Author: Admin

Texting has likely alleviated some of your email traffic, but I’d wager your email inbox is still like mine — a bit chaotic and disorderly. If you use Gmail daily on a computer for work or personal use, are you making the most of Google’s free email client? Gmail has a host of features that can help you better manage the constant flow of messages to and from your inbox.

Here are the 10 tips that I have found most helpful in keeping on top of my email correspondence. You may already be using some of these, but hopefully you’ll find a few here that you can work into your routine to help manage the constant flow of messages to and from your Gmail inbox.

1. Mute annoyingly noisy email threads

Getting stuck on a group email thread can be as annoying on a laptop as a group text on your phone. You’ve got enough distractions during the workday that you certainly don’t need to see a group email continually calling out to you at the top of your inbox as new replies arrive.

If you have an active group email and no longer care to follow the back-and-forth chatter, you can opt out. Open the thread, click the triple-dot button at the top and click Mute. The conversation will be moved to your archive, where it will remain even when more replies arrive.

If you later get curious about what you missed, you can always find it in the All Mail view of Gmail, which includes your archived messages. You can then unmute the conversation if you so choose by opening the conversation and clicking the X button next to the Mute label at the top of the page. Once unmuted, the next time you receive a reply, it will show up at the top of your inbox.

2. Block unwanted messages

One step further than muting a message is blocking the sender. If you are getting needless and unwanted emails from someone, you can reroute their messages from your inbox directly to the spam folder. Open up a message from the unwanted sender, click the triple-dot button in the upper-right corner and select Block [Username].

3. Snooze so you don’t forget

Just like the snooze button on your alarm that you smash when you aren’t ready to get out of bed, Gmail has a snooze button for messages you aren’t ready to respond to but don’t want to lose track of in your inbox. Hover over a message in your inbox and click the little clock button on the right and pick a later time and date — later today, tomorrow, next week or a specific time you set — for it to appear back at the top of your inbox.

4. Schedule messages to send later

With the popularity of remote work, it’s likely you work with people in various locations and time zones. Instead of an email that will disrupt someone’s evening or early morning, you can easily schedule your message to be sent at a later time. To do so, click the little down-arrow next to the Send button at the bottom of the compose window and click Schedule send. You’ll be able to pick a time in the future for your missive to arrive. You can keep tabs on your scheduled emails in the Scheduled folder under the Sent folder — it gets created once you schedule your first email.

5. Enable auto-advance and thank me later

I spend a large chunk at the beginning and end of each workday deleting unwanted emails. I prefer to open most emails before deleting them so I can take at least a quick glance before discarding them. By default, Gmail sends you back to your inbox instead of the next message when you delete an opened message, which requires more clicks and time to clean out your inbox. You can change this behavior in settings, however, so you advance to the previous or next message after you delete an opened message.

In settings, click Advanced and you’ll see Auto-advance at the top. Click the radio dial on the right for Enable to turn on. And if you head back to Settings > General and scroll down to Auto-advance, you can choose to go to the next (newer) or previous (older) conversation. To save, scroll down and hit the Save Changes button.

6. Choose your tabs

Gmail does an admirable job of filtering your inbox so the messages you care about go to your inbox while the rest get relegated to the Social or Promotions tabs. Click the gear icon and then click See all settings. On the Settings page, select Inbox and in the Categories section at the top, you can choose which tabs you want at the top of your inbox. Or if you simply ignore all tabs other than your Primary inbox, then you can uncheck all but Primary for a streamlined, tab-less Gmail experience. To save, scroll down and hit the Save Changes button.

7. Reading pane for an Outlook-like look

If you’ve got a big display, I encourage you to make use of your luxurious screen real estate and use Gmail’s reading pane. It makes Gmail look and feel more like Outlook, where you can view and respond to messages without leaving the inbox. Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner to open the Quick Settings panel, scroll down to Reading pane and select Right of inbox or Below inbox to split your view horizontally or vertically.

8. Save space by deleting messages with large attachments

Running out of space? If you are up against Gmail’s 15GB free storage cap (shared across Google Drive and Google Photos), then you can either pay Google for more storage or delete some messages and keep using the free plan. Search for size:5m or size:10m to see any messages that are larger than 5- or 10-megabytes. These are likely to have some big attachments. From this list, you can download the attachments you want to keep and then delete the message so it’s not taking up precious space with Google. Or just delete the old messages and attachments you no longer need.

