Category: Technologies

The Packers may enter Week 18 at 8-8, but they still control their own destiny for the playoffs. Currently in possession of the NFC’s seventh and final playoff spot, a win against the rival Bears and they head to the postseason in their first year without Aaron Rodgers (a handful of other scenarios can also push the Pack forward).

Chicago, meanwhile, enters this weekend with its eyes on next season. The good news for Bears fans is that they’ve already locked up the No. 1 pick in this spring’s NFL Draft.

Kickoff is called for 4:25 p.m. ET (1:25 p.m. PT) on CBS. We’ll show you how you can watch, even if the game isn’t available on your local CBS channel.

The game will be shown on TV in many cities across the country (according to 506 Sports) on live TV streaming services, but there may be cases where you’re blocked because of an internet location glitch or just want an added layer of privacy for streaming. One option doesn’t require subscribing to something like NFL Sunday Ticket or NFL Plus, or searching the internet for a sketchy website: You can use a virtual private network, or VPN.

Here’s how you can watch the game from anywhere in the US with a VPN.

Read more: NFL 2023: How to Watch and Stream Games and RedZone With or Without Cable

Bears vs. Packers game today: When and where?

This Week 18 NFL game sees the Packers host the Bears at 4:25 p.m. ET (3:25 p.m. CT, 1:25 p.m. PT) on Sunday. The contest will take place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Packers.

How to watch the Bears vs. Packers game online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally due to incorrectly applied blackout restrictions, you may need a different way to watch the game and 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. It’s also a great idea for when 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. If your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US and Canada, as long as you’ve got 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.

How to watch Bears vs. Packers in the US

This week’s Bears-Packersgame is on CBS, so in addition to a VPN you’ll need a live TV streaming service that carries a local CBS affiliate that’s broadcasting the game. The good news for football fans is that CBS is available on most of the major streaming services. The least expensive option is Paramount Plus.

Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local CBS stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. These cost far more than Paramount Plus, but they also carry many live channels, including football broadcasting channels like Fox and ESPN. Check out our live TV streaming services guide for details.

If you live in an area where the game is being broadcast, an over-the-air antenna connected to your TV provides another option for CBS. The best part about antennas is that there are no streaming or monthly fees required, though you will need to make sure you have good reception.

Quick tips for streaming the Bears vs. Packers game 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 getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Acer is out with more Meteor Lake laptops. The first Core Ultra-equipped Acer Swift Go 14 was released last month as part of Intel’s Meteor Lake launch day. It was the first laptop based on one of Intel’s new Core Ultra processors that we tested and reviewed. You’ll soon have three more Core Ultra options in the Swift line with today’s announcement of a second Acer Swift Go 14 model with an Imax Enhanced OLED display, a larger Swift Go 16 model with a up to a 16-inch 3.2K Imax Enhanced OLED display and a Swift X 14 with RTX graphics. The laptops will be available in February or March.

A pair of Swift Go models get the Core Ultra treatment

The Swift Go 14 (SFG14-73/T) and Swift Go 16 (SFG16-72/T) offer a variety of Intel Core Ultra processors, including the midrange Ultra 7 155H chip that was featured in the Swift Go 14 (SFG14-72/T) model we reviewed. Two other H-series processors, the Core Ultra 9 185H and Ultra 5 125H, are offered along two chips from the more-efficient U series in the Ultra 7 155U and Ultra 5 125U.

Both laptops feature integrated Intel Arc graphics and multiple display options. On the 14-inch model, you can opt for up to a 2.8K, 90Hz OLED panel and up to a 3.2K, 120Hz OLED on the 16-inch model. Both of these display options are Imax Enhanced Certified. Both models also feature a high-res 1440p webcam.

The 14-inch model features a touchpad that can be enabled with virtual media-control buttons, which for some reason are not offered on the Swift Go 16 that, with its larger display, is arguably better suited for consuming and controlling media.

