Category: Technologies

It doesn’t matter whether your phone of choice is the latest iPhone, or you prefer the newest Galaxy, Pixel or other Android, to get the most out of your device you’ll need a good unlimited data plan. But when it comes to finding the overall “best” unlimited plan, things can get challenging. Unlike with home internet services, where your options are often limited by your location, most people living in the US have their pick of all the major competitors and carriers.

With so many different options, it can be tricky to tell which ones are actually a good value, especially since carriers love to make bold claims about performance and coverage at different prices.

I’ve covered the wireless industry for over a decade and to help you narrow down the best unlimited data plans out there, I’m going to focus on the three major carriers — Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T — combing through the multiple postpaid unlimited plans available to find the ones that provide the most perks and value for single lines and for families of four, so you can find the best plan for you and your budget.

Know your area

Before we get to the plans, to get the best deal you need to make sure you have the coverage that you need. This makes it very hard for us to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier. T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable.

While your mileage may vary, the good news is that these networks are growing and improving all the time, particularly as the three major players race to blanket the US with 5G. It’s quite possible that you left a network complaining about its sparse service a decade ago, but now it’s beefed itself up because of that race to acquire customers.

If you know any friends or family in your area that already use the carrier you’re considering, ask about their experience. You could also go to a carrier’s store and see if they offer any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as T-Mobile’s Network Pass. Verizon offers a similar 30-day “Test Drive” program, while the Cricket prepaid service has its own trial program that lets you sample parent AT&T’s network.

Know your deals and discounts

One other thing to keep in mind: discounts. All of the carriers offer additional discounts that you could be eligible for, depending on your employer, military status, student status or age.

First responders, military members, veterans, nurses and teachers can get discounts on every major carrier. Verizon has discounts for students, while T-Mobile’s Work perk could knock 15% off the monthly price of a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plans, with AT&T offering a similar program for its Unlimited Premium plans that it calls Signature. AT&T also has a promotion for teachers that offers 25% off its latest unlimited plans.

If you’re 55 or older, you may also be eligible for a discounted plan: T-Mobile offers discounted plans nationwide for as low as $55 per month for two lines, and Verizon and AT&T offer similar options — but only for Florida residents.

It’s also worth noting that some carriers, particularly Verizon right now, sometimes advertise different rates on their websites that are geared toward switchers. A current promotion at the carrier offers a discount on the monthly plan, but only if you switch to Verizon and are bringing your own phone (not trading in and financing a new one on an installment plan). Our recommendations below reflect the actual rate outside of these very specific promotions.

Now, onto the picks.

Best unlimited data plans of 2023

More about unlimited data plans and perks

AT&T’s unlimited plans no longer have much in the way of perks. The carrier used to offer a free subscription to Max with its top Unlimited Elite offering ($85 for one line, $50 a month if you have four lines), but it got rid of the option in early June 2022.

It is also worth reiterating that carrier perks — like Verizon and the Disney bundle or T-Mobile’s offerings of Netflix, Paramount Plus, ViX Plus and Apple TV Plus — are often limited to one subscription per account, not one for each line you have.

How we test

Picking a wireless plan and carrier is a very individualized process. What works for you and your family’s needs may be vastly different from your friends or neighbors. Even geographically, some areas have better AT&T coverage while others work best on Verizon or T-Mobile (and vice versa). The picks we make are based on over a decade of covering and evaluating the wireless carriers, their offerings and their performance.

Since choosing a provider is unique, we focus on larger plans and the value they provide; as well as calling out ways you can test the different networks in your area for yourself so you can make the best pick.

Read more: Best Streaming Service Deals

If you missed grabbing an Xbox Series X during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, don’t worry: There’s an even better deal right now. Walmart has dropped the price of this popular gaming console so steeply that we had to double-check, but it’s true: You can get the Xbox Series X with Diablo IV for just $349 rather than the usual $559. That’s a huge $210 discount that makes it the same price as the less-powerful 1TB Xbox Series S, so it’s absolutely worth scooping up right now.

You can also get the same bundle with Forza 5, although availability seems a bit more location-specific and you’ll need to check to see whether it’s available in your area, but it’s also a great option if you prefer Forza over Diablo IV. The Xbox Series X console alone is also discounted to $349 at both Walmart and Amazon, though the bundles represent a better deal.

