When Razer released its Nommo speakers in 2018, the cylindrical design of the satellites was novel. The 2023 update isn’t as novel as it was then, but the satellites have been shrunk from their bulky predecessors. The new novelty is a wireless connection between the subwoofer and the satellites for the 2.1-channel Nommo V2 Pro, though it’s still wired for the step-down Nommo V2.
There’s also an entry stereo model, the V2 X. Razer distinguishes it from the soundbar-plus-sub Leviathan V2 line by the need for positional precision — because the speakers are all physically centered right in front of you, the Leviathan has to virtually create a surround effect, which is less accurate than using multiple speakers.
The speakers will all ship in June at $450 for the Nommo V2 Pro, $300 for the V2 and $150 for the V2 X.
Razer
In addition to the more compact size, there’s a new wireless control pod — it’s bundled with the Pro but optional for the others — and all the models now support Bluetooth (5.3 for the two sub-equipped versions and 5.0 for the stereo) connections. The two higher-end Nommos also have two zone rear-projection illumination, with an ambient aware mode that syncs the lighting with your game where supported. You can connect them to a PS4 or PS5 via USB, though you have to swap the connection between the PC and the console.
The drivers are slightly bigger — 3.2 inches versus 3 — and Razer has switched the material of the phase plugs to aluminum to improve the internal sound wave reflections, presumably for more accurate sound. For surround, the system uses Razer’s THX technology, and has dropped Dolby.
Scrivener 3 is a powerful writing tool that can assist just about anyone who writes and needs to keep everything organized. Loved by novelists, researchers, journalists and students alike, the software is a solid investment for anyone — and right now, you can nab a lifetime license for either the Mac or the Windows version of the appfor just $30 at StackSocial. That’s a 50% discount on its usual price.
Scrivener 3 is essentially a word processor designed for long writing projects, meaning you can stop trying to make Microsoft Word work for your lengthier pieces of work. It lets you write in any order that makes sense to the project you’re working on, be it a novel or a research paper, and keep everything organized with an easy-to-use project outline and fast access to any background material you need to refer to. There are powerful editing tools built in too, whether you simply need to fix typos or restructure entire sections. When you’re done with your manuscript, it’s simple to export it to popular formats such as Word, PDF, Final Draft or plain text to suit your needs and those of whom it is destined for next.
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We didn’t hear about the Pixel 8 at Google’s I/O conference, but the company did launch the Pixel 7A — a more wallet-friendly alternative to the Pixel 7. It’s great news for Pixel fans, since the 7A offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 — such as a great camera and the new Tensor G2 processor — for $100 less. But it also makes me wonder whether Google’s A-series phones are beginning to overshadow its flagship Pixels.
Now that Google has narrowed the gap between the Pixel 7 and 7A, it should think more carefully about its target audience for the Pixel 8. If the Pixel 7A is for those who want a basic Pixel experience without compromising on performance and camera quality, and the Pixel 7 Pro is for photography enthusiasts, then who’s the Pixel 7 for? That’s the question I’m hoping Google answers with the Pixel 8, along with some other routine improvements to software support and battery life.
Google typically releases new Pixel phones in the fall, so we’re expecting to learn more about the Pixel 8 in a few months.
The Pixel 8 needs to stand out from Google’s next A-series phone
With the Pixel 8, Google needs to do more to make its upcoming mainline Pixel phone stand out. The $499 Pixel 7A already has many of the features most people are looking for in a new phone, such as a great camera, smooth performance, easy-to-use software and decent battery life.
The main differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former’s slightly more durable design, larger screen and battery share. That latter feature lets you charge compatible accessories by resting them on the back of the phone, essentially turning it into a wireless charger. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that’s more light sensitive according to Google, but I didn’t notice much of an improvement when comparing photos from both phones.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7A feel like they’re targeting the same audience: Android fans who want a general-purpose phone with a great camera and a reasonably sized screen. The Pixel 7 Pro stands out for its larger screen, extra telephoto camera and macro photography. It also comes in a 512GB storage option, unlike the Pixel 7, and has a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate for even smoother scrolling. Case in point: There are plenty of factors that distinguish the Pixel 7 Pro from the Pixel 7, but not as many that differentiate the Pixel 7 from the 7A.
Moving forward, there are a few changes Google could make to fix that. Perhaps it could slightly increase the Pixel 8’s display size to 6.4 inches instead of 6.3 inches. That would put more distance between the Pixel 8’s screen and a future Pixel 8A, assuming Google keeps the same 6.1-inch display size for upcoming A-series phones.
Google could also give the Pixel 8 a speed boost when it comes to charging, since the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7A offer similar charging speeds (up to 18W on the Pixel 7A versus up to 21W on the Pixel 7). Increasing the charging speed to create more of a gulf between the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8A could make the case for buying the Pixel 8 a little stronger. Increasing the base storage of the Pixel 8 to 256GB, much like Samsung has done with the Galaxy S23 Plus, along with offering an additional 512GB storage option could further distinguish the Pixel 8 from a future Pixel 8A.