The Acer Swift Go 14 (SFG14-73/T) will be available in the US in March starting at $750. Also shipping in March, the Acer Swift Go 16 (SFG16-72/T) will start at $800.

New Swift X 14 combines Core Ultra with RTX

Acer’s RTX-equipped 14-inch model, the Swift X 14 (SFX14-72G) is an update to the Swift X 14 I reviewed last year. It offers up to a Core Ulta 7 155H CPU and RTX 4070 graphics for creators looking for a compact yet powerful laptop. The top-end option for the 14.5-inch display is a 2.8K, 120Hz OLED display that’s Calman verified. Unlike the Swift Go models, however, it features only a 1080p webcam.

The Swift X 14 (SFX14-72G) starts at $1,400 and starts shipping in February.

Acer is continuing its admirable pattern of updates to its portfolio of niche products featuring glasses-free 3D displays. For CES 2024, that means a standalone 27-inch Predator gaming monitor and a 15-inch Aspire laptop — the lowest down the laptop food chain that Acer has brought its 3D tech to.

For Acer’s SpatialLabs technology, there’s a lenticular layer bonded to the screen to split a single image into two stereoscopic ones, which, in conjunction with eye tracking, lets you see 3D depth without using 3D glasses. Acer’s various software pieces take all that and massage games or creative software for an optimal experience. (Read my thoughts about it based on the Predator Helios 300 SpatialLabs Edition I tested.)

Acer is gamely bringing the technology to gaming monitors with its Predator SpatialLabs View 27, a 27-inch 2D/3D-switchable 4K monitor that builds on the SpatialLabs View Pro 27 launched last year. In addition to Acer’s TrueGame software, which lets you tweak the 3D effect, the monitor comes with Immerse Audio, which uses the eye-tracking sensors to enable head tracking that in turn enables beam-forming sound, to simulate surround sound. How well that works remains to be determined, given that the monitor only has a pair of 2.5-watt speakers.

3D stereoscopic seems like more of a technical challenge for a standalone monitor than a laptop, though. The visual effect is very sensitive to distance, height and viewing angle, and there’s a lot more potential variety in positioning for a monitor than a laptop, which means your mileage may vary significantly compared to the laptop experience.

Creatives (the market for the older View Pro 27) may be more used to rigid placement requirements because perceptual color accuracy is sensitive to viewing angle, and the 3D display would generally be a secondary, rather than primary display, so you’re not stuck in a small range of head positions for long periods the way you are when gaming.

Though it works as a 2D monitor as well as a 3D one, if you’re primarily interested in 2D, the specs sound fairly lackluster given the intended $1,999 price. They include a 160Hz refresh rate, peak brightness of 400 nits (in other words, no HDR) and support for FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible adaptive refresh technologies.

It’s slated to ship by the end of June.

Acer is also expanding its 3D laptops downstream to the Aspire line. New for 2024, the 15-inch Aspire 3D 15 SpatialLabs Edition (A3D15-71GM) is intended for creators on a midrange budget — it’ll start at $1,400 when it ships in February. It’ll come equipped with SpatialLabs Experience Center Pro, which includes Model Viewer (real-time import and conversion of CGI and CAD formats), an OpenXR runtime (for using AR/VR with relevant applications) and plugins for developers using Unreal Engine and Unity.

The 15.6-inch display has 4K resolution and covers 100% of the Adobe RGB gamut, which is an odd fit. Creators who want 3D are more likely to use P3 rather than the Adobe RGB color space, which is used for screen-to-print color matching. You’ll be able to configure the system with up to a Core i7-13620H, GeForce RTX 4050, 32GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB storage. It’s expected to ship in February.

The 11-5 Lions have already wrapped up the NFC North and will likely be the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. They can move up to the No. 2 spot with a win against the Vikings combined with losses from both the Cowboys and Eagles, an unlikely scenario. With a win, the 7-9 Viking keep their dim playoff hopes alive, although they will need many other outcomes to go their way to nab the NFC’s final playoff spot. Still, both teams have something to play for on Sunday.

