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  • Bournemouth vs. Man United Livestream: How to Watch English Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Bournemouth vs. Man United Livestream: How to Watch English Premier League Soccer From Anywhere

    Manchester United will be hoping to keep their outside hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification alive as they travel to the south coast looking for a win against AFC Bournemouth.

    The Red Devils have failed to win any of their last three matches in the English Premier League, but will have drawn confidence from their dramatic draw last weekend against title-chasing Liverpool.

    The home side, meanwhile, are looking to chalk up their first league double over United, having claimed a memorable 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford four months ago.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.

    Dominic Solanke of AFC Bournemouth running towards the camera.

    AFC Bournemouth vs. Manchester United: When and where?

    AFC Bournemouth host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, April 13 Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. BST local time, which is 12:30 p.m. ET or 9:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 2:30 a.m. AEST in Australia on Sunday, April 14.

    How to watch the Bournemouth vs. Man United game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Livestream Bournemouth vs. Man United in the US

    Saturday’s Bournemouth vs. Man United match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

    Livestream the Bournemouth vs. Man United game in the UK

    Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports (previously known as BT Sport). Bournemouth vs. Man United is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game.

    Livestream the Bournemouth vs. Man United game in Canada

    If you want to stream Bournemouth vs. Man United live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.

    Livestream the Bournemouth vs. Man United game in Australia

    Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

    Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.
    • If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
    • If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
    • All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
    • And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
  • Snag a Lifetime Subscription to Beelinguapp for Just $40

    Snag a Lifetime Subscription to Beelinguapp for Just $40

    Language-learning apps are all the rage right now. Whether you have goals to become fluent or just like to have the basics down for when you travel, it can be a lot of fun to learn. There are several good options out there, and Beelinguapp is great for those who respond well to being immersed in a language. Unlike traditional courses where you’re learning directly from a book, Beelinguapp gives you access to a wide range of written content with audio and side-to-side translations.

    If that sounds good to you, know that you can pick up a lifetime subscription to Beelinguapp for just $40 right now. That’s a direct 60% discount from the original $100 price tag. Simply enter ENJOY20 during checkout to secure the savings and score the discounted price. While there is a free version of the app available, it’s functionally limited, so grabbing a subscription is worth it.

    One of the best ways to learn how to speak a language is by listening to it, and that’s where Beelinguapp shines since it provides you with audio in foreign languages as well as their text so you can read along, karaoke style. It also has a side-by-side translation of the foreign text in English, so you can get a better sense of what the audio is saying and, therefore, be more likely to pick up words, meanings and turns of phrase.

    The app, which is available for iOS and Android, offers 14 languages, including Spanish, French, German and Korean, so you have a wide selection to choose from. As for the texts themselves, they’re not the traditional dry reading material that you might get assigned but instead range from newspapers to novels. That way, you can pick whatever motivates you the most to keep on going.

    Be sure to grab this offer quickly, though, since it ends in just a few days. Note that you will need either a Google or Facebook account to log in to the Beelinguapp service and, if you do end up grabbing this subscription, it might be worth nabbing a tablet deal to go with it for an improved reading experience.

  • How to Watch the Masters 2024: TV Schedule, Tee Times, Watch Tiger Woods Today

    How to Watch the Masters 2024: TV Schedule, Tee Times, Watch Tiger Woods Today

    Tiger Woods is one over par and made the cut at the Masters for a record 24th consecutive time. He has never missed the cut as a professional. Woods is seven strokes behind leaders Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa and Scottie Scheffler as Round 3 begins on Saturday.

    With or without a cable TV subscription, golf fans have plenty of ways to watch the world’s best golfers compete at the world’s best golf course this weekend. Here’s what you need to know as TV coverage has shifted from ESPN to CBS and Paramount Plus.

    Tiger Woods holds his follow-through as he watches the flight of the ball at the Masters

    How to watch the Masters

    The first two rounds were on ESPN, and now coverage shifts to CBS for the weekend. The third round today and the final round tomorrow will be on CBS and Paramount Plus. Today’s TV coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET.

    When does Tiger Woods tee off today?

    Tiger Woods is scheduled to begin his third round at 12:45 p.m. ET. He’s paired with Tyrrell Hatton, a 32-year-old Englishman.

