Category: Technologies

Black Friday will be here in just two short weeks, and we anticipate a ton of deals across every major retailer. There’s a lot to consider if you want to make the most of the year’s biggest shopping event, and we’re here to help. From tips on how to prepare for Black Friday to when and where to shop, plus a roundup of all the most notable deals happening now, this page will serve as your guide for all your fall shopping.

Best early Black Friday deals

• Apple iPad (9th gen): $249 (save $80)
• iRobot Roomba robot vacuums: Up to $400 off

• Windows 11 Pro: $25 (save $175)
• Fitbit Sense 2: $250 (save $50)
• Apple 15-inch MacBook Air M2: $1,049 (save $250)
• Dyson V11 cordless vacuum: $399 (save $171)

Best early Black Friday deals by category

• Best Black Friday iPhone deals
• Best Black Friday iPad deals
• Best Black Friday Apple Watch deals
• Best Black Friday TV deals
• Best Black Friday robot vacuum deals
• Best Black Friday air fryer deals
• Best Black Friday headphone deals
• Best Black Friday laptop deals
• Best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals
• Best Black Friday Roku deals
• Best Black Friday fitness deals

When is Black Friday?

In 2023, Black Friday is on Nov. 24. The major sale event always takes place the day after Thanksgiving is observed in the US, which is on the fourth Thursday of November each year. That being said, Black Friday sales have expanded greatly in recent years, moving from a post-holiday weekend event to a month-long bonanza.

Read more: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Cheat Sheet

Which stores have Black Friday sales?

Basically all major retailers — both online and brick-and-mortar stores — have tons of deals and discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday each year. That includes the likes of Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart, as well as more specialized retailers such as B&H Photo, GameStop and Dell.

• Amazon Black Friday sale
• Walmart Black Friday sale
• Best Buy Black Friday sale
• B&H Photo Black Friday sale
• Twelve South Black Friday sale
• Moment Black Friday sale

When do Black Friday sales start?

Though Black Friday always falls late in the month, Black Friday sales tend to begin much earlier. These days, much of the month of November is dedicated to early Black Friday deals with many of the big retailers launching showing off their Black Friday ads and launching their sales weeks before Black Friday itself.

As well as sharing online sales, we’ll be rounding up all of the Black Friday store hours and Thanksgiving store closures to help you decide when to shop in person versus online.

Are the best Black Friday deals available online?

Generally speaking, yes. The days of lining up outside of your nearest big-box retailer in the early hours of Black Friday are essentially over. The number of deals launching exclusively in stores has been dwindling in recent years, and this was certainly accelerated during COVID-19 when crowds were discouraged, with much of the shopping at this time of year moving online. Some retailers — such as Walmart — are even launching their Black Friday deals earlier for online shoppers before in-person shoppers get a look in.

Read more: Which Black Friday Sales Are Better? Online vs. In-Store Deals

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday takes place on the Monday after Black Friday, so that’s Nov. 27 in 2023. But with Black Friday sales running throughout November, both in-store and online, there’s less delineation of the two sales than in years gone by.

How long do I have to return Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases?

This varies by store, but most will offer extended returns windows for items purchases in pre-holiday sales. This should give you some peace of mind when it comes to picking out holiday gifts for loved ones. We’ll be rounding up all of the notable holiday return windows here.

Why is it called Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

The term “black” has historically been used to denote distressing or calamitous events. The earliest known use of Black Friday for the Friday after Thanksgiving was to refer to the practice of workers calling in sick the day after Thanksgiving in the early 1950s. Around that same time, US police adopted the term to describe the traffic conditions during the first major holiday shopping date.

After attempts to move to the term “Big Friday” failed, merchants attempted to ameliorate the term Black Friday in subsequent years, suggesting that its origin was not due to the poor traffic conditions the shopping day created, but because the profit it generated put stores “back in the black” in financial terms.

