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Google quietly released an update to its Google Maps interface that updates the color palette for phone and desktop users: Roads are gray, water is a brighter greenish-blue, and parks are a bluish-green. The tweak seems to be rolling out slowly, and reactions — at least anecdotally — have been mixed.

The palette update is a shift away from Google Maps’ more traditional look and is closer to the hues used by Apple Maps, as pointed out by 9to5Google, which wrote about the UI update earlier and called it a test. Amusingly, this follows Apple finally letting users download maps to use offline, in the iOS 17 software update coming in September, a feature Google Maps has had for years.

Aside from resembling the colors used by Google’s rival in mapping software, the new Google Maps hues aren’t as easily distinguishable as they had been before. Most notably, the tones for water and nature/park areas are close enough to bleed together.

Fortunately for folks who don’t like the new look, Google Maps is relatively unchanged in dark mode.

Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: Google Maps Cheat Sheet: The Most Useful Tricks You Need to Know

You may be new to iOS or even be an iPhone veteran, but either way, there’s always a new setting to discover that completely changes how you use your Apple device.

Maybe you’re burning through battery and are looking to conserve energy, or you want to set up a shortcut to turn on your favorite workout playlist as soon as you walk into the gym. Hacks and quick fixes to your phone troubles are at your disposal — you just need to know where to look for them.

You’re bound to find some cool customization options — some that you know and others that you might have never heard of — in your settings. Want to declutter your home screen? Use your battery a little less throughout the day?

You can do all of that and more with these 22 iOS settings to optimize your phone’s performance.

And if you want to take a look at some hidden iOS features, check out how to unlock your iPhone’s hidden trackpad and the best hidden features on iOS 16. Also, if you’re looking to upgrade to the latest phone, check out the best deals on the iPhone 14 right now. There are also hidden features on iOS 17 (currently in public beta) which you should check out.

1. Stop apps from tracking your exact location

Apps like Doordash, Postmates, Google Maps and Waze all require your exact location to deliver food to the right location or directly you. But that doesn’t mean every application on your iPhone needs to know precisely where you are at every moment. That’s why you have the ability to prevent an app from tracking your exact location.

In the Settings app, choose an application (like Instagram, for example), tap Location and then toggle off Precise Location. Any app with Precise Location off will only know your approximate location, within a few miles.

Read more: Why You May Want to Revoke Precise Location Permissions From Instagram

2. Turn the back of your iPhone into a button

The back of your iPhone can be used as a secret button to activate certain actions, like take a screenshot, enable low power mode, run a shortcut that can automatically play music when you arrive at the gym. However, the option is hidden deep in your settings — here’s how to find it.

In the Settings app, go to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and choose one of two options: double or triple tap. You should see a list of actions you can run by tapping the back of your iPhone, like opening your camera, turning on the flashlight, scrolling up and down and more. Tap on an action or shortcut to enable it with Back Tap.

3. Bring back full-screen incoming call alerts

If your iPhone is unlocked and you receive a phone call, a banner-style notification will appear at the top of your screen, with a photo and name of the person calling, and the options to pick up or deny the call. But this banner wasn’t always there.

Before iOS 14, the incoming call screen would take over your entire display when your iPhone was unlocked and in use. It was disruptive, sure, but it also got the job done. When the banner appeared, it was a welcome change for many, because it’s more discreet and allows you to still use your phone while receiving a call.

However, if for any reason you’re not a big fan of the banner and want to revert to the more attention-grabbing full-screen alert, go to Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls and tap Full Screen.

4. Turn off 5G coverage you don’t want or have

Apple touts a Smart Data feature that’s specific to its 5G phones that will automatically switch between 4G LTE and 5G networks based on how you’re using your device. However, you may find that your iPhone’s battery drains faster than it did before. If you don’t want to sacrifice battery life for faster 5G speeds, shut it down. You can always turn 5G back on when you want it, or when service in your area improves.

