Category: Technologies

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act on Wednesday, codifying restrictions on the use of demanding quotas for workers fulfilling orders for Amazon, UPS and other logistics companies.

Under the law, companies like Amazon with warehouse operations will be required to disclose quota requirements to workers. The law also aims to prevent warehousing companies from firing or disciplining workers for failing to hit quotas that haven’t been disclosed or don’t allow for legally required breaks.

Hochul said she was proud to sign the bill into law “as we celebrate the holidays with gifts and packages.”

The law comes as holiday shopping reaches its peak in the US. Amazon’s pace of work has been the subject of criticism from advocates and workplace safety regulators, who say the company’s quotas lead to higher injury rates than at other warehousing companies. Regulators in the state of Washington have fined the company for injuries they directly attributed to punishing quotas, with Amazon appealing the decision. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating working conditions at Amazon warehouses around the country, as well as a string of deaths at Amazon warehouses this summer.

In a statement, Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said Amazon agrees with the goals of the new law but believes it’s based on a misunderstanding of the company’s policies.

“Amazon does not have fixed quotas at our facilities,” Nantel said. “Instead, we assess performance based on safe and achievable expectations and take into account time and tenure, peer performance, and adherence to safe work practices. While we know we aren’t perfect, we are committed to continuous improvement when it comes to communicating with and listening to our employees and providing them with the resources they need to be successful.”

UPS didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said in a statement that the union supported the bill because a lack of regulation of warehouse companies left workers vulnerable to injuries.

“Unsafe work speeds, unreasonable work quotas, dangerous work, and insufficient breaks all contribute to the skyrocketing rate of injuries and sickness in the warehousing industry,” Appelbaum said.

This year isn’t quite over, but rumors about new phones are already buzzing. While it’s hard to know what’s exactly in store for the smartphone industry in 2023, it’s possible to make some educated guesses since companies like Apple, Google and Samsung mostly stick to the same launch routine each year.

The iPhone 15 lineup, for example, is expected to arrive in September — possibly with USB-C charging for the first time. If Samsung maintains its typical release cycle, the Galaxy S23 will be one of the first new phones we see in 2023.

Such launches would come after the smartphone space took subtle but important steps forward in 2022. The iPhone, for example, gained satellite connectivity for emergencies and car crash detection, while Google found more ways to make use of its custom Tensor chip in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Samsung, meanwhile, gave its flagship Galaxy S lineup a fresh look and an upgraded camera.

Here are the new phones we’re likely to see in 2023 based on previous launch cycles, rumors and reports.

Apple iPhone 15 lineup

What we’re expecting: Apple’s new iPhone family usually launches in September, and we have no reason to believe 2023 will be any different. The adoption of USB-C charging is one of the biggest changes we’re expecting to see on Apple’s next-generation iPhones. The European Union recently mandated that all new phones sold in the region must support USB-C charging by 2024. Apple said it would comply with these rules, but did not specify whether that means we’ll see a shift to USB-C starting in 2023. It’s also not confirmed if a USB-C iPhone would get a global release, or if it would remain solely as a European model.

Otherwise, we’re likely to see routine changes such as some camera upgrades and a new processor. TF International Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for making predictions about upcoming Apple products, also says Apple may do more to distinguish the iPhone 15 Pro from the regular iPhone 15.

It already made a step in that direction with the iPhone 14 generation by keeping features like the Dynamic Island and new A16 Bionic processor exclusive to the Pro line. What’s more interesting, however, is the idea that Apple could further differentiate the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max from the smaller iPhone 15 Pro, according to Kuo. The main difference between the regular Pro and Pro Max comes down to screen size. Giving the Pro Max some extra perks could further convince shoppers to splurge on Apple’s biggest (and most expensive) iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also believes Apple could change the name of the iPhone Pro Max to the iPhone Ultra in the future to better align with other products like the Apple Watch Ultra.

