Category: Technologies

Your Android phone‘s web browser may be filled with tons of data from the websites you visit, including files you don’t need to keep. Much of that data — whether you’re using Google Chrome, Firefox or Samsung Internet — gets stored as part of the cookies and cache. This data can be helpful for websites you visit, letting them load faster with your accounts already logged in. That’s nice, but there’s plenty of information in the cookies and cache of your browser that isn’t necessary and could even be a privacy risk.

Why you should regularly clear out your cookies and cache

A lot of what ends up building up within your cookies and cache is just plain junk. Some of it could have arrived from websites you’ve visited just once. Others seem to be tracking your browsing history on an active basis, helping to serve up advertisements based on what you are buying or streaming on the internet. For instance, I’m constantly receiving advertisements for buying glasses online after browsing a few stores, or Amazon ads that just happen to show what was last in my shopping cart.

Because of this, it’s good to clear out your cache every so often. It allows you to remove data you don’t need on your phone, especially if an unknown data tracker is among your phone’s cookies. Clearing your cache is a minor inconvenience — you’ll have to log back into some of your favorite websites, but it’s a small price to pay to make sure your phone isn’t stocking up on extraneous data.

The steps differ slightly depending on the type of phone and web browser app you’re using. Below, we’ll go over how to clear this data for Google’s Chrome browser (often the default for many Android phones, like the Google Pixel line), Samsung’s internet browser (often the default on the Galaxy phone series) and Mozilla’s Firefox browser. You can also check out our separate guide on how to clear your cache on an iPhone web browser, in case you have a few Apple devices to tidy up, too.

Google Chrome

You can delete your cookies and cache from within the Android version of Google Chrome by first tapping the More button in the top right corner of the browser, indicated by a column of three dots, then tapping History, then Clear browsing data. You can also access this from the Chrome Settings menu, tapping Privacy and Security and then Clear browsing data.

Chrome also offers Basic and Advanced settings for clearing your Browsing history, Cookies and site data and Cached images and files. You can use the Time range drop-down to select whether you want to delete the entire history or a selection of anywhere from the past 24 hours up to the last four weeks. Tapping Advanced will also give you access to deleting Saved passwords, Autofill form data and Site settings. After selecting what you want to delete, tap the blue Clear data button. You might receive an additional prompt in the event Chrome deems certain websites as being “important” to you, and if so you’ll get the chance to confirm before clearing. Otherwise if you do not receive that prompt, Chrome will immediately proceed to clear as you instructed.

Read more: Ditch Google Chrome and Use This Privacy-Focused Browser Instead

Samsung Internet

There are two different ways you can clear your Samsung Internet browser’s cache and cookie data. You can clear from within the browser itself, or you can go through your phone’s Settings app.

To clear while in the Samsung Internet browser app, first tap the Options button in the bottom right corner represented by three horizontal lines, then Settings; scroll down to and tap Personal Data, then tap Delete browsing data to get a menu of options to delete. You can clear your Browsing history, Cookies and site data, Cached images and files, Passwords and Autofill forms in any combination. After tapping Delete data, you’ll then receive a prompt asking for you to confirm your choices before deleting.

Going through the browser app itself provides the most customization of what you want to delete. However, if you want to access similar options from your phone’s settings menu, open the Settings app and tap on Apps, then scroll down to and tap Samsung Internet and then Storage.

At the bottom of Storage, you get separate options to Clear cache and Clear data. Tapping Clear cache will immediately delete the cache, but Clear data brings up a prompt that warns you that all of the application’s data will be deleted permanently, including files, settings, accounts and databases. While it doesn’t specify cookies, this “going nuclear” approach should zap all remaining data, letting you restart the Samsung Internet browser as if it were brand-new.

Read more: Change These Android Settings to Get the Most Out of Your Phone

Mozilla Firefox

Much as with Google Chrome, you can clear the cache from within the Mozilla Firefox Android app. To access this function, tap the More button on the right of the address bar, again symbolized by three vertically aligned dots. Then tap Settings and scroll down to Delete browsing data.

Of the three browsers we’re discussing here, Firefox gives you the most options under the Delete browsing data menu, allowing you to also delete any existing Open tabs, your Browsing history and site data, Site permissions and even your Downloads folder alongside Cookies and Cached images and files.

While you can’t pick a time range as you can for Chrome, you can be more specific regarding what type of data you would like to remove.