If you aren’t familiar with the Xbox Series X, it’s Microsoft’s most powerful gaming console, with the ability to hit 4K resolution at high refresh rates. That’s compared with the Xbox Series S, typically a more budget-friendly offering that maxes out at 1080p. The Series X can also take game discs unlike the Series S, which is digital only.

If you don’t have a powerful gaming PC or prefer the console experience, the Series X is ideal, especially since you can use it to access Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and all the games on it. That means you can try games on a whim without shelling out as much as $70 per title, and with the 1TB of internal storage, you shouldn’t run into many space issues.

If you’d like to pick up a couple more accessories, like a controller or extra storage, check out our roundup of great Xbox deals. And if you’re on the hunt for some more games to grab, we’ve collected some of our favorite video game deals.

Starting Dec. 1, Google will begin deleting inactive Google accounts, including account contents such as photos, Gmail messages, Calendar appointments, Drive documents, Contacts records and YouTube videos.

An inactive Google account could include a Gmail address you used to subscribe to a newsletter, join an online forum or sign up for a shopping site — all to remain anonymous or avoid spammy messages in your main account. Google said Dec. 1 is the earliest it will begin deleting accounts, so not all inactive accounts will be erased at one time.

If you’ve got old Google accounts you’d like to keep, here’s how to stop Google from deleting them. For more, check out how to log in to Google with a passkey, and discover 10 Gmail tips and tools to use daily.

Why is Google deleting inactive accounts?

If an account hasn’t been used for a while, Google said it’s more likely to be hacked: “This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven’t had two-factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user.”

To reduce this risk, Google may delete an account and its contents if it hasn’t been used or signed into for at least two years. If you haven’t logged into an account since 2021, Google may get rid of it.

If you’re worried about someone grabbing your deleted account, rest easy: If Google deletes an inactive account, that Gmail address cannot be used again to create a new account, Google said.

How to keep your Google accounts

It’s not difficult to preserve your older Google accounts. You need to sign in at least once every two years. If you can’t remember whether you’ve done that, now’s the time.

There are several ways to keep your account active. Reading or sending an email, using Google Drive, watching a YouTube video, downloading an app on the Google Play Store, using Google search or using Google to sign in to a third-party app or service all count. If you have a subscription set up through your Google account — for instance, to Google One, a news publication or an app, that’s also considered activity.

Note that only personal Google accounts are at risk of deletion, not business or school accounts.

When will Google start deleting accounts?

Although Dec. 1 is the earliest you could lose your account, Google said it will send reminder emails to an account’s primary and recovery emails at least eight months before it takes action, alerting you about the possible deletion.

What if you forget your Google account username or password?

If you know you have an old Google account but can’t remember its details, you may still be able to recover it.

If you forgot your password, for example, you may be able to recover it using this Google password recovery tool. You’ll need to answer questions to confirm it’s your account.

If you forgot your email address, you may be able to recover it using this Google account recovery tool. You’ll need a phone number or the recovery email address for the account. If you run into trouble, Google has advice on what to do.

Read more: The Google Pixel 8 is Unlike Any Other Phone You Can Buy Today

If you’ve been left full of regret after not grabbing one of the many Black Friday and Cyber Monday laptop deals taking place over the last week or so, then you’re in luck. Today only, Best Buy is discounting Apple’s latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models by as much as $220, dropping several models down to new all-time low prices. Deals start at just $899, and several prices are being matched at Amazon, but you don’t have long to score the savings.

At the cheaper end of the sale sits the entry-level 13.6-inch MacBook Air M2 which is $200 off at $899. This is the lowest we have seen this machine go since its 2022 release and it’s an ideal pickup for those needing a portable and powerful machine for toting to and from school or the office. This particular model has a 256GB SSD, though you can save as much as $220 on higher-spec variants. If you need a larger screen, the 15-inch MacBook Air M2, released in June of this year, is also included in the sale with prices starting at $1,099 — a $200 saving.

On the pro-grade side, the just-released M3-powered MacBook Pro lineup is also steeply discounted. The 14-inch model with a beefy 1TB SSD is down to a new record-low of $1,599. That’s $200 off the Apple Store price and the same price that the 512GB version goes for there, so you’re effectively getting a storage upgrade for free. That being said, you can nab the 512GB model at a $100 discount via Amazon if you don’t need the extra space, dropping it down to $1,499.

