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  • ‘Outlander’ Season 7: Release Date and How to Watch From Anywhere

    ‘Outlander’ Season 7: Release Date and How to Watch From Anywhere

    Romantic time-traveling drama Outlander is back, with a new season placing Claire and Jamie right in the thick of America’s fight for independence.

    Based on Diana Gabaldon’s novel An Echo in the Bone, the series has had fans waiting to find out what’s become of the Fraser family following the end of season 6, with Claire (Caitriona Balfe) looking set to be wrongly convicted of the murder of Malva Christie.

    The new season promises a host of added characters in the cast, including Quaker brother and sister Denzell and Rachel Hunter (Joey Phillips and Izzy Meikle-Small) as well as an all-grown-up William, Jamie’s illegitimate son (Charles Vandervaart). Season 7 also sees Balfe make her directorial debut, with the actress calling the shots for a full episode later in the run.

    Here’s how you can tune in to Outlander season 7. Plus, learn how a virtual private network can come in handy while you stream.

    Read more: The Best TV Shows to Watch on Starz Right Now

    A still from TV show Outlander showing actors Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe standing infant of the American and British flags.A still from TV show Outlander showing actors Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe standing infant of the American and British flags.

    STARZ

    Release dates for Outlander season 7

    Season 7 is set to be split into two parts, with its first half getting underway on Starz with the season premiere Friday, June 16, at 12 a.m. ET on the streaming app. Viewers watching on the Starz cable channel can catch it at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET). A further seven episodes will land weekly on the service at the same time each Friday from then on before the show takes a break until 2024.

    Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2023

    How to watch Outlander season 7 from anywhere on VPN

    So what if you’re traveling outside your home country and want to enjoy the show or want an added layer of privacy for streaming? There is an option that doesn’t require searching the internet for a sketchy website: You can use a VPN, or virtual private network.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the show. If you find yourself unable to watch locally, a VPN can come in handy. Plus, it’s a great idea for when 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.

    Most VPNs, like CNET’s Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it easy to virtually change your location. Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals.

    Express VPNExpress VPN

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month. But you can save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    How to watch Outlander season 7 around the world

    A subscription to Starz currently costs $9 per month, but that fee is set to rise to $10 starting June 26.

    The streaming service offers a wide array of top-notch shows, including Party Down, Power Book II, P-Valley and The Serpent Queen.

    The logo for Canadian TV channel W Network on a white backgroundThe logo for Canadian TV channel W Network on a white background

    W Network logo

    There’s a short wait for Canadian fans of the show, with the Outlander season 7 premiere scheduled for broadcast on the W Network on Sunday, June 18, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

    W Network is available through most Canadian cable TV providers. If it’s already part of your channel list, you can simply log in with the details of your TV provider on the W Network website to livestream the show.

    Cord-cutters, meanwhile, have the option of the STACKTV add-on channel as part of an Amazon Prime Video subscription which is priced at CA$13 a month on top of CA$13 a month for Prime membership. The add-on offers a 14-day free trial.

    The logo for streaming service Lionsgate Plus.The logo for streaming service Lionsgate Plus.

    Lionsgate

    Streaming service Lionsgate Plus has the rights to show Outlander Season 7 exclusively in the UK. Like the US, the new season premiere is set to drop on the service on Friday, June 16, with new episodes being added once per week.

    The Lionsgate Plus service is available as a channel add-on for Amazon Prime Video and is currently offering a seven-day free trial. After that it’s priced at 6 a month on top of an 6 Amazon Prime subscription.

    binge-best-logobinge-best-logo

    Binge

    Outlander season 7 debuts down under on Fox One from Saturday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. AEST. If you don’t have a cable package that carries Fox One, an alternative option is streaming service Binge, which will have the new season on demand. A Binge subscription starts at AU$10 a month.

    Tips for streaming Outlander season 7 using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — experience and success 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 viewing 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 in to your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is located 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 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 network’s 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 in to your services. We normally recommend Brave.
  • Hulu Live vs. Sling TV vs. YouTube TV and More: Top Channels Compared

    Hulu Live vs. Sling TV vs. YouTube TV and More: Top Channels Compared

    Live TV streaming services may prove to be a more economical option when compared to monthly cable bills, despite the close competition between the two. These streaming apps not only offer a larger variety of channels than antennas but also the convenience of streaming on mobile phones and computers.

    There are six primary services available currently: YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and Philo. Our comprehensive live-TV streaming guide provides details about prices and features, but the channels they offer is what it’s all about. That’s why we’ve sifted through these services to compile a list of which ones offer the top lineups.

    Read more: Best Sports Streaming Service for 2023

    The Big Chart: Top 100 channels compared, updated May 2023

    The main difference between the services is their channel selection. All of them offer different lineups of channels for various prices.