Read more: Browser Privacy Settings to Change ASAP in Firefox, Chrome and Safari

And Firefox has an additional option for those who never want to keep their browsing data after they’re done using the app. Inside of Settings is a Delete browsing data on quit option, which instructs Firefox to wipe any combination of these same settings every time you quit the application. It’s a useful feature if you’d like to keep the browser tidy and, say, avoid accidentally handing off your browser history to someone who may have stolen or otherwise gained access to your phone.

You don’t need a big, expensive TV to get a movie theater experience. With projectors getting better for cheaper, it’s possible and easy to get a big screen in your living room. With an inexpensive projector, you can watch movies and TV shows on a 100-inch-plus screen. Pair that with a soundbar or a receiver and speakers and you can get picture and sound to rival your local cinema’s. Even better: no crowds, no noise, and you can hit Pause to use the restroom without missing anything.

Modern home theater projectors have impressive picture quality, good brightness in ambient light, vivid colors and a quality contrast ratio — and you can nab one starting at around $200. That means you can get a massive screen for a fraction of the cost of a big TV. And many models are portable, making them perfect for a backyard movie night under the stars.

To give you a sneak peek at some of our picks for the best projector of 2023: We like the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB as the best overall home theater projector. The best projector for the money is still the BenQ HT2050A, but it’s being discontinued soon. Its replacement, the HT2060, is excellent and one of our overall best projector picks.

Whether you’re looking to buy a 4K projector, want something that’ll make HD sources look great or need something you can use on the go, this list gives you the best home theater projectors.

Other projectors we’ve tested

BenQ GS50: The GS50 is a lunchbox-size 1080p projector with a built-in battery. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker. However, it’s dimmer than the Xgimi Halo Plus for similar money, so we recommend that one instead.

Samsung Freestyle: The small, cylindrical Freestyle is an interesting idea, but it comes up short. About the size of a Bluetooth speaker, and in fact can double as one, the Freestyle can pivot on its stand to project an image at any height on walls and even the ceiling. Its built-in streaming is far better implemented than most portable projectors. However, it lacks a battery and its performance is average, at best. Worse, its price is a good 50% higher than it should be based on how it looks and performs. Read our Samsung Freestyle review.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2: Another relatively expensive projector we didn’t love, the Xiaomi at least has a gorgeous, Apple-like design going for it. We appreciated the compact size, 1080p resolution and built-in Android TV streaming, but the cons outweigh the pros. It’s relatively dim, especially for the price, and it lacks both a built-in battery and compatibility with a USB power source, so it’s not truly portable. Read our Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector 2 review.

Epson Home Cinema 880: The 880 is one of Epson’s less expensive home projectors, but it still puts out a remarkable amount of light. That, and the price, make it tempting. The contrast ratio is terrible, however, so the overall image quality is weak. Read our Epson Home Cinema 880 review.

LG HU810PW: The HU810PW is a higher-end, laser-powered projector with 4K resolution that’s able to create some lovely, colorful images. It’s also quiet and sports an attractive, boxy case. The contrast ratio is quite poor, so it doesn’t look nearly as good overall as other projectors in its overall price range. Read our LG HU810PW review.

Anker Nebula Solar Portable: The Solar Portable is a portable projector with a built-in battery that lasts 3 hours. It sports 1080p resolution, but it’s not very bright and the contrast isn’t great. While the Anker Mars II Pro has its own issues, overall it’s the better option for the same money. Read our Anker Nebula Solar Portable review.

Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K: Since it has a handle and a compact size, the Cosmos Laser 4K is technically portable, but it’s hardly mini at more than 10 pounds. There’s also no battery so you’ll need to plug it in. It’s nice and bright, but the other downsides — lack of zoom, average overall image quality and a steep price for what you get — keep it off this list. Read our Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector review.

How we test home theater projectors

Every projector we review goes through elaborate objective and subjective testing. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

For more info, check out how CNET tests projectors.