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9. Email large attachments via Google Drive

There’s a little Drive icon at the bottom of Gmail’s compose window. It lets you attach files you have stored in Drive or simply send a link. For Google Drive formats — Docs, Sheets, Slides and so on — your only option is to send a link to the file. For other file types — PDFs, Word docs, images — you have the option of sending them as an attachment or a Drive link, which lets you share files larger than Gmail’s 25MB size limit for attachments.

10. Hiding in plain sight: Advanced search

With Google behind Gmail, it’s no surprise that Gmail offers powerful search tools. You’ve likely used the search bar above your inbox to dig up an old email based on a keyword or sender, but it can do so much more. Click the little down-arrow button on the right of the search bar to open Gmail’s advanced search panel where you can search for date ranges and attachment sizes, by subject line and with other filters.

Need more Gmail help? Here are 15 Gmail shortcuts you should know and six Gmail tricks to minimize regret, frustration and spam. To stay safe, this is how you can secure your Gmail account in four easy steps.

My favorite little gaming handheld last year was the Panic Playdate, a tiny yellow crank-enabled pocket console with its own included library of weird indie games. Even though the Playdate launched last year, shipping delays and shortages have meant many people still haven’t been able to get one. But the handheld just added its own on-console game app catalog with a bunch of new games… and along with it, a price increase for anyone who still hasn’t preordered.

The Playdate cost $179 before, but the price is going up to $199 starting April 7. Preorders before then will get locked in at the $179 price. Price increases for products are becoming common right now (it happened to the Quest 2 last year). The Playdate’s unique games (it comes with 24 of them) and tiny design still make it worth the price for a curious indie handheld fan, but it also pushes this experimental device to the same cost of more versatile handhelds like the Nintendo Switch Lite.

The season-based game library approach for the Playdate, which launched with its own catalog of included games that auto-download to the device two at a time, once a week, is being shifted up with the handheld’s new Catalog. The games in the Catalog are sold separately, although two are free to download. The games are welcome additions: There are 16 to start, 10 of which are new. The other six are familiar hits that have already been available to sideload from itch.io, an indie gaming hub that’s been a great source of other experimental Playdate games.

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The game prices vary from $1 to $15. I’m just playing through them now, but I wish some of these games also had free demos to understand how they work. Taking a plunge on a $1 game is fine, but $15 isn’t quite an impulse purchase.

Using the Catalog feels like an on-Playdate extension of the games I can already get through itch.io in many ways, but with a more curated focus. Itch.io is fun to browse, and has many games that are totally free, but is a more unpredictable mix of experiments and more polished products. Those games also need to be downloaded and then reuploaded through Panic’s own website, which sideloads the games to the Playdate, while the on-Playdate catalog just adds them instantly. (The 4GB of onboard storage may seem small, but I’ve stored dozens of games already and still haven’t used up half of it.)

What I was really hoping for was a true season 2 of Playdate games, but that’s either not here yet, or the planned rollout for future games is changing. Either way, it’s still a promising sign that future indie games will be easier to find on the Playdate, and that hopefully a steady flow continues. Also, hopefully, the Playdate will finally be easy to order. According to Panic, Wave 4 preorders are now shipping, but eventually the hope is that the handhelds aren’t backordered at all. Valve fixed its Steam Deck supply issues; hopefully Panic will do the same.

From Jennifer Hudson to Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, American Idol has launched a string of big-name careers, and season 21 already looks on course to unearth another singing superstar.

The latest season of the long-running reality show is now up and running and once again sees CNET alum Ryan Seacrest on hosting duties, with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and soul legend Lionel Richie all returning to the judging panel.

Alongside virtual auditions, open-call events were held in Las Vegas, New Orleans and Nashville late last year for this season, so expect a steady flow of country-singing hopefuls looking to replicate the success of last year’s winner Noah Thompson.

The new season has already seen some potential break-out stars, with 21-year-old valet Tanner Charles’ self-penned song for his onlooking girlfriend getting a unanimous three yeses from the judges, while pitch-perfect performances from neurodiverse contestant Adin Boyer and inspiring car-crash survivor Elijah McCormick both earned them golden tickets to Hollywood.

