Category: Technologies

  • ‘The Idol’: Release Date and How to Watch From Anywhere

    ‘The Idol’: Release Date and How to Watch From Anywhere

    Having already created plenty of column inches surrounding its explicit sex scenes, a reportedly troubled production and a critical panning following its premiere at Cannes, it’s now time for viewers to make their own minds up about The Idol, as the music-industry drama finally hits TV screens.

    Helmed by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, the show is pitched as a dark satire on fame and celebrity culture, aiming to pull back the curtain on the darker side of the LA music business.

    The drama follows Jocelyn (played by Lily-Rose Depp), a rising music star who suffers a nervous breakdown. Determined to regain her pop crown, she falls under the spell of Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), a nightclub impresario who also happens to be the leader of a cult.

    Here’s how you can tune into The Idol. Plus, learn how a virtual private network can come in handy while you stream.

    A still of Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd from the TV show The Idol.A still of Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd from the TV show The Idol.

    HBO

    Release dates for The Idol

    The Idol premiere airs in the US on HBO on Sunday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET and PT. It’ll also be available to stream on Max (no longer HBO Max) at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT. The remaining hour-long installments of the six-episode series will be released on a weekly basis at the same time on Sundays.

    Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2023

    How to watch The Idol from anywhere on VPN

    So what if you’re traveling outside your home country and want to enjoy the show or want an added layer of privacy for streaming? There is an option that doesn’t require searching the internet for a sketchy website: You can use a VPN, or virtual private network.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the show. If you find yourself unable to watch locally, a VPN can come in handy. Plus, it’s a great idea for when you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    Most VPNs, like CNET’s Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it easy to virtually change your location. Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals.

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month. But you can save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    How to watch The Idol around the world

    If you’re not already subscribed to Max (formerly HBO Max), you can get it for $10 a month (with ads) or $16 a month (ad-free). To watch in 4K, you can also sign up for the Ultimate plan for $20 per month. Read our Max review.

    If you’re in Canada, you’ll be able to watch The Idol premiere on Crave on June 4. A Crave Total subscription costs CA$20 a month.

    Planning on catching this music industry drama in the UK? You’ll be able to watch it on Sky Atlantic and Now from June 5. (A Now Entertainment membership allows you to stream the show for 10 a month.)

    If you’re in Australia, you’ll be able to watch the premiere on Foxtel and Binge on June 5. (A Binge subscription starts at AU$10 a month.)

    Tips for streaming The Idol using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — experience and success 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 viewing 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 in to your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is located 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 network’s 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.
  • How Samsung Could Take the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to the Next Level

    How Samsung Could Take the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to the Next Level

    Advertiser Disclosure
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    With the new Motorola Razr Plus, Samsung has fresh competition in the foldable phone arena. While last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 was a step in the right direction, there’s a lot Samsung could do to make its next flip phone more compelling.

    With the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung fine-tuned the phone’s design, added a few new software tricks and improved staples like nighttime photography and battery life. These are all welcome upgrades that address shortcomings from previous models and make the Galaxy Z Flip easier to recommend than in years past. Now that Samsung has refined the Z Flip, I’d like to see it take things a step further by coming up with more new features that take advantage of its foldable design.

    Google and Motorola, both of which are launching new foldable phones in June, have shown that they’re thinking about how to make foldables stand out with features that show how the outer and inner screens can work together.

    Now, it’s Samsung’s turn. The company typically launches new foldable phones in August.

    A larger cover screen

    Even after spending just a few minutes with the Razr Plus, I’m convinced the Galaxy Z Flip 5 needs a bigger cover screen. Motorola’s new phone has a 3.6-inch outer display compared to the Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover screen. You can do a lot with the Razr’s external display, from playing games to browsing Google Maps and typing an email. The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s smaller cover screen is much more limited and is ideal for brief interactions, like sending a canned response to a text message or peeking at your calendar.

    You might be wondering why having a larger cover screen is so important if you’re planning to use the phone primarily when it’s open. Even though I haven’t used the new Razr extensively yet, the cover screen seemingly has the potential to add more on-the-go convenience. Since it’s small enough to fit in the palm of my hand when closed, I can imagine it being useful for responding to a text message or flipping through my inbox when I only have one hand free.

    razr plus cover screenrazr plus cover screen

    The new Motorola Razr Plus has a big cover screen.

    John Kim/CNET

    If the rumors turn out to be true, Samsung may indeed give the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a larger external screen. The Twitter account Ice Universe, which has a solid history of leaking details about unreleased Samsung products, says the Z Flip 5 will have a 3.4-inch cover display.

