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  • Apple Maps Gets Offline and EV Charging Port Features in iOS 17

    Apple Maps Gets Offline and EV Charging Port Features in iOS 17

    When you’re lost in a no-signal zone on a road trip, the last thing you want to hear from Siri is a constant “rerouting.” But worry no more. The iOS 17 update will let you use the Apple Maps app offline, assuming you have a compatible iPhone. This much-anticipated feature has been available on Google Maps for years and will finally be available for iPhone users later this year.

    This isn’t the only update coming with Apple’s newest software, which the company announced at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month. Electric vehicle owners will also soon be able to see real-time charging availability via Apple Maps.

    More from WWDC 2023

    How do offline maps work?

    The iPhone is getting offline maps for its Maps app this year. That means you’ll be able to access any map you’ve downloaded, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi or a cell signal. For instance, if you’re going on a trip, you can download the route and access it without using cellular data. This is helpful if you’re low on data or if your route takes you through an area with little to no signal that would cause the Maps app to stop navigating correctly, potentially causing you to veer off course.

    What can you do with Apple Maps offline?

    When iOS 17 becomes available later this year, you’ll be able to download designated areas and access turn-by-turn navigation while using Maps offline. Also, you’ll be able to see your estimated time of arrival and find places in Maps, among other things.

    When will iPhone’s offline maps be available?

    Offline maps will be available on iPhone with the launch of iOS 17, which is coming this fall. (It usually arrives in late September with the new iPhone.) You’ll want to make sure your iPhone is compatible with Apple’s latest software. If it isn’t, you won’t have access to this new feature.

    What else is changing with Apple Maps?

    Maps will make it easier to find thousands of trails in parks across the US. The app will also support drivers of electric vehicles with real-time charging availability information. This can be filtered by charging network and plug type, among other things. EV owners with compatible vehicles will also be able to designate a preferred charging network.

    What else did Apple announce at WWDC? The company unveiled MacOS Sonoma, as well as the new 15-inch MacBook Air and the Vision Pro VR headset. Apple showed off a feature that will let you turn your photos into stickers with its Messages app in iOS 17. Also, changes are coming to the autocorrect feature in iOS 17, and Apple unveiled iPadOS 17 and WatchOS 10.

  • NHL Stanley Cup Final: Watch, Livestream Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 Tonight

    NHL Stanley Cup Final: Watch, Livestream Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 Tonight

    The Vegas Golden Knights are just one win from their first Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights grabbed a 3-2 victory in Game 4 and now have the opportunity to clinch the Cup on home ice in Game 5.

    The Florida Panthers have to hope that injured star Matt Tkachuk will be healthy enough to play in Game 5. The power forward was limited to less than 17 minutes of ice time in Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury — his lowest total of the postseason.

    Both teams are making only their second appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. The Florida Panthers last went in 1996, when they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche. The Vegas Golden Knights made it to the final in their inaugural season in 2018, but lost in five games to the Washington Capitals.

    Whether you live in the US or are looking to follow the NHL action from around the world, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to watch the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, no matter where you are.

    Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights battle for a puck.Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers and Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights battle for a puck.

    The Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights are battling it out in the Stanley Cup Final.

    Jeff Bottari/Getty Images

    Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5: When and where?

    The series shifts back to Las Vegas for Game 5 as the Golden Knights host the Panthers at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drops tonight at 8 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. PT in the US — that’s 1 a.m. BST in the UK and 10 a.m. AEST in Australia on Wednesday, June 14.

    What’s the schedule for the rest of the NHL Stanley Cup Final?

    The schedule for the rest of the best-of-seven NHL Stanley Cup Final series is as follows. All games will air in the US on TNT.

    • Tuesday, June 13: Panthers at Golden Knights, 8 p.m. ET (Game 5, Golden Knights lead 3-1)
    • Friday, June 16: Golden Knights at Panthers, 8 p.m. ET (Game 6, if necessary)
    • Monday, June 19: Panthers at Golden Knights, 8 p.m. ET (Game 7, if necessary)

    How to watch Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch — 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. 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

    Best VPN for streaming

    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 Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 in the US

    This season marks the first time in decades that the Stanley Cup Final will be broadcast entirely on cable television, with the series being shown live on TNT/TBS.

    How can I stream the games on my phone?