    Below you’ll find a chart that shows the top 100 channels across all six services, but note that not each service has a worthy 100. There are actually seven listed because Sling TV has two different “base” tiers, Orange and Blue. And if you’re wondering, I chose which “top” channels made the cut. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Universal HD.

    Plenty of live TV streaming choices are available to anyone who wants to cut the cable cord. Sling TV’s basic packages are $40 in most cities. DirecTV Stream expanded its PBS channel availability, and YouTube TV and Hulu added the Hallmark network. But costs have increased everywhere. YouTube TV is now $73 per month. Hulu Plus Live TV offers three price plans for its service: $70 per month with ads, $83 without ads and $69 a month for live TV only (no on-demand videos). Fubo upped the price of its base bundle to $75, and DirecTV Stream increased its plan subscriptions as well. Those changes are reflected in the chart below where applicable.

    Some more stuff to know about the chart:

    • Yes = The channel is available on the cheapest pricing tier. That price is listed next to the service’s name.

    • No = The channel isn’t available at all on that service.

    • $ = The channel is available for an extra fee, either a la carte or as part of a more expensive package or add-on.

    • Regional sports networks — local channels devoted to showing regular-season games of particular pro baseball, basketball and hockey teams — are not listed. DirecTV Stream’s $100 tier has the most RSNs by far, but a few are available on other services. See our NBA and NHL streaming guides for details.
    • Local ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, MyNetworkTV and The CW networks are not available in every city. Since availability of these channels varies, you’ll want to check the service’s website to make sure it carries your local network.
    • Local PBS stations are only currently available on YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream. Again you’ll want to check local availability.
    • Sling Blue subscribers in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco must now pay $45 per month, but have access to local ABC, Fox and NBC channels. Customers in Fresno, Houston and Raleigh now have both ABC and Fox on their Blue or Orange-and-Blue subscriptions at no extra charge. This is not reflected in the chart.
    • Fubo subscribers may find that the ACC Network and SEC Network are included with their package at no extra cost. Check availability for your state.
    • The chart columns are arranged in order of price, so if you can’t see everything you want, try scrolling right.
    • Overwhelmed? An easier-to-understand Google Spreadsheet is here.

    Philo vs. Sling TV vs. Fubo vs. Hulu vs. YouTube TV vs. DirecTV Stream: Top 100 channels compared

    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)
    Total channels: 42 24 35 73 77 56 62
    ABC No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    CBS No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Fox No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    NBC No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    PBS No No No No Yes No Yes
    CW No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    MyNetworkTV No No No Yes Yes No Yes
    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)
    A&E Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
    ACC Network No $ No Yes Yes Yes $
    Accuweather Yes No No No No Yes Yes
    AMC Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
    Animal Planet Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    BBC America Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
    BBC World News Yes $ $ No Yes No $
    BET Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Big Ten Network No No $ Yes Yes Yes $
    Bloomberg TV No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
    Boomerang No $ $ Yes No No Yes
    Bravo No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)
    Cartoon Network No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    CBS Sports Network No No No Yes Yes Yes $
    Cheddar Yes No No Yes Yes Yes $
    Cinemax No No No $ $ No $
    CMT Yes $ $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    CNBC No No $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    CNN No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    Comedy Central Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Cooking Channel Yes $ $ $ No $ $
    Destination America Yes $ $ $ No $ $
    Discovery Channel Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Disney Channel No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Disney Junior No $ No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Disney XD No $ No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    E! No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    ESPN No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    ESPN 2 No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    ESPNEWS No $ No Yes Yes $ $
    ESPNU No $ No Yes Yes $ $
    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)
    Food Network Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Fox Business No No $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Fox News No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    FS1 No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    FS2 No No $ Yes Yes Yes $
    Freeform No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    FX No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    FX Movies No No $ Yes Yes $ $
    FXX No No $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    FYI Yes $ $ Yes No No $
    Golf Channel No No $ Yes Yes Yes $
    Hallmark Yes $ $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    HBO/HBO Max No No No $ $ No $
    HGTV Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    History Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
    HLN No $ Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    IFC Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
    Investigation Discovery Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Lifetime Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
    Lifetime Movie Network Yes $ $ Yes No No $
    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)
    Magnolia Network Yes $ $ $ No Yes $
    MGM+ (formerly EPIX) $ $ $ No $ No $
    MLB Network No $ $ No No $ $
    Motor Trend Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    MSNBC No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    MTV Yes $ $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    MTV2 Yes $ $ $ Yes $ Yes
    National Geographic No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Nat Geo Wild No No $ Yes Yes $ $
    NBA TV No $ $ No Yes $ $
    NFL Network No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
    NFL Red Zone No No $ $ $ $ No
    NHL Network No $ $ No No $ $
    Nickelodeon Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Nick Jr. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes $
    Nicktoons Yes $ $ $ Yes $ $
    OWN Yes No No Yes Yes Yes $
    Oxygen No No $ Yes Yes Yes $
    Paramount Network Yes $ $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Science Yes $ $ $ No $ $
    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)
    SEC Network No $ No Yes Yes $ $
    Showtime No $ $ $ $ $ $
    Smithsonian Yes No No Yes Yes Yes $
    Starz $ $ $ $ $ $ $
    Sundance TV Yes $ $ No Yes No Yes
    Syfy No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Tastemade Yes $ $ No Yes Yes $
    TBS No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    TCM No $ $ Yes Yes No Yes
    TeenNick Yes $ $ $ Yes $ Yes
    Telemundo No No No Yes Yes Yes $
    Tennis Channel No $ $ No No $ $
    TLC Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    TNT No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    Travel Channel Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes $
    TruTV No $ Yes Yes Yes No Yes
    TV Land Yes $ $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    USA Network No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    VH1 Yes $ $ Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Vice Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
    WE tv Yes $ $ No Yes No Yes
    Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) Hulu with Live TV ($70) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75)

