Category: Technologies

  • Take Up to $60 Off Amazon’s Kindle Scribe E-Reader

    Take Up to $60 Off Amazon’s Kindle Scribe E-Reader

    E-readers have been popular for years now. Avid readers can keep their shelves clutter-free while still having access to a massive library wherever the day takes them. Amazon’s latest Kindle device, the Kindle Scribe, transforms the e-reader into a full-on E Ink tablet that comes with a stylus that allows you to write, draw and take notes by hand right on the display. Right now at Amazon, you can get up to $60 off the Kindle Scribe, with the base model available for as low as $295.

    Kindle Scribe has a 300 ppi, front-lit, 10.2-inch high-resolution touchscreen E ink display with adjustable warm light and can provide weeks of battery life on a single charge. It’s the largest Kindle ever, but still weighs in at just under a pound. While that certainly makes it portable, you will probably want to invest in a cover that can double as a stand — which you’ll have to purchase separately.

    Depending on the model you buy, your Scribe will come with either a standard stylus or a premium pen. Each will adhere magnetically to the side of your Scribe and require neither power nor Bluetooth connectivity, so you’ll never have to charge it. The premium pen is even designed with an eraser that essentially works like a regular pencil and has a programmable button. You can use the stylus to mark up PDFs, and sending those documents to the device itself is easy. Note, however, that you cannot mark up Kindle ebooks or DRM-free ePub ebooks. Essentially you will write on “sticky notes” on anything other than a PDF.

    If you want the lowest price on this device, you’ll want to go for the Basic Pen, which is available for $295 (save $45) and comes with 16GB of storage. The Premium Pen option is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations, with the 64GB option discounted to $360 right now, saving you $60 off the $420 list price. Are there multiple readers in your family? If so, a further discount of $40 is available when you buy two, as well.

    Read more: Kindle Scribe vs. ReMarkable 2 vs. Kobo Elipsa: Top E Ink Tablets Compared


    Do you like minimalistic bookshelves but still want to read great books?

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  • 5 Free-to-Play Games We Love

    5 Free-to-Play Games We Love

    Gaming PCs and game consoles offer hundreds of hours of entertainment, thanks to the breadth of games available these days. They also “offer” hundreds of dollars in additional expenses in the form of new games and accessories. That’s why we recommend checking out free-to-play games, which give you a chance to test out your new gaming machine without all the added costs.

    We’ve curated a list of popular free-to-play games from different genres, along with a few alternatives. Keep in mind that there are other ways to get free games, too. The Epic Games store periodically offers the chance to download otherwise paid games for free. Xbox Gold and PlayStation Plus members also get access to a monthly selection of free games for as long as they stay subscribed.

    And though they’re not technically free games, there are game subscription services that grant you access to all kinds of games (including console exclusives) for a relatively low monthly price. These services are good deals if you play a lot of games.

    Here are our picks for the best free games to play on your new gaming system, whether you’re into shooters, fighters, party games, MMOs or simulation games.

    Shooter: Fortnite

    Available on: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

    Also check out: Apex Legends, Overwatch 2, Valorant (PC only)

    Most multiplayer shooters are free to play these days, and we have Fortnite to thank for much of that. Fortnite started as a paid disaster survival game before shaking up the entire video game landscape with its free-to-play battle royale mode. Now the game features various game types, including zero-build, team rumble, party royale and dozens more. And with the game recently moving to Unreal Engine 5.1, it looks better than ever on new consoles and gaming rigs.

    Fighting game: MultiVersus

    Available on: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

    Also check out: Brawlhalla

    A recent Game Awards winner for best fighting game, MultiVersus blends the frantic pace of Smash Bros. with more technical fighters for a truly unique fighting game experience. The core game mode is 2v2 battles where the first team to four knockouts wins. Pick from your favorite DC Comics and other Warner Bros. characters, like Bugs Bunny, Arya Stark, Wonder Woman and… Gizmo from Gremlins?

    Party game: Fall Guys

    Available on: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

    Also check out: Bombergrounds (PC, Mac, iOS only), Stumble Guys (PC, iOS, Android only)

    Fall Guys has dropped off a bit from its initial, pandemic-propped hype, but it’s still arguably the best free-to-play party game out there. Run, jump, stumble and fall your way to various objectives in minigames while competing against dozens of comically costumed competitors. If you enjoy Mario Party minigames, Fall Guys offers a similar experience on a larger scale.

