Category: Technologies

Withings is launching the $599 ScanWatch Nova on Tuesday, which is a hybrid smartwatch that combines features first seen in the company’s $350 ScanWatch 2 with a more luxury look.

Among the features the ScanWatch Nova brings over from the ScanWatch 2 include 24/7 temperature tracking along with FDA-cleared sensors for blood oxygen and ECG. Withings says the temperature sensor can be used to indicate the onset of illness or to signal overheating during a workout.

The main way the Nova sets itself apart is with its diver watch aesthetic, which includes a ceramic and stainless steel rotating bezel, water resistance at 10 ATM and sapphire glass with anti-reflection coating. The ScanWatch Nova 2 comes with both an Oyster metal wristband and an FKM wristband — with the latter intended to be more comfortable to wear during exercise.

Phone notifications on the watchface are displayed using an OLED grayscale screen, and Withings says the watch’s battery should last 30 days. When a charge is needed, the Nova comes with a USB-C cable and can be fully recharged in two hours. The watch syncs with both the iPhone and Android devices using the company’s Withings app.

Withings is first selling the ScanWatch Nova directly on its website and plans to have it available in retail starting in January.

Having a little peace of mind can go a long way toward making you feel secure, and that goes for online protection as well. Subscribing to an antivirus service can help protect your devices and digital assets from viruses, scammers and more. And while these services can cost a pretty penny, McAfee has slashed prices on annual plans ahead of the holidays. You can get select McAfee antivirus plans for individuals or families, with prices starting at just $45. This offer doesn’t have a set expiration date, so we suggest you sign up sooner rather than later if you want to take advantage of these price cuts.

McAfee earned a spot on our roundup of the best antivirus software for 2023 thanks to its full deck of protection features that can keep you safe online. Annual plans include a firewall against hackers, with protections against viruses and ransomware, as well as warding off malicious websites and more.

You can sign up for the Ultimate individual McAfee Plus plan for just $180 right now, which saves you $100 on the usual price. Or take advantage of the biggest savings with $120 off the Advanced individual plan, which drops the price to $80 for the first year. And for those looking for protection for the whole family, the Advanced is discounted by $162 right now, which drops the price to $108 and includes parental controls and protects up to six family members. You’ll also get access to identity monitoring and credit monitoring, an unlimited VPN, personal data cleanup and much more.

And if you don’t need the extra features and are just seeking a basic protection service at a low price point, McAfee has knocked over $100 off both the Premium individual and family plans, which means you’ll pay just $45 or $60, respectively, for a year of service.

McAfee works on all of your most used devices, including laptops, desktops, tablets and mobile devices, including both iOS and Android models, but you can check operating system compatibility on McAfee’s website. Just note that your plan will auto-renew at full price, but you can cancel your subscription anytime. And if you want to find holiday savings on a new device, be sure to check out our roundup of laptop deals happening now.

Learning a new language can be challenging, but it’s a goal many of us have for a variety of reasons. Whether you’d like to learn basics to help you when you travel abroad or just want to connect with people across the globe, being multilingual comes with a lot of benefits — and if you’re ready to kickstart your studies, there are plenty of ways outside of the classroom for you to practice at your own pace. Babbel is one of our favorite language-learning apps for 2023, and right now you can get unlimited access to its full suite of programs at an incredible discount.

StackSocial is currently offering massive savings for the holidays, including knocking a whopping $449 off a lifetime license to Babbel, which means you can get signed up for just $150 right now. There’s no set expiration for this offer, but we don’t expect it to stick around for long, so we’d recommend getting signed up sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian, Portuguese and more. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and more. There are also a variety of skill levels available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.

The speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation, so you don’t just learn to read and write, but how to listen and speak, as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices. And though the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.

Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferrable skills you gain can open a lot of doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is only available for new users.

Babbel is a great value when compared with other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globetrotting adventures, this is a solid deal.

And if you’re looking for ways to give your loved ones learning subscriptions for the holidays at a discount, be sure to check out our roundup of some of the best learning software options that make great gifts for ideas that work for beginners and pros alike.

Read more: 11 Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist for a Smooth Trip

Two sides at opposite ends of the table face off on Tuesday as Premier League newcomers Luton host current EPL leaders Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side extended their lead at the top of the table with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

After a run of encouraging results, Luton slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Brentford over the weekend, a result which ensured they remain just one spot off of the relegation zone.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services for watching all of the action live wherever you are in the world.

Luton Town vs. Arsenal: When and where?

Luton Town host Arsenal at the Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. GMT local time. That’s 3:15 p.m. ET or 12:15 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 7:15 a.m. AEDT early on Wednesday morning in Australia.

How to watch the Luton vs. Arsenal game online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, 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 also a great idea if 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. So 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 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, UK and Canada, as long as you have 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 Luton vs. Arsenal game in the US

Sunday’s Luton-Arsenal match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

Livestream the Luton Town vs. Arsenal game in the UK

Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports (previously known as BT Sport). Luton vs. Arsenal is part of a full programme of Premier League games being shown exclusively live on Amazon Prime this week.

Livestream the Luton vs. Arsenal game in Canada

If you want to stream this match live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.

Livestream the Luton Town vs. Arsenal game in Australia

Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches 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.

If you’re a true 3D printing enthusiast we’ve got a deal you won’t want to miss. The Bambu Lab P1S is our overall favorite printer on the market right now, and when you pair it with the EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station, you won’t have to worry about power outages or other disruptions interrupting your prints. And right now you can snag this bundle for $1,498, which saves you a whopping $450 compared to purchasing them separately. There’s no set expiration for this offer, however, so we’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

CNET’s resident 3D printing expert James Bricknell named the Bambu Lab P1S the overall best model of 2023. It’s a fully enclosed printer that’s compatible with PLA, TPU, PVA and other filament types. It boasts impressive print speeds of up to 500 mm per second, and it can print up to four different colors with the included AMS color system. Plus, it takes just 15 minutes to set up, so it’s ready to start printing pretty much right out of the box.