    More Flex Mode features

    Samsung popularized the idea of using flip phones as a built-in tripod for taking photos and videos. Samsung calls this feature Flex Mode, and it allows the Z Flip and Fold to split apps between the top and bottom portions of the display when folded halfway. Samsung has expanded Flex Mode since the original Flip’s launch by adding new features such as the ability to use the bottom portion of the display like a mini trackpad.

    While it’s nice to see Samsung brainstorming new ways to put the Z Flip’s nontraditional shape to use, the trackpad functionality isn’t terribly practical, as my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review. It feels like a solution looking for a problem rather than a reason to want a foldable phone in the first place.

    In the Z Flip 5, I’d like to see Samsung add more functionality to Flex Mode that taps into the phone’s ability to bend and fold in different ways. Having a larger screen on the front could also open up some new possibilities in this regard.

    Samsung Z Flip 4Samsung Z Flip 4

    Screenshot/CNET

    Samsung could take notes from Google and Motorola, both of which have shown some creative uses for foldable phones. The new Razr, for example, can show a preview of a photo being taken on its external screen, enabling the subject to see what they look like before you hit the shutter button. The Pixel Fold can use its dual screens to show translated speech on the outer and inner displays during a conversation, potentially making real-world encounters in different languages less awkward.

    To be sure, I won’t know how useful these features actually are until I’ve tested both phones. But the use cases that Motorola and Google are pitching seem practical rather than gimmicky, which feels like a step in the right direction for foldables.

    A less noticeable crease

    The Galaxy Z Flip 4 in Flex Mode in someone's palmThe Galaxy Z Flip 4 in Flex Mode in someone's palm

    The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s hinge allows it to stay at various angles. When it’s close to perpendicular it can activate Flex Mode for the software.

    Patrick Holland/CNET

    One of the biggest challenges with today’s foldables is the crease that runs across the center of the screen. Now that Samsung is heading into the fifth generation of its foldable phones, I’d like to see a crease that’s significantly less noticeable — if not invisible. Oppo and Huawei have done a better job of eliminating the crease in their foldables in recent years, as my colleagues have noted, making me hopeful that Samsung’s next device will show similar progress.

    There’s a chance that may very well be the case. Ice Universe also reports that the Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 will have a new hinge that will enable the phones to shut completely when closed, with no gap, a change that may also make the crease more subtle.

    Longer battery life

    Samsung improved the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s battery life compared to the Z Flip 3, and I’m hoping it continues to do so on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. As noted in CNET’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 review, the phone’s battery can make it through a full day but drains faster if you’re watching video and taking video calls — two tasks that the Z Flip is well-suited for since it can be easily propped up.

    A Galaxy Z Flip 4 in the open positionA Galaxy Z Flip 4 in the open position

    Patrick Holland/CNET

    Battery life in a phone can never feel long enough, so I’m hoping to see more of an improvement in the Z Flip 5. If the Z Flip 5 runs on the same processor as the Galaxy S23 series, a version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that’s been optimized for Samsung’s devices, it’s possible we’ll see some gains in power efficiency.

    Better cameras

    The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide cameras take decent photos, but I’d like to see Samsung bring the Z Flip 5’s cameras up to par with the Galaxy S23’s. Samsung’s nonfolding phone has a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 10-megapixel telephoto camera.

    The Galaxy Z Flip 4's exterior and camerasThe Galaxy Z Flip 4's exterior and cameras

    There are two exterior cameras on the Flip 4: a main wide-angle and an ultrawide.

    John Kim/CNET

    I’m not expecting Samsung to add a telephoto lens to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, since doing so would make it difficult to increase the size of the cover screen. But I’m hoping Samsung improves the camera in other ways, such as by increasing the resolution or pixel size. In his review, CNET’s Patrick Holland described the Z Flip 4’s cameras as B-grade, showing there’s certainly room for improvement. But if the Galaxy Z Flip 5 inherits the Galaxy S23’s processor, we’ll likely see back-end upgrades that enhance the way photos are processed, too.

    Overall, I’m hoping to see Samsung add more functionality that makes the Z Flip stand out, while cutting down on the compromises that need to be made when choosing a foldable phone over a standard phone. Changes like these could go a long way towards making foldables broadly appealing in the way that Samsung envisions.

