Category: Technologies

On Monday Verizon announced that they will be speeding up their 5G network four months ahead of schedule. On Wednesday AT&T confirmed to CNET that they will be doing the same. In a statement, the carrier confirmed that it too now has access to its full C-band 5G portfolio, months ahead of its expected December availability.

“With satellite companies finished clearing the remaining C-band spectrum months ahead of the December 2023 deadline, we got early access to our full C-band spectrum holdings – doubling our available C-band spectrum for deployment,” the company said. “We’ve since re-tuned our previously deployed C-band in the original 46 locations, resulting in notable capacity and speed gains, and ultimately an enhanced customer experience with fast, reliable and consistent performance.”

Among the 46 locations are major metropolitan areas including Austin, Boston, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

The carrier says that it now has access to “a minimum 100 megahertz of total mid-band spectrum in the contiguous United States and an average of 120 Mhz nationwide; that’s bandwidth in every available city, 406 locations in all.”

Having more bandwidth allows wireless networks to improve speeds. While AT&T wasn’t touting any speed expectations, Verizon has talked about being able to offer download speeds above 2 gigabits per second across its network and its average of 161 Mhz of bandwidth.

Both AT&T and Verizon have paid hefty sums to acquire the valuable wireless spectrum in a 2021 FCC auction. AT&T spent $27.4 billion on these midband airwaves that are known as “C-band” and spent another $9.1 billion acquiring some similar, complimentary spectrum in 2022.

The C-band spectrum was previously used by satellite companies, with Verizon last year going so far as to make deals with those users to get them to move off the spectrum sooner. AT&T tells CNET that it did not make any deals with satellite companies to expedite the timeline when it might get access to the airwaves.

Marketed under the name “5G Plus” by AT&T, midband spectrum like C-band has long been viewed as a key piece of the wireless airwaves thanks to its ability to cover large areas while also being able to offer faster speeds than 4G LTE (what AT&T still confusingly calls “5GE”) and what is known as low-band 5G (what the carrier has named just plain “5G”).

Read more: Understanding 5G’s Many Names and Types

AT&T says it covers over 175 million people today with its mid-band 5G networks and roughly 290 million people with its lower-band 5G.

But it’s unclear which AT&T subscribers will benefit from the faster C-band speeds with the devices they currently have or if they will need to upgrade. Unlike Verizon, which has said that at least some of its existing devices would be able to get access to faster connections with a software update, AT&T hasn’t elaborated on if it will do the same.

On the other hand, unlike Verizon, AT&T doesn’t require special or pricier plans to access its faster 5G networks.

School is about to start again, and that means it’s time to stock up on everything your kid will need to feel prepared for the first day. Shopping for school supplies can quickly add up. From buying notebooks and pencils to backpacks and water bottles and everything in between, it’s a lot. But if you do your shopping online at a retailer like Amazon, not only can you score some pretty great deals, but it will also save you a lot of time.

We’ve scoured Amazon to find the best bargains you can get on back-to-school supplies this year. Note that it’s easier to take advantage of these deals if you have a Prime membership. And college students can sign up for Prime Student, which allows them to use Prime at half the cost, or $7.49 a month after a free six-month trial.

Back-to-school supplies deals

• Crayola colored pencils (36-pack): $6 (save $4)

• Ticonderoga wood-cased pencils (12-pack): $3 (save $2)
• X-Acto electric pencil sharpener: $24 (save $13)
• Elmer’s scented clear glue sticks (4-pack): $15 (save $5)
• Five Star spiral notebook, 3-subject, college ruled paper: $5 (save $5)

• Five Star spiral notebook, 5-subject, college ruled paper: $7 (save $5)

• Easthill high-capacity pencil case: $12 (save $4)
• Pilot FriXion ColorSticks erasable gel ink stick pens (16-pack): $20 (save $9)

• Post-It sticky note pads (6-pack): $6 (save $6)
• Prismacolor Premier colored pencils, 72 pack: $50 (save $8)

• Paper Mate Pink Pearl erasers (12-pack): $10 (save $3)

Back-to-school tech deals

• Beats Solo3 wireless on-ear headphones: $130 (save $70)
• iWalk LinkPod Y2 portable charger: $26 (save $20)
• Apple Pencil (2nd-gen): $89 (save $40)
• Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook: $398 (save $32)

Backpacks, lunch boxes and water bottles

• Adidas Excel 6 backpack: $42 (save $18)
• Rockland double-handle rolling backpack: $31 (save $49)
• Bentgo Kids lunch bag, multiple patterns: $23 (save $17)
• Bentgo Kids Bento-Style 5-compartment lunch box: $26 (save $14)

• Gatorade 32-ounce sports squeeze water bottle: $13 (save $6)

• Hydro Flask 24-ounce standard mouth bottle: $24 (save $16)

A virtual private network, commonly referred to as a VPN, is a great privacy tool that can help protect your information online. It can encrypt your data and hide your IP address from others.

