Category: Technologies

  • Save Up to $900 With B&H’s Limited-Time MacBook Pro Special Offers

    Save Up to $900 With B&H’s Limited-Time MacBook Pro Special Offers

    With solid build quality and years of software updates, Apple’s laptops offer great longevity. But if you’ve been holding on to an aging MacBook for a little too long, now might be the time to pull the trigger on an upgrade, with as much as $900 off recent MacBook Pro models at B&H. These limited-time discounts apply to several different configurations and display sizes, so you can find one to meet your budget with prices from $1,199.

    The most affordable model in the sale is Apple’s M1-powered MacBook Pro. This machine, released in 2020, offers a 13-inch Retina display and efficient M1 processor, which has an eight-core CPU, an eight-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. Despite being an entry-level pro machine, it’s equipped with key features like two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6 and Apple’s Touch Bar control strip. It’s seeing a $100 discount on the model with a 256GB solid-state drive and 8GB of RAM, or you can take $500 off the higher-spec 1TB/16GB configuration.

    If you want a little extra power or a larger display, you can step up to the 14-inch MacBook Pro models from $1,699. These 2021 machines feature Apple’s fancy Retina XDR display with mini-LED technology, as well as more powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max chips. These upgraded chips offer more cores dedicated to graphics processing than the base M1 (with 14, 16 or 32 GPU cores) making them ideal for multimedia workflows. Essential ports like USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, MagSafe and even an SD card slot are all on board too. A variety of configurations are on sale with discounts running from $300 to $900.

    At the top end, the 16-inch MacBook Pro offers the biggest display of the bunch, as well as the best battery life, for those who need to take a whole workstation on the go. Prices start at $2,999, which is $300 less than usual, with discounts running as high as $600 for those who need the bigger 2021 machine.

    Though all of the laptops on sale at B&H are now previous-gen models and have been supplanted on our list of Best MacBooks by the 2022 versions, they’re still worth considering if you prefer to save a chunk of cash rather than have the very latest model. If these older MacBook Pro models aren’t for you, be sure to check out our Best MacBook deals roundup for more promotions.

  • iOS 16.4 Is Almost Here. You Should Still Download iOS 16.3.1 Now

    iOS 16.4 Is Almost Here. You Should Still Download iOS 16.3.1 Now

    Apple has released beta versions of iOS 16.4 to testers, so Apple will likely release that update to the public soon. But you should still download iOS 16.3.1 as soon as possible.

    Apple released iOS 16.3.1 on Feb. 13, a few weeks after the release of iOS 16.3. Though iOS 16.3 included new features like security keys for Apple ID and support for the second-generation HomePod, the latest update fixes some issues that iPhone users might’ve run into recently, including a bug that Apple said might be actively exploited.

    Here’s what’s included in Apple’s iOS 16.3.1 update.

    What’s in iOS 16.3.1

    The latest iOS update includes bug fixes and security updates that address issues with iCloud, Siri, Find My and crash detection.

    CNET Tech Tips logoCNET Tech Tips logo

    Apple’s security notes say this latest update patches an iPhone bug that may’ve been actively exploited. Apple writes that the bug may lead to arbitrary code execution, and the bug affects iPhone 8 models and later. According to Okta, arbitrary code execution could allow hackers to steal your data.

    The update could also fix an iCloud issue some users ran into after the release of iOS 16.3. Some users on Reddit and Twitter have said they haven’t been able to back up to iCloud since the release of the previous update.

    Another issue that iOS 16.3.1 could address has to do with crash detection on iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models. Crash detection has helped alert first responders to some car crashes, but it has also been triggered when some users ride roller coasters with their phones.

    Here’s what Apple says is fixed with iOS 16.3.1.

    • iCloud settings may be unresponsive or incorrectly display if apps are using iCloud.
    • Siri requests for Find My may not work.
    • Crash detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models.

    For more, check out all the features you missed in iOS 16.3, what iOS 16.4 beta features testers can try now and how you can sign up to test Apple’s iOS beta software.

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  • Here’s How to Find All Your Wi-Fi Passwords on Your Mac and Windows

    Here’s How to Find All Your Wi-Fi Passwords on Your Mac and Windows

    You should never use the same password more than once, but using so many different passwords can make it difficult to remember all of them. If you don’t write them down somewhere, you may never remember certain passwords again, including the one for your Wi-Fi network.

