Streaming music can be great. Spotify and Apple Music are some of the most popular music streaming platforms but you don’t pay to own your favorite songs. You pay these services to subscribe to their platform and listen to the music available in their library, which, unfortunately, isn’t forever. You favorite songs can disappear from the streaming services if their licensing period expires and it isn’t renewed. That’s just one of the reasons it makes sense to purchase and own your music.
When you buy digital music files, such as MP3 or FLAC, there are a number of key benefits. Most importantly, the tracks are yours to keep and to put on whatever device you want, plus it gives the artist more money to keep making more music. Sure, you could buy CDs and rip the music, but where do you then keep the physical discs? Online music stores offer instant downloads after your purchase — no need to bother with a physical disc — and there’s often a choice of different formats. If you want to save space and (maybe) money, lossy MP3s or AAC might be for you. Or, if space constraints aren’t a concern, most sites also offer lossless FLAC or ALAC versions for a noticeable increase in quality. (They usually cost the same as MP3s.)
Whether you’re looking to buy a music single or a whole album, and across a variety of genres, I’ve compiled a list of the best sites to visit. I’ve included both the biggies — iTunes and Amazon — and some of my personal favorites, including Bandcamp and Qobuz. If you want to play the music you buy, most stores offer both Android and iOSapps, or you often can just use the native music apps on your phone.
With Prime Day in full swing, TV shoppers looking for deals on screens have plenty of options, from small LCDs to big, beautiful OLEDs and everything in between. As CNET’s TV expert, over the years I’ve found that the Prime Day TV deals are not quite as good as those during Black Friday and the holiday season, but if you can’t wait that long, now is a great time to buy — especially if you want a cheap TV that uses Amazon’s Fire TV system.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered up some highlights worth checking out. We’ll keep updating this list as older deals expire and new ones drop, so check back for the latest offers.
For years, Samsung has tried to blur the line between phone and tablet with its Galaxy Z Fold devices, which function as a phone when closed and a mini-tablet when opened. Now, Google is following suit with the Pixel Fold, the search giant’s first phone with a bendable screen.
Both phones are incredibly expensive at $1,800, which is more than a monthly mortgage payment in some areas of the US. But they also each provide a glimpse at a future in which you don’t have to jump between apps as often, squint to read an ebook or reach for your iPad to watch a movie on the go.
After spending time with both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Pixel Fold, I’ve learned there are some ways in which Google succeeds over Samsung, and others in which the South Korean tech giant has the upper hand. The Pixel Fold’s wider cover screen makes it much more useful when propped open, but Samsung’s bold and vibrant interior screen is tough to beat.
What the Google Pixel Fold does better
A wider cover screen
The Pixel Fold’s wider cover screen may not sound like a big deal, but it makes a noticeable difference in a few ways. First and foremost, the Pixel Fold feels more like a regular phone when closed. Since it’s roughly the same width as a non-folding phone, apps look more natural on the Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch external screen which has a 17.4:9 aspect ratio. While the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 6.2-inch screen (23.1:9 aspect ratio) is technically larger, it’s longer and skinnier than the display on most traditional phones.
But the Pixel Fold’s broader screen is helpful for more than just using apps when the device is closed. It also makes the Pixel Fold a better portable TV since it provides more space for viewing videos when propping the phone open halfway like a tent or a laptop. You also get a wider camera viewfinder on the Pixel Fold when snapping photos thanks to the shape of its screen.
An excellent camera
While the Pixel Fold’s camera isn’t quite as advanced as the Pixel 7 Pro’s, it still delivers crisp and colorful photos that feel natural. In my experience, photos taken on the Pixel Fold looked more color accurate than those shot on the Galaxy Z Fold 4. My colleague Patrick Holland also found that the Pixel Fold’s images had a wider dynamic range and were generally more color accurate and detailed than those taken on Samsung’s foldable phone.
Both phones have triple-lens main cameras with wide, ultrawide and telephoto lenses, but the way each device processes images is much different. The hardware specifications also differ, as shown in the table below.
