Category: Technologies

Apple said Wednesday it’ll immediately resume in-store sales of its latest smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Ultra 2, in the United States.

“We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year,” the company said in a statement. Apple said it will also return to selling those watches on its website starting Thursday at noon PT.

This announcement comes after a US appeals court temporarily lifted an import ban on those Apple Watch models as it assesses Apple’s request to suspend the ban as a patent dispute winds it way through the legal system. Apple says the US appeals court will hear the company’s motion for a stay as early as Jan.15.

Earlier this week, Apple was forced to stop US sales and imports of some of its most lucrative consumer products as a consequence of an ongoing legal battle with a health tech company, Masimo, over a blood oxygen detection feature in those watches.

Read More: Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Ban: The Latest and What You Need to Know

Related: Smartwatches Have Measure Blood Oxygen for Years. But is it Useful?

Soon after the ban took effect, Apple filed an emergency appeal motion saying the company will suffer “irreparable harm” if the ban, which was imposed by the International Trade Commission, stays in place. The Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are the Apple’s newest and most advanced smartwatches, launched only this year.

Apple pre-emptively paused sales online and in-store sales of its Watch 9 Series and Watch Ultra 2, in anticipation of the US sales and import ban taking effect. On Monday, the White House decided not to overturn a previous US International Trade Comission ruling from October, backing a judge’s ruling from January that found Apple had violated Masimo’s patents in its blood oxygen sensing sytem. The order was under presidential review until Dec. 25 and became final on Dec. 26.

In addition to the appeal, Apple says it’s “vigorously pursuing legal and technical options” to ensure that the company can continue to provide consumers with the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Those options included having submitted a proposed redesigned Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 for US Customs approval.

Whether you’re planning some international adventures in the New Year or your 2024 resolution is to pick up a new language, this limited-time deal is one you won’t want to miss. Through Jan. 1, you can get lifetime access to Rosetta Stone language learning software for just $160 at StackSocial when you use coupon code ROSETTA at checkout. This deal saves you close to $240 on the usual price and even undercut’s Rosetta Stone’s current 50% off promotion.

Rosetta Stone is our favorite language learning app for auditory learners and this membership gives you access to 25 different languages, from Spanish to Korean, allowing you to better communicate with locals on your travels and increase your comfort level in international settings. Even if you don’t plan on traveling far from home, improving your language skills has plenty of benefits. Whether you want to speak with international neighbors or enjoy movies and TV shows from other places, hobbyists can also take advantage of this deal.

Every single lesson — no matter the language — is broken up into manageable chunks, both online and offline. You also have access to an immersive learning environment that will keep you interested throughout the course to keep your mind on perfecting your studies. Plus, you can even practice your accent using speech recognition technology.

Winter is in full swing, and you may be planning a fun ski trip or just huddled indoors dreaming about about next year’s adventures. If you want to capture every moment, you’ll want to invest in a compact and rugged action camera that you can take just about anywhere. Insta360’s cameras boast a stunning 360-degree field of view so you don’t miss any of the action, and right now you can snag one for as much as 30% off, with select deals being matched at other retailers. But this sale only runs through December 29, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

There are quite a few different Insta360 cameras and accessories that you can pick up for less right now. The Insta360 One X2 is a simple, compact 360-degree camera, and right now you can snag it on sale for $300, saving you a whopping $130 compared to the usual price. It captures 360-degree video in stunning 5.7K resolution, has built-in video stabilization and is waterproof up to 10 meters. Or, you can get the best of both worlds with the Twin Edition of the Insta360 One RS. It comes with interchangeable lenses so you can use it as a standard action camera with 4K video and 48-megapixel photos, or use the 360-degree lens to capture capture mind-blowing third-person video. It also features image stabilization, active HDR and a rugged design that’s waterproof down to 5 meters. Right now, it’s on sale for $395, saving you $155 compared with the usual price.

There are a few other cameras and bundles on sale, and Insta360 is also offering a free T-shirt and 20% off extended warranties with the purchase of select cameras. Plus, you can complete your kit with up to 50% off select accessories, including battery bases, selfie sticks, lens filters and more.

Whether it’s to gain access to PowerPoint or Word or one of the other programs offered in the Microsoft suite, a subscription to Microsoft 365 can get pricey, setting you back at least $7 per month. Even if you’re looking to cut out the subscription aspect and go for a lifetime license, the latest Microsoft Office Pro 2021will cost you a hefty $440 upfront from Microsoft. But if you’re willing to go a generation further back to Office 2019, right now at StackSocial you can nab it for just $40 for a lifetime subscription. That’s an 82% discount from the regular price of $229. There is currently no listed expiration date for this deal but we suggest getting it sooner rather than later because it could end at any time.