The Vikings and Lions kick off in Detroit at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on Fox. We’ll show you how you can watch, even if the game isn’t available on your local Fox channel.

The game will be shown on TV in many cities across the country (according to 506 Sports) on live TV streaming services, but there may be cases where you’re blocked because of an internet location glitch or if you’ve elected to have an added layer of privacy for streaming.

There is an option that doesn’t require subscribing to something like NFL Sunday Ticket or NFL Plus, or searching the internet for a sketchy website: You can use a virtual private network, or VPN.

Here’s how you can watch the game from anywhere in the US with a VPN.

Read more: NFL 2023: How to Watch and Stream Games and RedZone With or Without Cable

Vikings vs. Lions: When and where?

Week 18 of the NFL season sees the Lions host the Vikings at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on Sunday. The game will take place at Ford Field in Detroit, home of the Lions.

How to watch the Vikings vs. Lions game online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally due to incorrectly applied blackout restrictions, 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 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.

With a VPN, you can virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. If your internet provider or mobile carrier has assigned you an IP address that incorrectly places you in a blackout zone, a VPN can solve for that by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs — like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN — make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US and Canada, as long as you’ve got 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.

Livestream the Vikings vs. Lions game in the US

This week’s Vikings-Lions game is on Fox, so in addition to a VPN set to an area carrying the game (see tips below) you’ll need a live TV streaming service that carries a local Fox affiliate that’s broadcasting the game. The least expensive such service is Sling TV Blue.

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

If you live in an area where the game is being broadcast, an over-the-air antenna connected to your TV provides another option for Fox. The best part about antennas is that no streaming or monthly fees are required, although you will need to make sure you have good reception.

Quick tips for streaming Vikings vs. Lions using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — experience and success may vary.
• Sling Blue is only an option if and when the ability to get Fox local affiliates is active on your account. You may want to verify that your billing address is eligible for that option before committing your credit card.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

The Texans and Colts enter Week 18 with identical 9-7 records. The Colts, however, hold the tiebreaker and can lock up a playoff berth with a win Saturday. The Texans, similarly, can jump into the playoffs if they win. That both teams are tied with the Jaguars for the top spot in the AFC South further complicates seeding.

As noted by ESPN, the Texans win the division with a win or a Jaguars loss or tie. The Colts can clinch a playoff spot with a win and could take the division with a win plus a Jaguars loss.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is called for 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT) on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Plus. Here is how you can watch or stream.

Texans vs. Colts: When and where?

Week 18 of the NFL season sees the Colts host the Texans at 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT). The game will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Livestream the Texans vs. Colts game in the US

The Texans-Colts game is on ABC, so your local ABC affiliate will carry the game. In addition to cable, satellite and an over-the-air antenna — which lets you watch ABC for free — you can also watch the game live using a streaming service. The least expensive such service is ESPN Plus, which is carrying the game live. Most live TV streaming services including YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV also carry your local ABC station (see below), but they’re a lot more expensive.

You can also subscribe to NFL Plus, the NFL’s own streaming service at $7 per month, but streams are limited to just watching on a phone or tablet (not a TV).

All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live-TV streaming services guide.

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 18 right on the bubble of the AFC’s Wild Card spots. At 9-7 they are tied with the seventh seeded Colts, but currently are on the outside looking in, thanks to tie-breakers. On Saturday they take on the AFC’s top-ranked Baltimore Ravens, who have already locked up the top seed in the conference and a first-round bye. NFL.com puts Pittsburgh’s playoff chances at 46%, rising to 66% with a win as the Steelers would still need some help to make it through.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is called for 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Plus. Here is how you can watch or stream.

Steelers vs. Ravens: When and where?