    MMO: Final Fantasy XIV

    Available on: PC, PlayStation

    Also check out: Destiny 2 (not available on Switch), Lost Ark (PC only)

    Final Fantasy XIV’s free trial has turned into a bit of a meme, but it’s a genuinely great deal — effectively letting you play through the entire base game and first expansion for free. FFXIV has an unusually newbie-friendly player base, and recent updates allow you to play through dungeons with computer-controlled allies, meaning you don’t even have to experience the “multiplayer” part of “massively multiplayer online role-playing game.” Unlike other MMOs, Final Fantasy XIV also lets you play all classes on just one account, giving you even more freedom to play the way you want. Note that the other expansions are paid, and some functions like item trading are locked for free accounts, but there’s plenty to do in the free trial.

    Simulation: Sims 4

    Available on: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

    Also check out: Minecraft

    If you’re less interested in saving the world and just want to relax with a game that lets you build things and live your digital life, The Sims 4 is a great option. The game recently became free to play and features dozens of DLC packs to make the game more your aesthetic, whether that’s summery, spooky, school-focused or nearly any other theme you can think of.

  • Best VPN Deals: Get Top VPNs Starting at $2 a Month

    Best VPN Deals: Get Top VPNs Starting at $2 a Month

    Using a virtual private network, or VPN, is an excellent way to give your online privacy a boost. We’ve already rounded up some of the best VPNs on the market, and now we’ve short-listed some of the best VPN deals you can get right now.

    There are many good reasons to use a virtual private network. For example, did you know your internet service provider amasses as much data as possible on your digital activity? A 2021 Federal Trade Commission report noted that the leading ISPs have gathered user data on topics as personal as race, sexual orientation and real-time location. They’ve combined it, cross-referenced it and shared it with third-party partners. Yikes.

    Thankfully, a VPN can help protect you from such pervasive data-gathering practices. In addition to hiding your internet activity by providing a secure and private “tunnel” to your online destination, a VPN can also let you virtually move your location to a different city or country — a nice bonus if you’re looking to get around local censorship laws or try out different slates of streaming media offerings in different locales.

    An important thing to keep in mind is that free VPN services aren’t worth the risk. For the most part, they’re playing that same game of scooping up and selling your data. The good news is there are some great VPN deals available right now, with prices starting at what amounts to less than $2 a month if you prepay for a year or two of service. We’ve tested a bunch of the market leaders and pulled together our recommendations for the best VPN deals below. Just keep a few things in mind:

    • Some of these offers have countdown clocks saying that the VPN deals are ending “today.” These are usually marketing tactics that have no relationship to the deal’s actual end date.
    • We will update sale prices when we notice a change, so be sure to check back often.
    • The VPN industry has undergone significant change in the past year, with all three of our top VPN choices announcing major changes in corporate ownership. In December, ExpressVPN announced that it had officially joined Kape Technologies, a company that already owns several other VPNs and has raised privacy concerns in the past. In February, NordVPN and Surfshark announced the two companies were merging, though they’ll continue to operate autonomously. We’ve since given ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark fresh reviews in light of these changes, and we continue to actively evaluate other VPN services as well. Our rankings are likewise subject to change as they reflect our latest findings.
    • Most of these offers below are for subscriptions of two years or more, which is a long time to tie yourself to a service that could change ownership (see above) or terms of service, or even have a security incident. While most services have a 30-day free cancellation policy at the start, be sure to check the terms of service before signing up for a long-term commitment.

    VPN deals: Tested and recommended

    The VPNs in this first group are also among our current top five best VPN picks. As such, we can broadly recommend them — albeit with the noted caveats. That said, the fast-changing ownership landscape in the VPN space may continue to shake things up, but we will continue to update this as we uncover more.

    Surfshark

    Devices: Unlimited

    Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

    Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the VPN space, but it’s quickly become known for its speed, which is why it’s one of our VPN experts’ top picks. Surfshark also supports unlimited devices, which is great for large households. If you pick up 26 months of Surfshark VPN right now, you’ll pay only $2.30 a month, billed at $59.76 upfront. Keep in mind that this deal is for two years of service with an extra two months of “free” access, which just drops the overall cost per month lower. Note that Surfshark recently merged with rival NordVPN, though the companies have thus far continued to operate independently. Read our Surfshark review.

    NordVPN

    Devices: Up to six

    Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

    An industry heavyweight and still one of CNET’s top picks, NordVPN is discounting its two-year subscription plan by 63% and throwing in three months extra for free. You’ll pay the equivalent of $3 per month (billed at $80.73 upfront) for 27 months of service.The three months of “free” access drops the overall cost per month lower, but spreads the savings out over the longer term of 27 months. The one-year plan is also discounted, though not as steeply, at $4.49 per month. (Note, again, that NordVPN and Surfshark recently merged but have continued to operate autonomously so far.)

    Read our NordVPN review.