Google Pixel Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Cameras
10-megapixel (cover screen); 4-megapixel (inner screen – under display)
You can check out our full in-depth camera comparison for more details. But here are some of my favorite images from the Pixel Fold that were taken for CNET’s review and camera shootout.
A slimmer design that folds completely shut
Even though Samsung was among the first tech companies to release a foldable phone, it still hasn’t designed a hinge that can fold entirely shut with no gap. That’s not the case for Google. The Pixel Fold closes completely when shut, making it feel more slim and sleek when closed. It’s a minor change, but given how cumbersome foldable phones already are, anything that makes the design feel sleeker and slimmer is much appreciated.
What the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 does better
Bolder and sleeker interior screen
Google may have the superior cover screen, but Samsung wins when it comes to what’s inside. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Pixel Fold each have a 7.6-inch main screen, but the two companies take different approaches when it comes to design. Samsung’s phone almost resembles a piece of paper in terms of shape, while Google’s looks more like a landscape-mode tablet.
But Samsung’s internal screen has much slimmer bezels than Google’s, which gives it a sleeker look overall. I also thought the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s screen looked bolder and more vibrant than Google’s, which could make it more appealing for viewing photos, browsing the web and watching shows. The Z Fold 4’s main screen also using Samsung’s S Pen stylus for writing, drawing and interacting.
An extra year of Android software updates
Even though Android is a Google product, Samsung offers longer Android version support for its mobile devices. While both companies promise five years of security updates, Samsung pledged to provide four generations of Android operating system upgrades for phones in its Galaxy Z, Galaxy S and Galaxy A series in 2022. That’s one year longer than Google’s guarantee, which says the Pixel Fold will receive Android version updates until June 2026, or three years following its release.
With a device as expensive as the Pixel Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 4, you’ll want to get as much as you can out of the device. Software support is a major part of ensuring that you can use your device for as long as possible without missing out on new features.
More polished software features
Samsung has been releasing foldable phones for four years, which means it’s had plenty of time to refine the experience and consider how the phone’s software should adapt to its bendable design.
That shows in some aspects of the user interface, such as the ability to open more apps on screen simultaneously compared with the Pixel Fold. While I prefer dedicating the entire internal screen to one app on phones like the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold, having the option to run more than two at the same time could be useful for those who constantly find themselves jumping between apps.
It’s also easier to navigate the Galaxy Z Fold 4 when folded halfway like a laptop since you can use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini touchpad. While this feature isn’t nearly as intuitive as picking up the device and using it as a regular phone, it at least shows that Samsung is thinking about updating the way we interact with our phones now that they can fold in half.
But Google frequently updates its Pixel devices with new software features over time, so I’m expecting to see this same pattern with the Pixel Fold. In particular, I’m looking forward to trying the dual-screen language translation feature that’s coming with Android 14. This feature allows you to use both of the Pixel Fold’s displays at the same time to facilitate conversations with foreign language speakers.
Should you buy the Pixel Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 4?
If you have the budget for a foldable phone, it’s important to decide which features matter to you most when choosing between the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Google Pixel Fold.
If camera quality is a top priority, and you frequently prop up your phone to watch movies and TV shows, Google’s phone is likely the better option. The wider cover screen also makes things like taking photos and typing feel more natural compared to Samsung’s phone.
But the interior display on Samsung’s phone is more vibrant and luminous, which may matter more to those who primarily plan on using their new device in tablet mode. You’ll also get new Android features for a longer period of time since Samsung offers longer software support.
Before deciding whether a foldable phone is right for you, there are a few other critical factors to keep in mind. Durability is the most crucial one. Reports of broken Pixel Folds have begun to surface on Reddit, although CNET has not experienced this issue with its review units. And although Samsung has had four years to fine-tune its Galaxy Z Fold design, you’ll still find Redditorscomplaining about malfunctioning screens. While it’s unclear how widespread these issues are, it’s worth remembering that durability is always a potential risk for foldable phones compared to standard phones.
