Category: Technologies

A steady stream of online leaks over the past few weeks suggested Samsung was on the verge of releasing a new set of “affordable” earbuds, the Galaxy Buds FE. Now those buds have officially arrived and are available starting Oct. 5 in graphite and white for $100.

The new buds feature a single 12mm driver, three mics on each earbud and active noise canceling. They appear to charge in a case that’s the same size and shape as what you currently get with all of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds, including the Galaxy Buds 2 and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. And they look a lot like an updated version of Samsung’s discontinued Galaxy Buds Plus earbuds, which also came with a set of swappable fins that helped create a secure, comfortable fit. Like those buds, the Galaxy Buds FE are sweat-resistant with an IPX2 water-resistance rating that protects against splashes.

The Galaxy Buds Plus were known for their comfortable fit and excellent battery life. Samsung says the Galaxy Buds FE are rated for up to six hours of battery life with noise canceling on and eight-and-a-half hours with it off. The Galaxy Buds Plus were rated for up to 11 hours.

Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds of 2023

We haven’t tried the new buds yet, but should be getting a review sample soon and will post a full review after we test them.

Previously, the Galaxy Buds 2 were Samsung’s most affordable earbuds. They list for $150, but frequently sell for closer to $100. We won’t see discounts like that on the Galaxy Buds FE right away, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them discounted during the holiday buying season by $20 or $30. While they likely won’t sound as good as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, which feature two-way drivers (10mm woofer, 5.3mm tweeter), the Galaxy Buds FE’s integrated fins should appeal to a lot of people who are looking for a secure, comfortable fit.

Samsung also unveiled other new mobile devices in its more affordable “Fan Edition” line, including the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S9 Plus FE.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE key specs, according to Samsung

• 12mm single driver
• Active noise canceling and ambient sound mode
• Battery life: Up to 6 hours (extra 15 hours in case) with ANC on, 8.5 hours with ANC off (extra 21.5 hours in case)
• IPX2 water-resistance rating that protects against splashes
• 3 mics on each earbud
• 3 different sizes of ear tips, 2 different sizes of wingtips
• Graphite or white colors
• Price: $100

The $600 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE revives the company’s Fan Edition of phones, and it’s selling for a much lower price than the original $800 Galaxy S23. Samsung on Tuesday revealed the lower-priced flagship, which keeps many higher-end features like the inclusion of a telephoto lens for the camera and reverse wireless charging. There are noticeable changes, however, that might not affect the phone’s overall appeal, but reveal how Samsung was able to offer the phone at a $200 price difference. (International pricing wasn’t immediately available, but its US price roughly converts to 500 and AU$950.)

The S23 FE’s release comes after Samsung paused the line in 2022, having released the Galaxy S21 FE early that year but decided to not release a Galaxy S22 FE. These phones have aimed to provide as much of the flagship phone experience as possible for less money, and in some cases improve by including a bigger battery and screen. While Samsung does offer a lot of Galaxy A phones priced at $450 and less, Samsung’s FE phones tend to focus on the most noticeable features from its higher-end line while making cuts in areas that could be less noticeable.

In the case of the Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung decided to scale back by using last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor — but that processor is still quite powerful for most tasks and can be found in Motorola’s $1,000 Razr Plus foldable phone. There is also a noticeable change in the phone’s appearance, with the standard Galaxy S23 using a more glossy aluminum frame than the aluminum used on the FE.

The Galaxy S23 FE has a 50-megapixel wide camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camer, similar to the Galaxy S23, but its 8-megapixel telephoto camera is a minor step down from the regular S23’s 10-megapixel zoom camera. The S23 FE also uses a 10-megapixel front-facing camera, versus the 12-megapixel one seen on the standard S23.

However, the Galaxy S23 FE does include a slightly bigger battery than the original S23: 4,500 versus 3,900 mAh. The phone is also a little bigger than the Galaxy S23, with the FE including a 6.4-inch display that makes it a hair shorter than the 6.6-inch display on the S23 Plus. The S23 FE’s display can run at a 120Hz refresh rate, but will adapt between that 60Hz, depending on the phone’s activity, to save battery.