    For more, check out today’s starting times and pairings and the Masters leaderboard.

    Who are the LIV golfers I should root against this weekend?

    Of the 13 golfers playing in the Masters Tournament who left the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, eight made the cut. Here’s the list:

    • Bryson DeChambeau
    • Tyrrell Hatton
    • Brooks Koepka
    • Phil Mickelson
    • Joaquín Niemann
    • Jon Rahm
    • Patrick Reed
    • Cameron Smith

    What is the TV schedule for the Masters?

    The final two rounds over the weekend will air on CBS and stream on Paramount Plus. Here’s the TV schedule for today and tomorrow.

    Saturday

    • 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET (12 p.m. to 4 p.m. PT) on CBS and Paramount Plus.

    Sunday

    • 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT) on CBS and Paramount Plus.

    Can I livestream the Masters online for free?

    On the Masters website or mobile app, you can stream live without having to sign in with a pay TV provider. You can also watch a livestream of the Masters on CBSSports.com or the CBS Sports app, also without needing pay TV credentials. The Masters site will have the TV simulcast livestream each day, and both the Masters site and CBS Sports will offer an additional five livestreams each of the four days of the tournament:

    • You can follow featured groups at the Masters throughout each day.
    • You can watch golfers navigate holes 4, 5 and 6.
    • You can watch the action as it passes through Amen Corner, Augusta National’s most famous sequence of holes: the treacherous par-4 11th, the short par-3 12th and the long par-5 13th.
    • You can watch golfers navigate holes 15 and 16.
    • You can select your favorite golfers and watch all of their shots with the My Group feature.

    Live TV streaming options

    If you don’t have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch the Masters with a live TV streaming service. Four of the five major services (all but Sling TV) offer CBS. The catch is that not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries CBS in your area. You can also use Paramount Plus to stream the final two rounds.

    All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our massive streaming services guide.

  • ‘Saw X’: When and Where to Stream the Horror Movie

    ‘Saw X’: When and Where to Stream the Horror Movie

    The 10th Saw movie unleashed more gory traps on theatergoers in September, and soon, “Jigsaw’s most personal game” will reach the Starz streaming service.

    Saw X takes place after the events of Saw (2004) and before Saw II (2005), when Tobin Bell’s John Kramer, desperately searching for a cure for his cancer, uncovers a scam to defraud the most vulnerable, according to a synopsis. Gruesome traps inevitably follow as the Jigsaw Killer deals with the con artists as he does best.

    Shawnee Smith also reprises her role as Amanda in the 10th entry, which ranks the highest out of the franchise on Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s when you can stream the newest Saw film on the Starz app, and how a VPN could potentially come in handy. The next Saw film, Saw XI, has been pushed from to September 2024 to 2025, but you can watch this in the meantime.

    When you can watch Saw X on Starz

    Want to play a game? Viewers in the US can access Saw X on Starz on April 19 at 12:01 a.m. ET/April 18 at 9:01  p.m. PT.

    For $10 a month, the ad-free streaming service gives you access to original series like Outlander, P-Valley and Party Down. Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is hitting the platform next month, and you can watch other Lionsgate films, like John Wick: Chapter 4 and Expend4bles now.

    How to watch Saw X from anywhere with a VPN

    Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Starz 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 movie 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 to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling, 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 met our 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 Saw X will be streaming on Starz. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN, using your selected region. If you want to stream Saw X 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 Starz 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.

  • Vizio Quantum Pro TV Review: Solid Picture Quality But Only Available in Two (Big) Sizes

    Vizio Quantum Pro TV Review: Solid Picture Quality But Only Available in Two (Big) Sizes

    Our Experts

    Written by

    Bella Czajkowski,
    David Katzmaier
    Bella Czajkowski Associate Writer
    Bella covers TVs and home entertainment technology for CNET. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University, where she was editor-in-chief of the independent student newspaper, The Lantern. She recently earned a master’s degree in investigative reporting from Columbia Journalism School. When she’s not writing, Bella can be found at the dog park with her rescue pup, Wilson.
    Expertise TVs and Home Entertainment Technologies
    David Katzmaier Editorial Director — Personal Tech
    David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
    Expertise A 20-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. Prior to CNET he worked at Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. He is known to two people on Twitter as the Cormac McCarthy of consumer electronics. Credentials

    • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
    Why You Can Trust CNET
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    Product Tests

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    Testers

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    Hours Tested

    CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

    7.9/ 10
    SCORE

    Vizio Quantum Pro

    $698 at Amazon

    Pros

    • Bright, high-contrast image for the price
    • Preserves picture well from off-angle

    Cons

    • Slightly less accurate color
    • Available in only two sizes

    In our tests over the years, Vizio TVs have produced very good picture quality without breaking the bank. The Vizio Quantum Pro continues this trend and holds up as a solid midpriced TV option, with a few notable drawbacks.

    In side-by-side comparison tests in our lab, the Quantum Pro performed well for the money, with better contrast than the similarly priced Roku Plus Series, for example. On the other hand, as expected, slightly more expensive models like the TCL QM8 and Hisense U8K were better, with brighter images and higher contrast.

    One major drawback is the Quantum Pro’s lack of size offerings; it comes only in 65- or 75-inch sizes. We reviewed the 65-inch model, but the review also applies to the 75-inch version since the specs and picture quality should be similar regardless of size.

    If you’re looking for a smaller TV in this price range, you might instead turn to the Roku Plus Series, which offers a 55-inch model and a superior smart TV system. Vizio will also continue to offer this TV’s predecessor, the M-Series Quantum X, in the 50-inch size.

    Simple, sleek remote and an adjustable stand

    vizio-vqp65c-84-07

    The Quantum Pro is more adaptable than most TVs from a setup standpoint. There are two height options, the higher of which is meant to leave room for a soundbar underneath the set. Although not as slim as an OLED, the Quantum Pro is relatively thin and light, so it would also look fairly flush mounted on the wall. The TV’s remote is simple and not overcrowded and includes shortcuts to directly select streaming services.

    vizio-vqp65c-84-08

    Vizio does not use a mainstream smart TV system like Roku or Google TV but instead employs its own system called SmartCast. It’s pretty user friendly and similar to the other smart TV systems, but it differs enough that Roku or Google TV lifers might need a bit of time to adjust.

    Vizio’s SmartCast isn’t quite as good as Roku, our favorite smart TV system overall, in part because Vizio more prominently features ads on the home screen. Roku has a smaller, less obtrusive ad widget on the bottom left of the screen. Roku also offers more apps and better search results for streaming services.

    vizio-vqp65c-84-03

    Features: Local dimming and 120Hz, but no mini-LED

    Display technology LED LCD
    LED backlight Full array with local dimming
    Resolution 4K
    HDR compatible HDR10 and Dolby Vision
    Smart TV SmartCast
    Remote Standard with voice

    The Quantum Pro differs from Vizio’s less expensive TVs by offering full-array local dimming, our favorite feature to improve LCD picture quality. It has somewhat more local dimming zones than the Vizio MQX we reviewed previously, but that won’t necessarily make a big difference in image quality.

    You’ll pay less for the Quantum Pro than the TCL QM8 or Hisense U8K, other TVs that rank among our favorites for the money, partly due to one not-so-miniature difference: the Quantum Pro lacks mini-LED technology.

    Other features of the Quantum Pro:

    • 120Hz refresh rate
    • Four HDMI inputs
    • Vizio voice remote
    • USB port

    The Quantum Pro can handle 4K 120Hz sources, which allows for smoother images while gaming, but it’s via only one of its four HDMI inputs. That’s enough for most people, but if you have both an Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, you’ll have to connect one to a less capable input and lose the benefits of that smoothness.

    Picture quality comparisons

    We lined up the Vizio, TCL QM8, Hisense U8K and Roku Plus Series TVs next to one another in the lab. With TV shows and movies, the Vizio Quantum Pro produces a bright, relatively accurate picture, with better contrast overall than the Roku Plus series, but there are a few ways it fell short.

    For one, the picture appeared overly bright in the middle ranges of brightness, which made it look less accurate in comparison to the other TVs. We noticed this while watching Netflix’s cooking show Fresh, Fried & Crispy, which has bright scenes thanks to the staging shots of the food. Some shots of Spam fries, for example, looked overly bright on the Vizio compared to the Hisense U8K.

