OnePlus is expanding beyond phones and mobile accessories such as the new OnePlus 11 and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 into… mechanical keyboards? The upcoming OnePlus Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro may not be the most direct extension of the company’s existing products — the announcement of its first Android tablet, the OnePlus Pad is a more logical fit. But it was created with feedback from OnePlus fans and designed to match the premium style of its other devices.
OnePlus co-engineered the keyboard with Keychron, a company well known to mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. (Keychron currently has a Kickstarter campaign for its latest wireless model, the Q1 Pro, which has the same layout as the 81 Pro.) The collaboration is the reason for the clunky name. The Keyboard 81 Pro is the first product released from the co-creation platform OnePlus Featuring. And based on the announcement, the 81 Pro does sound like a balanced blend of the two brands.
The wireless Keyboard 81 Pro has a CNC aluminum body with a specialized double gasket that, on other Keychron keyboards I’ve used, deadens any ping and removes any hollowness. Instead, you get a pleasing thock with the press of every key.
You’ll have a choice of red linear or blue clicky switches, but they’re hot-swappable so you can customize your typing experience with other switches. The switches are topped with unique Marble-mallow keycaps made from a thermoplastic material that OnePlus says produces “a soft bounce in each press for ultimate comfort, enhanced hand-feel and optimal durability.”
The keyboard can be used wirelessly over Bluetooth or wired via a USB port on the rear.
OnePlus
There is a customizable crystal-clear knob in the top right corner of the keyboard. Press the red Esc key and turn the knob and you’ll be able to silence notifications, just like the alert slider on OnePlus’ premium phones. The keyboard also works with open-source firmware QMK and VIA for remapping keys or creating macros. Plus, the backlight can be changed to multiple RGB lighting effects. A switch on the rear lets you change between MacOS or Windows keyboard layouts, and the keyboard can be used with Linux and Android as well.
The keyboard can be stood vertically to take up less desk space when not in use.
OnePlus
Pricing and availability for the OnePlus Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro will be available in the coming weeks. However, Keychron’s fully assembled Q1 Pro is available on Kickstarter for a little less than $200 and is expected to ship in April. Make of that what you will.
To our pleasant surprise, the $550 ( 530, AU$880) PSVR 2 feels less cluttered than the first PlayStation VR did, and it’s sort of shocking when you unpack the box. There’s the headset with a single USB-C cable, a pair of PlayStation Sense controllers, a USB charge cable for the controllers, a pair of earbuds — and that’s it.
This is what comes inside the package: controllers, headset, earbuds and an extra USB-C-to-A cable.
Scott Stein/CNET
You probably wouldn’t expect much more than that if you’ve bought a modern VR headset like the Meta Quest 2, but it’s so much better than the tangle of breakout boxes and cables that the first PSVR required. The original 2016 PSVR needed a webcamlike PlayStation camera to attach to the TV for tracking, a breakout box with its own power supply, and cables you’d snake between the PS4, the headset and the box.
Now forget all that: All you need here is that one built-in USB-C cable.
The PlayStation VR 2 headset is lightweight and not all that different in feel from the original. It slides over glasses easily and has a rubberized eye mask, but this time you can adjust how far apart the lenses are for different eye needs, in addition to sliding closer or farther away for comfort. There are four cameras on the outside of the headset that handle all the room tracking, similar to how VR headsets like the Quest 2 work. There’s nothing else you need to plug in.
The PlayStation VR 2 (left) next to the original PlayStation VR — a similar headband-type visor fit for each, with improved lenses and design on the PSVR 2.
Scott Stein/CNET
The visor design tightens in the back and stretches to fit heads, making it less constricting than elastic face straps like the Quest 2 has. But it also means a larger design that feels bulky, and you might want to make sfure you find a place to store it safely (and away from sunlight so the displays don’t get damaged).
The PSVR 2 (left) has a similar visor-type design, but is more compact and packed with more tech.
Scott Stein/CNET
There’s a small headphone jack along the top edge of the headset, where a customized pair of earbuds on a plastic rail plug right in. The buds can drop down and pop in your ears, and pop into little holders on the side when not in use. There’s no ambient speakers here like the Quest 2, so you’ll need headphones on. You could also plug in another pair, like Sony’s over-ear Pulse headset. There are a few extra bud tips included for various ear fits.
The included earbuds plug into the headset and have a plastic band that snaps on to stay in place (there are also storage holes in the headset for the buds!).
Scott Stein/CNET
The USB-C cable is permanently attached to the PSVR 2, but it’s long. Long enough that I could easily snake it across a living room, at least. Is it long enough to feel like it’s not getting in the way, or too limiting? Stay tuned.
The new PSVR 2 Sense controllers look great and have a very similar design language to the DualSense PS5 controller (shown for comparison).
Scott Stein/CNET
Controllers: Sleek and light
The controllers are super lightweight, as I mentioned back in the fall. Their ring design is elegant. And they feel almost like spheres I lower my hands into. The controls and triggers are very much like the DualSense controller, but split in two. They have USB-C charging ports and rechargeable batteries, and adjustable hand straps to stay on tight for active games.
Sony also sells a separate controller charge dock that was sent along with the headset for us to check out.
The Sense controllers in Sony’s charging dock, sold separately, which looks like a useful upgrade.
Scott Stein/CNET
The dock is simple and flat, and comes with tiny dongles for the USB-C ports that add charge pins to dock with the charge base. It makes the charging feel almost contactless, and seems like a useful add-on. The tiny dongles, however, look like something you’d better keep in the controllers, otherwise you might lose them.
