Author: Admin

Alright sports fans, if you’re ready for kickoff, here’s a deal you won’t want to miss. NFL.com is currently offering 20% off an annual subscription to NFL Plus Premium for new subscribers, which drops the price to just $80 for a year of access and includes the popular RedZone channel with your subscription so that you can catch every touchdown each Sunday of the regular 2023 season. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later.

Signing up for a subscription for the 2023 season will give you access to the NFL Network, which means you can watch live local and primetime regular and postseason games on your phone or tablet, live out-of-market preseason games, live game audio, on-demand content and more. And the popular NFL channel RedZone is a part of that deal. It toggles between all games on a given Sunday and highlights the teams inside the 20 yard line — “the red zone” — on all of your home devices, including your TV. You’ll also be able to see game replays and score 30% off your next purchase from the NFL Shop.

It’s worth noting that if you have (or are planning to subscribe to) one of the NFL Sunday Ticket packages, some of them will include RedZone for you and you should pass on this offer. However, those ultra-premium packages come with pricing to match — with plans starting at $339. For everyone else, this is a solid deal to help you catch all the action this season — basically just $20 a month to watch a full season of RedZone on your TV.

The AirPods 3 are Apple’s best yet and they’re a wonderful way to get many of the AirPods Pro features without spending AirPods Pro money. And right now you don’t even have to spend AirPods 3 money thanks to an Amazon deal that brings the price right down to just $140.

That price is the lowest that Amazon has ever offered these particular wireless earbuds for, and it’s a deal that doesn’t require any work on your part. Just order your new earbuds and they’ll arrive at your door in no time. All you have to do then is choose which songs you’re going to test them out with.

The AirPods 3 come with a lot of features that you might expect to pay even more for, especially if you’re coming from the older AirPods Pro model. You’ll of course get features like personalized spatial audio, sweat and water resistance, and instant device pairing and switching when using Apple gear. But you’ll also enjoy up to 30 hours of battery life when you make use of the Charging Case that comes in the box. You’ll also get a Lightning to USB-C cable included as well.

Still need to be convinced? There’s quick access to Siri with the “Hey Siri” command, and the force sensors in each earbud make it quick and easy to control audio and accept or end calls.

If after all that you still need the higher-end features of AirPods Pro or even AirPods Max, be sure to check out our collection the best AirPods deals before ordering anything.

T-Mobile in April added a pair of new premium 5G plans that provided more data and roaming perks. Now the carrier has a third offering at the top of its list that brings back a beloved feature from phone plans of yore: getting a new device every year.

Go5G Next, as the new plan is called, has essentially the same perks as the higher-priced of the two plans introduced in April, Go5G Plus, which itself had the best parts of the Magenta plans but with additional hotspot data and more data for roaming in Mexico and Canada. Go5G Plus’ big draw was to let subscribers trade in and upgrade to a new phone every two years. Go5G Next shaves that down to just one year.

The caveat is that you’ll need to pay off half of your phone’s value before getting to trade it in for a new device. That shouldn’t be a problem for most subscribers. With a 24-month installment plan, half is paid off after a year anyway. If subscribers opt to pay more per month and reach that milestone earlier, they can trade in for a new device as early as six months after getting their last one, according to T-Mobile’s press release.

Go5G Next’s other perk carried over from Go5G Plus is guaranteed access to the same promotions the carrier offers new subscribers. If T-Mobile dangles an attractive deal on the upcoming iPhone 15 to lure customers away from other carriers, Go5G Next and Go5G Plus subscribers can use that promotion, too.

You’ll pay extra for the privilege of upgrading your phone every year: Go5G Next costs $100 a month for a single line (when signed up for auto pay), which is $10 above Go5G Plus’ $90 monthly rate.

T-Mobile won’t users “mix and match” unlimited plans for an account, the carrier confirmed to CNET. For example, if you have four lines and only one wants to upgrade every year, they all must be on Go5G Next. Unlike its rivals, T-Mobile has generally required all users on an account to be on the same plan instead of allowing for flexibility.

