Category: Technologies

Modern computers might have a lot of storage but we’ll always need more. That’s why external SSDs like the Samsung T7 Shield are so important, and we’re big fans of this model in particular. Today only, you can pick one up for a song, and you even get to choose a color.

The Samsung T7 Shield would normally sell for around $100 but B&H Photo is currently offering it for just $60 thanks to a 40% coupon that is automatically applied during the checkout process. You’ll have to act fast though as the blue color is already sold out and the black version is on backorder.

CNET reviewer Joshua Goldman was pretty impressed with the T7 Shield thanks to its ultracompact design and impressive durability. It’s a portable solid-state drive that’s roughly the size of a credit card, and boasts an IP65 weather-resistance rating, so it’s protected against both water and dust. And thanks to its elastomer exterior it can survive drops of up to 3 meters. It boasts speedy performance too, with data transfer speeds of up to 1,050 MB per second. It uses a USB-C connection and is compatible with Mac, Windows and Android devices.

Whether you’re looking to move data from one computer to another or just need to expand the storage you already have, this is a great way to do it — and because it’s rugged you don’t need to baby it, too.

If you commute or travel a lot, you know how loud it can get being out and about, so it’s important to have a good set of noise-canceling headphones. But quality does tend to come at a price, and while you could certainly grab an expensive pair of Sony WF-1000XM5s, you can save a bit of money and grab these reasonably good EarFun Air Pro 3 for a fraction of the cost. There’s even a great discount from Amazon that discounts them down to under $50 when you use coupon code EAP3CNET.

The EarFun Air Pro 3 are our top pick for affordable wireless earbuds. They are equipped with the latest Qualcomm QCC3071 chipset, which allows them to have surprisingly robust power and volume for such budget-oriented earbuds. They have great highs and mids, especially in terms of clarity, although their bass does suffer a little bit, which isn’t too surprising given the price point. Call audio is great, given that the earbuds come with a total of six microphones to work with, and the person at the other end can hear you pretty well, even in a somewhat crowded environment.

The myriad of microphones also help with the environmental noise cancelling, which isn’t quite the same as the higher-end active noise cancelling. Still, it’s more than enough if you aren’t dealing with sounds over 43 decibels, such as a jackhammer or drill. Luckily, the EarFun Air Pro 3 does a good job of sealing against your ear, so you get some passive noise canceling that way too. Of course, if you’d still like to hear what’s going around you, there’s a transparency mode, which we don’t often see in more budget-friendly earbuds, so we’re delighted with that.

As for battery life, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll get around nine hours without ENC and about 7 hours with ENC enabled, plus another 30 hours from the wireless case. We’re also happy to see that it comes with an IPX5 rating, so it can handle the elements and sweat if you want to go running or exercise.

Overall, while the EarFun Air Pro 3 won’t compete with the top dogs in the game, they’re an excellent set of mid-range earbuds, especially with the deal from Amazon bringing them down to just $50. That said, you can always check out our roundup of the best earbud and headphone deals if they aren’t for you.

You’ll need more than advanced hardware to build a decent PC. The operating system is one of the most important components, and if you want to run Windows on your freshly assembled desktop, we’ve spotted a deal you won’t want to miss. Windows 11 Pro is Microsoft’s latest and greatest OS, and while it typically costs $200 if you buy it directly at Microsoft, you can pick it up for just $30 right now at StackSocial. However, this deal is only available through Oct. 1, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

This is a great price, but it’s important to note that not every computer out there is able to run Windows 11, so before you buy it, you’re going to want to ensure that your computer will meet the requirements that are required. Additionally, the listing says that if you have a PC that’s already running Windows 10 and Windows Update doesn’t let you install the free Windows 11 upgrade, your computer will not be compatible with this version either.

The activation key that’s provided following your purchase can be used to install and activate Windows 11 Pro on three computers. To be clear, purchases like this are generally intended for advanced users — those who are building a new computer or who want to dual-boot an existing computer with a second OS. To that end, you will need a secondary PC to access and download the files, so be sure you can access everything from another computer in your home, or you have a friend’s machine that you can use temporarily. (You’ll also want to have a USB thumb drive on hand to transfer the file.) Microsoft provides three ways to access Windows 11 Pro following your purchase, so you can pick the one that’ll work best for your situation.