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone, meaning the next model will likely be more refined as the company gathers feedback from current device owners and reviewers. Just look at the trajectory Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has taken over the last several years compared to the original 2019 model. Even the second generation Galaxy Z Fold 2 proved to be a major improvement over the first Galaxy Fold thanks to its larger cover screen. With that in mind, it could be worth waiting for the next version of the Pixel Fold.
As for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, it’s worth remembering that Samsung is highly expected to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in just a matter of weeks. It would be wise to wait and see what’s new in the next model and whether the Galaxy Z Fold 4 may be available at cheaper prices after its successor arrives.
Did you snag a great TV deal on Prime Day? No matter what model or brand you bought, a TV can look a lot better if you make a few adjustments. That’s because even the best TVs, when you first take them out of the box, don’t look as good as they could with some minor adjustments. The good news is, these tweaks are easy, and you don’t need any special equipment.
Why is this? The stock settings as applied by the factory are OK for that entire product line, but might not be best for your exact TV. Even just changing the picture mode can make a huge difference. It’s possible you might need a new cable, or you might not. You might need a new source, or you might not. It’s worth learning about the different options and why they’re important so you can get the most out of your new purchase.
Most TVs have an initial setup routine where you connect to Wi-Fi, download software updates and agree to license and privacy notices, but after that you’re on your own. Here’s what to consider next.
Nearly everything you might want to connect to a TV these days uses the same connection: HDMI.
HDMI cables carry high-resolution images and sound over one small cable. Thankfully, HDMI cables are quite cheap. There are expensive HDMI cables, but they offer no additional performance over most cheaper options. Generally speaking, you should be able to get a cable that works perfect for you for around $1 per foot.
It’s possible your current HDMI cables will work fine, though. Many older HDMI cables can handle 4K resolutions. If you’re not getting the resolution you want, or if the image flickers or cuts out, some new cables might solve the issue. But if what you have works, getting more expensive cables won’t make the image or sound any better.
Check out our list of the best HDMI cables for 2023 for more info.
If you’re getting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, you still probably don’t need new cables. The exception is if you want to run them at 4K/120, something only a few TVs can handle. In that case it’s worth learning about Premium Certified cables, which don’t cost that much more than noncertified cables.
Sources, from cable to streaming to games to sound
Most TVs have built-in smart TV suites for streaming, but in many cases you’ll want to connect other stuff too. If you bought a newer streaming box or game console, it will probably autodetect what your TV wants (1080p or 2160p) and send it whichever is appropriate. The same is true for 4K or regular Blu-ray players. For older devices, namely a cable or satellite box, make sure that it’s set for widescreen 16:9 video and set to output HD.
Just because the cable box is capable of high definition doesn’t mean you’re getting HD. Sometimes you need to pay your provider extra and/or tune to the specific HD channel to watch. For example, with my provider, channel 2 is SD, whereas channel 1002 is HD. This is also true for Netflix and other streaming services. For example, with Netflix you can only get 4K if you’re paying for a more expensive streaming tier.
You can also get free HDTV with an antenna, and 4K over-the-air is already rolling out in many cities.
If you’re trying to get sound from your TV to yoursoundbaror receiver, there are some specific steps you need to take. This has to do with audio return channel, which is easily the most common question topic I get about modern TVs and home theater setups. Regardless, if you bought a 4K TV, you may need to get a new receiver anyway.
If you’re looking to connect your 4K TV to a computer, here are some things to think about. You can also connect your laptop to your TV wirelessly.
Once you have everything plugged in, take a moment to check your TV’s picture settings. Most modern TVs will ask upon initial startup if the TV is being used in a home or a store. Pick the one most appropriate to your environment (hopefully “home”; I’m not sure why you’d be living in a Best Buy).
After you run through the TV’s setup routine, you’ll want to choose the best picture mode for everyday viewing. Even if you don’t want to adjust anything else, selecting the right picture mode will go a long way in getting your TV to look its best. The CliffsNotes version? The TV will be its most accurate (in other words, most realistic) in its Movie or Cinema picture mode. It will appear brighter in its Sports or Vivid mode.