Catch every audition by following our guide to watching American Idol 2023 from anywhere in the world.

When is American Idol 2023 broadcast?

American Idol season 21 premiered in the US on Feb. 19. New episodes arrive every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with each episode available to stream the following day after broadcast on Hulu.

How to watch American Idol 2023 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.

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. 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.

See at ExpressVPN

Watch in the US

Hulu

Carries American Idol in the US (new episodes stream Mondays)

ABC will be showing American Idol in the US for the sixth year in a row. That also means episodes will be available to stream on Hulu every Monday, one day after they air on ABC.

New Hulu subscribers can take advantage of a Hulu free trial for 30 days on its With-Ads or No-Ads plan. After the trial ends, the service will set you back $8 a month. There’s also the option of the Disney Plus bundle with Hulu thrown in from $10 a month.

See at Hulu

Watch in Canada

CityTV

Citytv

Carries American Idol live in Canada

The great news for Canadian reality TV fans is that Citytv is airing new episodes of American Idol 2023 at the same time they go out in the US — that’s 8 p.m. ET/PT every Sunday.

If you miss an episode when it goes out live, you can stream each episode for free on Citytv’s online platform a day after they air, however you’ll need to enter your TV provider details.

See at Citytv

Can I watch American Idol Season 21 in the UK?

There’s currently no confirmed broadcaster for this latest season of the TV talent show in the UK, however we suspect that like season 20, this new run of the show will eventually find its way to Netflix.

Tips for streaming American Idol 2023 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 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 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 into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Verizon announced that the Ultra Wideband portion of its 5G network, which delivers faster speeds than its low-band portion, now reaches 200 million people in the US.

The Ultra Wideband part of its 5G service provides signal in midband and millimeter wave frequencies, which offer faster speeds but cover less area than Verizon’s low-band Nationwide 5G. The carrier has been building out its network by launching service in C-band range of 5G early in 2022, and had expected to reach 200 million people with Ultra Wideband by the first quarter of this year.

Hitting that population means the Ultra Wideband service qualifies as nationwide availability according to the Federal Communications Commission. T-Mobile had hit that milestone with its own midband 5G network in 2021, while AT&T expects to reach 200 million people with its midband 5G network by the end of 2023.

Tablets are a great choice for people who don’t want to carry around a laptop but still need a screen that’s larger than a traditional smartphone. There are so many tablets on the market, and some stand out more than others. Apple’s iPad typically dominates the tablet market, so it’s understandable that a lot of folks will be on the lookout for an iPad deal.

That being said, there are reasons why you might choose an Android tablet or a Windows tablet instead. Whether you’re all in on Apple gear or you want a tablet that offers a similar experience to your non-Apple phone, we’ve got tablet deals for you. And don’t forget about Amazon Fire tablets, which are great value for money, or Windows tablets, which are good for bridging the divide between work and home.

We keep track of tablet deals all year round and round them all up below so that you always get the best prices available.

Best tablet deals

Walmart

10.9-inch iPad Air (5th gen): $551

Save $48

You can save $48 on Apple’s latest iPad Air right now. It costs $599 from the Apple Store and features Apple’s M1 chip, found in the company’s iPad Pros, along with 5G and a wider-angle, front-facing camera with the Center Stage autofocusing video feature. CNET’s iPad expert Scott Stein still recommends the less expensive 10.2-inch iPad for most people, but sees this iPad Air as a solid step up. Available in select colors, the $48 discount at Amazon is the biggest price break we see right now but less than half the $99 discount offered last month. Read our iPad Air 2022 review.

$551 at Amazon

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Apple

Apple iPad Mini (2021): $469

Save $30

There are supersized smartphones that are getting close in size to the smallest iPad, but this is still a great product for a specific slice of the audience. It’s best if you want something nearly pocket-sized for casual video viewing, gaming or reading. It’s also a good match for new cloud gaming services when paired with a controller. The current discount is less than last month’s $99 price break, but the Mini is still one of the few iPads you can find for less than full price right now. Read the iPad Mini (2021) review.

