this supposed set-top box,” he replied: “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

I should have asked about the Sonos Arc Ultra instead.

Google could introduce a new version of the Chrome web browser app for Android that supports extensions. The search giant recently indicated it wants to evolve Chrome OS to become more like Android.

Chrome browser for Android may get extensions suggests report

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers. It is available for almost every operating system and device. However, the Chrome browser app for Android is slightly different.

Google decided long back to not offer extension support to mobile versions of Chrome. While Google’s reason isn’t clear, some reports suggest the company may be wary of ad blockers, which are available as extensions.

Google Chrome is preinstalled on most Android devices. It is fast, easy to use, and has a lot of features, but it still lacks support for browser extensions.

Third-party Chromium-based browser allows users to install extensions. Google could change this in the near future by allowing the official Chrome browser app for Android to support browser extensions.

According to Android Authority, Google is working on a new version of Chrome for Android. This version is aimed at “desktop” devices like Chromebooks.

When will extensions work on Google’s browser?

Earlier this year, Google announced Chrome OS would become more like Android. Specifically speaking, Chrome OS would use large parts of the Android tech stack. This would include “Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks.”

Google is actively working on a common bootloader for Android, Chrome OS, and even Fuchsia. Chromebooks would also get a new version of Chrome for Android. This version is primarily intended for desktop-grade Chromebooks.

These developments suggest Google intends to unify Chrome builds between Android and Chrome OS. Currently, the biggest differentiator between them is the device form factor.

The biggest indicator of Chrome browser for Android getting extension support is the introduction of “Desktop Android”. This new version is called ‘Chrome for Android’, and it is getting support for browser extensions.

Interestingly, even a Google engineer working on the Chromium project confirmed Desktop Android has extensions support. Google has been actively submitting patches for the “Desktop Android” project to the Chromium Gerrit.

Incidentally, Desktop Android Chrome builds are compatible with devices that support Android OS. Google may not have made any announcements yet. However, the company has been laying the necessary groundwork for a common Chrome browser, presumably with extension support. This browser would work across multiple form factors. Moreover, with Google adopting Manifest V3, this move would significantly help Google.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is back this year, returning on October 8 and 9. The “fall Prime Day” of sorts has served as the online retailer’s unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for the past few years. We expect most of the deals to be Prime exclusives, meaning you must be an active Prime subscriber to get the discounts. There are always a couple of deals available for everyone, though, so it’s worth perusing Amazon’s site even if you don’t pay for Prime. It’s also worth doing so now because we’ve found a number of solid early Prime Day deals already available. These are the best of the bunch; we’ll be updating this post regularly in the lead-up to October Prime Day, so check back for the latest deals.

Prime Day deals: Engadget’s top picks

Prime Day deals on Apple gear

While Apple deals are few and far between right now, you can save a bit on the new AirPods 4. AirTags have a slight discount as well, both in single and multi-packs.

Prime Day deals on Amazon devices

It’s a safe bet that we’ll see even more Amazon gear discounted on October Prime Day, but for now, you can snag a Fire tablet on sale, as well as Ring and Blink security cameras for much cheaper than usual.

• Echo Spot for $45 ($35 off): This recently revived smart display is billed as a smart alarm clock, and it features a customizable screen, big sound for its size and all the perks for Alexa voice commands. You can also grab it bundled with a free TP-Link smart light bulb.

• Echo Buds for $25 ($25 off): These are one of our top picks for the best budget wireless earbuds you can get right now thanks to their comfortable design, pocket-friendly case, automatic wear detection, multi-device connectivity and, of course, built-in Alexa voice controls.

• Fire HD 8 tablet for $55 ($45 off): Amazon just released this new version of the HD 8 tablet, which includes more RAM, a better camera and new AI features not found on the previous model.

• Fire HD 10 tablet for $75 ($65 off): One of the more advanced tablets in Amazon’s lineup, the HD 10 has a 1080p screen, an octa-core processor, up to 64GB of storage and a 13-hour battery life.

• Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $115 ($55 off): This kids bundle includes the standard Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of RAM, a kid-friendly cover, a two-year warranty and one free year of access to Amazon Kids+.

• Amazon Echo Show 8 for $85 ($65 off): The company’s mid-sized smart speaker has an 8-inch touchscreen, a 13MP camera with auto-framing for better video chats and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub.

• Echo Show 5 + TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulb for $50 ($65 off): This bundle deal knocks 56 percent off a duo that includes one of our favorite compact smart displays and a smart light bulb that can be controlled via Alexa voice commands.

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 ($25 off): Amazon’s most powerful Fire TV dongle supports 4K, HDR content and Dolby Vision, plus Wi-Fi 6E and Dolby Atmos audio. A number of other Fire TV devices are on sale right now, too, including the Fire TV Stick Lite for only $18.