If you’re into finer adjustments, you can dive into other TV settings. The Backlight and Contrast controls usually adjust how bright the image appears, while Brightness controls how dark the dark parts of the image look. Turning down your TV’s Sharpness control actually improves its image. A similar simple fix is to adjust the TV’s overscan so you can see the entire image. Yep, your TV might be cropping off the edges!
If you want to dive even deeper, check out our articles on how to set up your TV by eye and by using a setup Blu-ray disc. And if you want to get every possible ounce of performance out of your higher-end TV, consider having it calibrated.
TVs are also susceptible to reflections so if you’re having an issue with light washing out the picture, check out how to rid your TV screen of reflections. Lastly, if you’re putting your TV on a stand, make sure you know how to keep your TV from falling over.
Your new TV probably has even more settings and adjustments we don’t cover here, but this should get you started. And if you’re looking for something to watch, check out CNET’s Streaming TV Insider.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
Amazon Prime Day is upon us, and that means you’ll save on Fire TV streaming sticks and Fire TVs. But Prime Day also tends to be a great time to pick up a Roku streaming device — or even a Roku TV — and in my experience Roku is better overall than Fire TV. I found deep discounts on some of the top Roku models, starting with the Express 4K Plus, my favorite streamer overall, for just $27.
You’ll need an Amazon Prime membership ($139 a year) to take advantage of Amazon’s deals, but other retailers are also getting in on the action, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find deal on a Roku without paying for a Prime membership.
As one of CNET’s main experts on Roku and other streaming devices, I’ve scanned all the deals and dropped the best ones below. I’ll be updating this list throughout Prime Day and placing the best deals at the top, while clearing out the ones that have expired — so be sure to check back throughout the event.
Amazon Prime Day is live. The online retailer’s massive yearly sales event — with big savings on lightning deals that sell out quickly — will go through till tomorrow. But it’s not the only game in town for bargain shoppers this week. Spurred by Amazon’s big summer sale, other online stores now offer their own deals during Prime Day, and they often include better prices than Amazon for certain products.
Who else is offering big discounts this week, and what are the best deals currently available? For more on Amazon Prime Day, see all of the deals currently available and learn how to get access to Prime Day deals without paying a penny.
Best non-Amazon sales during Prime Day
Amazon’s major online competitors — Walmart, Target and Best Buy — all offer their own sales events during Prime Day, though some of the biggest discounts are reserved for registered members. Other retailers like Overstock, Wayfair and StackSocial are also holding big sales that compete with Amazon’s price savings.
Walmart Plus Week: The discount retailer offers thousands of deals that are available to everyone July 11 through 13.
Target Circle Week: This week-long sale kicked off Sunday, July 9, and includes special discounts for members of Target’s membership program, which is free to join.
Best Buy’s Black Friday in July: Running July 10 to 12, the electronics retailer is offering discounts for all shoppers and special deals for members of the My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total programs.
Nomad 11th Anniversary Sale: Nomad is hosting an anniversary sale with 30% off sitewide till July 18.
Macy’s Black Friday in July: The venerable department store is getting in on early July discounts, with more than 100,000 products in its sale collection.
Overstock’s 72-Hour Flash Sale: From July 10 to July 12, Overstock is offering free shipping to everyone, with additional limited-time discounts on rugs, furniture and other home items.
Home Depot’s 4th of July Savings: The holiday sale at the Home Deport continues all the way through the end of Prime Day on July 12, meaning you can still save big money on new appliances. Along with 35% off select appliances, you’ll also get free delivery for any appliances costing $396 or more.
Petco’s Black Friday in July: Get big deals on food, treats, toys and furniture for your cat, dog or other pets through Friday, July 15.
StackSocial Deal Days: This online marketplace for digital products runs its own Deal Days sales during the week of Prime Day, with exclusive offers that are available to anyone.