To turn off 5G on your iPhone, forcing it to always use 4G LTE (even if you have 5G coverage), open the Settings app, then go to Cellular > Primary > Voice & Data and tap LTE. Alternatively, if you want your iPhone to exclusively use a 5G connection when available, you can select 5G On.

Read more: AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro: Comparing Apple’s Latest Earbuds

5. Fine-tune how much data is used by a 5G connection

If you’re happy with your 5G performance, here’s a network-related setting you should check out. Go to Settings > Primary > Data Mode, where you’ll find three different options: Allow More Data on 5G, Standard and Low Data Mode.

Even though there are brief descriptions below the three different settings, they don’t paint a complete picture for the first option. According to an Apple support document, allowing more data on 5G will give you high-quality video and FaceTime calls. It also enables your phone to download software updates and stream high-definition Apple TV and Apple Music content, and it allows third-party developers to also improve their respective apps.

The default setting on this page will depend on your carrier and your data plan, so it’s a good idea to check your iPhone and make sure it’s correctly set to your preference.

6. Stop apps from cluttering up your home screen

The App Library is a place where you can quickly find and access all of your applications. And while apps are housed here, all newly downloaded apps also appear on your home screen. This may not be a problem if you download apps sparingly, but if you’re installing new apps on a consistent basis, they can quickly clutter up your home screen.

To stop downloaded apps from appearing on your home screen, go to Settings > Home Screen & App Library and select App Library Only. If you want to find the app, you’ll have to swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.

7. Unlock your phone while wearing a face mask

If you still wear a mask out in public, unlock your iPhone with Apple’s Face ID technology can be frustrating. Because half of your face is covered, Face ID just doesn’t work. And while entering your passcode to unlock your phone works, it’s not as convenient.

With iOS, you now have the option to turn on a face unlock feature that makes it easy to unlock your iPhone when you’re wearing a face mask. Before the update, you could only unlock your iPhone if you owned an Apple Watch.

To unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch, open the Settings app on your iPhone and then open the Face ID & Passcode option. Scroll down until you find the Unlock with Apple Watch section (you must be connected to an Apple Watch for the setting to appear), where you can turn on the feature for any watches linked to your iPhone.

If you have an iPhone running iOS 15.4 or later, you can unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask without an Apple Watch. Go to the Settings app and open Face ID & Passcode. From there, you can toggle on the Face ID With a Mask option. It’s pretty awesome.

8. Put the address bar in Safari back on top

The address in Safari migrated to the bottom of the screen with the introduction of iOS 15 — a welcome addition for those with smaller hands who had difficulty reaching it with one hand at the top. While this move might feel more natural, since it’s closer to the keyboard and where you typically place your thumbs, it can be off-putting since many people are used to seeing the URL bar near the top of the screen.

If you want to put the address bar back at the top of the screen, go to Settings, tap Safari and choose the Single Tab option under the Tabs subheading.

9. Add features that can be used when your iPhone is locked

There are times when you might want to have certain info handy even when your phone is locked. That’s why Apple allows you to enable some features without having to unlock your device, such as the notification center, Control Center, the ability to reply to messages and the Wallet app.

To customize the features you’d like to access on the lock screen, launch the Settings menu, tap Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode when prompted. Scroll down until you see the Allow Access When Locked section, and toggle the sliders based on your preferences.

10. Make your favorite email app or web browser your default

It was a long time coming, but 2020’s iOS 14 update finally brought the ability to choose your own default apps — at least for email and web browsing. That means that when you tap a link or an email send button, your iPhone will automatically launch the web browser or email provider of your choosing rather than Safari or Mail.

To get started, open the Settings menu and select the app you’d like to set as a default (such as Google Chrome or Outlook). You should then see a button that says Default Mail App or Default Browser App. Tap that option and select the app of your choosing instead of Safari or Mail.

Read more: If You Care About Your Privacy, You Need to Change These Browser Settings

11. Get full notifications on your lock screen

The first time you experience Apple’s Face ID tech, you’ll notice that you can’t see the content of new alerts and notifications on the lock screen. For example, instead of seeing who sent you a text message and what it says, you’ll only see a generic Messages alert.

