Category: Technologies

On Thursday night, Spectrum subscribers across the United States lost ESPN, FX, Freeform and all of Disney’s other programming. Turns out, Disney-owned channels have gone dark over a carriage dispute with Charter Communications, the company behind the Spectrum brand.

Ordinarily, Disney and Charter have an agreement on how much Charter will pay Disney in exchange for the right to broadcast its many channels. But as the two companies have been renegotiating the price of Disney’s programming, they’ve failed to reach an agreement. This breakdown led to Disney pulling its channels from the cable provider’s Spectrum service Thursday night.

This included ESPN, one of the largest sports-broadcasting networks, meaning that because of the dispute, viewers missed out on the US Open and the kickoff of college football.

Read on to find out what you can do if you’re a Spectrum subscriber affected by Disney’s channels going dark.

What are my options?

If you’re a Spectrum subscriber who’s missing some of your favorite content now that these channels have disappeared — and you just can’t wait for the dispute to be resolved — you’ve got some options. Almost all your favorite shows, news and sports are also available to stream.

Disney Plus will be able to provide viewers with all their beloved Disney programming. You’ll be able to catch children’s content that would ordinarily be found on the Disney Channel or Disney Junior, and more adult-focused programs that are on Freeform and FX. These shows won’t be airing live, though, so you might miss out on live premieres of your favorite shows. Disney Plus subscriptions start at $8 a month and can be canceled at any time.

If you’re missing news broadcasts, you could turn to over-the-air TV to get your fix of local news. You’ll need to purchase an antenna if you don’t have one and hook it up to your television, and then you’ll be able to access channels like ABC. You won’t have as many channels as you’d ordinarily get with cable TV, but if you’re just looking to watch your preferred local news broadcast, this could be a pretty solid fix.

If you’re a sports fan feeling the loss of ESPN, you’re also covered. There are plenty of sports streaming platforms that’ll keep you caught up on all your favorite teams and players.

The downside is that all these options cost money, on top of the cable service you’re already paying for. Companies generally are able to overcome these carriage disputes, though negotiation troubles in the past have led to weeks-long channel blackouts.

When will my channels come back?

Though it’s hard to say when exactly the two companies will reach an agreement, it’s safe to assume they’re actively working on coming to a solution.

Charter has launched a website, called disneyespnfairdeal.com, about the carriage disagreement. On the site, Charter calls the pricing increase “excessive” and encourages subscribers to call on Disney to come to a deal.

In response to CNET’s request for comment, Charter said the “current video ecosystem is broken. With The Walt Disney Company, we have proposed a model that creates better alignment for the industry and better choices for our customers.” Despite its disagreement with Disney, Charter noted that it remains “hopeful for a path forward.”

Disney has also launched its own website in response to the disagreement, called keepmynetworks.com. Disney highlights “a highly successful track record of negotiating with providers of all types and sizes across the country” and says it’s “committed to reaching fair, market-based rates and terms.”

In response to CNET’s request for comment, Disney said, “Contrary to claims, we have offered Charter most favorable terms on rate, distribution, packaging, advertising and more.” Disney also said, “We value our relationship with Charter and we are ready to get back to the bargaining table as soon as possible.”

Fingers crossed it’s all sorted out before the NFL season kicks off on Sept. 7, with a matchup between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.

For more on streaming, here are the best live TV streaming services for 2023 and how to pick between Disney Plus and Netflix.

UFOs — unidentified flying objects — is the term most people use for sightings of unexplained entities seen in the sky. But to the government, those mysterious items are known as UAPs, meaning “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (The word “anomalous” simply means deviating from what’s normal or expected.) Now, the US Department of Defense has launched a website collecting publicly available, declassified information on UAPs.

For now, the general public will be able to read through the posted information. Soon, US government employees, contractors, and service members with knowledge of US programs can report their own sightings, and later, others will be able to submit reports.