    If you have a live TV streaming service (like Sling TV, YouTube TV or one of the ones below), you can use its app. If you have cable or satellite, you can use your provider’s app or watch via the TNT app. Click the person icon to sign in with your TV provider.

Sling TV Orange: $40, $60 or $65

Carries TNT and TBS

Sling TV’s Orange plan includes TNT and TBS in most major markets and costs $40 a month, with $10 off your first month.

TruTV is meanwhile available via Sling’s Blue package, which comes in at a slightly more expensive $45 per month albeit, but is also offered with a $10 off discount for the first month.

Hulu Plus Live TV: $70

Carries TBS, TruTV and TNT

Hulu Plus Live TV costs $70 a month and carries TBS, TruTV and TNT.

YouTube TV: $73

Carries TBS, TruTV and TNT

YouTube TV costs $73 a month and offers TBS, TruTV and TNT.

DirecTV Stream: $80

Carries TBS, TruTV and TNT

DirecTV Stream is expensive. It’s the priciest of the five major live TV streaming services. Its cheapest, $65-a-month Entertainment package includes TBS, TruTV and TNT. You can use its channel lookup tool to see which local channels and RSNs are available in your area.

It is worth noting that DirecTV has an additional $15 “advanced receiver service” fee that automatically applies and is added on to the sticker price, which makes the Entertainment package $80 per month.

Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Livestream Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 in Canada for free

The great news for Canadian ice hockey fans is that every game of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final series will be shown on free-to-air CBC Sports. Pay TV provider Sportsnet will also be broadcasting every game.

CBC Gem

Watch the NHL Stanley Cup Final for free in Canada

You can stream the entirety of the Panthers vs. Golden Knights series live on CBC’s streaming service CBC Gem. There’s also the option to pay CA$5 per month for ad-free access to the service.

Livestream Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 in the UK

Viewers in the UK can watch every 2023 Stanley Cup Final game live on Viaplay. This game will be broadcast on Viaplay Sports 1, with the puck drop set for 1 a.m. BST, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Viaplay

Watch the Stanley Cup Final in the UK from 15

You’ll need to be a subscriber to Viaplay’s Total package to watch its Stanley Cup Final 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 Panthers vs. Golden Knights Game 5 in Australia

Select games from this year’s Stanley Cup Final can be watched Down Under on ESPN via Foxtel. If you’re not a Fox subscriber, your best option is to sign up for streaming service Kayo Sports.

Kayo Sports

Watch the Stanley Cup Final 2023 for AU$25 a month

A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$25 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$35 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices.

The service gives you access to a wide range of sports including F1, NRL, NFL, F1 and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts.

Better still, if you’re a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial.

Quick tips for streaming the Stanley Cup Final using a VPN

  • Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown Sees Over 200,000 New Subscribers Sign Up

    Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown Sees Over 200,000 New Subscribers Sign Up

    Netflix has raked in hundreds of thousands of new account signups since it started charging people extra if they have other users on their account.

    That’s according to stats from streaming data analyst Antenna, as reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. Antenna says Netflix has seen “the four single largest days of US user acquisition” since Antenna started recording subscriptions on the streaming service four and a half years ago.

    “Based on the most current data available, Netflix saw nearly 100,000 daily signups on both May 26 and May 27,” Antenna said in a post. “These exceed the spikes in signups Antenna observed during the initial US COVID-19 lockdowns in March and April 2020.”

    Cancellations have also gone up since Netflix changed its policy on who you can have on your account, but not as much as new signups.

    Netflix said it doesn’t comment on third-party research.

    Read more: Crackdown on Netflix Password Sharing: What It Means for You

    How much extra does Netflix password sharing cost?

    Netflix introduced the extra charge for password sharing late last month, and it now costs you an additional $8 on top of your subscription fee to have someone not from your household share your account.

    If you pay for Netflix’s Premium tier at $20 a month, you can add two more people to your account. If you’re on the standard plan for $15.50, you can have only one extra member. The $10 basic plan doesn’t allow for extra members, and if you’re on Netflix’s new ad-supported plan — which already has 5 million subscribers — and pay just $7 a month for the streaming service, you also can’t add extra members.

    Netflix with ads is missing some shows and movies, but on the other hand, ads don’t play over everything, CNET’s review of the service found.

