Category: Technologies

With Prime Day officially kicking off on Tuesday, there’s a full-on frenzy of deals happening this week. And Amazon isn’t the only one offering some serious savings. Plenty of other brands and retailers like Target and Best Buy are getting in on the action with their own competing sales, as is LG. The electronics manufacturer is currently offering some incredible bargains on its advanced OLED TVs, which are some of our favorite models on the market right now. These deals are only available through July 16, and many models have already sold out, so be sure to get your order in soon if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

LG has long been one of our absolute favorite TV brands, and even claimed a spot on our list of the overall best TVs on the market in 2023. These cutting-edge displays certainly don’t come cheap, but these limited-time offers can help you snag one for hundreds off the usual price. And while many models have already sold out at LG, you can also find them available and on sale at other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

We named the LG OLED C2 the best high-end TV of 2023, but unfortunately, all the discounted models have already sold out. However, you can score some savings on the brand new C3 Series, which hit shelves just a few weeks ago. Our resident TV expert said that these advanced models “set the standard for high-end TV picture quality” thanks to their dazzling 4K OLED display, and boast excellent contrast and next-gen gaming features. Quite a few sizes have already sold out, but you can still save up to $250 on the 48-inch model, which drops it down to $1,250.

At the moment, all other next-gen OLED models are sold out, as well as quite a few previous-gen models. But if you’re a serious gamer, you can still save $499 on the mind-boggling 42-inch LG Flex. This OLED TV features a flexible screen with 20 different levels of curve so you can create the optimum angle for your gaming setup. Plus, it boasts an impressive 0.1ms response time so you’re not missing out on wins thanks to video lag. This deal drops the price down to $2,500.

There’s also the LG Objet Collection Posé. This OLED TV has a built-in stand and a nearly edgeless design that gives it a striking and modern look that blends in to your home’s decor. Of course, that doesn’t mean it skimps on hardware, and is still equipped with a stunning 4K display and a fifth-gen a9 AI processor that automatically optimizes the picture for whatever you’re watching. It’s $499 off right now, which drops the 42-inch mdoel down to $1,300 and the 48-inch model down to $1,500.

Google has quietly introduced a new share feature in Search Generative Experience, both in-app and on web, as reported earlier Monday by 9to5Google.

The feature works much like the share buttons found on Twitter, Reddit or a number of other websites, but is currently only available if you’re a part of Search Generative Experience, or SGE.

Google unveiled SGE at its Google I/O developer’s conference earlier this year. This experimental version of search integrates AI-generated results directly above the 10 blue links that populate when making a query. SGE does a lot of the heavy lifting for you, filtering information from multiple sites and synthesizing that information in an easy-to-read manner. SGE also displays links to sources on the right-hand side.

With increased competition from ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that can seemingly answer any question with a novel answer in seconds, it’s put pressure on Google to release a similar product. Google released Bard earlier this year, but it made errors and didn’t surprise people in the same way ChatGPT did. Granted, Bard has gotten better since its reveal. Microsoft’s Bing has also been running head-first into the AI race, partnering with OpenAI, creators of ChatGPT, to integrate the chatbot’s tech directly into Bing results.

Considering that Google makes the lion’s share of its money from Search, it’s not too surprising that it’s has been quick to push out more experimental products to push back against competition.

How to use the new share function in Google Search

First, you need to sign up for SGE:

1. Open Chrome on your computer or open the Google App.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Open a new tab in your browser.
4. On the top-right, click the Labs icon (it looks like a beaker) if it’s available to you.
5. If Labs icon is there, click Join Waitlist.

Once you’ve signed up for SGE, here’s how to use the share function:

1. Type in your search to Google.
2. Once results appear, hover over a link.
3. A share icon should appear towards the left.
4. There will also be icons to save the link to your account or export it to Google Sheets.

On the Google App, you can swipe towards the left to reveal sharing options, according to 9to5Google. Unfortunately, CNET’s test unit doesn’t seem to have this enabled, meaning the update may still be rolling out to all users.

On mobile, it’s still possible to click on the three dots to the right-side of a link and tap share. Unfortunately, the export to Sheets function doesn’t seem to be enabled on mobile at the moment.

Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

Among all the other Amazon Prime Day deals, be on the lookout for something a little different this year: travel deals.

Amazon has partnered with travel booking site Priceline to offer you 20% off Hotel Express Deals when Prime Day launches on July 11. A minimum purchase of $300 is required for the deal, with a maximum savings of $75.

