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The National Music Publishers’ Association says its members are suing Twitter over allegations of widespread copyright infringement and seeking hundreds of millions in damages, telling the Elon Musk-owned site it can no longer “refuse to pay songwriters and music publishers.”
In the lawsuit, which the group plans to announce during its annual meeting Wednesday (June 14), dozens of music publishers allege that Twitter had infringed more than 1,700 different songs — a claim that, if proven, could put the social media giant on the hook for as much as $255 million in damages.
“Twitter profits handsomely from its infringement of publishers’ repertoires of musical compositions,” the music companies write in their complaint, which was obtained by Billboard. “Twitter’s unlawful conduct has caused and continues to cause substantial and irreparable harm to Publishers, their songwriter clients, and the entire music ecosystem.”
Twitter did not respond to immediate request for comment.
The plaintiffs named in the lawsuit, set to be filed in Tennessee federal court, include Concord, UMPG, peermusic, ABKCO Music, Anthem Entertainment, Big Machine Music, BMG Rights Management, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Kobalt Music Publishing America, Mayimba Music, Reservoir Media Management, Sony Music Publishing, Spirit Music Group, The Royalty Network, Ultra Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, and Wixen Music Publishing.
The announcement that the NMPA would be pursuing legal action against Twitter shouldn’t come as a total surprise. In a February speech at the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) summit, NMPA president and CEO David Israelite called Twitter his “top legal focus” this year. He warned that the company was “hiding behind” the Digital Millenium Copyright Act – the federal law that limits how websites like Twitter can be sued over copyright infringement by their users.
In a statement on Wednesday, Israelite echoed that threat, saying that Twitter could no longer “hide behind the DMCA and refuse to pay songwriters and music publishers.”
“Twitter stands alone as the largest social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs on its service,” Israelite said in a statement. “Twitter knows full well that music is leaked, launched, and streamed by billions of people every day on its platform.”
The DMCA provides websites like Twitter with a legal immunity — a “safe harbor” — against copyright lawsuits over material uploaded by their users, so long as they promptly remove infringing content and ban repeated violators from the platform. But in their new lawsuit, the publishers allege that Twitter failed to do either, meaning the site has legally forfeited the DMCA’s protections.
“Twitter routinely ignores known repeat infringers and known infringements, refusing to take simple steps that are available to Twitter to stop these specific instances of infringement of which it is aware,” the publishers wrote.
The NMPA annual meeting each year is known to feature at least one bombshell announcement from Israelite. Last year, the NMPA launched a legal action against over a hundred different apps that skim music from digital services without obtaining licenses, sent cease and desist notices to Apple and Google app stores, and filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against music video-making app Vinkle. In 2021, Israelite announced $200 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Roblox for hosting thousands of unlicensed songs within the game’s library.
The NMPA’s public grievances with Twitter date back to at least April 2021, when a Billboard published a guest column, co-penned by Israelite and RIAA chief Mitch Glazier. In it, the two leaders called for social media platform to license music and noted that in the last year music creators had sent more than 2 million notices to Twitter of unlicensed and infringing appearances of copyrighted music on the platform, more than 200,000 of which were of unreleased songs. “The company’s response to date has been totally inadequate,” the article lamented. It went on to suggest three ways for Twitter to address the grievances the music business has had with its operations: “licensing music and pay music creators like others do,” “better content protection tools,” and “stop demanding exorbitant payments from creators for content protection.”
Since Jack Dorsey stepped down from Twitter in November 2021, the stability of the company has been in constant flux. By the time Musk bought the company and assumed the role of CEO in October 2022, Twitter’s future seemed even more uncertain amid Musk’s controversial leadership, widespread cost cutting measures, and restructuring of the company. Since Dorsey’s departure, Israelite has taken to the platform to express his hope that subsequent chiefs like Parag Agrawal, Musk and now Linda Yaccarino would “finally” “take a new approach” with licensing music.
But in Wednesday’s lawsuit, the publishers said things had only gotten worse: “Twitter’s change in ownership in October 2022 has not led to improvements in how it acts with respect to copyright. On the contrary, Twitter’s internal affairs regarding matters pertinent to this case are in disarray.”