“This website will provide information, including photos and videos, on resolved UAP cases as they are declassified and approved for public release,” the department said in a release posted on Thursday. “The website’s other content includes reporting trends and a frequently asked questions section as well as links to official reports, transcripts, press releases, and other resources that the public may find useful, such as applicable statutes and aircraft, balloon and satellite tracking sites.”

The site is live now at aaro.mil. The reporting tool for government employees, contractors and service members will be live in the fall. And if you don’t fall into one of those specific groups, keep watching the skies anyway, because “a mechanism for members of the general public to make reports will be announced in coming months,” the department said.

For now, one of the most interesting parts of the site is its trends section. Apparently, most reported UAPs are round, either white, silver or translucent, spotted at around 10,000 to 30,000 feet, 1-4 meters in size, and do not emit thermal exhaust. Hotspots for sightings include both the US East and West coasts.

There’s also a small section of videos with names such as “DVIDS Video – Unresolved Case: Navy 2021 Flyby,” and “UAP Video: Middle East Object.”

Readers are able to leave comments on the videos. Of the “Middle East Object” video, one person writes,”Noticed I never saw it cast a shadow. But other objects have shadows.”

As CNET wrote in 2021, the mere fact that people see items in the sky that they personally cannot identify does not mean aliens are scoping out Earth for a visit — or have already stopped by. Many UAP cases have been attributed to “balloon or balloon-entities,” as well as drones, birds, weather events or airborne debris like plastic bags.

Using unique and strong passwords is vital if you want to maintain security and privacy online. But creating and remembering those passwords can be difficult, if not impossible. That’s why using a password manager is the way to go and one of the best is now available at a deep, deep discount.

Right now NordPass Personal Premium plans are available with a 52% discount, a deal that’s exclusive to CNET readers.

A NordPass Personal Premium subscription includes the ability to automatically save and fill out your usernames and passwords, while you can also securely save your credit cards and notes as well. NordPass will also detect weak and reused passwords so that you can create new, more secure ones — and it’ll even scan the web for data breaches so you’re always informed.

Other NordPass features include the ability to attach files to items for safekeeping, as well as the capability to stay logged in when switching. You’ll also benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can take NordPass Personal Premium for a spin and see how it fits your needs.

Having all of your accounts use the same, insecure password is a recipe for disaster. In fact, if you can remember your password, it probably isn’t strong enough — let NordPass remember new and stronger passwords for you instead.

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

If you’re thinking of subscribing to the Starz streaming service — perhaps to catch up on hit romantic time-traveling drama Outlander — then paying annually might be the way to go. Starz has dropped its annual subscription price from $75 to $70, making it one of the cheaper yearly options available.

The price drop comes just two months after Starz raised its monthly subscription price from $9 to $10 per month on June 26. The June price hike was the first price increase for Starz since 2016, when it launched as a stand-alone digital service. The channel began as a premium cable offering.

“As one of the few streaming networks that is profitable, we are always looking for ways to drive success for the business while providing great value to our customers,” Alison Hoffman, president of domestic networks for Starz, said in a statement. “Our annual plan subscribers are some of our most valuable customers, so we wanted to find ways to drive more people into the plan and reward our existing customers.”

Current Starz annual subscribers will see the new price on their next bill.

Starz, an ad-free service, may be best known for such shows as Outlander, Power and The White Queen. As a Lionsgate-owned company, Starz also airs the studio’s movies and shows, such as John Wick and Saw.

Starz has a deal with Universal to broadcast its lineup too, including movies such as Jurassic World Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Oppenheimer. Check out CNET’s rundown of the Starz app.

At $70, an annual subscription to Starz comes in below yearly options available from other popular streaming services. Hulu with ads costs $80 a year. Disney Plus Premium costs $110 a year, and Paramount Plus with Showtime comes in at $120 a year.