    Usually your Wi-Fi password should be printed on the back of your router, but if it’s not, don’t sweat it. There’s another way to find the passwords to all of the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to. They’re all on your computer somewhere.

    CNET Tech Tips logoCNET Tech Tips logo

    As long as your Windows or Mac computer has connected to that network before, the Wi-Fi password is permanently stored in your settings. It may require a bit of digging on your part, but all of the passwords are there, saved and ready to be shared with anyone who wants to connect to Wi-Fi.

    Here’s how to find the passwords to all of the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on MacOS and Windows. For more, discover 17 essential settings for customizing your MacBook or how to get the most out of Windows 11.

    How to find Wi-Fi passwords in MacOS

    Every password you’ve entered and saved on a Mac is stored in Keychain Access, the password management system for MacOS. And that includes Wi-Fi network passwords.

    To start, use the search feature to open the Keychain Access app and do the following:

    1. Click on System under System Keychains in the sidebar.

    2. Next, click on Passwords at the top of the window.

    3. Find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for and double-click on it.

    4. Finally, check the box next to Show password and enter your password when prompted.

    Keychain Access app pop-up on MacBookKeychain Access app pop-up on MacBook

    Find all your stored Wi-Fi passwords in the Keychain Access app on MacOS.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    The password field will then show the password you used to log in to that Wi-Fi network. You can double-click in the password field to select the password and copy it to your clipboard, if needed.

    How to find Wi-Fi passwords on Windows

    Finding the password to the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to is simple on Windows, but getting your hands on all stored Wi-Fi passwords takes a bit of work, so we’ll discuss both methods below.

    To find the password to the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to on Windows:

    1. Click the Start button and then go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center (Windows 11) or Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network and Sharing Center (Windows 10).

    2. Next to Connections, click your Wi-Fi network name highlighted in blue.

    3. In the Wi-Fi Status page that opens, click Wireless Properties and then on the Security tab.

    4. Finally, check the box next to Show characters to display your Wi-Fi network password above it.

    Network sharing center on a Windows laptopNetwork sharing center on a Windows laptop

    You can easily find the password for the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to on Windows.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    However, this isn’t the only way to find your Wi-Fi network passwords. The method above only allows you to view the password to whatever Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to, but there is a way to find the passwords to all the Wi-Fi networks you’ve ever connected to on your Windows computer.

    To find all your Wi-Fi network passwords on Windows:

    1. Right-click on the Windows icon in the taskbar on your desktop.

    2. Click Windows Terminal (Admin).

    3. Type in netsh wlan show profile and hit Enter on your keyboard to view every Wi-Fi network you’ve connected to.

    4. Once you find the Wi-Fi network you want the password for, type in netsh wlan show profile “(Wi-Fi network name)” key=clear (for example, netsh wlan show profile “Netgear667” key=clear), and then hit the Enter key.

    Windows Terminal on computerWindows Terminal on computer

    You can use Windows Terminal to find all your Wi-Fi network passwords.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    Settings for profile, connectivity, security and cost will appear. The Wi-Fi network password will appear under Security settings, and next to Key Content. In addition to Windows Terminal, you can also use the Command Prompt application to type in the commands listed above to find your Wi-Fi passwords.

    If you want to read more about passwords, whether on your computer or your smartphone, check out the best password managers to use and nine rules to follow when creating a password.

  • iPhone 15 Rumors: All the Buzz About Apple’s Next iPhone

    iPhone 15 Rumors: All the Buzz About Apple’s Next iPhone

    The iPhone 15 lineup likely won’t arrive until the fall of 2023, but there are plenty of questions about what to expect from Apple’s next-generation phone. Will the iPhone 15 have a USB-C port? Will Apple increase iPhone prices in 2023? Will it even be called the “iPhone 15”? No one outside of Apple knows for sure, but the rumor mill will certainly feed our curiosity until Apple throws the next iPhone event. Here are some of the biggest and most credible rumors we’ve seen so far, to paint a picture of what we may see from the iPhone 15.

    iPhone 15 design: Hello USB-C, goodbye Lightning

    This one has been in the rumor mill for years now, but in 2023 the switch away from a Lightning Port to a USB-C port could finally happen. That’s possibly due to pressure from the European Union, which has been pushing for a common charging standard for years. In 2022, the bloc managed to pass legislation requiring Apple to equip its iPhones with USB-C ports by 2024 if it wants to sell them in the EU. The question is whether Apple will switch all iPhone models to USB-C or just those sold in the EU. Apple already modifies iPhone models regionally, as it has done with the iPhone 14: The US version has an electronic SIM, while other variants retain the SIM slot. However, there are good reasons to move all iPhones to USB-C moving forward, according to Avi Greengart, analyst at Techsponential.

