Category: Technologies

It’s hard to appreciate the difference a good soundbar makes until you actually have one in your home. They can completely change the experience of watching shows and movies, with room-filling audio and a far more immersive soundscape. And right now you can upgrade your home theater setup for less by picking up the JBL Bar 9.1 surround sound system at a 50% discounted directly at JBL. That’s thanks to a mix of a 42% discount on the store and our exclusive code WELCOMEXCNET that takes an extra $100 off at checkout. The code’s valid until 11.59 p.m. on April 28, so be quick if you want the full savings.

The JBL Bar 9.1 set comes with a soundbar, two detachable speakers, and a subwoofer as well. You can position these around your room for an optimum audio experience. The bar itself has four upfiring speakers, which means they’ll shoot sound towards the ceiling in order to have you feel as though the sound is coming from everywhere in your room. And with Dolby Atoms support, the end result is proper 3D sound from your TV shows, films and games.

You can also easily connect to your soundbar via Bluetooth, which means that you can play music from your phone through it as well. That makes it great in party settings or if you just want a more immersive way to listen to Taylor Swift’s latest. Just make sure you remember the code WELCOMEXCNET at checkout for the full discount, and have at one of the best soundbar deals going right now.

Buying a new smartwatch for your iPhone generally means picking up an Apple Watch, and that’s no bad thing. In fact, we consider the latest Apple Watch Series 9 to be one of the best smartwatches on the market, which makes this sale all the more impressive. Right now Best Buy will sell you one of Apple’s latest models with a massive $100 discount across multiple different colors and configurations.

You can order a new Apple Watch Series 9 in the 41mm size at the retailer for just $299 and the cellular version is available for just $399 as well. Prefer your Apple Watch a little bigger? The 45mm with cellular connectivity will set you back just $429 as part of this Best Buy sale.

The Apple Watch Series 9 was released in fall 2023 and features the latest S9 chipset, the first meaningful processor change since the Apple Watch Series 6, for improved speed and power efficiency. The device also features a new Double Tap gesture that opens up some one-handed use possibilities, while also being the first model to include on-device Siri commands. Ultra Wideband capabilities and a brighter display are also on board.

Apple Watch wearers have access to a bevy of health and fitness tracking capabilities plus an App Store full of apps for streaming audio, communicating with friends and even playing games. And with Apple Pay support you can make payments on the go even if you don’t have your wallet or iPhone with you.

Best Buy’s current sale is slated to end Sunday, April 28, so we expect these Apple Watch savings will expire then too, so factor that into any buying decision. And for more savings on various other Apple Watch models, be sure to hit up our dedicated Apple Watch deals roundup for the latest discounts and promotions.

While fans still have a wait in store for a third Sonic the Hedgehog film (now tipped to feature Keanu Reeves, no less, as Shadow), the good news is that a star-packed spinoff is about to hit TV screens with the release of Knuckles.

Taking place between the second and third Sonic movies, the six-episode series once again melds live-action with CGI lead characters and follows Sonic’s spiky sidekick, Knuckles, as he embarks on a personal adventure after reluctantly agreeing to train Wade (played by Adam Pally) in the fighting style of the Echidna warriors.

Idris Elba will once again be providing Knuckles’ deep voice with the British actor reprising his role from the Sonic 2 movie, while there’s the promise of guest appearances from Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails and Ben Schwartz as the iconic blue hedgehog. The cast also features Tika Sumpter, Stockard Channing, Kid Cudi, Edi Patterson, Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso), Rory McCann and Cary Elwes.

Read on to find out how to watch Knuckles, no matter where you are in the world.

When is the release date for Knuckles?

All six episodes of Knuckles will premiere in the US and Canada on Friday, April 26, via Paramount Plus. The show is set to hit the streaming service in most other territories around the world, including the UK and Australia, the following day. Japan is seemingly the exception, with the show not set to hit the region until later in the year.

How to watch Knuckles 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.

Watch Knuckles in the US, Canada, UK and Australia

Knuckles is exclusive to streaming service Paramount Plus. Retro gaming fans around the globe will be pleased to hear that the new adventures featuring Sonic’s buddy will also be available to watch in Australia, the UK and Canada as well as the US via Paramount Plus.

Tips for streaming Knuckles 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.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games that you can play on your Xbox Series X or Series S, Xbox One and PC for $17 a month. A subscription gets you new games every month (like Diablo 4) plus other benefits, like online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles.

Microsoft recently added Shadow of the Tomb Raider to Game Pass Ultimate on April 11, and the company is adding the games below to the service in April. They include three Day 1 releases, meaning they’ll appear on Game Pass the same day they’re released for sale.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Available now.