Mac users will get the basic Home and Business suite of apps, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and OneNote, while Windows users will get the Professional version. This includes the same apps as the Mac version, but excludes Teams — however, it does add Publisher and Access to round out the suite.

This isn’t the latest version of Office, but compared to signing up for the Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which costs $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals, StackSocial’s offer is a great deal. There is a free online version of Microsoft Office out there that you can use, but it lacks several features, so this may be a better option. Also, Apple users should note that Outlook is now available as a free app for the Mac.

Some important things to note — you’ll get a one-time use code for a single computer, which means you won’t be able to download these apps on multiple devices. And that does mean that if you upgrade to a new computer or your current one dies, you likely won’t be able to transfer the suite. These licenses also lack some of the added conveniences you’ll get with a 365 subscription, including OneDrive cloud storage and cloud-based AI features, including Microsoft Copilot. Additionally, these apps should work for as long as your computer does, but the Mac license has reached the end of its lifecycle, which means Microsoft’s support for this version of Office has ended. Windows users will have extended support through Oct. 14, 2025. There is also a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license at any time, but we’ve been running other versions of Office from StackSocial since early 2022 and have yet to encounter a problem.

Be sure to check system requirements before you make your purchase to ensure these will work on your device. And if you’re looking to upgrade your operating system, there is a bundled deal available that includes both Office Pro 2019 and Windows 11 Pro for just $50. Both are great options if you’re grabbing a new laptop deal or desktop deal and need a software upgrade.

Apple stores will once again be able to sell the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. On Wednesday, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit paused an import ban that previously blocked Apple from selling its wearables in the US at its own stores.

“The motion for an interim stay is granted to the extent that the Remedial Orders are temporarily stayed,” the court wrote in a filing Wednesday, as spotted by CNBC.

The move comes amid an ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Masimo, a health tech company, over how the Apple Watch detects blood oxygen levels. The US International Trade Commission previously banned the latest watches, backing a judge’s ruling from January that found Apple had violated Masimo’s patents.

President Joe Biden had a chance to reverse the order as part of a presidential review, but that window closed on Dec. 25. The decision became final on Dec. 26 after US Trade Representative Katherine Tai decided not to reverse the ITC’s ruling.

Apple appealed the case and has been working on a software update for US Customs to review. As noted by Bloomberg, the government is expected to decide Jan. 12 whether Apple’s changes are sufficient.

As a preemptive measure ahead of the ban, Apple halted sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 via its online stores Dec. 21 and at its physical stores Dec. 24. Consumers have still been able to buy the wearables, as well as the non-impacted Apple Watch SE, at third-party retailers including Best Buy, Amazon and Walmart, at least while supplies last.

As of this report, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were still not available at Apple’s online store. Apple did not immediately respond to a CNET request for comment.

Apple has stopped selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US because of an ongoing legal battle with health tech company Masimo over the blood oxygen detection feature in those watches.

The US International Trade Commission, the federal agency that handles trade-related mandates, previously issued an order that would prohibit Apple from importing the Series 9 and Ultra 2. The decision came after a US judge ruled in January that Apple infringed on Masimo patents related to the technology used in Apple’s blood oxygen sensing system. The order was under presidential review until Dec. 25 and became final on Dec. 26 after United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai decided not to reverse the ITC’s decision.

On Dec. 27 Apple received a temporary win as an Appeals Court paused the ban allowing Apple to resume selling the devices. According to Bloomberg, Apple has been working on software changes to the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen detection and the government is expected to decide on Jan. 12 whether those updates are sufficient.

As of press time, Apple has yet to resume selling the watches on its online store.

The Apple Watch is one of Apple’s most important products, helping push the company’s wearables, home and accessories business to be its second-largest product category behind the iPhone. Apple has previously said the size of its wearables unit alone equals that of a Fortune 150 company.

Apple began preemptively pausing online sales of the affected watches on Dec. 21 and halted in-store sales on Dec. 24 in anticipation of the order being finalized. The decision specifically applies to sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 through Apple in the US, and the watches are still for sale on Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart and Target’s websites at the time of writing. The Apple Watch SE is not affected.

Apple issued the following statement in response to the decision being finalized.

“At Apple, we work tirelessly to create products and services that meaningfully impact users’ lives. It’s what drives our teams — Clinical, Design and Engineering — to dedicate years to developing scientifically validated health, fitness and wellness features for Apple Watch, and we are inspired that millions of people around the world have benefited greatly from this product. We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible.”