These changes combined with the existing differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A could certainly make the Pixel 8 feel like a compelling choice over upcoming budget Pixel phones. Of course, this is assuming Google maintains its current strategy of releasing new flagship and Pro phones in the fall and a cheaper A-series phone in the spring or summer time frame.
Extended Android version support
Software is a big part of what makes Pixel phones so appealing, from the call assist features in the phone app to Google’s clutter-free version of Android. The problem, however, is that Google generally offers Android version updates for only three years following a Pixel phone’s release.
Though it does provide security support and other updates beyond that point, Google lags behind Samsung and Apple when it comes to operating system version support. Samsung typically offers up to four generations of Android platform updates on new phones, while Apple’s most recent software is compatible with iPhones as old as the iPhone X and iPhone 8 generation, which launched in 2017.
If Google could match Samsung’s four years, or surpass five years, that would make the Pixel line even more competitive.
Longer battery life
Battery life can never feel long enough, which is why I’m hoping to see some improvements in the Pixel 8. The Pixel 7’s battery life was long enough to get through a full work day and then some in my experience. But I’d want to pack a charger if I expected a particularly long day.
The Pixel 7A also performed better than the Pixel 7 in CNET’s three-hour battery test, during which I streamed a YouTube video at full brightness and tracked the battery percentage at each hour. It would be great to see Google make some improvements in this regard on the Pixel 8.
Pixel 7A vs. Pixel 7 battery test
Pixel 7A
Pixel 7
1 hour
96%
95%
2 hours
90%
88%
3 hours
85%
81%
We won’t know what to expect from the Pixel 8 until Google announces its new phones, which will likely happen in the fall. The camera has been a focal point for Google’s Pixel series, so I’m expecting to see some advancements in that area, along with a new version of the Tensor processor in the Pixel 8. If Google makes those changes while offering longer battery life, additional Android support and more exclusive features that differentiate the Pixel 8 from its A-series phones, Google’s next $600 phone could be a hit.
For tons people, music is an essential part of any workout. However, you can’t always listen to your tunes out loud, so you’ll want to invest in a solid pair of headphones for your workouts. The Beats PowerBeats Pro earned a spot on our lists of the best earbuds for running and working out, and right now, you can snag a pair at a serious discount. Woot currently has them on sale for just $145, saving you $105 compared to the usual price. This deal is available through May 21, but there’s a good chance these popular earbuds will sell out before then, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later.
One thing that sets the PowerBeats Pro apart is their integrated ear hooks. They’re flexible so they’ll fit comfortably, and keep your earbuds securely in place during even your most rigorous workouts. Plus, they feature an IPX4 water-resistance rating, so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged by sweat or rain. Internally, they’re equipped with Apple’s H1 headphone chip, and support spatial audio for an immersive listening experience. Each bud also has built-in volume and track controls so you can easily adjust your music on the fly without having to pull out your phone. They do have a few drawbacks, including a lack of active noise-canceling capabilities, and a bulky charging case, but at this price, those may be flaws you can overlook.
And if you’re looking for a different style, you can check out our roundups of all the best Beats deals, and best headphone deals overall for even more bargains.
With AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon offering dozens of plans, not to mention the exponentially larger assortment from prepaid and smaller carriers like Mint Mobile, Visible and Google Fi Wireless, it’s not easy choosing the best cellphone plan out there. You could end up paying a lot more than you should without doing the right research, and no one wants to lose out on saving money.
Here’s our guide for sorting through the madness and some of our picks for what we think are the best unlimited and prepaid plans available right now.
Sarah Tew/CNET
What’s the difference between “prepaid” and “postpaid” plans?
When choosing a phone plan, there are generally two main options: a postpaid carrier like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile (plus cable options like Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile) and prepaid providers such as Mint Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Google Fi Wireless and Cricket.
The difference boils down to this: With postpaid you are paying for your plan after you’ve used your service, while prepaid lets you buy that allotment in advance.
Prepaid providers are generally cheaper than postpaid options, though they also often (but not always) are more limited when it comes to additional streaming perks, hotspot data or device discounts. To get a several hundred dollar trade-in credit toward a new iPhone, Pixel or Galaxy, you often will need to commit to a postpaid plan from one of the big three carriers and be willing to stay with that provider for 24 to 36 months.
All three of the major wireless carriers also offer a variety of discounts on the plan pricing depending on age, employment, military or veteran status or if you or someone on your family plan is a nurse, teacher or first responder. You can find those details here: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon.
What about networks?
Look at a zoomed-out map of the US on the websites for AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon and you’ll likely see it pretty well colored in by their respective color. Zooming in is where things get a bit more complicated, which is why we can’t offer blanket recommendations for one carrier over another. T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in a rural area in Colorado, Verizon could be more reliable.
All three, however, offer 5G and ever-increasing coverage and data speeds as they all ramp up deployments of the latest wireless flavor. It’s quite possible that a decade ago you left a network complaining about its weak service, but now it’s beefed itself up because of that race to acquire customers.