    The Quantum Pro’s color also appeared slightly worse than the TCL and Hisense, with skin tones appearing undersaturated and less vibrant at times. For example, in season one of Stranger Things, Eleven and her surroundings in a scene where she’s eating — namely a red and yellow ketchup and mustard bottle — appear significantly undersaturated on the Quantum Pro compared to the Hisense U8K. Eleven’s skin tone, too, was a bit cooler on the Vizio.

    vizio-vqp65c-84-09

    For gaming, while the Calibrated Dark mode was the most accurate for TV and movies in a dark room, the Calibrated mode combined with its Gaming/PC mode worked best for gaming. The combo both optimized picture quality and reduced input lag.

    Some parts of the picture appeared oversaturated and captured less depth when compared to the TCL and Roku. For example, when we tested out Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Vizio lost some depth in the game’s coliseum during a sunny day. The TCL and Roku better preserved this depth despite the bright scene.

    But overall, barring that (albeit pretty picky) picture quality issue with brightness, the Quantum Pro would be perfectly functional for gamers.

    The Quantum Pro is also a bright TV for the money, with a brighter image than the Roku Plus Series, for example. The Quantum Pro’s brightest mode was Vivid, and its most accurate mode was Calibrated Dark.

    Light output in nits

    TV Brightest mode (HDR) Accurate mode (HDR) Brightest mode (SDR) Accurate mode (SDR)
    Hisense 65U8K 1,966 1,966 1,720 1,240
    Vizio Quantum Pro (2024) 1,269 1,063 1,382 221
    Vizio M65QXM-K03 (2022) 939 742 958 608
    LG OLED65C3 861 817 501 464
    Roku TV Plus 514 455 579 404


    As for viewing angles and uniformity, the Quantum Pro was the best in our lineup at keeping color saturated from extreme off-angles. So, if you have a large or funky-shaped room and want a TV that looks better from seats other than a sweet spot in the middle, this TV might be a wise pick.

    The Quantum Pro performed well from a uniformity perspective, too, maintaining its image across all parts of the screen — pretty on par with its competitors.

    Picture settings and measurement notes

    We measured every picture mode of the Quantum Pro, and the Calibrated Dark and Calibrated modes were the most accurate, as usual, for Vizio. However, both modes showed an inaccurate EOTF in the middle range of the brightness scale, which contributed to many of the “poor” scores in the chart below and most likely to the overly bright middle range we saw in our comparisons. Both modes also showed a slight blue cast to the grayscale.

    Geek Box

    Test Result Score
    Black luminance (0%) 0.080 Poor
    Peak white luminance (SDR) 1382 Good
    Avg. gamma (10-100%) 1.44 Poor
    Avg. grayscale error (10-100%) 8.42 Poor
    Dark gray error (30%) 12.70 Poor
    Bright gray error (80%) 6.47 Poor
    Avg. color checker error 6.61 Poor
    Avg. saturation sweeps error 6.91 Poor
    Avg. color error 6.65 Poor
    1080p/24 Cadence (IAL) Pass Good
    Input lag (Game mode) 14.40 Good
    HDR10
    Black luminance (0%) 0.015 Good
    Peak white luminance (10% win) 1269 Good
    Gamut % UHDA/P3 (CIE 1976) 97.15 Good
    ColorMatch HDR error 10.59 Poor
    Avg. color checker error 11.73 Poor
    Input lag (Game mode, 4K HDR) 14.33 Good

    All in all, if you’re looking for a quality TV without breaking the bank and one of the two size offerings work for you, the Vizio Quantum Pro is a solid choice.

    Portrait Displays Calman calibration software was used in this review.

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max, 7 Months Later: Still Going Strong Despite Drops and Scratches

    iPhone 15 Pro Max, 7 Months Later: Still Going Strong Despite Drops and Scratches

    Seven months into using the iPhone 15 Pro Max, one of the biggest surprises — which, unfortunately, I can confirm through personal experience — is that it can survive drops. Many, many drops.