Then, in 2005, the National Retail Federation coined the term “Cyber Monday” because it had noticed a spike in online traffic the Monday following Thanksgiving. At the time, they believed it was because people were making online purchases while they were at work following the holiday so their kids couldn’t see any gift purchases and because work computers usually have faster internet connection.

There was some chatter about calling the date Black Monday or Blue Monday — because hyperlinks are blue — but eventually, everyone settled on the more futuristic-sounding Cyber Monday. In 2014, Cyber Monday became the biggest online shopping day in the country.

The CNET Deals team will keep you up to date on all of the best deals all year long, so be sure to follow the team on X and sign up for the CNET Cheapskate Deals newsletter.

If you’re a new Apple Watch owner, you’re likely doing your best to not scratch, break or lose the device. But once the newness wears off and you let your guard down, that miniature iPhone you wear on your wrist can quickly become a victim to every object you accidentally swing your arm into, resulting in all kinds of damage, such as a cracked screen.

When you’re already paying between $400 and $800 for an Apple Watch, you may be hesitant to pay even more for an extended warranty or insurance. And even though your watch comes with a limited one-year warranty, it won’t cover an accidental broken screen. For that kind of repair, you’ll need insurance.

Below, we’ve compared the costs of getting your Apple Watch repaired with and without insurance to help you decide which type of insurance — if any — is best for you, from AppleCare and insurance from your phone carrier like Verizon to an insurer such as Asurion to even your credit card company. For more, here’s our take on the new iPhone 15 and the new Pixel 8.

Read more: Is Your Phone’s 1-Year Warranty Really Enough?

Apple warranty vs. insurance: What’s the difference?

Apple includes a limited one-year warranty with each Apple hardware product you buy, and that includes the Apple Watch. With as many as 200 million watches sold, according to some estimates, that’s a lot of warranties.

However, that free warranty only covers “defects in materials and workmanship.” Here’s what’s not covered.

• Batteries or protective coatings.
• Cosmetic damage, including dents and broken plastic on ports.
• Damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, fire, earthquake or other external causes.
• Defects caused by normal wear and tear.
• Loss or theft.

If you don’t have insurance, for those kinds of repairs you’re on your own. If you do purchase insurance — whether through Apple or a third-party insurer — all of the above is generally covered for your Apple Watch with the exception of loss or theft. You can find coverage for loss and theft too.

Out-of-pocket repair costs without insurance for an Apple Watch

Apple Watches aren’t cheap, and neither are the repairs — and repair prices can vary, depending on which model you have. For instance, a repair on an Apple Watch Ultra may run you $499, while an Apple Watch Series 8 repair could cost you $299.

If you’re wondering about the cost of fixing a cracked screen, for example, you can get a repair estimate from Apple. You’ll need to know the exact type of Apple Watch you have, like the Apple Watch Series 9 GPS Aluminum 41mm, for example.

Apple Watch repair costs with AppleCare Plus

You can expect to pay several hundred dollars to repair your Apple Watch without insurance, but if you purchase AppleCare Plus — Apple’s extended warranty and tech support service that covers accidental damage– the cost goes down significantly.

Note, in most regions and countries you need to buy Apple’s extended warranty within 60 days of your Apple Watch purchase. The purchase period can vary from seven days to a year, depending on where you live, so check your region’s specific time frame.

Here’s how much AppleCare Plus coverage costs for each Apple Watch model.

• Apple Watch Ultra 2: $5 a month
• Apple Watch Series 9: $4 a month, with an option to pay $79 total for two years
• Apple Watch SE: $2.49 a month, with an option to pay $49 total for two years
• Apple Watch Hermès: $5 a month, with an option to pay $149 total for three years

With AppleCare Plus, you’ll also pay a $69 or a $79 service fee for a repair, depending on the watch model you have.

• Apple Watch: $69
• Apple Watch Nike: $69
• Apple Watch Ultra: $79
• Apple Watch Edition: $79
• Apple Watch Hermès: $79

Apple Watch repair costs with third-party insurance

If you are looking for something beyond AppleCare, you can look at coverage through an insurer. While some offer protection like you’d get with AppleCare Plus, others have broader plans that cover all the tech you have in your home or apartment.