Read more: YouTube TV vs. Hulu Plus Live TV: The Top Streaming Services Compared

Microsoft’s productivity tools like Word and Excel are used by schools and business around the world. Which means that having access is critical for tons of students and employees. Unfortunately, a lifetime license to the latest suite of Office 2021 apps costs a whopping $440 when you purchase it through Microsoft directly. But right now at StackSocial, both Windows and Mac users can snag a pair of lifetime licenses for just $65, which saves you over $800 total.

Just note that Mac users will only get the basic Home and Business suite, while Windows users will get the Professional suite, which includes Office Publisher and Office Access as well. And this limited-time offer is only available through Sep. 4, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

StackSocial’s deal is a great bargain when compared with the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which starts at $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals. There’s a free online version of Microsoft Office that you can use as well, but it isn’t nearly as feature complete. (Separately — and notably — Apple users should note that Outlook is now a free app for the Mac.)

Now, a deal this good comes with some caveats. First, it includes two codes, and each can only be used one time for a single computer, so you won’t be able to install it on multiple machines in your home, and if your current computer happens to die, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. Likewise, you’re passing up on other benefits you’d get as a 365 subscriber. You won’t get any OneDrive Cloud Storage, nor will you get the fancy new cloud-based AI features like Microsoft Copilot. And while the apps should continue to work as long as your computer does, Microsoft’s support for this version of Office ends on Oct. 13, 2026.

To that last point: Though this is listed as a “lifetime license” — that is, the lifetime of the computer you installed it on — it’s worth noting there’s always a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license. But versions of StackSocial’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine.

Google is getting ready to launch the Pixel 8. On Wednesday, the tech giant sent invites to an event on Oct. 4 where it’ll unveil the latest additions to its “Pixel portfolio of devices.” The in-person Made by Google event is set to take place in New York City at 10 a.m. ET, Google said.

Though Google didn’t name any specific devices, it implied in a post on Threads that the event will include the reveal of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google has released a next-gen Pixel phone every fall since 2016.

“Big fall launches are stressful, but Pixel helps these Best Phones Forever stay cool as cucumbers. The w8 is almost over. Rest up for Made By Google on October 4th,” Google posted on Threads.

The Threads post included a video of an iPhone talking to a Pixel phone about everything it can’t do that Google’s phone can — like “unblurring old photos, answering unknown calls with AI and live translating messages.” The iPhone in Google’s video also suggests it’ll “finally” be getting USB-C charging during the iPhone 15 event next month.

There are already rumors swirling around the expected Pixel 8 lineup. The phones could have an improved ultrawide camera, and Google may add new AI-powered features to its camera system. The phones will also likely see some display and design tweaks, but the changes are expected to be subtle.

One of the more interesting rumors is that the Pixel 8 Pro might include a contactless thermometer feature that could be used to determine if you’re running a fever.

It’s also possible Google uses the event to unveil the Pixel Watch 2, the next generation of its smartwatch. The watch is rumored to feature better battery life and new health-tracking features.

Google’s Pixel 7 lineup was well received, with both the Pixel 7 Pro and more affordable Pixel 7A earning spots on CNET’s best phones list for 2023. Google also earlier this year launched its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold. CNET phone expert Lisa Eadicicco says Google may need make some noticeable upgrades in order for the Pixel 8 to stand out from the company’s other phones.

Google’s invites came out just a day after Apple set the date for its iPhone 15 reveal, which is scheduled to take place on Sept. 12 at the company’s Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California.

These days, having a good pair of headphones or earbuds is essential. If you commute to work, turning on active noise cancellation and blocking out the world while losing yourself in your favorite tracks or audiobook is a fantastic way to pass the time. They’re also great while traveling, hitting the gym, Zoom calls or just for everyday tasks. The downside? High-quality headphones and earbuds often come with high price tags. Luckily, some of our favorite brands and stores are offering amazing discounts on a variety of headphones.

Looking for more discounts? CNET has the best promo code offers from Bose, Samsung, Marshall and more. All deals are updated and verified daily.