Review to come
We’ll have more impressions soon, so stay tuned for a full review. But we can say, at least, that the PSVR 2 package already feels like far less of a headache than the original was in 2016.
If you’re anything like millions of other people around the world, you’re going to watch Super Bowl LVII tomorrow on TV. But did you know you can catch the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the commercials, the movie trailers and Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime show, for free, no matter where you live?
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday for free from anywhere.
In the United States, the Super Bowl start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 CT, 4:30 p.m. MT, 3:30 p.m. PT). Fox’s pregame show begins at 11 a.m. ET.
If you want to watch live from elsewhere in the world, kickoff time will vary. The Super Bowl start time is 1:30 p.m. in the UK, 9:30 a.m. in the United Arab Emirates and 2:30 a.m on Monday in Sydney. Click here to see what time kickoff is in your time zone.
What channel is the Super Bowl on?
Super Bowl LVII will be broadcast live on Fox in the US. The channel is available on TV via cable as well as live-TV streaming services.
If you live in an area of the US with good reception, you can watch the broadcast on Fox for free over the air just by attaching an affordable (under $30) indoor antenna to nearly any TV.
Explore the Cameras, Trucks and Retractable Field at Super Bowl LVII
Yes, Fox will be making the game available for free to anyone in the US through its Fox Sports app without needing you to authenticate with a cable, streaming or satellite login.
Fox Sports has apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV and Xbox.
Can I watch the Super Bowl in 4K?
Yes! As spotted by The TV Answer Man, Fox will broadcast the Super Bowl in 4K, assuming you have the proper setup. To get the game in its highest resolution, you’ll need to have service from a company that offers 4K broadcasts (DirecTV, Dish, Comcast, Optimum and Verizon Fios are some traditional cable and satellite companies that offer 4K) or a 4K-capable plan on a streaming service like YouTube TV or FuboTV.
As mentioned, you also can watch in 4K for free using the Fox Sports app even without a cable, streaming or satellite login assuming you have a 4K TV that can download the Fox Sports app or a compatible 4K streaming device.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the AFC champions, and the Philadelphia Eagles are the champs of the NFC. They’ll face off in the Super Bowl for the NFL title. The Chiefs have won two Super Bowls, with the first coming way back in Super Bowl 4 in 1970 and the second half a century later in Super Bowl 54, during Mahomes’ second season as KC’s starting quarterback. The Eagles have a lone Super Bowl title, winning Super Bowl 52 in 2018 against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Who won last year’s Super Bowl?
Last year, the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 to win Super Bowl 56. Eventual Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp caught a one-yard touchdown pass with a little more than a minute remaining to cap a 79-yard, game-winning drive. Hopefully this year’s game will follow a similarly dramatic script.
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Best options for streaming the Super Bowl
Below are our recommendations for the best ways to watch the Super Bowl without cable. All five of the US-based live TV streaming services carry Fox, but keep in mind that not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries Fox in your area.
Given that Fox Sports is making the game available for free (and in 4K), that remains the best pick if you don’t already have an antenna or a cable, streaming or satellite TV provider.
Is there streaming lag when watching the Super Bowl?
Yes. When streaming the Super Bowl you should expect to lag behind the action on cable, Twitter and sports betting apps. Based on previous years, streaming services lag around 40 seconds behind what’s on the field. Compare that to cable, satellite or antenna TV, where the time gap from on-the-field action is significantly less. It’s usually a transmission delay of about 5 seconds, which allows for broadcasters to prevent unsavory content from appearing on TV.
What are my Super Bowl viewing options outside the US?
International viewers should check their local listings to determine the best local option to watch or stream the Super Bowl. In the UK, for example, the game will be broadcast on ITV. In Canada, you will be able to watch the broadcast on CTV or TSN, depending on your location, or the French-language broadcast on RDS. Canadians can also watch the game on the DAZN streaming service.
On Monday morning in Australia, the Super Bowl will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and the 7plus VOD service.
How to use a VPN to watch the Super Bowl from anywhere
What if you’re traveling outside your home country and want to enjoy the big game, or just 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 game, which comes in handy if you find yourself unable to view the game locally. A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic. Using a VPN is 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.
If you can’t find a convenient opportunity to watch the game where you live, using a VPN with a US-based server should provide access to some or all of the streaming options listed below. 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, as long as you’ve got 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. See our list of best VPNs for more and check out other great VPN deals taking place right now.
Fox is making the Super Bowl available for free through its Fox Sports app without needing to authenticate with a cable, streaming or satellite login. If you’re looking to stream the Big Game, it’s hard to beat this price.
Fox Sports has apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV and Xbox.
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.
YouTube TV costs $65 a month and includes Fox. Plug in your ZIP code on its welcome page to see which local networks are available in your area. To watch the game in 4K resolution, you’ll need the 4K Plus add-on. It costs $10 a month for the first 12 months and then $20 after that. There’s also a free, 14-day trial.
Fans of American football in the UK can watch the Super Bowl for free. ITV will be broadcasting the game and you can stream it on the company’s ITVX service (formerly ITV Hub) from anywhere.
Fans in Australia can watch the Super Bowl on Monday morning on Channel 7 and the 7plus VOD service. They’ll be able to watch the game live and see Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata in action. The former Australian rugby player turned American football offensive lineman followed an unusual path to the NFL.
Hulu with Live TV costs $70 a month and includes Fox. Click the “View channels in your area” link on its welcome page to see which local channels are offered in your ZIP code.
DirecTV Stream’s basic, $75-a-month Entertainment package includes Fox. You can use its channel lookup tool to see which local channels are available where you live.
FuboTV’s basic plan costs $75 a month and includes Fox. Click here to see which local channels you get. To watch in 4K, you’ll need to upgrade to the $85-a-month Elite plan.