    It’s fallen off the arm of my couch onto my living room hardwood floor multiple times. It dropped from my pocket onto the sidewalk twice as I fumbled to pull it out. And then there were numerous instances where the 15 Pro Max hit the floor of CNET’s San Francisco studio during video shoots. I frequently use the iPhone as a teleprompter with an accessory that clips onto a Panasonic S1H camera and lens. Sometimes my camera operator or I will accidentally knock “the rig” while adjusting the Panasonic, which causes the phone to dislodge and smack the ground. Luckily, my 15 Pro Max’s screen and back haven’t cracked.

    Read more: Best iPhone for 2024

    And, it’s worth noting: I don’t use a case. I know, I’m a horrible, soulless monster, but I’m just not a case guy. But, maybe I should be.

    Over my seven months with an iPhone 15 Pro Max, I’ve traveled across the country with it, watched TV and movies on it, played games and even taken it to a surf rock show. It’s become my rectangular, half-pound friend that does everything I need it to.

    I’ve become dependent on features like StandBy Mode at home and at the office, Check In during long bike rides, and that incredible 5x zoom on the camera. There have been lows, like the overheating software bug that arrived on iPhones running iOS 17 last fall, but luckily, my phone wasn’t affected, and Apple has since resolved the issue.

    Here’s why, more than half a year later, I’m still glued to my iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    Wear and tear

    Let’s start with how my iPhone 15 Pro Max looks, especially after all those falls. The titanium sides are in good shape, but there is a small knick on the side of the top-left corner — no comment! The back glass looks good. My phone is the natural titanium color, or what a friend jokingly calls “not quite beige.” But that drab color, along with the matte finish, hides fingerprints and dust quite well. Upon closer inspection, I don’t see any marks or scuffs on the back.

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max

    The Ceramic Shield display hasn’t fared as well. There are some tiny scratches on it, especially in the lower-left corner, and the oleophobic coating seems to be wearing down in a couple of spots. I am definitely not complaining, especially since I don’t baby the phone. But it’s nice to see the 15 Pro Max mostly holds up to the everyday Patrick Holland experience.

    Battery life and display

    Cameras and lenses on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung S24 Ultra

    My 15 Pro Max’s battery health is normal, though the max capacity has dropped from 100% to 99%. The battery cycle count sits at 111 and my 10-day average for screen-on time is eight hours and 41 minutes. In terms of battery life, not much has changed. It still lasts a full day on a single charge and can get through a day and a half when I’m not using the phone heavily.

    There are times, like during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Samsung Unpacked in January, when I pushed the phone by taking hundreds of photos and videos and calling in for CNET’s live video stream over 5G. On days like that, using low-power mode has helped to offset battery drain, but I’m still impressed with how the phone holds up, even in those scenarios. Because the 15 Pro Max has a larger battery than the 15 Pro, it can last noticeably longer.

    The iPhone’s display looks so good. Whether I’m watching The Bear, reading an article, laughing at New Yorker cartoons or taking a photo, images and graphics are rich and detailed and text is easy to read, even when the brightness is dim.

    If you read my iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra camera test story, you might know where I’m going next. The 15 Pro Max’s screen falls short for me in one way: reflections. After using the Galaxy S24 Ultra and its low-reflection display, I can’t unsee the reflective mess that is the iPhone’s display — and the majority of smartphone screens out there. I hope Apple adds the coating, or whatever Samsung is doing, to the rumored iPhone 16’s display.

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iOS 17

    An iPhone with its Standby screen active

    Perhaps the biggest change to the phone, besides the camera, is iOS 17. We are 19 months from when the Dynamic Island debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, and it still feels underutilized by third-party apps. Yes, it’s great for Uber, music controls and system alerts for Apple’s apps, but it feels like there’s more that can be done with it. I’m not sure this is on Apple, since the company can’t force developers to use the Dynamic Island. But it still feels like it’s early days for the Dynamic Island, even though it’s not.

    We also now have Stolen Device Protection, which protects your accounts and personal information in case your iPhone gets stolen. If you haven’t, turn it on. In iOS 17.3 or later, go into Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode and you can enable it there.

    In my earlier iPhone 15 Pro check-in, I noted several iOS 17 software bugs I experienced, like having Safari freeze and become unresponsive. I am happy to say I haven’t had that issue in months.