    Hulu movies and TV showsHulu movies and TV shows

    James Martin/CNET

    A series of price hikes has brought a number of additional channels to Hulu, including PBS and access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, at a $70 price tag. Its channel selection isn’t as robust as YouTube TV and Fubo, yet it’s Hulu’s significant catalog of on-demand content which sets it apart. Exclusive titles such as The Handmaid’s Tale, The Orville and Only Murders in the Building give it a content advantage no other service can match.

    Live TV subscribers also receive unlimited DVR that includes fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no additional cost. It’s a move that has aligned Hulu with its competitors in terms of features, but the channel lineup may still be a deciding factor. For example, the platform recently lost Sinclair-owned ABC affiliate channels. But, Hulu Live TV is a better value as it’s $3 less than YouTube TV and is our top choice for live TV streaming. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    With an excellent channel selection, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR, the $73 per month YouTube TV is one of the best cable TV replacements. It offers a $20 4K upgrade, but the downside is there isn’t much to watch at present unless you watch select channels. If you don’t mind paying a bit more than the Sling TVs of the world, or want to watch live NBA games, YouTube TV offers a high standard of live TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV review.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    If you want to save a little money, and don’t mind missing out on local channels, Sling TV is the best of the budget services. Its Orange and Blue packages go for $40 per month, and you can combine them for a monthly rate of $55. The Orange option nets you one stream, while Blue gives you three. Rather than run a free trial, Sling offers a 50% discount for your first month. It’s not as comprehensive or as easy to navigate as YouTube but with a bit of work, including adding an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it’s an unbeatable value. Read our Sling TV review.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    DirecTV Stream is tied for the most expensive at $75, beating Hulu Plus Live TV and YouTube TV. The service does have its pluses, though — for example, it includes the flipper-friendly ability to swipe left and right to change channels. Additionally, it includes some channels the other services can’t, including nearly 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $75 Entertainment package may suit your needs with its 75-plus channels. But for cord-cutters who want to follow their local NBA or MLB team, DirecTV Stream’s $100 Choice package is our live TV streaming pick because it has access to more regional sports networks than the competition. Nonetheless, you’ll want to make sure your channel is included here, and not available on one of our preferred picks, before you pony up. Read our DirecTV Stream review.

    fubotv-1fubotv-1

    Ty Pendlebury/CNET

    There’s a lot to like about Fubo — it offers a wide selection of channels and its sports focus makes it especially attractive to soccer fans or NBA, NHL and MLB fans who live in an area served by one of Fubo’s RSNs. It’s also a great choice for NFL fans since it’s one of three services, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, with NFL Network and optional RedZone. In 2023, Fubo will offer 19 Bally Sports RSNs with a new package that includes the lineup. The biggest hole in Fubo’s lineup is the lack of Turner networks, including CNN, TNT and TBS — especially since the latter two carry a lot of sports content, in particular NBA, NHL and MLB. Those missing channels, and the same $75 price tag, makes it less attractive than YouTube TV for most viewers. Read our Fubo review.

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    At $25 Philo is still a cheap live TV streaming service with a variety of channels, but it lacks sports channels, local stations and big-name news networks — although Cheddar and BBC news are available. Philo offers bread-and-butter cable staples like AMC, Comedy Channel, Nickelodeon and Magnolia Network, and specializes in lifestyle and reality programming. It’s also one of the cheapest live services that streams Paramount, home of Yellowstone, and it includes a cloud DVR and optional add-ons from Epix and Starz. We think most people are better off paying another $15 for Sling TV’s superior service, but if Philo has every channel you want, it’s a decent deal. Read our Philo review.