However, your school or workplace might block VPN use as a way to ensure you stay off certain websites, according to cybersecurity company Fortinet. Some regions may also block VPN usage among citizens for similar reasons. But VPN obfuscation may help you hide that you’re using a VPN, letting you bypass these restrictions.

Here’s what you need to know about VPN obfuscation.

What is VPN obfuscation and how does it work?

Simply stated, VPN obfuscation hides your VPN usage through a little deceit that the Norse trickster god Loki would be proud of.

When you’re browsing the internet, your computer is transmitting information to the server you’re connecting to, and this information is sent in “packets.” Packets contain identifying information, and if you’re using some VPNs the packet will include that information as well.

But according to the cybersecurity company TorGuard, VPN obfuscation ensures your packet hides the information that you’re using a VPN. Instead, your traffic is registered as regular, non-VPN traffic.

Read more: How to pick the right VPN for you

What are the benefits of VPN obfuscation?

According to NordVPN, VPN obfuscation can help you sidestep VPN blockers, thus protecting and preserving your privacy. Some internet service providers, websites and regions employ VPN blockers to enforce VPN bans. Obfuscation might help you get around these blocks and make your traffic appear “non-suspicious.”

VPN obfuscation might also give you more protection online. Anyone dealing with sensitive information, like journalists and political activists, might depend on a safe and secure internet connection for their work. VPN obfuscation can help protect you by giving you an extra layer of security.

What are the drawbacks of VPN obfuscation?

Because VPN obfuscation employs an additional layer of protection, it will also slow your internet speeds.

According to tests run by VPN Central, VPN obfuscation can cause internet speeds to drop by from 11% to 44%, depending on where you live. However, it only tested obfuscated NordVPN servers in the US, UK and Germany. So while VPN obfuscation will likely slow your internet speeds, the details of how much will vary.

Will VPN obfuscation let me unblock streaming services?

Not necessarily.

Most streaming services block VPN IP addresses by checking them against IP blacklists — directories of known VPN IP addresses. That means if you use VPN obfuscation and your IP address is one known to be connected to a VPN, you could be punished by the service.

Even if a certain IP address isn’t on an IP blacklist, the service could see a number of connections to that particular address, guess that it’s connected to a VPN and punish you for that, too.

Neither of these methods are based on detecting VPN traffic, so VPN obfuscation won’t help protect you. However, if a service uses some other methods, like deep packet inspection, VPN obfuscation could help protect you.

Which VPN services offer obfuscation?

Many of the best VPN services, like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark, offer obfuscated servers. However, some services call obfuscated servers “stealth mode,” so be on the lookout for either phrase when comparing services.

Is VPN obfuscation illegal?

VPN obfuscation isn’t illegal — unless using a VPN is illegal in your country — but it could lead to other ramifications.

Using a VPN could violate a site or service’s user agreement, and you could face punishment for doing so, like account termination or suspension. You could also face legal trouble if you use a VPN to access content that is illegal in your area.

We advise reading through a site or service’s user agreement before using a VPN. It’s also important to remember that illegal activity is still illegal, even if you’re masking your location with a VPN.

For more, check out the best VPNs of 2023 and what to know about geo-blocking and split-tunneling.

Amazon is raising its monthly cost for Amazon Music Unlimited, and the price increase will affect Prime members who are on the individual plan as well as people with the Amazon Music Unlimited family plan.

The news was earlier reported by The Hollywood Reporter, and the new prices are now listed on the home page for Amazon Music. New customers will begin seeing the new price now, and existing customers will see the change on their first bill on or after Sept. 19.

A representative for Amazon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Amazon Music Unlimited promises unlimited access to 100 million songs, touting its on-demand, ad-free access, plus access to ad-free top podcasts. There’s a 30-day free trial.