    And the last thing I’ll say about iOS 17 is there are a ton of small improvements which have been lovely, like the Catch Up arrow in Messages. But the feature that I see more people embracing is StandBy mode, which turns the iPhone into a mini-hub when it’s charging. StandBy Mode shows widgets, the time or photos and isn’t limited to the iPhone 15 series. It’s fun being over at a friend’s house and seeing them have a stand for their iPhone in the kitchen or home office for StandBy. And I’m curious if and how Apple might expand StandBy Mode in iOS 18.

    Cameras and video

    iPhone 15 Pro Max

    Cameras are always a huge deal on the iPhone, and the 15 Pro Max is no different. Essentially, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max both have the same cameras, but the 15 Pro has a 3x telephoto lens and the 15 Pro Max a 5x telephoto lens. It makes me wonder what an iPhone 15 Pro Ultra would have been like with both the 3x and the 5x — think Galaxy S24 Ultra.

    Photos from the 15 Pro Max are great and on par with those from the S24 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro, especially with that 5x lens! Take a look at the gallery below featuring snaps I took with the phone.

    I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

    See all photos

    But I want to give the iPhone’s video capabilities a moment to shine. The 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have the ability to record ProRes video and even save files as SDR, HDR and Log. The Log files might look odd: the color is desaturated and the exposure looks dark. The files are designed to capture more image information than a non-ProRes video and be color graded and balanced for exposure later to get the look you want – or match video footage recorded with another camera.

    A side-by-side comparison of Apple ProRes Log

    In fact, the video that accompanies this article was filmed by CNET’s John Kim on an iPhone 15 Pro Max. The main shot of me in the video talking to the camera directly was captured using the 15 Pro Max’s 5x camera and recorded in ProRes Log. Here is a before and after composite of the same frame from the video: one unedited the way it looks in Log and the other after it was graded and balanced.

    One of my other favorite parts of iPhone 15 Pro Max video capture is being able to record video straight to an external hard drive, thanks to the USB-C port which supports USB 3 speeds. With this method I can quickly transfer videos I shot from the iPhone to my computer for edits by simply unplugging the drive from my iPhone and plugging it into my laptop. I don’t have to wait for the videos to upload and download or for them to AirDrop. To make the recording process even better, I use several accessories.

    My go-to iPhone 15 Pro Max accessories

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max and accessories

    I use two main accessories to record footage for CNET videos: the Blackmagic Cam app and a Samsung T9 SSD. Keep in mind for casual videos and social posts, I mostly hold my iPhone and use the default Apple Camera app.

    The Blackmagic Cam app is basically the pro camera mode I’ve wanted from Apple for years. It’s just for video, but gives waveforms for balancing exposure, zebras to show where the image’s bright parts are clipping to white, controls for shutter speed, ISO and more. I can select different video codecs, audio formats and, heck, there’s even a mini-slate! Perhaps my favorite thing about the Blackmagic Cam app is it’s free.

    The Samsung T9 SDD is both tiny and large. It’s about the size of a tin of Altoids, and yet comes with storage configurations up to 4TB. I’ve used Samsung T drives for years just because of their value and portability. But unlike the previous ones I had, this T9 drive is rugged. Samsung claims it can handle a drop from 9.8 feet. After reading about my propensity for dropping my iPhone, it might come as a surprise to know that I have not tested this claim. The Samsung T9 SSD is $175 for 1TB but at the time I’m writing this, Best Buy sells it for $130 ($45 off).

    I also want to highlight Peak Design’s mobile tripod. It’s made of aluminum and has MagSafe-compatible magnets to attach to the back of the iPhone. The tripod’s tiny legs fold flat to make it portable. There’s even a tiny allen wrench key that magnetically stores in the body to tighten the ball-joint! I keep the mobile tripod in my backpack with me, and it comes in handy all the time not just for recording video, but also for watching them. The Peak Design mobile tripod costs $80, which is a lot, but it’s worth every penny.

    Final thoughts

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max on a mobile tripod

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max has been my everyday carry for the past 7 months, and that’s the best approval I can give a phone. If you’re thinking about getting one, I definitely recommend it, and as we get closer to summer, keep an eye out for trade-in deals and sales. Also, I’m going to start shopping around for an iPhone 15 Pro Max phone case.