  • Best Gifts Under $300 for 2023

    Best Gifts Under $300 for 2023

    When it comes to gift-giving, you don’t always have to spend hundreds of dollars to find something amazing. However, there are times you just want to splurge on the special people in your world. And increasing your budget opens up a whole world of wonderful and thoughtful gifts. To help you find that perfect present for your friend, partner or family member, we’ve tested out and rounded up some of our favorite gifts that you can pick up for $300 or less right now below.

    You’ve got lots of options in this price range, where you’ll start to see more premium-grade products. From massagers and headphones to trainers and speakers, here are gifts under $300 that are perfect for Mom, Dad and other loved ones for a special occasion.

    When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its bass performance. But it mostly lives up to the hype and arguably is the best-sounding wireless speaker for its compact size. Available in three color options — black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) — it’s equipped with Bose’s PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker’s orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether upright, hanging or flat on its back. Read our Bose SoundLink Flex review.

    The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved — Apple says the new AirPods have “double” the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.

    First released in 2020, the 1.5-pound Theragun Mini massager is designed to be portable, easily fitting in a backpack or purse. While it doesn’t have quite the power of one of Theragun’s full-size devices, it’s surprisingly powerful considering how small it is. I’ve tried larger massage guns in this price range, and it’s just as powerful but half the size. The rechargeable battery is rated to last two-and-a-half hours, and a neoprene protective case is included.

    Solo Stove fire pits are among the best smokeless fire pits out there, and while they work great and their stainless steel construction gives them a sleek appearance, the original models had one flaw: They weren’t so easy to clean up. However, that changed with the arrival of the new Solo Stove 2.0 fire pits, which are available in the same three sizes — Ranger 2.0 (small), Bonfire 2.0 (medium) and Yukon 2.0 (large) — and have a removable ash pan, a feature missing from the 1.0 models.

    Anker’s original Soundcore Motion Boom speaker is still a decent value at around $150 (you can save $30 by activating the instant coupon on the product page at Amazon). But the new-for-2022 Motion Boom Plus is significantly improved, particularly in terms of sound quality. It’s easily one of the best new Bluetooth speakers of 2022.

    Weighing 5.29 pounds (almost a pound more than the Motion Boom), it uses Bluetooth 5.3 and is equipped with upgraded dual 3.5-inch woofers and newly added dual 1-inch tweeters, delivering up to 80 watts of audio output (60W for the woofers and 20W for the tweeters). Battery life is rated for 20 hours at moderate volume levels. It’s also IP67 waterproof and dust-proof and floats if you happen to drop it in a body of water.

    Over the last few years, foam rollers and massage guns have been popular recovery products after workouts, as well as important tools for stretching and warming your muscles pre-workout. The original Roll Recovery R8 and newer R8 Plus are kind of a combo between a roller and an unpowered massager.

    The key addition to the R8 Plus is a dial that allows you to adjust the amount of tension in the device to more or less intense levels. You clamp it onto various body parts, with instructional videos showing you how to hit certain areas like calves, hamstrings, IT bands, and arms. The R8 Plus is available in white, red, or black.

    ecco-street-lite-retro-mens-sneakerecco-street-lite-retro-mens-sneaker

    Ecco Street Lite retro men’s sneakers

    The Ecco Street Lite retro sneaker is one of those shoes that guys can not only wear in more casual situations but also works with a little more formal attire. They come in the white leather version shown here (with various trim colors), plus some colored suede options.

    Note that these tend to run large, so consider getting a size smaller than you usually do.

    It’s still difficult to get a PS5 or Xbox Series X, but the stepdown Xbox Series S is in stock at retailers with comparative frequency. Yes, there are caveats: There’s no optical disc drive, the resolution is less than true 4K and it only has half the storage as its big brother. But it plays all of the same games, including Halo Infinite. It’s a great choice for a lot of gamers.

    If you want the latest and greatest Apple Watch, you should get the Watch Series 8 or the top-end Watch Ultra, but the SE remains arguably the best value when it comes to Apple smartwatches. You can also get it with LTE cellular service.

    While it doesn’t have some of the extra features of the Apple Watch 8, the latest second-gen Watch SE offers good performance for those who don’t want to spend that much on an Apple Watch.

    We named the original Hypervolt Go one of the best travel massage guns and the upgraded Hypervolt Go 2 offers some small but notable improvements.

    The new features in the Hypervolt Go 2 include LED speed sensors, back button control and a battery-level LED band. The look has also changed. While the original Hypervolt Go is all black, the Go 2 now has an arctic-gray finish. The Hypervolt Go 2 also has improved the air flow and ventilation of the percussion gun. It remains lightweight, weighing in at 1.5 pounds, and has three speed settings along with Hyperice’s patented QuietGlide technology which makes the massage gun nearly silent. Like the Go, it comes with two head attachments (flat and bullet).