By default, all iPhones with Apple’s Face ID tech will hide the content of an alert until you pick up your phone and unlock it. It’s a privacy feature that I rather enjoy, but I also understand how it could be annoying (I’ve heard a few complaints from readers and family members alike).

You can change how notifications appear on your lock screen by going to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and selecting Always. Conversely, you can select Never if you want to keep the content of your notifications always hidden from the lock screen.

12. Turn off (or on) HDR video for sharing videos

The iPhone can record high dynamic range (HDR) video with Dolby Vision. That means your videos are typically brighter, with more accurate colors and improved contrast. That may be ideal for some, but if you don’t want videos that are automatically adjusted, because you want to do it on your own, there is a way to disable the feature.

You can turn off HDR video by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video and turning the switch next to HDR Video to the Off position. Going forward, all videos will be captured in standard dynamic range.

13. Customize your home screen with fancy wallpaper

Another home screen tweak you should make involves your wallpaper or background. Apple has added some new wallpapers of its own, with a pretty cool twist.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select Wallpaper from the list. Make sure the switch labeled “Dark Appearance Dims Wallpaper,” which you’ll see below the two thumbnail previews of your wallpaper, is turned on. Now, tap Choose a new wallpaper and select either Stills or Live. See the circle near the bottom of each wallpaper? It’s half black, half white.

That circle means that the wallpaper has both light and dark mode versions and will change automatically based on the system status of your phone.

You can also set live wallpapers as your background if you’re not sold on dark and light mode.

14. Turn on dark mode to save your battery

Speaking of dark mode, if you don’t want to have to repeatedly adjust your screen’s brightness, you can use your phone’s dedicated dark mode. Dark mode converts all of the white backgrounds in apps to, more often than not, a black background. In turn, your phone is able to save battery power thanks to the darker colors.

Turn it on by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and selecting the Dark option at the top of the screen. You can also just swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone and tap the Dark mode icon in the Control Center.

Apple’s apps will automatically switch to a dark color scheme, and most third-party apps have also adopted the feature.

15. Manage your notifications with Focus Mode

We get a lot of notifications every day, but not all of them are relevant all the time. With iOS 15, Apple introduced a feature called Focus Mode. Think of it as a custom Do Not Disturb feature that’s tailored to specific circumstances.

Focus Mode blocks less relevant alerts, while allowing notifications from important people and apps to come through so that you don’t miss anything. You can set up different types of Focus Modes for specific circumstances.

Apple currently offers options for Do Not Disturb, personal, sleep, work, driving, fitness, gaming, mindfulness and reading, but you can also create your own custom mode. You can schedule Focus Modes so that they turn on automatically when needed, and display your status in apps so that others know you have notifications silenced.

To get started, open the Settings menu, tap Focus and choose one of the available options to set up your notification preferences. Tap the plus (+) symbol in the top right corner to add a new Focus.

16. Make your screen text bigger or smaller

With a couple of taps on your iPhone’s screen, you can adjust the font size to make it easier to read. Open Settings and go to Display & Brightness > Text Size where you can use the slider until you’re happy with the font size. For a little added oomph, you can turn on Bold Text (it’s just below the Text Size button).

17. Add an alternate appearance to Face ID

Apple’s facial recognition feature — Face ID — constantly learns different aspects of your face with each scan. If you’re struggling to get Face ID to consistently recognize you, try the Alternate Appearance option.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > enter your PIN > Set Up An Alternate Appearance and go through the process of enrolling your face again.

18. Disable auto brightness for longer battery charge

Your iPhone’s screen brightness level can have a big impact on battery life. By default, iOS will automatically adjust the display’s brightness based on how much light its ambient sensor detects. But if you want to take complete control, you can disable auto-brightness, meaning the brightness level will stay where you set it until you adjust it again.

Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and at the bottom of the page, you’ll find a switch to turn off Auto-Brightness.