  • Grab Last Minute Deals During Best Buy’s Massive 3-Day Sale

    Grab Last Minute Deals During Best Buy’s Massive 3-Day Sale

    All good things must come to an end and that includes Best Buy’s huge three-day sale. Today, Saturday 13, marks the second day of the sale — which means you only have one day left to secure some sweet savings. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your home appliances, overhaul your entertainment setup or you just want to treat yourself to some new tech, this is the perfect time to do it. Best Buy is slashing prices on everything you need to start fresh for spring. Spruce up your space with the latest devices at a great price on everything from smart home devices to TVs, laptops, smartwatches and plenty of other top tech at Best Buy right now.

    We’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted some of the best offers below to help you snag some good deals. You can also check the full sale by clicking the link below. Just be aware that the weekend sale ends on April 14 at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to make your selection before then.

    More great deals at Best Buy:

    Some of the items listed may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been considering signing up, now might be a great time to do so. While those subscriptions are paid accounts, the money you make back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year can be worth it, especially if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, such as free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows.

    For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you keep more money in your pocket.

  • 5 of the Best Comedy TV Shows on Netflix

    5 of the Best Comedy TV Shows on Netflix

    Sometimes you just need a laugh. That’s where Netflix can come in.

    The streaming service has a surprisingly large collection of sitcoms and comedy TV shows, made up of originals and licensed titles. Whether you need a distraction from a bad day or background white noise while you’re working, these shows are sure to lift your spirits. Plus, only one of these shows has a laugh track. The rest don’t, so you can listen to the sound of your own cackles.

    Here are five of the best sitcoms you can stream now on Netflix.

    Read more: Best VPNs for Netflix

    For more, check out 18 all-time best TV shows on Netflix and the best live TV streaming services for cord cutters.

  • Is Your PC Low on Storage Space? This Windows 11 Feature Can Automatically Clean Up Your Drive

    Is Your PC Low on Storage Space? This Windows 11 Feature Can Automatically Clean Up Your Drive

    If you’re using an older Windows computer, you’ve probably found yourself running low on disk space. You’ll know the signs: A hard drive that’s at or near capacity will slow down, and your apps will freeze and crash more frequently. It’s a frustrating scenario that makes even the simplest tasks on your PC feel impossible to complete.

    The fix is obvious — you need to clean up your drive — but you may have a difficult time deciding exactly which files to get rid of. Fortunately, Windows 11 makes it easy to delete the files that you don’t need and free up some space on your computer.

    Instead of downloading third-party software to free up disk space, Windows 11 has a few settings you can configure to quickly delete temporary, system files and old downloads you might not need.

    And if you’re worried about getting rid of important files, don’t fret — Windows 11 will help you decide what to get rid of to improve your PC’s performance.

    If you want to learn more, check out more features we love on Windows 11. You should also read about the best desktop computers this year.

    How to automatically free up storage space on Windows 11

    On your Windows 11 computer, go to Settings > System > Storage. If this is your first time visiting this setting, wait a few seconds for your computer to analyze your data storage. Once Windows has collected what it needs to know, you’ll be able to see your total free memory at the top of the page. Underneath that you’ll see a breakdown of your storage, divided into apps and features, temporary files and other. You can also click Show more categories to view a further breakdown.

    The setting we’re interested in, however, is Storage Sense, which automatically frees up space on your computer whenever your disk space is low. It does this by deleting temporary files, emptying your Recycle Bin and getting rid of old downloads, in the background, without you having to manually do it.

    Storage management page with Storage Sense toggled on

    To turn on Storage Sense, simply toggle it on here. If you click the setting, you can configure several features:

    • Run Storage Sense: Run Storage Sense during low disk space (default) or every day, week or month.
    • Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over: Choose 1 day, 14 days, 30 days (default) or 60 days.
    • Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven’t been opened for more than: Choose never (default), 1 day, 14 days, 30 days or 60 days.

    These Storage Sense settings can help you limit which files are removed, and when they’re removed, so that you don’t have to worry about any important files getting wiped from your computer.

    Configure cleanup schedule settings

    At the bottom of the page, you can click Run Storage Sense now to use the feature then and there.