Projector performance comparison

Brand	Model	Price	Resolution	Lumens**	Contrast ratio**
Anker	Mars II Pro	$400	720p	337	354:1
Anker	Nebula Solar	$560	1080p	196	407:1
BenQ	HT2060	$999	1080p	985	1,380:1
BenQ	HT2050A	$699	1080p	1,591	2,094:1
BenQ	TH685	$1,244	1080p	1,641	853:1
Epson	EF-12	$900	1080p	650	394:1
Epson	HC 880	$600	1080p	2,085	221:1
Epson	HC 2250	$750	1080p	1,729	1,026:1
Epson	HC 5050	$3,000	1080p x2*	1,732	5,203:1
Epson	LS11000	$4,000	4K	1,378	1,808:1
LG	HU810PW	$2,550	4K	1,498	490:1
Optoma	UHD35	$1,581	4K	1,567	649:1
Optoma	UHZ50	$2,799	4K	1,486	1,007:1
Sony	VPL-VE325ES	$4,499	4K	1,732	5,203:1
Xgimi	Halo Plus	$850	1080p	284	368:1

*See review for more details

**as measured. See how CNET tests projectors for details.

More advice on home theater projectors

• Home Theater Projectors: 6 Things to Know Before You Buy
• Best Home Theater Projector for 2023
• Portable Projector Pros and Cons: Read This Before You Buy One
• Best Portable Projector for 2023
• Affordable 4K Projectors Are Here. What Took Them So Long?
• Why You Shouldn’t Expect Great HDR From a Projector
• Big TV vs. Projector: Pros and Cons of Huge Home Theater Screens
• How to Setup Your New Projector for the Biggest, Best Movie Night Ever
• Backyard Movie Night: Everything You Need for a Private Outdoor Cinema

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a great way to boost your privacy online. It hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. However, a VPN could also slow your internet speed and limit your access to local services. But you can alleviate these issues with a feature known as split tunneling.

Split tunneling lets you send some of your internet traffic through your VPN while letting other traffic bypass it. That can help speed up your traffic, but it might also expose your data to a malicious third party.

Here’s what you should know about split tunneling.

What is split tunneling?

Split tunneling basically lets you use two different network connections at the same time — one that is secured by a VPN and one that isn’t. You control which traffic does and doesn’t pass through the VPN.

There are different versions of split tunneling, with different ways of dividing your traffic. NordVPN outlines three different types: inverse split, app-based split and URL-based split.

Inverse split is the safest way to enable split tunneling, and it allows only programs you trust to connect directly to the internet without going through a VPN.

An app-based split filters selected app traffic through a VPN while the rest of your internet traffic is unprotected.

And a URL-based split lets you specify which web addresses, such as cnet.com, you want to exclude from your VPN protection.

Is split tunneling available on all VPNs?

No. Not all VPNs offer split tunneling, and those that do don’t always offer the three different types. If a VPN does offer split tunneling, it’s likely to be available only through the service’s Android or Windows app. Very few VPNs offer split tunneling on Mac and iOS.

Some VPNs call split tunneling something else entirely. Surfshark, for example, calls its split tunneling feature Bypasser. If you want to use split tunneling, check with the different VPN service providers to make sure they offer the feature. Other VPN services, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, offer split tunneling, but you might have to contact a service’s customer support or search for “tunneling” to see if a service offers this feature.

What can you use split tunneling for?

There are a few reasons you might use split tunneling, according to cybersecurity company Fortinet.

One is it can help maintain fast internet speeds. Using a VPN can slow your internet speed down a little since it takes time to encrypt your traffic. But you might prioritize speed over security in some instances, such as streaming 4K movies and other high-bandwidth content. So you can set up split tunneling to allow your streaming traffic to connect directly to your gaming network while protecting your other sensitive data.

Split tunneling can also help you connect to local and geo-blocked services at the same time. That way you can easily find places to eat near your home while watching a show that’s blocked in your area.

Fortinet also says split tunneling can help you connect to LAN devices, like your smart home devices, while using a VPN. Some VPNs might interfere with a device’s ability to communicate with others on a local network, and split-tunneling can alleviate this.

What are the downsides of split tunneling?

NordVPN says one of the biggest drawbacks of split-tunneling is that some of your internet traffic is unsecured. Any traffic that’s not protected by a VPN could be seen by a third party, intercepted by malicious actors or be monitored by a government surveillance apparatus.

When should and shouldn’t you use split tunneling?

Use split tunneling to connect to LAN devices or with traffic that you don’t need to keep private and doesn’t contain sensitive data. But don’t use split tunneling for any activity where you want maximum security and privacy.

For more, here’s what to know about geo-blocking, how to pick the right VPN for you and the best VPNs of 2023.

If your virtual private network doesn’t have a kill switch, you need to switch to a VPN that does. A kill switch is an essential VPN privacy feature that instantly disables your internet if your encrypted VPN connection drops out for any reason. This prevents your online activity from being exposed outside the VPN tunnel, which is important because that exposure can be dangerous in many situations.

