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The Apple Mac Studio is a great computer for people who don’t want to live that laptop lifestyle. It’s a pro-level Mac that usually comes with a pro-level price, but right now it can be had for just $1,799, which is a big discount on the price you’d normally pay.

Order your new M2 Max Mac Studio from B&H Photo today and you’ll save $200 as part of the retailer’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It’s likely that this price won’t be available for long, so we’d definitely suggest ordering your new Mac Studio soon if you want to be certain of locking in this deal.

The configuration on offer here is the most recent, base-spec Mac Studio, but it’s by no means a slouch. Your $1,799 will get you a machine equipped with an M2 Max chip with a 12-core CPU and whopping 30-core graphics processor, with a 16-core Neural Engine included for good measure. The big numbers continue with 32GB of RAM as well as a 512GB solid-state drive.

This Mac Studio was built with advanced video and audio workflows in mind and it’s been optimized for work in Final Cut Pro, Compressor, DaVinci Resolve Studio and more. And because the Mac Studio uses Apple silicon, you’ll hardly ever hear this thing running — even during heavy workloads.

Whether you’re just starting out in the world of creative endeavors or are upgrading from an old Intel Mac, the Mac Studio could change the way you get work done. And we didn’t even mention that it can be a great machine for gaming.

Buying a tablet doesn’t have to mean spending big, and you don’t have to settle for poor performance with plenty of reliable cheap tablets out there. Amazon’s top-tier Fire Max 11 tablet, for example, is already more affordable than most premium devices, and right now you can pick one up at its best price yet — down to just $190.

That price represents a notable $40 discount on the original $230 price and you don’t even need to enter any discount codes or clip any on-screen coupons, either. All that’s required from you is that you place your order before the deal comes to a close. Amazon hasn’t said when that will be, so keep that in mind here.

The Fire Max 11 tablet comes with a large and vivid 11-inch display sporting 2.4 million pixels. It’s a great way to watch movies, play games, and more. The octacore processor is backed up by 4GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, while the large battery ensures around 14 hours between charges.

In terms of storage, Amazon ships this tablet with 64GB of built-in capacity but you can expand that via the microSD card slot if you need extra room to breathe. The tablet supports cards of up to 1TB so that should be plenty for most people.

This being an Amazon device you know that it comes with Alexa built in, making it easier and quicker to get recipes, interact with your smart home, and more. And all for just $190 if you place your order while this deal is still live.

You may be one of the millions of Netflix users who’s streamed Suits during the past few months (despite the password crackdown), along with a variety of dramas and originals. While Netflix may tune in to your habits with movie and TV show recommendations that are spot on, it’s not always the best way to find something new to watch. There’s a chance you’re overlooking a few gems and niche genres. There’s also a chance those personalized suggestions are based on a profile you shared with someone.

You’re in luck, though. There’s a secret hack for filtering Netflix’s catalog by genre to find exactly what you’re searching for: Netflix codes. Learn how to use them to choose your own next binge-watch instead of accepting the algorithm’s suggestions.

What are Netflix codes?

Netflix codes are based on a number system that corresponds to a different genre or subgenre, which the algorithm uses to categorize and serve up recommendations. For example, instead of scrolling through Romance, search for movies using 8883, or 5475 (romantic comedies) for more specific results. You can also get into the hype surrounding code 9875, which will take you down a rabbit hole of true crime.

So far, Netflix has about 36,000 codes. Note that codes can only be used on Netflix’s website and not in its apps.

Where do I find Netflix’s secret menu?

Check out netflix-codes.com for a full list. There are about 20 categories like anime, foreign movies and classic movies. Those categories are broken down into more specific subgenres. For example, horror movies — coded 8711 — houses 12 more codes like deep-sea horror movies, zombie horror movies, teen screams and more.

How do I use Netflix codes?

The easiest way is by installing the Better Browse for Netflix extension for Chrome. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search “Better Browse for Netflix.”
2. Click Add to Chrome.
3. Click Add Extension.
4. Log into your Netflix account in a new tab.

At the top of the Netflix home screen, you should see a new option — Browse All — next to My List. Click that to search manually or scroll through the subgenres available.