Priceline’s Express Deals are travel bookings that are already discounted prior to the additional Prime Day discount. The catch is that you won’t know the name of the hotel until after you book. These bookings are also non-refundable.

These deals could be worth it if the discount is steep enough, because while you won’t know which hotel you’ve booked until right after paying, you will know the minimum star rating, location and amenities of the hotel.

If you’re looking for more ways to spend this Prime Day, you can check out CNET’s Prime Day live blog and all the Prime Day deals not at Amazon.

Prime Day is upon us and that means big discounts on big screens. Amazon’s big summer sale, and competing sales at retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy, mark the last chance you’ll have for deep discounts on TVs this summer, and prices won’t likely get this low again until Black Friday in the fall.

Other than a handful of cutting-edge (and staggeringly expensive) 8K models, just about every current TV on the market features stunning 4K resolution. To help you get your hands on a top-notch 4K model at a great price for Prime Day, we’ve rounded up some of the best offers currently available below. We’ll continue to update this page as deals come and go throughout the week, so be sure to check back often for the best prices.

Best 4K TV deals for Prime Day

What should you look for in a 4K TV deal?

With hundreds of different 4K TV deals from a variety of brands to choose from, it can be hard to know exactly what to be on the lookout for. The size of your space will likely dictate which 4K TV deals are appropriate for you and the number of devices you want to plug in will also rule out any 4K TVs with very few HDMI ports. Since most new TVs are smart these days, you’ll also want to consider which platform a 4K TV you’re eyeing runs, such as Amazon’s Fire OS, Google TV or Roku, as well as any smart home integrations you’ll want to make the most off — like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s HomeKit and AirPlay tech.

Price is a determining factor for a lot of folks, so scoring a steep 4K TV discount is never a bad thing. Often, TV makers release new models each year, which can prompt previous-gen TVs to go on sale with large price cuts despite relatively minor changes. So it’s often worth considering a TV set from a year or two ago if you don’t need the cutting-edge tech.

When are the best 4K TV deals available?

Like most consumer electronics, the best 4K TV deals will be found around major sale events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. These annual events offer some of the best prices of the year and see multiple retailers competing for shoppers’ cash, which is good news for your wallet. That’s not to say you can’t find a good 4K TV deal all year round, though. We keep tabs on TV pricing throughout the year and any surprise, out-of-season sales will be listed above.

Which retailers usually offer the best 4K TV deals?

When you think of nabbing a 4K TV deal, you should start at the big-box retailers like Best Buy, Target and Walmart. These stores tend to offer some of the biggest sales on 4K TVs, both in store and online, with online-only retailers like Amazon often matching prices — especially during the fall sale season.

I like my Apple gear to have the best accessories to accompany the delightful hardware experience. And Nomad is my go-to manufacturer for Apple Watch bands, wireless iPhone chargers, AirPods cases and more. The company offers a wide range of well-built accessories for Apple products. You can get these for 30% off starting today and until July 18. This is one of the best Prime Day sales I’ve seen so far, and it’s not happening at Amazon.

The Nomad 11th year anniversary sale is seeing price drops on the best accessories for Apple devices. These include the classy Aluminum Band for Apple Watch, the Base Station and more. Here are some must-buy offers you should take advantage of during the Nomad sale.

These are some of the Nomad products that I’ve been using for some time now and use them daily. They’ve aged well. Here are some other Nomad products I recommend:

• Nomad Bifold Wallet ($36 off)
• Nomad Universal Cable USB-C ($13 off)
• iPhone Sport Case ($12 off)
• iPhone Rugged Case ($15 off)
• Apple Watch Sport Bands (30% off)

Prime Day, Amazon’s biggest shopping day of the year, starts tomorrow, July 11, and Amazon already has early Prime Day deals you can shop right away. But before you begin, take a few minutes to check out all your Prime membership benefits you may want to use.

If you find it hard to keep up with all of the Amazon perks, you’re not alone. The company has so many features in the program that it’s created a new About Amazon Prime webpage where customers can get all of the latest Prime news as well as a rundown of all the features available.

If you’re not a member yet and you’re thinking about signing up for an Amazon Prime account or don’t know much about all of the included features, read on for some ways you can get the most out of the membership. For more on Amazon Prime, these are the best movies to watch on Prime Video, and the best TV shows included in your Prime membership.