    IPVanish

    Devices: Unlimited

    Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

    With one of the best user interfaces in the field, according to our reviewer, IPVanish is good for those who want to be able to customize settings and those who are new to a VPN.If this is your first time at the rodeo and want to know more about the technology, IPVanish is a reliable service with a gentle learning curve. Normally IPVanish goes for $90 a year, but this deal gets you a year of IPVanish for only $48 ($4 per month). This is one of the lowest-priced deals without a multiyear commitment. Note that IPVanish is owned by US-based Ziff Davis, which may be a concern if you’re a security-focused user. Read our IPVanish review.

    ProtonVPN

    Devices: Up to 10

    Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

    Go off the grid with ProtonVPN for $5 a month, good for two years.Keep in mind that this deal is billed as two years for $120. ProtonVPN Plus (the paid plan) has no data caps or server switching limits. Its ease of use, Tor support and ad-blocking feature make ProtonVPN a favorite with many users. You may also opt for the single-year plan at $6 per month (billed at $72). To access the biggest savings, choose the two-year plan option. Read our ProtonVPN review.

    ExpressVPN

    ExpressVPN still tops our list of the best VPNs and you can make a bit of a saving on a subscription by going for its 12-month plan where you’ll snag an additional three months of service for free, dropping the equivalent monthly cost to just $6.67 (billed as $100 upfront). Again, those three months of “free” access just drops the overall cost per month lower, but spreads the savings out over the longer term of 15 months. We evaluate VPNs based on their overall performance in three main categories: speed, security and price. Express isn’t the cheapest, but it’s among the fastest and, so far, is the most secure — even after its acquisition by Kape Technologies. Read our ExpressVPN review.

    Additional VPN deals

    We either haven’t fully tested the following VPNs, or have only tested them anecdotally. Thus we can only recommend them for casual use, such as bypassing geographic restrictions while streaming media.

    PureVPN

    Devices: Up to 10

    Refund policy: Fully refundable for 31 days

    PureVPN presents another affordable option if you’re in the market for a simple VPN without a big price tag. With a solid server fleet of over 6,500 in 78 countries, PureVPN promises reliable service, although we haven’t had the chance to verify.Another thing to disclaim here: PureVPN was reported on by our sister site ZDNet as having provided timestamp-only logs to the FBI in a cyberstalking case back in 2018. PureVPN has since stopped the timestamp logging practice and undergone a third-party audit to ensure that it keeps to its no-log policy. There’s currently a deal priced at $2 a month for a year ($23.88 upfront).

    Atlas VPN

    Devices: Unlimited

    Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

    Atlas VPN is a budget VPN aimed at casual users whose main requirements are video streaming and P2P file sharing. It has all the features you would expect from a VPN, such as strong encryption, a no-log policy and a network kill switch. Atlas VPN’s server fleet is currently stated to be around 700 across 28 countries, which is smaller than those of the major VPN providers. The service was acquired by rival NordVPN last year, so that may involve terms of service changes going forward. However, since we already like Nord, we’re hoping this is a step forward, not a step back. (Atlas offers a free version, though we always suggest you steer clear of those.) Use code XMAS2022 at checkout to get 30 months of Atlas VPN for about $1.64 a month ($49 upfront).Keep in mind that this deal is billed as two years of service, but the six “free” months drop the cost per month lower, spreading the savings out over the longer term of 30 months.

    More VPN recommendations

  • OnePlus 11 May Not Get a Pro Model

    OnePlus 11 May Not Get a Pro Model

    The OnePlus 11 had its debut this week in China ahead of a global release set for Feb. 7, but it seems the phone might be alone — an official on social media said there’s no OnePlus 11 Pro.

    OnePlus China President Li Jie celebrated the phone’s record-breaking sales in a post on Chinese social media site Weibo. But in a response to a commenter asking whether a Pro version would be released, Jie essentially said there isn’t a OnePlus 11 Pro.

    Things can get lost in translation, as GSMArena, which originally reported the story, pointed out — so it’s tough to say definitively whether a OnePlus 11 Pro could come out at a later date or have a more restricted launch. OnePlus didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    It wouldn’t be the first time OnePlus decided not to release a more premium Pro sibling for one of its main phones. The OnePlus 8T didn’t launch with a Pro version, and last year’s lineup was similarly split, with the OnePlus 10 Pro launching without a standard OnePlus 10 version.

    But to eschew a premium version of a flagship in early 2023 seems like a bold strategy when top-tier phones are only getting more refined. We’ll have to see if a OnePlus 11T Pro launches later in the year to fill the gap.

  • Razer Ups Its Gaming Gear for 2023 with 18-inch Blade, Accessories

    Razer Ups Its Gaming Gear for 2023 with 18-inch Blade, Accessories

    Razer’s new 16- and 18-inch Blade laptops join the pack of front-line CES gaming laptops. Like a lot of other models announced at CES, Razer has essentially replaced its 17-inch Blade with an 18-inch and brought back the “desktop replacement” terminology after a hiatus. Both boast the latest technologies announced at the show, including top-of-the-line 13th-gen Intel Core i9 HX chips and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series mobile graphics.