This is also why we recommend talking to friends, family or colleagues that have a different provider where you live, as locally your mileage may vary. You could also go to a carrier’s store and see if it offers any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as T-Mobile’s Network Pass. Verizon now offers a similar 30-day program, while the Cricket prepaid service has rolled out its own trial program that lets you sample parent AT&T’s network.
As for the smaller carriers, they often use the networks of the larger providers. This includes the prepaid options owned by the big carriers (AT&T owns Cricket, Verizon owns Tracfone, T-Mobile owns Metro) as well as smaller options like Mint Mobile (which runs on T-Mobile), Google Fi Wireless (which largely runs on T-Mobile) and Boost Mobile (which runs on AT&T, T-Mobile and parent company Dish’s 5G networks). We explain this all in more detail here.
Why get unlimited?
If you’re on T-Mobile, all of your plans are unlimited, and Verizon no longer lets new users sign up for a shared data plan. Only AT&T still offers some tiered data plans and… it’s not great.
It has a 4GB-per-line plan that runs $50 a month for one line ($160 for four lines). Each line here gets 4GB of data, but if you go over that threshold in a month you’re paying $10 for every 2GB. AT&T’s plan also does not include access to its 5G networks.
Although everyone’s wireless needs are different, for most we think unlimited plans make the most sense, especially when it comes to choosing a new plan.
AT&T’s basic unlimited plan, called Unlimited Starter, is $65 a month for one line or $140 for four lines. If you have one or two lines and don’t use a lot of data, you may be fine with one of these plans, though if you have just one line we’d recommend switching over to AT&T’s $50-per-month Value Plus option or T-Mobile’s Essentials Savings. Two lines of that T-Mobile plan run $80 a month, which is $10 cheaper than two lines of AT&T’s 4GB plan and comes without the worry of navigating how much data you use.
T-Mobile recently reshuffled its plans, getting rid of what was our previous pick in this spot, the Base Essentials plan that offered a single line for $45 per month. It replaced that option with an Essentials Savings plan, a “limited time” offer of $50 a month for a single line.
The data remains unlimited, and you now get 50GB of high-speed data as opposed to 20GB that Base Essentials offered. T-Mobile hasn’t said how long the Essentials Savings option will hang around, but we break down how it compares to the carrier’s plans here.
As with before, perks like free Netflix or the bundling of taxes and fees into the sticker price aren’t included. You do get unlimited hotspot at “3G speeds,” and unlimited talk, text and 2G data in Mexico and Canada.
At $50 for a single line, the Essentials Savings plan is now the same price for a single line as with AT&T’s Value Plus plan, and both could be solid options for those looking for a single line without frills.
While the prices between AT&T and T-Mobile are now the same, we give T-Mobile the edge here mainly because it includes hotspot access. Even at “3G speeds,” the option could be a useful feature in a pinch.
It also is worth mentioning that T-Mobile allows for multiple lines of this plan, with two lines running $80 a month. (If you need three or more, you may want to look at one of T-Mobile’s other plans, which could be cheaper thanks to various promotions that the carrier regularly runs.)
You may need to click “see more plans” on T-Mobile’s site to get this option to appear.
Those looking to save the most on unlimited service from the major carriers may also be best off with T-Mobile’s Essentials Savings. As mentioned above, unlimited talk, text and data are included for all of the carrier’s base unlimited plans, including 5G access.
You can always reevaluate your options as the three major carriers roll out the latest updates to their respective 5G networks over the next couple of years.
The savings of T-Mobile’s plan also become more pronounced the more lines you add. Two lines of Essentials Savings is $80 a month, while a similar offering from AT&T or Verizon runs $120 a month. Three lines will also run $90 at T-Mobile thanks to a promotion, compared to $120 at Verizon (for Unlimited Welcome) and $135 at AT&T (for Unlimited Starter). The four-line option is $100 at T-Mobile, compared to $120 at Verizon and $140 at AT&T.
These prices do come with a couple of caveats: Unlike T-Mobile’s Go5G or Magenta plans, taxes and fees are not included in any of these Essentials prices, making the final total a little higher. All the deals also require that you set up AutoPay and paperless billing.
And as mentioned, you may need to click “see more plans” on T-Mobile’s site to get this option to appear.
This is a bit more complicated. Verizon used to be our pick with its Play More plan that bundled in the Disney Bundle (ad-free Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu with ads) and services like Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade into the plan’s sticker price.
Now the carrier has updated its wireless plans to remove perks like the Disney Bundle or Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass from being automatically included with its service. Even with its new plans it still is our pick for best perks, but this will require a bit more explanation.
Instead of automatically putting services in, it now offers a variety of perks at $10 per month per perk, allowing users to pick and choose what they want. It also now allows its lower-cost plan, known as Unlimited Welcome, to participate.
Unlimited Welcome runs $65 per month for one line or $120 per month for four lines. You get unlimited talk, text and data but you don’t get access to Verizon’s fastest 5G networks (what it calls “5G Ultra Wideband”) or hotspot data. For that, you will need to step up to its pricier Unlimited Plus plan ($80 for one line, $180 for four lines).