  • Woot Refurb Sale Saves You $149 on a Top-of-the-Line iPhone 14 Pro Max

    Woot Refurb Sale Saves You $149 on a Top-of-the-Line iPhone 14 Pro Max

    Apple makes some of our absolute favorite phones of 2023, and its top-of-the-line iPhone 14 Pro Max may just be the most the most advanced phone out there at the moment. However, that serious hardware doesn’t come cheap, with prices for this high-end model starting at $1,099. But if you can live with some dings and scrapes, right now you can pick up a refurb model for just $950 at Woot, saving you $149. This deal is only available until 9:59 p.m. PT (12:59 a.m. ET) tonight, and Woot has a limited supply available, so act fast if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

    According to Woot, all of these phones have been rated as “scratch and dent” grade refurbs. That means that they have all been tested and ensured to be in full working condition but will show signs of wear and tear. They also come backed by Woot’s 90-day limited warranty.

    Advertiser Disclosure
    Advertiser Disclosure
    This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

    The 14 Pro Max is the most advanced iPhone to date. It’s equipped with an advanced A16 Bionic chip and 5G support for lighting-fast performance, along with 128GB of built-in storage. The screen is a stunning 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, and it boasts a 48MP rear camera that can capture 4K video at 30 fps. It’s also fairly rugged, with an IP68 weather-resistance rating and a durable Ceramic Shield screen. At the moment, Woot still has a few different color variants to choose from, including black, gold, purple and silver.

    And if you’re looking for a different model from this series, you can check out our roundup of all the best iPhone 14 deals for even more bargains.

  • Disney Plus, Netflix, Max: How to Pay Less for Your Streaming Services

    Disney Plus, Netflix, Max: How to Pay Less for Your Streaming Services

    Netflix’s account-sharing fees are here, and HBO Max’s relaunch as Max introduced a new $20 tier. With a wave of new costs and streaming service price hikes (like YouTube TV’s $73 plan), it may feel like a luxury to stream. If you add up the prices of each platform, you may discover you’re spending $100 or more a month. You can lighten your load, however.

    Let’s say you’re subscribed to multiple streaming services, you watch one or two of them until your favorite series ends its season, then look for the next thing. But is it worth keeping all those accounts active if you’re not watching anything on them? I don’t think so.

    Have a look at this budget-conscious strategy to help you save on your streaming TV expenses.

    Rotate all your streaming service subscriptions

    CNET Tech Tips logoCNET Tech Tips logo

    For cord-cutters, shifting from cable to streaming can be a wise financial move. Because you’re able to sign up for monthly plans, it’s easy to jump into a streaming service and jump out when prices increase or content gets dull. But according to Deloitte’s 2023 Media Trends report, the main reasons people cancel their streaming subscriptions are due to economic pressures and lack of fresh content. Media companies call this behavior “churn.” We’re calling this the rotation method, and you should try it.

    The incentive? You save your coin and avoid content droughts. Let’s say a popular show like Secret Invasion or Love Island is set to premiere on a streaming service. Find the total episode count and wait until they’re all available at once on a platform. You cancel Hulu, Disney Plus or other service and then, once all the episodes are available, resubscribe to catch up. Alternatively, you can start streaming a show midseason to cut costs. My monthly guide on which streaming services to cancel can help you keep up.

    The downside? You won’t have immediate access to every show you want to watch and will have to wait until the full season airs. And since many streaming services release new episodes weekly, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. If you’re someone who prefers to watch episodes immediately when they drop, you may decide it’s worth it to have multiple subscriptions at a time. If you have patience, however, you can save some money.

    The strategy can also work if you have a live TV streaming service to watch a particular sport or major event like the NBA championship. Once the season wraps, cancel the service or move to a cheaper platform with fewer channels, like Sling TV.

    Need help figuring out the best way to rotate? Follow the tips below to learn how to churn streaming platforms until your wallet feels content.

    Ted lasso standing in the locker roomTed lasso standing in the locker room

    Why pay for three months of Disney Plus to watch season 1 of Secret Invasion can watch all episodes in August or September for the price of one month?

    Marvel Studios/Disney+

    Tip No. 1: Cancel your subscription before getting charged

    Set calendar reminders for your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Give yourself enough warning to begin or end a subscription. Apps such as JustWatch, TV Time and Hobi help you track when and where TV shows and movies appear on a streaming service. And JustWatch added a tracker specifically for sports. If you have a smart home device from Google or Amazon, you can set reminders for specific dates and allow a voice assistant like Alexa to notify you of an upcoming bill or streaming release date.

    Tip No. 2: Sign up for streaming service deals

    Look for discounts on streaming services. For example, Starz is now $3 per month for three months, a drop from its regular $9-a-month rate. You can also take advantage of the Disney Bundle, which provides access to Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus in a single package for a reduced price. And eligible Hulu subscribers can add on Disney Plus for $2. Lastly, be sure to check with your mobile carrier to see which ones offer free streaming subscriptions.