Why I’m excited about it: The iPhone’s long-anticipated transition to USB-C is arguably the biggest reason to get excited about Apple’s next smartphone. The switch means iPhone users will finally be able to charge their iPhone, iPad and Mac with the same type of charging cable, reducing friction and making the iPhone that much more convenient. I’m also looking forward to seeing whether Apple further distinguishes the iPhone 15 Pro Max from the iPhone 15 Pro. I’ve argued that Apple needs to give its supersized iPhones more functionality that takes advantage of their larger screens, similar to the iPad.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Lineup

What we’re expecting: Based on the rumors, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 could bring some noteworthy upgrades to the camera and design — two areas that have traditionally been a big focus for the South Korean tech giant.

The rumored Galaxy S23 Ultra could include a 200-megapixel main camera, according to a prolific leaker who goes by the name Ice Universe on Twitter. That sounds like a huge jump from the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 108-megapixel main sensor on paper. But it’s important to remember that factors like sensor size and speed also play a very important role in image quality. The new 200-megapixel sensor is only said to be slightly larger than the iPhone 14 Pro’s and is reportedly a bit smaller than other Android flagships, according to Ice Universe.

Samsung may also give the regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus a tweaked design that more closely matches that of the Ultra model. Images from reliable leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer suggest Samsung will eliminate the camera bump from the S23 and S23 Plus, replacing it with the protruding lenses found on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The images were published on the tech blogs Digit and Smartprix in partnership with Hemmerstoffer.

Although we don’t know precisely what to expect in terms of performance, Samsung usually puts Qualcomm’s latest mobile chip in the new version of its phones that launch in the United States and certain other markets. That means we will likely see the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Samsung’s next Galaxy phone. The new chip offers better power efficiency, ray tracing for improved aesthetics in mobile games and upgraded AI that can better separate you from your Zoom background, among other enhancements. The analyst Kuo even believes Samsung could ditch its own Exynos processors and rely solely on Qualcomm for the Galaxy S23.

Why I’m excited about it: Smartphone cameras have already gotten so sophisticated that I’m curious to see whether Samsung’s 200-megapixel sensor actually makes a meaningful difference. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how Samsung pushes the camera experience forward in the S23 lineup given the increased competition from Google’s Pixel series in recent years. I’m also in favor of the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus’ rumored design change to more closely resemble the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Based on the renders, it looks cleaner and sleeker compared to the Galaxy S22’s camera bump.

Google Pixel 7A

What we’re expecting: If Google maintains its tradition, we could see a cheaper version of the Pixel 7 known as the Pixel 7A launch in the spring or summer time frame. Rumors about the Pixel 7A are scarce right now. But developer Kuba Wojciechowski claims to have found details possibly pertaining to the Pixel 7A in the Android codebase, suggesting that some fairly significant upgrades are in store.

Wojciechowski’s findings indicate the Pixel 7A could have a screen with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz and wireless charging — two characteristics that are noticeably absent from the Pixel 6A. Leaked renders from Hemmerstoffer that were once again published on Smartprix also suggest the Pixel 7A will have a very similar design as its predecessor.

The Pixel 7A could also include the same Tensor G2 processor that powers the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro as well as a camera setup that includes wide and ultrawide sensors. That’s if the Pixel 7A follows in the same footsteps as the Pixel 6A, of course.

Why I’m excited about it: Google’s A-series Pixel phones are seriously impressive from a value standpoint. That’s why the Pixel 6A has received a CNET Editors’ Choice award and is our favorite Android phone under $500. If Google manages to address the Pixel 6A’s very few shortcomings while maintaining the same price of $449, it’ll be an even more formidable challenger to Samsung in the affordable phone space.

Google Pixel 8 Lineup

What we’re expecting: Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are only a couple months old, but rumors have already started to surface about the Pixel 8 family. German tech blog WinFuture claims to have found references to two unreleased Pixel smartphones in publicly available code. The findings indicate that these two devices are codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” and that they’re powered by a new processor codenamed “Zuma.” The code also suggests these devices will run on Android 14 and include 12GB of RAM, according to WinFuture.