    The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer improved noise canceling along with good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you’re a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. That said, their biggest upgrade may be their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. Aside from their somewhat high price tag, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices.

    Available in white or black, the Roam is currently Sonos’ smallest and most affordable speaker (if you don’t count those $99 Sonos-compatible Ikea Symfonisk Wi-Fi bookshelf speakers). For its size, it sounds impressive and is equipped with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Even if Dad doesn’t have a Sonos system already, this is a good starter speaker and he can use his own money to add more Sonos gear in the future. Read our Sonos Roam review.

    Technically, the Beats Fit Pro aren’t AirPods, but they’re built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro. Unlike Beats’ earlier and less expensive Studio Buds, the Beats Fit Pro include Apple’s H1 chip and have most of the original AirPods Pro’s features, including active noise canceling, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. I’d venture to call them the sports AirPods you’ve always wanted. And for some people, they might just be better than the AirPods Pro.

    Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are not only about 30% smaller than their predecessors, but their case is about 40% smaller and truly pocketable. They feature best-in-class noise canceling and improved sound, thanks to Bose’s new CustomTune sound calibration system that customizes the sound for your ears. Voice-calling performance is also significantly better than that of the original QuietComfort Earbuds.

    The other big change is to the ear tips. Bose has ditched its one-piece StayEar wing tips for a two-piece Fit Kit system that features separate ear tips and “stability bands” in three size options, giving you more flexibility to get a secure fit and tight seal.

    If you’re looking for the best-sounding pair of audio glasses with the best overall performance — that includes call quality and battery life — the Bose Frames Tempo are the one to get. It’s ostensibly a sports model designed for runners and bikers, and while it’s a little bulky, it stays on your head securely.

    The Tempo offers slightly better sound and battery life than the more traditional-looking Tenor, which is a good choice for a more everyday set of audio sunglasses. The Tempo has better specs all-around, with USB-C charging and larger 22mm drivers. It also delivers up to eight hours of battery life.

    Their sound is definitely improved from the original Frames. Bose says the Tempo plays “deeper and louder — loud enough for cycling at 25 mph — while still able to hear traffic and your training partners.” They’re sweat-, weather-, scratch- and shatter-resistant, according to Bose and fit under most protective helmets. (I had no problem using them with a couple of bike helmets.) They also work well for making calls, thanks to a new dual-microphone system. Optional lenses are available for $39 and you can order prescription lenses through Lensabl.

    Most guys secretly want an electric razor even if they’ve never used one. While the Braun Series 7 isn’t the top-of-the-line Braun — the Series 9 is — it’s a good value at around $145 for the base kit. It can be used dry or wet — it’s fully waterproof — and comes with beard trimmers, a cleaning dock, and a carrying case. Battery life is rated at up to 50 minutes on a full charge and a quick five-minute charge will get you enough juice for a shave.

    With a full-fledged 4K HDR Roku streamer built in and a single voice remote controlling everything, this bar makes a thoughtful gift and offers a simple all-in-one audio-video system. Setup is a breeze: Plug it into a TV with a simple HDMI connection. Sound quality is very good for a single bar, and you can add Roku’s optional wireless subwoofer for more punch. It also comes with the much-loved Roku remote control. (This model is basically just the Smart Soundbar with an upgraded voice remote.)

    Ember’s temperature-controlled smart mugs have been going up in price over the last couple of years — most likely due to supply chain issues — but they now come in more color options, including some new eye-catching metallic colors that cost $30 more than standard black, white or blue mugs.

    Ember makes 6-ounce ($100), 10-ounce ($130) and 14-ounce ($150) size of its smart mug that keeps your hot beverage of choice hot while you sip it over a longer drinking session. While it won’t keep your coffee or tea warm for hours, the idea is that you can select your ideal temp via the companion Ember app for iOS or Android and keep your beverage at a high temp during the 30 minutes or so it takes to casually drink it.

    I personally prefer the larger 14-ounce version, though it does cost more. A good insulated mug with a top on it will also keep your beverage hot (and they are cheaper), but this Ember mug allows you to drink a cup of joe like you normally would and not sip it through a small hole in the top.

    Available in multiple color options, the latest version of JBL’s Charge Bluetooth Speaker delivers improved sound with more bass. It’s bigger than your average portable Bluetooth speaker, but it’s got some good kick to it and like previous Charge speakers, it has a USB out port that allows you to charge a device like a smartphone. Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours at moderate volume levels. It’s fully waterproof and dust-proof.