$469 at Amazon

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Fire HD 8 Plus: $80

Save $40

Amazon continues to make the best inexpensive tablets for media consumption. The Fire HD 8 is the middle of the lineup, hitting a sweet spot for price and performance. The 2022 model boasts a thinner and lighter design along with a faster processor and an hour more battery life (13 hours versus 12) than its predecessor. It’s definitely a good low-cost option for streaming video, reading ebooks and web browsing, but we still recommend waiting to pick it up when it’s discounted, which Amazon regularly does, including right now at $40 off. We also recommend spending an additional $20 for the Plus version, which adds more RAM (3GB instead of 2GB) and wireless charging.

Read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review.

$80 at Amazon

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Amazon

Fire HD 10: $120

Save $30

Amazon’s Fire HD 10 is the biggest and most powerful tablet that the company offers. It features a 10-inch screen that’s not only bigger than the 8-inch screen of the Fire HD 8 but also brighter. The Fire HD 10 comes packed with benefits for Prime subscribers, making it easy for members to stream and download movies, TV shows and games. The Fire tablets don’t use a pure version of Android. Instead, they use Amazon’s Android-based Fire operating system, pulling apps from the Amazon App Store. You can still get apps from Google Play, even though you’ll have to install the store yourself — meaning gaming enthusiasts have access to all of their favorite mobile games for an excellent gaming tablet experience. The Fire HD 10 starts at $150 but is currently selling for only $120.

Read our Amazon Fire HD 10 review.

$120 at Amazon

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Dan Ackerman/CNET

Microsoft Surface Pro 9: $1,400

Save $200

If you want the latest Microsoft tablet, the Surface Pro 9 is it. It offers 12th-gen Intel Core processors, 5G support and some new colors. To get this $200 discount, however, you’ll need to be OK with the standard black graphite color. And also be OK with connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi; this model doesn’t feature 5G cellular. What it does offer is a modern 12th-gen Core i7 CPU, an ample 16GB of RAM and a relatively roomy 256GB SSD. The 13-inch display offers a crisp 2,880×1,920-pixel resolution. One last note: You’ll need to purchase the requisite keyboard cover separately, unless you have one from an older Surface Pro 8 or Pro X — those are compatible with the new Surface Pro 9.

Read our Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review.

$1,400 at Amazon

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Dan Ackerman/CNET

Microsoft Surface Pro 8: $779

Save $421

The Surface Pro 8 was supplanted by the Surface Pro 9 at the top of Microsoft’s tablet lineup last fall, but the new model offers only a modest upgrade — newer Intel CPUs, a slightly faster type of RAM, 5G support, and some new color options. When you can find a Surface Pro 8 at a sizable discount, it makes a compelling cost-saving alternative to the Surface Pro 9. This Surface Pro 8 features a high-resolution 13-inch display powered by an 11th-gen Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The list price for this model is $1,200, but the price has dropped by more than $400 at Amazon. You can put a fraction of those savings toward a snap-on keyboard cover, which is not included in the price of this sale model.

Read our Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review.

$779 at Amazon

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Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: $449

Save $81

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is a midlevel Android tablet that occupies the space between a basic iPad and an iPad Pro. The baseline Galaxy Tab S7 FE (short for Fan Edition) with 64GB of storage is discounted by $81 right now at Amazon. The tablet features a roomy 12.4-inch display and includes Samsung’s S Pen stylus for drawing and jotting down notes.

$449 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE: $449

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite: $130

Save $30

At its discounted price, this relatively budget Android tablet is a good pick as an affordable entertainment tablet for kids. It features a small (kid-friendly) 8.7-inch display with a 1,340×800-pixel resolution protected by a sturdy, metal (kid-resistant) enclosure. Note that the keyboard case is not included.

$130 at B&H

Whether you’ve been persevering with a busted controller or you want an extra for co-op gaming, now’s the time to nab one. Various retailers are offering significant savings on Xbox controllers with prices starting at just $40. Shop direct at Microsoft and you can get the standard wireless Xbox controller in the basic colors of black, white, blue or red for that low price, a $20 savings. Select colors are also seeing similar discounts at both Amazon and Walmart.

While there are plenty of Xbox controllers out there, Microsoft’s own controller remains our favorite option on the market in 2023 for those that just want the basics covered well. It’s compatible with both Series X and Series S consoles, as well as the previous-gen Xbox One (not to mention PCs and smart phones via Bluetooth). It has wireless connectivity and boasts up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge, or you can plug it into your console or PC for wired play without interruption. It’s also equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack so it’s compatible with a wide variety of different Xbox headsets.