    “…There are larger ecosystem, security, and accessory considerations with the power/data connector, so I think it is more likely that Apple moves all iPhones [globally] to USB-C in the iPhone 16 timeframe to comply with European regulations,” he told CNET in an email.

    Read More: Your Next iPhone Will Probably Need a Different Charging Cable

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    iPhone 15 design: Dynamic Island expands to all models

    Apple is likely to continue selling four iPhone models with the iPhone 15 lineup. Rumors point to a generally similar design across the board, except that the iPhone 14 Pro’s shape-shifting cutout, known as Dynamic Island, is set to make its way across all models.

    That rumor comes from display analyst Ross Young, who also said in a September tweet that he’s not expecting base iPhone 15 models to have a higher refresh rate like Apple’s Pro iPhones because the supply chain can’t support it.

    Read more: iPhone 14 Pro’s Most Eye-Catching Feature Feels Like It’s Winking at Something Else

    An iPhone 7 Plus with Lightning port sits atop a Google Pixel 2 XL with USB-C port.An iPhone 7 Plus with Lightning port sits atop a Google Pixel 2 XL with USB-C port.

    iPhones have had Lightning ports since the iPhone 5 in 2012. Android phones typically have the slightly larger USB-C.

    Stephen Shankland/CNET

    iPhone 15: Solid-state buttons come to pro iPhone 15 models

    Noted Apple observer Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, expects Apple to differentiate further between its base and Pro models in the coming years. One way he’s expecting that to happen is by giving the iPhone 15 Pro models solid-state volume and power buttons instead of the standard keys present on today’s devices, he wrote in a tweet in October.

    The solid-state buttons, which Kuo says will be similar to the home button found on the iPhone SE and iPhone 7, mimic the feel of pressing a button with the help of haptic feedback. The apparent advantage of this type of button is that it also protects against water getting in.

    iPhone 15 Power: Increased RAM for pro models

    According to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, Pro models of the iPhone 15 lineup will get a bump up in RAM to 8GB from 6GB to complement the anticipated A17 Bionic chipset. Base models will continue to receive 6GB RAM, according to TrendForce. This rumor is also apparently backed up by a research report from analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities, according to a MacRumors article, which referenced Pu’s report.

    iPhone 15 camera: Periscope-style telephoto lens arrives

    Yet another Kuo prediction has been making the rounds, but this time it’s about the iPhone 15’s camera. The analyst forecasts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will receive a periscope-style telephoto lens. This sort of telephoto lens allows for higher optical zoom levels, with Kuo forecasting a 6x optical zoom could arrive in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The optical zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro Max is limited to 3x, which lags rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom.

    Read more: The iPhone 14 Pro’s Camera Upgrade is Bigger Than You Think

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    iPhone 15 price: Up, up and away?

    Prices have dramatically increased since the original iPhone arrived in 2007. And that may happen again in 2023 with the iPhone 15, except not in the way you might think. The price of the regular iPhone 15 is currently expected to remain the same, according to analysts who previously spoke with CNET.

    However, the upper limit of the price range could be pushed higher if rumors about a luxe iPhone 15 Ultra turn out to be true. The rumored Ultra model could potentially replace the iPhone 15 Pro Max next year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman writes. This falls in line with predictions from Kuo, who expects Apple to differentiate further between the iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max models. US prices currently range from $829 for the entry-level iPhone 14 model (128GB) all the way up to $1,599 for the highest-end iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1TB of storage.

    Read more: What Apple Could Do With iPhone 15 Prices in 2023

    iPhone 15: Launch and release timeline

    Apple holds its annual iPhone event in September almost every year, so we’d expect the timeline to remain the same for the iPhone 15. New iPhones typically get released shortly thereafter, usually the Friday of the following week. Sometimes Apple will stagger release dates for specific models, especially when introducing a new design or size. So it’s possible that the iPhone 15 lineup will have more than one release date.