• Amazon Music Unlimited three-month trial for free (four-month free trial for Prime members): Anyone who has never tried Amazon Music Unlimited before can get a three-month free trial right now. Amazon ups that to four months if you’re a Prime member that’s new to the music streaming service. That’s a great deal considering Music Unlimited typically costs $11 per month without Prime or $10 per month with Prime.

Best Prime Day Lego deals

A number of Lego sets have already been discounted for October Prime Day. Some of our favorites come from the Star Wars, Super Mario and Harry Potter lineups, and you’ll find savings up to 41 percent on those. There’s also a Lego City 2024 advent calendar that’s 20 percent off and down to only $26.

Prime Day deals on Ring and Blink security systems

You may not immediately think of them when you think about Amazon’s own tech, but the shopping giant also owns Ring and Blink. Gadgets from these companies make up most of Amazon’s home security offerings, and you can usually find steep discounts during Prime Day on security cameras, alarm systems and other bundles.

Prime Day deals on tech

Early Prime Day deals on tech include discounts on power banks, webcams, air fryers, smart plugs and more.

• PS5 Slim (Digital Edition) for $400 ($50 off): Both the all-digital model and the standard PlayStation 5 are $50 off right now, so you can get them for $400 or $450, respectively. If you’re not on the market for the PS5 Pro, these are good console discounts.

• Logitech Brio 500 Full HD Webcam for $93 ($37 off): Our top pick for the best webcam you can buy right now is $37 off, a decent discount even if it’s not a record-low sale. If you spend a lot of your day on video calls, this will be a solid upgrade to your computer’s built-in cam. It has a wide field of view, auto-light correction and shoots 1080p video.

• LG 55-inch C4 evo OLED smart TV for $1,297 ($700 off): LG’s midrange OLED sets, the C4 family includes upgraded Alpha 9 Gen 7 chip, improved brightness and a 144Hz max refresh rate. Most sizes are discounted at the moment.

• Marshall Emberton II speaker for $100 ($70 off): One of our favorite Bluetooth speakers, this model has an attractive, retro design, a pleasant, balanced sound profile and up to 30 hours of battery life.

• Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $85 ($35 off): This newer air fry from Cosori has nine preset cooking modes and a six-quart capacity that makes it just the right size to cook a good amount of food without taking up too much space on most countertops.

• Oura Ring (3rd gen) for $349 ($100 off): In our review, we called the Oura Ring the “perfect wearable for people who don’t like wearables.” It’s an alternative to a fitness tracker or smartwatch that tracks all day activity and sleep.

• Anker Nano Power Bank 10K for $32 ($8 off): This is the cheapest price we’ve seen for this 10K power bank that has a connecting USB-C cable built in.

• Anker iPhone 16 screen protectors for $19.20+ (40 percent off): Clip the 40-percent coupon on the page to get a big discount on Anker’s screen protectors for any of the latest iPhone 16 models. They provide drop protection from up to 5.9 feet and extra scratch resistance thanks to Anker’s ShieldX technology.

• Baseus 30W/10000mAh MagSafe power bank for $28 ($18 off): Clip the 40-percent off coupon to get a record-low price on a power bank that earned a place in our guide to the best power banks you can buy. It quickly refills MagSafe-compatible phones and has a handy built-in cable.

Everything you need to know about October Prime Day 2024

When is October Prime Day 2024?

October Prime Day will be held on October 8 and 9 this year.

What is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day is a members-only sale event run by Amazon in which the online retailer has thousands of sales on its site that are exclusively available to those with an active Prime members.

How long is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day will last two full days.

What is on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days?

Most October Prime Day deals will not be revealed until the days of the event. However, in years past, we’ve seen everything from clothing to household essentials to outdoor gear go on sale during this event. Engadget cares most about tech deals, and in past fall Prime Days, we’ve seen things like phones, tablets, headphones, earbuds, robot vacuums, smart home gear and more receive deep discounts.

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to shop Prime Day deals?

Yes, because most deals will be Prime exclusives. However, there are always a few decent deals available to all Amazon shoppers, so it’s worth checking out Amazon’s site during October Prime Day to see where you can save even if you don’t pay for Prime.

Expired early Prime Day deals

• Apple 24-inch iMac (M3) for $1,100 ($200 off): The discount plus clippable coupon bring the final price for this Apple desktop down to the lowest we’ve seen.

• Apple Magic Mouse (black) for $85 ($15 off): The white version of Apple’s popular accessory is still cheaper at $68, but the black colorway rarely goes on sale. Both mice pair quickly and are relatively light with responsive touch gestures.

• Apple iPad Air (13-inch) for $720 ($80 off): The large model of our favorite iPad returns to one of its frequent sale prices. It’s about $20 more than its record low, but it’s still a good deal if you’ve been eyeing the 13-inch Air.