A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a secure server in a location of your choosing. During this process, your visible IP address is changed to the IP address of the server you’re connecting through. In addition to allowing you to access geographically restricted content, the VPN connection conceals your true IP address and your internet traffic from your ISP, government entities, cybercriminals and others who may want to snoop on you online. So if your VPN connection suddenly drops and there’s no kill switch to act as a safety net to protect your data, you may as well not have a VPN at all.

Here’s what to know about how a VPN kill switch works, why you need one and how to make sure your VPN’s kill switch is working properly.

Read more: The Best VPN Services

Why do VPN disconnections happen?

No piece of technology is perfect, and even the best VPNs can have their connections drop from time to time. A VPN disconnection can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• You’re on a Wi-Fi connection that’s weak or overloaded — like a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a cafe, hotel or airport.
• You switch to a different Wi-Fi network or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
• Your computer goes to sleep.
• An antivirus program or firewall on your computer is interfering with your VPN connection (be sure to whitelist your VPN software in this case).
• You jump from one VPN server to another… or if you rapidly jump servers and exceed your VPN provider’s simultaneous connection limit.
• You’re using the OpenVPN UDP protocol, which is less stable than the TCP protocol (switch to TCP if you notice your VPN dropping).
• The VPN server you’re connecting to goes down.
• Your VPN app crashes.

What happens if your VPN disconnects without a kill switch?

If your VPN disconnects, and you don’t have a kill switch enabled, your internet connection will stay active, your true IP address will be exposed and your web traffic from the moment of disconnection will continue unencrypted. This could expose your online activity and compromise any sensitive personal data you may have been accessing while connected to the VPN, in addition to revealing your true location (based on your IP address).

This can be a headache if you’re using a VPN to access geographically restricted content, but it can be downright dangerous if you’re a dissident, activist, journalist, attorney, physician or anyone else using a VPN for critical privacy needs. Using a VPN without a kill switch is also risky for anyone in a region with strict government control over and censorship of the internet.

Read more: How We Test VPNs

How does a VPN kill switch work?

When enabled, your VPN kill switch constantly monitors your VPN connection and scans for changes in your IP address or the status of your network. The kill switch will immediately engage and block access to the internet whenever it detects a change in the status of either. When you reconnect to a VPN server or the VPN tunnel automatically reestablishes itself, the kill switch will allow your internet to reconnect and will continue to monitor your VPN connection.

There are two different types of VPN kill switches: ones that work on an application level and others that work on a system level.

An application-level VPN kill switch allows you to choose specific applications on your device to kill in the event of a VPN disconnection. While certain applications will be blocked, any others connected that you didn’t designate to be killed will remain connected and could potentially put you at risk. An application-level kill switch gives you a certain amount of flexibility, but you’ll need to be mindful of what apps you do or do not choose to include. A system-level kill switch is a more secure option overall because it kills all network traffic on your device system-wide whenever it detects that the VPN tunnel has failed.

Some VPNs like NordVPN offer both an application-level and a system-level kill switch, while others like ExpressVPN only offer a system-level kill switch. ExpressVPN’s Network Lock kill switch is enabled automatically, but not all VPNs with a kill switch have them enabled by default. If your VPN’s kill switch isn’t enabled by default, you can go to the settings section of your VPN client and activate it there.

How to test your VPN kill switch

To test your VPN kill switch, you’ll first need to ensure your regular internet connection is working properly. Once you’ve confirmed your internet is working, connect to your VPN and enable the kill switch if not already enabled. Then, you can either disconnect from the VPN server or simulate a VPN failure by doing something like manually killing then reestablishing your network connection, closing then reopening your laptop, or activating and then deactivating airplane mode on your mobile device. If you notice that you’ve lost access to the internet or the apps you’ve flagged with your application-level kill switch have been closed, then your kill switch is working properly.

Alternatively, you can use an automatic page refreshing website like PageRefresher and add the following into the appropriate field: http://ip-api.com/csv

Then, set the page refresh time to one second. With your VPN disconnected, click Start and make note of your regular IP address that’s displayed in the new window that pops up. Then, connect to your VPN (preferably to a server in another country) and click Start again. You should then see the IP address and location of the VPN server you’re connecting through. Now, simulate a VPN disconnection and pay attention to what’s happening in the page refresher window. If you see a “no internet” error message or something similar, your VPN kill switch is working as it should.

For more VPN advice, check out CNET’s coverage on how to speed up your VPN connection, VPN red flags to look out for and what to know about VPN trackers.