    The Blade 16 does offer a novel 1,000-nit screen, which Razer refers to as “dual-mode”: In Creator mode, it operates at 4K-plus resolution (the 16:10 aspect ratio means it’s just off 16:9 4K) at a refresh rate of 120Hz, while in Gamer mode it drops the resolution to 1080p-ish to run at 240Hz. It’s an interesting concept, but the execution will make or break its usefulness.

    Razer has also invented a new spec it calls “Graphics Power Density,” for the amount of graphics power per cubic inch (which, unsurprisingly, it has the most of!) in order to convey thin-but-powerful-ness. I suspect it’s because the Blades tend to be heavy, but it’s kind of nebulous and I really, really hope it doesn’t catch on.

    The Blade 18 also has the new components, but instead a 1440p-plus 240Hz display. It gets one of the increasingly common 5MP webcams and incorporates a six-speaker array that uses Razer’s own THX spatial audio.

    Both are slated to ship this quarter. The Blade 16 starts at $2,700, while the Blade 18 starts at $2,900.

    Razer’s Leviathan V2 soundbar line has gotten an upscale sibling, the Leviathan V2 Pro. In addition to adding a gazillion lighting zones (OK, 30), the Pro beefs up its audio chops with head tracking (via IR cameras) and beamforming to more precisely target the sound toward your ears.

    The Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar shown on a desktop with multicolor illumination and some gaming accessoriesThe Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar shown on a desktop with multicolor illumination and some gaming accessories

    Razer Leviathan V2 Pro

    Razer

    It also replaces the pairs of full-range drivers, tweeters and passive radiators with five full-range drivers which boosts the lower frequency response range down to 40Hz from 45Hz, while upping the power output to 98dB from 96dB. The Leviathan V2 Pro also puts back the headphone jack Razer had removed when it leveled the Leviathan up a generation. All of that makes it a bit longer, though.

    You can preorder the soundbar now for $400; it’s scheduled to ship at the end of January.

    Razer already had a Kiyo Pro webcam, so its newest model, which jumps to the top of the line, went Ultra. The 4K Kiyo Pro Ultra has been upgraded with a 1/1.2-inch sensor, much larger than typical webcams, which can help a lot with exposure (especially in low light) and color. It doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better result, but larger sensors usually do improve image quality over smaller ones.

    It’s got an “ultra-large f1.7 aperture lens,” which doesn’t mean a lot; a larger sensor requires a larger lens, and f1.7 is neither here nor there. The webcam does, however, seem to have to have focusing behavior and depth of field, which is sadly lacking in webcams. Razer challenges Elgato’s Facecam Pro by claiming rawer raw processing, with in-camera conversion of the 40-30fps stream into lower resolutions and frame rates on the fly and directly stream out.

    The Kiyo Pro Ultra has a built-in shutter in addition to a protective (but easily lost) standalone cover. That was also on my wish list.

    It’s available now, albeit at a pricey $400.

    The company also unveiled the first of a line of add-ons for the Meta Quest 2, padding developed with partner ResMed, and announced the availability of the Edge and Edge 5G tablet-plus-controller handhelds for cloud gaming.

  • Razer’s Haptic Audio Headrest Wants to Rock Your World

    Razer’s Haptic Audio Headrest Wants to Rock Your World

    If you’re going to have a headrest on your gaming chair, you might as well make it work for you. Razer’s Project Carol design concept unveiled at CES tosses near-field 7.1-channel surround sound and Razer’s HyperSense haptics into the place you lay your head. It seems odd to have a headrest with system requirements, but this one’s PC only.

    Near-field sound means that the audio is focused close to your ears, though mapped for surround, rather than room-filling like speakers would be. They’re essentially speakers that sit on either side of your head. The sides can be pulled forward towards your ears or pushed back.

    An angled view of a rendering of Project Carol with the speakers pulled to wrap around the user's head, against a blue backgroundAn angled view of a rendering of Project Carol with the speakers pulled to wrap around the user's head, against a blue background
    Razer

    Razer’s designed Carol to work with more gaming chairs than just Razer’s; it has adjustable, elastic straps to mount it. The audio connects to your PC via 2.4GHz (low latency) wireless. It also requires charging — at 8 hours of battery life, it will require frequent charging compared to a good headset.

    Project Carol isn’t as glitzy or ambitious as some of Razer’s past concepts, like its Project Hazel from 2021 that eventually turned into the disappointing Zephyr mask. Like all concept products, there’s no guarantee that it will ever evolve into a shipping product, and there’s an even smaller chance that it will be able to do everything it touts.