    Here’s what we know:

    • Apple tends to hold its events on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Apple’s iPhone 14 event was held on Wednesday Sept. 7, while its iPhone 13 event was held on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
    • iPhone release dates are typically a week and a half after Apple’s announcements.
    • In general, new iPhones are released on a Friday, around the third week of September. For the iPhone 13, preorders began Sept. 17 and the phones went on sale Sept. 24.

    Looking for more iPhone advice? Check out our iPhone upgrade guide, our list of the best iPhones and our roundup of the best cases for your iPhone 14 or 14 Pro.

  • Final Fantasy XVI’s Characters and Combat Hint at an Incredible Adventure

    Final Fantasy XVI’s Characters and Combat Hint at an Incredible Adventure

    Every main numbered Final Fantasy game tells a new story in a fresh universe, giving each upcoming entry a powerful mystique. That sense is particularly strong with Final Fantasy XVI, which has been teased with spectacular, overwhelming trailers since it was unveiled with Sony’s PlayStation 5 in 2020.

    The PS5 exclusive lands on June 22, and developer Square Enix lifted the curtain at a New York City preview event with a playable demo build of the game earlier this month. Acting as producer is Naoki Yoshida (AKA Yoshi-P), the charismatic figure credited with reviving massively multiplayer online RPG Final Fantasy XIV. He and his team gave us a primer on the story and world before letting us try out the game for the first time.

    World at war

    This RPG takes place in Valisthea, a world divided into six nations that depend on giant magic crystals — one of Final Fantasy’s recurring elements — for energy. As the game kicks off, this energy is badly depleted and conflict is brewing between Valisthea’s nations.

    It’s more of a cold war due to the existence of Dominants — humans with the power to summon massive magical creatures known as Eikons. Like the dragons in Games of Thrones, the Eikons are basically this world’s weapons of mass destruction. Except all the nations have them, and they act as a deterrent to open war.

    You play as Clive Rosfield, whose younger brother Joshua has control of the powerful Phoenix summon. After tragedy strikes, Clive is bound to another fiery Eikon, Ifrit, and goes on a quest for vengeance. This causes Eikons to battle each other for the first time, throwing off Valisthea’s delicate political balance and creating lots of collateral damage.

    Phoenix spreads its wings in Final Fantasy XVIPhoenix spreads its wings in Final Fantasy XVI

    The Phoenix Eikon is central to the game’s epic tale.

    Square Enix

    Clive’s journey will take him through Valisthea’s seven nations — which are divided into segmented open areas rather than one big open world — with a shifting party of AI-controlled allies as backup (there wasn’t much exploration in the preview section though). You’ll also be able to dive into the history of Valisthea as much as you wish, Localization Director Michael-Christopher Koji Fox told CNET.

    “We have a character that gathers lore; he will tell you about what’s going on in the game — characters, places, history, things like that,” said Koji Fox, whose previous Final Fantasy projects include IX and XIV. “It doesn’t affect the story, it doesn’t affect gameplay, but for those players that want to go deep and find out what happened 200 years ago, why these countries hate each other, you can go and do that.”

    Dominating the Dominants

    The playable section of our demo saw Clive and his ally Cidolfus Telamon (this game’s Cid, a recurring name in the series) making their way up a dark tower on the hunt for Benedikta Harman, a spy for a rival nation. Cid is the Dominant of lightning-summoning Ramuh, while Benedikta is linked to terrifying wind elemental Garuda.

    Cid has beautifully styled hair and his voice will likely sound familiar — he’s voiced by Ralph Ineson, who appeared in Game of Thrones, Chernobyl and Willow and infuses his character with awesome gravitas. The fiery Benedikta is easily the most striking character design in the preview, and you know she’s a baddy because drops the f-bomb.

    Benedikta looks at someone off camera in Final Fantasy XVIBenedikta looks at someone off camera in Final Fantasy XVI

    Benedikta is a pretty intense rival for Clive.

    Square Enix

    These Dominants humanize the political conflict, and their differing statuses within their own kingdoms hint at the varying cultures and attitudes across this world. This section occurs a few hours into the game, though there’s also a tutorial where you play as a young, fresh-faced Clive to learn the basics of combat.