The company has appealed to the Federal Circuit and submitted a proposed redesign of the affected watches for US Customs approval.

The order comes during the critical holiday shopping season. Smartwatches were among the top products sold during the Black Friday period, according to holiday shopping data from Adobe.

When the judge’s ruling was made in January, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani said the decision “should help restore fairness in the market.”

Here’s what to know about Apple’s pause in sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2. This story will be updated as we receive more information.

Can I still buy the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 from other retailers?

The order affects US sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 through Apple, but 9to5Mac points out that the order prohibits Apple from importing these watches and selling them to resellers, which means they may only be available through other retailers for a limited time.

The order only applies to sales in the US, meaning you should still be able to purchase the Series 9 and Ultra 2 abroad.

Best Buy and Walmart have both confirmed to CNET that they will continue selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Amazon and Target have not yet responded to CNET’s question about whether the affected watches will continue to be sold. All four retailers are still offering both watches through their websites at the time of writing.

Which Apple Watch models are affected?

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are the only models affected. Since the legal dispute involves the blood oxygen sensing tech used in the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE will continue to be sold as usual. The Apple Watch SE is the lower-end model in Apple’s lineup, meaning it’s missing some health tracking features like blood oxygen sensing and the ability to take an ECG.

Current Apple Watches with blood oxygen monitoring, which includes any non-SE models starting with the Series 6, also won’t be affected. There is no impact for those who already own the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2.

What is Masimo and why is Apple halting sales?

Masimo is a medical technology company that creates professional and consumer health products, including a smartwatch called the Masimo W1. The ITC order is the latest development in an ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Masimo, in which the latter accused Apple of infringing on its pulse oximeter patents.

What happens next?

Apple said it’s pursuing a range of legal and technical options to resume Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 sales. The customs office will decide whether Apple’s proposed redesigns infringe Masimo’s patents on Jan. 12, according to Reuters, so we might hear an update after that date.

Apple didn’t provide details about what the proposed redesign entails. Ahead of the decision being finalized, Bloomberg reported that Apple was developing a software change that alters how the watches monitor and present blood oxygen levels as a workaround.

If I can’t buy an Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2, what are my alternatives?

Those with an iPhone who just want a smartwatch for tracking activity, workouts and sleep should consider the $249 Apple Watch SE. While that watch lacks ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, it can still provide notifications for high and low heart rates and irregular heart rhythms.

The Apple Watch SE is the best choice for those who are most comfortable in Apple’s ecosystem, but other options work across iPhone and Android, like the Fitbit Versa 4 and Garmin Venu 3.

Those who are looking to monitor blood oxygen levels from home specifically should consider buying a standalone pulse oximeter, said Jennifer Schrack, professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“Consumer wearables are a great supplemental way for people to stay informed about their health, but they are subject to error,” Schrack said over email. “It is important to remember that they are measuring blood oxygen using PPG sensors, which can be affected by things like skin tone.”

If your heart is set on the Series 9 or Ultra 2, consider purchasing one through a third-party retailer while they’re still available.

If you’re like me, you likely have no less than ten tabs open at any given time. When you work from home on a laptop or desktop, it can be frustrating and time-consuming to try and toggle through each tab to find the one you’re looking for. Instead of doing this inefficient scan, you can split your screen to keep two windows open at the same time. Split-screen mode is great for looking at data for a report, keeping chat windows open while doing something else, or just having a video play on one side of your screen while you multitask.

Fortunately, Macs offer a split screen mode, which allows you to stick two apps (or two separate browser windows) on different sides of your display. That way, you can glance between windows without having to navigate with your mouse or pressing Command + Tab.

Here’s everything you need to know about setting up and navigating split-screen mode on Mac.

How to enter Split View on a Mac

1. Make sure neither window you want to use is in full-screen mode.

2. In one of the windows you want to use, place your cursor over the green button in the top left. Instead of clicking to maximize the window, hover until you see a drop-down menu.

3. Select Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. Your Mac will automatically enter split-screen mode.

4. From there, other open windows will be displayed on the opposite side of the screen. Click the window you want on the rest of your screen, and it will fill the remaining half.

5. If you want to adjust the size of the windows, use the slider in the center of the screen.

In Split View, you’ll be able to look at both windows simultaneously. Multitask away!