    And I think two of the real products the company announced — face padding for the Meta Quest 2 designed in conjunction with medical device manufacturer ResMed and the availability of the Razer Edge and Edge 5G cloud gaming tablet-plus-controller — seem more interesting than this year’s concept. I guess we’ll see where it goes.

  • Need More iPhone Storage? You Can Get It Without Deleting Anything

    Need More iPhone Storage? You Can Get It Without Deleting Anything

    This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.

    You’ve had a good run with your iPhone, but after a few years you have very little storage left. And unfortunately, you only have a few options for fixing this issue.

    You can delete large files, like movies, TV shows and music albums, but maybe you’re not ready to give those up. There are also various cloud alternatives to beef up your existing storage, but that requires shifting files around, and you may have to pay for it. You could also just buy a new phone with more storage — but that’s an expensive option.

    CNET Tech Tips logo

    That’s why, if these options aren’t appealing to you, you can and should take advantage of certain iOS features to free up storage on your iPhone without having to delete anything or spend any money.

    There are two built-in iOS settings that can help you clean up a significant amount of storage on your iPhone — one permanent and the other temporary — so that you can install the latest software updates, take more photos and videos and download more apps. Here’s what you need to know.

    If you want more tips on getting more iPhone storage, check out how to free up space on your iPhone with these easy tricks and the best cloud storage options in 2022.

    Optimize your iPhone photos and videos

    It’s not always easy to just delete what’s in your camera roll, so if you want to keep your precious memories, or even just your meme screenshots, but still want to free up device storage, the easiest way to do that is by optimizing the photos and videos already stored on your device.

    By default, every time you take a photo or video, it is saved in full resolution on your device. If you’re capturing photos and videos in the highest resolution possible, they can take up quite a bit of space. A minute of video shot in 4K at 60fps takes up approximately 400MB — nearly half a GB. That’s pretty significant.

    To optimize your photos and videos, go to Settings > Photos and toggle on Optimize iPhone Storage (for this to work, you’ll need to have the iCloud Photos setting above it enabled). Depending on how many photos and videos you have on your iPhone, this can take up quite a bit of time, but once it’s finished, you should see significantly more space on your device storage.

    Optimize iPhone Storage settingOptimize iPhone Storage setting

    For this to work, you need to have the iCloud Photos setting turned on.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    All of your full-resolution photos and videos are then transferred over to your iCloud, while smaller, lower-resolution versions are kept on your device, to take up less space. If you want to access your higher-resolution photos and videos, you can go into the Photos app and download any file that’s being optimized, but this requires a decent internet connection. Your more recently taken photos and videos may exist in full-resolution, so you won’t need to download every photo or video.

    If you don’t have enough iCloud storage, it’s easier to upgrade your cloud than get a new phone. In the US, you can upgrade to 50GB for only a dollar a month, or you can go bigger: 200GB for $3 a month or 2TB for $10 a month. Prices range depending on your country or region.

    To upgrade your iCloud on your iPhone, go to Settings > (your name) > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Buy More Storage. Choose a plan and then follow the instructions. If you upgrade to any paid iCloud subscription, you’ll get access to iCloud+, which also offers the iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email features.

    iCloud storage plans in iPhone settingsiCloud storage plans in iPhone settings

    You can spend as little as $1 per month for more iCloud storage.

    Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    Offload your biggest apps

    You don’t use every application stored on your iPhone. Many of them just sit there, like apps for your favorite airlines, third-party cameras and music production. And even if you use them only every once in a while, you probably don’t need consistent, daily access to most apps, which is why you should consider offloading apps in case you desperately need storage.

    Say for example you want to download and install the latest iOS update. If it’s a major update, like iOS 16, you may need a little over 5GB to successfully install the software. If it’s a point update, like iOS 16.1, you’re looking at around 1GB. And if you don’t have enough storage space to update, you can quickly offload apps, which is a middle ground between keeping and deleting your apps.

    Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and check which apps are taking up the most storage. Certain built-in apps like Photos and Messages cannot be offloaded, so be warned. If you find a sizable app you want to offload, tap on it and hit Offload App. Wait a little bit and the app should then be removed offline, while your documents and data will stay saved on your device.

    App storage on your iPhoneApp storage on your iPhone

    You need to tap Offload App twice to “delete” the app.

    Nelson Aguilar/CNET

    If you need temporary storage, for a software download, just go through the list and offload every app you can. The amount that’s offloaded for each app will vary, but you should see the number next to App Size. Discard the number next to Documents & Data, because that will stay on your device. The only way to get rid of that is to actually delete the app.

    Offload as many apps as you need until you have enough storage. Obviously you can’t use an app that’s offloaded, but if you want to get an offloaded app back, go to your App Library and tap on the iCloud button to redownload it. If the offloaded app is on your home screen, simply tap on it to download it. You won’t have to re-sign in or anything — you’ll have access to the app as if it was never deleted.