But aside from those differences, the phone shares many similarities with the Galaxy S23. That includes Android 13, wired charging at a speed of 25 watts, wireless charging along with the ability to wirelessly charge other devices, an in-display fingerprint sensor and 128GB or 256GB storage options. Unlike the cheaper $450 Galaxy A54 5G, the S23 FE does not include expandable storage via microSD.

The phone will be available in six colors at launch, with stores getting mint, purple, cream and graphite. Indigo and tangerine colors will also be available through Samsung’s website.

In my brief time using the phone, I paired it with a Galaxy Watch 6, browsed websites and took a few sample photos at the Samsung 837 showroom in New York.

While I’ll need more time with the phone to get a better impression, my initial thoughts put the Galaxy S23 FE as less of an alternative for “fans,” but more as an option to consider as a step up from the $499 Pixel 7A and the Galaxy A54. While camera testing will be needed to see how the FE compares to the 7A, the new Samsung phone does have a slightly bigger screen than Google’s phone. The S23 FE also includes a telephoto lens with a 3x optical zoom, which neither the 7A nor the Galaxy A54 include.

The Galaxy S23 FE arrives in the midst of the busy fall phone season, debuting the night before before Google plans to unveil its Pixel 8 line. Samsung is also likely to reveal the Galaxy S24 early next year, only a few months from now.

But the FE does provide a more premium option for someone looking to step up from phones that normally cost between $300 to $500, and it could provide all the essentials at that lower price.

After a 162-game season that began way back in March, a dozen teams remain with World Series dreams as the calendar turns to October. Baseball’s postseason gets underway today with a quartet of Wild Card series. Each series is the best of three games, with the higher seed hosting all three games.

In the American League, the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays face off in one series, while the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins play in the other. In the National League, the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Miami Marlins play the Philadelphia Phillies. The top two division winners in each league earned first-round byes: the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros in the AL, and the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL.

Wild Card games will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. After Thursday, however, coverage shifts to Fox and FS1 for the ALDS and ALCS, and TBS for the NLDS and NLCS. The 2023 World Series will be shown on Fox.

What is the schedule for the Wild Card series?

There are no off days for the Wild Card teams. The Wild Card round starts on Tuesday, with Game 2 of each series scheduled for Wednesday. Any Wild Card series that goes the full three games will be settled on Thursday. The Rays, Twins, Brewers and Phillies are the higher seeds and will host each series.

Here are the times and channels for each series (all times ET):

Tuesday, Oct. 3

• Game 1: Rays vs. Rangers, 3:08 p.m. on ABC
• Game 1: Twins vs. Blue Jays, 4:38 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 1: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks, 7:08 p.m. on ESPN2
• Game 1: Phillies vs. Marlins, 8:08 p.m. on ESPN

Wednesday, Oct. 4

• Game 2: Rays vs. Rangers, 3:08 p.m. on ABC
• Game 2: Twins vs. Blue Jays, 4:38 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 2: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks, 7:08 p.m. on ESPN2
• Game 2: Phillies vs. Marlins, 8:08 p.m. on ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 5 (if necessary)

• Game 3: Rays vs. Rangers, 3:08 p.m. on ABC
• Game 3: Twins vs. Blue Jays, 4:38 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 3: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks, 7:08 p.m. on ESPN2
• Game 3: Phillies vs. Marlins, 8:08 p.m. on ESPN

You can see the full postseason schedule here.

How to watch the Wild Card round without cable

If you don’t have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch all four Wild Card series with a live TV service. ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 are available on each of the five major streaming services, but not every service carries every local network in every area, so Rays and Rangers fans will need to check each service using the links below to make sure it carries ABC where they live.

All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Apple’s iOS 17 is here, and one of the new features is live voicemail, which allows iPhone users to read transcripts of voicemails being left in real time.

This new feature functions a lot like an old answering machine, only with text. When you get a voicemail, you can see what the caller is saying in real time. As you’re reading along — before the call ends — you can pick up and be connected with the caller.

For now, this feature is only available in English for US and Canada-based Apple users who have iOS 17. To check which operating system your iPhone is running, you can go to Settings > General > Software Update. If you’re in need of an update, this is where you’ll be prompted to do that (we can walk you through how to download iOS 17).

Once you have iOS 17, you can turn this feature on (or off) through Settings > Phone > Live Voicemail. Then you’ll be ready to go once your phone starts ringing.