Licensing for games, social media, and other applications is quickly becoming a major component of music publishers’ income. At last year’s annual meeting, NMPA announced that licensing from new revenue streams — like Twitch, Roblox, Peloton and others — now account for 29.11% of music publishers’ income, something that is expected to only rise over time. This has come with the success of the NMPA’s aggressive legal agenda in recent years, and has helped publishers diversify their income from streaming, which is strictly regulated in the U.S. by the Copyright Royalty Board.
In the lawsuit against Twitter, the publishers noted that TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat had all entered into such broader licensing deals, enabling their users to use copyrighted music while still compensating songwriters. Twitter, they wrote, cannot not continue to be the exception.
“Twitter is seizing for itself an artificial competitive advantage against companies that are not violating copyright law, undercutting existing markets, cheapening the value of music, and undermining Publishers’ well-established business models,” lawyers for the publishers wrote.
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Source: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K
The NFL is the most popular professional sports league in the United States, but according to a new poll, it can’t claim the crown in the video game space.
Spotted on Variety, Madden NFL has been sacked. It is no longer the pinnacle in sports video games, Visual Concepts NBA 2K is king in the U.S., according to new research conducted by OHgamblers.
Analyzing Google searches and search terms related to the basketball video game, sports gaming experts determined that NBA 2K was the most searched game in 31 states over the past 12 months. Massachusetts, New York, and California top the list for the most NBA 2K-related searches.
This shouldn’t come as no surprise, being how popular NBA 2K has become since arriving in 1999. It quickly became the dominant basketball video game franchise thanks to its stellar presentation, superb gameplay, and realistic graphics, helping it dunk on its direct rival, the NBA Live franchise.
That game hasn’t been seen since the legendary NBA Elite 11 Andrum Bynum glitch.
[embedded content]
It’s Not Easy Being At The Top
It hasn’t been an easy transition dunk for NBA 2K, either. Literally being the only basketball video game on the market and there is no direct competitor to keep the game’s developers on the toes, the product got stale with its passionate community ripping the game that became a cash grab due to microtransactions.
But, as of late, with the arrival of the PS5, and Xbox Series X, developers were able to bring new energy to the game thanks to better technology, making the experience look and feel even better than previous iterations.
We loved NBA 2K23, and in our review, we called the game a marginal improvement from NBA 2K22, which wins by celebrating the NBA’s past, specifically the Jordan years.
Madden NFL has also fallen victim to the curse of offering the “same game” every year, just in shiny new packing with a different cover athlete.
So maybe that contributed to the game losing its popularity. Hell, actual NFL players were on Twitter ripping Madden NFL 23, so hopefully, Madden NFL 24 will be a significant improvement next year.
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Photo: Visual Concepts / NBA 2K
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Source: Activision / Call of Duty / Nickmercs
FaZe Clan member Nickmercs learned swiftly that spewing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric will cost you.
Spotted on PC Gamer, Nickmercs got his Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone skin pulled by Activision after he posted a headass anti-LGBTQ+ tweet.
In response to a tweet from CharlieIntel, a Call of Duty-focused website, which speculated that that was why Nickmerc’s skin was suddenly missing because of his comments, the Call of Duty Twitter account did confirm his skin is no longer available.
“Due to recent events, we have removed the ‘NICKMERCS Operator’ bundle from the Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone store,” the tweet begins.
The tweet in question from the FaZe Clan member, who has 6.7 million followers on Twitch and 2 million on Twitter, was a reply to a tweet from eSports broadcaster Chris Puckett highlighting a clash between anti and pro-LGBTQ+ demonstrators at a school that was voting to decide if it should recognize June as Pride Month.
“They should leave little children alone. That’s the real issue,” Nickmercs said in his problematic tweet.
Outrage quickly followed after Nickmerc’s tweet, with Puckett himself responding, “Who is this ‘they’ and what terrible act is everyone afraid of?” he inquired. “I think/hope the goal of most of ‘them’ is to reduce child suicides. This is done through acceptance and removing the stigma of feeling/being different.”
Per the website, Nickmercs said he would not delete the tweet or apologize in a stream, claiming he does not resent the LGBTQ+ community.
Riiiiggghhht.