T-Mobile didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

It’s also a little more difficult to directly compare T-Mobile’s plans to its competitors. For a single line’s $100 monthly subscription (including taxes and fees), Go5G Next includes Apple TV Plus and Netflix subscriptions among other perks. Verizon’s comparable updated 5G Unlimited Plus plan starts at $65 for a single line (plus taxes and fees) including 30GB of hotspot data and lets you pick streaming options like the Disney bundle (Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus) or Apple One (including Apple TV Plus) for $10 per option. AT&T Unlimited Premium is priced at $85 a month for a single line (plus taxes and fees) and doesn’t include a streaming service, but has 50GB of hotspot data.

But for people eager to upgrade their phone annually, paying a bit more every month for Go5G Next might be worth it. By comparison, Verizon’s and AT&T’s phone installment plans offer new devices every three years.

Last month, there were also small price hikes for older Verizon and AT&T plans.

Read more: Understanding Your Cellphone Bill’s Extra Charges and Fees

Microsoft is leaning into the Starfield hype by bringing new wraps for Xbox Series X consoles that allow gamers to add some customization, the company said Monday.

The wraps, which retail for between $45 and $50, deliver “an option that’s more affordable and more sustainable than purchasing a special edition or limited edition console,” Microsoft said in a statement. Unlike a vinyl skin, these wraps seem to be made of a thicker material and don’t sit nearly as flush as a sticker would on the gaming console.

The wraps will also be available in arctic camo and mineral camo colorways. Already for Starfield, Microsoft has released a limited edition wireless controller and headset, both of which are sold out.

The Starfield edition wrap will launch on Oct. 18, with the camo versions following on Nov. 10. You can preorder them now.

Microsoft isn’t the first console manufacturer to offer gamers ways to customize their consoles. Sony released PS5 console covers early last year in a variety of different colors. Limited covers include a Spider-Man 2 variant as well as a LeBron James edition. While Sony hasn’t given exact numbers on how well its console covers have sold, considering the company has sold over 40 million PS5 units, accessory sales are likely an important factor in PlayStation’s overall earnings. It isn’t surprising that Microsoft is offering its fans similar customization options.

Because the Xbox Series X console wrap isn’t a sticker, it can easily be folded around your console and removed. Microsoft said the exterior is wrapped in microfiber and has a “soft smooth white high-tech feel” secured “with a hook and loop enclosure.”

There are tons of great earbuds on the market that boast impressive noise-cancelling capabilities. But sometimes, tuning out your surroundings can be inconvenient or even downright dangerous. That’s why Sony’s LinkBuds feature a unique open-ear design, which made them one of our favorite pairs for running headphones for 2023. And right now, you can snag a pair for $128 at Amazon, which saves you over $50 and matches the all-time lowest price we’ve seen. There’s no set expiration for this deal, so get your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

These Sony LinkBuds are great for runners, bikers or just about anyone who needs to be aware of their surroundings but still wants to enjoy some tunes during their workout or commute. They have a unique open-ring design that lets in some ambient sound, while still allowing you to hear your music. They even have adaptive volume control, and will automatically adjust the sound based on your environment. They’re also great for voice calls, and have a speak-to-chat function that automatically pauses your music when you start talking. Plus, they feature an IPX4 water-resistance rating, so they’re protected against splashing, and boast a battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge.

And if you’re in the market for a different pair, you can check out our full roundup of all the best earbuds and headphones deals for even more bargains.

Ahsoka’s Disney Plus premiere date is no longer far, far away.

The Star Wars show following the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano will debut the first two of its eight episodes on Tuesday. It takes place after the fall of the Galactic Empire — more specifically running “along the same timeline” as The Mandalorian’s third season, actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo told SFX magazine — and follows Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy, per a synopsis from Disney.

Tano is known from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, as well as the live-action The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, and the new Disney Plus show continues her story.

Rosario Dawson reprises her role as Ahsoka, and the series also stars Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson, Ivanna Sakhno, Diana Lee Inosanto, David Tennant, Lars Mikkelsen and Eman Esfandi. Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are executive producers, and Filoni serves as writer and showrunner.

If you want to stream something beforehand, Filoni told Collider that people could revisit season 4 of Star Wars Rebels before watching Ahsoka. But he also said, “I’ve been very aware of the fact that trying to write these things that you don’t need to have seen any of it.” Here’s how to watch Ahsoka, and why you may want to consider using a VPN.

How to watch Star Wars: Ahsoka on Disney Plus

Disney Plus will release the first two episodes of Ahsoka on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET; 2 a.m. BST, 11 a.m. AEST on Aug. 23). The installments will be available at that time in every country Disney Plus is available in, according to Disney. Following the premiere, a new episode will drop each Tuesday (or Wednesday, depending on your time zone) through Oct. 3.