Both the Welcome and Plus plans include the ability to add perks at that $10 per month rate. This includes the Disney Bundle (normally $15 per month), Apple One individual (normally around $17 per month), Apple Music Family (which can be shared with five people and normally runs $17 per month) and Walmart Plus (normally $13 per month but also includes Paramount Plus Essential).
There are also other perks including an additional 100GB of hotspot data (normally $45 per month), 2TB of Verizon’s cloud storage (normally $15 per month), three days of international data (what the carrier calls TravelPass, normally $10 per day).
All perks can be turned on or off at will, and you could forgo them entirely. You can even go with multiple perks on a single line if you wanted.
Whether this makes sense for your situation, however, may require some time with a spreadsheet going through what services work for you and what you’re willing to pay for them. The savings could add up if you’re paying for some of these services directly, but it also could be more expensive than your existing plan.
It is also worth mentioning that Verizon allows you to “mix and match” lines, so if not everyone needs the faster 5G connectivity they could be on Unlimited Welcome while the one who does can go on Unlimited Plus.
AT&T allows something similar with its unlimited plans, but at the moment no longer offers any streaming perks. To get T-Mobile’s perks everyone has to be on the same plan.
But if you wanted a cheaper way to save on one or two services like the Disney Bundle, you could have four lines for $120 per month, add the Disney perk for $10 and be paying $130 per month for the whole package.
Oh, and you can also combine these plans with Verizon’s other discounts for teachers, nurses, military and first responders to save a bit more.
Boost Mobile has added an unlimited plan that offers unlimited talk, text and data to new users for $25 per month with taxes and fees included. Unlike Mint Mobile’s 12-month plan, our previous pick in this slot, Boost’s plan isn’t tied to 12-month increments. You do, however, need to be a new Boost customer to get this offer.
The plan includes 5G access and 30GB per month of high-speed data (if you blow through that, your data will slow until your next billing month starts). Hotspot is included as well, with that data pulling from your high-speed allotment. One thing worth noting: You need to set up automatic payments to get the $25-per-month rate.
When it comes to family plans, Google’s Fi Wireless cell phone service is a solid option. While its $50 pricing for one line is way higher than Mint’s, if you have three lines or more you can save a little.
Called Simply Unlimited, the plan runs roughly $27 per line per month with three lines and drops to $20 per month if you have four or more lines (both options run $80 per month total). It now includes 35GB of high-speed data plus talk, text and data in Canada and Mexico. The plan also now offers 5GB of hotspot data, though that is a “hard” cap where the hotspot feature stops after 5GB is used, as opposed to the data slowing.
When it comes to data under 10GB, Mint once again has the best value if T-Mobile’s network is solid in your area. Whereas Metro and Cricket charge $40 per month for one line and Boost has a $35 plan for 10GB of data, Mint beats them all on price, and now data too.
In April Mint upped its 10GB plan to 15GB of 4G LTE/5G monthly data while keeping the same $20 per month price (when purchased in 12-month increments). After that, you can buy three more months at $35 per month ($105 total), six months at $25 per month ($150 total) or another year at $20 per month ($240 total).
If you’re looking for service for a backup phone that’s rarely used, TextNow has a free plan. Running on T-Mobile’s network, the service offers free unlimited talk and unlimited texting, though ads are placed in its app which you use to call and text people. There isn’t any data included with this option and removing the ads without adding data would run you $10 a month. If you want to watch YouTube, FaceTime, or surf the web make sure to connect to Wi-Fi.
Text messages are also done through the company’s TextNow app, not through iMessage or WhatsApp which makes sense as those services require data.
Getting 1GB of high-speed mobile data starts at $9 a month, with the company throttling you down to “2G speeds” if you use that up before your billing cycle resets. If you are largely on Wi-Fi, this could be a good option. 2GB runs $16 a month, with the company offering up to 5GB of high-speed data for $28 a month.
A small keyboard and trackpad lies in my lap. But there’s no screen. Not that you can see, anyway. To me, I have a curved wraparound workspace with dozens of windows open. I’m seeing it on a pair of AR glasses (with prescription inserts) perched on my nose.
I first tried the Spacetop in Las Vegas back in January, but the company that developed it, Sightful, is finally announcing the early-access product experiment now. I’ve seen tons of AR and VR headsets, but very few unique peripherals designed to work together with these future goggles and glasses. Instead of gaming or social experiences, Spacetop’s main pitch is to turn laptops into AR-assisted devices with endless virtual displays.
If that sounds like a weird pitch, consider that I’ve already lived it. I’ve paired Meta’s Quest Pro to my laptop to extend its virtual monitors around my head, and plenty of solutions like this already exist using available apps. The interfaces can be clunky, and the hardware isn’t totally made to be mobile. Spacetop’s keyboard base, with its own Qualcomm processor inside, acts as a spatially tracked anchor that the AR glasses can follow and track the floating displays to. The tracking can work while in motion in a car or plane, and a button on the keyboard can make the floating displays vanish for an in-room conversation with someone, toggling the virtual screens on and off.