    What to do if you’re being booted off a Netflix account

    If you’ve been sharing someone else’s account for the past few years, your run of letting them foot the bill for your streaming service may be over. If they’ve said they’re planning to send you packing, one thing you can do is transfer your existing profile to a new membership you pay for yourself.

    If you decide Netflix is no longer worth it, other streaming services, like Max, Disney Plus, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, don’t currently have an extra charge for password sharing.

    For more on streaming, here are CNET’s tips on how to pay less for your streaming service, and here are our picks for the best streaming services of 2023.

  • Nothing Phone 2 Finally Has a Launch Date

    Nothing Phone 2 Finally Has a Launch Date

    Advertiser Disclosure
    Advertiser Disclosure
    This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

    Nothing Phone 2, the next version of Nothing’s phone, will launch July 11, the company said in a teaser posted Tuesday on Twitter. The teaser invites people to “come to the bright side” and points to Nothing’s website.

    The Nothing Phone 2 is expected to be a more high-end phone than the first version. Nothing has already confirmed it’ll include Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.

    The phone brand, which was launched by OnePlus founder Carl Pei in 2020, is relatively new to the market but has already gained attention for its affordable price and design. Pei tweeted Tuesday that the next operating system, Nothing OS 2.0, will also be launching to Nothing Phone 1 users by the end of August.

    CNET’s Andrew Lanxon admired the Nothing Phone 1, a 5G device, for its “unique, flashy design” and “solid processor and camera performance.”

    On the Nothing 1’s 399 price point, Lanxon said, “It’s a low price, but what you get is a phone that feels like a premium product.”

    Will the Nothing Phone 2 be available in the US?

    Unlike its predecessor, the Phone 2 will launch in the US alongside its release in the UK and Europe. There’s no word yet on what price point it will be offered at, or whether you’ll be able to get the phone through a carrier.

    While the Nothing 1 did not launch in the US, you can get your hands on a beta of the company’s first phone for $299. However, CNET’s Mike Sorrentino said that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The phone mainly supports 4G, limiting carrier compatibility, and some apps may not function properly with the beta.

    If you’re looking for a new phone, here are CNET’s lists on the best phones you should buy right now and the best Android phones of 2023.

  • Why You Might Want to Blur Your Home on Google Maps

    Why You Might Want to Blur Your Home on Google Maps

    Google Maps’ Street View lets you enter nearly any address, like that of a restaurant or concert venue, and check out a recent image of that location, captured by one of the Google Street View cars you’ll occasionally see roaming about. The feature is useful for knowing what building or landmark to look for when you arrive, in case the entrance is hard to find or you want to know where the best place to park is, but Street View also makes it easier for stalkers or criminals to plan their way inside your home.

    CNET Tech Tips logoCNET Tech Tips logo

    Street View gives anyone a free ticket to examine your home over the internet — maybe they want to look for any cameras or find a side window to pry open. And sure, anyone can walk or drive by your home and do this in person, but Google Maps makes this process much simpler. Anyone with a phone or computer can do it.

    Fortunately, there’s an easy way to blur your home on Google Maps and help prevent others from seeing too many details of where you live. Here’s how to do it.

    For more, here’s how to discover the past with Google Maps and how Google Maps can help you figure out dinner.

    How to blur your home on Google Maps

    You’ll need to do this on your computer, as the blurring feature isn’t available in the Google Maps application on iOS or Android, and while it is accessible through the web browser on your mobile device, it’s rather difficult to use, so use a trusted web browser on your Mac or PC instead.

    At maps.google.com, enter your home address in the search bar at the top-right, hit return, then click the photo of your home that appears.

    Address in Google MapsAddress in Google Maps

    Click on the photo of your home, right above your address, on the top-left part of the page.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    Next, you’ll see the Street View of your location. Click Report a Problem at the bottom-right. The text is super tiny, but it’s there.

    Street View of a location in Google MapsStreet View of a location in Google Maps

    This is the Street View of your location.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    Now, it’s up to you to choose what you want Google to blur. Using your mouse, adjust the view of the image so that your home and anything else you want to blur is all contained within the red and black box. Use your cursor to move around and the plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out, respectively.

    Blur options for Google MapsBlur options for Google Maps

    If you want to blur more than what’s in the black/red box, use the + button to zoom in.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    Once you’re finished adjusting the image, choose what you’re requesting to blur underneath:

    • A face.
    • Your home.
    • Your car/license plate.
    • A different object.