This bundle deal also includes the EcoFlow Delta 2. EcoFlow makes some of our favorite portable power stations of 2023, and the midsize Delta 2 is a great option for most people’s needs. It’s equipped with a 1,024-watt-hour battery — which is large enough to power the P1S for up to eight hours — and supports a power output of up to 1,800 watts. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so that you can monitor the remaining charge remotely.

Bambu Lab is also offering 25% off select filaments when bundled with this purchase. And if you’re looking for even more bargains, you can check out our full roundup of all the best 3D printer deals available now.

Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones carry a list price of $400. Released in 2022 and winner of a CNET Editors’ Choice award, they’ve seen their fair share of discounts over the last year, including a dip to $328 for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But now they’re down to $250 at Target, which is the lowest price we’ve seen for them to date by $29.

My first thought was that it was a pricing error, because Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds are also on sale for $250 ($248 at Amazon), so maybe Target slapped that $250 price tag on this similarly named Sony over-ear model by accident. But whatever the case, if you’ve been eyeing these headphones and waiting for a price drop, this is the time to snag them. Target says the sale ends Thursday.

While you can argue that the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are slightly superior, the WH-1000XM5s are significantly cheaper at this price and clearly a better value. Not only are they very comfortable, but they feature excellent sound and noise canceling along with top-notch voice-calling performance. Read my full review of the WH-1000XM5 headphones here.

Read more: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2023

Lots of people went to see Barbie — the Greta Gerwig-directed movie about the Mattel doll — in theaters. Now, Max is offering the hot pink cultural phenomenon to its streaming subscribers.

Set in Barbie Land, Barbie sees Margot Robbie’s and Ryan Gosling’s versions of Barbie and Ken travel to the real world, which holds all sorts of surprises. The star-studded cast also includes Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Simu Liu, Ariana Greenblatt, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Michael Cera and more.

Barbie is Warner Bros.’ highest grossing global release of all time. Here’s how you can stream the blockbuster film from your human-size couch.

When to watch Barbie on Max

Dec. 15 is the best day ever, as Robbie’s Barbie might say, because it’s when you can stream the Barbie movie on Max. The movie will be available to stream at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET. The film will also stream on the platform in American Sign Language.

Max has three plans: $10 a month Max With Ads, $16 a month Max Ad-Free and $20 a month Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The streamer’s offerings include HBO and Max originals, Warner Bros. movies, DC Comics films, and programming from brands like HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC and ID.

You can also rent Greta Gerwig’s Barbie for $6 from services like Amazon, Apple TV and Vudu. If you want to pair Barbie with Christopher Nolan’s movie Oppenheimer, which notably hit theaters on the same day in July, it’s available to buy for $20 from the same services.

How to watch Barbie from anywhere with a VPN

Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream Max 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 movie from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming too.

A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic. 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 the United States, where Barbie will be streaming on Max. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you are connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream Barbie on more than one device, it’s possible you’ll need to configure each one to ensure you are 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 Max 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.

Like most of the previous generations, Apple’s latest and greatest iPhone 15 Pro has claimed a top spot on our list of the overall best phones for 2023. And while this premium model starts at a whopping $1,000, right now Boost Mobile is offering a solid deal to help you get your hands on one for less. Its Infinite Access for iPhone promotion scores you the iPhone 15 Pro and an unlimited plan for just $60 per month, no trade-in required, making it one of the most appealing iPhone deals out there. Plus, you can upgrade to the most recent iPhone every year.

Available directly at Boost and via Amazon, Infinite Access for iPhone includes the device itself and an unlimited data, talk and text plan for that $60 monthly fee. Other neat features include 5GB of data while roaming in Mexico and Canada, and unlimited talk and text from the US to Mexico and Canada.

You’ll pay $0 upfront to get started and you don’t have to trade in a device to get in on this promotion. Note that if you take out the plan via Amazon, you’ll receive a 100% discount on the list price of the handset during checkout.

The plan is a similar proposition to Apple’s own iPhone Upgrade Program, in that it gives you the opportunity to upgrade to the latest iPhone every year. After 12 months, simply hand your iPhone 15 device back to Boost and you’ll be able to move on to next year’s device.

You can get the base storage iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus or iPhone 15 Pro for that $60 per month fee, though you may as well go for the more premium Pro model since the monthly price is the same. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also available with this plan from $66 per month. Higher storage devices are available at slightly increased costs, too

Finding the time to play games can be challenging so being able to do it with your phone is a great way to increase your gaming time. The excellent Backbone One is one of the best mobile gaming controllers we’ve used, and right now it’s down to a price that almost matches its Black Friday and Cyber Monday best.

You’re going to have to be quick if you want to snag one of these controllers at a discount, though. Right now Amazon is selling all of the different models for just $75 each, and while there’s no indication of when the deal might end, we think we might know. See, Best Buy is selling the same controllers for the same $75 price right now, but only until the end of the day. We suspect Amazon is price-matching Best Buy which means that both deals could end in just a few short hours.

The Backbone one is compatible with both Lightning and USB-C iPhones, so make sure to select the one that you need when ordering. Most USB-C Android phones should be good to go, too, giving you access to a ton of games without having to use the lousy on-screen touch controls. And while gaming on your phone is great, things get even better when you combine the controller with a PS5 or Xbox Series X or Series S via remote play or cloud gaming.

Whether you’re serious about your mobile gaming time or just looking to find a way to relax in style without being tethered to the big screen in your living room, the Backbone controller is a great option — just remember you might have to pay more if you miss out on these discounts.