This visualization of working on Spacetop is actually very similar to the experience of using it, except the field of view at any time is smaller (imagine viewing through a narrower window).
Sightful
The Spacetop comes with a pair of NReal Light AR glasses as part of its package, which need to be physically tethered to the keyboard to work. Sightful’s founders are planning for wireless options eventually, but found the tethered option more reliable for consistent tracking right now. Also, the whole concept could eventually work with other AR and mixed-reality headset hardware down the road.
The Spacetop’s keyboard. No screen, just a base. There’s a cradle for the AR glasses.
Scott Stein/CNET
That would make sense, considering how many devices should be on their way: Apple’s, to start, and whatever Samsung, Google and Qualcomm are cooking up in the next year or so. NReal’s glasses are fine, but don’t work over my own glasses. Instead, I had to use prescription inserts, which Sightful will make for buyers of the hardware. The inserts I tried weren’t a perfect match, but were enough to appreciate that the display resolution was more than good enough for monitor readouts. The field of view, however, is narrower than most VR headsets: it can show something like a 40-inch TV screen as seen across a table, but I have to turn my head to see the other floating windows of other minimized browsers in the Spacetop’s Chrome-like software interface.
Sightful’s co-founder, Tomer Kahan, demoing Spacetop with me. I worked on it, too.
Scott Stein/CNET
Zooming into displays, or scrolling around, is all done through trackpad and keyboard work. The keyboard itself is the interface.
Sightful’s team has experience in AR: Founders Tamir Berliner and Tomer Kahan came from Magic Leap, and Berliner also founded Primesense, the depth-sensing technology that powered Microsoft Kinect and which Apple acquired as the foundation to its Face ID TrueDepth camera.
As Apple’s headset begins to imagine how mixed reality could work with other devices — perhaps iPads, or the Apple Watch — upcoming glasses and goggles will start to imagine working better with phones or laptops, and other tools to come. It makes sense that new peripherals would arrive as well — not just controllers, but tracking rings, wearable trackers and a new wave of keyboards designed specifically for mixed reality.
I think Spacetop is a bit ahead of the curve here, and while it’s designed as a primary computer with its own headset, the future may belong to smart accessories that evolve from this idea to work with more headsets to come. If VR and AR are ever going to be more than just places for games, better work tools need to arrive. Spacetop is a pretty fascinating first step to what I imagine will be a lot more on this front.
If you look under the hood, you’ll see that Netflix offers a variety of features, controls and an unsung lineup of mobile games. While you may already be hip to how to clear your “Continue Watching” row or nixing autoplay, you can use some more obscure aspects, too. Whether it’s finessing the recommendation algorithm, using its suite of accessibility settings or punching in secret genre codes as shortcuts, the streaming service can be fine-tuned. By following these tips, you can tighten up security, upgrade your viewing experience and more.
Easily find Netflix Originals
Tired of Googling “Netflix show about queens”? Take your browsing skills to new heights by digging for Netflix originals with one search term: “Netflix.” Open the Netflix app and pop the brand’s name in the search bar and it will bring up every original Netflix movie and series ever released.
Take it a step further to locate Netflix’s interactive specials. Go beyond Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and pull up all the platform’s programming where you can decide what happens in the next scene. Type “interactive” in the search box and this set of Netflix originals will appear, including the titles for kids.
You can use this same method to find content that runs in 4K or HDR. Type in either term and Netflix’s search results will return titles that display in that format. Keep in mind that there is a limited amount of Netflix content that displays in 4K or HDR.
Get help with finding something to watch
My least favorite part of settling into an evening of Netflix is choosing what to watch. I quickly get lost in Netflix’s endless grid of thumbnails and become paralyzed by choice. Sure, there’s the Surprise Me option to have Netflix pick something for you, but I’m too picky to cede total control to the algorithm. There are many sites that attempt to make sense of Netflix’s vast catalog of shows and movies, but two of my favorites are Flixable and JustWatch. Each site shows you what’s new and popular on Netflix with helpful filters that let you drill down to find something to watch.
Netflix hidden codes unlock categories
By now, you may have heard talk of hidden codes for subcategories in Netflix, much like Starbucks’ secret menu. These exist. Narrow down your hunt for titles in a specific genre by using special codes when viewing in a web browser.
With so much to sort through, this trick can help you easily find anime, action and adventure, sports movies, musicals and more with the right code. Because Netflix still adds new codes to the lineup, you can find even the most specific of categories, like 81603903 for “Short-Ass Movies” or 3272152 for “Don’t Watch Hungry.” Type “netflix.com/browse/genre/” in your browser followed by the magic digits. Check CNET’s instructions on where to find the type of movies you’re looking for, and if you really want to go down the rabbit hole, follow the guide straight from Netflix.
An example of Netflix codes.