Prepare to explore new and familiar worlds in a galaxy far, far away as Cal Kestis, one of the last surviving Jedis following the destruction of the Jedi Order. This award-winning sequel picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and follows Kestis as he continues his fight against Empire. And while he does this with the usual tools of the Jedi, like a lightsaber and the Force, he can also now use a blaster in combat, too — Obi Wan is shaking his head somewhere about how uncivilized blasters are.

Orcs Must Die 3

Available now.

Crank the orc-slaying mayhem up to 11 in the latest installment of this tower-defense series by slicing, burning, carbonizing and tossing hordes of hapless orcs. You can also use a trove of new traps and weapons, like magical staves or sawblade launchers. No matter how you dispatch them, the one thing for certain is that every last orc must die.

EA Sports NHL 24

Available now.

As the NHL hurtles into the Stanley Cup playoffs, you can too, with the latest installment in this EA Sports franchise. This entry in the series has new gameplay mechanics, including vision passing and an exhaust engine, intended to give you more control over your players and to present new challenges. So if you want to see the Las Vegas Golden Knights win the cup back to back, or you want to make absolutely sure that never happens, this game is for you.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Available now.

Gather your friends and allies for this Day 1 release. In this action JRPG, you create a party of six heroes out of over 100 — it’s in the name, after all — as you set off on an adventure across the war-torn continent of Allraan. You can also manage a small town and play mini-games along the way. And if you can’t get enough of this game and its world, you can play its prequel, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, on Game Pass Ultimate, too.

Another Crab’s Treasure

Available now.

You know what they say: One man’s trash is another crab’s treasure, or something like that. This Day 1 release is like a cross between Elden Ring and the classic game Ecco the Dolphin. You play as a hermit crab who sets off on a quest to buy back your repossessed shell. You’ll have to use the trash of the ocean to protect yourself against huge enemies, and you’ll also learn why the ocean is so polluted with garbage to begin with. And who knows, maybe you’ll see Ariel with her collection of thingamabobs down there.

Manor Lords (PC)

Available now.

If you watched Game of Thrones and thought, “Being a medieval lord doesn’t seem that hard. I could do it,” now’s your chance to prove it. This medieval strategy game brings city-building, tactical battles, economic simulations and social interactions into one complex sim. Now you can find out if you have what it takes to keep your people safe and fed when the seasons change and the harsh winters come.

Have a Nice Death

Available: April 30

Even Death needs a break every now and then, and that’s the goal of this roguelike game. You play as Death, the CEO of Death Incorporated, who finds himself needing a restful vacation. The only thing standing in your way from a relaxing stay at the beach — or wherever Death would vacation — is a mountain of paperwork and reminding your demonic subordinates who’s in charge. Just another day at the office.

Games added to Game Pass Core

Game Pass Core ($10 a month) is the cheapest Game Pass subscription, and it’s a good option if you only want to play certain games online. It also gives you access to a handful of games, and Game Pass Core subscribers can access these titles now, too:

• Deep Rock Galactic
• Superhot: Mind Control Delete
• Wreckfest

Titles leaving Game Pass

While Xbox is adding the above titles to Game Pass Ultimate, it’s also removing six others on April 30. So, you have some time to finish any side quests before you have to buy these titles separately:

• 7 Days to Die
• Besiege
• EA Sports NHL 22
• Loot River
• Pikuniku
• Ravenlok

For more on Xbox, here’s what Diablo 4 on Game Pass likely means for the service, other titles available on Game Pass Ultimate now and everything to know about the gaming service.

The US Federal Communications Commission on Thursday said it’ll approve T-Mobile’s deal to acquire Ka’ena Corporation, the parent company of prepaid wireless brands Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, according to Reuters. The deal could be worth up to $1.35 billion.

The move would allow T-Mobile to more directly operate the brands, which already run on its network. The FCC says the agreement will allow Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile customers to more easily switch service providers, Reuters reports. After getting regulatory approval, T-Mobile reportedly anticipates closing the deal on May 1.

See also: Best Cellphone Plans of 2024: Our Top Picks for April

“I am so happy to report that we have received regulatory approval to acquire Mint and Ultra Mobile,” T-Mobile’s CEO Mike Sievert said Thursday during an earnings call. “We are really looking forward to welcoming them to the ‘uncarrier’ family. And I know they are going to fit in because they are hyper-focused on offering customers compelling products at a great value.”

T-Mobile shared that it had reached an agreement to acquire Ka’ena Corporation in March 2023, noting the deal would include a “combination of 39% cash and 61% stock,” it shared in a release at the time. The final sales price will be “based upon Ka’ena’s performance during certain periods before and after the closing,” T-Mobile said at the time.

The wireless carrier noted that actor Ryan Reynolds, Mint’s part owner, would stay involved in a “creative role on behalf of Mint.” T-Mobile also shared its intention to “use its supplier relationships and distribution scale to help the brands to grow and offer competitive pricing and greater device inventory” and specified that Mint and Ultra will be “complementary” to the carrier’s other prepaid options.