The Amazon Music Unlimited individual plan for Prime members was $9 per month and will now cost $10. The annual cost is going up from $89 to $99. Non-Prime customers pay $11 per month, so there’s still a slight savings for those with Prime.

The Amazon Music Unlimited family plan doesn’t have a special price for Prime members. That cost will go up from $16 to $17 per month, with the annual cost moving from $159 to $169 per year. The family plan allows up to six accounts under the same plan, each with personalized libraries and recommendations, and offers 90 million songs, as opposed to the100 million songs for Prime members.

Students currently enrolled at a degree-granting university or college can get the Individual Plan for $6 per month, upon verification of their student status.

Music lovers have a wide variety of streaming services to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. CNET offers a guide to the best in streaming music, including our takes on Amazon Music Unlimited, Apple Music, Spotify and more.

And while Amazon Prime is best known for offering subscribers fast shipping on many Amazon products, the company has added plenty of extras to Prime to entice you to subscribe. In addition to music streaming, Prime includes digital photo storage, free PC games, the streaming video service Prime Video and more.

Here’s our guide to what Prime offers these days, including some hidden perks you might not know about. And here are 5 things you perhaps didn’t know about Amazon. Plus, here’s a look at Amazon’s back-to-school deals.

Summer is almost over, which means school is about to be back in session (if it isn’t already). Luckily, you still have time to make sure you and your family have all the back-to-school essentials, including a dependable and budget-friendly laptop, to get the most out of the year ahead. Right now, some of the biggest names in tech are offering major deals on laptops for the back-to-school season. Brands like Apple, Samsung and more are all getting in on the action — which means more savings for you.

Looking for more amazing discounts? CNET has the best promo code offers from Apple, Samsung, Lenovo and more. All deals are verified and updated 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.

With the NFL season around the corner, YouTube is ramping up its offerings for Sunday Ticket, its newly acquired all-you-can-eat gridiron buffet. The company announced a slate of upcoming new perks on Wednesday, including a monthly payment plan and student subscriptions. Fans can choose to buy NFL packages as an add-on for YouTube TV or as a standalone YouTube channel for the entire season.

You’ll be able to break up the full cost — which ranges from $349 if bundled with YouTube TV to $489 if purchased standalone with the NFL RedZone channel added in — over several months. YouTube says an installment billing option will begin rolling out this week for all subscription plans, and to keep an eye out for it in your state. Additionally, NFL Sunday Ticket student plans will become available “within the next week” for those who are eligible.

As for features, YouTube’s key plays are coming for the 2023 football season, enabling you to watch highlights for any game, whenever you want. This season will also bring real-time highlights to YouTube’s Shorts feeds for all live NFL games. All you have to do is click the red ring to view it on the NFL channel.

You will also be able to tap into multiview streams to watch more than one game at a time. Fans who are watching on TV and mobile customers can look forward to live polls and chats. While NFL kickoff weekend begins Sept. 7, Sunday Ticket officially starts with Week 1’s launch on Sept. 10.

Before becoming a YouTube exclusive, NFL Sunday Ticket was exclusive to DirecTV and allowed football fans to watch all out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons that aren’t airing on their local CBS or Fox stations. Games that air on your local stations, as well as national broadcasts, will require you to have an antenna, cable, satellite or pay for a streaming service like YouTube TV.

Apple released the first iOS 17 developer beta back in July, and with it came a new placement for the end call button. To make room for the new Contact Posters feature, which prominently displays a visual for the person calling you, all of the call screen controls were lowered on the screen. And the end call button, which is in the bottom-center of the call screen on iOS 16, was moved to the bottom-right — which caused a bit of discussion among beta testers.

Maybe it was all the attention, but Apple has decided to make another tweak to the call screen controls. With the release of the sixth iOS 17 developer beta, the end call button is now back to the middle of the screen. Not exactly how it is on iOS 16, but close.

If you want to check out the new end call button placement, as well as other new iOS 17 features, you can download the developer beta for free right now.

The company first announced iOS 17 at WWDC in June. Shortly after the keynote event, Apple released the first developer beta version of iOS 17. Typically, you have to pay $99 to officially download and install any Apple developer beta software, but this year the company is letting anyone get a crack at iOS 17 — as long as they join the Apple Developer Program.

Read more: Apple Unveils iOS 17 for the iPhone at WWDC 2023

iOS 17 emphasizes communication, with several new features for the Phone, FaceTime and Messages applications, including personalized contact posters, video messages, a more intelligent autocorrect, improved AirDrop options and the Journal app.