Screenshot by CNET
Delete embarrassing binges
Your embarrassing binges need not stick around. You can delete your moments of weakness and nostalgia from your watch history to remove any chance of future shame. And in doing so, you’ll improve recommendations from Netflix, since it won’t use your recent Too Hot to Handle binge as a guide for future suggestions. On a laptop, head to your Account page, expand the options for your profile under the Profile & Parental Controls section and then click the small View link to the right of Viewing activity. For anything you’d like to hide from your history, just click the circle with a slash through it on the right.
Control your video on a keyboard
Do you tend to watch Netflix on a computer? If you do, you may rely on a mouse to pause, rewind or control the volume. But there are keyboard shortcuts for that.
Spacebar or enter: Toggle pause and play.
Tap the right or left arrow key: Skip ahead or back 10 seconds.
Hold down the right or left arrow key: Fast-forward and rewind in 10-second increments.
Up and down arrow key: Raise and lower volume.
M key: Mute and unmute.
F key: Toggle full screen on and off.
S key: Skip the intro of television shows.
Esc key to exit full screen.
Adjust your data usage
I know plenty of people who love to watch Netflix on their mobile phones or tablets. For those with limited data, that can eat up a big chunk, depending on the video quality. However, you can tinker with the data usage to lower the amount for your device.
Open the Netflix app on your phone and tap the More icon or your profile. Click on App Settings and navigate to Video Playback to select Cellular Data Usage. Per Netflix’s help section, change your download setup to Wi-Fi Only to avoid draining your mobile plan’s data. Note that this will only pop up if your device operates with cellular data.
You can also change your Netflix data usage settings from your web browser for all your screens, including mobile. Open your profile on your account page and click Playback Settings. There are four options: Auto (the default), Low (up to 0.3GB per hour), Medium (up to 0.7GB per hour) and High — the best for HD — which uses 3GB an hour for HD streams and 7GB for Ultra HD streaming. The lower the quality, the less data is consumed. Remember to save your settings.
A lesser-known feature on Netflix is the Audio Description function, which is beneficial for viewers who have disabilities. When you activate it, a voice-over gives a description of what’s happening onscreen during a show or movie. A voice describes the facial expressions, clothing, scenery, physical movements and other elements as they happen. The feature has been enhanced to give detailed descriptors for skin tone, hair and other physical identifiers.
Netflix says most of its originals have Audio Description available, and it works for some other titles on the platform too. You can look for the AD badge on a title, or type “Audio Description” in the app’s search bar to see which movies and shows have it. To turn it on, begin playing a video on your device. Mobile device or computer users can tap their screens, while smart TVs, Apple TV or gaming consoles will need to use the remote control.
Select the Dialogue icon box to see which languages Audio Description is available for and choose your option.
Change the look of your subtitles
Subtitles are available for all audiences, and this year, Netflix made the function more customizable for users, including viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. And if you enjoy watching foreign titles in their original languages, know that you can change the subtitle settings too. You can adjust the subtitle settings for font type, size, text shadowing or background.
You’ll need to open Netflix in a web browser and select a profile from the account page. Click on Subtitle Appearance to change the settings and then click Save. This can be done for each profile on your Netflix account. You may have to reload the app on your TV for the changes to take effect. If you don’t like the new setup, simply choose “Reset to default” to restore the previous subtitle settings.
Netflix has a Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) badge to label available titles. Like Audio Narration, users can also find TV series and films that include the accessibility feature by using “Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” as a search term.
Netflix’s subtitle settings.
Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET
Lock down your profile
Do you share your Netflix account with someone who occasionally watches stuff on your profile? Maybe your tween likes to sneak-watch Riverdale or another show that’s meant for mature audiences. If you want to prevent others on your account from messing up your recommendation flow, pop a pin on your profile. Head to your account page from a web browser and scroll to the Profile & Parental Controls settings. Click change on Profile Lock, and enter your account password when prompted. Check the box where it says, “Require a PIN to access XYZ’s profile.” Enter a four-digit PIN.
You’ll have to type it in each time you open the app and click on your profile, but you’ll be the only one privy to this information.
Transfer a profile
With Netflix poised to charge subaccount fees for password sharing, you may want to nudge your friends, family or exes into getting their own memberships. You can do that by using the profile transfer feature, which allows users to relocate their profiles to a new account while keeping their personal watchlists, settings, recommendations, games and viewing history intact. Hover over your profile icon and click Transfer Profile in the menu. Select Allow to enable the feature. You’ll receive an email notification within two days to let you know the feature is on, and anyone on your account who activates their own membership will be able to move their profiles. You can also toggle the transfer profile feature on or off by heading to your account page and clicking on it in the Settings section.
Allow folks on your account to move their profiles.
Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET
Kick any device off your Netflix account
While profile transfer is a nice way to get rid of people on your account, Netflix’s latest feature enables you to remotely log out of individual devices. It boosts security and no conversations are needed with exes, Airbnb hosts, or anyone else. Visit your Account page, scroll down to Security & Privacy and click Manage Access and Devices. A list of recently used devices will pop up, and you can sign out of any of them, one by one.