Quick tips for streaming Super Bowl 2023 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 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.
I’m still discovering new productivity tricks and hidden features, even though I’ve been using a desktop computer for decades. There are so many ways to save a keystroke here and a mouse click there. Those few milliseconds can actually add up to big-time savings (or at least less annoyance) over the course of a week, especially if your job is primarily done online.
But in my personal experience, the one computer trick people are most consistently surprised about is an action you can do with your scroll wheel.
The scroll wheel’s hidden function
The internet is a great place to collect random tidbits of information, but sometimes you see something you want to investigate later. You don’t want to click on the link and have to go back to the previous page, because it would interrupt your current read. But you want to keep the trail open for later.
What do you do? You have a variety of options here, but this is the slickest and most efficient: If you’re using a mouse, just use your scroll wheel to click on the link. It’s not the most intuitive motion, but if you push your scroll wheel down while hovering over the link, you’ll automatically open that link in a new tab.
This little trick is great for when you’re reading something that links out to other interesting stories — just scroll-wheel click to open new tabs and check them out after you finish reading the current story.
If you want other ways of opening new tabs, we’ll walk you through it. We also have tips on keyboard shortcuts, like Ctrl + Shift + T, and taking Windows screenshots (which you can open in new tabs with a scroll-wheel click).
How to open links in new tabs
Opening pages in new tabs is a convenient browsing technique, and there are a few different ways of doing it.
Click with your scroll wheel to automatically open the link in a new tab.
Or right-click a link and choose “open in new tab.”
You can also hold down Ctrl (or command on Mac) when you click the link and it will open in a new tab.
Opening things in a new tab means you don’t have to interrupt your current read, and you don’t have to wait for pages to load as you bounce back and forth. I use it all the time for comparison shopping — just pull up the things I’m considering in a few different tabs and quickly compare by tabbing through my browser. It’s also good for when you’re reading a story that references another story that you want to check out without interrupting your current read. Just click the link with your scroll wheel and check it out when you’re done with this story.
Bonus tip: You can use Ctrl + Tab to move forward and Ctrl + Shift + Tab to move backward through your open tabs.
Whether you are interested in switching to a career in information technology or you’re already an IT professional seeking promotion, there are some basic training resources out there that can help you prepare for industry certifications and jumpstart your career. If you’re looking for online resources where you can learn IT skills at your own pace, StackSocial has marked down the Complete 2023 CompTIA Certification Super Bundle to just $90. This offer is available now through Feb. 15.
This CompTIA Certification Course is called a super bundle for a reason. It includes 13 courses tackling 239 hours of content covering IT fundamentals, cybersecurity, project management and more. Getting access to each of these courses individually would usually cost around $300 each, but with this bundle you’ll get lifetime access to all of the content for under $100 — that means you can move through the comprehensive lessons at your own pace. And you can access these courses on your phone or your computer for even more flexibility.
It’s important to note that this bundle is focused on preparing you for CompTIA certification and does not provide certification on its own. You will get a certificate of completion for each course you complete in full, but you will have to sign up for official CompTIA exams to earn industry-recognized certification. That said, there’s plenty here for those who are new to IT and for those who want to build on their existing IT skills. If you’re ready to take the next step in your IT journey, this is a bargain worth investing in.
Love shopping online but don’t have time to compare prices or search for promo codes? Our CNET Shopping extension does that for you, so you always get the best price.
This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.
A phone’s camera bridges our everyday lives with our online identities, whether you’re sharing family photos, posting clips from your vacation on TikTok or dialing into a Zoom meeting. Apple and Samsung clearly understand this, as evidenced by the iPhone 14 Pro and the new Galaxy S23 Ultra, which goes on sale Feb. 17. With both devices, Samsung and Apple are sending a strong message: The camera is what matters most in a new phone. It’s the biggest factor that separates the best phone money can buy from reasonably priced devices.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro represent the next step in each company’s multiyear campaign to court photographers and videographers, all while expanding what can be done on your phone’s relatively small screen. They’re the culmination of the latest efforts by Apple and Samsung to outpace one another in an arms race that’s been progressing for more than a decade. Apple and Samsung aren’t the only ones focused on the camera; the same goes for Google and OnePlus. But as the world’s two largest phone brands by market share, Apple and Samsung have an outsized influence over the devices we carry in our pockets.
Annual smartphone updates feel incremental, making it harder for people to justify yearly upgrades, especially when the cost for everyday goods and services remains high. The latest high-end phones from Apple and Samsung serve as statements that customers are willing to pay for the best. And for both companies, being the “best” often means having the best camera.
Samsung and Apple bet people will spend more on better devices
Cameras with a 100x digital zoom magnification and a nearly tablet-sized screen aren’t for everyone, especially given their high price. As generational upgrades become less flashy, customers are holding onto their devices longer before upgrading. But there is evidence hinting that premium phones still appeal to shoppers despite inflation, potentially showing that Apple and Samsung’s camera-first approach may be working.
According to Counterpoint Research, the iPhone’s average selling price increased 7% year over year in the third quarter of 2022, indicating Apple’s more expensive phones may be its most popular. (However, that could also be because the price of Apple’s regular iPhones has increased over the years, while the Pro’s starting price has largely remained the same).
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for TF International Securities who’s well-versed in Apple’s supply chain, said on Twitter last fall that the pricier iPhone 14 Pro Max accounted for about 60% of Apple’s order increase for the Pro models, hinting that Apple’s priciest phone is selling well.