Price increases are coming to Disney Plus’ ad-free service in the US, but new subscribers can still lock in a year of ad-less Disney Plus for $110 or one month for $11. Starting Oct. 12, the tier will cost $140 a year or $14 a month, and existing subscribers will be charged the new price at their next billing cycle on or after that date.

The streamer also has an ad-based tier that costs $8 per month (there isn’t an option to pay annually), and the price won’t increase in October. Here’s what CNET’s Kourtnee Jackson found when she tested Disney Plus’ ad-supported tier last year.

How to watch Ahsoka from anywhere with a VPN

Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Disney Plus while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the series from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming too.

A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic and stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.

You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.

Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation and choose a country where Ahsoka will be streaming on Disney Plus. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream the Star Wars series on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Disney Plus to stream.

If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.

When it comes to making some of the best earbuds available today, the likes of Beats and Apple are never going to be far away. So when you get the chance to pick up a pair of Beats Studio Buds with Apple silicon inside for just $100, it’s a deal you shouldn’t ignore.

These little earbuds would normally retail for around $150 but if you get your order in now you’ll save 33% and pay much, much less. That makes these popular earbuds even better than ever, especially if you like a splash of color in your life.

The AirPods and AirPods Pro are popular earbuds, of course. But they’re only available in boring white. What makes the Beats Studio Buds so cool is the color options with this deal netting you Black, Beats Red, White, Sunset Pink, or Ocean Blue. The Moon Gray color is out of stock at the moment, but with five other colors to choose from we’re sure there’s one for every taste.

In terms of features, you’ll get the same no matter which color you choose. That means you’ll benefit from built-in microphones, water resistance, and notice-canceling technology. There’s also instant pairing with Apple devices like iPhones, while that Beats sound is present as well. Eight hours of battery life from a charge and up to 24 hours when you use the charging case just puts the icing on the cake. And did you see that Sunset Pink color?

The only negative? We don’t know when this deal will end and the lack of Moon Gray means that other colors might disappear as well. Keep that in mind when planning your order.

Apple is weeks away from its annual fall event, where the next iPhone, which we’re unofficially calling the iPhone 15 series, is set to be unveiled. Although we don’t expect to see a foldable from Apple just yet, the rumor mill is buzzing about the next iPhones departing from their traditional design in a meaningful way.

Some of the big questions people are asking are: Will the iPhone 15 get a USB-C port? Will the iPhone 15 series have slimmer bezels? Will Apple increase iPhone prices in 2023? Will the Pro models receive bigger upgrades?

We won’t know for sure until Apple throws the next iPhone event, which will probably be in September. But here are some of the biggest and most credible rumors to give you an idea of what to expect from the iPhone 15 series.

iPhone 15 design: Hello USB-C, goodbye Lightning

This one has been circulating around the rumor mill for years now, but in 2023 the switch from a Lightning Port to a USB-C port could finally happen. That’s likely driven by pressure from the European Union, which has been pushing for a common charging standard for years. In 2022, the bloc managed to pass legislation requiring Apple to equip its iPhones with USB-C ports by 2024 if it wants to sell them in the EU.

If that happens, the question is whether Apple will switch all iPhone models to USB-C or just those sold in the EU. Apple already modifies iPhone models regionally, as it has done with the iPhone 14: The US version has an electronic SIM, while other variants retain the SIM slot. However, there are good reasons to move all iPhones to USB-C moving forward, according to Avi Greengart, analyst at Techsponential.

“There are larger ecosystem, security, and accessory considerations with the power/data connector, so I think it is more likely that Apple moves all iPhones [globally] to USB-C in the iPhone 16 timeframe to comply with European regulations,” he told CNET in an email.

According to seasoned Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will receive USB-C ports this year. Perhaps a complete transition could happen next year with the iPhone 16.

Read more: Your Next iPhone Will Probably Need a Different Charging Cable

iPhone 15 design: Dynamic Island expands to all models

Apple is likely to continue selling four iPhone models with the iPhone 15 lineup. Rumors point to a generally similar design across the board, except that the iPhone 14 Pro’s shape-shifting cutout, known as Dynamic Island, is set to make its way across all models.