Read more: This Is One Thing Every Mac Owner Should Know How to Do

How to exit split screen on Macs

If you’re done using the split screen layout, here’s how to get out of it:

1. Move your cursor to the top of the screen until you see the sizing buttons at the top left of each window.

2. Click the red button to close that window or the green button to exit split screen.

3. Don’t panic! Your other window is still open — it’s just hidden in full-screen mode. To access it again, press the Mission Control button (F3) on the top row of your keyboard.

4. You should see two options at the top of the screen: Desktop and whatever window you had in split-screen mode. Click the other window, and use the green sizing button in the top left if you want to exit full-screen mode.

If you’re the kind of person (like me) who might need more than two windows open, you can always manually resize windows to fit three or four on your screen at once. The experience just won’t be as visually clean as using tiled windows.

What is the keyboard shortcut for split screen on Mac?

Mac keyboard shortcuts are abundant and handy, including one for split screen. Start by using control + command + F to enter full-screen mode. From there you can hit F3 to pull up Mission Control, then drag and drop the second app you want in your split screen next to your original window. It should display a preview of what the split screen will look like, along with a “+” (plus sign) next to it. Click back into the newly tiled apps and you’ll be in Split View.

If you want to get into Split View even faster, you can create your own keyboard shortcut. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts. You can click the + button to add a command named “Tile Window to Left of Screen” using your desired shortcut. Once you’ve activated the shortcut, your active window will tile to the left side of the screen and you can simply select a second window to be added to your split screen.

Read More: The Keyboard Shortcut You’ll Use More Than Ctrl + Z

Why won’t my Mac do split screen?

First, make sure you’re not currently in fullscreen mode. The split screen only works from the normal window view. If that’s not the issue, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Dock and scroll to the bottom to see whether Displays have separate Spaces enabled. If not, enable it.

If you don’t see that option in the Mission Control menu, make sure you’ve updated to MacOS 10.11 or later. You can check your current OS version by clicking the Apple icon in the top left menu and then selecting About this Mac. If you’re using an earlier version, you’ll have to update by clicking the Software Update button on that screen.

Keep in mind that not all apps support split screens. If you’ve tried everything else and the app still won’t tile in split-screen mode, the app probably doesn’t offer split-screen mode.

How do you split screens on a Mac without full screen?

The official split-screen function on Macs (called “Split View”) automatically splits two windows in full screen. If you don’t want the full-screen view (perhaps because you want to be able to quickly navigate between browser tabs), you can manually drag your windows to fit the desired space. This option gives you a little more customization than Split View.

For more, check out what’s new in MacOS Sonoma and 10 MacOS tricks every Mac power user needs to know.

We’ve all been there. You flip open your AirPods and pop them in your ears, only to find that one isn’t working. Luckily, there’s a simple fix. The same steps apply to the original AirPods, the AirPods 2, the AirPods 3, the first-generation AirPods Pro and the AirPods Pro 2.

If you’re experiencing issues with your AirPods, it’s also a good idea to make sure your iPhone’s Bluetooth is turned on. To do this, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to launch the Control Center. Then, make sure the circle with the Bluetooth symbol is blue. If it’s not, tap it to turn on Bluetooth.

Making sure your iPhone’s software is up to date can also mitigate any potential AirPods issues. Software updates usually include security fixes and sometimes add new features to your AirPods, so it’s a good idea to check regardless. Launch Settings, tap General and select Software Update.

How to fix one AirPod that isn’t working

1. Put both AirPods back in their case and make sure they’re charging. Let them charge for 30 seconds.

2. Open the case’s lid near your iPhone or iPad, and wait for the AirPods to pop up on screen.

3. Put both AirPods in your ears and play music or a video to make sure audio is working.

How to reset your AirPods

1. To get started, make sure your AirPods are in their charging case with the lid closed.

2. After 30 seconds, open the lid to connect your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad. Launch the Settings menu on your mobile device and tap Bluetooth.

3. Find your AirPods in the list of Bluetooth devices and tap the i symbol next to it.

4. Choose Forget this device. You may have to scroll down to find this option.

5. Once your AirPods are forgotten, open the charging case’s lid and hold down the button on the back for about 15 seconds. The light on the front should flash white.

6. Now, hold your AirPods in their charging case with the lid open near your iPhone or iPad. You should see on-screen instructions for pairing them, just like the first time you set them up.

Resetting your AirPods usually fixes this problem. But if you’re still experiencing issues with one or both AirPods, check to make sure there is no debris obstructing the speaker mesh. Check out our guide to cleaning your AirPods for instructions on how to safely sanitize your earbuds and their case.

Looking for more advice? Check out our iOS 17 cheat sheet and our list of Apple Watch tips.