    You’ll be asked to give a bit more detail as to what exactly you want blurred, in case the image is busy with several cars, people and other objects.

    Also, be completely sure that what you select is exactly what you want blurred. Google mentions that once you blur something on Street View, it’s blurred permanently.

    Finally, enter your email (this is required), verify the captcha (if needed) and click Submit.

    Submit option for blurring in Google MapsSubmit option for blurring in Google Maps

    You’re required to provide additional information about what you want to blur, so be thorough.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    You should then receive an email from Google that says it’ll review your report and get back to you once the request is either denied or approved. You may receive more emails from Google asking for more information regarding your request. Google doesn’t offer any information on how long your request will take to process, so just keep an eye out for any further emails.

    For more, here’s how Google Maps can help you avoid crowded public transit.

  • iOS 16.5 Brings These Major Security Fixes to Your iPhone

    iOS 16.5 Brings These Major Security Fixes to Your iPhone

    Though Apple announced iOS 17 at its Worldwide Developers Conference, you should still download the latest iOS update now. The tech giant released iOS 16.5 on May 18, and the update gives your device a lot of security patches and fixes, including for three security issues that might be actively exploited.

    CNET Tech Tips logoCNET Tech Tips logo

    To download iOS 16.5, go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the onscreen prompts.

    The latest iPhone update patches almost 40 issues and bugs, Apple said in its patch notes, including three security issues that might be actively exploited. These three security issues relate to WebKit, the internet browser engine used in Safari and developed by Apple.

    One of these issues could disclose sensitive information to a third party, and another could allow a third party to execute commands on your device without your knowledge. Fixes for these issues are in 16.5 for anyone who missed the release of the first iPhone Rapid Security Response, iOS 16.4.1 (a). The third issue could allow a third party access to more information across your device than is allowed.

    The iOS update also patches an issue where someone could access your contacts from your lock screen. While Apple has provided ways to customize your lock screen, some people have run into issues where the lock screen can allow others to access some iPhone features, like replying to messages and even your Wallet.

    Other patches in the update include stopping some apps from bypassing privacy preferences, blocking some apps from reading sensitive location information and preventing app termination when opening a PDF file.

    For more, you can check out what iOS 17 features I’m excited about. You can also take a look at the new features iOS 16.5 brings to your iPhone and what could be coming to your iPhone with iOS 16.6.

    230605-clean-ios-17-walkthrough230605-clean-ios-17-walkthrough
    Watch this: WWDC 2023: Here Are All the Major iOS 17 Features

    06:31

  • iOS 17 Brings Updates to Apple’s Messages. Here’s What to Expect

    iOS 17 Brings Updates to Apple’s Messages. Here’s What to Expect

    Updates are coming to Apple’s Messages, but you’re gonna have to wait to get your hands on them (unless you’re in the company’s developer program). Apple revealed its iOS 17 software update on June 5, but it won’t arrive until the fall. The iOS 17 update makes some major changes to Messages, adding abilities like turning pictures into stickers, transcribing voice memos, keeping your friends and family notified on your way home and more.

    News about the iOS 17 Messages update came during the keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Apple traditionally uses the annual event to give developers a preview of updates to its desktop and mobile software, and sometimes it introduces new hardware too. At the conference the company unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro.

    More from WWDC 2023

    Live Stickers coming to iOS 17

    With the update to Messages in iOS 17, people will be able to take their photos and turn them into stickers they use in text conversations, alongside standard emoji, which can also be used as stickers. People can customize their stickers with effects — like shiny, puffy, comic and outline — and keep them in a new drawer in the keyboard for streamlined access, Apple said in a press release. Stickers will be available systemwide, including in third-party apps.

    To make a photo into a sticker, you’ll touch and hold an object in a photo. Then you can style your object with various effects, outline it or create animated Live Stickers with Live Photos. To use the sticker in Messages, you’ll add them in the bubble from the Tapback menu.

    wwdc-new-seq-00-00-01-13-still001.pngwwdc-new-seq-00-00-01-13-still001.png
    Watch this: Apple Reveals iOS 17

    16:43

    Search in Messages, Check In and more

    Also coming is a refined search feature. People will be able to apply additional filters to their Messages search to more quickly find the exact conversation they’re looking for. Plus, when you’ve received lots of texts in a group chat, you’ll be able to use the catch-up arrow to locate where the conversation left off last.

    iOS 17 Messages will also transcribe voice memos you receive, if you don’t have the time to listen to them. Apple also announced a new feature that will let you keep track of your friends by viewing their location in your text conversation.