Now, whenever you want to adjust your screen, you can do so by opening Control Center with a swipe up from the bottom of the screen on a device with a home button, or a swipe down from the top-right corner on newer iPhones.

19. Triage your privacy settings

The first time you set up an iPhone with all of your apps, you’re bombarded with prompts asking for permissions to access personal information ranging from tracking your location to your Apple Health information or your camera roll.

It’s far too easy to get in the habit of approving everything just so you can use the app, but take a few minutes and go through your privacy settings to tailor what each app can and can’t see. We walk you through the whole privacy process in two quick steps.

20. Use Control Center to access apps with a swipe or tap

The iPhone’s Control Center is a convenient spot to quickly change songs, turn on airplane mode, connect to Wi-Fi or start a timer, but there’s so much more to it than that. You can quickly turn your flashlight on, check on a timer or start recording your screen with a quick swipe and tap.

Customize which apps and features are available in Control Center by opening Settings > Control Center. Remove an option with a tap on the red minus button or add an option by selecting the green addition button. Drag features up or down using the three-line icon on the right side of the screen.

Personally, I like having quick access to the Wallet app and toggles for low-power mode and dark mode.

As a reminder, if you have an iPhone with a home button, like the iPhone SE, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. If you have an iPhone with Face ID, you’ll need to swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen where the battery icon is.

21. Organize alerts with Notification Summary

Apple wants to help you manage your notifications in iOS, starting with the Notification Summary feature. Rather than letting notifications pile up on your home screen, you can schedule alerts that aren’t urgent to arrive in a bundle at a specific time of day.

Important notifications like calls, direct messages and other time-sensitive alerts (like the status of your Uber or Lyft ride, for example) will still appear immediately.

To try this out, open Settings, press Notifications and tap Scheduled Summary.

22. Change Siri’s voice

If you’ve recently set up a new iPhone, you may have noticed that Siri no longer defaults to a female voice. Instead, you’ll be asked which Siri voice you want to use, including several more recent options. Once you’ve made your selection, Apple will change Siri’s voice across all of the devices linked to your Apple ID.

You can check out the voice options by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice. To learn more, check out our complete guide to changing Siri’s sound. Apple also added a gender-neutral Siri voice option for English speakers.

For more, here’s how to set up your new iPhone and how to transfer your data from your old iPhone. Plus, this iOS trick gives you more iCloud storage for free.

On Thursday night, Spectrum subscribers across the United States lost ESPN, FX, Freeform and all of Disney’s other programming. Turns out, Disney-owned channels have gone dark over a carriage dispute with Charter Communications, the company behind the Spectrum brand.

Ordinarily, Disney and Charter have an agreement on how much Charter will pay Disney in exchange for the right to broadcast its many channels. But as the two companies have been renegotiating the price of Disney’s programming, they’ve failed to reach an agreement. This breakdown led to Disney pulling its channels from the cable provider’s Spectrum service Thursday night.

This included ESPN, one of the largest sports-broadcasting networks, meaning that because of the dispute, viewers missed out on the US Open and the kickoff of college football.

Read on to find out what you can do if you’re a Spectrum subscriber affected by Disney’s channels going dark.

What are my options?

If you’re a Spectrum subscriber who’s missing some of your favorite content now that these channels have disappeared — and you just can’t wait for the dispute to be resolved — you’ve got some options. Almost all your favorite shows, news and sports are also available to stream.

Disney Plus will be able to provide viewers with all their beloved Disney programming. You’ll be able to catch children’s content that would ordinarily be found on the Disney Channel or Disney Junior, and more adult-focused programs that are on Freeform and FX. These shows won’t be airing live, though, so you might miss out on live premieres of your favorite shows. Disney Plus subscriptions start at $8 a month and can be canceled at any time.

If you’re missing news broadcasts, you could turn to over-the-air TV to get your fix of local news. You’ll need to purchase an antenna if you don’t have one and hook it up to your television, and then you’ll be able to access channels like ABC. You won’t have as many channels as you’d ordinarily get with cable TV, but if you’re just looking to watch your preferred local news broadcast, this could be a pretty solid fix.