    The dingy tower wasn’t exactly a visual showcase for the first PS5 Final Fantasy, which will let you choose between performance and fidelity modes in the finished game. However, this location did offer plenty of opportunities to explore the game’s real-time combat system as goons leapt out at every turn. Unlike Final Fantasy VII Remake, you don’t control your entire party directly — only Clive and his faithful canine companion Torgal (whom you can pet).

    Tailoring your battles

    Basic combat fits neatly in the action-RPG mold, with Clive able to employ a mixture of melee attacks, magic, dodging and blocking. Final Fantasy XVI’s battles move much more quickly than those old games though, and combat director Ryota Suzuki drew on his experience developing lightning-fast action game Devil May Cry 5 for this series evolution.

    “The most important thing for Final Fantasy XVI was to make a system that is accessible to lots of different types of playing styles; more technical, stylish and for players that are not too into action,” Suzuki said via translator. “So we didn’t want it to be overwhelming.”

    Clive scratches Torgal on the chin in Final Fantasy XVIClive scratches Torgal on the chin in Final Fantasy XVI

    Torgal is an exceptionally good dog and useful in a fight.

    Square Enix

    Adding to Final Fantasy XVI’s accessibility are the “Timely” accessories, which you can equip to simplify certain aspects of combat. These can let you pull off Clive’s most impressive combos by tapping the same button (instead of learning specific inputs), allow for easier dodging and make doggo pal Torgal battle automatically.

    You can tailor this element based on which ones you equip, giving you a chance to get comfortable with different parts of the combat system at your own pace. The attack one had the most obvious impact, since unequipping it reduced Clive’s attacks from visually stunning Devil May Cry-style aerial ballets to basic thrusts and chops — you’ll have to learn a bunch of combos to achieve his most stylish moves normally.

    Elemental Eikons

    Your magical combat abilities are defined by the Eikon you have equipped, with Phoenix’s fire, Titan’s earth and Garuda’s wind were available in the demo, but it seems like Clive absorbs or copies these from other Dominants as he encounters them (it’s likely Garuda’s powers were unlocked early for the demo version). Earning experience lets you unlock or improve Clive’s elemental skills.

    Clive channels Eikon power in battle in Final Fantasy XVIClive channels Eikon power in battle in Final Fantasy XVI

    You can channel Eikons to employ elemental attacks in battle.

    Square Enix

    You can also switch between Eikons in battle, essentially allowing Clive to change character classes on the fly. It’s an evolution of the beloved job system that debuted in 1992’s Final Fantasy V, in which you assigned roles to characters and they learn those job-specific abilities through leveling up.

    “It was my wish to take that job system and somehow replace jobs with Eikons, and recreate that system in a full action setting,” game director Hiroshi Takai, who worked on the fifth entry in the series, said through a translator.

    “Making it something that’s very customizable and individual to each player … the Clive they have at the end and the palette they use in that final battle is different for every single person.”

    Garuda flashes a sinister smile in Final Fantasy XVIGaruda flashes a sinister smile in Final Fantasy XVI

    Garuda is awesome looking throughout the intense boss battle.

    Square Enix

    Flipping between these elemental powers became increasingly natural as the demo progressed, with the mixture of these and the satisfying dodge system making the boss battle against Benedikta and her Eikon a joy to play. The smooth transitions between gameplay and cutscenes peppered the experience with that classic Final Fantasy melodrama without pulling control away for too long.

    Battle of the titans

    The final section of the demo took place a few hours further into the game, with Ifrit going up against Benedikta’s Garuda in an epic Godzilla vs Kong-style confrontation. It’s the kind of sequence that would have been a cutscene in older Final Fantasy games, but XVI makes it completely playable and extremely fun.

    This battle felt completely different to normal combat, conveying an awesome sense of primordial power as the Eikons lay waste to an isolated part of Valisthea. Ifrit employs a mixture of beefy melee moves and fiery blasts against Garuda’s quick slashes and wind-based attacks. Projectiles also neutralize each other, which is a particularly cool touch.

    Eikons clash in Final Fantasy XVIEikons clash in Final Fantasy XVI

    The Eikons are a force of nature, and their clashes make a huge mess.

    Square Enix

    The developers noted that the gameplay of these Eikon clashes will vary, hinting that you’ll have to battle each one differently depending on their elemental prowess, unique attributes and Clive’s relationship with the character who’s controlling them.