Updated, 6:33 p.m.: Added earnings call comment from T-Mobile’s Mike Sievert

Phone companies’ decision not to ship USB-C chargers with their products is undoubtedly good for the planet, but it does mean you might need to buy one of your own. Adding two 20-watt USB-C chargers to your collection of charging options is cheaper than you might think. Right now Amazon is currently offering a pack that includes two Anker 20-watt USB-C chargers for just $13, and you’ll even get two USB-C cables thrown in as well. That’s the good news, but there’s a catch that you need to be aware of before placing your order: You need to be an Amazon Prime member to get this special price, although at $19 the normal price is still a good deal.

Getting a single charger and cable at this price would make for a good day, so getting two is impressive. Each charger has a 20-watt USB-C port, which is enough for fast-charging even the latest iPhones. A legacy USB-A port is also included for those who need it. The two USB-C cables are both 5 feet long and come in an understated finish of black or white.

A CNET colleague of mine just bought these — annoyingly at a higher price — and says the chargers are well built and the included cables are perfectly fine if not particularly sturdy. While this deal doesn’t require any coupons or discount codes, it is listed as a limited-time offer, which means that it could end at any moment and without warning. Factor that in when planning your purchase.

Now that you’re sorted at home, maybe it’s time to reconsider your charging solution when you’re on the road as well. Our collection of the best generator deals will ensure you’re never without power, no matter where you get to.

Today’s Wordle answer could be tricky. It’s not the most commonly used word and has some letters that aren’t that commonly guessed. Speaking of common letters, we’ve got a new Wordle cheat sheet for you: A list ranking all the letters in the alphabet according to how frequently they’re used in English words.

Every day, we’ll post hints and then the answer for the current day’s Wordle, just in case you need it.

Today’s Wordle hints

Warning: If you keep reading, you’ll see the Wordle answer for Friday, April 26, puzzle No. 1042 (preceded by hints that might give it away). That could be a devastating spoiler for some players. But if you just need the answer — maybe you’re on your last guess and simply don’t want to see an 800-game streak go poof — keep reading.

Wordle hint No. 1: Vowels

Today’s Wordle answer features two vowels.

Wordle hint No. 2: No repeats

None of the letters in the word are repeated

Wordle hint No. 3: Starting letter

Today’s Wordle answer begins with the letter V.

Wordle hint No. 4: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer means dull, flat or unstimulating.

Wordle hint No. 5: Part of speech

Today’s Wordle answer is an adjective.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Here comes the spoiler: Today’s Wordle answer is VAPID, which we generally use to mean boring or empty-headed, not interesting. If you use it to describe a person, you’re insulting them.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s answer, #1041, April 25, was INTRO.

Past Wordle answers

April 21, No. 1037: JOLLY
April 22, No. 1038: LASER
April 23: No. 1039: ROVER
April 24, No. 1040: OVERT

Everyday Wordle tips

I’ve written a lot about Wordle — from covering its 1,000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to news about controversial word changes. I’ve even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. So if you’re rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.

Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they’ve spotted to use as their starter word — such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I’ve read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.

What is Wordle?

If you read this far, you know how to play. You have six chances to guess a five-letter word, and the game gives you feedback as to whether the letters you’ve guessed are in the puzzle, and if they’re in the same spot where you guessed they are. The New York Times bought the game from creator Josh Wardle for seven figures in 2022. Wardle famously created the game for his partner and let her narrow down the 12,000 five-letter words in the English language to just 2,500, creating the database of answers. It was convenient, too, that he has a name that plays off “word.”

A Times spokesperson told me it lists the very first Wordle as appearing on June 19, 2021, and the paper celebrated the game’s 1,000th word on March 15. Spoiler: That 1000th word was ERUPT. As in, “Dad will erupt if the Wordle is so tough he loses his streak.”

There are other fun games in the Times Games stable. My latest addiction is Connections, which I think is trickier than Wordle. This is the game where you look at a grid of 16 words and try to put them into four groups of related words. Sometimes the relationships between the words are pretty out there — like the time when it was four words that all began with rock bands, such as “Rushmore” and “journeyman.” (Connections got a little sassy on April Fools’ Day with an all-emoji puzzle. Some gamers did NOT find that funny.)

Spelling Bee is a popular Times game too. And there’s a new game that’s still in beta, Strands, which I’m trying to master.

The Chicago Bears are expected to select quarterback Caleb Williams from USC with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, which starts tonight. Questions arise as soon as the next pick, however, with the Washington Commanders picking second and also in need of a QB. Will Washington go with Drake Maye from North Carolina or Jayden Daniels from LSU?