TM Roh, head of Samsung’s mobile experience business, said in an interview with CNET earlier this year that the Galaxy S22 lineup saw double-digit sales growth compared to the Galaxy S21 series. That indicates Samsung’s more expensive phones are indeed top sellers.
Apple and Samsung are both leaning into the premium phone market.
James Martin/CNET
Remarks from Roh and Apple CEO Tim Cook also suggest that people are simply willing to pay for better devices.
“When times get hard, then people would be more cautious in the choices that they make,” Roh also said to CNET. “In other words, they would be looking for greater value to be gained.”
Speaking with analysts during Apple’s fiscal first-quarter earnings call earlier this month, Cook said he thinks “people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can afford in that category.”
Samsung’s and Apple’s current premium phones could also influence the devices we see in the future as both companies are expected to lean more heavily into high-end devices. Apple is discussing releasing an iPhone Ultra that would be a step up from the $1,099 iPhone 14 Pro Max, according to Bloomberg, likely expanding upon the Pro Max’s features. It may also incorporate more features into next year’s iPhone Pro that further distinguish it from the regular iPhone, the report said. One of those features, Bloomberg reported, could be a periscope lens for better optical zoom on the Pro Max, further underscoring the camera’s significance.
Samsung, meanwhile, used its previous high-end smartphone line, the Galaxy Note, to build the foundation for its current Galaxy Ultra devices. We’re already seeing the Ultra line influence Samsung’s other high-end devices, as the branding has carried over to its new premium laptop, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra.
What makes an “ultra” or “pro” phone? Mostly the camera
The camera is the centerpiece of both the iPhone 14 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
James Martin/CNET
Make no mistake, Apple and Samsung both view the camera as the most significant smartphone upgrade that customers are willing to splurge for. Samsung made that clear at its Unpacked event on Feb. 1, during which it tried to woo filmmakers with endorsements from acclaimed directors Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Blade Runner) and Na Hong-jin (The Chaser, The Wailing).
Samsung’s camera system is the centerpiece of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the biggest way it distinguishes the “ultra” model from its regular flagships. The company spent a large portion of its Unpacked presentation outlining the various new camera improvements: a higher-resolution 200-megapixel sensor, wider dynamic range, steadier optical image stabilization for video, faster autofocus and clearer shots in low light, among other upgrades. The regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus also are gaining improvements to the way photos are processed, but they lack the Ultra’s extreme 100x zoom magnification and new 200-megapixel sensor.
If you weren’t already convinced that Samsung is trying to entice camera enthusiasts, the company also makes it easier to access settings for shooting raw files by integrating those options directly into the native camera app. A raw file has uncompressed image data straight from the camera sensor, which allows for more leeway when editing. An Expert Raw file contains data from several images processed together and offers even more clarity and a wider dynamic range. Google and Apple have their own special raw files that are created in a similar way, bridging a traditional raw file with advancements from computational photography.
And to help fit all of those big files on your phone, the S23 Ultra’s base storage is now 256GB, up from the S22 Ultra’s 128GB. The decision to offer more storage in the entry-level model could also be seen as another effort to attract photographers and videographers, since high-resolution photos, raw files and 8K videos occupy a lot of space. The S23 Plus also starts at 256GB, but Samsung doesn’t offer a 1TB storage option for that phone the way it does with the S23 Ultra. It shows what a long way Samsung has come since launching its original Ultra phone, the Galaxy S20 Ultra, which maxed out at 512GB and started at 128GB just like the regular Galaxy S23.
Apple also loves to flaunt the iPhone’s photography prowess, and you could even argue that may have influenced some of Samsung’s thinking. That approach was on full display in September when Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 Pro, which has better optical image stabilization and low-light performance. Like Samsung, Apple also made a leap in resolution that brings the iPhone 14 Pro’s camera from 12 to 48 megapixels, although it’s really the device’s larger main sensor that’s made a big difference in the camera’s low-light performance. ProRaw, Apple’s feature for capturing raw photos that still incorporate some of the company’s image-processing algorithms, can now shoot at a 48-megapixel resolution.
As is the case with Samsung, the camera is a large part of what separates the iPhone 14 Pro and larger Pro Max from the cheaper iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. Those phones, by comparison, are missing the iPhone 14 Pro’s telephoto lens and have a smaller 12-megapixel main camera sensor. Apple’s cheaper iPhone 14 models also lack a 1TB storage option, unlike the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
iPhone 14 Pro, Pro Max Get the Biggest Changes to Apple’s Phone Lineup
While the camera may be the biggest defining characteristic of Apple’s Pro line and Samsung’s Ultra line, there are other common threads between these phones. Both phones have more productivity-oriented features than the cheaper alternatives in their respective lineups. The S23 Ultra comes with a stylus you can store in the bottom of the phone, unlike the regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus. The iPhone 14 Pro has the Dynamic Island, a clever software interface built around the selfie camera for showing system alerts and controlling background activities without leaving the app you’re using. That feature is absent from the regular iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
Both phones also have more to offer when it comes to the screen. For Samsung, that’s quite literal; the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 6.8-inch screen is physically larger than the displays on the Galaxy S23 (6.1 inches) and the S23 Plus (6.6 inches). Apple offers the same two display sizes across the entire iPhone 14 lineup (6.1 inches or 6.7 inches), but has found other ways to make the screens on its Pro iPhone’s stand out. Only the Pro models have an always-on display, the Dynamic Island and an adaptive refresh rate for smoother scrolling and graphics.
Samsung’s and Apple’s high-end phones have more of a focus on the display compared to their cheaper devices. For Samsung, it’s about size, while Apple offers extra perks like an always-on screen and an adaptive refresh rate.