In reviewing the new iOS 17 features, CNET’s Patrick Holland said that live voicemails are “powered by your iPhone’s neural engine in order to preserve your privacy,” comparing it to Google’s Call Screen feature on its Pixel phones.

This function is one of many updates included in iOS 17. Other key features include StandBy mode, custom iMessage stickers, contact posters and offline maps.

For more, check out CNET’s iOS 17 cheat sheet, how to fix annoying iOS 17 features and what to do if you don’t see the update for iOS 17.

Now that iOS 17 is available to download and the iPhone 15 series has hit shelves, Apple fans are getting their hands on all the new software these upgrades are bringing. While there are some features that are super helpful or fun to use, there are others that are, well… not.

A special new feature that has Apple fans split is NameDrop. While some fans enjoy the ease of being able to simply raise their phone to share their contact info, others are wary of the ease at which contact information can be shared — or worse, stolen.

Users on X (formerly Twitter) have brought up concerns about how the feature could jeopardize users’ safety. For instance, several women have raised concerns about being able to dodge creeps in public spaces. For instance, @ChanSteele tweeted, “How do you NameDrop a fake number? Asking for all women.”

These concerns about safety are absolutely valid, and if you find yourself concerned and wanting to disable NameDrop, read on to find out your options for NameDrop management.

For more, here’s how to fix the most annoying iOS 17 features and everything you should do before updating to iOS 17.

So is NameDrop dangerous?

The good news is, NameDrop isn’t necessarily dangerous. According to Apple, you’re able to select which pieces of information are shared when you NameDrop your contact to another person.

You also only have two options when two iPhones are placed together and the option for NameDrop is presented. You can either Receive Only, which means that you will only receive the other person’s contact information, or you can Share. When you select Share you will send your contact information and receive the other person’s contact information.

So if you somehow accidentally NameDrop with someone you don’t want to, you’ve got options. You can be ultraselective about what information you choose to share, or opt to receive only.

However, if you still don’t feel comfortable with NameDrop, you can disable the feature. It’s important to note that NameDrop is automatically enabled when you download iOS 17 or purchase an iPhone 15, so you will have to turn it off if you don’t want it active on your phone.

How do I disable NameDrop?

If you want NameDrop disabled for good, then you’re in luck. It’s pretty simple to turn it off.

All you need to do to disable NameDrop is:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap on General.

3. Navigate to the AirDrop tab.

4. Once you open the tab, simply toggle the Bring Devices Together option off. It’s as easy as that. And if you have a change of heart and decide you feel comfortable with NameDrop and want to enable it, all you need to do is toggle the Bring Devices Together option back on.

For more, here’s our review of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

With fewer and fewer devices shipping with a charger in the box, buying a new one needs to be as cheap as possible. Right now, this Case-Mate 30-watt USB-C charger is a great option, and not just because it comes in some gorgeous colors. You can also pick one up at a hefty discount, too.

Woot was already selling this charger at a massive 67% discount, but if you enter the discount code TECH3 when checking out you’ll save an extra $3. That brings the original $30 price all the way down to just $7, which might make this the best price we’ve seen a USB-C charger from a reputable brand sell for yet.

Order now and you’ll be able to choose between vivid green, orange and frosted white when placing your order, but the charger underneath is the same no matter which color you pick. That means you’ll get charging speeds of up to 30 watts, which is more than enough to fast-charge some hugely popular devices, including the brand-new iPhone 15.

Unlike some chargers, this one won’t take up a ton of room, thanks to the use of GaN technology, making it perfect for throwing in a bag or even your pocket between charges. Case-Mate says this thing also features smart programmable power supply technology, so it automatically adjusts the voltage to suit what it’s connected to.

All of that makes this a great option or anyone who needs an extra USB-C charger — and at this price, it might be worth picking up a few of them, too.

iOS 17 is here, and it’s brought many new and exciting features to compatible iPhones, including the ability to create your own contact poster, the brand-new StandBy mode, the Journal app and more.

Among these new iOS 17 features, is the ability to automatically delete all the two-factor authentication codes that wind up in your iMessage or Mail inboxes.

Two-factor authentication is a simple way to protect your information. By having a service send a code to your device when logging in to your account, you can make it harder for your information to get stolen. But it can get a little messy when your messages app is constantly clogged up with all the codes that get sent directly to your messages or email inboxes.