    Apple's Check In feature on three iPhones.Apple's Check In feature on three iPhones.

    Apple’s Check In feature through iOS 17.

    Screenshot by CNET

    Another new location sharing feature is Check In. If you want to keep a friend or family member updated on your journey home, for example, you’ll be able to use Check In, which notifies the person of your whereabouts and lets them know if you’re having trouble getting home. “If they are not making progress toward their destination, useful information will be temporarily shared with the selected contact, such as the device’s location, battery level, and cell service status,” Apple said in the press release. Check In will be end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the person you’re sharing this information with is privy to your location.

    Developers can try out iOS 17 today, and everyone can try out the public beta in a month. These iPhones will be able to run the update.

    Other iOS 17 updates

    The iOS 17 updates don’t stop at Messages. Apple also introduced Live Voicemail, which will give people the ability to see the message a person is leaving you as it is being recorded. This could help with deciphering between important calls that unknown numbers leave and spam.

    The iOS 17 update for FaceTime includes audio and video messages, so people can leave their friends and families a FaceTime voicemail of sorts.

    Also, if people want to share a contact with one another, they can use the new feature NameDrop. By bringing two iPhones or one iPhone and one Apple Watch close together, contact information can be transferred from one device to the next.

    Apple kicked off WWDC by unveiling a 15-inch MacBook Air and offering details on its latest desktop software, MacOS 14 Sonoma. Also at WWDC, Apple revealed its brainiest Mac chip yet and upgraded its Mac Pro to M2 Ultra Silicon. There are new features coming in Watch OS 10 too.

  • Massive Google Pixel Update Brings Safety Features, Macro Video, Cinematic Wallpapers and More

    Massive Google Pixel Update Brings Safety Features, Macro Video, Cinematic Wallpapers and More

    A new update for Google Pixel Phones, like the recently released Pixel 7A, is dropping today and brings new safety and emergency sharing features, as well as more ways to customize your device, the company said in a blog post on Tuesday.

    The Google Assistant can now share your status in emergency situations, all while using your voice. This gives people in your emergency contacts list a notification of your safety. Car Crash Detection will also get a feature-expansion, sharing your real-time location and call status.

    Google is bringing more than just safety features to this update. The search giant is giving people more options when taking video, like the Macro Focus mode. This will allow you to capture highly detailed close-up video with the Pixel 7 Pro’s Macro lens.

    Advertiser Disclosure
    Advertiser Disclosure
    This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

    On the personalization front, Google’s Pixel devices will get both emoji wallpapers, allowing you to mix and match over 4,000 emojis with different patters and colors to create unique live wallpapers. Cinematic Wallpapers will use AI to transform 2D wallpapers into “dynamic 3D scenes.” Both of these features were announced at Google I/O last month.

    Google’s Pixel-line of devices have grown in popularity ever since the launch of the Pixel 6 in 2021. The Pixel 6 sold more than the Pixels 4 and 5 combined, according to Google. Since the Pixel 7 has only been on the market for eight months, Google has yet to give current sales numbers. But CEO Sundar Pichai did say the Pixel 7 had the highest selling week for a Pixel smartphone to date, with Google reportedly asking suppliers to manufacture 8 million units for its launch back in October of last year. Google also released the Pixel Watch to give Android owners more smartwatch options and will be entering the foldable phone race later this month with the Pixel Fold.

    Still, Android has fallen into second place against iPhone in the US for the first time in over a decade. It’ll be up to Google and its hardware partners to make Android a compelling platform to get younger audiences to start looking past iPhones.

    Other Pixel phone features are coming to more territories, include multi-device control for smart home devices and Adaptive Charging, which aims to increase your Pixel’s battery life. Magic Compose, which uses AI to suggest responses for text messages, will also be coming to more users around the world.

    The Pixel Watch also gets some new features as well, including Auto-pause, which automatically pauses your workouts when you stop running, walking or biking and nighttime blood oxygen tracking. It’ll also now notify you if your heart rate goes too high or too low.