Bigots Are Big Mad
As expected, Actvision’s decision garnered plenty of reactions from gamers. You got the usual suspects who claim they will now be boycotting the company and popular video for taking the right stance.
Welp, it looks like they will have to stay mad because Nickmercs skin is no longer available, and there are no signs it is coming back.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Activision / Call of Duty
1. LOL, you won’t be missed on the COD battlefield
2. Another hater
3. Another loser who claims to be an ally
6. Y’all know what he meant
7. The lack of comprehension
9. Are y’all okay?
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Accessories of the past have become new trends: think bucket hats, friendship bracelets and even jelly shoes. Our nostalgia has reached even our tech, with instant cameras and flip phones becoming the envious accessories to own. Celebrities including Machine Gun Kelly and Taylor Swift have even been spotted using retro cameras rather than their smartphones, as it creates quick keepsakes.
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Snapping a pic on your smartphone may be the fastest way to take a photo, but instant cameras can capture spontaneous moments while creating tangible photographs you can hold in a matter of seconds.
If you’re ready to hop on the trend, Billboard spoke with Mitch Holson, a photographer at Atlantic Records who gave his tips and tricks for finding the right instant camera.
Before adding a camera to your cart, there’s another popular model (disposable cameras), which may seem similar to an instant camera, but hold a major difference.
“Film in a disposable camera is 35mm film, which needs to be developed after the fact — either in a lab or through self-processing,” Holson explained. “An instant camera uses a self-developing film, which provides you with results within a few minutes.”
If you’re not looking to get too technical, then an instant camera will be more user friendly.
“Oftentimes, the [instant] camera makes decisions for you depending on the lighting conditions, and the on-board flash makes taking photos in low light relatively simple for beginners looking for results,” he added. “So, it’s truly a snap-and-go camera if that’s how you like to take images. The other benefit is that you get to see your photos very quickly.”
Holson prefers using an instant camera with auto-focus capabilities for professional use as it provides sharper images. And, if you “aren’t looking for sharpness, [you] should embrace the overall softness of instant cameras” as “there’s something cool and nostalgic about it,” he shared. Weight will also be a big factor to consider, as the lighter the camera, the easier it will be to take out and snap a pic.
Read on to shop his picks (and a few reviewer-loved ones) below.
Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO Hybrid Black Instant Camera
$349.95
Holson’s favorite to use is the Fujifilm Instax Mini for its modern-meets-retro design and features.
It “allows you to take photos digitally then choose which ones to print,” he said. Plus, the digital library allows you to look through photos and print them as much as you want. The kit even comes with 10 lenses and film effects for further customization.
Amazon
Polaroid Now+
$119.99 $149.99 20% OFF
For a more budget-friendly model, the Polaroid Now+ is an instant camera Holson says is ideal for the “everyday person.” Connect it to the accompanying app to personalize photos and use different filters. It also comes with five lenses for further customization.
BHP Photo Video
Mint Camera InstantKon RF70 Instant Film Camera
$899
This splurge-worthy option is another Holson pick, as the InstantKon RF70 Instant Film Camera gives you fast photos using a glass lens rather than the common plastic one. Beginners can use a the auto-focus feature while more experienced photographers can take advantage of the manual options.
Amazon
KODAK Mini Shot 2 Retro 4PASS 2-in-1 Instant Digital Camera
$99.99 $157.00 36% OFF
Kodak’s Mini Shot 2 is a compact instant camera reviewers are loving for its ability to easily slip into your purse or backpack. Whether you’re traveling or hosting a party with friends, you can snap a picture and within minutes, have it print out. You can even print photos from your phone or smart device, using its Bluetooth capabilities.
Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera
$82.99
If you want to mix trendiness with photography, then consider the Fujifilm Instax 9 Camera. Reviewers love the picture quality and its ease of use. Just use the viewfinder in the top corner, push the button, and within minutes, your memory will be captured and printed.
Amazon
Canon Ivy CLIQ+2 Instant Camera
$79.99 $149.99 47% OFF
The Canon Ivy CLIQ+2 Instant Camera combines modern looks with retro photos. Shoppers enjoy the pocket-size design and the peel-and-stick backing on the printed photos.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of cameras for music videos, celebrity headphones and best home projectors.