    Tip No. 3: Pick one or two default streaming services

    Subscribe to one or two must-have services for the year, and select only one or two more options to fit your monthly budget. Rotate the bonus service(s) according to what you want to watch, ensuring you don’t miss your favorite shows while sticking to your monthly spending cap.

    Tip No. 4: Use monthly billing only

    Avoid annual subscriptions and pay attention to your auto-renewal payment dates. Your billing cycle can help determine when it’s the best time to quit a service, even if you’ve only signed up for a free trial. The only advantage to signing up for an annual plan is when the price is drastically cut down.

    Tip No. 5: Don’t cancel your subscription, pause it

    Hulu allows you to pause your subscription for up to 12 weeks, and Sling has a similar option with stipulations. Check with your streaming provider to see if you can take a temporary break without canceling.

    Give it a shot, and if you don’t like it you can always resubscribe. For more excellent tips on streaming TV, check out this guide to Netflix’s hidden tricks and our tips on the best VPNs.

    2023’s Best TV and Streaming Shows You Can’t Miss on Netflix, HBO, Disney Plus and More

    See all photos

  • Watch FA Cup Final Soccer: Livestream Man City vs. Man United From Anywhere

    Watch FA Cup Final Soccer: Livestream Man City vs. Man United From Anywhere

    Bitter local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United go head to head in a historic FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

    It’s the first time the two Manchester clubs have met in the showpiece final of English football’s premier knockout competition, and could see City move a step closer to a treble.

    Saturday’s game will be United’s third appearance of the season at Wembley, having triumphed in the Carabao Cup at the iconic stadium before edging past Brighton on penalties in the semifinals of this competition.

    Man City’s Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will be hoping to lead his side to a second trophy of this campaign, having won the Premier League last month, and with a Champions League final against Inter Milan to look forward to next weekend. The last — and only other — English team to win a treble? Man United, in 1999.

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

    The club badges of Manchester City and Manchester UnitedThe club badges of Manchester City and Manchester United

    Will it be the blue or the red half of Manchester celebrating a big FA Cup win on Saturday evening?

    Visionhaus/Getty Images

    Manchester City vs. Manchester United: When and where?

    Manchester City face Manchester United in this FA Cup final in the neutral setting of London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 3. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. BST local time in the UK (10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 12 a.m. AEST on Sunday, June 4 in Australia).

    How to watch the Man City vs. Man United game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the cup final 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.

    Express VPNExpress VPN

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Livestream the Man City vs. Man United game in the US

    The FA Cup final is streaming exclusively live in the US on ESPN Plus. Kickoff is at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT) on Saturday for viewers in the States.

    ESPN’s standalone streaming service costs $10 a month or $100 for an annual subscription. Read our ESPN Plus review.

    Livestream the Man City vs. Man United game for free in the UK

    The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for this season’s FA Cup final.

    Coverage on BBC1 kicks off at 1:50 p.m. BST and on ITV1 from 2:05 p.m. ahead of the 3 p.m. kick-off.

    The logo for the BBC iPlayer on demand streaming serviceThe logo for the BBC iPlayer on demand streaming service

    BBC

    With the match being broadcast on BBC1, that means you’ll be able to watch the game online for free via the network’s on-demand streaming service, BBC iPlayer.

    With an app that’s available for Android and Apple mobile devices, as well as a vast array of smart TVs and streaming boxes, all you need is a valid UK TV license to stream the game.

    itvx-logo-blackitvx-logo-black

    ITV

    As the match is being broadcast on ITV1, that means you’ll also have the option of watching the game online for free via the network’s on-demand streaming service, ITVX (formerly ITV Hub).

    The service has an updated app that’s available for Android and Apple mobile devices, as well as a vast array of smart TVs.

    Livestream Man City vs. Man United game in Canada

    Canadian soccer fans looking to watch the FA Cup final can get all the action live via Sportsnet.

    Sportsnet is available via most cable operators, but cord-cutters can subscribe to the network’s standalone streaming service SN Now instead, with prices starting at CA$15 per month or CA$150 per year.

    Livestream Man City vs. Manchester United game in Australia

    ViacomCBS holds the broadcast rights for the FA Cup in Australia, which means you can now watch the final live Down Under via streaming service Paramount Plus. Kickoff is at 12 a.m. AEST on Sunday morning.

    An Australian Paramount Plus subscription currently costs AU$9 a month, which gives you access to Paramount’s coverage of this year’s tournament, as well as Hollywood movies such as Top Gun: Maverick and original shows like Picard and Tulsa King.