    More gift ideas

  • Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T: A Look At Which Carrier Has the Fastest Speeds at Theme Parks

    Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T: A Look At Which Carrier Has the Fastest Speeds at Theme Parks

    The biggest theme parks in the US have access to mobile speeds that are more than 50% faster than average speeds, an Opensignal report said Thursday.

    Clocking the speeds of mobile devices in the most-visited theme parks across the country, mobile analytics company Opensignal said upload speeds are also “substantially faster.”

    “Faster than the national average download speeds around theme parks are an impressive achievement when taking into consideration how many guests visit them, which is likely to lead to network congestion,” the report said.

    While the parks offer Wi-Fi, Opensignal found users are spending less than 20% of their time actually connected to it.

    So, which carriers offer the best experience in the most popular theme parks? Check out the stats from Opensignal below.

    Read more: Switching Phone Carriers in 2023: What to Know Before Changing Providers

    Disneyland Resort, California: Best carrier experience

    This includes both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure.

    • Download speeds: T-Mobile 108Mbps, AT&T 57Mbps, Verizon 48Mbps
    • Upload speeds: T-Mobile 16.4Mbps, AT&T 15.7Mbps, Verizon 11Mbps
    • Consistent quality: T-Mobile 85%, AT&T 81%, Verizon 79%
    • 5G availability: T-Mobile 66%, AT&T 47%, Verizon 19%

    Walt Disney World, Florida: Best carrier experience

    This includes the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

    • Download speeds: T-Mobile 126Mbps, Verizon 67.8Mbps, AT&T 67.1Mbps
    • Upload speeds: Verizon 17Mbps, AT&T 15Mbps, T-Mobile 14Mbps
    • Consistent quality: AT&T 85%, Verizon 84%, T-Mobile 83%
    • 5G availability: T-Mobile 51%, AT&T 49%, Verizon 18%

    Universal Orlando, Florida: Best carrier experience

    This includes both Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

    • Download speeds: T-Mobile 73Mbps, AT&T 60Mbps, Verizon 44Mbps
    • Upload speeds: AT&T 13Mbps, T-Mobile 12Mbps, Verizon 11.5Mbps
    • Consistent quality: T-Mobile 78%, AT&T 77%, Verizon 75%
    • 5G availability: AT&T 46%, T-Mobile 35%, Verizon 10%

    Best theme park connections overall

    Beating out the Disney parks was Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida, which has the best upload and download speeds on average.

    Here are the top five US theme parks with the fastest average download speeds:

    1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida: 102Mbps
    2. Knott’s Berry Farm, California: 89Mbps
    3. Walt Disney World, Florida: 85Mbps
    4. SeaWorld, San Diego: 72.4Mbps
    5. Universal Studios Hollywood, California: 72.3Mbps

    Here are the top five theme parks with the fastest average upload speeds:

    1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida: 21Mbps
    2. Universal Studios Hollywood, California: 18Mbps
    3. SeaWorld Orlando, Florida: 16Mbps
    4. Walt Disney World, Florida: 15Mbps
    5. Disneyland Resort, California: 14Mbps

    Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    For more on carriers, check out CNET’s list on the best mobile phone plans, the best unlimited data mobile plans and the best phones to buy in 2023.

  • Best Games on PS Plus: Far Cry 6, TMNT, Inscryption and Much More Coming in June

    Best Games on PS Plus: Far Cry 6, TMNT, Inscryption and Much More Coming in June

    June is a huge month for PlayStation Plus subscribers. A combination of big-name games and indie darlings lead the charge for new games coming to the service.

    Far Cry 6 is the latest game in the first-person shooter franchise, featuring Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito as the dictator of a fictional Caribbean island called Yara. Retro brawler Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, indie card game Inscryption and rogue-like platformer Rogue Legacy 2 are some of the other quality titles heading to PS Plus on June 20.

    Sony also confirmed in a blog post Wednesday that it’s testing cloud streaming support for PS5 games, allowing PS Plus subscribers to jump directly into a game instead of having to download it.

    Read more: Best Game Subscription Services

    Here are some notable PlayStation Plus inclusions so far:

    There are some notable games on that list, but it also lacks the blockbuster Day 1 vibe of Xbox Game Pass, which has big debuts like Halo Infinite and the upcoming Starfield. Extra costs $15 a month, $40 for three months or $100 for a year. (In the UK it’s 11, 32 or 84, respectively, and in Australia it’s AU$19, AU$55 or AU$135.)

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    Watch this: PlayStation Plus: Picking the Best Tier

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    The more expensive Premium tier ($18 or 13.49 a month) also includes download and streaming access to about 500 older games, mostly from pre-PS4 consoles, most of which will run at 60 frames per second. It also includes access to game demos. You can try games like Horizon: Forbidden West, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and Hot Wheels Unleashed. (Note: In Australia the Premium tier is called Deluxe and costs AU$22 a month.)