It’s set up to be a Wimbledon Men’s Final classic as veteran Serb star Novak Djokovic battles it out with current world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.

Djokovic will be eyeing an historic 24th Grand Slam win, as well as drawing level with Roger Federer’s tally of eight Wimbledon triumphs.

A win for Alcaraz would meanwhile see the 20-year-old Spanish star claim his second Slam title, while also signifying a changing of the guard in the men’s game.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch Wimbledon live wherever you are in the world.

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic: Where and when is it?

The 2023 Wimbledon Men’s Final is set to take place on Sunday, July 16, on Centre Court at the iconic All England Club in southwest London. Play is set to begin at 2 p.m. BST local time (9 a.m. ET, 6 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 11 p.m. AEST in Australia).

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view Wimbledon locally, you may need a different way to watch the world’s greatest grass-court tennis players — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on match day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in the US

Linear US TV coverage of the Wimbledon Men’s Final is with ESPN, while the action can also be streamed via ESPN Plus.

Most live TV streaming services offer a free trial or discounts during the first month and allow you to cancel anytime. All require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Livestream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in the UK for free

Tennis fans in the UK are arguably the luckiest in the world, as the BBC is once again showing the entire tournament across free-to-air channels BBC One, BBC Two and the Red Button.

That also means you can livestream all the action from SW19 on BBC iPlayer.

Stream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in Australia for free

Tennis fans Down Under can watch live coverage of the Wimbledon Men’s Final on free-to-air channel 9Gem. That also means you’ll be able to watch the action online via the network’s streaming service 9Now.

For grass court aficionados, pay-TV service Stan Sport is also live streaming every remaining match on every court, ad-free.

Stream Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic in Canada

Live coverage of the Wimbledon Men’s Final 2023 will be available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Quick tips for streaming Wimbledon 2023 using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the tennis action live may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Telly TVs are finally here. The TV startup announced today that the first batch of its dual-screen TVs has shipped to a select group of users. Those users have agreed to be part of Telly’s beta program, through which the company will test its product and its integration with some of its new partners — which include Neilsen, the TV viewership tracking company, as well as Magnite and Microsoft Advertising, which will be charged with creating advertising opportunities.

Read More: Telly Offers Free 55-Inch TVs, But Here’s What It Will Actually Cost You

Additionally, Telly has partnered with Harman Kardon to deliver the company’s six-driver integrated soundbar, while the TV will also include a Spotify application allowing users to stream for free on Spotify’s free tier or sign in to their premium account.

“Telly’s unique business model and technology will completely transform TV measurement,” Bob Ivins, Telly’s head of data strategy, said in a blog post on Thursday. “The selection process for our public beta program ensures Telly will have fully scaled and representative measurement insights available to advertisers, data partners and programmers by this summer.”

Telly’s insights business tools are designed to use the viewership and user data collected from the TVs to help advertisers and content owners target and measure the effectiveness of their advertising.

The company burst onto the scene in May when it announced it planned to offer consumers a free 55-inch TV with an integrated soundbar, a camera and a second screen below the main display. In exchange for the use of the TV, users need to agree to on-screen advertising and activity tracking.

Telly plans to ship half a million TVs by the end of 2023 and millions more the following year. Those interested in getting their own Telly must sign up on the company’s website to reserve a unit.

No matter the age of your television, it’s still possible to bring it into the modern age. And for all the functionality you’ll enjoy, it doesn’t need to cost very much. Smart TV is another way to say “streaming TV,” and compatible devices offer dozens of streaming services, from free (the Roku Channel) to premium cable replacements (YouTube TV).

If you have a TV made since 2005, then it will likely have an HDMI port, which means you easily can add an inexpensive device to get you up and streaming. From bare-bones streaming adapters to soundbars to gaming-friendly set-tops, there is a smart TV device out there for you. Firstly, here are four of our favorites.

How to install a streaming device

If you buy yourself a new smart device, there are a number of easy steps you’ll need to take. Each device works a little differently, and we have step-by-step instructions for Roku and Amazon Fire TV in particular. If you’re not using one of those, or want a general overview, this is what you’ll need:

1. Wi-Fi: First, make sure you have your Wi-Fi details handy — you will need the access point name (your router) and your password.
2. Is there a smartphone app? Some devices also require the installation of an app for your smartphone or tablet, so check your phone’s app store. These apps can also make inputting the Wi-Fi details easier.
3. Find a spare HDMI port: On the back of your TV, find a spare HDMI port, and remember what number it is. For instance, HDMI 1 or 2 are usually free. However, if your television is older than 2005, an inexpensive HDMI-to-AV adapter may be in order.
4. Power: Plug in the supplied power cable and attach it to your device — note that while some TVs do have USB ports, it’s best not to use them, as they may not provide enough power to run your streaming device.
5. Plug it in: Plug the device into the port on your TV, switch the TV to the HDMI input you chose, and then follow the device’s on-screen instructions.