Before you go on and install iOS 17, you should know that developer beta versions like this aren’t intended for general use, especially because they may have unfinished features and issues that can make the iPhone difficult to use. These early beta releases are, instead, for developers, to help them keep their apps up to date and get early access to the upcoming features.

In short, you probably shouldn’t install the developer beta on your primary iPhone. If you really want to get iOS 17 right now, try to find a spare iPhone that is new enough (iPhone XS or later) to work with the latest software.

Read more: iOS 17 Is Coming This Year. Will It Work on Your iPhone?

For folks who still want to dive in, we’ll show you how to install the iOS 17 developer version on your iPhone, as well as what to do in case you want to revert to iOS 16.

Want to learn more about the stuff unveiled at WWDC? Here’s what you need to know about Vision Pro, Apple’s new augmented reality headset. And here’s all the dope on the new 15-inch MacBook Air and MacOS Sonoma.

What to know before you download the iOS 17 developer beta

Because the iOS 17 developer beta is an early prerelease version, the software could have bugs and other issues.

Again, if you’re thinking about downloading iOS 17, do it on a backup or secondary phone, if available. The iOS 17 developer beta’s issues could cripple your iPhone and make it difficult to use, disabling phone calls or text messages or making it extremely laggy. However, if you only have your main phone or tablet available, make sure to back up your iPhone on iOS 16.5 (the latest version of iOS 16) before updating to iOS 17. That way you have the option to return to iOS 16 if there are too many issues on the new OS.

Also, you must have an iPhone XS or later to run iOS 17. iOS 17 is not supported on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, all of which supported the iOS 16 developer beta last year.

And most importantly, to download the iOS 17 developer beta, you must be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. The full membership is $99 a year, but as mentioned above, Apple is now offering a free membership option, with limited tools and resources, that allows pretty much anyone to download and install the iOS 17 developer beta for free.

You can also wait to join the Apple Beta Software program next month, which will provide a more stable iOS 17 upgrade than the developer version.

How to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, for free

If you’re only interested in testing out the iOS 17 developer beta for fun, you don’t need to pay for an Apple Developer Program membership. You can easily use your existing Apple ID to sign up for the developer program and download developer software onto your iPhone.

1. Go to Apple’s Developer website, tap the three-dash menu in the top-right and hit Account.

2. Sign in with your existing Apple ID.

3. Read through the Apple Developer Agreement, check the boxes at the bottom and then hit Submit.

You now have a free Apple Developer Program account. You can skip the next step to download and install the iOS 17 developer beta on your iPhone.

How to enroll in the paid Apple Developer Program

If you’re a developer, and want full access to development tools and the ability to distribute apps on the App Store, then you’ll want to pay for the Apple Developer Program. On your iPhone, here’s how you can enroll:

1. Download the Apple Developer app from the App Store, launch the app, go to Account and tap Enroll Now.

2. Sign in with your Apple ID credentials, read through the various benefits and instructions, enter your personal information and scan your ID to verify your identity.

3. Once this information is submitted, you must choose your entity (individual for most people) and agree to the program license agreement.

4. Finally, pay the Apple Developer membership fee (with Apple Pay), which is $99 (about 80 or AU$140) a year.

After you successfully make the payment, you’ll be redirected to your Account page in the Apple Developer app. Here you can verify that you’re now enrolled, and you can also check out the date of your membership’s expiration next year.

You can install iOS 17 with an over-the-air update on your iPhone

The easiest way to download the iOS 17 developer beta is with an over-the-air update — the way you would update to any other new software release on your device. Once you’re a member of the Apple Developer Program, free or paid, you’ll automatically have the option to install iOS 17 from your settings. Here’s how:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings > General > Software Update.

2. Next, go into Beta Updates and tap iOS 17 Developer Beta.

3. Go back and tap Download and Install under the new “iOS 17 Developer Beta option” that appears.

You’ll need to then enter your passcode, agree to the terms and conditions and wait for the update to be installed. The process can take over 20 minutes, depending on your internet connection. Once your phone reboots, you should have access to the iOS 17 developer beta.

Or download the iOS 17 developer beta using your Mac

Over-the-air updates require a certain amount of storage, and if you don’t have that available, your computer is really the only way to update to iOS 17 beta without manually clearing out space.

