Deals & Price Drops
Several notable discounts surfaced: ExpressVPN is running two-year plans up to 81% off, and NordVPN’s Complete two-year plan is 70% off (24 months for about $130). Apple accessory deals include the USB-C Magic Mouse at $68 (about $11 off) and the iPhone Air MagSafe battery at an all-time low.
Subscriptions & Streaming
YouTube TV is launching curated, genre-specific “YouTube TV Plans” this week that let subscribers opt into curated packages and save a few dollars versus broader bundles. Presidents’ Day sales are also rolling out early with selective tech discounts to watch for.
Privacy, Ads & Security
OpenAI has started testing ads in ChatGPT for users on the free and Go plans in the US. If privacy is a priority, current VPN promotions (ExpressVPN, NordVPN) provide opportunities to lock in long-term plans at steep discounts. Ring’s Search Party feature raised privacy concerns after a Super Bowl spot — there’s a how-to guide for disabling it if you want to opt out.
Hardware picks
If you need extra storage or portable media, Engadget updated its roundup of the best microSD cards for 2026. Also watch Apple accessory deals (MagSafe battery, Magic Mouse) for short-window price drops ahead of Presidents’ Day promotions.
Gaming & Industry
Riot Games is cutting jobs on its fighting game 2XKO, with roughly half of the 2XKO development team affected — part of another round of industry layoffs.
Legal & Policy
Rep. Jamie Raskin has asked the DOJ to turn over communications with Apple and Google concerning the companies’ decisions to remove apps that shared locations of ICE agents, and the DOJ may face investigation over those actions.
How-to / Resources
- Disable Ring’s Search Party feature: follow Engadget’s step-by-step guide if concerned about the feature’s privacy implications.
- Planning to follow the Winter Olympics? See Engadget’s Milano Cortina 2026 guide for watch options and the full schedule.
Key takeaways
- Major VPN discounts: ExpressVPN up to 81% off; NordVPN two-year Complete plan ~70% off ($130 for 24 months).
- Apple accessory bargains: Magic Mouse at $68 and the iPhone Air MagSafe battery at an all-time low.
- YouTube TV now offers curated, lower-cost plan options; Presidents’ Day deals are starting early.
- OpenAI is testing ads in ChatGPT for free/Go users in the US; privacy-conscious users may consider discounted VPNs.
- Riot cut roughly half of the 2XKO dev team; DOJ communications with Apple/Google over ICE-tracking apps are under scrutiny.
Sources
- Riot Games is laying off half of the 2XKO development team: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/riot-games-is-laying-off-half-of-the-2xko-development-team-215423279.html?src=rss
- DOJ may face investigation for pressuring Apple, Google to remove apps for tracking ICE agents: https://www.engadget.com/apps/doj-may-face-investigation-for-pressuring-apple-google-to-remove-apps-for-tracking-ice-agents-212145181.html?src=rss
- ExpressVPN two-year plans are up to 81 percent off right now: https://www.engadget.com/deals/expressvpn-two-year-plans-are-up-to-81-percent-off-right-now-180602205.html?src=rss
- Olympics 2026: How to watch, full schedule of events, and everything else you need to know: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/olympics-2026-how-to-watch-full-schedule-of-events-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-about-the-winter-games-172409424.html?src=rss
- OpenAI starts testing ads in ChatGPT: https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-starts-testing-ads-in-chatgpt-191756493.html?src=rss
- Here’s how to disable Ring’s creepy Search Party feature: https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-how-to-disable-rings-creepy-search-party-feature-185420455.html?src=rss
- Get two years of NordVPN’s Complete plan for 70 percent off: https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-two-years-of-nordvpns-complete-plan-for-70-percent-off-123000727.html?src=rss
- YouTube TV launches curated subscription packages this week: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/youtube-tv-launches-curated-subscription-packages-this-week-170710000.html?src=rss
- The best microSD cards in 2026: https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-microsd-card-130038282.html?src=rss
- Grab Apple’s iPhone Air MagSafe battery while it’s down to an all-time low: https://www.engadget.com/deals/grab-apples-iphone-air-magsafe-battery-while-its-down-to-an-all-time-low-144516211.html?src=rss
- Presidents’ Day sales 2026: The best tech deals to shop early: https://www.engadget.com/deals/presidents-day-sales-2026-the-best-tech-deals-to-shop-early-from-apple-sony-samsung-and-others-163000034.html?src=rss
- Apple’s Magic Mouse drops to only $68: https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-magic-mouse-drops-to-only-68-152708721.html?src=rss
Disclaimer: Not financial/professional advice