Put a stop to autoplay
Once you start, it can be hard to stop. If you find your Netflix binging habits are spiraling out of control because Netflix starts up the next episode of a show immediately following the end of your current episode, you can stop it. The same goes for previews. Go to your Account page, click the account you want to change the settings for and then click Playback settings to open a new page.At the top of the new page, uncheck the box next to Autoplay next episode in a series on all devices.
For previews, uncheck the box next to Autoplay previews while browsing on all devices. Click Save after making your changes. Not only will previews stop when you first open Netflix, but now moving your mouse over a show won’t cause a preview to play either.
You can turn off autoplay for each profile, which means you can continue your binging ways but turn it off for your kids’ account.
Wondering what the streaming quality is for your favorite show? Check the bit rate with Netflix’s “Stats for nerds” menu. A higher bit rate equals higher video quality. With your video open, press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + D on your laptop keyboard to check out your bit rate speed, buffering state and frame rate. On this screen, HD viewers can confirm speed and resolution.
Some smart TV models are capable of pulling up these stats too, but you’ll need a remote control with an Info button. Click it as your Netflix video plays to check the nerd stats. For Roku users, choose a show or film and before pressing play, hit the asterisk button twice to see the numbers. Click it twice again to disable the view.
You’ll want to pause your video so you can capture the code information without missing any scenes from your favorite show. The other catch? You can’t edit any of those stats if you’re in the mood for a debugging session.
Bit-rate information isn’t only interesting for the technically minded, it can help when you’re facing streaming issues or buffering. For example, it can guide you where to move your router or streaming device to improve your Wi-Fi signal.
Really love a show? Give it two thumbs up
This past April, Netflix launched a new feature: Two Thumbs Up. As part of its recommendation system, this signifies your passion for a title and helps Netflix home in on what you really like to watch. Though the standard thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons allow you to give a basic rating to a show or film, clicking two thumbs prompts feedback that reads, “We know you’re a true fan!”
You can use this option while watching Netflix on your TV, web browser or mobile device. The streamer notes that if you tap Two Thumbs Up to express your love for a specific TV series or movie, the system will drill down and recommend more titles related to the cast members, production teams, character types or niche genres affiliated with your pick.
Let Netflix know what you want with two thumbs up.
Netflix
Set up notifications for shows and movies
While Netflix may already email you about what’s coming soon or newly added movies that “you might like,” you can take matters into your own hands by activating alerts within the app. Set up reminders for titles that are arriving in the near future. For example, The Sandman debuts on Aug. 5. Rather than rely on memory or Google for the information, you can navigate to the show’s title page and click Remind Me to receive a notification from Netflix when it drops. It will also be automatically added to My List once it’s available to stream.
You can also enable push notifications on your phone or tablet for the app. Netflix will alert you with recommendations and new TV show or movie releases.
Download shows to go
Netflix lets you download shows so you can watch them on the go. I urge you to download Netflix shows as part of your packing routine for any family car trip that’ll take longer than three hours. You can download Netflix shows and movies on any device that supports the Netflix app — iPads and iPhones, Android phones and tablets, Fire tablets, Windows devices and Chromebooks. The biggest omission is Macs, since there’s no Netflix app for MacOS.
To download a show or movie, just click or tap the Download button next to a listing. Keep in mind that not every show or movie on Netflix is available for download. All of your downloaded shows and movies are conveniently listed on the Download tab in the app.
And to prevent your kid from running up data charges in the backseat of the family wagon while you’re cruising down the highway, you can block them from downloading content while on cellular service. In the app, go to App Settings on your Account page and make sure Wi-Fi Only is toggled on. While you’re here, you might also want to make sure that Smart Downloads is enabled. It downloads the next episode of a show you’re watching and deletes the previously downloaded episodes after you watch them.
One last thing: There is a limit to the number of devices on which you can store downloads. One device for the Basic plan; two for Standard; four for Premium. You can manage your devices by going to your Account page and clicking Manage download devices. Here, you can remove a device (wiping all of its downloads) so that you can download content on another device.
Apple’s latest iPhone tends to top our list if the best phones available each year and its various Apple Watch models frequently feature on our list of best smartwatches. But enjoying the polished Apple experience comes at a premium, with Apple products often costing more than devices from competing brands. However, if you don’t mind a preowned device, you can save a lot of money next time you buy an Apple product. Woot currently has a massive selection of refurbished Apple Watches and iPhones to choose from, which can save you a ton of cash compared to buying from Apple directly.
The majority of the devices you’ll find at this sale are listed as “Grade A” refurbs. According to Woot, that means that these items have been tested to be in full working condition and will show minimal signs of cosmetic wear and tear. Batteries are also tested to function at minimum 85% capacity.
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If you want the most up to date model, Today’s sale features the current-gen iPhone 14 Plus for the first time, and it’s actually listed as factory reconditioned meaning it will be in pristine condition with a battery capacity of at least 95%. Only one configuration is offered, the 512GB model in black, but it’s discounted to just $820 which is a far cry from this model’s $1,199 price brand new.