Another way is through the Netflix codes website. Here’s how:

1. Visit netflix-codes.com in your PC or mobile browser.
2. Find the genre or subgenre you want to explore.
3. Tap the code next to the genre or subgenre you want.
4. If you’re on a device that has the Netflix app installed, the app should open and take you directly to the genre or subgenre you chose. If you don’t have the app installed, it’ll open Netflix through the browser and you can view the specific movies and shows available.
5. Tap the title you want to watch.

You can also use the Netflix codes manually in your browser. Here’s how:

1. Visit netflix-codes.com in your PC or mobile browser.
2. Find the genre or subgenre you want to explore.
3. In another tab, type in http://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/INSERTNUMBER, but replace INSERTNUMBER with the specific genre or subgenre code.
4. You’ll be taken to Netflix to peruse the titles available in that section.

From there, you can either make a mental note of the movie you want to watch and go back to the app on your preferred device, or log in to watch in your browser.

Despite the many cool features packed into your iPhone, the one iOS feature that tends to get the most complaints is the stock keyboard. Some complain about sluggishness and others about the odd placement of the period when typing in Safari, but one consistent source of frustration is difficulty placing the cursor when trying to type or edit text.

The conventional method of tapping and holding your finger down on the screen to bring up a magnifying bubble can be frustrating when you can’t get the cursor to go exactly where you want. Luckily, there’s another way to move the cursor when typing in iOS, and it works even if you’re running an older software version, like iOS 15.

Read on to learn how to unlock and use your iPhone’s hidden trackpad.

For more, check out how to fix the most annoying features and settings on your iPhone.

How to bring up the secret trackpad on an iPhone or iPad

Here’s how to discover the hidden trackpad on an iOS device.

1.Anywhere you’ve written a block of text, bring up your keyboard and press and hold your finger down on the space key until the keyboard goes blank. You should feel a bit of haptic feedback and see the cursor enlarge for a second, which means you can now use the keyboard as a trackpad.

2.With your finger still pressed down, move it around the entire keyboard to move your cursor, just like you would on your Mac’s trackpad.

3. To place the cursor, simply lift your finger off the screen. You can then use any of the other keys, like Delete, to make any edits in the text. If you want to move the cursor once again, press your finger down on the space key to bring up the hidden trackpad.

If you’re interested in more tips and tricks for the iPhone, check out how to unlock this hidden iPhone feature to quickly ID songs and how to have a secret conversation in the Notes app. And if you’ve got an Apple computer, here are seven of the best hidden features on your Mac.

Just like movies and television, gaming streaming services have taken over. Every gaming platform has at least one, with Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo building their gaming subscription servicesaround multiplayer and a library of playable titles.

That’s right, even if you aren’t interested in a digital gaming library, it might be more cost-effective to subscribe to one just to access things like multiplayer — and you might even find a new favorite game along the way.

With cloud gaming and the PC version of Xbox Game Pass, subscriptions are a big part of PC gaming, but not yet the default. It helps that PC gamers can buy games a la carte from a variety of shops (Steam, GOG and so on), which means individual games are often discounted.

And if content subscriptions are the future of gaming, then cloud gaming subscriptions are the future of that future, as they require almost no specialized hardware, and generally work anywhere, from an iPad to a cheap Chromebook. For this roundup, we’re including both download and cloud-based subscription services.

That said, the road to cloud gaming isn’t always a smooth one. Google shut down its Stadia service in January. And the very first cloud-gaming service, On Live, started in 2010 and shut down in 2015.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the gold standard, offering a catalog of games across console, PC and cloud (which works on practically any device). But Sony has revamped its PlayStation Plus service to be much closer to what Microsoft offers.

The top tier of services includes:

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
• PlayStation Plus
• Nintendo Switch Online
• GeForce Now
• Apple Arcade

Other players include:

• EA Play
• Ubisoft Plus
• Google Play Pass
• Amazon Luna
• Amazon Prime Gaming

Also tested

EA Play

For $5 to $15 a month, you get access to a catalog of EA games, but EA Play is also included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Ubisoft Plus

For $15 a month, you get access to Ubisoft games as a stand-alone PC subscription, or as a paid add-on to Stadia or Luna, and eventually Xbox.