You can get free same-day delivery on qualifying items

If there’s a product you want immediately, you can see if it’s available for delivery the same day you order. To check a product’s eligibility, look for delivery that’s marked as “Prime FREE Same-Day” while shopping. Note that your order will need to contain over $35 of qualifying items. If not, you’ll have to pay a small fee.

Amazon will deliver from morning until evening, so you won’t have to worry about receiving your order at 3 a.m. However, same-day delivery isn’t available in all locations, so enter your ZIP code on the Amazon Same-Day Delivery page to see if you’re eligible.

Alexa offers extra discounts when you shop with an Echo

You can use your Amazon Echo to ask “Alexa, what are my deals?” anytime. Alexa will then share Prime-exclusive deals and you’ll have the option to add the item to your cart, buy it now or move on to the next deal.

Schedule convenient shipping dates for packages

Everyone knows about Amazon’s free two-day shipping, but another option is to choose a delivery date during checkout. It’s called Amazon Day and it’s helpful if there’s a specific day you know someone will be at home to answer for packages — especially if it’s something pricey that you don’t want to risk leaving unattended.

If you order multiple items on different days, you can have them delivered on the same day as long as they’re eligible for this offer.

Use your Amazon Echo to track packages

If you have an Amazon Echo of any kind, you can use it to track your orders.

Just say “Alexa, where’s my package?” and your Echo will let you know where it is, who it’s for and when it’ll arrive. Once your order has been delivered, the Echo’s ring light will pulse yellow and if you have the Echo Show, the delivery notification will appear on the screen.

Shop Early Access deals before non-Prime members

If something you’ve been eyeing says “Prime Early Access,” as a Prime member you can shop that sale 30 minutes before non-Prime members. However, you’ll still have to compete with other Prime members who are interested in the product before it sells out.

Have Amazon deliver your package inside your house

When you know you’re not going to be home for a while and you’ve got a shipment on the way, it’s much safer to have an Amazon employee leave your items inside your house to avoid theft.

For in-home delivery, you’ll need a Key-compatible smart lock and an (optional) Amazon Cloud Cam. The Amazon driver will send you a notification when they’ve arrived at your house and will request to unlock your door. Amazon will verify the package is at the right address and the driver is near the door, then will turn on Amazon Cloud Cam and unlock your door.

If you’re wary of letting a complete stranger into your home, keep in mind that you’ll also receive notifications during the entire process. Note that you can opt to block delivery access to your home — for example, if you know you’ll be home during that time.

You can also get Amazon packages delivered to your garage

“Porch pirates” — thieves who steal packages left in front of homes — are no joke. Security site SafeWise told CNET that about 260 million packages were stolen from home exteriors in 2022. The Amazon Key in-garage delivery service can stop porch theft completely and is free for all Amazon Prime members.

When you use Amazon In-Garage Delivery, select Key Delivery at checkout. The garage kit is $29 right now and turns your garage into a smart garage. It works the same as in-home delivery so Amazon will do all the verifying for you.

Send gifts to other Prime members, even without addresses

An Amazon Prime feature lets you send someone a gift, even if you don’t have their address. For instance, if you’d like to send a coworker something for the holidays or their birthday but don’t know what their address is, you can still send a gift. But there’s a catch — that person must also have a Prime account and you need either their phone number or email address associated with the account.

Just note that not every item on Amazon is eligible.

Share Amazon Prime perks with your family

If you’ve got another adult living in your household, like a significant other or friend, you can share your Prime membership with them. You’ll still be able to keep your personal accounts separate, but you’ll both have access to all the same Prime benefits.

You can also share your account with up to four teens and up to four children in your household. While they’ll have their own logins, you can still manage their profiles.

For more shopping tips, here’s how to send your Amazon packages back the fast, easy and free way.

Apple on Monday released iOS 16.5.1 (a), a Rapid Security Response update to its iPhone software. The tech giant said the update patches a security issue that may have been actively exploited.

To download the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update, tap Download and Install and follow the onscreen prompts.

Apple said the Rapid Security Response update patches a vulnerability in WebKit, the engine that powers Safari and other third-party browsers on iOS. The vulnerability may lead to arbitrary code execution, which can allow a third party to steal your data or hack your device for other nefarious purposes, according to the IT services company Okta.