James Martin/CNET
Despite these similarities, Apple and Samsung’s approaches also differ in significant ways — mostly when it comes to which technologies these companies bring to cheaper devices. All of Samsung’s Galaxy S23 devices have the same chip, a new customized version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Apple, on the other hand, has only put its fresh A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, while the regular iPhone 14 models have the previous A15 Bionic chip, marking the first time Apple has kept an older processor in a new flagship phone. Apple also equips its Pro iPhones with a lidar scanner for detecting depth, which helps improve AR apps and certain photography features like autofocus and enables accessibility functions like door and people detection.
For Apple and Samsung, adding more advanced camera and display features to their premium phones isn’t just about boosting sales. Both companies are under pressure to uphold their reputations as innovators while proving there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about the smartphone’s future.
Right now, many of those reasons come down to the camera — the tool we use for everything from video chatting to documenting vacations and, perhaps in the future, fueling augmented reality apps. It will be fascinating to see how Apple, Samsung and others attempt to improve and redefine that experience over the next few years.
Have you ever clicked the little “X” on a Chrome browser tab when you didn’t mean to? Of course you have! I do it on a daily basis. Maybe even an hourly basis. Could it be that I’m a little too click-happy in this multitasking world? Maybe. But if I’m not particularly prudent about my cursor positioning, it’s because I have a secret weapon up my sleeve: I know that my favorite keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+Shift+T (or Cmd+Shift+T for Mac users),has my back.
I love keyboard shortcuts in general. These handy little combinations of keys may improve your productivity at work, sure, but the real benefit is the preservation of your equanimity. And Ctrl+Shift+T in particular is, I’d argue, one of the most important and useful keyboard shortcuts there is, right up there with Ctrl+Z. In fact, it performs a similar function: undoing a mistake. Specifically, the mistake of accidentally closing a browser tab or window. Ctrl+Shift+T is the easiest way to restore a browser tab that you didn’t mean to X out.
Google Chrome gives you a few options for restoring tabs and windows after you’ve closed them, and depending on your needs, it’s good to know how they all work. Note, however, that restoring closed tabs isn’t an option when browsing in incognito mode.
1. Keyboard shortcut method
The quickest way to restore a single tab you closed by accident is with a keyboard shortcut. On a PC, use Ctrl+Shift+T. On a Mac, use Cmd+Shift+T. If you want to restore multiple tabs, or if you need a tab you closed a while ago, just keep pressing Ctrl+Shift+T and your tabs will reappear in the order in which they were closed. Bonus: If you accidentally close your entire browser window altogether, just open a new Chrome window and the keyboard shortcut will reopen everything at once. This is a great trick for the times when a system update forces you to close your browser or restart your computer altogether.
2. Browser history method
Your Chrome browser history also keeps track of recently closed tabs. It’s not as lightning-fast as a keyboard shortcut, but this method is useful if you closed the tab a long time ago and need to refer back to it.
There are a few ways to access your browser history in Chrome. One way is to use another shortcut: Ctrl+H. Another is to click the hamburger menu in the top right corner of your browser, then select History. And a third option is to type “chrome://history” into your address bar, then press enter.
However you arrive at your browser history, once there you’ll have access to all the websites and tabs you’ve viewed, in reverse chronological order. Clicking on a result will reopen it for you. Going through the hamburger menu also has a built-in list of Recently Closed tabs, which you can select to reopen.
Angela Lang/CNET
3. Tab search method
Ever noticed the little downward-pointing arrow in your Chrome tab bar? In Windows, it’s right next to the icons for minimizing, maximizing and closing your window. (On Mac it’s at the top right.) This icon is Chrome’s built-in tab search feature, which itself can be accessed with a simple keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+A. Tab search shows you a list of all the tabs you currently have open, and another list of your recently closed tabs. You can scroll through the lists to reopen or switch to the desired tab, or use the search bar to find it with a keyword. This comes in handy for those who keep dozens of tabs open at all times.
4. Taskbar method
If you’ve got a Chrome window opened — or if the app is pinned in your taskbar — right-click the icon from the taskbar and you’ll see a short list of links: Most visited and Recently closed. From there, you can restore a tab just by clicking on it. (Note these options do not appear on Mac.)
Bonus: ‘Continue where I left off’ method
There’s a Chrome setting that essentially makes Ctrl+Shift+T the default. By toggling this feature on, every time you open Chrome, the browser will automatically reopen the tabs you had open in your previous session. To turn it on, go to your Chrome settings (also through the hamburger menu), then On startup. Select the Continue where you left off option.
What about other browsers, like Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Opera?
The Ctrl+Shift+T keyboard shortcut will work in other browsers, too (as well as right-clicking the tab bar and selecting Reopen closed tab). Most of the other methods of reopening a tab work across browsers too, though the menu labels and options may differ. The experience is largely the same on a Mac, with the exception of the taskbar method.
For both Firefox and Microsoft Edge, you can also go through your browser history to find and reopen a tab you accidentally closed. Firefox has a dedicated sub-menu under History called Recently closed tabs. Microsoft Edge has a tabbed History menu for All, Recently closed and Tabs from other devices. In Opera, if you have the sidebar enabled — and if History is one of the elements you’ve elected to include in the sidebar — clicking the History icon from the sidebar will also pull up a list of recently closed tabs.
The other browsers also offer a setting to reopen the previous session’s tabs automatically upon startup. In Firefox, go to Settings > General and check the box under Startup labeled Open previous windows and tabs. In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Start, home, and new tabs and under When Edge starts, select open tabs from the previous session. And in Opera: Settings > On startup, then check the box for retain tabs from previous session.