If you’re a sports fan feeling the loss of ESPN, you’re also covered. There are plenty of sports streaming platforms that’ll keep you caught up on all your favorite teams and players.

The downside is that all these options cost money, on top of the cable service you’re already paying for. Companies generally are able to overcome these carriage disputes, though negotiation troubles in the past have led to weeks-long channel blackouts.

When will my channels come back?

Though it’s hard to say when exactly the two companies will reach an agreement, it’s safe to assume they’re actively working on coming to a solution.

Charter has launched a website, called disneyespnfairdeal.com, about the carriage disagreement. On the site, Charter calls the pricing increase “excessive” and encourages subscribers to call on Disney to come to a deal.

In response to CNET’s request for comment, Charter said the “current video ecosystem is broken. With The Walt Disney Company, we have proposed a model that creates better alignment for the industry and better choices for our customers.” Despite its disagreement with Disney, Charter noted that it remains “hopeful for a path forward.”

Disney has also launched its own website in response to the disagreement, called keepmynetworks.com. Disney highlights “a highly successful track record of negotiating with providers of all types and sizes across the country” and says it’s “committed to reaching fair, market-based rates and terms.”

In response to CNET’s request for comment, Disney said, “Contrary to claims, we have offered Charter most favorable terms on rate, distribution, packaging, advertising and more.” Disney also said, “We value our relationship with Charter and we are ready to get back to the bargaining table as soon as possible.”

Fingers crossed it’s all sorted out before the NFL season kicks off on Sept. 7, with a matchup between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.

For more on streaming, here are the best live TV streaming services for 2023 and how to pick between Disney Plus and Netflix.

UFOs — unidentified flying objects — is the term most people use for sightings of unexplained entities seen in the sky. But to the government, those mysterious items are known as UAPs, meaning “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (The word “anomalous” simply means deviating from what’s normal or expected.) Now, the US Department of Defense has launched a website collecting publicly available, declassified information on UAPs.

For now, the general public will be able to read through the posted information. Soon, US government employees, contractors, and service members with knowledge of US programs can report their own sightings, and later, others will be able to submit reports.

“This website will provide information, including photos and videos, on resolved UAP cases as they are declassified and approved for public release,” the department said in a release posted on Thursday. “The website’s other content includes reporting trends and a frequently asked questions section as well as links to official reports, transcripts, press releases, and other resources that the public may find useful, such as applicable statutes and aircraft, balloon and satellite tracking sites.”

The site is live now at aaro.mil. The reporting tool for government employees, contractors and service members will be live in the fall. And if you don’t fall into one of those specific groups, keep watching the skies anyway, because “a mechanism for members of the general public to make reports will be announced in coming months,” the department said.

For now, one of the most interesting parts of the site is its trends section. Apparently, most reported UAPs are round, either white, silver or translucent, spotted at around 10,000 to 30,000 feet, 1-4 meters in size, and do not emit thermal exhaust. Hotspots for sightings include both the US East and West coasts.

There’s also a small section of videos with names such as “DVIDS Video – Unresolved Case: Navy 2021 Flyby,” and “UAP Video: Middle East Object.”

Readers are able to leave comments on the videos. Of the “Middle East Object” video, one person writes,”Noticed I never saw it cast a shadow. But other objects have shadows.”

As CNET wrote in 2021, the mere fact that people see items in the sky that they personally cannot identify does not mean aliens are scoping out Earth for a visit — or have already stopped by. Many UAP cases have been attributed to “balloon or balloon-entities,” as well as drones, birds, weather events or airborne debris like plastic bags.

Using unique and strong passwords is vital if you want to maintain security and privacy online. But creating and remembering those passwords can be difficult, if not impossible. That’s why using a password manager is the way to go and one of the best is now available at a deep, deep discount.

Right now NordPass Personal Premium plans are available with a 52% discount, a deal that’s exclusive to CNET readers.