Apple is also expected to release the first public beta version of iOS 17 this month. The company made the developer beta available after the company announced the software at WWDC 2023.

For more iOS news, check out what iOS 17 features I’m excited about, which iPhones iOS 17 will work on and what might be coming to your iPhone with iOS 16.6.

With the introduction of its Vision Pro headset, the 15-inch MacBook Air and new Mac desktops, Apple has already had a busy year when it comes to product launches. But if history offers any clue, there’s still plenty more to come in 2023, potentially including a USB-C-equipped iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 9.

As for other products like AirPods, the Apple TV and the iPad, Bloomberg reports we likely won’t see major changes to those product lines this year. But Apple could launch a USB-C charging case for the AirPods Pro to match the iPhone’s switch to USB-C, according to a more recent report from Bloomberg. More broadly, Apple is reportedly working on new health features for AirPods like temperature and hearing detection, Bloomberg also said, although those additions aren’t expected to arrive for months or years.

While Vision Pro is Apple’s most significant new product announcement in years, the iPhone 15 may also make a bigger impression than usual if Apple does decide to make the switch to USB-C. It would signal the first time in more than a decade that you might need a different charger for your iPhone.

Here’s a look at what we’re expecting in 2023 based on Apple’s previous launches, rumors and leaks so far. Apple didn’t respond to a previous request for comment in March when the original version of this story was published.

iPhone 15 lineup

Apple usually launches new iPhones in September, and this year will likely be no different. Among the most significant changes we’re expecting to see in the iPhone 15 is the switch from the Lightning charging port to USB-C. That’s because there are new rules requiring tech products sold in Europe to support USB-C by 2024. Still, it’s unclear whether Apple will fully embrace the transition to USB-C across the entire iPhone 15 lineup, or if it will make a region-specific model for Europe.

Another potential update could include the Dynamic Island’s arrival on standard non-Pro iPhone 15 models, Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, tweeted in September. At the same time, Apple could add more features to the iPhone 15 Pro that differentiate it from the base models. Such features could include a new periscope camera with better optical zoom for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and solid-state buttons for both Pro phones, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Read more: I Want to See These 6 Features on the iPhone 15

Apple Watch Series 9

Like clockwork, Apple typically releases new Apple Watch models alongside its new iPhones in the fall. This year, however, we may see a more modest update than usual. Bloomberg reports that we shouldn’t expect to see significant changes to the Apple Watch this year. What that means is unclear, but it’s possible the watch could include routine updates like performance enhancements rather than significant new health-tracking features. Apple is expected to release two Series 9 models, according to Bloomberg, although this could be in reference to the two size options Apple typically releases for each watch.

That falls in line with the pattern that Apple has followed in recent years. Other than the addition of temperature sensing and car-crash detection, the Apple Watch Series 8 is very similar to the Series 7. Apple has also introduced more new features through software updates rather than hardware changes in recent years, such as the ability to track sleep stages that arrived in WatchOS 9 and the refreshed widget-focused interface coming in WatchOS 10. But I’m hoping the Series 9 inherits some features from the Apple Watch Ultra, especially its handy Action button, which makes it easier to jump right into a workout.

Read more: All the Apple Watch Series 9 Rumors We’ve Heard So Far

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple is also planning to release a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra alongside the Series 9, according to Bloomberg. However, the report doesn’t mention any details other than that the device is codenamed N210.

While there haven’t been many rumors about a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra yet, there are plenty of ways Apple could improve its high-end sports watch. Even though the Ultra’s battery life is a huge improvement over the standard model, competitors like Fitbit’s smartwatches can last for multiple days on a single charge. It would be great to see Apple catch up in this regard.

I’d also like to see Apple incorporate more workout recovery metrics into the Apple Watch, similar to Oura’s readiness score. While a feature like this would be useful for any Apple Watch model, it especially makes sense on a device like the Ultra that’s more geared towards athletes.

A new iMac

Fans of Apple’s colorful all-in-one computer may have something to look forward to this year. The company’s next iMac is at an advanced development stage, meaning it could arrive in the second half of this year, according to Bloomberg. The refreshed computer will likely run on Apple’s rumored M3 processor, which would be a step up from the M2 chip powering the current MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. It’ll have a 24-inch screen like the 2021 edition and will be available in the same color options, but will have some internal design changes, according to the report.