The previous-gen iPhone 13 is also included in the sale with prices starting at $600. Considering Apple still sells this 256GB device from $799, it’s a rare chance to save on a really recent model. If you want to spend a little less, the iPhone 12 is still an excellent phone that’s more than sufficient for most people thanks to its 5G capabilities, OLED display and powerful A14 Bionic chip. It’s a great value starting at just $360, which is over $200 less than buying new from Apple directly, or $290 for the iPhone 12 Mini. In our iPhone 14 review, CNET’s Patrick Holland said there isn’t a compelling reason to upgrade to the iPhone 14 from the iPhone 12, meaning this is still a great phone for a lot of folks today.
On the smartwatch side, the Apple Watch Series 7 from 2021 is the latest model available from $240. Outside of the temperature sensor and crash detection features found on the Series 8, the older Series 7 has basically the same display, battery life, connectivity and features making it a solid option in 2023. The Apple Watch Series 6 is available for even less, as little as $190, and will still work great for the average user, or you can spend even less with a Series 4 model starting at just $130 — ideal for someone just testing the waters with their first Apple Watch.
Cheaper devices like the iPhone SE and iPhone 8 start at $120 and the Apple Watch Series 3 is available from $95, but beware that support for future software updates isn’t guaranteed and the Series 3 doesn’t support the current WatchOS 9 update.
Overall, these are some of the best value Apple deals you’ll find right now. These offers will end May 27, or when these refurbished models sell out, so we recommend acting sooner rather than later.
Uber will now let families create profiles to make it easier for parents to pay and keep track of their kids’ rides.
The company revealed several new features Wednesday, including the new family profile allowing parents of 13 to 17 year olds set up rides for teens. They’ll be able to keep track of teens’ trips through Uber’s safety features, including Audio Recording, and talk directly with highly-rated drivers who will be eligible to make these trips.
Parents will soon be able to invite their teens to ride Uber.
Uber
Family profiles will launch on May 22 in more than two dozen cities in the US and Canada, including New York City, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston. More areas will receive the feature in the coming weeks and months, but Uber didn’t provide specifics.
Uber said it worked with Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit focused on preventing childhood injuries, to develop its teen accounts.
“As part of our work, we were able to provide advice and expertise to Uber to help ensure teens have a safe experience from pickup to drop off,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide, in a statement. “By providing parents with safe alternatives to help their teens get around, we hope this will help create more equitable solutions for families facing barriers to transportation.”
Another feature coming to Uber for riders in New York and LA is Uber Car Seat. Parents can request rides that have a Nuna’s RAVA car seat that carries children from 5 to 65 lbs.
Group Rides is also coming to select cities allowing riders to invite others on a trip. The Uber app will organize the ride to pick up each person who will be charged their amount for the trip instead of having one person requesting money from each person.
And for those who want to use Uber but have a tough time with their phone, the company created a new helpline. Those interested can call 1-833-USE-UBER in order to set up a trip like they would using the app.
Apple hasn’t released iOS 16.5 yet, but on Monday the tech giant came out with an updated version of the iOS 16.5 release candidate for developers and beta testers. A news release last week pointed to Apple making the iPhone update available to the public as early as today. The beta versions of iOS 16.5 bring more security patches and improvements to the OS, like a new Pride wallpaper section and a sports tab in Apple News, for public beta users as well as developers.
New iOS features can be fun, but we recommend downloading a beta only on a device other than your primary phone, just in case the new software causes problems. Apple also provides beta testers with an app called Feedback, which they can use to notify the company about any issues in the new software. That way, problems can be addressed before general release.
Here are the new features developers and beta testers can try now ahead of the release of iOS 16.5.
Pride Celebration wallpapers
New Pride Celebration wallpapers under the new Pride wallpaper section.
Zach McAuliffe/CNET
In the iOS 16.5 release candidate, Apple added two new preloaded Pride Celebration wallpapers to a new Pride wallpaper section. The wallpaper section was introduced in iOS 16.5 beta 4.
The Pride wallpaper section is “designed with the colors of the Pride flag to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community,” the section’s description reads.
You can access the new section by tapping Settings > Wallpaper > +Add New Wallpaper.
Apple News gets some sports upgrades
The Apple News app launched in 2015, and the first iOS 16.5 beta brought a Sports tab to the app for the first time. The tab can be found in the toolbar across the bottom of your screen when you open the app. Before, the toolbar displayed tabs for Today, News Plus, Audio, Following and Search. The iOS 16.5 beta 1 got rid of the Search tab to make room for the Sports tab.
The iOS 16.5 release candidate also updated the My Sports scores and schedule cards in Apple News. Now, when you tap the three dots (…) in the bottom-right corner of one of these cards you’ll see an option for Go to Game. Tapping this option will bring up more details about that game.
Here are the release notes for the updated version of the iOS 16.5 release candidate.
This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
• A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture.
• Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings and more, for the teams and leagues you follow.
• My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games.
• Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive.
• Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content.
• Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices.
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