    Quick tips for streaming the FA Cup using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming FA Cup matches 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.
  • Buy an Annual Costco Membership for $60 and Get a Bonus $30 Gift Card

    Buy an Annual Costco Membership for $60 and Get a Bonus $30 Gift Card

    With the cost of groceries on the rise, trying to feed the whole family can get expensive. That’s why it’s important to find savings wherever you can. One way to cut back on the costs of everyday essentials is shopping in bulk — and it comes with the added bonus of taking fewer shopping trips each month. Most big-box stores like Costco require a membership to shop there, and right now, StackSocial has a deal that can help you cut the upfront cost in half.

    A one-year Costco Gold Star membership is typically $60, but when you sign up right now with this StackSocial offer, you’ll automatically get $30 back in the form of a digital Costco shop card, essentially saving you 50%. Just note that this offer is only available to new customers, or those whose memberships have been expired for over 18 months. And with no set expiration, there’s no telling how long this deal will remain available. We’d recommend signing up sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

    Read more: How to Get the Most Out of Your Costco Membership

    With a Costco Gold Star subscription, you’ll get one membership card for your household. It allows you to shop at any Costco warehouse worldwide, as well as online at Costco.com. And while Costco is a great place to save on groceries and other everyday essentials, it offers a lot more, too. A Gold Star membership also means you can shop at Costco gas stations and pharmacies, and use the services at its optical and hearing aid centers.

    After you sign up, you’ll receive your $30 shop card over email, which can be used both in-store and online. It’s also worth noting that after you pay for membership through StackSocial, you’ll have until Nov. 14 to redeem it, or you may not be able to take full advantage of this deal.

  • Crackdown on Netflix Password Sharing: What It Means for You

    Crackdown on Netflix Password Sharing: What It Means for You

    If you’re sharing your Netflix password with friends or family, it’s time to make a choice: Do you want to pay extra, or politely boot them from your account?

    Netflix has rolled out account-sharing changes to US customers who are sharing passwords with anyone outside their household. Subscribers with either a standard or premium plan can choose to pay an extra $8 per month for each additional member.

    However, there are limits to how many extra users are allowed. Premium subscribers ($20 a month) can add two extra people to their account while those on the standard plan ($15.50 a month) are only allowed one extra member. Netflix defines a household as one where everyone lives under the same roof. Members of that household are still able to watch content while traveling, and the extra fee will not apply. At this time, the extra member option is only available for those who are billed directly by Netflix.

    How to add or remove extra users

    When you open the Netflix app and navigate to your account page, you’ll see an Extra Members option. From there, subscribers can purchase a slot for the person outside their household. If they accept the invitation, the extra member will receive their own separate account, profile and password, and the fee is paid for by the main subscribing household.

    The rules? Extra member accounts can only stream on one device at a time and are only permitted to have one profile. The extra member must also be located in the same country as the account holder.

    netflix account page on computer screennetflix account page on computer screen

    A peek at where to find Extra Members on your account page.

    Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET

    Subscribers can also opt to remove users outside of their households from their account, and then urge them to sign up for their own Netflix subscriptions. In this case, anyone who is removed from an account can transfer existing profiles to a new membership they pay for themselves.

    Here’s a look at the monthly cost for each subscription plan:

    Netflix plans

    Basic with ads Basic no ads Standard Premium
    Monthly price $7 $10 $15.50 $20
    Number of screens you can watch at the same time 1 1 2 4
    Number of phones or tablets you can have downloads on 0 1 2 4
    HD available No Yes Yes Yes
    Ultra HD available No No No Yes

    The streaming service rolled out its new policy in February for Canada, Spain, Portugal and New Zealand. Netflix first announced its intention to crack down on password-sharing last year. In April, Netflix said it would implement a fee for US customers by the end of the second quarter, i.e. the end of June, but the changes took effect in late May.

  • WWDC Is Monday: iOS 17, Apple’s VR Headset, New Macs and Everything Else We Expect

    WWDC Is Monday: iOS 17, Apple’s VR Headset, New Macs and Everything Else We Expect

    Apple’s WWDC is set for Monday. Traditionally, the big developer-focused event has been where the company gives us a first look at new software for iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Macs. But occasionally we get some new hardware, too.

    This year seems set to be the latter, with plenty of rumors circulating around the tech giant’s mysterious augmented reality headset, a new 15-inch MacBook Air and the long-teased Apple Silicon-powered Mac Pro.