Two U.S. senators are asking TikTok to explain what they called “misleading or inaccurate” responses about how it stores and provides access to U.S. user data after recent news reports raised questions about how the Chinese-owned social media platform handles some sensitive information.
In a letter sent Tuesday to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn cited a report from Forbes that said TikTok had stored financial information of U.S. content creators who get paid by the company — including their Social Security numbers and tax IDs — on China-based servers.
The senators also cited another report from The New York Times, published in late May, that said TikTok employees regularly shared user information, such as driver’s licenses information of some American users, on an internal messaging app called Lark that employees from TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, could easily access.
Forbes first reported Wednesday on the letter.
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said, ”We are reviewing the letter. We remain confident in the accuracy of our testimony and responses to Congress.”
TikTok has said servers that contain U.S. user data have been physically stored in Virginia and Singapore, where its headquartered. But who can access that data — and from where — is an ongoing question.
Chew, the company’s CEO, said at a congressional hearing in March that access to the data was provided “as-required” to engineers globally for business purposes. He also said some ByteDance employees still maintained access to some U.S. user data, but that would end once Project Texas — the company’s plan to siphon off U.S. user data from China — was completed.
The popular social media app has been under scrutiny from Western governments, who’ve been wary of the company’s Chinese ownership and have prohibited its use on government-issued devices. Earlier this year, the Biden administration threatened to ban the platform nationwide if the company’s Chinese owners don’t sell their stakes.
To assuage concerns from U.S. lawmakers, TikTok has been touting its Project Texas plan to store U.S. user data on servers owned and maintained by the software giant Oracle. Last year, the company said it began directing all U.S. user traffic to those servers but also continued to back up data on its own servers.
Chew said the company began deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers in March, and the process is expected to be completed this year.
In their letter, the senators also said the recent news reports appear to contradict testimonies from another TikTok official about where U.S. user data is stored.
A former executive at ByteDance, the Chinese company which owns the popular short-video app TikTok, says in a legal filing that some members of the ruling Communist Party used data held by the company to identify and locate protesters in Hong Kong.
Yintao Yu, formerly head of engineering for ByteDance in the U.S., says those same people had access to U.S. user data, an accusation that the company denies.
Yu, who worked for the company in 2018, made the allegations in a recent filing for a wrongful dismissal case filed in May in the San Francisco Superior Court. In the documents submitted to the court he said ByteDance had a “superuser” credential — also known as a god credential — that enabled a special committee of Chinese Communist Party members stationed at the company to view all data collected by ByteDance including those of U.S. users.
The credential acted as a “backdoor to any barrier ByteDance had supposedly installed to protect data from the C.C.P’s surveillance,” the filing says.
ByteDance said in a statement that Yu’s accusations were “baseless.”
“It’s curious that Mr. Yu has never raised these allegations in the five years since his employment for Flipagram was terminated in July 2018,” the company said, referring to an app that ByteDance later shut down for business reasons. “His actions are clearly intended to garner media attention.
“We plan to vigorously oppose what we believe are baseless claims and allegations in this complaint,” ByteDance said.
Charles Jung, Yu’s lawyer and a partner at the law firm Nassiri & Jung, said Yu chose to raise the allegations because he was “disturbed to hear the recent Congressional testimony of TikTok’s CEO” when Shou Zi Chew, a Singaporean, vehemently denied Chinese authorities had access to user data.
“Telling the truth openly in court is risky, but social change requires the courage to tell the truth,” Jung said. “It’s important to him that public policy be based on accurate information, so he’s determined to tell his story.”
TikTok is under intense scrutiny in the U.S. and worldwide over how it handles data and whether it poses a national security risk. Some American lawmakers have expressed concern that TikTok’s ties to ByteDance means the data it holds is subject to Chinese law.
They also contend that the app, which has over 150 million monthly active users in the U.S. and more than a billion users worldwide, could be used to expand China’s influence.
During the combative March House hearing, lawmakers from both parties grilled Chew over his company’s alleged ties to Beijing, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew repeatedly denied TikTok shares user data or has any ties with Chinese authorities.
To allay such concerns, TikTok has said that it would work with Oracle to store all U.S. data within the country.