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

Whether you consider Chopper an adorable Star Wars droid or a war criminal, the rambunctious robot is among the several Star Wars Rebels characters that have leaped from animation to live action. Tying in with this month’s Ahsoka series on Disney Plus, Hasbro’s Chatter Back Chopper animatronic brings an always-listening spin to the droid, which after its reveal back in April is now on sale in the US for $80 and in the UK for 83 (roughly AU$160).

I got to try out an early sample of the 7.5-inch droid, which wouldn’t stop talking the minute I loaded it with four AA batteries. The Chatter Back Chopper is reminiscent of a Furby, in that once it’s powered on it’ll react right away when you speak to it or touch it, or when it hears ambient noise.

The Star Wars Chatter Back Chopper, based on how the droid appears in the #Ahsoka series, immediately starts chatting up a riot once its batteries are loaded up. While not quite as interactive as a Furby, it will react to most sounds and touch https://t.co/QmnaN6RLUD pic.twitter.com/yItsmkxYn7

— Mike Sorrentino (@MikeJSorrentino) August 31, 2023

Chopper has 40 different sound and movement combinations, which involve the two “arms” sticking out of its head, Chopper’s wheel, and a speaker that spouts out a mix of cranky noises that are true to the character.

Moving another arm that’s halfway down Chopper and pressing a button on the front of the droid will activate these combinations. And you can turn off Chopper by pressing and holding that button — at which time he’ll make a disappointed-sounding noise in reaction to the session ending.

The Furby comparison also aligns with how much Chopper moves around — despite having a wheel, he doesn’t move on his own but does animately twist and bop in reaction to noise. Chopper also doesn’t directly recognize voices, so its reactions based on what it hears are generally random, apart from the aforementioned sound he makes when being turned off.

For a more direct look at how Chatter Back Chopper looks, moves and sounds, check out my hands-on video, embedded in this story.

If you use Google’s Chrome browser, you now have a new way to copy a frame from a video without taking a screenshot. On Thursday, Google announced a Chrome feature called “Copy Video Frame,” which does exactly what its name suggests: It copies a video frame.

“You can pause anywhere in a video that’s playing in Chrome and get a clean copy of the exact frame you want,” Google wrote in a blog post.

To use the feature, Google says to pause a video playing in Chrome, right-click the video frame and select Copy Video Frame from the pop-up menu. However, if you’re trying to copy a video frame from YouTube, you need to pause the video and right-click the frame twice — on Mac, you need to click the video with two fingers twice — to select Copy Video Frame.

Google also wrote that you could take a screenshot of the video frame how you normally would, but it would likely result in a lower-quality image and potentially have the video’s progress bar running across the bottom. This suggestion implies Copy Video Frame will result in a higher-quality and cleaner picture.

For more, check out why Chrome now sends out weekly security updates, and the pros and cons of Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing mode.

Read more: Best Laptops for College in 2023

Max just added a new feature that may seem familiar to a lot of streamers already: Top 10 rows.

According to Max’s account on Twitter/X, people will see the rows within the app on the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service starting Thursday. The rows will update daily, according to the streaming service.

Max is The One to Watch when you’re looking for what’s trending. Starting today you’ll see Top 10 rows within the app that update daily to show you which series and films everyone is watching. pic.twitter.com/DMZte6qa5g

— Max (@StreamOnMax) August 31, 2023

Netflix, Max’s closest streaming rival, already has its version of Top 10 rows. Given they’re available in your country and you’re using a current version of the app, lists for Top 10 shows and movies show up automatically, according to the streamer’s help center.

The Max post includes a GIF showing off a row for series on the homepage. I looked at my own Max homepage and saw a row for movies too. If you’re on the hunt for something to watch right now, the first five titles included in the Top 10 shows row are as follows: Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets, And Just Like That…, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, 90 Day: The Last Resort and Telemarketers.

Not satisfied with that list? Here are movies and shows with high Metacritic scores to watch on Max right now. (Plus, The Flash is streaming as of last week). Max replaced HBO Max in May and unites the HBO Max and Discovery Plus libraries.