  • Best Verizon Deals: Up to $800 Off iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel phones

    Best Verizon Deals: Up to $800 Off iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel phones

    If you’re on Verizon and are looking for the absolute best Verizon deals to take advantage of, we’ve got you covered. Though there are plenty of great deals on phones and phone plans out there, this guide focuses on Verizon deals that are available for current customers. That means we aren’t highlighting offers that require you to add a new line, since most people want to upgrade phones they have on the plans they already have, not add a bunch of extra lines to “save” money.

    It’s also worth noting that carriers constantly update their deals. In general, the best offers usually happen around the holidays or new phone launches — that’s February or March for Samsung Galaxy S phones, September for Apple iPhones, fall for Google Pixel phones. Verizon’s deals right now aren’t bad either, though. Verizon has some pretty compelling offers available, though it’s worth noting that the best Verizon deals often require you to be on one of the carrier’s newer, pricier unlimited plans, called Do More, Play More or Get More.


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    While some manufacturers, particularly Apple and Samsung, offer deals on their own websites and stores, most people look to carriers to buy new devices. We’ll keep this page updated regularly with some of the best deals we’re seeing on Verizon’s website.

    Best Verizon deals on phones

    Many of Verizon’s phone deals are available to both new and existing customers, though trade-ins are often required to get the advertised prices. It’s worth noting that these deals are split across 36 months of bill credits, meaning you’ll need to remain a Verizon customer for at least three years in order for the phone to get paid off. If you cancel before that period is over you’ll be responsible for any remaining charges associated with it.

    Our researched and curated deals picks are below, but if you’d like a more customized deeper dive, check out Navi, an independent marketplace (and CNET partner) that aggregates information on service plans and phone deals.

    Stephen Shankland/CNET

    Verizon is offering existing customers a solid discount on the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max right now, with the trade-in of an iPhone XS or XR (or later) getting you up to $800 off a new iPhone. Older iPhones, such as the iPhone 7 through the iPhone X, can get you up to $400 off.

    Android devices like the Galaxy S10 (or later), OnePlus 7 (or later) and Pixel 4 (or later) can also get you $800 off. Some older devices including the Galaxy S9 and Pixel 3 could get you $400 off.

    As it has in the past, Verizon will even take broken phones for trade-ins, so long as the battery isn’t “swelling, leaking or too hot to touch.” The trade-in credit is split up between 36 bill credits. Canceling or transferring your service prior to that will result in you being responsible for the remaining charges. To get the deal, your line will need to be on a Play More, Do More or Get More unlimited plan.

    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

    Looking to upgrade to one of the latest Samsung flagship devices? Verizon has some even more tempting trade-in deals for existing customers, with as much as $800 off.

    You can get that full trade-in value with iPhone 11 (or later), Galaxy S10 and Google Pixel 4. Older phones like the iPhone 7, Galaxy S8 and Pixel 2 will get you up to $400. Verizon will take broken phones for trade-ins, so long as the battery isn’t “swelling, leaking or too hot to touch.” The trade-in credit is split up between 36 bill credits, so canceling or transferring your service prior to that will result in you being responsible for the remaining charges.

    To get the deal, your line will need to be on a Play More, Do More or Get More unlimited plan.

    Andrew Lanxon/CNET

    Verizon’s deals on Google’s smartphones match iPhone and Samsung offerings, with up to $800 off with trade-in for existing customers.

    Trade-in of an iPhone XS or XR (or later) nets you up to $800 off one of these Pixel devices, covering most of the price of the 128GB Pixel 7. Earlier iPhones (7, 8, X) can get you $400 off.

    Android devices like the Galaxy S10 (or later), OnePlus 7 (or later) and Pixel 4 (or later) can also get you $800 off. Earlier devices like the Galaxy S7/S8/S9, OnePlus 6 or the Pixel 2 or 3 can get $400 off.

    As above, Verizon will take broken phones for trade-ins, so long as the battery isn’t “swelling, leaking or too hot to touch.” Again, the trade-in credit is split up between 36 bill credits, so canceling or transferring your service prior to that will result in you being responsible for the remaining charges.

    To get the deal, your line will need to be on a Play More, Do More or Get More unlimited plan.

    Best Verizon deals on plans

    If you’re looking to switch to Verizon, there are a few deals on various plans that may make you lean toward one or the other. Promotions on plans are less common these days, though oftentimes you can get some free extras (like streaming service subscriptions and music subscriptions) with enrollment in some of the higher-end 5G plans from each carrier, including Verizon.

    A few things to note on Verizon’s plans. First, Verizon often limits these perks to one per account, so only one person on a family plan needs to be on Get More or Play More to be able to get the Disney Bundle (Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu). Other people on the plan can be on cheaper plans like 5G Start, though it is similarly worth mentioning that Verizon limits access to its fastest 5G networks (what it calls 5G Ultra Wideband) to its pricier unlimited plans.