Why I’m excited about it: There haven’t been many rumors about the expected Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which means there isn’t too much to get excited about yet. But what I’m most interested in is what new features Google’s next-generation chip will bring to its future phones. Google’s current Tensor chips have enabled features that seem practical and useful in everyday life, such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur for improving photo quality and the ability to add speaker labels to transcripts in the Recorder app. That makes me excited about where Google could take things next.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

What we’re expecting: Samsung may be best-known for its Galaxy S devices, but its series of Galaxy A phones are worth your attention if you’re shopping on a tighter budget. The next phone in this series is expected to be called the Galaxy A54 5G, following the Galaxy A53 5G’s launch last spring.

Based on the few leaks that have surfaced so far, the Galaxy A54 5G will be a modest improvement over the A53 5G. It’s expected to have a 6.4-inch screen, which is slightly smaller than the A53’s 6.5-inch display, and a triple rear camera. That’s according to the leaker Hemmerstoffer, who shared renders claiming to show the Galaxy A54 5G’s design with the tech blog 91Mobiles. A report from the Dutch tech site Galaxy Club also suggests the A54 5G could have a slightly larger battery than its predecessor.

Why I’m excited about it: When I tested the Galaxy A53 5G around the time of its launch, I thought it felt much more expensive than it actually was. It’s not perfect, but Samsung provides a well-rounded package for the price with the Galaxy A53 5G. I’m hoping the success of Google’s Pixel A series motivates Samsung to up its budget phone game even further.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

What we’re expecting: Even though foldable phones are still new to most people, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold will be on its fifth generation in 2023. The next version of Samsung’s phone-tablet hybrid could have a slot for storing Samsung’s S Pen stylus, a lighter design and a less noticeable crease, according to Korean news outlet The Elec. The report didn’t definitively say the Z Fold 5 will have these improvements, but did say Samsung has cited them as barriers that must be overcome to make foldable phones more popular.

Otherwise, we can probably expect to see routine improvements to the camera and processor in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung also added some new multitasking features to the Z Fold 4 this year, such as the ability to use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini trackpad when the display is folded halfway. So there’s a chance we’ll see other software enhancements in the future, too.

Samsung typically releases its new foldable phones in August, meaning we’re likely to see the next Z Fold around that time next year.

Why I’m excited about it: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs a lot more than an included S Pen to bring foldables into the mainstream. But making the S Pen a bigger part of the experience could go a long way in further defining who the Z Fold is for and why it exists in the first place. Samsung is promoting the Z Fold 5 as a productivity-oriented device, so having an embedded S Pen seems like a natural move. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 are both compatible with the S Pen, but they must be purchased separately.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

What we’re expecting: Samsung’s next flip phone may have a larger cover screen and a less noticeable crease, according to Ross Young, co-founder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Ross recently tweeted that the Z Flip 5 will have a cover display measuring around three inches and a new hinge design that could make the crease more subtle. That would represent a sizable increase from the current Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover screen. Like the Z Fold 5, there’s a chance we’ll see general improvements to camera quality and software as well as a new processor, too.

Why I’m excited about it: Making the cover screen slightly larger would address one of the Z Flip’s biggest shortcomings. As my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review of the Z Flip 4, the cover screen is the biggest area where Samsung could be doing more. I’m also hoping to see longer battery life from the Z Flip 5 considering that’s another area where Samsung’s current flip phone could use some improvement.

OnePlus 11

What we’re expecting: The OnePlus 11 5G will get its debut early next year, with the company confirming that the phone will arrive on Feb. 7 alongside the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. Other than this event, there are some rumors pointing to what might be inside of the phone when its reveal comes. One of the biggest changes coming to the OnePlus 11 could be its redesigned circular camera module, according to renders from Hemmerstoffer published on the blog GadgetGang. It’s a standout look that could help distinguish the OnePlus 11’s design from other Android devices, much as the camera bar has done for the Pixel 6 and 7 series.