If you’re looking for a great family gaming console, the Nintendo Switch is a great option. While there are a ton of great single-player games, there are also a lot of family-friendly games that you can play together. Games like Switch Sports and the newest Kirby are perfect for co-op. More competitive games, like Mario Strikers, are also good for creating some friendly contests between you and your mom, dad or siblings.
Assuming you only have one Switch, here are the best multiplayer games that are worth playing with your family, which we keep updated as new titles appear. Remember, this is just a list specifically focused on games that have some sort of family-friendly same-Switch multiplayer mode — for other picks, check out our list of the best Nintendo Switch games. If any strike your fancy, Nintendo sometimes even offers demos through its online storefront.
If you’re looking to do same-room multiplayer gaming, just make sure your Switch is TV dockable. The most recent OLED-screened Switch, like the original TV-connected Switch, are both better family picks than the smaller Switch Lite, which only works in handheld mode, and doesn’t have those useful sharable Joy-Con controllers. (Switch Lite owners could do multiplayer, but you’d need to buy extra controllers and huddle around the tiny screen.)
Note: Most of the links below are for the physical copies of the games, sold via Amazon, Walmart, GameStop and other retailers. You can alternately buy and download all of these directly from the Nintendo eShop, straight from the Switch. Just make sure you have a microSD memory card with ample capacity to store game data.
Mario plays soccer (or football) in this update to a Wii classic. The four-on-four matches support up to eight players on a single Switch, making this one of the best options besides Super Smash Bros. for large groups. The fast-paced, chaotic matches can be a little tough to keep track of which player you’re controlling, though. Online leagues give it life beyond same-room multiplayer, too.
Remember Wii Sports? It’s back, and the six kinetic motion-controlled games on Switch Sports are a lot of fun for same-room two- to four-player gaming, connected to a TV. You should definitely aim for using a TV-docked Switch with this one, and keep in mind that Switch Sports isn’t a game made for handheld playing on the go (although you could play while huddled around the Switch screen with Joy-Con controllers held in-hand, in a pinch). There’s a $40 digital version or a $50 physical version that includes a leg strap you can use with the Soccer game.
Kirby, a power-absorbing puffball who’s brightened Nintendo’s multiverse for decades, is one of the most upbeat game characters out there. Nintendo’s latest Kirby game drops the cute pink blob into a 3D platformer that’s full of secrets, fun powers, and a difficulty level that won’t scare off young kids. There are two great Kirby games on the Switch, but I’d put Forgotten Land at the top of your Kirby shopping list.
Years ago, Nintendo had the Brain Age series that was full of math and logic quick-reaction puzzles to “train your brain.” Big Brain Academy was another game in that same tradition. This Nintendo Switch version focuses on two- to four-player competitions over a handful of math, logic and analysis minigames, rewarding quick thinking. The game’s fun, and there’s a daily “test” of your speedy skills as well as chances to try to beat ghosts of others online. Though it feels too short, I’d love to have more games like it on the Switch. Controllers feel like a weird way to interact with some games, but there’s a touchscreen option for two-player head-to-head games too. There’s a free demo on the Nintendo eShop to play before you buy. See if you like it.
WarioWare games, if you’ve never played them, involve surviving rapid waves of strange arcade-like quick-reaction minigames. Get It Together is a collaborative and competitive game for two players (and more in some of the multiplayer modes), with a variety of game modes and arcade-like challenges. If it’s on sale, it’s well worth considering.
There are two great Mario Party games on the Switch: Super Mario Party was the first, and leans more on motion controls. But Nintendo’s recent remastering of a bunch of classic N64 and GameCube Mario Party game boards, called Mario Party Superstars, is also excellent. The minigames are more button- and controller-focused, which I prefer if I don’t have a lot of room to play. Also, this Mario Party can be played in handheld mode or on the Switch Lite, which you can’t do with Super Mario Party.
There are plenty of Mario games on the Switch, and a lot of them are listed below. Super Mario 3D World originally was made for the long-gone Wii U, but its mix of local and online multiplayer (up to four players) offers a lot of fun chaos on the Switch. An extra (but short) game called Bowser’s Fury only uses the second player as a helper, but this bonus game’s a welcome extra. If you want even more multiplayer Mario, see New Super Mario Bros. U below. Or for creative Mario, try Super Mario Maker 2.
Nintendo’s new collection of family board games and retro games bundles 51 surprisingly fun worldwide classics, with online play and local multiplayer. The game also supports local Switch-to-Switch play with a free bridging app. Many games do two-player; a few do three- to four-player. A few games like Bowling are almost like a return to Nintendo’s Wii Sports. It’s a great instructional tool for games like backgammon, chess or even shogi, mahjong and hanafuda, and there’s a lot of stuff to keep entertained over the summer. It’s also equally good on a TV, huddled over one Switch, or played between several Switches.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become an absolute phenomenon last year, and for a lot of people it’s now the game to buy a Switch for. The casual, calming, social community game just lasts forever, and a new multiplayer mode allows more than one player to wander around and play at the same time. This co-op game has a lot of ways to connect with other players and friends, too.
Also, Animal Crossing is an ideal multiplayer game for homes where any sort of group play becomes a battle royale. There’s no winning, just planting trees, catching fish and chatting with other players — an ideal video game scenario for the super-stressed. Just be forewarned that you can only make one island per Switch, so get used to sharing.
Fans and newcomers to the Mario Kart series alike will never get tiredof Mario Kart 8. The game’s dozens of tracks are excellent, and local multiplayer with four players can get crowded on a smaller TV, but this Nintendo Switch game is fantastic. It’s one of the very first games that we’d recommend for Switch multiplayer. It also has an online multiplayer mode, so it’s a great game for your kiddos to play with fellow quarantined friends without actual interaction.
