Shopping for school supplies can quickly add up. From buying backpacks and water bottles to notebooks and pencils and everything in between, it’s a lot. But if you do your shopping early, you can score some pretty great deals. Amazon Prime Day is back starting today, July 11, and it offers plenty of great deals to help you get your kids ready for the school year.
We’ve scoured the Prime Day sale to find the best savings you can get on back-to-school supplies this year. Shop these deals now before Prime Day ends on July 12. It’s also worth noting that Amazon isn’t the only place where you can find back-to-school deals right now. Several other retailers, including Walmart, Target and Best Buy, are having their own competing “anti-Prime Day” sales with even more back-to-school bargains.
Amazon’s biggest shopping day of the year kicks off today. With one day of Prime Day festivities almost gone, don’t miss your opportunity to check out sales from Apple products to deals under $25 and much more. Before you dive into the savings, we suggest taking a few minutes to check out all the Prime membership benefits you may want to use.
If you find it hard to keep up with all of the Amazon perks, you’re not alone. The company has so many features in the program that it’s created a new About Amazon Prime webpage where customers can get all of the latest Prime news as well as a rundown of all the features available.
If you’re not a member yet and you’re thinking about signing up for an Amazon Prime account or don’t know much about all of the included features, read on for some ways you can get the most out of the membership. For more on Amazon Prime, these are the best movies to watch on Prime Video, and the best TV shows included in your Prime membership.
You can get free same-day delivery on qualifying items
If there’s a product you want immediately, you can see if it’s available for delivery the same day you order. To check a product’s eligibility, look for delivery that’s marked as “Prime FREE Same-Day” while shopping. Note that your order will need to contain over $35 of qualifying items. If not, you’ll have to pay a small fee.
Amazon will deliver from morning until evening, so you won’t have to worry about receiving your order at 3 a.m. However, same-day delivery isn’t available in all locations, so enter your ZIP code on the Amazon Same-Day Delivery page to see if you’re eligible.
Alexa offers extra discounts when you shop with an Echo
You can use your Amazon Echo to ask “Alexa, what are my deals?” anytime. Alexa will then share Prime-exclusive deals and you’ll have the option to add the item to your cart, buy it now or move on to the next deal.
Schedule convenient shipping dates for packages
Everyone knows about Amazon’s free two-day shipping, but another option is to choose a delivery date during checkout. It’s called Amazon Day and it’s helpful if there’s a specific day you know someone will be at home to answer for packages — especially if it’s something pricey that you don’t want to risk leaving unattended.
If you order multiple items on different days, you can have them delivered on the same day as long as they’re eligible for this offer.
Use your Amazon Echo to track packages
If you have an Amazon Echo of any kind, you can use it to track your orders.
Just say “Alexa, where’s my package?” and your Echo will let you know where it is, who it’s for and when it’ll arrive. Once your order has been delivered, the Echo’s ring light will pulse yellow and if you have the Echo Show, the delivery notification will appear on the screen.
Shop Early Access deals before non-Prime members
If something you’ve been eyeing says “Prime Early Access,” as a Prime member you can shop that sale 30 minutes before non-Prime members. However, you’ll still have to compete with other Prime members who are interested in the product before it sells out.
Have Amazon deliver your package inside your house
When you know you’re not going to be home for a while and you’ve got a shipment on the way, it’s much safer to have an Amazon employee leave your items inside your house to avoid theft.
For in-home delivery, you’ll need a Key-compatible smart lock and an (optional) Amazon Cloud Cam. The Amazon driver will send you a notification when they’ve arrived at your house and will request to unlock your door. Amazon will verify the package is at the right address and the driver is near the door, then will turn on Amazon Cloud Cam and unlock your door.
If you’re wary of letting a complete stranger into your home, keep in mind that you’ll also receive notifications during the entire process. Note that you can opt to block delivery access to your home — for example, if you know you’ll be home during that time.
You can also get Amazon packages delivered to your garage
“Porch pirates” — thieves who steal packages left in front of homes — are no joke. Security site SafeWise told CNET that about 260 million packages were stolen from home exteriors in 2022. The Amazon Key in-garage delivery service can stop porch theft completely and is free for all Amazon Prime members.
When you use Amazon In-Garage Delivery, select Key Delivery at checkout. The garage kit is $29 right now and turns your garage into a smart garage. It works the same as in-home delivery so Amazon will do all the verifying for you.
Send gifts to other Prime members, even without addresses
An Amazon Prime feature lets you send someone a gift, even if you don’t have their address. For instance, if you’d like to send a coworker something for the holidays or their birthday but don’t know what their address is, you can still send a gift. But there’s a catch — that person must also have a Prime account and you need either their phone number or email address associated with the account.