Just for the watch insurance, Allstate, for example, offers protection plans through retailers based on the cost of the watch that cover accidental damage but not loss or theft. If you shop at Sam’s Club, for example, you can get two years of protection for $60 for an Apple Watch that costs less than $400, with no deductible.

Instead of insurance specifically for your watch, Asurion offers coverage for your entire collection of in-home tech — including your TV, laptop, gaming console, security cameras and your Apple Watch — called Home Plus. Costing $12 a month for the first three months and then $25 each month after, the plan covers repair or replacement (up to $2,000 per claim) with a $99 service fee.

Note, loss and theft aren’t covered, but your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover that. You also can’t include your phone in there. For that you’ll want to check out Asurion’s phone insurance, which you can get for $5 a month for the first three months and then $10 each month after.

Apple Watch repair and replacement through phone carrier protection

Your cell phone carrier may also offer Apple Watch insurance. Verizon, for example, has its Mobile Protect plan that goes for $14 to $17 a month and offers free screen replacement and free watch replacement for manufacturing defects. The plan has $99 deductible for loss or theft.

AT&T also offers watch insurance and lets you insure one device for $14 or $17 a month or bundle up to four devices — including a watch, phone, laptop or tablet — for $45 a month as part of its Protect Advantage. As with Verizon, in addition to accidental damage, the plan covers loss and theft.

Do credit cards provide insurance?

Some credit card companies offer additional protection and insurance on new purchases made with their card. For instance, some offer protection that insures your new purchases against damage and theft for up to 120 days. If something happens within that time, you can file a claim with your credit card issuer to get the item replaced or reimbursed.

It’s a good idea to check with your credit card issuer to see if they offer protection before you make the purchase.

Editor’s note: CNET and Asurion have an advertising partnership. This story is editorially independent from that relationship.

Newcastle will look to continue a domestic run that has seen them go unbeaten in seven games as they head to the south coast to face Bournemouth in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Last weekend’s win over Arsenal at St. James’ Park has well and truly put the Magpies back in the mix for the top five, despite Eddie Howe’s side currently experiencing an injury crisis for the ages.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are licking their wounds after a demoralizing 6-1 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Man City last Saturday.

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

AFC Bournemouth vs. Newcastle United: When and where?

Bournemouth host Newcastle at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11. Kickoff is set for 5.30 p.m. GMT local time. That’s 12.30 p.m. ET or 9.30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 4.30 a.m. AEDT early on Sunday morning in Australia.

How to watch the Bournemouth vs. Newcastle 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 Bournemouth vs. Newcastle game in the US

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

Livestream the Bournemouth vs. Newcastle 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). Bournemouth vs. Newcastle is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game.

Livestream the Bournemouth vs. Newcastle 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 Bournemouth vs. Newcastle 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.

English Premier League newcomers Luton will be hoping to pile further pressure on beleaguered Man United boss Erik ten Hag as the Hatters take on the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United claimed a dramatic last-gasp victory over Fulham on Saturday, but that joy was short-lived after they suffered a damaging 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

Luton will meanwhile be confident of adding to the United faithful’s woes, following a stirring performance against Liverpool last weekend that saw them go agonizingly close to beating the Reds.

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

Manchester United vs. Luton Town: When and where?

Manchester United host Luton Town at Old Trafford on Saturday, Nov. 11. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. GMT (10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m PT, 2 a.m. AEDT).

How to watch the Man United vs. Luton 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 Man United vs. Luton in the US

Saturday’s Manchester United vs. Luton Town match is on USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at the NBC Sports website with a valid login, and can be streamed via Sling TV and other more expensive streaming TV services.

Can I livestream the Man United vs. Luton game in the UK?

No broadcaster has the rights to show this game live in the UK, due to the traditional Saturday 3 p.m. kick-off blackout, which prohibits matches being shown in the region at that time in order to protect attendances throughout the English football pyramid.