Hemmerstoffer also reports that the phone will feature a 6.7-inch screen, Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, up to 16GB of RAM and a 5,000-mAh battery with 100-watt charging. The camera would include 50-megapixel, 48-megapixel and 32-megapixel sensors. The charging speed is particularly notable since it represents an increase from OnePlus’ already speedy 80-watt charging, although unfortunately that’s capped at just 65 watts in the US.

Why I’m excited about it: For a company that made its name as the “flagship killer,” OnePlus’ prices have inched closer to those of the rivals it aims to undercut in recent years. That said, OnePlus still has a reputation for selling reasonably priced devices that pack a lot of high-end features such as superfast charging. The OnePlus 10 Pro came really close to being a superb iPhone competitor, as my colleague Andrew Lanxon wrote when he reviewed the device. But a slightly disappointing camera and restrictions such as a lack of 80-watt charging in the US held it back from being as great as it could be. Hopefully OnePlus addresses these criticisms in its next-generation device.

It seems like some of the biggest improvements we’re expecting to see across the board on new smartphones in 2023 have to do with improving the battery and charging experience as well as making camera and design upgrades. We’ll know more throughout the year as Samsung, Apple, OnePlus and Google release new devices.

Despite some great innovations in 3D printing hardware and software in 2022, the new Ender 5 S1 from Creality doesn’t do much to push the envelope. It’s a decent printer, but needed more to really wow me.

7.0

Creality Ender 5 S1

$579 at Creality 3D

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Like

• Stable physical design
• Fast printing speed
• Good quality prints

Don’t Like

• Needs a lot of bed leveling
• Lackluster design

At first glance, the $579 Ender 5 S1 ticks a lot of boxes. Based on the original Ender 5 from 2019, the S1 upgrades almost every piece of hardware to make this faster and more accurate than ever before. But taking a deeper look, a lot of what we see is decidedly middle of the road.

The build quality of this 3D printer is excellent, as I’d expect from the Ender line. All of the parts look and feel well-made. When you pick it up by the built-in handles, it has a heft that suggests a ruggedness that you don’t get from cheaper models. Unlike the Ender 3, the Ender 5 is a CoreXY machine, so the bed moves up and down, rather than in and out, so it’s much more stable at high speed.

Having an all-metal hot end and an extruder assembly that is direct-drive allows the S1 to handle a variety of different materials. The direct drive extruder makes it extremely easy to print with TPU — a flexible filament you can make rubbery phone cases from — and the all-metal hot end allows high-temperature filaments like ABS and PETG to be printed, too. High temperatures can destroy the small tube in a standard hot end, which would then need to be replaced after printing PETG or ABS for long periods.

The print quality of the Ender 5 S1 is surprisingly good at the speed it prints, which is faster than many similar printers. While it says it can print at 250 millimeters per second, that doesn’t tell the whole story, as the print speed is limited in the slicer to keep the quality high. Millimeters per second is used to measure how fast the print head can move while printing, as well as when no material is being extruded. It’s an abstract number based on factory defaults, so it isn’t always accurate when you get the 3D printer to your home.

I used a spider test print from E3D, which tests overhangs and bridging — both notoriously difficult at high speed — to test the Ender 5 S1. This file takes around 1 hour, 30 minutes to print on the Prusa Mk3s, a respectable time for one of the best 3D printers right now. The Creality slicer software included with the Ender 5 S1 estimates that same print at 1 hour, 9 minutes. If it was printing at the full 250 mm/s speed, it should be three times faster than the Prusa, but it isn’t. In comparison, the AnkerMake M5 — which also touts 250 mm/s print speeds — estimates the same model to be printed in 22 minutes. So while the Ender 5 S1 is faster than most printers, it isn’t as fast as the spec sheet promises.

Limiting the speed isn’t a bad idea, per se. After all, the balance between speed and quality is important for 3D printers and the quality here is very good even on stock settings. The CNET test print showed no sign of stringing, which surprised me. Stringing occurs when there isn’t time between each layer for the plastic to cool, so it oozes out in strings. This can occur when printers are too fast, but the Ender 5 S1 did a great job with all aspects of the test print.