    One of the better aspects of the new PS Plus is there are plenty of cult and indie favorites in the Extra/Premium tier.

    Here are some older or lesser-known picks so far:

    • Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories
    • XCOM 2
    • Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
    • Pathfinder: Kingmaker
    • Pillars of Eternity II
    • South Park: The Stick of Truth
    • Tetris Effect
    • Outer Wilds

    I’ll update this list as more games are added, and as my colleagues remind me of top-tier classics I’ve missed.

    Read more: PlayStation Plus vs. PlayStation Now

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    Watch this: Explaining Sony’s 3 New PlayStation Plus Packages

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  • Will Your iPhone Work With iOS 17? Here’s How to Find Out

    Will Your iPhone Work With iOS 17? Here’s How to Find Out

    At the Apple WWDC event on June 5, the company announced many of the new features planned for iOS 17, its next version of the iPhone operating system. Apple will be adding a new Standby mode, a Journal app and a major update to Messages.

    However, not all iPhone users will be able to use iOS 17. As with all of the major Apple software updates, some older iPhone models are getting left behind, including the iPhone X from 2017.

    Read more: Don’t Install the iOS 17 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

    If you’re not sure which iPhone you’ve got, a quick check in your settings can show you. Open your Settings app and tap General > About. Next to Model Name, you’ll see which iPhone you have.

    We’ll tell you how to find out whether your iPhone will be compatible with iOS 17. If you’d like to try out the iOS 17 beta, the public beta will be available in July. Also, check out our list of best iPhones to discover if there’s a newer model that might work for you.

    iPhones that are compatible with iOS 17

    If you’ve got one of these iPhones, you’ll have access to iOS 17 when it’s available this year, Apple said.

    What if your iPhone isn’t on the compatibility list?

    If your iPhone isn’t listed above, it won’t support iOS 17 and you won’t get a notification to download the newest software. For instance, if you have an iPhone X or older, the latest software you’ll ever be able to use on that phone is iOS 16.

    For more about WWDC, check out the new 15-inch MacBook Air and Vision Pro. Also, new features are coming to WatchOS this year.

  • Watch UEFA Nations League Soccer: Livestream Spain vs. Italy From Anywhere

    Watch UEFA Nations League Soccer: Livestream Spain vs. Italy From Anywhere

    European big guns Spain and Italy face off in this intriguing Nations League semifinal, with a showdown against Croatia in Sunday’s final awaiting the winner.

    Spain have reached the last-four stage of UEFA’s secondary international competition after winning Group A2, which included Portugal, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, with this match only the third game in charge for new boss Luis de la Fuente.

    Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri have reached the semifinals after finishing top of a tricky Group A3 that included Hungary, Germany and England. Having missed out on qualification for last year’s World Cup in Qatar, Italy will be determined to make amends by winning this tournament.

    The two teams come into this clash with indifferent recent form, having both recorded a win and a loss during the March international window.

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

    Italy and Spain soccer badges side by sideItaly and Spain soccer badges side by side

    Spain vs. Italy: When and where?

    Spain play Italy at the De Grolsch VesteStadium in Enschede, Netherlands, on Thursday, June 15. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. CET local time in the Netherlands (7.45 p.m. BST in the UK; 2.45 p.m. ET or 11.45 a.m. PT in the US; and 4.45 a.m. AEST on Friday, June 16 in Australia). The final is this Sunday, June 18.

    How to watch the Spain vs. Italy 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, nonblackout 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.

    Express VPNExpress VPN

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Livestream the Spain vs. Italy game in the US

    Thursday’s big match at the De Grolsch Veste Stadium will be available to stream on Fox Sports 1, which has live broadcast rights in the US for the remaining UEFA Nations League fixtures for this season.

    A cellphone displays the Sling TV logo.A cellphone displays the Sling TV logo.

    Sling/CNET

    Among the live TV streaming services that carry local Fox Sports 1, the cheapest is Sling TV Blue at $40 per month.

    Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and FuboTV. They all cost more than Sling TV, but they also carry more channels. Check out our live TV streaming channel guide for details.

    Livestream the Spain vs. Italy game in the UK

    UEFA Nations League rights in the UK are with Viaplay. This game will be broadcast on Viaplay Sports 1, with kick-off set for 7.45 p.m. BST on Thursday evening.

    You’ll need to be a subscriber to Viaplay’s Total package to watch its UEFA Nations League Finals coverage, which is priced at 15 per month or 144 per year.

    Viaplay currently has the UK broadcast rights to the United Rugby Championship, La Liga soccer, plus the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and Champions Hockey League.