Just note that not every item on Amazon is eligible.
Share Amazon Prime perks with your family
If you’ve got another adult living in your household, like a significant other or friend, you can share your Prime membership with them. You’ll still be able to keep your personal accounts separate, but you’ll both have access to all the same Prime benefits.
You can also share your account with up to four teens and up to four children in your household. While they’ll have their own logins, you can still manage their profiles.
For more shopping tips, here’s how to send your Amazon packages back the fast, easy and free way.
Getting a new TV can transform the way you enjoy your entertainment whether that’s watching a movie or playing the latest AAA game. And this being Amazon Prime Day you can bet your bottom dollar that other retailers are looking to get your custom as well. Which is why we can now point you in the direction of not one, but two special TCL TV deals at Best Buy.
You might want to consider getting the measuring tape out, too, because neither of these TVs is what anyone is likely to call small. Sure, the 55-inch monster might not be quite the behemoth that it would have seemed a few years ago but it’s far from diminutive. And the 65-inch option? Well, that’s just massive no matter which way you slice it.
Both TVs come with notable discounts via Best Buy — the 55-inch model can be had for just $230 (saving $90) while the 65-inch version now sells for $330 (saving you $100). (Versions of these models are also on sale at Walmart, Target, and Amazon — all with slightly different retailer-specific model numbers. Stock levels are hit-and miss-right now, however.)
Thankfully, no matter which TV you choose, you’ll get all of the usual features you’d expect. That includes 4K UltraHD support as well as HDR thrown in for good measure. The built-in Roku TV support ensures you have quick access to all of the best streaming services including Netflix, YouTube, Paramount+, and the rest.
Both TVs come with four HDMI ports, and support for ARC is included while a USB port is joined by an Ethernet connection — perfect for those who want to make sure they get the very best bitrates when watching their favorite shows.
Other features include built-in speakers and an optical audio output for connecting to your audio gear should you so wish, while composite video inputs handle legacy devices just fine.
With all of that said, all it really boils down to is which size you prefer. Both the 55-inch and 65-inch models are well-reviewed, too.
While the earlier version of this TV didn’t blow us away when we reviewed it in 2021, it’s more than good enough for dens, playrooms, and other non-critical viewing environments. If you want to step up or down the line, plenty of other TCL TVs are currently on sale for Prime Day, too.
As nice as your new TV may sound, you’ll really want a dedicated soundbar for top performance. Built-in speakers just can’t compare to speaker systems when it comes to watching your favorite shows and movies. While soundbars can get pricey, there are a lot of good deals to be had this Prime Day.
Sales start at around $100, and features include Bluetooth streaming audio and HDMI, while the more expensive systems add Dolby Atmos decoding and 4K video switching. No matter your budget, you can find something to heighten your TV-watching experience.
Amazon’s Prime Day event launched today and brought a ton of amazing deals on impressive tech. That means it’s a good time to buy a laptop if you’re heading off to college in the fall or are looking to upgrade your current computer. There are some impressive deals available right now on some of the best laptops available — from lightweight ultraportables to powerful gaming laptops. Taking advantage of these limited-time discounts can potentially save you hundreds of dollars, making it possible to grab a better laptop at a lower price.
And Amazon isn’t the only retailer dropping prices on laptops right now. Best Buy, Walmart and other stores have competing sales going and even PC makers like Dell, Acer and HP are offering discounts when buying directly from their sites, too. One thing you should know when it comes to Amazon’s sales, though: For Prime-exclusive deals on Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime subscriber ($139 a year). There is a way around it, though.
As one of CNET’s PC experts, I’ve scanned the current sales and dropped some of the best deals I’ve found so far. These are laptops I wouldn’t hesitate to buy for myself or recommend to friends or family. We’ll keep updating this list as older deals expire and new ones drop, so check back for the latest offers.
It’s always an ideal time to take in a movie from Christopher Nolan, but the anticipation surrounding his 12th film, Oppenheimer, may have you reaching for the remote. The thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb,” debuts on July 21 (yes, alongside Greta Gerwig’s pink-adorned comedy Barbie), and there’s been plenty of buzz about its stunning list of stars (including maybe John Krasinski?) and favoring of practical effects over CGI.
If you want to fill the Oppenheimer-less stretch with Christopher Nolan’s prior projects, we’ve rounded up where you can find all 11. A good chunk are on streaming services you may already be subscribed to, and the rest you can rent for just a couple of bucks.