Nintendo’s long-running Mario Party series is like a video board game with a bunch of wacky minigames thrown in. The Switch Nintendo console version also has a rhythm-dancing party game that’s a good little workout, too, and a collaborative game where players paddle down a river together. My family loves this one — it’s just overall an excellent game.
You may get into some arguments, or you may find this builds teamwork. This party cooking game is madness, and it’s a perfect couch co-op game for a single player or for four players at once. Seriously, you’re going to get stressed. But it’s so fun.
Besides being a Mario construction kit and mini-course on game design, not to mention being full of user-made levels to download, four players can play levels together too. Super Mario Maker has an endless fountain of things to try. By the way: if you’re playing directly on the Switch, a basic stylus (seen here) is a great tool to use.
The Switch’s eight-player multiplayer game has a lot of fighting, but it’s of the cartoon kind. There are a growing number of characters to add to a roster that’s already at 75 and counting. This couch co-op fighting game is another game that allows for online play, or you can join everyone on one screen (it gets crowded).
Nintendo’s version of Ghostbusters, but with Luigi — if you haven’t played, that’s the best way to think of this ridiculously charming, Disney-like haunted house game. A two-player co-op mode works through the whole game and might be the best way to play.
Nintendo’s cute planet-exploring and treasure-hunting strategy game, which involves collecting, caring for and using populations of plant-like Pikmin, first came out on the Wii U console years ago. The Switch update adds two-player co-op through the whole game. The open maps encourage teamwork, and a handful of party modes and challenges levels are included too. It’s the best Nintendo franchise you’ve probably never played.
Nintendo’s papercraft platformer slightly extends into the third dimension, with a two-player co-op mode. It joins a number of other fun games that are also platformers in Nintendo’s roster, but Yoshi’s challenges are a bit gentler, and more focused on discovering secrets and surprises.
A cheaper Mario Kart, or perhaps WipEout for the Switch, this futuristic hover-racing game was an early Switch launch title, and it’s really underrated. It does multiplayer wonderfully.
Mario Tennis is unforgiving. Mario Tennis has lots of characters and enemies. Mario Tennis has online modes, and it’s maybe one of the best Switch sports games. There you go. It’s Mario characters playing tennis with crazy power-ups.
I still prefer Mario Tennis over Mario Golf, but this party-oriented golf game adds some twists that are better in groups. A speed mode (which is why it’s called Super Rush) has players golfing at the same time, even interfering with other people in the game. A battle mode gets even nuttier. The game does two-player split-screen on a single Switch, or four-player turn-based golfing (two players can also play online with others simultaneously on one Switch). There’s also a lengthy single-player adventure mode, too.
The sequel to an older console Marvel series of games, Ultimate Alliance 3 feels like Diablo or an arcade brawler, but with a roster of dozens of Marvel characters to play. It’s repetitive at times, but the joy of collecting characters is a lot of fun, and you can keep switching your heroes throughout.
Two paper-things solve puzzles together by snipping pieces of each other. Or battling each other with snips. It’s a puzzle game with a lot of different play modes, perfect for two at a time.
Tetris 99 is a must-have Tetris battle-royale online game, but Sega’s Tetris game works with four-player battles, and includes Puyo Puyo, which is another puzzle game worth your time. There’s a long story mode, too.
Now that real sports leagues are on hold, either of these franchises are excellent stops to play out the season virtually and challenge your family. Depends on whether you prefer soccer or basketball (I’m picking FIFA here, just based on personal preference).
If it’s hard to get exercise indoors, Just Dance is an active alternative to Ring Fit Adventure and works with the Switch’s included Joy-Con controllers. You could buy any version of Just Dance and be happy.
Super Mario Odyssey is a stellar Switch Mario game, but this remaster of a Wii U classic is the one for four-player action. It’s an old-school, platformer-style Mario game, with an extra Luigi mode that adds harder challenges.
Nintendo’s cardboard experiment is still worth a try if you can find it online and have an original TV-docking Switch (the OLED and Lite won’t work with all its parts). The all-cardboard folding construction kit, which takes hours to put together, is like a craft kit and game rolled into one. Once built, the wild inventions in each Labo kit have a ton of extra games and things to tinker with and try. It’s crafting and gaming combined. (While there’s also a very cool Labo VR set that’s worth trying, the original Labo 1 variety kit may be the best package to go for with several kids.)
Co-op dungeon-crawling, but with Minecraft. For kids who want a battle experience but aren’t ready for something as intense as, say, Diablo, Minecraft Dungeons is plenty of pixelated fun to play through. It’s a spin-off game, so don’t expect normal Minecraft. But it’s fun on its own terms.
Free with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, from $4 a month, the NES and Super NES games that live on the Switch are actually a great little repository of two-player gaming. Many of the games have two-player modes, which work well in a tabletop Switch mode with Joy-Cons detached, and there’s enough arcade, action and sports stuff to keep kids occupied for hours. Or do high-score battles. It’s not every NES and SNES game we wanted, but it’s a lot. Note: I’d mention the N64 and Sega Genesis games on the Switch as well, which are great, but those require an additional bump-up subscription price that probably isn’t worth it unless you’re a die-hard N64 fan.
This couch co-op is a lot of frantic fun for up to four players. The controls and gameplay are simple so that even younger kids can play and the level bosses are just challenging enough to keep things interesting but not impossible. It’s a good option if you’re looking for something to play in short bursts, but it does have 100 levels to get through and Taito will release additional content for download, including new stages and the character Baron von Blubba. The original 1986 version of the game is included, too.
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Do you need Nintendo Switch Online to play?