    Although there’s still some time until Tim Cook pops up on stage and makes things official, here’s what we expect at the keynote address on June 5.

    When is WWDC?

    Apple SwiftUI logoApple SwiftUI logo

    Apple’s icon for SwiftUI.

    Apple

    This year’s WWDC runs June 5 to 9. The opening keynote speech is set for 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on Monday.

    As with past years, Apple will be streaming the keynote on its website.

    What do we expect?

    Apple headset

    Apple AR/VR virtual reality headsetApple AR/VR virtual reality headset

    The biggest rumor heading into this year’s WWDC is, of course, the Apple headset. Rumored to be running on a new “XROS,” the device could utilize mixed reality, a combination of virtual reality and augmented reality. There may be eye and hand tracking, high-resolution displays and… a potential $3,000 price tag.

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently detailed how Apple plans to incorporate sports, gaming, workouts and iPad apps into the headset to show off what the new platform can do. Whether that’s enough to excite consumers and persuade them to drop three grand or for developers to commit to building apps for it remains to be seen.

    MacBook Air 15

    The MacBook Air has long been one of Apple’s most popular laptops. Frequently sold with a 13-inch screen, Apple has experimented with different sizes of Airs in the past, including offering an 11-inch model for years. Rumors these days, however, suggest that the company has a larger, 15-inch M2-powered Air raring to go. That once again comes from Bloomberg’s Gurman, who expects the new laptop to be announced at this year’s event. It’s about time.

    While rumors point to an imminent announcement, it’s unclear how much Apple might charge for the new Air or how it might fit into the company’s existing MacBook lineup. The 2020 M1-powered 13.3-inch MacBook Air is still sold for $999, while the updated M2-powered 2022 13.6-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,199. A 16-inch MacBook Pro, meanwhile, starts at $2,499. Might the 15-inch Air fit somewhere in the middle?

    Apple M-Series Mac Pro

    The 2019 Mac ProThe 2019 Mac Pro

    The 2019 Mac Pro.

    James Martin/CNET

    Oh, the Mac Pro. Apple last updated the Mac Pro at WWDC in 2019. Despite some teases that confirmed it’s working on a new one powered by its Apple Silicon chips, the company has largely been quiet about the super powerful computer. Might the “another day” be June 5? It’s possible and Mac Pro fans may want to tune in, but with tempered expectations.

    In an April appearance on The MacRumors Show, Gurman, the Apple savant, suggests that it still may arrive this year but not at WWDC.

    New software: iOS 17, WatchOS 10 and more

    In addition to all the hardware rumors, we can expect Apple to detail the latest updates coming this year to its iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS and TVOS platforms.

    Among the bigger iOS changes, Apple might finally add support for installing apps not downloaded from the App Store. The iPhone maker has long resisted opening up its mobile software to allow for sideloading, but new European regulations may have forced its hand.

    Other software changes Apple might unveil include a new mental health app as well as widgets returning to the Apple Watch. Bloomberg has also reported on Apple possibly turning locked iPhones into smart displays with iOS 17.

    For more, check out our expectations for WatchOS 10 and iOS 17. Plus, every feature we think Apple should steal from Android 14.

    15macbookair15macbookair
    Watch this: Why Apple Needs a 15-inch MacBook Air

    03:51

  • AI Speed Boost Coming With Intel’s Meteor Lake Chip for PCs This Year

    AI Speed Boost Coming With Intel’s Meteor Lake Chip for PCs This Year

    Today’s most impressive AI tools — OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing, Google’s Bard and Adobe’s Photoshop, for example — run in data centers stuffed with powerful, expensive servers. But Intel on Monday revealed details of its Meteor Lake PC processor that could help your laptop play more of a part in the artificial intelligence revolution.

    Meteor Lake, scheduled to ship in computers later this year, includes circuitry that accelerates some AI tasks that otherwise might sap your battery. For example, it can improve AI that recognizes you to blur or replace backgrounds better during videoconferences, said John Rayfield, leader of Intel’s client AI work.

    AI models use methods inspired by human brains to recognize patterns in complex, real-world data. By running AI on a laptop or phone processor instead of in the cloud, you can get benefits like better privacy and security as well as a snappier response since you don’t have network delays.

    What’s unclear is how much AI work will really move from the cloud to PCs. Some software, like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, use AI extensively for finding people, skies and other subject matter in photos and many other image editing tasks. Apps can recognize your voice and transcribe it into text. Microsoft is building an AI chatbot called Windows Copilot straight into its operating system. But most computing work today exercises more traditional parts of a processor, its central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) cores.