    Your company may also offer a corporate discount on plans, but you will need to check with them to see if that applies to personal accounts. Those who have Fios can check if a corporate discount is available at Verizon’s Connections site.

    Are you a teacher, or is someone on your family plan a teacher? You could save on your wireless bill. Verizon offers a teacher discount on its plans that offers up to $25 off depending on how many lines you have.

    Verizon uses ID.me to verify eligibility, with the discount if approved appearing on your bill in “one to two billing cycles.” You only need to have one person on your plan be a teacher to get the discount to apply for all lines.

    Verizon has a deal for nurses that’s identical to the teachers deal mentioned above, with up to the same $25 discount each month on wireless plans.

    As with the teacher’s deal you need to verify your employment through ID.me, with the discount appearing in “one to two billing cycles.” You only need to have one nurse on your account to have all lines get the savings, though you can’t combine the nurses discount with the teachers offer.

    Verizon offers the same discount on plans to active-duty military, veterans and first responders. Like with the nurses and teachers deals, you only need one person on your plan to meet these qualifications to be eligible for the up to $25 off, which will vary depending on how many lines you have.

    Verizon is using ID.me to verify eligibility, with the military offer available to both active-duty service members as well as veterans. The first responder deal is open to “firefighters, police, EMS workers, retirees, volunteers and immediate family of those fallen in the line of duty.”

    Verizon’s student discount is actually pretty good. You need to be an “actively enrolled student (including online enrollment) in a US secondary educational institution of higher learning, including undergraduate, graduate and/or vocational school or institution.”

    If you do fit that description, you can get four years of discounts on wireless service with one line getting monthly discount of $10 and two lines getting $25 off each month. The discount is available on a host of its current plans, including 5G Start, Do More, Play More and Get More.

    Verizon is verifying enrollment through UNIDAYS but it is worth noting that the carrier is capping the discount to a max of two lines per account. Verizon is also requiring annual verification that you’re still enrolled in school.

    Verizon has a discount for those age 55 or above, though you will need to be in Florida to get it. If you do fit, you can get unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data for $60 a month for one line or $80 a month for two lines.

    Like the student deal, this is capped at a max of two lines per account.

    Verizon has long offered a discount if you had certain wireless plans and its Fios or 5G Home Internet products. Whereas the discount lately was better for 5G Home users, the company has now made the deal the same across its broadband offerings. If you have a recent, pricier unlimited plan (Do More, Play More or Get More) you can get “up to 50% off” your home broadband.

    New Fios users can get the company’s 300 Mbps internet for $25 per month if you sign up for automatic payments. Those who already have Fios’ Gigabit connection can get $10 off per line, per month for up to four lines if you switch to one of those pricier unlimited plans.

    FAQ

    Are Verizon deals available to existing or only new customers?

    Like the rest of the wireless industry, Verizon has offers available for both new and existing customers. While there are some additional perks and discounts for switchers, many of the deals are under the same terms.

    How do Verizon’s discounts work?

    It’s easy to see hundreds of dollars off the price of something and get excited, but make sure you know what you’re signing up for. Verizon applies these discounts as bill credits that are usually spread out across a 36-month period. Sometimes, part of the discount amount is given in the form of a prepaid gift card (for a trade-in) and the rest is done as bill credits, but that’s specified when it’s happening.

    What happens if you leave Verizon before the 36 months are up?

    If you don’t stick with Verizon through the full 36 months of bill credits, you’ll be responsible for all the remaining charges. Before canceling or transferring your service to another carrier, be sure to communicate with the carrier to understand the actual cost of what you’ll owe to make sure you can cover that before making the move.


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  • Stop Disappearing in Zoom Meetings With Lenovo’s Cordless Webcam Light

    Stop Disappearing in Zoom Meetings With Lenovo’s Cordless Webcam Light

    In the mountain of cutting-edge laptop designs at CES 2023, it’s easy to overlook accessories, but you shouldn’t. The Lenovo Magic Bay Light is one of the three laptop accessories Lenovo unveiled at CES this year, along with its own new laptops, including the ThinkBook 16p Gen 4 Laptop and the new Dual-Screen Yoga Book 9i. If you’re tired of constantly adjusting your lamps just to show up on video calls, you’ll like the Magic Bay Light’s sleek and discreet design.

    Lenovo's Magic Bay Light attachment on laptopLenovo's Magic Bay Light attachment on laptop
    Lenovo

    At first, the Magic Bay Light looks like a block light that attaches to the top of your screen. That alone can be appealing, given how frustrating bad lighting while video conferencing can be. But that’s not the whole story. What sets this accessory apart is that it has no cords or battery packs. That’s right; you don’t have to add to the tangle of wires hanging behind your desk to get professional-looking lighting. It delivers 200 lux of adjustable brightness without draining your laptop battery.