Still a little pricey or you? be sure to check out our list of the best laptop deals for more options from Apple, HP, Dell and more.

There have been plenty of Black Friday Apple Watch deals to shop over the last week or so, but if you missed out on those sales, Best Buy is today giving you one last chance to score the latest model at its best price yet. A one-day sale there is offering the latest Apple Watch Series 9 for as little as $329 — a $70 discount — and Amazon is matching the price, giving you another choice of retailer.

Apple’s latest devices rarely go on sale with such steep savings, so it’s worth jumping on this discount if you’re hoping to gift an Apple Watch this holiday season or grab one for yourself ahead of a New Year fitness kick. The discount applies to the 41mm variant in midnight and pink colors at Best Buy, with Amazon also offering similar savings on other colors, sizes, band styles and even on cellular-equipped models.

The Apple Watch Series 9 was just released this fall and has been upgraded with a new 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.

For more savings on the Apple Watch, be sure to hit up our dedicated Apple Watch deals roundup for the latest discounts and promotions.

One of the best things about using an iPad is the Apple Pencil experience, which is super smooth and turns your iPad into a very convenient digital notebook or sketchpad. Whether you just picked up a new iPad during Black Friday sales or you have been eyeing the second-generation Apple Pencil for a while, a new one-day sale at Best Buy is offering up a new all-time low price on the Apple stylus.

Down to just $79, the Apple Pencil 2 is $50 off and cheaper right now than it was during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and you don’t need to be a My Best Buy Plus or Total member to take advantage of the offer.

You also get three months of Apple TV Plus and Apple Music thrown in for new and eligible returning customers, which definitely sweetens the deal if you’re eligible. That said, there is one catch: the deal ends today, so if you’re wanting to buy the Apple Pencil 2, you better do it quickly.

The Apple Pencil is a great way to take notes and get creative when using an iPad, and the second-gen model is the best of the bunch with support for advanced features like pressure and tilt sensitivity, tapping to change tools and more. It also magnetically connects to the side of compatible iPads to wirelessly charge and pair, ensuring that it’s always charged and ready to go when inspiration strikes. The second-gen Apple Pencil works with the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-gen models); all 11-inch iPad Pro models; iPad Air (fourth- and fifth-gen models); and the sixth-gen iPad Mini.

WhatsApp said Thursday that it’s rolling out a secret code feature that’s meant to provide additional protection to sensitive conversations.

The Meta-owned chat app’s new feature builds on its Chat Lock feature, which hides conversations in a folder that requires its own password, fingerprint or Face ID to unlock.

The secret code feature allows for the option of requiring a separate password specific to the conversation thread in order to view and respond to messages within it. Conversations locked behind a secret code can also be placed in the Chat Lock folder, or they can remain available from the standard chat list.

WhatsApp said the secret code feature is beginning to roll out, and will be available globally in the coming months.

The privacy option’s launch follows other updates in the texting space this month. That includes Apple announcing that its Messages app will support the RCS standard sometime in 2024 — a development that may improve texting between iPhone and Android devices by providing the potential for modern features like typing indicators and high-quality media sharing.

Apple, however, has said that texts sent over RCS will continue to be fundamentally different from texts sent over its iMessage service, including keeping the green bubble labels. This will likely leave plenty of room for services like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and other chat apps that offer the same texting features to its users regardless of what phone they use.

Whoever invented Spotify Wrapped deserves a raise. The day that the music-streaming site releases its annual Spotify Wrapped lists is practically a musical holiday, setting off sharing and discussion among users, and certainly creating the desired buzz the company wants. This year, Spotify added a new feature and tweaked another — but not all users were given those new features.

Here’s a look at what’s offered, how to watch and rewatch, what’s new this year and why the new features might not have showed up in your personal Spotify Wrapped.

Spotify Wrapped basics

You probably already have a sneaking suspicion, or super-strong feeling, about which artist or bands you listened to the most this year. But the fun of Spotify Wrapped is getting to confirm that, and maybe cringe if an uncool artist wrangled their way into your top five — or feel superior if your artists are all eclectic indie stars about to break out big. Hey, you knew them first.

Spotify Wrapped tells you how many songs you listened to in 2023, and goes into detail about the one you listened to most, including number of times you played that song and even the date you first listened to it. It also assembles a playlist of your top songs.