Week 18 of the NFL season sees the Ravens host the Steelers at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). The game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Livestream the Steelers vs. Ravens game in the US

The Steelers-Ravens game is on ABC, so your local ABC affiliate will carry the game. In addition to cable, satellite and an over-the-air antenna — which lets you watch ABC for free — you can also watch the game live using a streaming service. The least expensive such service is ESPN Plus, which is carrying the game live. Most live TV streaming services including YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV also carry your local ABC station (see below), but they’re a lot more expensive.

You can also subscribe to NFL Plus, the NFL’s own streaming service at $7 per month, but streams are limited to just watching on a phone or tablet (not a TV).

All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live-TV streaming services guide.

If you can’t get enough of Ted — the foul-mouthed bear from the 2012 comedy film and its sequel — a prequel featuring the fuzzy bad influence is on the way.

The show takes place in the ’90s, offering a new look at the lifelong friendship between Ted and John (Mark Wahlberg in the movies, Max Burkholder in the series). In a trailer, the pals participate in activities befitting the franchise, including taking the opportunity to make jokes during a high school sex ed class and buying drugs to do for the first time. Seth MacFarlane voices Ted, in addition to serving as co-showrunner.

The Ted prequel will have seven episodes — the first will be 50 minutes long, followed by six 30-minute installments — and all of them will drop at once on the Peacock streaming service. Here’s exactly when you can tune in, plus why you may want to pair your binge-watch with a VPN.

When to watch the Ted prequel series on Peacock

Viewers in the US can start watching the new comedy series on Peacock as early as 5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT on Jan. 11.

Last year, Peacock hiked the price of its Premium and Premium Plus plans to $6 and $12 a month, respectively. Premium has ads, while Premium Plus is mostly ad-free. Premium Plus also lets you download titles and stream your live local NBC station.

If you use the free tier of Peacock (only some existing customers are able to do so), you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to watch the full Ted season. Recently released Peacock series like Twisted Metal and Based on a True Story have one episode on the tier, but watching more requires paying for Peacock.

The 2012 film Ted is also available on the streaming service, but Ted 2 is not. You’ll find the sequel on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max service instead.

How to watch the Ted prequel from anywhere with a VPN

Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Peacock while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the series from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming too.

A VPN is the best way to encrypt your traffic to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.

You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are allowed in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list, such as Surfshark or NordVPN.

Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation, and choose a country where the Ted series will be streaming on Peacock. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream the Ted series on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you’re signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Peacock to stream.

If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.

The new year is here, and many of us are thinking about goal-setting and switching up our routine so we can achieve more. This year, consider investing in your personal growth and well-being. If your goals include expanding your knowledge base, the Headway app may be a good place to start. It delivers big ideas from best-selling books in short, bite-size snippets designed to help you achieve growth, productivity and happiness. StackSocial is offering lifetime subscriptions to Headway for just $60 right now. That’s an 80% discount.

Headway serves up 15-minute summaries of nonfiction books, with recommendations based on your needs and goals. It’s designed to help people with packed schedules pick up noteworthy lessons from top-selling titles. Normally, a lifetime subscription to the app costs $300, but you can get it now for $60 for a single user.

A wide variety of the best nonfiction books have been boiled down into summaries with key insights and tips. You can dive into multiple topics, including productivity, self-growth and happiness, and you can customize the app based on your recommendations. There are also audio summaries for folks who want to learn on the go or prefer to digest information in audio form. If you want to share the app with a partner or friends, there’s a plan for two users available for $110, or you can get a family plan with four users for $150, which saves you over $1,050 compared with the usual price. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later.

If you do go for a Headway subscription, pair it with one of these headphone and earbuds deals so you can use the app even when out and about. You might even want to kick your productivity up a notch with these helpful to-do list apps, so you can get the most out of your learning and self-improvement journey in 2024. That’s a resolution you can stick to.

Read more: Best Language Learning Apps for 2023