B&H Photo Video: The local New York City photography shop now sells cameras, gear and electronics all over the world, and it has hundreds of products with special discounts this week.
Bookshop.org: This independent online bookseller hosts a special “Anti Prime Day” deal — on July 11 and 12. All orders will get free shipping, and orders more than $100 will receive a free Bookshop.org tote bag.
Best Prime Day deals not available at Amazon
While Amazon Prime Day provides many hard-to-beat deals, you can still find better savings at competitors for certain products. Here are the best non-Amazon deals we’ve found so far for this Prime Day week.
More great non-Amazon deals available during Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day deals are always a good bet for finding an Apple bargain or two and this year’s event is no different. Whether it’s a new pair of earbuds or a tablet upgrade that you have in mind, there’s sure to be a deal for you.
Deals tend to come and go throughout the Prime Day period so be sure to keep your eyes right here if you don’t see the deal you’re hoping for just yet — we’ll be updating this post as things progress and we find all those juicy deals that you can’t afford to miss.
Apple AirPods deals
If you have an iPhone, iPad or MacBook — or even all three — AirPods are some of the best earbuds you can buy. Not only do they boast excellent audio quality and great features like active noise cancellation and transparency mode, but they’re also the most convenient Bluetooth earbuds out there for Apple users. All you have to do is put them in your ear and start using the device you want to connect them to. They connect quickly as well, almost like magic.
The iPad has grown up a lot in recent years and it’s now much more than just a screen you watch Netflix on. It’s a bonafide laptop replacement for many people, and now you can pick up an iPad Air, iPad Mini and standard iPad with a discount. The only thing you have to do is choose the one that best suits your needs.
Put simply, there aren’t any Apple TV deals to be had this Prime Day — at least, not yet. That could well change as things really get underway so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled and ears to the ground for any sign that Apple’s set-top box is discounted. When we know, so will you.
Apple MacBook deals
If you’re looking for a new laptop for work or school, Prime Day has got a nice savings on the MacBook Air. This model has a solid discount of $249, and while it may be 2 years old, it’s still a fantastic laptop that should definitely not be ignored. Want something bigger? The 15-inch model is a great laptop and the 16-inch MacBook Pro is as big as these things get.
For Prime Day, you can save a good chunk of change on the base model Apple Watch 8. Whether you’re looking to upgrade or looking to get your first wearable, the Apple Watch Series 8 is an excellent choice. Looking to spend a little less? The Apple Watch SE is for you.
Apple accessories aren’t always the cheapest around, but they can be some of the best. Fans of Apple’s trackpads and keyboards should definitely take a look below, while the Apple Studio Display is worth considering with a $100 discount right now.
If you’re in the market for a new big-screen TV this Amazon Prime Day, you’re in luck because there are two great options to choose from. All you really need to do is work out how big a TV your room can take and place that order with savings of up to $100 available if you’re quick about it.
You might want to consider getting the measuring tape out, too, because neither of these TVs is what anyone is likely to call small. Sure, the 55-inch monster might not be quite the behemoth that it would have seemed a few years ago but it’s far from diminutive. And the 65-inch option? Well, that’s just massive no matter which way you slice it.
Both TVs come with notable discounts via Best Buy — the 55-inch model can be had for just $230 (saving $90) while the 65-inch version now sells for $330 (saving you $100). (Versions of these models are also on sale at Walmart, Target and Amazon — all with slightly different retailer-specific model numbers. Amazon’s appears to be sold out right now.)
Thankfully, no matter which TV you choose, you’ll get all of the usual features you’d expect. That includes 4K UltraHD support as well as HDR thrown in for good measure. The built-in Roku TV support ensures you have quick access to all of the best streaming services including Netflix, YouTube, Paramount+, and the rest.
Both TVs come with four HDMI ports and support for ARC is included while a USB port is joined by an Ethernet connection — perfect for those who want to make sure they get the very best bitrates when watching their favorite shows.