• Apple Pencil (1st gen) for $69 ($30 off): If you have a 10th-gen iPad or older, this is the stylus to get. We’ve seen this discount for a couple of weeks now, but it’s still $10 below the average sale price. It’s also discounted at Walmart.

• Samsung Pro Plus microSD card for $100 ($20 off): This newly released, 1TB variant is down to its best price yet. The Pro Plus is the top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards.

• Beats Fit Pro earbuds for $159 ($41 off): Our overall favorite pair of earbuds for running are on sale for $41 off. They’ve hit this price point often over the past few months, but it’s a decent discount on buds we found to be comfortable with a secure fit and great audio quality.

• Beats Studio Buds for $99 ($51 off): They’re a tad old at this point, but the Studio Buds remain a decent buy at under $100.

• Amazon Echo Show 5 + Sengled smart light bulb bundle for $60 ($50 off): This bundle gives you one of our favorite smart displays (which makes an excellent alarm clock) and a top pick in our best smart light bulbs guide at a 45-percent discount.

• iRobot Roomba Vac robot vacuum for $170 ($80 off): This affordable robo-vac is only $10 more than it was during July Prime Day right now, making it an even better option if you want a robot vacuum without spending a ton.

• 8BitDo Ultimate C wired gaming controller for $15 ($5 off): Now at $1 cheaper than it was during Prime Day in July, this 8BitDo accessory is an even better option for PC gamers or folks looking for a more comfortable Steam Deck controller.

• ASTRO Gaming A40 TR wired gaming headset for $100 ($30 off): Our pick for the best gaming headset is $30 off, a discount we’ve seen a few times this year. We found these to be comfortable with better sound than many headsets, but the mic performance is only OK.

• Anker 633 10K magnetic power bank for $40 ($40 off): This MagSafe-compatible charging bank has a built-in kickstand for propping up your iPhone, plus a 20W USB-C port for high-speed, wired charging.

• Anker MagSafe Charger Pad for $19.19 ($4.80 off): This Qi2 charging pad is back on sale for its all-time-low price, and it works with the latest iPhone 16 handsets.

• Anker Prime Power Bank 200W 20K with 100W charging base for $140 ($45 off): The top premium pick in our best power banks guide, this 20K brick can recharge most mobile devices and has a handy screen that shows you the power flowing out of it, as well as the remaining charge.

• Elgato Stream Deck+ for $170 ($30 off): Combine the discount with the clippable coupon to get a record-low price on this upgraded version of the standard Stream Deck.

• TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender for $20 ($30 off): Our top budget pick in our best Wi-Fi extenders guide is more than half off right now. While not a rare deal, it’s still a record-low price on a handy device that could help eliminate dead zones around your home.

• Samsung Pro Plus microSD card (512GB) with adapter for $30 ($54 off): Now 64 percent off, this high-capacity microSD card is a great buy for anyone who needs extra storage for their camera, tablet or Nintendo Switch (or other handheld gaming console).

• Google Pixel Buds A-Series for $64 ($35 off): This is one of the best prices we’ve seen on Google’s budget-friendly wireless earbuds, which we praised for their solid sound quality, deep Google Assistant integration and small, comfortable design.

• Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones + 2 years of AppleCare+ for $279 ($100 off): If you’re really into the muted colors in this collection, this is one of the best deals we’ve seen on Beats’ pro-level headphones with AppleCore+ protection.

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $689 ($110 off): This is a record-low price on the Ultra 2, which remains Apple’s most premium smartwatch and the one best for adventurers, ultramarathoners and the like.

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 + $30 Amazon gift card for $229: The brand new Pixel Buds that are a solid choice for Pixel phone owners include a free $30 Amazon gift card in this bundle.

• Google Pixel 8a smartphone for $399 ($100 off): If you’re looking for an Android phone with a ton of advanced features and a reasonable price tag, the Pixel 8a is the best midrange smartphone you can get right now.

• Apple iPad (10th gen) for $299 ($50 off): The base iPad didn’t receive a refresh this year (yet), but Apple did cut the price to $349. It’s still selling for a record low right now.

• iRobot Roomba Vacuum and Mop Combo for $206 ($69 off): This Roomba can vacuum and mop floors all in one go, and it will automatically return to its charging base when it needs more juice.

• Samsung T7 Shield (4TB) for $280 ($220 off): If you’re looking for a high-capacity portable SSD that can take a beating, this deal is the best price we’ve seen on the 4TB T7 Shield since June.

• Kasa Smart Plug EP25 (4-pack) for $34 ($16 off): These are our top pick in our guide to the best smart plugs available right now thanks to their compatibility across all four of the main smart home ecosystems, their easy setup process and reliable connection.

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Essentials bundle for $203 ($55 off): This bundle includes one of the best Kindles you can get right now, along with its fabric cover and wireless charging pad. This is the lowest price we’ve seen all year on this trio.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice, and stay tuned to Engadget.com for all of the best tech deals coming out of October Prime Day 2024.