    And if you want to get rid of more files to clear up space, use the Cleanup recommendations feature underneath Storage Sense. If you click on it, it will scan your system and recommend files for you to manually delete, such as temporary files, large or unused files, files synced with your cloud and unused apps.

    Want to learn more about Windows 11? Check out the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11. Also, these are the best features on Windows 11 you need to know about. And if you haven’t downloaded Windows 11 yet, here’s how what you need to do.

  • Some Older Phones Now Support Circle to Search. See if Yours Is One of Them

    Some Older Phones Now Support Circle to Search. See if Yours Is One of Them

    If you’re rocking an Android phone that’s a couple of years old, you might not have expected your device to support Circle to Search. The new AI-powered tool, announced at Samsung’s Unpacked event in January, was initially limited to the newest Samsung and Google phones. However, the feature has recently rolled out to some older devices, as well as a few tablets.

    The concept is simple. Press and hold the home button on the screen to enable Circle to Search, and then do just that: Use your finger to draw around text or scribble on an object on screen to search for it on Google. It’s a visual look-up tool that allows you to quickly get more information about a pair of boots you see on Instagram or an unknown landmark in a YouTube video.

    Read more: Best Android Phone of 2024

    And you never have to leave whatever app you’re on to do it. Long gone are the days of taking a screenshot and using a reverse image search tool to find out more.

    Now you can just tap or draw, and get dozens of results for whatever is on your screen.

    If you’re curious about the new AI-driven discovery tool on Samsung’s latest flagship phone, here’s everything you need to know about Google’s Circle to Search. For more, check out the best new AI features on the Galaxy S24 and Patrick Holland’s review of the Galaxy S24.

    Which Android devices currently support Circle to Search?

    Circle to Search debuted in January on the Galaxy S24 series, followed shortly by the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

    As of April, the AI-powered discovery tool has been added to other Samsung and Google phones, including some that launched several years ago. Circle to Search is also available on some Android tablets.

    Here’s the full list:

    • Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra
    • Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra and S23 FE
    • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5
    • Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra
    • Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
    • Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
    • Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
    • Google Pixel 6A and 7A
    • Google Pixel Fold
    • Google Pixel Tablet (coming soon)
    Pixel 8 Pro mint

    How to use Circle to Search

    Now, if you’ve got the right phone or tablet, it’s time to use Circle to Search.

    From anywhere on your Galaxy or Pixel device, press and hold on the home button in the navigation bar and choose the new Circle to Search option that appears the very first time you bring it up. After you use the tool once, it’ll become the default search tool, triggered anytime you press and hold the home button, instead of Google Assistant.

    Using the Circle to Search feature

    Once it’s enabled, use your finger to circle, scribble or tap anywhere on your screen to search on Google. If you’re unsure about what you can Circle to Search, it’s pretty much anything on your screen: a celebrity on Instagram, a lamp in the background of a TikTok or a vintage t-shirt on eBay. The options are truly limitless.

    Circle to Search will then bring up a panel at the bottom of the screen that you can swipe up to view more information about the object you circled, like you would in Google Search.

    In the example below, I tapped LeBron James’ pants on an Instagram post I saw. Google then identified the pants — Louis Vuitton Tailored Cotton Damier Cigarette pants, worth $1,890. In the Circle to Search panel, the first option is a direct link to the Louis Vuitton website to purchase them, while the rest of the options show other options to purchase the trousers or similar looking pants at various price points.

    Using Circle to Search on the Galaxy S24

    Circle to Search allows you to enter a prompt to get more tailored results, or an AI summary, for whatever object you’re searching. If you circle a plate of bolognese, for example, you can ask Circle to Search to give you a vegan-alternative recipe.

    Because I want to see if the pants are available elsewhere for less money, I typed “Find on Grailed,” which is an online marketplace for used luxury clothing that usually has more affordable options. The results changed to only Grailed listings for the Louis Vuitton pants.

    No screenshots are saved of what you search for using Circle to Search, but if you tap the three-dot icon on the top-right of Circle to Search, you can view your history in your Google settings.

    When you’re finished using Circle to Search, simply hit the back button to leave the search results.

    While you’re here, check out Lisa Eadicicco’s review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.