In an earlier court filing, Yu accused ByteDance of serving as a “propaganda tool” for the Chinese Communist Party by promoting nationalistic content and demoting content that does not serve the party’s aims. He also said that ByteDance was responsive to the Communist Party’s requests to share information.
Yu also accused ByteDance of scraping content from competitors and users to repost on its sites to exaggerate key engagement metrics. He says he was fired for sharing his concerns about “wrongful conduct” he saw with others in the company.
In mainland China, ByteDance operates Douyin, which is targeted at the domestic market. TikTok is its global app that is available in most other countries. It was also available in Hong Kong until TikTok pulled out of the market in 2020 following the imposition of a sweeping national security law.
Anyone who tries to open TikTok from within Hong Kong will see a message that reads “We regret to inform you that we have discontinued operating TikTok in Hong Kong.”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Apple is serving us up with some new and upgraded gadgets after unveiling various upcoming releases during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023. Among the tech showed off was a 15-inch MacBook Air — the largest of the MacBook Air models to date. Other new releases announced included an AR headset called the Vision Pro, which won’t be available until early 2024, but will transform how you surf the web, watch TV shows and movies on streaming platforms and even communicate with friends and family.
Act Fast! The iPad Pro Is On Sale at Amazon
06/06/2023
The new 15-inch MacBook Air isn’t being released until June 13, but you’re currently able to order it in advance. Rather than wait in long lines in store or be met with the dreaded “sold out” message, preordering the highly anticipated model will ensure it’s delivered to you right when the laptop drops. You can find it wherever Apple products are sold including Amazon.
Amazon
Apple 2023 15.3-inch MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip
$1,299.00
The new MacBook Air comes with a 15.3-inch screen, maintains a lightweight feel (weighing a little over 3 pounds) and is made from recycled aluminum. The slim width remains the same allowing you to easily slide it into your laptop tote bag. Plus it comes in four shades including gold, silver, midnight and space gray. Features you can look forward to using are Apple’s new M2 processing chip, which contains a powerful 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory. It’s also made with a liquid retina display that’ll allow you to stream your favorite Apple TV+ shows with a crystal clear picture. It’s also available in two storage sizes: 256GB and 512GB to fit your needs.
New tech announcements weren’t the only thing that took place during the WWDC 2023: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) made their presence known. On Monday (June 5), the writers strike continued during what the group called its “Apple Day of Action,” Deadline reported. Rather than stand outside with signs, though, the group was handing out leaflets to spread the word.
This comes as Apple TV+ grows in scale and relies on writers to create the stories we all know and love for shows including Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Platonic, Loot, Ghosted, Black Bird, Severance, Dear…, Carpool Karaoke: The Series, Tetris, The Problem with John Stewart, Bad Sisters, The Reluctant Traveler, Schmigadoon! and The Morning Show.
While you wait for the new tech to be released, take advantage of the deals we’ve found on AirPod Pros and iPads on Amazon that you can add to your travel necessities.
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Source: LEON NEAL / Getty / Grand Theft Auto V
We can’t think of any other game that has been able to live such a long life than Grand Theft Auto V, and it will reportedly get more content to keep it going.
Spotted on Gaming Bible, Grand Theft Auto V is getting a San Andreas story expansion furthering Rockstar Games’ commitment to squeeze out as much green out of its cash cow, GTA Online, while they continue to work on Grand Theft Auto 6.
Per Gaming Bible:
Coming this month, on June 13, fans can expect GTA Online: San Andreas Mercenaries to launch. This free expansion will see players working together to fight Merryweather Security as part of the Los Santos Angels.
Players will take part in missions involving “stealing sensitive data from server farms, conducting raids, and dropping explosive payloads on high-value targets across the state.” Heavy stuff.
Rockstar also promises “spontaneous opportunities” to make money and earn new items in the world by taking down moving targets and completing random events.
The website also reports that GTA Online players can expect a bevy of fixes and quality-of-life improvements to the game, including:
When calling Mors Mutual Insurance, you’ll be able to claim all destroyed vehicles at once.
An alternate sprint control option (hold to sprint) will be added to the Settings Menu.
Custom description tags for garages to help quickly locate your favorite rides.
The Willard Eudora and Albany Classique Broadway will become eligible for Taxi Work when using Taxi Liveries.