    It’s an accessory you add to your setup and forget about. You don’t have to plug it in or turn it on; it does all the hard work on its own. When you turn on the laptop’s webcam, the light automatically powers up, cutting out the harsh shadows that obscure your face during meetings.

    The Magic Bay Light, along with the other two accessories unveiled at CES, is compatible with the ThinkBook 16p Gen 4 Laptop, which has a modular accessory design. A row of magnetic pin connectors at the back of the screen behind the webcam allows users to add and swap out accessories without cords.

    Close up of the magnetic pins of the Magic Bay Light attachmentClose up of the magnetic pins of the Magic Bay Light attachment
    Lenovo

    There’s one catch: the Magic Bay Light is only compatible with the ThinkBook 16p Gen 4. One of the other accessories released today, the Magic Bay LTE, includes a USB Type-C port and cable, which lets you use the accessory with other laptops. However, the Lenovo Magic Bay Light does not. So, you have to buy their latest model to reap the benefits of this product.

    Lenovo’s Magic Bay accessories will be available exclusively in a bundle with the ThinkBook 16p Gen 4. The laptop retails for $1,349 and will be available in May. Pricing for the bundles was not provided.

  • Razer Edge Game Handheld Arrives Jan. 26, Preorders Opening Now

    Razer Edge Game Handheld Arrives Jan. 26, Preorders Opening Now

    Nearly a decade ago, Razer’s convertible gaming tablet, the Razer Edge, was the favorite thing I saw at CES. I’m back at CES in Las Vegas, and once again, I’ve been trying out the new Razer Edge, reborn again. This time, it’s a compact 6.8-inch tablet handheld console arriving Jan. 26, for $400 (there’s also a Verizon-exclusive 5G-equipped model).

    The new Edge, long teased by Razer in various forms since Qualcomm and Razer first showed off a handheld concept a year ago using a new gaming-centric G3X Gen 1 mobile processor, isn’t a wild new idea like the first Edge was to me. It’s the latest in a trend of game handhelds adopting ideas in the spirit of the Nintendo Switch, bringing handheld gaming back in new forms. The Edge isn’t a Steam Deck-alike: This is an Android tablet, more like a large 6.8-inch phone that’s not a phone. It has a similar feel to smaller tablets, like the Nvidia Shield Tablet, but far slimmer.

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    5:15

    At first, it’s…well, underwhelming. I’ve seen Razer’s Kishi snap-on game controllers for phones, and the Edge has the same concept. It uses an improved version of the Kishi design with support for vibrating haptics, which I didn’t get to experience. The tablet part, well, it’s a tablet, like many Android things. The combination of parts could add up to more, though. The vivid, lovely large 6.8-inch AMOLED display does look great, and the new G3X chipset on this tablet could be better at handling streaming games. Razer’s boasting that it’ll be the ultimate way to try Xbox cloud gaming or playing games via Steam Link, although I also didn’t try that yet either.

    razer-handheld-gaming-2193razer-handheld-gaming-2193

    A closer look at the buttons and the top shoulder buttons/triggers.

    James Martin/CNET

    But the specs are nice: It has a 2,400×1,080-pixel resolution display that runs at up to 144Hz, and the G3X processor promises active cooling to prolong game sessions. The 128GB of storage can be bumped to 2TB with a MicroSD card slot. The Kishi V2 Pro controller it comes with, which is removable, adds vibrating haptics the other models didn’t have before. Using Google Play plus existing streaming game services and Razer’s already-working Nexus app for captures and gameplay streaming. Its advantage, to me, is that it’s not starting over: it’s leaning on what already works, aiming to do it better.

    razer-handheld-gaming-2161razer-handheld-gaming-2161

    The Edge detaches from its controller, and could just be used as a small Android tablet.

    James Martin/CNET

    The few games I did play were locally stored games such as Dead Cells, an older 2D platformer. The Edge is wide and a bit long, but compared to a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck, it wouldn’t seem out of place.

    With something like the Edge, it all depends on how good it is at what it does. I can’t quite tell that yet. $400 isn’t a bad price, and is at least totally competitive with the cost of a Switch or Steam Deck. But would you want this over one of those? Or, would you just be happier using your phone and a similar controller? The Edge’s advantages seem intriguing, and I’m curious to play it more. Luckily, Jan. 26 is just a few weeks away, but with 2023 already looking to be a busy year for tech hardware releases, you also might want to wait to see what else is coming next.

    Razer Edge game handheld, held in someone's hands in a roomRazer Edge game handheld, held in someone's hands in a room

    The Razer Edge feels compact enough, and its display looks great.

    Scott Stein/CNET