Congratulations — you now have a smart TV!

Smart TV FAQs

After logging 100 million sign-ups in less than a week, Meta’s new app, Threads, has received a software update for users of iOS 17. Meta’s Instagram team launched Threads on July 5, and the text-based conversation app, billed as a Twitter rival, quickly caught on.

TechCrunch earlier spotted the news about the update, noting that Instagram’s Cameron Roth listed a bug fix for the iOS 17 beta that prevents Threads from crashing. Some iPhone users had experienced problems when attaching photos, leading people to find workarounds like using copy and paste. Other updates include profile tweaks and a feature that lets you double tap to search. The Threads user count continues to climb.

“Threads reached 100 million sign-ups over the weekend,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post Monday on Threads. “That’s mostly organic demand and we haven’t even turned on many promotions yet. Can’t believe it’s only been 5 days!”

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, on Monday called the surge of sign-ups on Threads “insane,” and promised the team would “make this thing great.”

While the burst of sign-ups doesn’t necessarily mean people will use Threads long term, the milestone is notable. For comparison, OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT, which kicked off an AI rush late last year, surpassed 100 million monthly active users after two months. At the end of 2022, Twitter had 259 million daily active users. Instagram has 1.39 billion daily active users.

Joining Threads is pretty easy: Sign in with your Instagram credentials and keep your username, followers and verification status.

Though the platform has reportedly been in the works since January, the Threads rollout comes on the heels of Twitter owner Elon Musk announcing limits to how many tweets you can read on Twitter per day. The limits were temporary, but the damage done seems to be a bit more permanent.

Amid all the changes at Twitter, social media users have been looking for an alternative, such as Mastodon and Bluesky. Threads provides the option to post text, videos and photos, and the ability to engage in real-time conversations.

Read on to learn more about how to join Threads and what features are available. For more, here’s why you might want to wait to join Threads and how Meta is using AI to organize your feeds.

What is Threads?

Created by Meta’s Instagram team, Threads is a platform that allows you to publish short posts or updates that are up to 500 characters. You can include links, photos or videos up to five minutes long. The app is linked to your Instagram account, and according to Meta, you can “easily share a Threads post to your Instagram story, or share your post as a link on any other platform you choose.”

Your feed will include posts from people and accounts you follow on Instagram or Threads, as well as recommendations for undiscovered content. You also have the ability to filter specific words from your feed and restrict who is allowed to mention you.

Threads is free to use and is available to download from the App Store (iOS) and the Play Store (Android).

The app launched in more than 100 countries, but its release has been delayed in the European Union, reportedly due to data-sharing concerns between Instagram and Threads. Meta is also reportedly blocking attempts by people in the EU to access Threads using a VPN, telling TechCrunch in a statement that “we’ve taken additional steps to prevent people based there from accessing it at this time.”

How to sign up for Threads

You must have an Instagram account to join Threads, as the service requires you to use your Instagram login credentials to sign in.

First, launch the Threads application and select the Instagram profile you want to make a Thread account for. If you have multiple Instagram accounts, you can switch at the login page.

Next, add your name, bio and any links you want to show on your Threads profile. You can also just hit the Import from Instagram button to port over that information from your IG profile.

Finally, choose to follow the same accounts you follow on Instagram, on Threads. You can do this one by one, by scrolling through the accounts you follow on Instagram or by searching for an account. You can also just follow every single account you follow on Instagram with a single tap — hit Follow all.

The last page will give you a bit of info about Threads and its future, like how Threads and Instagram are intrinsically tied and how you’ll soon be able to interact with other social media platforms, like Mastadon. You can hit Join Threads to begin browsing through your timeline.

A quick guide to using Threads

The Threads user interface is pretty simple for now. Everything you need you can find at the bottom in the navigation bar: home, search, new thread, activity and profile. There are also your settings, but we’ll get into that a little bit later. To start, let’s go through what each button in the navigation bar means.