That also means that if you’re in the UK traveling for pleasure or for work, you’re unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home thanks to geo-blocking.

There is one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there.

Livestream the Man United vs. Luton game in Canada

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

Livestream the Man United vs. Luton 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.

Apple released iOS 17.1.1 on Tuesday, about two weeks after the tech giant released iOS 17.1. The latest update doesn’t include any new features, but it does fix a few issues and bugs that some iPhone users have experienced.

To download the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update, tap Install Now and follow the onscreen prompts.

Apple’s update addresses an issue that causes some iPhone 15 features, like Apple Pay, to not work after wireless charging in some vehicles. The update also addresses an issue that causes the Weather lock screen widget to not correctly show the symbol for snow.

Here are Apple’s release notes for iOS 17.1.1.

This update provides bug fixes for your iPhone including:

• In rare circumstances, Apple Pay and other NFC features may become unavailable on iPhone 15 models after wireless charging in certain cars.

• Weather Lock Screen widget may not correctly display snow.

Apple is expected to release iOS 17.2 soon. That update could include long-awaited features like the Journal app and Contact Key Verification.

For more on iOS 17, check out my review of iOS 17 and our iOS 17 cheat sheet.

After the thrills and spills of their dramatic derby defeat against Chelsea, Spurs will be hoping for a far more straightforward encounter on Saturday as they travel to Wolves.

Monday’s clash against their London rivals saw Spurs reduced to nine men as they crashed to a 1-4 loss – a stinging result which saw them lose ground to league leaders Man City, with James Madisson suffering an ankle injury which will keep him out until the new year to further compound boss Ange Postecoglou’s misery.

They come upon against a Wolves side that are unbeaten in their last three at home, but will be still nursing their wounds after a last-gasp away defeat to Sheffield United last weekend

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

Wolves vs. Spurs: When and where?

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on Saturday, Nov. 11. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. GMT (7:30 a.m. ET, 4:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 11:30 p.m. AEDT in Australia).

How to watch the Wolves vs. Spurs 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 the game — 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 Wolves vs. Spurs in the US

Saturday’s Wolves-Spursmatch is on USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at the NBC Sports website with a valid login, and can be streamed via Sling TV and other more expensive streaming TV services.

Livestream the Wolves vs. Spurs 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). The Wolves-Spurs game is exclusive to TNT Sports — showing on its TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 1 HD and TNT Sport Ultimate channels.

Livestream the Wolves vs. Spurs game in Canada

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

Livestream the Wolves vs. Spurs 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.

Apple has had a very busy fall. The company has introduced a slew of new features and products, covering everything from a flurry of Apple hardware and software upgrades to brand-new Apple Watches, iPhones and Apple Pencils. Most recently, the tech giant unveiled its brand-new M3 chip, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and a refreshed version of the iMac at its “Scary Fast” event held at the end of October.

MacOS Sonoma’s smaller updates didn’t get the pomp and circumstance they deserved earlier this year, but the several brand-new Macs hitting the scene this fall will shake things up. If you’re planning to upgrade to a new Mac and a new iPhone simultaneously, you’ll want to make sure they work in harmony.

Luckily for those who plan on upgrading both their computer and their phone, MacOS Sonoma’s update brings features that iPhone users have enjoyed for several years and some brand-new ones that iPhone users first saw in iOS 17.

Check out these new Mac features that I think make my phone and computer work better together. For more, check out how to fix the most annoying iOS 17 features and the Mac keyboard shortcuts you need to know.

Widgets come to your desktop

While widgets aren’t an earth-shattering productivity feature, or even new to Apple fans, having them on your desktop is pretty helpful. For instance, some of my co-workers work on the West Coast while I work on the East Coast, so I have a clock widget that displays the current time in Pacific Standard Time, which makes coordinating with my coworkers a bit simpler.