Updates to the Creator to incorporate additional props and weather options, including snow.
Are We Close To Seeing Grand Theft Auto 6?
The news of this GTA Online update comes on the heels of reports Rockstar Games is very close to giving us our first look at Grand Theft Auto 6.
The highly-anticipated game was already the victim of a massive leak that confirmed earlier reports that the game would feature a female playable character, have a Bonnie and Clyde influence, and will take us back to Vice City.
We might catch our first look at Summer Game Fest or the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase, so stay tuned.
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Photo: LEON NEAL / Getty / Grand Theft Auto V
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Touchscreen, flat smartphones are the it cell phone to own, but newer models have continued to grow in size unlike our pocket space. Since the ’90s have made a sweeping comeback among fashion there’s a new accessory everyone (especially Gen Z) is scrambling to own: a flip phone. Celebrities like previous Billboard Hot 100 chart topper Ed Sheeran and “Alone” singer Kim Petras have hopped on the trend with Sheeran even preferring the old school model as it helps him limit social media usage, which he said in The Collector’s Edition podcast.
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Petras even remembers growing up with the phone during the early 2000s. “In the early 2000s, people I looked up to had the iconic pink Razr and it was the coolest accessory,” she said in a statement for Motorola.
Owning a flip phone doesn’t mean completely giving up all the features a smartphone carries — newer models are bringing you the best of both worlds with touchscreen capabilities, HD cameras, app usage and more. All paired with the famous screen flip feature, of course.
Whether you’re looking to cut down your screen time or want a more compact, portable phone to carry in your tote bag, flip phones make it easy to stay connected — without having to lug around a tablet-sized smartphone in your hand.
In anticipation of the Motorola Razr Plus being released on June 23, we rounded up a list of flip phones to shop in a range of versions from styles with just the basics to new flip phones featuring the latest tech. Check below to shop our picks for the best flip phones to own in 2023!
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of portable phone chargers, best TV deals to shop right now and best graduation gifts.
Best Buy
Samsung – Galaxy Z Flip4
$999.99
Get all the characteristics of a smartphone shrunk down into a portable flip phone design with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. It comes in four colors to customize to your liking and comes with flex mode allowing you to use the top portion to video call friends while browsing the Internet on the bottom half.
Best Buy
Nokia 2780 Flip | Unlocked | Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile | Blue
$89.99
Go back to basics with the Nokia 2780 Flip Phone, which is not only an affordable option but comes with all the necessities including talk, text and a camera. Just note that a SIM card is not included.
Motorola
Motorola razr+
$999.99
The Motorola Razr+ is not only Petras-approved, but aims to be the phone for content creators and it’s already getting rave reviews. It turns your smartphone into a fashionable accessory you can carry with you and shoot video, snap pictures, text, call, use social media and more. It won’t be available for pre-order until June 16, but until then, you can register to be notified of presale and once it’s available you’ll be able to purchase it through phone carriers or grab it universally unlocked at Amazon, Best Buy and Motorola.
Walmart
Alcatel – My Flip 2 Prepaid Tracfone
$43
Flip on over to Alcatel’s prepaid flip phone featuring only the essentials. Whether you’re traveling or just want to declutter your accessories, this phone will enable you to call, text, surf YouTube and even use a maps feature.
Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular Verve Snap
$69
Keep things simple and under $100 with this flip phone from Consumer Cellular. It’s compact enough to throw in your purse, pocket or backpack and will allow you to call and send text messages without the distraction of social media.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
We may be able to stream our favorite shows from the palm of our hand (i.e. our smartphones and tablets), but there’s nothing quite like watching the NBA Finals on the big screen. Once baseball season ends, though, you’ll still want to catch the latest football, basketball, soccer and more games in high definition.
Right now, Best Buy is having a major discount on its TVs — meaning you can score a fresh new screen for a fraction of the price. We did the digging to discover the deepest cuts on reviewer-loved models, so you can reap the benefits, including catching the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets play for the title.