Apple’s brand-new iPhone 15 and Plus models and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are now available in stores. If you like to switch out your iPhone as new models emerge each year, and you’re looking to upgrade your current iPhone soon, Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program might be right for you.

This program is basically an “iPhone as a service” plan. Instead of paying the full value up front or making monthly payments to own a particular phone after two years, the iPhone Upgrade program lets you trade in your current phone for a new model after making 12 monthly payments. For that privilege, you’re paying a subscription fee for the foreseeable future.

Now that the iPhone 15 series is available to buy, it might be a good time to get in on the upgrading action. To check your eligibility, all you have to do is sign in with your Apple ID on Apple’s website, and you’ll know whether your current phone is eligible for an upgrade.

How does the iPhone Upgrade Program work?

You buy an iPhone from Apple — from an Apple Store in person, Apple’s online store or the Apple Store app — and agree to pay it off over 24 months. But after making half of those payments, you’re eligible for a free upgrade. After 12 months, you can trade in your current phone for a new model. The clock starts again on the 24 months of payments and eligibility to upgrade after making 12 of them.

Why buy from Apple instead of a carrier?

Apple sweetens the deal by including its AppleCare Plus coverage at a slight discount with the iPhone Upgrade Program. AppleCare Plus is the company’s insurance and extended warranty program that would otherwise cost $8 a month for the iPhone 15, $9 a month for the iPhone15 Plus, or $10 a month for the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. With the Apple Upgrade Program, you pay $6.21 a month for AppleCare Plus on the iPhone 15.

AppleCare Plus doubles the standard one-year warranty to two years, but that’s less of a concern if you’re planning on trading in your phone after the first year. The real value of AppleCare Plus is getting accidental-damage protection. You get unlimited accidental damage claims to repair your phone. A cracked screen will run you $29, and other accidental damage will cost you $99. Phone support is also extended to two years with AppleCare Plus, up from the standard 90 days.

How much does it cost?

Pricing ranges from $39.50 a month for the 128GB iPhone 15 to $74.91 a month for the 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max.

What about AppleCare Plus with Theft and Loss?

If you worry less about dropping or damaging your phone and more about losing it or it getting stolen, you can pay a bit extra per month to upgrade to AppleCare Plus with Theft and Loss coverage. With AppleCare Plus with Theft and Loss covers two incidents of theft and loss per year, with each replacement running you $149, which is still cheaper than buying a new iPhone. Upgrading to AppleCare Plus with Theft and Loss coverage adds $4.16 to your monthly Upgrade Program bill and lets you pay a small deductible to replace a lost or stolen phone rather than the full cost of replacement.

How do I pay?

You’ll need a credit card or debit card to sign up, at least in the US. In the US, Apple uses Citizens Bank for the installment loan, and it requires a valid, US-issued credit card to be eligible. You are not eligible to sign up with a prepaid card.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. Sorry, kids, you need to be 18 years old to apply. (And given the prices of the new Pro models, I hope you’ll start being nicer to your parents.)

How do I trade in my current phone?

You can take it to an Apple Store and make the swap there, but you can also save the trip and buy from Apple’s online store or the Apple Store app. When you order an iPhone online from Apple, it’ll arrive with a trade-in kit so you can package up your suddenly outdated phone and ship it back to Apple. You need to get it back to Apple within 14 days.

Read more: How to Sell Your Old iPhone Before Upgrading

What if my current iPhone is banged up?

According to Apple, your current iPhone needs to be in “good physical and operational condition.” That means it should:

• Be able to power on and hold a charge.
• Have an intact and functioning display.
• Have no breaks or cracks.

I haven’t made 12 payments yet on my current phone, can I still upgrade?

Yes, but it’ll cost you. If you’ve made at least six monthly payments on your current phone, you can pay the difference between your current balance and the total for 12 payments to fast-forward the clock and get a new iPhone.

Do I need to upgrade?