If you’re having trouble understanding dialogue when watching movies or shows on TV, it might not be your hearing. It could be your TV settings or hardware that’s making it hard to hear speech. Either way, there are some quick and easy fixes.

The most likely culprit for poor sound is the TV’s tiny speakers. The latest TVs may be able to produce amazing images, but with such thin frames, they can also suffer from poor sound quality.

Read more: Best TVs of 2023

If you’re using a separate speaker or soundbar, perhaps errant settings are to blame. One quick fix is enabling subtitles on your TV, but if you want to have the set on in the background, then it’s sound quality we need to rectify. Let’s begin.

1. Check your TV’s sound settings

Television speakers sound terrible out of the box, but most TVs have settings you can use to improve their audio a little. For example, a while back some friends called me to fix their own TV sound — they said the dialogue was boomy and hard to understand. When I got there, I found the soundtrack was distorting at anything but the quietest levels. A look inside the settings uncovered why: Someone had created a weird custom mode that had the bass jacked all the way up.

Bass in particular is the enemy of understandable speech: It tends to hide the frequencies that help us decipher what people are saying. Rather than play with individual bass and treble controls, the easiest thing to do is to try the preset sound modes first.

1. Use your remote to access the TV’s Settings menu, then look for a section called Audio, Sound or something similar.

2. At the top of the menu, there should be a selection of presets such as Movie, User or Standard.

3. While watching a speech-heavy show or movie, cycle through the modes to see which ones sound best.

If you’re finding that the dialogue is mumbly, for example, try a Dialog, News or Speech Boost mode (or if you have an Amazon Fire TV, try this setting). If that’s not available, Movie or Standard is the next-best option.

Also, disabling audio enhancements like Bass Boost or Surround, which often harm dialogue, or Night Mode can help (or not). Every TV and every room sounds different, so it’s worthwhile to experiment.

If your TV has an individual bass control, you can also try reducing the individual level like I did in the example above. Also, a little boost to treble may help improve intelligibility. Once you’ve got the audio as good as you can, simply exit the menu. Press “save” if the TV asks you to, but otherwise, you’re all set.

2. Have a soundbar or speaker system? Try these tweaks

External speakers will sound better than what’s built into your TV, but they may need a little tweaking to help with dialogue, too. Your speakers might be too close to the wall, for instance, or stuffed inside a cabinet. There could be other causes — for example, if you find that people’s lips are moving but speech isn’t correlating, you may need help with a lip-sync issue.

Here are some common fixes for bad sound that don’t cost a cent. First, simply pick the kind of system that you have:

Soundbar

As with TVs in step 1, try setting the soundbar to a speech-enhancing mode, Movie or Standard.

If your system has a subwoofer, it could be too loud compared with the rest of the system. While explosions are fun, they shouldn’t be at the expense of a good story. If you have a separate bass or sub control, try turning it down. You can also try placing the sub in an optimal position with this guide.

AV or stereo system with speakers

If you have tower or bookshelf speakers, try moving them away from the walls and corners, and then point or “toe” them in toward the middle where you sit. Removing speaker grilles will also boost speech by a small amount. These little changes alone won’t be enough to transform Sly Stallone into Laurence Olivier, but they could be enough for you to discern what an actor is mumbling about.

The other thing to try is a calibration, whether via your receiver’s menu or app, or manual. I prefer to do a manual calibration by ear as automated routines almost always need manual tinkering anyway. See CNET’s guide to improving sound quality with your phone.

3. Buy a new soundbar

If the previous options aren’t cutting it, it may be time to invest in a soundbar designed to improve dialogue. Thankfully, excellent soundbars aren’t very expensive, and almost anything will sound better than a TV speaker. The Roku Streambar, for example, is affordable and offers HDMI connections and an onboard 4K streamer. Vizio also makes an excellent range of soundbars.

Read more: Best Soundbars to Enhance TV Dialogue

There are also soundbars specifically designed to make speech more intelligible. For instance, when Zvox branched out into hearing aid design, the company brought the tech to its range of AccuVoice soundbars. The company has models starting at $100 and it includes the flagship Zvox AV357.

Taking the next step and buying a surround system may be more expensive, but it also has added benefits — especially if the system has a dedicated center-channel speaker. In surround mixes, dialogue often comes primarily from the center channel, and being able to increase its volume independently can really help.

More sound system recommendations

• Best Soundbars Under $200 for 2023

• Best Home Theater Systems of 2023
• Best AV Receiver for 2023
• Best Speakers of 2023