The widgets are also super simple to use; all you have to do is right-click with your mouse or double-click your trackpad on your desktop and a menu will pop out. You can select Edit Widgets and a widget menu will appear where you can choose from small, medium or large widgets for a variety of applications. If you want to remove a widget, you can either right-click or use two fingers to click your trackpad and select Remove Widget, or you can click the small red button that appears after selecting Edit Widget to remove your widget.

You can also drag and drop widgets from your Notification Center to your desktop. If you want to add widgets to your notification center, all you need to do is scroll to the bottom of your notification center and click Edit Widgets. You remove widgets from your notification center in the same way you would from your desktop.

You can also add your iPhone widgets to your Mac’s desktop, even if you don’t have the widget’s corresponding app downloaded to your computer. To enable this, you will need to go to System Settings, then scroll down to Desktop and Dock and from there scroll to the Widgets section. Once in the widgets section, simply toggle the Use iPhone Widgets option on. Your iPhone widgets will be available from the widget browser that appears when selecting Edit Widget on your desktop or notification center.

Auto-sorting grocery lists

I’m a pretty organized person, but to be honest, I’ve never turned to Apple’s Reminders app for help with this. The app didn’t make much sense to me and I traditionally have opted for third-party organization apps. While these new reminder features aren’t enough to sway me away from my preferred organization apps, some additions help me make better use of the app.

The changes to reminders are pretty easy to take advantage of. The most major update is the auto-sorting grocery list feature. To make use of this feature, click the Add List button at the bottom of the reminders page. Give your list a name (and change the color of the list and the icon if you’d like). Then, under the List Type drop-down menu, select Groceries.

Once in the list, create the categories you want for your list. For example, my list had three categories: meats, produce and miscellaneous. After you create your categories, you should be able to start putting your list together, and the items you add should be automatically sorted. Be warned — this feature seems to be a bit buggy. My best advice is to keep trying the feature, and you can always drag and drop your items to their correct category if nothing else works.

Messages that mirror your phone

One of my favorite things about having an Apple family of products is that I can text from my computer. This sounds small, but this has proven super-helpful in my day-to-day life. When I’m working on my computer, I can put my phone completely away so I can focus, but it’s nice to still be able to be reached.

One thing that has always frustrated me about iMessage on my computer is that it feels years behind my phone. For the longest time, I couldn’t use tap-back reactions or even reply to messages like I could when I would text on my phone. Sonoma has changed this for the better — there is finally parity between phones and computers when it comes to the iMessage experience.

The biggest feature that I had been missing was the reply function. Essentially, this function allows you to swipe across a message and reply directly to that specific message. I’ve found this feature particularly helpful when making complicated plans or in noisy group chats.

All you have to do to use the reply function is swipe two fingers to the right until you can reply to the message. If you don’t want to swipe, you can click the message you wish to reply to with two fingers and select Reply from the drop-down menu.

For more, here’s the best MacBook of 2023.

After last weekend’s bitter defeat to Newcastle in controversial circumstances, Arsenal will be hoping for a straightforward win as they host Burnley at home on Saturday.

Last Sunday’s 1-0 away loss at St. James’ Park ended the Gunners’ unbeaten start to their English Premier League campaign and saw them miss out on a chance to move level on points with leaders Man City.

Burnley come into this daunting fixture having lost nine of their opening 11 league fixtures this season, equalling a club record set in the second division all the way back in 1904.

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

Arsenal vs. Burnley: When and where?

Arsenal host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in north London on Saturday, Nov. 11. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. GMT (10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m PT, 2 a.m. AEDT).

How to watch the Arsenal vs. Burnley 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 Arsenal vs. Burnley in the US

Saturday’s Arsenal vs. Burnley match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

Can I livestream the Arsenal vs. Burnley game in the UK?

No broadcaster has the rights to show this game live in the UK, due to the traditional Saturday 3 p.m. kick-off blackout, which prohibits matches being shown in the region at that time in order to protect attendances throughout the English football pyramid.

That also means that if you’re in the UK traveling for pleasure or for work, you’re unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home thanks to geo-blocking.