No, not all at! You aren’t forced to upgrade. If you’re happy with your current phone, you can keep using it and continuing to pay it off. After 24 months, you will have paid it off and can continue using it without the monthly payment, or you can turn around and sell it to help finance the cost of a new phone when you’re ready.

How is this different than Apple’s Trade In program?

Note that the iPhone Upgrade program isn’t the same as Apple’s Trade In program. While you are exchanging your old iPhone for a newer model in both programs, with the iPhone Trade In program you are simply trading in an old device for a discount on a newer one.

If you’re a part of the iPhone Upgrade program, you’re discouraged from participating in the Trade In program, since you don’t outright own your device in the iPhone Upgrade program. If you do use the Trade In program, you’ll be on the hook for the balance of both the phone you were trading in and the new phone.

For more, here’s everything that was announced at the “Wonderlust” event and what we love about iOS 17.

During Amazon’s big showcase on Wednesday the company took the wraps off a couple of updates to its popular streaming sticks. The event saw a new Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max.

Both devices are getting faster, with Amazon touting that the Stick 4K now has a 1.7Ghz quad-core processor that it says is 30% more powerful. It also includes support for Wi-Fi 6 for better streaming if you’ve updated your router to a model that supports it. The 4K Max takes things a step further, with Amazon including an “upgraded” 2Ghz quad-core processor, support for Wi-Fi 6E connections and 16GB of internal storage.

An ambient mode for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max will now show artwork from “famous institutions around the world” on your home screen alongside widgets for the weather, calendar or reminders. Amazon says the artwork will be available without the need for a monthly subscription and include works from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, Museo del Prado in Madrid, and Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Florence.

The new Sticks will, like other Fire TV devices, be able to connect to other Amazon speakers including the new soundbar the company also unveiled on Wednesday. Neither device appears to come bundled with Amazon’s nicer Voice Remote Pro.

The streamers will be available for preorder today, with the Stick 4K running $50 and the Stick 4K Max going for $60. Amazon says the new Fire TV Sticks will start shipping out on Sept. 27.

Vizio helped write the book on TVs that deliver great image quality for the price, and the new Quantum Pro models look like another chapter. I haven’t reviewed this TV yet, but based on its specifications and Vizio’s solid track record, the Quantum Pro might challenge similar models from TCL and Hisense.

The Vizio Quantum Pro comes in two big sizes for two affordable prices: 65 inches for $700 and 75 inches for $1,000. That makes it a couple hundred bucks cheaper than flagship mini-LED equipped TVs like the TCL QM850G and Hisense U8K, but more expensive than entry-level TVs. In other words, the Quantum Pro is what I call “midpriced.”

The last Vizio TV I reviewed in CNET’s lab, the MQX series, also delivered excellent picture quality for the money. Vizio’s specifications for the Quantum Pro are similar. The company claims 1,000 nits of brightness, around what I measured for the MQX, but Vizio says the new TV will actually measure even brighter (we’ll see).

Other improvements Vizio promises to have made are adding an anti-reflective coating to the screen and widening the viewing angle. The Pro also has more local dimming zones than the MQX (40 and 80 respectively for the 65- and 75-inch sizes), which might improve contrast and reduce stray illumination, aka blooming.

Like the MQX, the Quantum Pro offers true 120Hz input at 4K resolution with variable refresh rate — an improvement over similarly priced sets like the Roku Plus Series that max out at 60Hz. The Quantum Pro also adds a new feature that allows it to reduce resolution (to 1080p) and increase the frame rate to 240 frames per second. This extra will only work with PC video cards for now, not consoles, but could provide smoother gaming. Note that some 2023 TCL TVs have a similar feature.

In addition to the Pro, Vizio also introduced the basic Quantum series. It includes three sizes (55-inch: $400; 65-inch: $500; and 75-inch: $700) but lacks the local dimming and 120Hz features of the Quantum Pro, although it does have VRR. As the names imply, both series use quantum dots to improve color and brightness.

All Vizio TVs continue to use the SmartCast system for streaming. I haven’t been a huge fan in the past (I prefer Roku or Google TV) but the company is rolling out a few improvements, including a redesigned menu system that should make shows and movies easier to browse.