1. On your Mac, go to the Apple Developer Program download page, find “iOS 17 beta,” click Download Restore Images and download the iOS beta software restore image for your specific device.

2. Connect your device to your computer and enter your device passcode or hit Trust This Computer if prompted.

3. Next, open Finder, click your device in the sidebar under Locations.

4. Hold down the Option key, click Check for Update and choose the iOS 17 beta software restore image you just downloaded from the Apple Developer page.

The iOS 17 beta software will install on your device. Wait for a few minutes and when your phone reboots, you should have access.

While you’re here, check out the best iPhone model you can get in 2023. And if you’re looking for a new computer, check out these laptops you might be interested in.

Back in July, Sony’s new CH-720N headphones were on sale for $98 for Prime Day. I thought they were a very good deal at that price, as they list for $150 and tend to sell for around $130. Now they’ve returned to $98 in both black or white, making them one of the better full-size headphones bargains out there right now and a good back-to-school choice.

The CH-720Ns have a bit of a plasticky budget vibe and don’t come with a carrying case, but they’re lightweight and comfortable. As I said in my Sony CH-720N review, part of me was expecting them to sound pretty mediocre. However, I was pleasantly surprised. No, they don’t sound as good as Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5s, but they sound more premium than they look (and feel), and their overall performance is a step up from their predecessor, the CH-710Ns. Are they worth $150? Maybe, maybe not. But they’re a sweet deal at $98.

Read more: Best noise-canceling headphones of 2023

If you’re a long-time fan of Nokia phones, you’ll soon be able to get your hands on two new devices. The Nokia G310 5G and Nokia C210 are being released in the US by maker HMD Global later this year, and both are priced from under $200.

The Nokia G310 5G starts at $186, and will be available in blue on Aug. 24 at T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. The phone keeps to Nokia’s old guarantee of a long-lasting battery, with HMD saying it’ll last for up to three days on one charge.

The 5G phone runs on Android 13 and is powered by the Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G Mobile Platform.

Also included in the Nokia G310 5G phone:

• A 6.56-inch display.
• Three rear-facing cameras: One 50MP and two 2MP with “AI algorithm enhancements.”
• 8MP front-facing camera.
• A 5,000mAh battery with 20W fast charging.
• 128GB of storage.
• A MicroSD card slot for up to 1TB of extra storage.
• 4GB of RAM.
• A polycarbonate design with an aluminum chassis and Gorilla Glass 3, making it durable like old-school Nokia phones.
• A “QuickFix” repairable design in partnership with iFixit — including guides, authentic spare parts from iFixit and tools so you can replace your own battery, screen, charging ports and covers.

The Nokia C210 is priced from $109, and will launch in grey on Sept. 14 at Metro by T-Mobile. It runs on Android 13 and is usable only on 4G networks. It includes:

• A 6.3-inch display.
• Two rear-facing cameras of 13MP and 2MP.
• A 5MP front-facing camera.
• A 3,000mAh battery.
• The Snapdragon 662 Mobile Platform.
• 32GB of storage, expandable via MicroSD card for up to 512GB.
• 3GB of RAM.

“These devices come at a time when consumers expect more enhanced smartphone capabilities at more affordable prices,” said Cristian Capelli, VP Americas at HMD Global.

HMD has been making Nokia’s phones since 2016.

If you’re looking to switch phone carriers, here’s everything you need to know first, as well as CNET’s top picks of the best cellphone plans available now, whether you’re looking for the cheapest phone plans or the best unlimited data plans.

You don’t have to sacrifice powerful sound to get a speaker that you can take on the go. The JBL Boombox 2 offers the best of both worlds, and right now you can grab one at a serious discount. Woot currently has this Bluetooth boombox available for $290, which saves you a whopping $210 compared to the original list price. This deal is available through Aug. 31, but Woot typically has a limited supply available, so it may sell out before then. We’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

This JBL speaker is a few years older than the third-gen model that earned a spot on our list of the best wireless boomboxes of 2023, but still has a ton to offer. It boasts 160 watts of power and is equipped with dual passive radiators for powerful, room-filling sound and deep, thumping bass. It weighs in at just 13 pounds and has a built-in handle so it’s easy to take on the go. And with an IPX7 water-resistance rating, you can bring it just about anywhere. Its substantial 10,000-mAh battery gives it 24 hours of playtime on a single charge. It also features Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and you can pair it with other compatible JBL speakers for multiroom listening.