There is one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there.

Livestream the Arsenal vs. Burnley game in Canada

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

Livestream the Arsenal vs. Burnley 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 want access to top streaming services, Roku remains our favorite platform. Whether you have an old-school TV you want to upgrade with streaming access or you have a smart TV with built-in apps but want a dedicated streaming device to improve your user experience, there’s a wide array to choose from out there. Some devices can get pretty pricey, but with Black Friday on the way, plenty of early deals have already hit shelves. In fact, Walmart has the Roku Premiere available for just $19 right now. That’s less than the average cost of takeout. This Roku model is currently exclusive to Walmart, and includes support for 4K HDR video output, which the otherwise similar but currently slightly more expensive Roku Express model lacks.

This deal is part of Walmart’s Black Friday sale, which kicked off Wednesday. The retailer has slashed prices on hundreds of items, making it easy to find plenty of major deals on toys, tech and more ahead of the holiday rush. We’re not sure how long this deal will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later if you want to snag one at this price.

The Roku Premiere delivers HD, 4K and HDR support, so long as you have a compatible TV to take advantage of those features. It comes with a remote control with shortcut buttons for easy navigation, and the Roku app works with iOS and Android devices if you want to search with your voice, connect wireless headphones for private listening or have a second remote option. Plus, this device works with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant and supports AirPlay, which allows you to cast content from your Apple devices to your TV. The box also includes a premium high-speed HDMI cable, so all you have to do is plug the device into your TV, connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and sign into your streaming accounts.

While there are more powerful streaming devices out there, this is a solid option for most people. And at this price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal on an option that supports 4K. The Roku Premiere is a great gift idea as well if you want to get a jump start on your holiday shopping list.

In 2016 Samsung said it wanted to be known as the next Bowers and Wilkins, but a few months later the company fast-tracked these ambitions when it bought Harmon. And while Samsung now owns JBL and a boatload of other respected brands, its own audio products have nevertheless continued to stand up well against the competition. Products such as the Q990C.

The HW-Q990C is Samsung’s flagship soundbar and it includes most of the things people are looking for in a $1,000-plus speaker system. Those extras include Dolby Atmos and wireless streaming — and even both at the same time.

I’ve always believed that if a soundbar costs over a grand, you’re better off with an AV receiver and speakers. (The $359 Klipsch Reference Cinema and the $589 Onkyo TX-NR6100 are two good picks.) Yet, I also recognize that there are plenty of people who prefer the space-saving and convenience aspects of soundbars.

In my tests the Samsung definitely sounded better than my favorite Atmos soundbar system overall, the Vizio Elevate, but how much are you willing to pay for that improvement? The Vizio is currently selling for $800 and the Samsung is at least $500 more than that right now. Yet, the Samsung 990C is the best dedicated surround soundbar kit I’ve heard in years, and will reward anyone willing to pay extra for the privilege.

Design and features

My usual recommendation is to limit your soundbar budget to $300, but there are definitely benefits to spending more. Pricier models like the Samsung 990C, for instance, can offer a better array of features including Wi-Fi streaming and voice assistance. And this particular model promises better sound, too.

Design-wise the Samsung 990C is of the same chunky style the company has employed for years, which carries some of the drawbacks I’ve seen with previous designs. For example, the display is hidden behind a mesh screen and it can be difficult to read.

The Q990C is a 11.1.4 soundbar but you should take its claim of 11 discrete channels with a good pinch of salt. Instead think of it as your standard 5.1.4 surround configuration (left, right, center, two rears, subwoofer and four height channels) with a few more wide and side-firing drivers for wide effects.

The set includes four separate speaker boxes, and they’re all quite large. The main soundbar measures 48.5 by 2.7 by 5.4 inches. The next-largest is the wireless subwoofer at 8.7 by 16 by 16 inches. The surrounds are about the same size as computer speakers at 5.1 by 7.9 by 5.5 inches.