Google Play Pass

Like Apple Arcade, the Google version for Android phones includes lots of games, but also other apps. It works on Android devices only.

Amazon Luna/Prime Gaming

Luna is Amazon’s cloud-based service, like Stadia, that offers different catalogs for between $5 and $18 a month. Prime members can stream some games at no additional cost, and also get access to “a rotating selection” of full downloadable games. Amazon also owns Twitch, so there’s deep built-in integration for streamers.

Stadia

Google’s cloud-based service is no more, but you can still go back and read our launch review of Google Stadia.

If you’re a PC gamer who’s been struggling to rack up some wins, you may want to upgrade more than your in-game gear. And if you’re looking to make the switch to a mechanical keyboard, then we’ve got a deal you won’t want to miss. The compact Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is one of our favorite gaming keyboards of 2023, and right now you can pick it up for $110, which saves you $90 compared with the usual price. There’s no set expiration for this deal, so you may want to get your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini is a great pick if you’re in the market for a compact and versatile mechanical gaming keyboard that’s also good for work and easy to take on the go. It’s a tenkeyless model that’s around 65% smaller than a full-size keyboard, which means it’s small enough to toss in your backpack and take just about anywhere. Plus, it supports wireless, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, so it’s compatible with a huge range of computers and devices, and it boasts an impressive 200-hour battery life on a single charge. It comes equipped with Razer’s clicky green mechanical switches, but you can upgrade to the silent yellow switches for an extra $10.

And if you’re in the market for a different size or style, you can check out our full roundup of all the best keyboard deals for even more bargains.

The Apple Watch is the world’s most popular watch for a reason, but you don’t have to spend Apple Watch Ultra money to put a bit of Apple on your wrist. Right now you can pick up a first-gen Apple Watch SE with cellular support for just $129.

Walmart currently lists that as a $200 saving, although that’s a bit disingenuous because that’s how much the updated Apple Watch SE from 2022 would normally cost. But all of that aside, picking up an Apple Watch with cellular support for less than $130? That’s a price that’s difficult to say no to.

Walmart will sell you this 40mm Apple Watch SE in three different configurations. There’s a space gray, silver, and gold Apple Watch SE just waiting for you to strap it onto your wrist. The 44mm version is also on sale at $159, though it’s only available in space gray.

The star of the show with this deal is that cellular connectivity because it changes the Apple Watch entirely. Being able to go out without your iPhone can be liberating, especially if you’re exercising. You’ll still be able to stay connected with friends and family via phone, iMessage, and email while streaming music won’t be a problem, either. And by taking advantage of Family Setup this Apple Watch could be the perfect starter smartwatch for a child, too.

Though it’s an older model, this Apple Watch SE is swimproof and has heart rate tracking, making it an ideal companion for workouts including running, walking, yoga, and weight training. It supports Apple’s current watchOS 9 software and will get the upgrade to watchOS 10 later this month, too. Just note that this model eschews some of the more advanced (and expensive) features, like an always-on display or blood oxygen tracking that we’ve seen in later models.

That being said, this current $129 price is among the lowest that we’ve seen, especially with cellular support thrown in, and it might not be a price that hangs around for too long as well. Get your order in now if you want to lock this special price in before it’s gone.

The trick to consolidate the number of boxes under your TV is getting a smart soundbar. The best ones let you combine a voice assistant, music streaming and maybe even video streaming. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for great quality either, with prices starting at about $130.

Before I show you the picks, it’s worth making a distinction between a smart soundbar and a smart TV. While a smart TV means the screen has onboard streaming apps, a smart soundbar usually means the speaker has an onboard voice assistant — usually either Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. The main exceptions here are the Roku Streambar and Streambar Pro (previously the Smart Soundbar), which do have streaming apps and an optional always-on assistant.

Of course, all soundbars are designed to be used with most TVs, whether either device is smart or not. But if you’re looking for an all-in-one streaming speaker and voice assistant, these are the soundbars to buy.

Read more: Best Smart Speakers for 2023: Alexa, Google and More

How I test soundbars

At CNET I test audio equipment from compact soundbars though to surround sound speaker systems, but regardless of the device my methodology is largely the same. I always compare products against one or more reference devices which offer the best performance at a similar price.