With this new feature, all you’ll need to do is toggle one setting, and then the two-factor authentication codes will be deleted from your account, freeing up your inboxes.

Here’s how our take on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and here’s a rundown of everything announced at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event.

How can I automatically delete two-factor authentication codes?

On iOS 17, if you want to turn on the option to automatically delete your two-factor authentication codes, you’ll first need to go into your Settings on your phone. After you’ve opened your settings, navigate to the Passwords tab. Then tap Passwords. (You may need to unlock your phone.) Now tap Password Options scroll down to the Verification Codes section and enable Clean Up Automatically.

After you turn that one, you should be set. And don’t worry: This won’t automatically delete any unused authentication codes — it only deletes codes that you’ve already used. This also works in the Mail app, so all of your inboxes will be squeaky clean.

For more, here are some hidden iOS 17 features you need to know and the most impressive features of iOS 17.

OnePlus, the maker of high-spec Android phones at sub-$1,000 prices, is already showing off its upcoming foldable phone to YouTube channel Unbox Therapy before it’s even ready, as per a video uploaded to the channel on Monday.

In the video, Unbox Therapy host Lewis Hilsenteger spoke to Pete Lau, the founder of OnePlus and now chief product officer of Oppo. The unnamed folding phone’s major selling point is how flat the device can fold. According to Lau, OnePlus has filed 35 patents related to the new folding phone’s hinge, all meant to reduce the weight and size while also increasing strength.

Compared with the Oppo Find N2, the OnePlus foldable has 31 fewer components in its hinge. It’s also 37% smaller. In demonstrations, the fold was tight enough to grasp a sheet of paper with the force strong enough to actually hold the weight of the phone as well.

While the iPhone continues to dominate major markets around the world, such as the US and Japan, foldables have been one area Apple hasn’t yet touched. This allows companies like Samsung and Google to differentiate and potentially court Apple users. Foldables remain a growing segment in the smartphone market, which is in contrast to the rest of the industry. Even though overall global smartphone shipments declined 9% in 2023, foldables shipments increased 10%, according to Counterpoint Research. Even with the encouraging numbers, Samsung recently cut its foldable production targets, with the company currently sitting on eight weeks of inventory, according to The Elec.

There’s been some criticism lobbed at OnePlus, accusing it of losing its core identity as the “never settle” phone company that also delivered great value. As OnePlus and Oppo have merged, critics have pointed to a sameness between the products from both companies and the gradual increase in prices.

“After the merging, the R&D capability of the company is getting stronger,” Lau said. “We have launched many industry-leading technologies and are bringing products that have created a good reputation among consumers. For example, we have launched two generations of foldables under the Oppo brand and have also launched OnePlus 11, which has also received wide acclaim.”

It does seem that this new foldable is harkening back to OnePlus’ original DNA. Back is the unlock slider. As for the camera, the unit sent to Unbox Therapy had the camera array covered. A release date hasn’t been set, but Indian actress Anushka Sharma was seen holding a folding phone that looked very similar to the OnePlus foldable.

At the Made by Google event this Wednesday, Oct. 4, we expect the company to officially launch the Pixel 8, 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2. That’s no surprise to Pixel aficionados — Google hasn’t exactly been keeping the new phones and smartwatch under wraps.

In fact, we already know quite a lot of what will be announced — the names of the devices, what they look like and that there are likely some AI features. Who needs rumors, am I right? It feels like Google’s Pixel event on Wednesday will be less like an unveiling and more like a filling in of the blanks.

Here’s everything you can expect at the 2023 Made by Google event and how to watch the Pixel 8 launch live.

How to watch Google’s Pixel event

As has been the case for several years now, Google holds an annual event in October to launch the latest generation of Pixel devices. This year’s Made by Google event is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT, 3 p.m. BST, 1 a.m. AEST). It’s being held in New York for invited members of the press and will stream on Google’s YouTube channel. CNET will be at the event in person to cover the reveals of the new phones and wristwatch, along with anything else Google may show off.

The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro

“Meet the new Pixel phones, featuring the most advanced Pixel cameras yet, and Google AI to help you do more, even faster.”