List of Christopher Nolan’s movies and how to watch them on streaming services
Available to rent
Now for the less thrilling news: all the Christopher Nolan movies that aren’t included with the streaming services you already pay for. Luckily, it costs between $3 and $4 to rent each of these films at services like Amazon and Vudu. Memento (2000) and Insomnia (2002) are in the $3 group, and if you pitch in one more dollar, you can rent The Prestige (2006), Inception (2010) and Tenet (2020).
How to watch with a VPN
Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream a Christopher Nolan movie on a service like Netflix or Max 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 stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic. 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 your Nolan movie of choice will be streaming on a service like Max or Netflix. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream your Nolan movie 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 the service 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.
Streaming music can be great. Spotify and Apple Music are some of the most popular music streaming platforms but you don’t pay to own your favorite songs. You pay these services to subscribe to their platform and listen to the music available in their library, which, unfortunately, isn’t forever. You favorite songs can disappear from the streaming services if their licensing period expires and it isn’t renewed. That’s just one of the reasons it makes sense to purchase and own your music.
When you buy digital music files, such as MP3 or FLAC, there are a number of key benefits. Most importantly, the tracks are yours to keep and to put on whatever device you want, plus it gives the artist more money to keep making more music. Sure, you could buy CDs and rip the music, but where do you then keep the physical discs? Online music stores offer instant downloads after your purchase — no need to bother with a physical disc — and there’s often a choice of different formats. If you want to save space and (maybe) money, lossy MP3s or AAC might be for you. Or, if space constraints aren’t a concern, most sites also offer lossless FLAC or ALAC versions for a noticeable increase in quality. (They usually cost the same as MP3s.)
Whether you’re looking to buy a music single or a whole album, and across a variety of genres, I’ve compiled a list of the best sites to visit. I’ve included both the biggies — iTunes and Amazon — and some of my personal favorites, including Bandcamp and Qobuz. If you want to play the music you buy, most stores offer both Android and iOSapps, or you often can just use the native music apps on your phone.
With Prime Day in full swing, TV shoppers looking for deals on screens have plenty of options, from small LCDs to big, beautiful OLEDs and everything in between. As CNET’s TV expert, over the years I’ve found that the Prime Day TV deals are not quite as good as those during Black Friday and the holiday season, but if you can’t wait that long, now is a great time to buy — especially if you want a cheap TV that uses Amazon’s Fire TV system.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered up some highlights worth checking out. We’ll keep updating this list as older deals expire and new ones drop, so check back for the latest offers.
For years, Samsung has tried to blur the line between phone and tablet with its Galaxy Z Fold devices, which function as a phone when closed and a mini-tablet when opened. Now, Google is following suit with the Pixel Fold, the search giant’s first phone with a bendable screen.
Both phones are incredibly expensive at $1,800, which is more than a monthly mortgage payment in some areas of the US. But they also each provide a glimpse at a future in which you don’t have to jump between apps as often, squint to read an ebook or reach for your iPad to watch a movie on the go.
After spending time with both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Pixel Fold, I’ve learned there are some ways in which Google succeeds over Samsung, and others in which the South Korean tech giant has the upper hand. The Pixel Fold’s wider cover screen makes it much more useful when propped open, but Samsung’s bold and vibrant interior screen is tough to beat.
What the Google Pixel Fold does better
A wider cover screen
The Pixel Fold’s wider cover screen may not sound like a big deal, but it makes a noticeable difference in a few ways. First and foremost, the Pixel Fold feels more like a regular phone when closed. Since it’s roughly the same width as a non-folding phone, apps look more natural on the Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch external screen which has a 17.4:9 aspect ratio. While the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 6.2-inch screen (23.1:9 aspect ratio) is technically larger, it’s longer and skinnier than the display on most traditional phones.
But the Pixel Fold’s broader screen is helpful for more than just using apps when the device is closed. It also makes the Pixel Fold a better portable TV since it provides more space for viewing videos when propping the phone open halfway like a tent or a laptop. You also get a wider camera viewfinder on the Pixel Fold when snapping photos thanks to the shape of its screen.
An excellent camera
While the Pixel Fold’s camera isn’t quite as advanced as the Pixel 7 Pro’s, it still delivers crisp and colorful photos that feel natural. In my experience, photos taken on the Pixel Fold looked more color accurate than those shot on the Galaxy Z Fold 4. My colleague Patrick Holland also found that the Pixel Fold’s images had a wider dynamic range and were generally more color accurate and detailed than those taken on Samsung’s foldable phone.