And for hardcore gamers, you can also save on the Elite Series 2 Core controller, which is down to $99 at Walmart, a $26 savings, or $110 at Amazon. Unveiled in September, it offers advanced features like like adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks and wrap-around rubberized grips. There’s also the option to upgrade it with various customization options down the line with a separate component pack if you need it. And for even more bargains, you can check out our roundup of all the best deals on Xbox gaming gear available right now.

You might have to start paying to see your favorite TikToker make their morning latte or share a makeup routine. On Tuesday, TikTok launched Series, a new feature that lets creators put a collection of videos behind a paywall.

One Series can have up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long, TikTok said in a blog post. The feature is currently available to select TikTokers, but the company said Series will be available for those interested in the coming months.

“Series joins our growing range of monetization solutions as we continue to build new ways for creators to feel valued and rewarded as they inspire and engage our community,” TikTok said in the blog post.

Creators will be able to select how much their Series cost, ranging from roughly $1 to $190, according to TikTok spokesperson Maria Jung. For a limited time, TikTokers will be able to keep 100% of their earnings from Series after fees are applied, TechCrunch reported. It’s unclear what TikTok’s cut will be after that point.

Series is TikTok’s latest tool that lets creators make money off the videos they post on the app. In May, TikTok said it was “exploring” an ad revenue sharing program that would provide 50% of the revenue from advertising to the videos of top creators, public figures and publishers that run next to the ads.

Samsung last month released the Galaxy S23 lineup, the newest models in its flagship series, which means that right now is a great time to snag an older model if you don’t need absolutely the latest and greatest. The Galaxy S22 Ultra was the most advanced model of the previous generation, and right now at Amazon you can snag an unlocked 128GB model for as little as $900, saving you $300 compared to the usual price. You can also save $300 on the 256GB model or $304 on the 512GB model if you want some extra storage. There’s no telling how long these phones will remain discounted and in stock, so you may want to think about getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

While it may be a generation old, the Galaxy S22 Ultra still comes packed full of powerful hardware. With an advanced Snapdragon 8 processor, as well as 5G connectivity, it boasts lightning-fast performance and load times. The 128GB version has 8GB of RAM, while the 256GB and 512GB models feature 12GB. The screen is a stunning 6.8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and the embedded S Pen makes navigating and notetaking easier than ever. Aspiring photographers are sure to love the impressive 108-megapixel wide-angle rear camera, and it also boasts some truly impressive low-light shooting capabilities. It’s also fairly rugged, with a IP68 weather-resistance rating so it’s completely waterproof up to 1.5 meters, and a Gorilla Glass screen that’s resistant to scratches and dings. And it has impressive battery life, averaging about a day and a half of use during our tests, so you won’t have to worry about stopping to recharge in the middle of your day.

At $300 off for an unlocked model, this S22 Ultra deal is a great value, but you can also check out our roundup of all the best deals available on the new Galaxy S23 lineup for bargains on the latest models as well.

If you need an extra workstation at home, but don’t want to invest in a whole new computer, a smart monitor offers the best of both worlds. They allows you to run basic apps for both work and entertainment — without being connected to a computer — and right now, you can pick one up at a great price. Amazon currently has Samsung’s 27-inch M50B Series smart monitor on sale for just $170, which saves you $110 compared to the usual price. There’s no set expiration for this deal, so there’s no guaranteeing how long it will be available. We’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

While we haven’t reviewed this model, the specs tell an interesting story. The Samsung M50B monitor is essentially an even smarter smart TV. In addition to entertainment and streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, it can also run Microsoft Office 365 programs so you can edit documents, type up spreadsheets and much more — all without the help of a PC. Additionally, It works great as a second monitor with multiple HDMI ports and Apple AirPlay built-in so you can wirelessly stream content from your iPhone, iPad or MacBook. The screen itself is a 27-inch full HD LED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, and HDR10 support for sharp contrast. It also has a built-in webcam so it’s ready for video calls and virtual meetings right out of the box, and an adaptive picture feature that automatically adjusts the brightness so you can clearly see the screen in any environment.

If you prefer a bigger screen, the 32-inch model is also on sale for $250 ($50 off), or you can check out our roundup of all the best monitor deals for even more bargains.