That’s the tagline on Google’s site for the new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. The Pixel phone has always embraced AI and machine learning to some extent, but this tease definitely suggests more. And that might be why Google’s bold previews focus mainly on what the new phones look like and avoid showing off what they can actually do.

In a purportedly leaked video on 91mobiles shared by Kamila Wojciechowska, there’s a walk-through showing off new camera features, which are apparently powered by “Google AI controlled by you.” An enhanced video stabilization feature called Video Boost gets showcased, as well as night mode photo processing under very dim lighting, and improved audio isolation for video recording. In what’s perhaps the wildest feature, the video shows a picture of people on a merry-go-round, and then someone swapping out their blurry heads for crisp in-focus versions, on a Pixel 8. If this is Google AI, count me as intrigued.

Aside from AI, the Pixel 8 will follow previous Google phones in being the smaller of the two, and only the Pixel 8 Pro will have a telephoto camera. In Google’s teaser video, the phones are shown off in a carnation pink and a white color. Both Pixels look like they’ve had nearly every right angle smoothed out. The edges appear more rounded, with both phones looking taller and slimmer than their predecessors.

Wojciechowska also shared leaked Pixel 8 and 8 Pro specs on 91mobiles (as did reliable tipster Evan Blass on X). Both phones apparently share the same main 48-megapixel camera but the rest are different. According to the specs, the Pixel 8 has a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera compared with the 50-megapixel one on the 8 Pro, which will include a new macro focus mode. Both have a 10.5-megapixel front-facing camera, but the 8 Pro’s selfie camera also has autofocus instead of the fixed focus on the Pixel 8. The 8 Pro, like recent pro models, has a third rear camera: a telephoto with 5x optical zoom.

In terms of the screens, the Pixel 8 looks to have a 6.2-inch display, which is smaller than the 6.3-inch one on the Pixel 7. The Pixel 8’s screen gets a boosted refresh rate, to 120Hz, up from the Pixel 7’s 90Hz. Both phones are expected to also feature Google’s Tensor G3 chip.

Perhaps the most curious rumor is that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a built-in thermometer. According to another video leak on 91mobiles (in partnership with Wojciechowski), you’ll be able to use the 8 Pro to measure your temperature. The video has been taken offline, but a contactless thermometer could open up more health features. If the leak is accurate, it won’t be the first smartphone to offer such functionality. The 2020 Honor 4 Play Pro used a sensor to do something similar.

As reported by 9to5Google, the eighth generation of Pixel phones could come with an increased price tag in the US, with the base Pixel 8 going for $699 and the base 8 Pro for $999, a $100 increase for both phones over last year.

The Google Pixel Watch 2

As with the phones, Google released a teaser video for the Pixel Watch 2. The new watch looks nearly identical to last year’s original Pixel Watch, aside from the crown, which appears more svelte.

In a close-up shot of the side, you can see the bottom of the watch, with IP68 listed on it. That would be a substantial upgrade considering the original version lacked any official dust or water resistance.

The Pixel Watch 2, along with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, will be available to preorder on Oct. 4, according to the fine print in Google’s videos. For everything else, we’ll have to wait for the Made by Google event.

Correction, Oct. 2: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect day of the week for Oct. 4. It’s a Wednesday.

Holiday lovers, rejoice: The season is here.

Today we launch 84 Days, an inspiration-packed collection of resources for the most festive time of the year, brought to you by the expert editors of CNET.

Why 84 days? The 12-week period before Christmas, which kicks off Oct. 2, is the start of the busiest shopping season of the year, based on our nearly 30-year history of guiding readers like you through the craze. This is the period when it all happens: end-of-year-planning, travel or hosting arrangements and, yes, buying things for yourself and others.

If 12 weeks sounds like a long time, we’d like to point out that starting early pays off. With a bit of strategy, you’re more likely to get better prices, budget more effectively and find awesome, memorable products. Pace yourself! We’re here to help.

The truth is that the holiday shopping season is about so much more than the moment of buying. At CNET, our mission is to help you through every stage of life’s big decisions: Researching the best products and services, understanding how they can make your life better or more productive and, once you have them, getting the most value and use out of them.

We invite you to use these next 12 weeks – and our dynamic, advice-driven hub of resources – to make the most of your season. Take a look around and explore the guides, stories, videos and tips we’ve curated here. Happy 84 days!