When it comes to soundbars, I want to see how well a system performs with music as well as with movies, as most people will want to do both. I watch from a handful of test scenes from 4K Blu-ray or streamed from a 4K streaming service (Vudu, for example) and evaluate aspects such as bass performance and dialog clarity. I also use a number of test music tracks and evaluate any streaming features such asBluetoothand Wi-Fi. Systems that can perform well with both types of entertainment that inevitably score the highest.

See my how to buy a soundbar for more of the features and other things you should consider when looking for a new system.

More home entertainment advice

• Best Home Theater Systems for 2023
• How to Upgrade Your TV Sound
• Best 65-Inch TV for 2023, Tested and Reviewed
• Best Wi-Fi Wireless Speaker of 2023
• Best Sonos Speakers of 2023

Satechi specializes in sleek accessories for laptops, phones and tablets and several of its devices have claimed spots on our list of the best USB-C chargers, docks, batteries and other accessories. And right now, you can pick up some of these top-rated items for less. The company is currently offering Labor Day savings across its whole site, offering you 25% off when you use the promo code LD25 at checkout.

You’ll find all kinds of helpful gadgets and accessories available for less at this sale. For just $34, you could pick up this handy USB-C hub, which features an HDMI port, an SD card reader and multiple USB-A ports, and supports pass-through charging. Or, you can charge all your devices at once with this compact $45 Dock5 charging station. It has two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports and a Qi wireless charging pads, plus silicone dividers to keep all your devices neatly organized.

You’ll find plenty more deals on mice, smart plugs, stands and adapters as well. Even if you don’t need any flashy new gadgets, this sale is also a great chance to stock up on some high-quality everyday and travel essentials like charging cables and wall chargers at a discount.

No one ever wants to pay more for something than they feel they should. Cutting expensive subscriptions and resisting the temptation to eat out are a couple of ways to lower your regular costs, but there are a few things you can’t compromise on, like cellphone plans. Luckily, you don’t need to get rid of your service — you only need to find a cheaper phone plan.

In 2023, there are plenty of ways to do just that, from prepaid carriers such as Mint Mobile to cable companies’ mobile endeavors, like Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile and Charter’s Spectrum Mobile. All of them could be more affordable than an unlimited plan from AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile. Cheap phone plans now also have many of the features traditional plans offer, including an unlimited option, and they often run on a larger carrier’s network.

Though there are dozens of phone plan options out there, and after covering the wireless industry for over a decade I’ve listed a few for you to consider, as well as some other ways to save on your bill. Since there are so many options, things can quickly get unwieldy, so as with some of CNET’s other wireless carrier coverage, I’ll focus on options for a single line and for folks looking for four lines.

Read more: Best Prepaid Phone Plans

Know your area and which carrier runs on which networks

To get the best deal, you need to make sure you have the coverage that you need. Cutting costs won’t help if it means the service won’t work for you.

The US’ complex geographic variables make it hard for us to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in rural Iowa, Verizon could be more reliable.

While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly as the three major players continue the race to blanket the US with 5G. It’s quite possible that, a decade ago, you left a network complaining about its sparse service, but now it’s been beefed up because of that race to acquire customers.

If you know any friends or family in your area that already use the carrier you’re considering, ask about their experience. You could also go to a carrier’s store and see if they offer any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as T-Mobile’s Network Pass. Verizon now offers a similar 30-day “Test Drive” program, while the Cricket prepaid service has its own trial program that lets you sample parent AT&T’s network.

Read more: Best Unlimited Plans

When it comes to prepaid carriers and mobile options from cable companies you should also check to see which network they are using. Mint Mobile, for instance, runs on T-Mobile’s service (and will soon be acquired by T-Mobile), while Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile and Charter’s Spectrum Mobile use Verizon. In these cases, downloading either of the two apps above could be a quick and easy way to try out T-Mobile or Verizon’s coverage in your area before you switch.

We have a list of a few of the major alternative providers and which networks they run on broken down here. Now, onto the picks.

Best cheap phone plans of 2023

Single lines with unlimited data

Family plans with unlimited data

Best for no or limited data

Cheap phone plan FAQs