You can see how many minutes you listened to music and podcasts on Spotify this year and which day you tuned in for the longest amount of time. What exactly was I doing on May 8, anyway, that I had so much time to rock out?

The roundup lists how many different artists you listened to this year, and of course, highlights the musician who came out on top. Some artists, including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, have also recorded short thank-you videos that pop up in your Wrapped roundup. You’re shown a list of your five top artists, plus, for some reason, the month that you listened to them the most. And for your top artist, it ranks you in their fandom, telling you if you’re in the top 20% of Taylor Swift listeners, for example.

Spotify also makes a list of your top five songs and tells you your preferred genre. Mine was simply “pop,” because I’m a Gen X mom. My Gen Z daughter’s was something called “pov: indie,” because she’s way hipper than I am.

New for Spotify Wrapped 2023: Sound Towns

Where do you live? No, not your address but musically. This year, Spotify Wrapped is assigning some listeners a Sound Town, which is a city somewhere in the world that supposedly matches your listening style. Sound Town should appear as the third entry for eligible users in their personalized Wrapped experience, beginning with “This year, your listening took you places…”

College towns, such as Eugene, Oregon, and Burlington, Vermont, were popular, but the US was far from the only country represented. Sound Towns were globally chosen, apparently, coming from Canada, India and Colombia, among other places.

Hey! Why didn’t I get a Sound Town?

I wasn’t assigned a Sound Town, and that’s because that not everyone’s listening habits make it easy to assign them a place.

To be eligible for a Sound Town, you have to have at least three top artists who “over-index” in a particular city, meaning that they have a larger-than-average presence there.

‘Me in 2023’ is also new to Spotify Wrapped

Spotify will also assign you a title for “Me in 2023,” based on your streaming habits.

The Me in 2023 streaming habits come from a list of 12 “characters,” including the vampire, the hypnotist, the time traveler, the fanatic and more. Each card summarizes that character’s listening habits, such as luminary (you play light, upbeat music more than others), alchemist (you create more playlists than others) and shapeshifter (you’re quick to move from one artist to the next).

Hey! Why didn’t I get a Me in 2023?

As with Sound Town, not everyone’s listening habits qualify them for an assigned Me in 2023 personality. For Me in 2023, users must meet criteria for at least one of the 12 characters.

As each character is unique, each Me in 2023 character has different requirements. For example, to receive the alchemist, a user must have at least 10 public playlists. If you don’t fit any of the criteria, your Wrapped roundup won’t assign you a character at all. (You’re not alone — I have no character and no Sound Town.)

Deals on exclusive merch

Because capitalism rules, and Spotify knows what a blockbuster of a thing it’s got going with Wrapped, there are now ways to shop your yearly roundup. In the Spotify app, you can scroll down past the promotion for Wrapped, collected thank-you videos from your top artists and other related items to a section labeled, “Merch from your 2023 faves.”

You might see a special deal on an album, or even a shirt or other item that’s labeled a Wrapped Exclusive. My daughter, a big Melanie Martinez fan, was offered links to buy a T-shirt and sweatshirt that were both marked as being “only for top fans.” Or you might see albums or items marked down if you’re a top fan.

AI DJ gets involved in Spotify Wrapped 2023

Spotify’s AI DJ, a personalized “host” that talks users through their favorite songs, also gets involved with Wrapped this year. For a week, the AI DJ will offer you commentary and playlists based on your Wrapped list. Fun tip: The DJ voice is modeled on that of Spotify’s head of cultural partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan.

How to share your results

Want to share your Spotify Wrapped on social media, and show your entire crowd what an Alex G fan you are? It’s simple to do.

Once you’ve watched your Wrapped roundup, as you flick through your Wrapped report again, the option to share will show after certain stats about your listening. You can just click that “share” button to download your result, or post it directly to common social-media apps. We have a guide to how to share and customize your Spotify Wrapped results.

How to watch your Spotify Wrapped again

You can go back and rewatch your Spotify Wrapped roundup as many times as you want. If you prefer the app, just open that and you should see a giant colorful promo that you can click on to replay the whole thing.

You can also go to Spotify Wrapped on the web and replay your roundup there.

YouTube Music Recap and Apple Music Replay

Not everyone listens to Spotify, of course, and other streaming services have similar year-end lists. CNET has a guide to music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and others. (But Spotify still tops our recommendations.)