A NordPass Personal Premium subscription includes the ability to automatically save and fill out your usernames and passwords, while you can also securely save your credit cards and notes as well. NordPass will also detect weak and reused passwords so that you can create new, more secure ones — and it’ll even scan the web for data breaches so you’re always informed.

Other NordPass features include the ability to attach files to items for safekeeping, as well as the capability to stay logged in when switching. You’ll also benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can take NordPass Personal Premium for a spin and see how it fits your needs.

Having all of your accounts use the same, insecure password is a recipe for disaster. In fact, if you can remember your password, it probably isn’t strong enough — let NordPass remember new and stronger passwords for you instead.

Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.

If you’re thinking of subscribing to the Starz streaming service — perhaps to catch up on hit romantic time-traveling drama Outlander — then paying annually might be the way to go. Starz has dropped its annual subscription price from $75 to $70, making it one of the cheaper yearly options available.

The price drop comes just two months after Starz raised its monthly subscription price from $9 to $10 per month on June 26. The June price hike was the first price increase for Starz since 2016, when it launched as a stand-alone digital service. The channel began as a premium cable offering.

“As one of the few streaming networks that is profitable, we are always looking for ways to drive success for the business while providing great value to our customers,” Alison Hoffman, president of domestic networks for Starz, said in a statement. “Our annual plan subscribers are some of our most valuable customers, so we wanted to find ways to drive more people into the plan and reward our existing customers.”

Current Starz annual subscribers will see the new price on their next bill.

Starz, an ad-free service, may be best known for such shows as Outlander, Power and The White Queen. As a Lionsgate-owned company, Starz also airs the studio’s movies and shows, such as John Wick and Saw.

Starz has a deal with Universal to broadcast its lineup too, including movies such as Jurassic World Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Oppenheimer. Check out CNET’s rundown of the Starz app.

At $70, an annual subscription to Starz comes in below yearly options available from other popular streaming services. Hulu with ads costs $80 a year. Disney Plus Premium costs $110 a year, and Paramount Plus with Showtime comes in at $120 a year.

Read more: YouTube TV vs. Hulu Plus Live TV: The Top Streaming Services Compared

Microsoft’s productivity tools like Word and Excel are used by schools and business around the world. Which means that having access is critical for tons of students and employees. Unfortunately, a lifetime license to the latest suite of Office 2021 apps costs a whopping $440 when you purchase it through Microsoft directly. But right now at StackSocial, both Windows and Mac users can snag a pair of lifetime licenses for just $65, which saves you over $800 total.

Just note that Mac users will only get the basic Home and Business suite, while Windows users will get the Professional suite, which includes Office Publisher and Office Access as well. And this limited-time offer is only available through Sep. 4, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

StackSocial’s deal is a great bargain when compared with the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which starts at $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals. There’s a free online version of Microsoft Office that you can use as well, but it isn’t nearly as feature complete. (Separately — and notably — Apple users should note that Outlook is now a free app for the Mac.)

Now, a deal this good comes with some caveats. First, it includes two codes, and each can only be used one time for a single computer, so you won’t be able to install it on multiple machines in your home, and if your current computer happens to die, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. Likewise, you’re passing up on other benefits you’d get as a 365 subscriber. You won’t get any OneDrive Cloud Storage, nor will you get the fancy new cloud-based AI features like Microsoft Copilot. And while the apps should continue to work as long as your computer does, Microsoft’s support for this version of Office ends on Oct. 13, 2026.

To that last point: Though this is listed as a “lifetime license” — that is, the lifetime of the computer you installed it on — it’s worth noting there’s always a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license. But versions of StackSocial’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine.

Google is getting ready to launch the Pixel 8. On Wednesday, the tech giant sent invites to an event on Oct. 4 where it’ll unveil the latest additions to its “Pixel portfolio of devices.” The in-person Made by Google event is set to take place in New York City at 10 a.m. ET, Google said.