There are also a slew of other Mac and iPad products reportedly in the works according to Bloomberg, including an M3 13-inch MacBook Pro, new versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros that would run on a more powerful M3 Pro and M3 Max chip, new MacBook Air models, updated iPad Pro tablets with OLED screens and a new iPad Air.

Apple hasn’t announced its M3 chip yet, meaning there’s a good chance the new iMac may not arrive until 2024. But since Bloomberg previously reported that the upcoming iMac was far along in the development process, it seems like this could be the first product powered by the new processor.

All told, 2023 has turned out to be a pivotal year for Apple’s product line so far. The arrival of the first USB-C iPhone would cap off what has already been a landmark year for Apple’s product lineup.

Few companies have marketed a sale as well as Amazon has with Prime Day. The online retail giant has managed to whip up its own two-day-long, Black Friday-like holiday, raking in the cash, garnering tons of free press coverage and even inspiring other retailers to imitate it.

My World War II Marine dad, raised during the Depression and never once sucked in by Madison Avenue, would never have gotten on board with Prime Day. He was bemused by any form of shopping excitement and never failed to see a line of shoppers waiting at a store without cracking, “Are they givin’ the stuff away?”

He couldn’t understand people getting up early to shop Black Friday, or me writing an article about Prime Day, any more than he could have comprehended why the Kardashians were famous. (I am happily confident he lived his full 93.5 years without ever hearing that clan’s name.)

I don’t have a problem with a shopping site creating hype to get people to shop. I’ve indulged in some retail therapy myself over the years and leaned heavily on Amazon, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But I’ve inherited a bit of Dad’s skepticism, and what stands out to me about Prime Day is how antiseptic it is.

Prime Day deals are dull

According to Amazon’s own Prime Day history site, best-selling products are things like car-wash products, dog food and Levi’s. What’s fun about that? That’s not holiday-worthy products, it’s my mom’s shopping list from 1977.

Electronics, of course, and Amazon’s own devices are also always big sellers. And while those may be useful, they’re not exactly novel. There’s for sure a group of techies out there just waiting to upgrade their phone, headphones, laptop or tablet, and this might be their shopping dream. That’s fine. It’s just not mine.

When Prime Day first launched, I thought it might be something akin to those gift guides every magazine used to do back in the day when print magazines ruled the newsstand. Whatever you think of Oprah Winfrey, she nailed the concept with her annual Oprah’s Favorite Things roundup.

Aprons your kids can design themselves. Wine chiller cradles. Stuffed animals you heat up in the microwave for bedtime comfort. Outdoor movie projectors. These items catch my attention, even if, for some of them, I look at the price tag, bark out a oh-yeah-Oprah’s-a-billionaire laugh, and then move on. They’re at least imaginative and fun, which is what I look for when I’m shopping.

Which is maybe a “me” problem. I’m wishing that Prime Day was personalized gift idea inspiration, when really it’s just sales on stuff that Amazon wants to unload.

Prime Day, I guess, is mostly aimed at gifting mass-produced things to yourself, not buying the kind of idiosyncratic and offbeat gifts that I want to give to my nearest and dearest. In my Chrome browser, I keep a “gifts” folder of websites that I bookmark as I see interesting items throughout the year.

Etsy sellers who carve your mom’s handwritten recipe onto a cutting board, in Mom’s own distinct handwriting. Custom Lego minifigs you can personalize to look like your best friend. Shirts and mugs from the beloved hometown department store where you and your sister whiled away so many goofy hours. (RIP, Dayton’s.)

Amazon and other mega-corporations already maintain all kinds of information about our shopping habits. It seems likely they could utilize AI and their massive databases and recommend more personal, entertaining purchases for all of us — with big discounts, please.

Passing on Prime Day

We just turned a basement storage room into an extra bedroom, and all the stuff we used to store there now has to find a new home. I’ve been driving around my city donating books to Little Free Libraries, creating clothing donation bags for Goodwill, calling animal shelters to see if they’ll take old cat carriers or extra blankets.

The storage-room clean-out has slapped me right in the face with how much stuff we already have, stuff that was just sitting on a shelf, mostly unused. I never watched Marie Kondo’s show, but I can really relate to her “thank it for its service, then get rid of it” mentality.

Even the custom Lego minifigs and kid-designed aprons will end up on the recycling pile some day. So while I won’t begrudge any Prime Day fanatics their shopping sprees, I won’t be joining them. The allure escapes me. Kinda like the appeal of the Kardashians.