NBA Finals 2023: Here’s How to Watch Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets Games for Free
05/31/2023
Right now, you can save $1,500 on Samsung’s The Terrace 75″ LED Smart Tizen TV (and no, we’re not making that up). With a 4.9-star rating you really can’t beat this outdoor television. Not only does is sport a brighter screen to help you see even the darkest shows (looking at you House of the Dragon), but it comes with a weather-resistant material for those who want to watch the playoffs outside when if it’s sprinkling.
Best Buy
Samsung – The Terrace Series 75″ LED Outdoor Partial Sun 4K UHD TV
$4,999.99 $6,499.99 23% off% OFF
Samsung’s The Terrace Series 75-inch Smart TV will take your entertainment outdoors. Whether you have a patio, terrace or outdoor area you can now enjoy a drive-in like experience from the comfort of your own home. It’s also available in a 65-inch size for $1,000 off if you’d prefer a smaller size while still saving money. Whether you prefer Hulu, Netflix, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ or another streaming service, this model is capable of playing those, YouTube and cable TV to adapt to your preferences.
The deals don’t stop there either, if you’re looking to spend less than $1,000 on a new TV we’ve got the pick for you. The Hisense 65-inch Class U6GR Series Quantum Smart Roku TV is currently $100 off dropping it down to $500.
Best Buy
Hisense 65″Class U6GR Series Quantum Smart Roku TV
$499.99 $599.99 17% off% OFF
Bringing you a 4k picture with smart technology is the Hisense 65-inch Roku TV. The discounted model isn’t just packed with savings but is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant allowing you to voice control it to launch channels, search for things and more. If you’re prone to losing your remote, ditch using it at all and take advantage of its compatibility with the Apple Home app or Siri on Apple devices.
Best Buy
Samsung – 85″ Class The Frame QLED 4k Smart Tizen TV
$3,499.99 $4,299.99 19% off% OFF
If you want to turn your TV into a chic piece of home decor, the Samsung Frame Smart TV is discounted up to $800. Depending on the size you go with, that will determine the amount of savings, but a deal is a deal in our book.
Score $800 off the 85-inch Samsung Frame Smart TV and enjoy a personal art exhibit when you’re not watching TV. When it’s not in-use you can even have photos on display to reminisce some of your favorite memories. Then, when it’s time to kick back and relax, turn on your favorite streamers, cable or browse the internet. The model is ready to adapt to your ever-changing needs. It’s also available in five sizes to choose from with savings available for each version.
Best Buy
Insignia – 58″ Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
$279.99 $429.99 35% off% OFF
Enjoy everything from the first ball game of the season to the SuperBowl in 4K ultra high definition on Insignia’s 58-inch Smart Fire TV. And if you lose your remote there’s no need to panic as it can be completely controlled using Alexa or an Amazon Fire TV. Plus, it’s currently $150 off!
Best Buy
Sony 55″ Class Bravia XR A90J Series OLED 4K UHD TV
$999 $1,399.99 29% off% OFF
At $400 off you can view the latest sporting events in crisp vibrant colors with Sony’s OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV. The screen was designed using Cognitive Processor XR technology to deliver realistic, ultra high contrast shades in front of your eyes. It also comes with Google TV, which features over 700,000 movies and TV episodes and access to streaming platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, Max, Hulu and more.
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Insignia – 40″ Class N10 Series LED Full HD TV
$119.99 $189.99 37% off% OFF
If you’re looking for a more compact TV, you can save $70 on this 40-inch Insignia HD TV. The small, slim design comes with VESA mounting holes to hang it on your wall or display it on a stand. When it’s time to grab the popcorn and watch a movie, the screen has LED lighting and a 1080p resolution for high definition viewing.
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Westinghouse – 50″ 4K UHD Smart Roku TV with HDR
$219.99 $389.99 44% off% OFF
The Westinghouse 4K UHD Smart Roku TV allows you to watch cable or stream from one of the many platforms on the market. It’s up to you to customize your home screen to your liking. It’s even capable of voice search and control (ideal if you’re prone to misplacing your remote) and is compatible with Apple AirPlay, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant-enabled devices.
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LG – 42″ Class C2 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV
$899.99 $999.99 10% off% OFF
Grab the LG evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV for $100 off and reap the benefits of having your streaming just a voice control away. It even comes with AI Picture Pro technology, which will automatically enhance your screen’s contrast and resolution for a lifelike picture every time you turn it on.