Both phones have triple-lens main cameras with wide, ultrawide and telephoto lenses, but the way each device processes images is much different. The hardware specifications also differ, as shown in the table below.
Google Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Cameras
10-megapixel (cover screen); 4-megapixel (inner screen – under display)
You can check out our full in-depth camera comparison for more details. But here are some of my favorite images from the Pixel Fold that were taken for CNET’s review and camera shootout.
A slimmer design that folds completely shut
Even though Samsung was among the first tech companies to release a foldable phone, it still hasn’t designed a hinge that can fold entirely shut with no gap. That’s not the case for Google. The Pixel Fold closes completely when shut, making it feel more slim and sleek when closed. It’s a minor change, but given how cumbersome foldable phones already are, anything that makes the design feel sleeker and slimmer is much appreciated.
What the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 does better
Bolder and sleeker interior screen
Google may have the superior cover screen, but Samsung wins when it comes to what’s inside. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Pixel Fold each have a 7.6-inch main screen, but the two companies take different approaches when it comes to design. Samsung’s phone almost resembles a piece of paper in terms of shape, while Google’s looks more like a landscape-mode tablet.
But Samsung’s internal screen has much slimmer bezels than Google’s, which gives it a sleeker look overall. I also thought the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s screen looked bolder and more vibrant than Google’s, which could make it more appealing for viewing photos, browsing the web and watching shows. The Z Fold 4’s main screen also using Samsung’s S Pen stylus for writing, drawing and interacting.
An extra year of Android software updates
Even though Android is a Google product, Samsung offers longer Android version support for its mobile devices. While both companies promise five years of security updates, Samsung pledged to provide four generations of Android operating system upgrades for phones in its Galaxy Z, Galaxy S and Galaxy A series in 2022. That’s one year longer than Google’s guarantee, which says the Pixel Fold will receive Android version updates until June 2026, or three years following its release.
With a device as expensive as the Pixel Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 4, you’ll want to get as much as you can out of the device. Software support is a major part of ensuring that you can use your device for as long as possible without missing out on new features.
More polished software features
Samsung has been releasing foldable phones for four years, which means it’s had plenty of time to refine the experience and consider how the phone’s software should adapt to its bendable design.
That shows in some aspects of the user interface, such as the ability to open more apps on screen simultaneously compared with the Pixel Fold. While I prefer dedicating the entire internal screen to one app on phones like the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold, having the option to run more than two at the same time could be useful for those who constantly find themselves jumping between apps.
It’s also easier to navigate the Galaxy Z Fold 4 when folded halfway like a laptop since you can use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini touchpad. While this feature isn’t nearly as intuitive as picking up the device and using it as a regular phone, it at least shows that Samsung is thinking about updating the way we interact with our phones now that they can fold in half.
But Google frequently updates its Pixel devices with new software features over time, so I’m expecting to see this same pattern with the Pixel Fold. In particular, I’m looking forward to trying the dual-screen language translation feature that’s coming with Android 14. This feature allows you to use both of the Pixel Fold’s displays at the same time to facilitate conversations with foreign language speakers.
Should you buy the Pixel Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 4?
If you have the budget for a foldable phone, it’s important to decide which features matter to you most when choosing between the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Google Pixel Fold.
If camera quality is a top priority, and you frequently prop up your phone to watch movies and TV shows, Google’s phone is likely the better option. The wider cover screen also makes things like taking photos and typing feel more natural compared to Samsung’s phone.
But the interior display on Samsung’s phone is more vibrant and luminous, which may matter more to those who primarily plan on using their new device in tablet mode. You’ll also get new Android features for a longer period of time since Samsung offers longer software support.
Before deciding whether a foldable phone is right for you, there are a few other critical factors to keep in mind. Durability is the most crucial one. Reports of broken Pixel Folds have begun to surface on Reddit, although CNET has not experienced this issue with its review units. And although Samsung has had four years to fine-tune its Galaxy Z Fold design, you’ll still find Redditorscomplaining about malfunctioning screens. While it’s unclear how widespread these issues are, it’s worth remembering that durability is always a potential risk for foldable phones compared to standard phones.
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone, meaning the next model will likely be more refined as the company gathers feedback from current device owners and reviewers. Just look at the trajectory Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has taken over the last several years compared to the original 2019 model. Even the second generation Galaxy Z Fold 2 proved to be a major improvement over the first Galaxy Fold thanks to its larger cover screen. With that in mind, it could be worth waiting for the next version of the Pixel Fold.