  • Google Pixel Watch Update Brings 3 Big Missing Features

    Google Pixel Watch Update Brings 3 Big Missing Features

    Google’s Pixel Watch is getting three health and fitness updates that could help bring it up to speed with the Apple Watch and other smartwatch rivals. Those additions include blood oxygen saturation measurements that take advantage of the Pixel Watch’s SpO2 sensor, high and low heart rate notifications, and the ability to automatically pause certain workouts.

    When the update arrives, the Pixel Watch will be able to issue an alert if your heart rate falls outside of your normal thresholds. It’ll also be capable of checking nighttime blood oxygen saturation, a feature that was mentioned at launch but will now be activated. Both features are available on other wearables in Google’s product lineup like the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Charge 5, but have been absent from the Pixel Watch until this update.

    The Pixel Watch is also getting the ability to automatically pause and resume running, walking and biking workouts. That should make it easier to accurately track these types of workouts, since it provides a more convenient way to account for breaks. However, it’s unclear whether this update will enable the Pixel Watch to automatically start a workout on the wrist, which is another capability Google’s watch has been missing.

    The Pixel Watch, which launched in October, is Google’s first consumer smartwatch. It relies heavily on Fitbit’s health tracking features but stands out among other Android watches for its sleek design. When I reviewed the Pixel Watch in 2022, I praised the watch for its attractive curved display and premium feel.

    However, the watch has some notable shortcomings, namely its lack of high and low heart rate notifications and inability to automatically launch workouts on the wrist. With the Pixel Watch’s forthcoming update, Google is addressing at least some of those setbacks.

    In addition to adding these features to the Pixel Watch, Google is also announcing a few Fitbit and Pixel phone updates. Fitbit users will be able to see their daily readiness score, manage menstrual health settings and choose new clock faces from the wrist, although support may vary depending on which device you have. On Pixel devices, Google is introducing more emergency and safety tools, emoji wallpapers and a new macro focus video mode for the Pixel 7 Pro among other features.

    topic-ddmmyy-land-copy-01-00-00-06-13-still002.pngtopic-ddmmyy-land-copy-01-00-00-06-13-still002.png
    Watch this: Pixel Watch Review: Google’s Answer to the Apple Watch

    08:25

  • Your iPhone Has a Hidden Keyboard Trackpad. Here’s How to Use It

    Your iPhone Has a Hidden Keyboard Trackpad. Here’s How to Use It

    It isn’t alway easy to type on your iPhone. Autocorrect can sometimes be a pain (though it’s improving with iOS 17), or maybe you just make grammatical mistakes every once in a while. If you then need to make a quick fix, it can also be difficult to move your cursor to where the mistake is, especially if it’s farther back in the sentence.

    The conventional method of tapping and holding your finger down on the screen to bring up a magnifying bubble can be frustrating when you can’t get the cursor to go exactly where you want. Luckily, there’s another way to move the cursor when typing in iOS, and it works even if you’re running an older software version, like iOS 15.

    Read on to learn how to unlock and use your iPhone’s hidden trackpad.

    Advertiser Disclosure
    Advertiser Disclosure
    This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

    For more, check out the coolest hidden features in iOS 16 and how to fix the most annoying features and settings on your iPhone.

    A phone keyboard with blank keysA phone keyboard with blank keys

    When the hidden trackpad is activated, your keyboard will look like this.

    Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    How to bring up the secret trackpad on an iPhone or iPad

    Here’s how to discover the hidden trackpad on an iOS device.

    1.Anywhere you’ve written a block of text, bring up your keyboard and press and hold your finger down on the space key until the keyboard goes blank. You should feel a bit of haptic feedback and see the cursor enlarge for a second, which means you can now use the keyboard as a trackpad.

    2.With your finger still pressed down, move it around the entire keyboard to move your cursor, just like you would on your Mac’s trackpad.

    3. To place the cursor, simply lift your finger off the screen. You can then use any of the other keys, like Delete, to make any edits in the text. If you want to move the cursor once again, press your finger down on the space key to bring up the hidden trackpad.

    Check out the video below to see the hidden feature in action.

    If you’re interested in more tips and tricks for the iPhone, check out how to unlock this hidden iPhone feature to quickly ID songs and how to have a secret conversation in the Notes app. And if you’ve got an Apple computer, here are seven of the best hidden features on your Mac.