    Even with the shift toward action-oriented battles, Final Fantasy XVI looks set to be an emotional roller coaster in the series’ grand tradition. Speaking through a translator, producer Naoki Yoshida wants players to feel thrilled and hopeful by the time they’re done with the game.

    “When those end credits roll and the players experience the whole story, I want them to feel that they can move toward tomorrow, no matter what happened today,” he said.

  • Airbnb Reportedly Bans People Likely to Travel With Already-Banned Guests

    Airbnb Reportedly Bans People Likely to Travel With Already-Banned Guests

    Airbnb is throwing the banhammer at people who are closely associated with already-banned guests, according to a report from Vice on Wednesday.

    The short-term-rental company confirmed to Vice that, as a “necessary safety precaution,” it sometimes bans users it deems as “likely to travel” with a person who’s been previously banned. Airbnb wouldn’t say when it started doing this or how often it does so, according to Vice.

    Airbnb didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

    Airbnb uses a background check system to vet its large number of users. On Airbnb’s website, the company says it’s had 1.4 billion “guest arrivals” as of December 2022. The system, however, can end up banning users for smaller misdemeanor charges on their record, according to a previous Vice report.

    There’s reportedly an appeals process for those who feel they’ve been unfairly banned.

    The caution put forward by short-term-rental companies like Airbnb and Vrbo comes as stories have percolated over the years of problem guests turning homes into party houses. Such stories have included complaints by neighbors and in some instances, deaths. To combat this, Airbnb implemented a permanent party ban in the summer of 2022 and launched anti-party tech at the end of last year. Ahead of Super Bowl 2023, Vrbo too implemented tech to prevent renters from turning homes into party houses.

  • How T-Mobile, Verizon and Others Are Fighting the Climate Crisis

    How T-Mobile, Verizon and Others Are Fighting the Climate Crisis

    What is your mobile carrier doing to combat the climate crisis? It might not be something you’ve thought much about, but with increasing numbers of networks around the world aligning themselves with science-based targets, it’s easier than ever to see if the service you’re paying for is taking genuine action to reduce its environmental impact.

    In a report released at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday, mobile industry body GSMA said that nearly a quarter of energy (24%) used by the mobile sector comes from renewable sources, up from 14% in 2020. In addition, 62 carriers globally have now committed to rapidly decreasing their direct and indirect emissions by 2030, representing 61% of the industry by revenue. This is an increase of 12 networks since the previous report published last April.

    The GSMA is leading an industry-wide drive to ensure carriers reach net zero emissions by 2050. A key metric it’s using to measure the ambition of its members is their commitment to preventing global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius, the science-based target laid out in the Paris Agreement.

    With the impacts of the climate crisis — from floods to wildfires to deadly heatwaves — increasingly being felt in regions around the world, there is growing pressure on all industries to prioritize transitioning to clean energy and ensure they’re playing an active role in preserving rather than harming our ecosystems. The mobile industry is no exception, and some networks are doing more than others to alleviate their environmental impact, which could make a difference to where you choose to spend your money.

    On the hardware side, phone makers are investing heavily in giving phones a longer life and using more recycled materials in their products. But on the network side, companies are increasingly investing in finding ways to build and operate infrastructure using highly efficient methods that are less energy-intensive than those used in the past.

    The biggest challenge for carriers, said John Giusti, chief regulatory office for the GSMA, is access to renewable energy. “The good news is that the industry is moving forward, with operators now directly purchasing 24% of their electricity from renewable sources, up from 18% in 2021 and 14% in 2020,” he said in the report. But with carrier demand outstripping supply, governments need to help expand access to renewable energy, he added.

    Europe and North America, two of the regions most responsible for historic emissions, are leading the charge when it comes to ambitious sustainability commitments and actions. “It’s perhaps only fair because it’s parts of the world where they’re the most advanced climate wise, and therefore they have the most capability to actually reduce their emissions,” Steven Moore, head of climate action for the GSMA, said in an interview with CNET the week preceding MWC.

    The GSMA’s report looked at actions by mobile operators across the world but called out T-Mobile as an example of a company making great strides to reduce its carbon impact in the US. It’s the first company in the US wireless sector to set a net zero goal validated by the Science Based Target Initiative covering all of its emissions, including those from across the supply chain and indirect emissions from purchased electricity. It’s also one of only a small handful of networks so far to set a net zero by 2040 target, instead of 2050.