The first, on the left is home, which is where your timeline lives. You may be a bit startled to see posts from users you don’t follow, but that’s how the current iteration of Threads works. Here you can like, leave a comment on, repost and share posts. Oh also, Threads posts aren’t in chronological order right now, but Meta is looking at how to let users see feeds chronologically.

Then we have search, where you’ll find recommended profiles and can manually search for other accounts. A few of the biggest existing accounts include Mr. Beast, Jennifer Lopez, the NBA, Marvel, the Kardashians and Zuckerberg himself.

Next is new thread, which is where you create posts. You can write up to 500 characters and include links, photos and videos. For now, hashtags aren’t a thing.

In activity, you’ll see who you recently followed, who recently followed you, replies to your posts, mentions and activity from verified users.

And last we have profile, where you can view your Threads profile. Here you’ll see your name, profile photo, biography, links, followers, threads and replies. You can also edit your profile and browse through various settings.

A little more about the settings in Threads

Speaking of settings, let’s spend a little more time on which settings you can adjust in Threads. In the profile section, hit the globe on the top-left or the two-dash icon on the top-right to access your settings, where you can configure your notifications, privacy and account.

Notifications is pretty straightforward. Toggle off push notifications for threads and replies and following and followers. You can also just pause all of them.

In privacy, you can make your profile private, which means only approved followers can check out and interact with your posts and replies. You can also choose who mentions you, mute accounts and hide offensive words and phrases. At the bottom, you’ll see two settings: one for blocking profiles and the other for hiding likes. If you configure any of these two settings, changes will apply to both Threads and Instagram.

Account is where you can set up reminders to take a break from Threads and deactivate your profile. There are other settings that apply to both Threads and Instagram, including two-factor authentication and password changes.

Can you really not delete your Threads account?

If you’ve seen the news, many users are upset about Meta’s policy regarding deleting your Threads account. Yes, you can delete your Threads account, but you also have to delete your Instagram account, because they’re tied together as one. If you don’t want to delete your Instagram, you do have the option to individually deactivate your Threads account.

This won’t delete your account and data for good, but it will hide your profile, posts and comments from everyone until you decide to come back. Here’s how to deactivate your threads account.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, posted that although Threads is powered by Instagram, the company is looking for a way to allow users to delete their Threads account separately.

No feed for only people you follow? And no chronological feed?

That’s right. Besides the whole can’t-delete-Threads-without-Instagram thing, people are also upset that their timeline is a mess. For starters, if you join Threads and follow a bunch of people, you may still see posts from people you don’t follow in your feed. Again, Mosseri posted that chronological feeds options and a following feed will eventually come to Threads.

What about advertisements on Threads?

According to Mosseri, advertisements are currently not a priority. “So humbled by everyone signing up, but we gotta make sure this is an app people want to keep using before we worry about making money…” The company is reportedly talking to advertisers.

What features are coming to Threads?

Mosseri and others have posted about what features may eventually make it to Threads, because according to Mosseri, this current Threads is just the first version. Below are a few of the features and settings mentioned as in the works for Threads:

• Chronological feed
• Following feed
• Delete Threads account without also having to delete Instagram account
• Improved search
• Hashtags
• Graph syncing
• Messaging (maybe)
• Support for ActivityPub (allows Threads to be part of the fediverse, “a social network of different servers operated by third parties that are connected and can communicate with each other”)
• Multi-account options
• Web interface

Meta’s Threads vs. Twitter

Competition between the two tech giants is going beyond the proposed cage match between Musk and Zuckerberg. With Threads’ built-in connection to Instagram, it can make it much easier to gain users within a short period of time.

Forrester analyst Mike Proulx said that Meta is taking advantage of the current wave of dissatisfaction with Twitter, but noted that the company has had shaky launches of other services.

“While credit should be given to Meta’s steadfast test and learn strategy, the company doesn’t exactly have a successful track record launching standalone apps outside its core family,” Proulx said in a statement to CNET, pointing to projects like Slingshot and IGTV.

Proulx added that the market is inundated with Twitter challengers such as Bluesky, Mastodon and Hive. “This only serves to fracture the Twitter alternative-seeking user base,” he said.

Twitter is clearly aware of the challenge from Threads. A lawyer for the social network sent a letter to Zuckerberg last week threatening legal action over the app, accusing Meta of intentionally stealing “Twitter’s trade secrets.”

For more, check out CNET’s coverage on social media platforms, including TikTok rules and Meta’s paid verification system for Instagram and Facebook.