Though Google didn’t name any specific devices, it implied in a post on Threads that the event will include the reveal of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google has released a next-gen Pixel phone every fall since 2016.

“Big fall launches are stressful, but Pixel helps these Best Phones Forever stay cool as cucumbers. The w8 is almost over. Rest up for Made By Google on October 4th,” Google posted on Threads.

The Threads post included a video of an iPhone talking to a Pixel phone about everything it can’t do that Google’s phone can — like “unblurring old photos, answering unknown calls with AI and live translating messages.” The iPhone in Google’s video also suggests it’ll “finally” be getting USB-C charging during the iPhone 15 event next month.

There are already rumors swirling around the expected Pixel 8 lineup. The phones could have an improved ultrawide camera, and Google may add new AI-powered features to its camera system. The phones will also likely see some display and design tweaks, but the changes are expected to be subtle.

One of the more interesting rumors is that the Pixel 8 Pro might include a contactless thermometer feature that could be used to determine if you’re running a fever.

It’s also possible Google uses the event to unveil the Pixel Watch 2, the next generation of its smartwatch. The watch is rumored to feature better battery life and new health-tracking features.

Google’s Pixel 7 lineup was well received, with both the Pixel 7 Pro and more affordable Pixel 7A earning spots on CNET’s best phones list for 2023. Google also earlier this year launched its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold. CNET phone expert Lisa Eadicicco says Google may need make some noticeable upgrades in order for the Pixel 8 to stand out from the company’s other phones.

Google’s invites came out just a day after Apple set the date for its iPhone 15 reveal, which is scheduled to take place on Sept. 12 at the company’s Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California.

These days, having a good pair of headphones or earbuds is essential. If you commute to work, turning on active noise cancellation and blocking out the world while losing yourself in your favorite tracks or audiobook is a fantastic way to pass the time. They’re also great while traveling, hitting the gym, Zoom calls or just for everyday tasks. The downside? High-quality headphones and earbuds often come with high price tags. Luckily, some of our favorite brands and stores are offering amazing discounts on a variety of headphones.

Looking for more discounts? CNET has the best promo code offers from Bose, Samsung, Marshall and more. All deals are updated and verified daily.

Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.

Whether you consider Chopper an adorable Star Wars droid or a war criminal, the rambunctious robot is among the several Star Wars Rebels characters that have leaped from animation to live action. Tying in with this month’s Ahsoka series on Disney Plus, Hasbro’s Chatter Back Chopper animatronic brings an always-listening spin to the droid, which after its reveal back in April is now on sale in the US for $80 and in the UK for 83 (roughly AU$160).

I got to try out an early sample of the 7.5-inch droid, which wouldn’t stop talking the minute I loaded it with four AA batteries. The Chatter Back Chopper is reminiscent of a Furby, in that once it’s powered on it’ll react right away when you speak to it or touch it, or when it hears ambient noise.

The Star Wars Chatter Back Chopper, based on how the droid appears in the #Ahsoka series, immediately starts chatting up a riot once its batteries are loaded up. While not quite as interactive as a Furby, it will react to most sounds and touch https://t.co/QmnaN6RLUD pic.twitter.com/yItsmkxYn7

— Mike Sorrentino (@MikeJSorrentino) August 31, 2023

Chopper has 40 different sound and movement combinations, which involve the two “arms” sticking out of its head, Chopper’s wheel, and a speaker that spouts out a mix of cranky noises that are true to the character.

Moving another arm that’s halfway down Chopper and pressing a button on the front of the droid will activate these combinations. And you can turn off Chopper by pressing and holding that button — at which time he’ll make a disappointed-sounding noise in reaction to the session ending.

The Furby comparison also aligns with how much Chopper moves around — despite having a wheel, he doesn’t move on his own but does animately twist and bop in reaction to noise. Chopper also doesn’t directly recognize voices, so its reactions based on what it hears are generally random, apart from the aforementioned sound he makes when being turned off.

For a more direct look at how Chatter Back Chopper looks, moves and sounds, check out my hands-on video, embedded in this story.