    Meanwhile, its main competitors, Verizon and AT&T have both aligned themselves with the 1.5 degrees pathway, and Verizon has committed to net zero emissions across the board by 2050. Moore said that he wouldn’t be surprised if networks in many places end up achieving net zero much earlier than 2050. “Once we start to invest, it’s incredible how quickly things can change,” he said.

  • YouTube’s New CEO Says He’ll Balance Generative AI’s Creativity with Responsibility

    YouTube’s New CEO Says He’ll Balance Generative AI’s Creativity with Responsibility

    YouTube‘s new CEO, Neal Mohan, outlined the 2023 priorities for Google’s massive video service in a letter Wednesday, calling out how he wants to explore the creative opportunities of generative artificial intelligence while setting “thoughtful guardrails” for it.

    “The power of AI is just beginning to emerge in ways that will reinvent video and make the seemingly impossible possible,” Mohan wrote in the letter, adding that the company is “taking the time” to develop these AI features with safeguards in place. “Stay tuned in the coming months as we roll out tools for creators as well as the protections to embrace this technology responsibly.”

    This kind of annual letter of priorities was a tradition of Mohan’s predecessor and mentor, Susan Wojcicki, who announced she was stepping down as YouTube’s CEO about two weeks earlier.

    “As we think through our product roadmap, we’re not just planning for the next few years. This is a critical moment in the creation of digital video, and we’re imagining what the future of creation will look like,” Mohan wrote. He said he’s aiming to give creators more formats for creativity and additional ways to make money.

    Among the new stats noted in the letter, Mohan pointed out:

    • YouTube has captioned more than 6 billion videos.
    • More than 1 billion viewers daily are watching videos with captions enabled.
    • YouTube generated 2 billion views of gaming-related content last year.
    • 6 million viewers paid for YouTube channel memberships in December, a 20% increase from a year earlier.

    Mohan also said that Shorts, YouTube’s TikTok rival, would roll out a creation tool this year that lets you record a side-by-side with both Shorts and regular YouTube videos to share reactions. He reiterated that Shorts are averaging 50 billion daily views and said that the number of YouTube channels that uploaded Shorts daily grew 80% last year. (Last year was also the first full year that the Shorts format was available globally.)

    He called out TVs as a continuing area of growth, as well as a newer focus on podcasts, such as a plan to integrate RSS to give podcasters another way to upload their shows to YouTube and to let podcast listeners have another listening option.

    On Wednesday, Mohan noted in his letter that YouTube would continue to push its stance to policymakers, including debates related to possible changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in the US, European proposals that may limit political speech and Bill C-11 in Canada.

    Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.

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  • Grab Grade-A Refurbished iPhone SE Models Starting at $300

    Grab Grade-A Refurbished iPhone SE Models Starting at $300

    There are plenty of cheap phones on the market, but if you’re looking for a great phone on a limited budget, Apple’s third-gen iPhone SE is certainly the most affordable way to get an iPhone. And right now you can get your hands on one for even less than usual at Woot, where refurbished iPhone SE models are on sale from as little as $300. That’s a $129 savings compared with a brand-new model from the Apple Store, though the sale is only available through March 31 while supplies last.

    These refurbished models are rated grade A, which means your item will have no visible scratches or blemishes and come with a minimum battery health of 95%. Plus your purchase is backed by a 90-day Woot limited warranty.

    Released in 2022, the latest iPhone SE is equipped with 5G technology and Apple’s A15 Bionic chip — that’s the same chip from Apple’s iPhone 13. That means this phone is faster than its predecessors. Plus, it gets up to 15 hours of video playback. This phone has the classic iPhone design, with a home button equipped with Touch ID and a 4.7-inch LCD display. And it has both a 12-megapixel rear camera, which can capture video in 4K, and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera, too. It’s rated IP67 splash-, dust- and water-resistant, and it has upgraded glass for a little more durability. You can grab the iPhone SE with either 64GB or 128GB of storage to suit your needs and budget.

    CNET’s Patrick Holland said in his iPhone SE (2022) review that “the iPhone SE is your cheapest admission ticket to Apple’s ecosystem” and called it “an incredible value for what you get,” referring to the $429 starting list price. With this refurb, you’ll be getting all those features at an even better price.

    Read more: iPhone SE 2022 vs. 2020: Which Budget Phone Is a Better Deal?


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