    There’s a build-it-and-they-will come possibility. Adding AI acceleration directly into the chip, as has already happened with smartphone processors and Apple M-series Mac processors, could encourage developers to write more software drawing on AI abilities.

    GPUs are already pretty good for accelerating AI, though, and developers don’t have to wait for millions of us to upgrade our Windows PCs to take advantage of it. The GPU offers top AI performance on a PC, but the new AI-specific accelerator is good for low power, Rayfield said. Both can be used simultaneously for top performance, too.

    Meteor Lake a key chip for Intel

    Meteor Lake is important for other reasons, too. It’s designed for lower power operations, arguably the single biggest competitive weakness compared with the Apple M-series processors. It’s got upgraded graphics acceleration, which is critical for gaming and important for some AI tasks, too.

    The processor also is key to Intel’s yearslong turnaround effort. It’s the first big chip to be built with Intel 4, a new manufacturing process essential to catching up with chipmaking leaders Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Samsung. And it employs new advanced manufacturing technology called Foveros that lets Intel stack multiple “chiplets” more flexibly and economically into a single more powerful processor.

    Chipmakers are racing to tap into the AI revolution, few as successfully as Nvidia, which earlier in May reported a blowout quarter thanks to exploding demand for its highest-end AI chips. Intel sells data center AI chips, too, but has more of a focus on economy than performance.

    In its PC processors, Intel calls its AI accelerator a vision processing unit, or VPU, a product family and name that stems from its 2016 acquisition of AI chipmaker Movidius.

    These days, a variation called generative AI can create realistic imagery and human-sounding text. Although Meteor Lake can run one such image generator, Stable Diffusion, large AI language models like ChatGPT simply don’t fit on a laptop.

    There’s a lot of work to change that, though. Facebook’s LLaMA and Google’s PaLM 2 both are large language models designed to scale down to smaller “client” devices like PCs and even phones with much less memory.

    “AI in the cloud … has challenges with latency, privacy, security, and it’s fundamentally expensive,” Rayfield said. “Over time, as we can improve compute efficiency, more of this is migrating to the client.”

  • Apple Watch Features I Want to See in WatchOS 10

    Apple Watch Features I Want to See in WatchOS 10

    In the years since its launch, the Apple Watch has grown into a well-rounded fitness tracker and a useful smartphone companion. But there are several ways Apple could make it even more helpful in both areas, and I’m hoping to learn more about how Apple is doing just that at its Worldwide Developers Conference.

    The Apple Watch already has a bevy of exercise options and can measure more health data points than I personally know what to do with. Yet it still lags behind competitors when it comes to delivering insights related to sleep and workout recovery. Fitness aside, I’d love to see more changes to the user interface that make it easier to get information quickly without requiring multiple taps and swipes.

    Apple rarely discusses products or updates before formally announcing them, but it traditionally introduces new features for the Apple Watch at its developer conference. Software updates have become even more important for the Apple Watch in recent years, bringing upgrades that are arguably more meaningful than new hardware — like more running metrics and low power mode.

    But there’s plenty of opportunity to further refine the Apple Watch’s software, especially by making more sense of all the health data it can gather.

    Sleep chronotypes

    Apple Watch Series 8 next to Oura ring on a blue patterned backgroundApple Watch Series 8 next to Oura ring on a blue patterned background

    The Oura ring can tell whether you’re a morning or night person, unlike the Apple Watch

    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

    Your Apple Watch can show how long you slept and how much time you spent in specific stages of slumber, like deep and REM sleep. But brands like Oura and Citizen aim to take that a step further by issuing a chronotype based on your sleeping patterns and other data.

    The term chronotype refers to whether your body has a natural preference for the morning or the evening. Oura measures this by analyzing your activity, sleep-wake cycle and body temperature; while Citizen crunches sleep data and alertness scores (which are generated after taking a test in the app).

    I don’t expect Apple to mimic this exact approach, but it would be helpful to see more insights around how sleeping patterns tie into my overall energy levels throughout the day. There’s a lot more Apple could do when it comes to sleep tracking in general. While introducing sleep stage detection was a much-needed addition last year, I’d also still like to see some type of sleep score that summarizes the quality of my rest at a glance.

    Recovery metrics

    The Apple Watch is effective at getting me to move — maybe a little too effective. I obsess over closing at least one Activity Ring on a daily basis. But as I’ve written in the past, the Apple Watch could use more features aimed at workout recovery.

    Apple Watch Series 7 showing activity tracker and move ringsApple Watch Series 7 showing activity tracker and move rings

    The Apple Watch’s Activity Rings motivate me to move. Now I just need a reminder to take a break.