The Quantum goes on sale starting today and the Quantum Pro starts shipping in November. Look for a full CNET review soon.

Bose has announced the Smart Ultra Soundbar, which comes with advanced dialogue processing and Dolby Atmos and replaces the Smart Soundbar 900.

The new soundbar includes the new AI Dialogue Mode, which uses “machine learning” to balance voice and surround sound for better intelligibility.

The Soundbar uses Bose’s dipole transducers and spatial technologies and TrueSpace to widen the soundstage, whether you’re listening to Dolby Atmos material or stereo programming.

Looking very similar to the Soundbar 900, the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is tongue-depressor shaped with a tempered glass top. It’s 2.3 inches high, 4 inches deep and quite wide at 41 inches across.

Connectivity includes HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi (Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2) and Bluetooth. The soundbar also features Amazon Alexa onboard — with the Bose Voice4Video feature, which turns a TV to the channel or input asked for — and also allows control with a separate Google Assistant.

The Smart Soundbar 900 was an excellent soundbar, so I am looking forward to hearing how the Smart Ultra compares, especially against its main rival, the Sonos Arc.

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is available now in black and Arctic white for $899 at Bose.com.

Apple’s iOS 17 was released a week ago, shortly after the company held its “Wonderlust” event, in which the tech giant announced the new iPhone 15 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. We put together this cheat sheet to help you learn about the new features in iOS 17 and how to use them, and to keep track of its subsequent updates.

Getting started with iOS 17

• iOS 17 Review: StandBy Mode Changed My Relationship With My iPhone

• Whether or Not Your iPhone Supports iOS 17
• Do This Before Downloading iOS 17
• How to Download iOS 17 to Your iPhone

Using iOS 17

• Three iPhone Settings to Change after Downloading iOS 17
• iOS 17’s Best New Features
• The iOS 17 Features We’re Excited About
• iOS 17 Is Filled With Delightful Features, Intuitive Improvements and More
• 17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Shouldn’t Miss
• iOS 17 Upgrades Your iPhone’s Keyboard
• You Can Tag Your Pets In Your ‘People’ Album With iOS 17
• How to Create Live Stickers in iOS 17

• How to Set Up Contact Posters in iOS 17
• How to Automatically Delete Two-Factor Verification Codes in iOS 17
• What to Know About iOS 17’s Unreleased Journal App

• How Good Are Offline Maps in iOS 17?
• How to Use iOS 17’s Live Voicemail Feature
• You Can Change Your Private Browsing Browser in iOS 17

• Hidden iOS 17 Feature Makes It Easier to Send Photos and Videos

• You Can Clone Your Voice with iOS 17. Here’s How

iOS 17 updates

• What to Know About iOS 17.0.1

• Apple Made an iPhone 15 Mistake, but iOS 17.0.2 Is Here to Fix It

Make sure to check back periodically for more iOS 17 tips and how to use new features as Apple releases more updates.

Roku is releasing an exclusive new bundle, the Roku Express 4K with Voice Remote Pro, the streaming company said in a press release Tuesday.

The bundle is currently up for pre-order at Amazon and costs $50 in the US. It’s priced a little bit more than the $40 Roku Express 4K Plus product that comes with the standard voice remote, which is CNET’s 2023 pick for best streaming device. Instead, this package includes the snazzier Roku Voice Remote Pro.

The Voice Remote Pro, which debuted in 2021, features a rechargeable battery, a headphone jack and the option to give certain commands hands-free using your voice, such as “find my remote.” And unlike the basic Roku voice remote, the Pro model is equipped with the private listening function. You can connect your headphones and listen to your TV without disrupting the household. It’s compatible with all Roku TV models, streaming players and audio devices, according to Roku.

Coupled with the streaming player, the remote allows you to seamlessly stream HD and 4K content, Roku said. The Roku Express 4K with Voice Remote Pro bundle will begin shipping on Oct. 4.

Roku’s release joins a crowded arena of streaming device drops at a comparatively lower price point. Amazon’s new $50 Fire TV Stick 4K and $60 Fire TV Stick 4K Max were unveiled by the company last week. If you’re interested in getting your first streaming device or upgrading, check out our top picks and favorites from Roku.