Nintendo’s subscription service, called Nintendo Switch Online, is needed for online play with multiplayer games, but not for locally-played games. If you’re playing with friends in the same room or locally between Switches, you don’t need Nintendo Switch Online. But, if you’re planning on playing with friends anywhere else, you do.
What controllers do you need?
You can play most Switch multiplayer games using a single Joy-Con, which are the two controllers that snap onto the sides of your Switch. Some games, however, require the extra buttons and analogue sticks of two Joy-Cons at once. Keeping a few sets of Joy-Con controllers around is usually all you need, but there are a number of good third-party controllers that work well, too.
What makes a good Switch multiplayer game?
All the games on this list can be played with people in the same room using a single Switch, which is something I feel is important for parents who don’t want to buy a second Switch. There are a number of co-op games on this list that can offer lots of fun team play, but a number of them are competitive and have near-unlimited replay value. I play with my kids a lot as I test games, and it becomes pretty clear which ones are the most interesting to them. I also appreciate that these games are pretty much all perfect for a wide range of ages.
After social distancing pushed a wave of big-budget movies straight to streaming, theatrical exclusives are the norm again. But for a while, it seemed like Disney and other big Hollywood movie studios might be falling into a new post-COVID rhythm for how long they kept flicks in theaters before streaming them, one that was much faster in getting films to a streaming service than before.
Now, though, streaming release dates are all over the map. And for the biggest films, like Marvel’s, the waits are stretching out longer. For Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, that could mean waiting until May.
When is Ant-Man: Quantumania’s streaming release date?
It’s anybody’s guess, but it probably won’t be quick.
Last year, Marvel released three films in theaters: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in May; Thor: Love and Thunder, in July; and Black Panter: Wakanda Forever, in mid-November. Doctor Strange took 47 days to reach Disney Plus. Thor hit Disney Plus 62 days after its theatrical release. But Wakanda Forever took 82 days to start streaming.
In other words, each movie took progressively longer to hit Disney Plus.
The Black Panther sequel marked the longest wait for a Marvel movie to start streaming since the company resumed theatrical exclusives in 2021. (That year, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was in theaters for 70 days and Eternals for 68 days.)
All this comes as big Hollywood companies like Disney aren’t prioritizing streaming-subscriber growth nearly as much as they did, depressing the incentive to bring big movies to a service quickly.
Paramount, for example, kept Top Gun: Maverick off its streaming service for 209 days, nearly seven months. The strategy paid dividends at the box office, with the Top Gun sequel grossing nearly $1.5 billion. While Disney has been much more aggressive than Paramount in putting its movies onto its streaming service quickly, Disney’s trend for Marvel movies has been to hold them back longer in theaters as well.
However, Wakanda Forever may have been held off Disney Plus so long because of a consideration that won’t apply to the next Marvel films coming out this year: With a Black director and predominantly Black cast, Wakanda Forever debuted on Disney Plus on the first day of Black History Month. Disney didn’t mention any connection in the timing, but it’s possible the film’s wait to start streaming was drawn out so its availability coincided with an opportunity to celebrate Black culture.
Still, with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania set to hit theaters next week, you could be waiting about three months to stream it if Disney sticks with Wakanda Forever’s pace. If Ant-Man matches the 82-day duration, it won’t start streaming until the second week of May.
After the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 8 and updated Apple Watch SE, along with the high-end Apple Watch Ultra last fall, you now have a wealth of new wearable options, with occasional Apple Watch deals to sweeten the pot.
The Series 8 starts at $399 in the US — the same as the previous Series 7 — while the new Watch SE starts at $249, which is $30 less than the 2020 model. The rugged Watch Ultra checks in at $799. The size and shape of the Series 8 and new Watch SE models remains largely the same as the models they replace, but they boast a couple of new health and safety features under the hood, with a temperature sensor and car-crash detection.
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Right now, you can save $30 on the latest Series 8 and $9 on Watch SE models. It’s getting harder to find the previous Series 7 models in stock — Amazon has some, but not at prices that would sway you from buying the latest Series 8 at its current discount, unless you’re looking for a used model.
Amazon has the best prices for the latest Apple Watch Series 8. You can save $30 on either the 41mm or 45mm models in select colors right now. If you’re interested in the latest and greatest, this is the best Apple Watch deal for you.
Apple’s affordable Watch SE is now more affordable. When not on sale, the new 40mm model starts at $249 and the 44mm model starts at $279 — each is $30 less than the equivalent 2020 model. With the new S8 processor, the updated Watch SE will run 20% faster than the previous SE, according to Apple. The new SE also gets the temperature sensor and car-crash detection features as the Series 8. You can save a meager $9 on either size of the Watch SE at Amazon right now, which is the only discount we see for it right now.
The Apple Watch Ultra is the biggest, priciest Apple Watch to date (aside from the precious-metal Edition models). It features a 49mm titanium case, a sapphire flat front crystal and a brighter display (2,000 nits). There’s a new dedicated second button, an improved speaker and a bigger battery. Apple promises the Ultra will run for 36 hours of full-power use, ramping up to 60-plus hours in reduced-function low power mode. Cellular is also the only model it comes in. The Ultra was $50 off last month at Amazon and Best Buy, but has returned to full price in the new year.
The Series 7 is getting harder and harder to find in stock. Amazon has more used than new models for sale, and the discounts on the models in new condition aren’t enough to make sense choosing the Series 7 or the latest Series 8. While the Series 7 lacks the temperature sensor of the new Series 8, it does have a number of useful health features, including blood-oxygen saturation measurements and the ability to take electrocardiogram measurements. It also features an always-on display.