    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

    The Apple Watch can encourage you to relax, get to bed on time or start moving when you’ve been inactive for too long. However, it doesn’t have any meaningful insights on how much rest you may need after a tough workout or a night of inadequate sleep.

    Oura, Whoop and Fitbit all offer some type of recovery metric that helps you understand whether you’re ready for a big workout or need to take a rest day. They generally do this by examining sleep, activity and heart rate variability data among other factors. In the past, scores like these have helped me shake the guilt that comes with skipping a workout on days when I’m just not feeling up to it.

    More customizable activity goals

    My workout routine and activity levels vary by the day depending on how well rested I am, my workload, whether I’m commuting to the office and other factors. I wish I could adjust my activity goals to match. While you can easily change your activity goals by simply tapping the “Change Goals” button at the bottom of the activity summary on your watch, there’s no way to customize it according to the day. For example, I’d love to set a higher goal on days when I know I’ll get more steps in (i.e. the days I work from the office ) and at times when I’m usually well rested (the weekend), and lower it otherwise (i.e. my work-from-home days).

    More QWERTY keyboard support

    The Apple Watch Series 7 felt very similar to the Series 6 when I reviewed it in 2021. But there’s one feature that debuted on the Series 7 I miss when switching to older watches: the QWERTY keyboard. Yes, I know typing on such a tiny screen seems like more trouble than it’s worth, but hear me out.

    There are plenty of times I’d like to quickly respond to a text message without reaching for my phone, such as when I’m waiting for the elevator at the office and my phone is buried in my bag, during a run or when my phone is across the room. The QWERTY keyboard has surprisingly become my favorite way to fire off a quick text in those circumstances.

    The Apple Watch Series 7 with its keyboard on screen against a purple backgroundThe Apple Watch Series 7 with its keyboard on screen against a purple background

    The Apple Watch Series 7’s keyboard

    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

    The QWERTY keyboard is currently available on the Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8 and Ultra because those watches have larger screens. While the bigger screen certainly makes it easier to tap and swipe, I could imagine the keyboard fitting just fine on the 44-millimeter version of older Apple Watches. It’s the one feature I really miss when switching back to an older watch like the Series 6. After all, even the Pixel Watch, which has a relatively small screen, has an on-screen keyboard.

    Additional uses for the temperature sensor

    Apple Watch Series 8 and iPhone with Health app showing temperature readingsApple Watch Series 8 and iPhone with Health app showing temperature readings

    Temperature sensing shows up in the Health app. Readings are relative, so you’ll only see increases or decreases, not absolute numbers.

    Scott Stein/CNET

    Apple debuted overnight temperature sensing in the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra. Right now, the technology is primarily used for providing retrospective ovulation estimates and improved period predictions. You can also view changes in your nighttime wrist temperature in Apple’s Health app, although there isn’t really a way to make sense of those numbers.

    Apple should explore other ways to tie temperature data into new metrics. Oura, for example, uses temperature as one factor in determining that aforementioned readiness score. While I wouldn’t expect Apple to clone exactly what other gadget makers are doing, it would be interesting to see it somehow tie temperature readings into other insights.

    Ahead of the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra’s arrival last year, Bloomberg reported that the Series 8 would be able to detect fevers. We haven’t seen such functionality yet, but if Bloomberg’s report is accurate, it suggests Apple is certainly thinking about future use cases.

    An updated interface

    The Apple Watch has existed for nearly a decade. While Apple has made many tweaks and additions to the software over the years, the general user interface remains the same. You still have two options for how apps are displayed, either in a list or a honeycomb format. Many interactions either come in the form of responding to a notification, tapping an app, or complication or dictating a request through Siri.

    apple-watch-se-5apple-watch-se-5

    Apple Watch SE (2022)

    In 2023, it’s time for a change. Precisely what that change is has yet to be determined, but I’d like to see any improvement that makes it easier to get things done with fewer taps and swipes. I also think the software could be more proactive. Imagine if your watch could suggest new customized watch faces decked out with complications based on your usage habits? The iPhone has gotten better at surfacing apps, contacts and other content intuitively, and I’d love to see more of that infused throughout the Apple Watch’s software too.

    Bloomberg reports that some changes may indeed be coming in WatchOS 10. An April report said Apple is planning a big refresh that will make widgets a core part of the operating system, with the goal being to make it easier to see information at a glance.

    Apple already gets many things right with the Apple Watch’s software; it’s one of the reasons why it’s the most popular smartwatch in the world. But additions like these could make it even easier to use while making it a more capable wellness tracker.