If you were considering this soundbar you may have been attracted by its wireless Dolby Atmos capability. I’m talking about its ability to connect wirelessly with select 2023 Samsung TVs and stream Dolby Atmos wirelessly. Right now, however, the only TVs in that “select” group are the relatively inexpensive CU7000 and CU8000 models.

My question is: Are people with a $600 TV really going to buy this soundbar, especially just to forsake a $10 cable? Maybe that’s you. And I’m not the boss of you, you can do what you please! But really, by using a cable you’re going to get better reliability and performance too.

The Q990C will decode all of the relevant formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X while also including compatibility with audio standards Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2. The soundbar also tucks in Q Symphony, which pairs the speaker with the onboard speakers of your Samsung TV, but given that every speaker on this kit is better than the ones that go into TVs, I don’t think you should use it. Other audio gubbins include the SpaceFit Sound Pro Calibration routine and the voice-optimizing Active Voice Amplifier.

Connections include two HDMI 2.0 inputs (so, sadly, no gaming-friendly 4K/120Hz) with an HDMI eARC output, digital optical, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It would have been good to see seen a few more connections including an analog input for people to connect a record player, for instance.

The remote control is compact and feels premium, with a faux-metallic finish. It misses out on the solar power charger of the TV remotes, but if you own a Samsung TV you can use its remote to control the soundbar too.

How does it sound?

I compared the Samsung Q990C against an array of different soundbars in CNET’s audio lab, including the Vizio Elevate, the LG S9C and the Bose 600 Smart Soundbar and subwoofer combo. With its four height speakers and large sub, the Samsung definitely had an advantage against the others when it came to cinematic immersion. As you’d expect with a brand hoping to become a household name in audio, the music replay of the Q990C was also excellent.

I began my tests with Dennis Villenueve’s Dune and compared the Samsung against a Bose Smart Soundbar 600 and Bass Module 500 subwoofer combo, plus the LG S9C. When watching the scene where the ornithopters land in an attempt to rescue spice miners from a sandworm (1 hour, 1 minute into the movie), clarity was one word that came to my mind. The whispered dialog, the sound of the spice filtering through Paul Atreides’ airways and the deep thump of the sandworms were exceedingly clear and impactful. Compared to the Samsung, the Bose offered less presence and slam, and the Samsung’s immersion was helped greatly by the its discrete rears speakers (you can add them to the Bose system aftermarket, however). The LG S9C was the weakest of the three and I was unable to get much volume out of it. The LG got a little lost trying to convey the majesty of the scene.

Next I swapped out two of the soundbars and substituted them for the Vizio Elevate — a great speaker in its own right. However, the Samsung pulled ahead in Dune as it did for the remainder of the tests. While the Vizio had more low-end punch, the Samsung was able to delve deeper into the low frequencies and sounded better overall.

Next I fired up Mad Max: Fury Road and found that both the Samsung and the Vizio were excellent at surround steering and creating an all-enveloping sonic world. The Samsung sounded more accomplished however, especially in its ability to place a girl’s voice directly overhead when she inquires, “Max?”

Finally I listened to a selection of music on the Samsung 9900C including the excellent remix of The Replacements’ album Tim. Paul Westerberg’s newly uncovered voice sounded fuller on the Samsung during the fist-pumping Bastards of Young and the instruments were more cohesive in the soundstage. Though fans of the band might argue that “together” is something that the ‘Mats never were.

Should you buy it?

At the end of the discussion, it becomes a matter of how much money you want to spend. The Samsung sounds noticeably better than the Vizio Elevate, and it’s better built too, but it’s also a lot more expensive. The Samsung’s price is currently reduced for Black Friday, at $1,400, and for that kind of money I think it’s fair, and certainly I wouldn’t want to pay the full $1,800. Plus, while I’m on a nitpicking jaunt, that integrated display on the unit itself is a little annoying.

Nevertheless, designing a soundbar that performs this well with both music and movies is quite a feat, and Samsung has achieved it with the Q990C. While most people won’t use most of the features, it’s the performance that should draw people in.