Other music services do yearly wrapups. The YouTube Music Recap just came out on Thursday, and the Apple Music Replay came out Tuesday, beating Spotify Wrapped by one day. But nonmusic companies are in on the fad, too.

The Nintendo Switch has featured a look at your year in gaming, and Strava and Fitbit have offered similar looks at your fitness year.

But possibly the weirdest one came from the world of fast food. For the last two years, MyMcDonald’s Rewards members were sent a customized email rounding up their year in McD food and assigning them a “fan persona.”

Spotify’s most streamed artists and songs of 2023

Who’s No. 1 overall for Spotify Wrapped this year? It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me. Or her. It’s Taylor Swift, with more than 26.1 billion global streams. Here are some stats from Spotify.

Most-streamed global artists

1. Taylor Swift
2. Bad Bunny
3. The Weeknd
4. Drake
5. Peso Pluma

Most-streamed US artists

1. Taylor Swift
2. Drake
3. Morgan Wallen
4. The Weeknd
5. Bad Bunny

Most-streamed global songs

1. Flowers, Miley Cyrus
2. Kill Bill, SZA
3. As It Was, Harry Styles
4. Seven, Jung Kook featuring Latto
5. Ella Baila Sola, Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma

Most-streamed US songs

1. Last Night, Morgan Wallen
2. Kill Bill, SZA
3. Flowers, Miley Cyrus
4. Ella Baila Sola, Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma
5. Boy’s a liar, Pt. 2, Pink Pantheress, Ice Spice

Most-streamed global albums

1. Un Verano Sin Ti, Bad Bunny
2. Midnights, Taylor Swift
3. SOS, SZA
4. Starboy, The Weeknd
5. Mañana Será Bonito, Karol G

Most-streamed US albums

1. One Thing at a Time, Morgan Wallen
2. SOS, SZA
3. Midnights, Taylor Swift
4. Heroes & Villains, Metro Boomin
5. Dangerous: The Double Album, Morgan Wallen

We’re all looking for ways to trim our expenses and save money. One way to do that may be by switching your phone plan. There are several service providers out there and comparing plans is always a good idea. These providers also regularly offer deals and discounts. Right now, wireless providers like AT&T, Verizon and others are all running awesome promotions to encourage new users to sign up. If you’ve been wanting to change your phone plan, consider one of these deals. Just be sure to check the fine print on all the deals — terms, exclusions and caveats apply, and low monthly service charges are generally short-term before the plans revert to more standard rates.

Looking for more discounts? CNET has the best deals from AT&T, Verizon and many others, along with promo code offers — all updated and verified daily.

Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.

December may not be the peak month to watch a horror movie, but for a follow-up to a flick as iconic as The Exorcist, you may be all in on a scary-movie night.

The Exorcist: Believer, a legacy sequel to the 1973 film, will soon be a part of Peacock’s horror library. It’s the first in a planned trilogy of movies and features Ellen Burstyn reprising her role as Chris MacNeil, the mother of possessed 12-year-old Regan in the original Exorcist. In Believer, Leslie Odom Jr. stars as a parent going through similar horrors.

The Exorcist: Believer is directed by David Gordon Green, who also directed the recent trilogy of Halloween movies. The new Exorcist entry didn’t impress critics, sitting at a score of 39 on Metacritic, but you can judge for yourself. Here’s how to tune in to the scary sequel, plus how a VPN could potentially better your streaming experience.

When to watch The Exorcist: Believer on Peacock

Viewers in the US can start watching the horror flick on Peacock as early as 5 a.m. ET/2 a.m. PT on Dec. 1.

The streaming service offers two plans: Premium and Premium Plus. Premium is ad supported and costs $6 a month, while Premium Plus is mostly ad free and costs $12 a month. Those using the free tier of Peacock will need to upgrade to a paid plan to watch The Exorcist: Believer.

If you’d rather rent or buy the movie than get a Peacock subscription, it’s available at services like Amazon and Vudu for $20-$30. Peacock offers some other films in the Exorcist franchise (there are six total, including Believer), but not the 1973 original. The streaming service is also home to the 2023 horror flick Five Nights at Freddy’s.

How to watch The Exorcist: Believer 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 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 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 Exorcist: Believer 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 Exorcist: Believer 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.