That rumor comes from display analyst Ross Young, who also said in a September tweet that he’s not expecting base iPhone 15 models to have a higher refresh rate like Apple’s Pro iPhones because the supply chain can’t support it. Gurman also still expects this to pan out as indicated by the Jun. 30 edition of his Power On newsletter.

Read more: iPhone 14 Pro’s Most Eye-Catching Feature Feels Like It’s Winking at Something Else

iPhone 15 design: Skinnier bezels

According to Gurman, Apple’s expected to use a new manufacturing technology called “low-injection pressure over-molding” to make the Pro iPhones. This is the same method that’s used for some Apple Watch models. It will help Apple reduce the size of the bezels by fractions of a millimeter, which would in turn allow for an ever-so-slight increase in screen real estate.

iPhone 15 design: Easier repairability

The interiors of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are also slated for a redesign that will make them easier to repair, according to the latest edition of Gurman’s Power On newsletter. Gurman says the inside parts have been changed to match the ones in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which received the internal changes last year.

“This is the iPhone 14 reborn as a beautiful butterfly — a midframe in the middle, accessible screen on the left, and removable rear glass on the right,” iFixit wrote in a post last September after the iPhone event.

Interestingly, Apple didn’t discuss this internal redesign in its keynote, but the change was spotted by repair experts at iFixit, who said it was evident that Apple went back to the drawing board to rework the internals and integrate them seamlessly into its iPhones.

iPhone 15: Upgraded ultra wideband

According to noted Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 will run on an upgraded Ultra Wideband processor, which Apple calls the U1 chip, to better integrate with the company’s new AR headset, the Vision Pro. UWB is a short-range wireless communication standard often used to track down the location of objects. It can pinpoint your Apple AirTag or unlock your car as you walk up to it with your phone. In a recent post on Twitter, Kuo said this is all part of Apple’s broader strategy to “build a more competitive ecosystem for Vision Pro.”

iPhone 15: Wireless charging upgrade

According to a May report by ChargerLab, a power specialist website with a steady track record, all iPhone 15 models will support 15-watt wireless charging using the Qi2 open standard. If this turns out to be true, it’ll mean the iPhone 15 could open up a whole new world of wireless charging devices that can replenish the device at its full speed. Apple had previously limited open wireless charging standards to 7.5W, leaving the full 15W charge speed for Apple MagSafe licensed accessories.

iPhone 15 camera: Periscope-style telephoto lens arrives

Noted Apple observer Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, forecasts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive a periscope-style telephoto lens. This sort of telephoto lens allows for higher optical zoom levels, with Kuo forecasting a 6x optical zoom could arrive in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The optical zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro Max is limited to 3x, which lags rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom. This rumor was recently bolstered by well-known leak source and Twitter user Unknownz21, who stated that the Pro Max model will come with the special lens.

Read more: iPhone 14 Pro Cameras Are a Major Upgrade

iPhone 15 design: Solid-state buttons come to pro iPhone 15 models

Kuo expects Apple to differentiate further between its base and Pro models in the coming years. One way he’s expecting that to happen is by way of solid-state volume and power buttons of the iPhone 15 Pro models instead of the standard keys present on today’s devices.

(1/6)
My latest survey indicates that the volume button and power button of two high-end iPhone 15/2H23 new iPhone models may adopt a solid-state button design (similar to the home button design of iPhone 7/8/SE2 & 3) to replace the physical/mechanical button design.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) October 28, 2022

The solid-state buttons, which Kuo says will be similar to the home button found on the iPhone SE and iPhone 7, mimic the tactile feel of pressing a button with the help of haptic feedback. The apparent advantage of this type of button is that it also protects against water ingress.

iPhone 15 Power: Increased RAM for pro models

According to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, Pro models of the iPhone 15 lineup will get a bump up in RAM to 8GB from 6GB to complement the anticipated A17 Bionic chipset. Base models will continue to receive 6GB RAM, according to TrendForce. This rumor is also apparently backed up by a research report from analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities, according to a MacRumors article, which referenced Pu’s report.

iPhone 15 price: Up, up and away?

iPhone 15 prices are tipped to increase in the US for the first time in years. Last year, Apple already increased prices in select countries outside the US.