With the third selection, the New England Patriots are also looking for a quarterback and are likely considering between Maye or Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. Other quarterback-needy teams, including the New York Giants with the sixth pick, Minnesota Vikings (11th), Denver Broncos (12th) and Las Vegas Raiders (13th), could be looking to trade up for one of the top quarterbacks.

In addition to the top four quarterbacks, a trio of talented wide receivers is expected to go within the first 10 picks: Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State, Rome Odunze from Washington and Malik Nabers from LSU. These players and many more will find their NFL homes this week.

The NFL draft is a three-day event that starts tonight with the first round at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Here’s everything you need to know to watch all the action without cable.

How can I watch the draft live?

Watch live for free: ABC will air all three days of the draft. If you have an over-the-air antenna hooked up to your TV and get your local ABC station, you can watch for free.

The Pat McAfee Show will be in Detroit to cover the first round of the draft on Thursday night. Co-hosting the show with McAfee will be legendary head coach Bill Belichick, and you can watch on YouTube, TikTok, the ESPN App and ESPN Plus.

Subscription options: The NFL draft will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network. There will also be a livestream on the WatchESPN app or the NFL Mobile app (or ESPN.com or NFL.com). One caveat: You will need to prove you have a TV subscription (from a cable or satellite provider or live TV streaming service) that includes ESPN or the NFL Network in order to watch live on either app.

Cable TV cord-cutters have a number of options for watching the draft via a live TV streaming service, detailed below.

When does the NFL draft start?

The NFL draft gets underway with the first round tonight. The three days of the draft will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network.

Here’s the TV schedule (all times ET):

Thursday, April 25

• Round 1: 8 to 11:30 p.m. on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.

Friday, April 26

• Rounds 2 and 3: 7 to 11:30 p.m. on ABC, ESPN2 and NFL Network.

Saturday, April 27

• Rounds 4 to 7: Noon to 7 p.m. on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.

On ESPN, Mike Greenberg will serve as host for the first two nights of the draft alongside Mel Kiper Jr., Louis Riddick, Booger McFarland, Adam Schefter and Molly McGrath.

On ABC, Rece Davis will host with Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Field Yates from one set, and Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III reporting from another set. For Day 3 of the draft on Saturday, ABC and ESPN will combine forces with Davis, Kiper, Riddick and Yates covering rounds 4 through 7.

On the NFL Network, Rich Eisen will lead coverage featuring Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis, Kurt Warner, Joel Klatt and Ian Rapoport.

What’s the order of the draft picks?

After trading the top pick last year to the Carolina Panthers, the Chicago Bears hold the first pick in this year’s draft. Here’s the draft order for the first 10 picks:

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina)
2. Washington Commanders
3. New England Patriots
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Los Angeles Chargers
6. New York Giants
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Chicago Bears
10. New York Jets

You can track all of the picks with ESPN’s DraftCast.

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 your Roku TV has been crashing while you’re trying to relax by watching the latest Netflix hit, you’re not alone. It seems to be an ongoing error many Roku users are experiencing with no word from Roku or Netflix on a permanent fix yet. When this happens, there are a few potential temporary solutions. We’ll walk you through the steps for a few fixes to hopefully get you back up and running so you can dive in and sit down.

How to Fix Netflix Crashing on Roku TV

When you have an issue with any app on your Roku TV, it’s a good idea to start with making sure the app is updated. To verify, you just need to highlight the app from the home menu and press the * button on the remote. This will pull up a popup of channel information with an option to Check for Updates.

If the app is updated and you’re still encountering problems, your next step should be clearing the cache. The cache on the Roku TV is where temporary app data is stored. If you have many apps, you might have a lot of space being taken up here slowing down the function.

Before you begin, you will want to remove the Netflix app from the TV by highlighting it on your home menu, pressing the * Button on your remote and selecting Remove app. Then clear the cache one of two ways.

• Go into the Settings menu, select System, and go to Power to get to the System Restart option.

  – OR –

• Using your remote on the Home menu on the left side, press the Home button on the remote five times, Up Arrow once, Rewind twice, Fast Forward twice and wait for your TV to restart.

Either way should restart your TV and clear out your cache. Next, you will go to Add Channels and reinstall Netflix. From here you should be able to resume watching Netflix as normal.

Report the Issue to Roku

In some cases, the above solution hasn’t fixed the issue. At the time of this article, Roku has a ticket tracking this problem open on Roku Community Discussions. As more people report the same situation, Roku asks users to comment on the discussion with some information. Here’s what you’ll need if you want to report your issue to Roku:

• Model, serial number, device ID and software OS/version of your Roku device – Go to Settings, then find System and all of these numbers will be found in About.
• Netflix version – Highlight Netflix from the Home menu and push the * button on your remote.
• Tracker ID – When Netflix crashes, push the Home button on your remote five times, then the Back Arrow (not the rewind) five times to get an ID.
• Steps you’ve already taken.