I printed several Fotis Mint dragons, a skeletal hand and some lobsters, and they all came out looking excellent. This FlexiFactory dinosaur looks great, and all of his articulation works as it’s supposed to, though it did take me several attempts to get the first layer to stick correctly.

The Ender 5 S1 also comes with some advanced features, such as a filament runout sensor and power-off detection, though the auto-leveling system has advantages and drawbacks.

The auto-leveling still has a manual element and requires adjustment of the bed by tuning spring-loaded height adjustment wheels underneath. This means that the 3D printer is prone to losing its bed level after a few prints. While it might not seem like a big deal to keep releveling, it can be a pain and often leads to prints failing and materials lost. It also runs counter to the entire reason for auto-leveling, the removal of human error from the equation.

A year or two ago (and maybe $100 cheaper), the Ender 5 S1 would have floored me. But in a year when we’re seeing a lot of innovation in quality, features and price, it doesn’t stand out. If you can find it on sale for less than $450 it would be worth picking up, but there are better printers, like the $569 Anycubic Kobra Max — a printer with true auto-leveling and a giant print size — or the $799 AnkerMake M5, within a stone’s throw of the Ender 5 S1’s current price of $579.

Netflix subscribers will be able to stream Nike Training Club workout routines, the athletic company said Wednesday. Beginning Dec. 30, five programs will be released on the platform, with additional content dropping throughout 2023. More than 30 hours’ worth of exercise programming will be available in total.

According to Nike, the workouts will be offered in 10 different languages and Netflix customers can access them on any plan. The streamer will release NTC videos in two parts as part of a custom Nike collection. The sporting gear brand says the programs will “cater to all fitness levels, require minimal-to-no equipment, and span yoga, strength and high-intensity workouts.”

To kick things off, Netflix viewers will be able to stream 14 episodes of HIT & Strength With Tara, 13 episodes of Kickstart Fitness With the Basics, seven episodes of Two Weeks to a Stronger Core, six episodes of Feel-Good Fitness and six episodes of Fall in Love With Vinyasa. Subscribers can search using the term “Nike” and pull up fitness routines from trainers like Joe Holder and Kirsty Godso. Additionally, you’ll be able to choose from 90 workouts according to length or type.

Nike Training Club is a free app that currently features more than 185 exercise routines. It ranks as the top fitness app on CNET’s best list.

Google has fallen second place to Apple in the Android vs. iPhone war for the first time in over a decade. The free and open-source operating system, which still powers the majority of the world’s phones, can be found on devices from Samsung, OnePlus and Motorola. Even when combined with budget brands such as Nokia, TCL and Blu, Android-loaded handsets can’t outsell the iPhone stateside.

From a global perspective, Apple’s dominance is an outlier. The US, Canada and Japan are the only countries where Apple has an edge over Android. Everywhere else Android leads, usually by a wide margin.

Android falling behind speaks to the cachet Apple has built up around the iPhone franchise. From celebrities photographed at cafes with iPhones to their ears to late-night hosts engaging in repartee with an Apple Watch cuffed to their wrist, Apple products are both function and fashion of America’s aristocratic class. And thanks to iMessage, Apple has created messaging partition, with the “haves” enjoying blue bubble gardens and the “have nots” being relegated to green squalor. Heck, even movie villains can’t be filmed using an iPhone.

But there’s reason to be optimistic about Android’s attempts to retake the crown in the US. Google is building out an ecosystem to surround the Pixel 7, including with the introduction of the Pixel Watch. A Pixel tablet is coming next year. And Android does have its own base of rabid fans — even if they’re not on a Hollywood set.

So what can Google do to make Android relevant in the US again? Here are a few ways.

Double down on ecosystem

Google took too long to release the Pixel Watch, letting the Apple Watch act as a Trojan Horse and keep people locked inside Apple’s garden.

“Apple has such a sticky ecosystem. Especially the Watch, once you buy that watch, you’re locked into an iPhone,” said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart. Google hasn’t had that up until this year. “And even then, its first watch is really a 1.0 product.”