Other features include built-in speakers and an optical audio output for connecting to your audio gear should you so wish, while composite video inputs handle legacy devices just fine.
With all of that said, all it really boils down to is which size you prefer. Both the 55-inch and 65-inch models are well-reviewed, too.
While the earlier version of this TV didn’t blow us away when we reviewed it in 2021, it’s more than good enough for dens, playrooms and other non-critical viewing environments. If you want to step up or down the line, plenty of other TCL TVs are currently on sale for Prime Day, too.
Prime Day doesn’t officially start until Tuesday, but deals on Amazon Fire TVs are happening now, with some of the lowest prices yet on smaller, cheaper models. If you just want to pay as little as possible for a new TV and like Amazon’s system, now is a great time to buy. But if you want a different smart TV system or are shopping for a larger midrange or high-end model, prices might be better — and you’ll have more choices — if you wait until later in the year.
Here are some of the best early deals.
As CNET’s resident TV expert, I’m often asked whether it’s worth getting a cheap TV on Prime Day. If you just want to save money on a smaller screen, the answer is yes. I haven’t reviewed any of the TVs above, for example, but based on my experience with similar models I think most shoppers will be happy with them simply because they’re so inexpensive. And prices like this probably won’t come around again until around Black Friday in the fall of this year.
That’s because TV prices follow a predictable pattern. In spring and summer, the new 2023 models are first introduced, and that’s when prices are at their highest. The first big opportunity of the year for price drops is often Prime Day, but it’s just a few days long and after it’s over TV prices will remain relatively high until late fall, when the Black Friday sales start. Those sales typically last longer and are spread out among more retailers and brands.
If you’re considering a new TV on Prime Day, here’s some trends to watch for, based on my years reviewing TVs and tracking sales. They’re not set in stone, but they can give you some guidelines going in.
Amazon Fire TVs predominate
Prime Day deals often feature Amazon’s own gadgets, from Echo speakers to Ring doorbells, and that group includes smart TVs that run Amazon’s own Fire TV system. Featured on brands including Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer and Hisense, Fire TV is also available on Amazon-branded TVs including the Fire TV Omni and 4-Series. Expect most of them to be available for steep discounts on Prime Day.
Prime Day TV sales often include non-Fire TV screens, too. Samsung, LG, Sony and TCL TVs get discounts, but they’re usually not as steep as those offered on Fire TVs. That’s because Amazon tends to favor its own products, especially those that cater to its own ecosystem. That said, many compatible TVs have Alexa voice built in, including most Samsung and LG TVs, and nearly all smart TVs run the Prime Video app.
And remember: If you don’t like the Amazon Fire TV system, you can always connect a Roku or Google Chromecast to a Fire TV and use that instead.
Expect lots of smaller, less expensive TVs
If you’re in the market for a high-performance models such as an OLED TV, or even a midpriced LCD with a few extra bells and whistles like next-gen console gaming support or full-array local dimming, don’t hold your breath. Those features are largely absent on Fire TV models, and the non-Fire TVs on sale during Prime Day are often relatively entry-level, too. Sure, you might see some exceptions, particularly on 2022 TVs to clear inventory, but smaller, cheaper TVs are the rule.
Check Best Buy, Walmart, Target and other retailers, too
Amazon’s competitors are holding sales as well, just to hitch a ride on the buzz. Many of them offer TV deals too, and since they don’t have a Fire TV axe to grind, they often feature a wider variety of brands, sizes and feature sets.
With Prime Day set to kick off tomorrow, TV shoppers looking for deals on screens will have plenty of options. Some deals are available now, in advance of the big day, but there should be even more springing up once Prime Day officially starts on Tuesday, July 11.
As CNET’s TV expert, over the years I’ve found that the Prime Day TV deals are not quite as good as those during Black Friday and the holiday season, but if you can’t wait that long, now is a great time to buy — especially if you want a cheap TV that uses Amazon’s Fire TV system.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered up some highlights worth checking out. We’ll keep updating this list as older deals expire and new ones drop, so check back for the latest offers.