The US Federal Trade Commission has reportedly launched an investigation into whether OpenAI, the company behind popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, has violated consumer protection laws.

The FTC sent OpenAI a 20-page request for documents covering concerns related to data privacy and reputational harm, according to a report Thursday from The Washington Post. The agency also asked for details on OpenAI’s large language model, the technology behind its generative AI chatbot, including all sources used to train the model and how data was obtained, according to the request, which was shared by the Post.

CNET hasn’t independently verified the request. The FTC declined to comment.

Artificial intelligence technologies have been around for years, but the field has advanced rapidly and begun to seep into everyday life. OpenAI released ChatGPT late last year, kicking off a plethora of generative AI products from Microsoft, Google, Adobe and others.

With prompts, modern chatbots can produce email responses, travel itineraries and even poetry, among other things, though quality varies. Chatbots, however, are prone to spitting out incorrect answers and sometimes sources that don’t exist, also known as hallucinations.

The FTC asked OpenAI for information on steps it’s taken to reduce hallucinations as well as details on any complaints received about ChatGPT making “false, misleading, disparaging or harmful statements” about people, according to the request shared by the Post. OpenAI is facing a defamation suit over ChatGPT allegedly making up legal claims against a Georgia radio talk show host.

In a statement posted to Twitter, OpenAI Sam Altman said “it’s super important to us that out technology is safe and pro-consumer.” He added that OpenAI is “confident we follow the law,” but will work with the FTC.

“We protect user privacy and design our systems to learn about the world, not private individuals,” Altman said.

it is very disappointing to see the FTC’s request start with a leak and does not help build trust.
that said, it’s super important to us that out technology is safe and pro-consumer, and we are confident we follow the law. of course we will work with the FTC.

— Sam Altman (@sama) July 13, 2023

The FTC also reportedly asked for the number of people impacted in March by a bug that exposed some personal data of ChatGPT Plus subscribers, including payment information. At the time, OpenAI said the number of people whose data was revealed was “extremely low.”

For more on artificial intelligence, check out CNET’s comparison of AI chatbots and see how AI is impacting hiring.

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

The best of the best of women’s basketball hit the court Saturday evening in Sin City for the annual WNBA All-Star Game.

Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson and New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart are team captains for the second consecutive year, with the Aces boasting the most number of players represented by one team, with four of their stars set to be involved in the action.

This year’s edition of the midseason showcase will see Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner lining up for Team Stewart as a No. 1 pick, just months after her release from detainment in Russia, while home-turf heroine Chelsea Gray was first pick for Team Wilson.

The game is set to get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT) on Saturday, July 15, on ESPN.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

WNBA All-Star Game 2023: When and where?

Team Stewart takes on Team Wilson at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 15. The action is set to get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. ET in the US (1:30 a.m. BST in the UK and 10:30 a.m. AEST in Australia on Sunday, July 16).

What are the rosters for the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game?

The results of the All Star drafts are as follows.

Team Stewart:

• Breanna Stewart (NY)
• Brittney Griner (PHX)
• Jewell Loyd (SEA)
• Satou Sabally (DAL)
• Nneka Ogwumike (LA)
• Courtney Vandersloot (NY)
• Sabrina Ionescu (NY)
• Ezi Magbegor (SEA)
• Napheesa Collier (MIN)
• Kelsey Mitchell (IND)
• Kahleah Copper (CHI)

Team Wilson:

• A’ja Wilson (LV)
• Chelsea Gray (LV)
• Jackie Young (LV)
• Aliyah Boston (IND)
• Arike Ogunbowale (DAL)
• Kelsey Plum (LV)
• Alisha Gray (ATL)
• Alyssa Thomas (CON)
• Cheyenne Parker (ATL)
• DeWanna Bonner (CON)
• Elena Delle Donne (WAS)

How to watch the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in the US

The WNBA All-Star Game is set to be broadcast in primetime on ABC for the first time, with coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. E.T on Saturday.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in the UK

WNBA rights in the UK are with Sky Sports, which will exclusively broadcast the All-Star Game live in the region on its Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the game.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in Canada

Live coverage of the WNBA All-Star Gamewill be available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Livestream the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 in Australia

Viewers Down Under can watch this year’s All-Star Game on ESPN via Foxtel. If you’re not a Fox subscriber, your best option is to sign up to streaming service Kayo Sports.

Quick tips for streaming the WNBA All-Star Game 2023 using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the All-Star game may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.