As for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, it’s worth remembering that Samsung is highly expected to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in just a matter of weeks. It would be wise to wait and see what’s new in the next model and whether the Galaxy Z Fold 4 may be available at cheaper prices after its successor arrives.
Did you snag a great TV deal on Prime Day? No matter what model or brand you bought, a TV can look a lot better if you make a few adjustments. That’s because even the best TVs, when you first take them out of the box, don’t look as good as they could with some minor adjustments. The good news is, these tweaks are easy, and you don’t need any special equipment.
Why is this? The stock settings as applied by the factory are OK for that entire product line, but might not be best for your exact TV. Even just changing the picture mode can make a huge difference. It’s possible you might need a new cable, or you might not. You might need a new source, or you might not. It’s worth learning about the different options and why they’re important so you can get the most out of your new purchase.
Most TVs have an initial setup routine where you connect to Wi-Fi, download software updates and agree to license and privacy notices, but after that you’re on your own. Here’s what to consider next.
Nearly everything you might want to connect to a TV these days uses the same connection: HDMI.
HDMI cables carry high-resolution images and sound over one small cable. Thankfully, HDMI cables are quite cheap. There are expensive HDMI cables, but they offer no additional performance over most cheaper options. Generally speaking, you should be able to get a cable that works perfect for you for around $1 per foot.
It’s possible your current HDMI cables will work fine, though. Many older HDMI cables can handle 4K resolutions. If you’re not getting the resolution you want, or if the image flickers or cuts out, some new cables might solve the issue. But if what you have works, getting more expensive cables won’t make the image or sound any better.
Check out our list of the best HDMI cables for 2023 for more info.
If you’re getting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, you still probably don’t need new cables. The exception is if you want to run them at 4K/120, something only a few TVs can handle. In that case it’s worth learning about Premium Certified cables, which don’t cost that much more than noncertified cables.
Sources, from cable to streaming to games to sound
Most TVs have built-in smart TV suites for streaming, but in many cases you’ll want to connect other stuff too. If you bought a newer streaming box or game console, it will probably autodetect what your TV wants (1080p or 2160p) and send it whichever is appropriate. The same is true for 4K or regular Blu-ray players. For older devices, namely a cable or satellite box, make sure that it’s set for widescreen 16:9 video and set to output HD.
Just because the cable box is capable of high definition doesn’t mean you’re getting HD. Sometimes you need to pay your provider extra and/or tune to the specific HD channel to watch. For example, with my provider, channel 2 is SD, whereas channel 1002 is HD. This is also true for Netflix and other streaming services. For example, with Netflix you can only get 4K if you’re paying for a more expensive streaming tier.
You can also get free HDTV with an antenna, and 4K over-the-air is already rolling out in many cities.
If you’re trying to get sound from your TV to yoursoundbaror receiver, there are some specific steps you need to take. This has to do with audio return channel, which is easily the most common question topic I get about modern TVs and home theater setups. Regardless, if you bought a 4K TV, you may need to get a new receiver anyway.
If you’re looking to connect your 4K TV to a computer, here are some things to think about. You can also connect your laptop to your TV wirelessly.
Once you have everything plugged in, take a moment to check your TV’s picture settings. Most modern TVs will ask upon initial startup if the TV is being used in a home or a store. Pick the one most appropriate to your environment (hopefully “home”; I’m not sure why you’d be living in a Best Buy).
After you run through the TV’s setup routine, you’ll want to choose the best picture mode for everyday viewing. Even if you don’t want to adjust anything else, selecting the right picture mode will go a long way in getting your TV to look its best. The CliffsNotes version? The TV will be its most accurate (in other words, most realistic) in its Movie or Cinema picture mode. It will appear brighter in its Sports or Vivid mode.
If you’re into finer adjustments, you can dive into other TV settings. The Backlight and Contrast controls usually adjust how bright the image appears, while Brightness controls how dark the dark parts of the image look. Turning down your TV’s Sharpness control actually improves its image. A similar simple fix is to adjust the TV’s overscan so you can see the entire image. Yep, your TV might be cropping off the edges!
If you want to dive even deeper, check out our articles on how to set up your TV by eye and by using a setup Blu-ray disc. And if you want to get every possible ounce of performance out of your higher-end TV, consider having it calibrated.
TVs are also susceptible to reflections so if you’re having an issue with light washing out the picture, check out how to rid your TV screen of reflections. Lastly, if you’re putting your TV on a stand, make sure you know how to keep your TV from falling over.
Your new TV probably has even more settings and adjustments we don’t cover here, but this should get you started. And if you’re looking for something to watch, check out CNET’s Streaming TV Insider.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