According to a MacRumors report, citing Barclays analyst Tim Long, the iPhone 15 Pro could cost $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro, while the iPhone Pro Max price hike could be in the range of $100 to $200 more. A similar claim has been made by Jeff Pu, of investment firm Haitong International Securities, who explicity said the iPhone 15 Pro Max specifically is due for a price increase, according to another MacRumors report. This is based on the assumption that Apple will add more features and components to the Pro models, such as a new periscope camera, a titanium frame and a 3nm A17 Bionic chip.

US prices currently range from $829 for the entry-level iPhone 14 model (128GB) all the way up to $1,599 for the highest-end iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1TB of storage.

Another possibility is the upper limit of the price range could be pushed higher if rumors about a luxe iPhone 15 Ultra turn out to be true. The rumored Ultra model could potentially replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max next year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in September last year. This falls in line with predictions from Kuo, who expects Apple to differentiate further between the iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models. However, in his June 30 newsletter, Gurman made no mention of the iPhone 15 Ultra. Other rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Ultra will be a step up from the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Read more: What Apple Could Do With iPhone 15 Prices in 2023

iPhone 15 Ultra camera: Variable zoom

According to tipster Revengus, the iPhone 15 Ultra will feature a telephoto camera with a variable zoom lens, which is the camera setup rumored to feature on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra. Variable optical zoom (continuous zoom) cameras aren’t commonly found on smartphones for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the size and design of phone cameras restricts the type of lenses that can be used.

iPhone 15: Launch and release timeline

Apple holds its annual iPhone event in September almost every year, so we’d expect the timeline to remain the same for the iPhone 15. New iPhones typically get released shortly thereafter, usually the Friday of the following week. Sometimes Apple will stagger release dates for specific models, especially when introducing a new design or size. So it’s possible that the iPhone 15 lineup will have more than one release date.

Here’s what we know:

• Apple tends to hold its events on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Apple’s iPhone 14 event was held on Wednesday Sept. 7, while its iPhone 13 event was held on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
• iPhone release dates are typically a week and a half after Apple’s announcements.
• In general, new iPhones are released on a Friday, around the third week of September. For the iPhone 13, preorders began Sept. 17 and the phones went on sale Sept. 24.

Looking for more iPhone advice? Check out our iPhone upgrade guide, our list of the best iPhones and our roundup of the best cases for your iPhone 14 or 14 Pro.

It’s finally gotten easier to find the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in stock, but the Xbox Series S is still the most affordable next-gen console on the market. This disk-free console lists for $300, $200 less than its full-size counterpart, and it’s an even better value when you pick it up from Best Buy right now. As an added bonus, the tech retailer is including a free digital copy of Madden NFL 24 — a $70 value and the latest entry in the series — with the purchase of this compact Microsoft console.

There’s no code or other steps needed to take advantage of this offer. Just add the Xbox Series S to your cart, and a free copy of the game will be added as well. This offers comes with a few other bonuses too, including three free months of Apple TV Plus and 30 free days of Fubo TV, as long as you’re a new subscriber. There’s also not a set expiration for this deal, so there’s no guaranteeing how long it will be available. We’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

You can read all about the sleek and compact Xbox Series S in our review, and you can check out our roundup of all the best Xbox deals for even more great bargains on games and accessories.

Learning a new language is one of the best ways to enrich your life, but it can be a challenge if you don’t have native speakers to practice with. Fortunately there are tons of language learning apps out there these days that can help you become fluent all on your own. Babbel is our favorite for those who prefer an online school-type experience, and right now, you can score a lifetime subscription at a serious discount. This CNET-exclusive offer at StackSocial saves you $449 on a lifetime membership, which drops the price down to just $150. This deal is only available through Aug. 23, so be sure to get signed up before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

Being able to speak more than one language has some huge benefits, whether it’s just a basic understanding of a language that can help you get around when you travel abroad or total fluency that will help you land a new job. In our globally connected world, people are communicating across borders for all sorts of reasons, and mastering a foreign language can be a valuable skill for anyone to have — and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian and Portuguese. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and more. There are also a variety of skill levels available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.

Using the speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation so that you don’t just learn to read and write, but to listen and speak, as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices. And though the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.

Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferrable skills you gain can open a lot of doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is only available for new users.

Babbel is a great value when compared to other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globetrotting adventures, this is a solid deal.

Read more: 11 Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist for a Smooth Trip