    Livestream the Spain vs. Italy game in Canada

    If you want to stream this game live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to DAZN Canada. The service has exclusive broadcast rights to every remaining Nations League game this season.

    A DAZN subscription currently costs CA$25 a month or CA$200 a year and will also give you access to a wide range of soccer, plus Six Nations rugby and WTA tennis.

    As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, there’s a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs.

    Livestream the Spain vs. Italy game in Australia

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

    With exclusive rights to screen all remaining Nations League matches live this season, as well as Premier League, Women’s Super League and LaLiga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.

    If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.

    Quick tips for streaming the UEFA Nations League using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming Nations League 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.
  • ‘Hey Disney’ Brings Mickey and Crew to Your Amazon Echo

    ‘Hey Disney’ Brings Mickey and Crew to Your Amazon Echo

    Amazon and Disney on Thursday launched a new voice assistant in the US called Hey Disney! that brings Disney games, stories and more to most Echo devices. You can subscribe to the voice assistant for $6 a year, but it’s also included in an Amazon Plus Kids subscription.

    To subscribe and set up the voice assistant, you can say, “Hey Alexa, introduce me to Hey Disney.” Once the voice assistant is enabled, characters such as Mickey Mouse, Rocket and Groot, C-3PO and others can give you the weather, set timers and more on your device. You can also play games with, and hear stories from, different Disney characters.

    Another unique Hey Disney feature, which CNET demoed at CES 2023, is Soundscapes. These combine ambient music and sound effects to make it feel like you’re in a Disney-themed location, such as sitting on the forest moon Endor from Star Wars or walking about the Magic Kingdom.

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    Watch this: ‘Hey Disney’ Comes to Amazon Echo Devices

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    The new voice assistant doesn’t entirely replace Alexa, but operates as its own voice assistant. So if Hey Disney can’t give you an answer, Alexa can still help out.

    Hey Disney works on most Echo devices, but it won’t work on the Echo Show 15, first-generation Amazon Echo, Echo Auto, Fire Tablets, Fire TV and Echo on-the-go devices.

    Amazon and Disney’s launch of Hey Disney comes as anticipation builds for Amazon Prime Day 2023. While Prime Day’s exact date is still unknown, we suspect it will be on July 11 and 12.

  • Dish Says It Has Hit Its Latest FCC Deadline for 5G Network Buildout

    Dish Says It Has Hit Its Latest FCC Deadline for 5G Network Buildout

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    Dish Network’s long road to becoming a fourth major wireless carrier hit a notable milestone on Thursday, with the company announcing that it now covers 70% of the US population, or over 240 million Americans, with its new 5G network. The news comes as Dish was facing a June 14 deadline by the Federal Communications Commission.

    Per a press release, the company says it has “satisfied” all of its June 14 FCC obligations “including launching over 15,000 5G sites.”

    Dish offers access to its network in a few ways. It owns a number of wireless brands including prepaid option Boost Mobile as well as its postpaid sibling Boost Infinite. It also has Project Genesis, another postpaid brand aimed towards early adopters that allows users to give feedback on Dish’s network.

    Postpaid plans, where users pay their phone bill at the end of the month, are the common format of wireless plans offered by larger networks AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

    In addition to being able to connect to Dish’s own 5G network, the Boost brands also are capable of tapping into AT&T and T-Mobile’s respective coverage when Dish’s service isn’t available or if a user’s device doesn’t have the right network support. The Genesis brand can also roam on AT&T’s network in areas where Dish’s network isn’t available.

    For now, Project Genesis users will be able to connect to the new network whenever they are in the coverage area. Boost users are able to tap into Dish’s network in “over 50 markets,” with the company promising additional markets coming “throughout the year.”

    While the network milestone is noteworthy, it is just another step in what remains a long road for the satellite TV provider. Dish still needs to get device manufacturers to include the proper bands that would allow phones, tablets and other devices to connect to its 5G offering.

    As of today, only a handful of phones have proper support for Dish’s spectrum (with the primary band known as Band 70) including the 2022 and 2023 Moto Edge Plus, Samsung’s A23 and Boost’s own Celero 5G Plus. The iPhone 14 line technically has the hardware support for Dish’s 5G spectrum, but Band 70 has yet to be activated inside Apple’s phones.

    Dish says in its press release that more devices with proper network support are also coming this year.

    With this milestone reached Dish now faces its next FCC deadline of covering 75% of the US population with 5G service by June 2025. As Light Reading has reported, this may require another 15,000 cell sites to expand its network with the outlet saying that analysts expect Dish to also need to spend another $2 billion or $3 billion. The money could become a challenge for the company, which has seen its share price fall over 55% this year.