In the world of apps and smart devices, anyone can be an awesome party planner. From music and games to drinks and everything else, there’s an app that can teach you to throw the greatest shindig your friends and family have ever been to.

Check out these party-planning apps to throw a bash your guests will be talking about for the rest of the year.

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Pro Party Planner

Best all-in-one party planner

Pro Party Planner (download for iOS) serves as your event planner.

Once you know how many guests are coming, create a task list to get everything done before the big day. The feature also lets you set reminders, so you won’t fall behind. You’ll need to set a budget and start building your shopping list for the party. Track your budget for food, decorations and party favors.

Manage guests attending by sending them invitations and checking off RSVPs. If applicable, create a seating chart with Pro Party Planner’s augmented reality feature to better visualize what your party will look like.
Pro Party Planner costs $5 to download, plus $1 per month.

See at Pro Party Planner

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Evite

Best invitation maker

Before you begin planning an event, you need to get an idea of how many people will be there. You don’t want to plan for 50 guests only to have 10 show up and leave you with tons of uneaten food.

Use Evite (download for iOS or Android) to invite your guests with personalized invitations. Design templates with photos from your phone, and add the event name, time and location.

Send invitations via text or email. Track the RSVPs to see who has viewed your invitation, and who has accepted or declined. Nudge guests who haven’t responded and create polls for party and food ideas.

See at Evite

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Pinterest

Best for finding inspiration

Planning a party from scratch isn’t easy, so gather inspiration from Pinterest (download for iOS or Android). If you have an idea of what theme you want, search for it on Pinterest to see thousands of boards with party designs.

If you’re planning a low-key party, search for “simple party ideas” or if you’re planning a more upscale event, search for “fancy party ideas.” Sometimes people will post where they found the decorations and the cost.

See at Pinterest

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

BigNight

Best for planning party meals

Begin planning the meals you’re going to cook for your event with BigNight (download for iOS). If you’re hosting a formal party, create a menu for your guests. Name the menu and organize by courses, like drinks, appetizers and the main dish.

Import recipes from Pinterest or your favorite recipe website by using the in-app browser. Then create a shopping list with the ingredients you’ll need. Check each item off the list as you shop.

Set reminders for each task, like bake the cheesecake the night before, and add whipped cream one hour before the party begins.

BigNight costs $4 to download.

See at BigNight

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Cocktail Flow

Best for becoming the party bartender

Your guests will be impressed with your bartending skills when you use Cocktail Flow (download for iOS or Android). The app gives you detailed drink recipes that you can make with ingredients you already have.

Plan ahead of time by having a cocktail menu for your guests and include classics like wine, beer or fun cocktails. You can customize the drinks for your event attendees by liquor, drink type (tropical, creamy, shot) and strength (light, medium, strong).

See at Cocktail Flow

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Spotify

Best for finding party music

A good party doesn’t last long without music. It puts people in a good mood and helps loosen them up.

Spotify (download for iOS or Android) is our music streaming service of choice, with more than 50 million tracks available and 232 million users, according to the company. Keep in mind what your guests like, and make or find a playlist with a good variety of songs, or find a station that will play fun party favorites from every decade.

Spotify is free to use if you listen with commercials. To listen commercial-free, subscribe to Spotify Premium. It’s $10 per month for an individual account.

See at Spotify

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Karaoke

Best for a karaoke party

Once everyone is feeling good, keep the party going with Karaoke (download for iOS or Android). Whether your guests like country, pop or rock, there’s a huge catalog of songs to choose from, ranging from 7 Rings by Ariana Grande to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton.

Browse through categories like popular, recommended and genre to find a song. Tap Sing when you’re ready to begin your karaoke session.

Record your songs and hear them played back. Don’t worry if singing isn’t your forte — the app uses sound effects to auto-enhance your voice.

See at Yokee

Screenshot by Katie Conner/CNET

Heads Up

Best party game

For guests not interested in singing karaoke, set them up with a game full of laughs, like Heads Up (download for iOS or Android). This game can be played with any number of people, so everyone can get involved.

The player selects a category and then holds the phone to their forehead so the other players can see the screen. The other players act out what’s on the screen so you can guess what it is. Category options are celebrities, animals, movies and more.

See at Warner Bros.