Google’s slow trudge bringing the Pixel Watch to market means that the Apple Watch remains far ahead. At least now there’s an option for Pixel owners to keep them from feeling left behind.

The US market differs from the rest of the world in that there’s far less competition in the Android space. Concerns about Chinese tech companies tracking American consumers have essentially made it impossible for brands like Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo to operate in the US. That leaves a handful of brands that can sell alternatives outside of Samsung and Google.

“Having more devices in the market also gives the carriers more choices on devices they can give away for free or do more promotions on,” said Anshel Sag, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy.

The lack of manufacturer diversity is only one problem Google is facing. The iPad line continues to remain a popular second-screen device, acting as an internet gateway for both toddlers and the elderly. Only one high-quality Android tablet comes to mind with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, but its software is nowhere near as refined as iPad OS, with it often feeling like a big screen version of Android. Google has already announced a “premium” Pixel tablet for 2023, but it really will need to impress to draw in the throngs of consumers trained to look at iPads as the tablet.

Unfortunately, one area Google might not be able to offer a viable competitor to Apple is in laptop and home computing. Google’s Chromebooks are excellent affordable laptops for basic tasks, but lack the horsepower and flexibility to offer the functionality found with MacOS and Windows. It’s a market that’s already been carved up by Apple and Microsoft, making it difficult for Google to create a viable alternative. Even if it did, the installed base would be so small that it wouldn’t attract top developers. Here, Google’s best option is to continue integrating its products better with Mac and Windows machines to offer a comparable experience to iPhone and Mac.

Matter matters

One area that Google has dominance over Apple is in smart home. Cupertino is seldom quick to jump into new product categories, which is evidenced by years of rumors surrounding Apple’s supposed VR/AR headset and the Apple car. Apple did try to make an effort at home devices with HomeKit, but it’s largely been left forgotten. Google, on the other hand, has a heavy presence in the smart home with its voice assistant-backed displays, such as the Nest Hub, and its Nest WiFi, Doorbell and camera products.

Unfortunately, the smart home industry has stagnated with a dizzying array of competing products confusing consumers. A person who owns an Amazon Alexa smart speaker might be unsure if it will cooperate with their Google Nest doorbell.

Enter Matter, a universal smart home standard that will allow new home devices, regardless of brand, to communicate with one another. Even Apple, the company that enjoys creating walled gardens, has joined the Connected Standards Alliance, along with Amazon, Google, Samsung, Ikea, Lutron, Signify and others.

“That is an area where Google could take some advantage, building more of those controls or just exposing them more in Android,” Greengart said. This includes building out a person’s homepage, widgets and making connections between multiple devices. Greengart said it’ll be up to Google to let people know that smart home interoperability can be done best on Android.

Beat Apple to innovation

Google’s product events continue to get better, bringing greater production value and fanfare, but still can’t capture the same magic as Apple. The Cupertino, California-based company still has that ability to drum up excitement over its family of products and services. Enthusiastic rhetoric from executives mixed with high production value can make a person believe that Apple is bringing the latest in tech and innovation, even if that isn’t always the case.

High refresh screens to optical image stabilization and laser autofocus, all features Apple breathlessly crows about, came to Android first.

There are, however, consumers who see past the fancy macro shots and do want to be the first to new tech. This is an area Google should double-down on to entice enthusiasts.

Already, rumors are surfacing of a Pixel foldable device, one that could compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

“I think [Samsung’s] really starting to gain momentum there. And I think it’s showing, but the problem is the price, right?,” Sag said. If Samsung can continue pushing the price of foldables down, it’ll help increase the category’s popularity, bringing more competition. “As a result, competition will probably equal more sales and more competitive pricing.”

Google has also been heavily advertising Pixel features, such as live translate in its 2022 World Cup commercial. The Pixel 7 is also the official “fan phone” of the NBA this season, with a commercial featuring player Giannis Antetokounmpo and actor Simu Liu. Google has also reportedly placed the largest order of Pixel 7 devices, more than any prior iteration. Regardless of sales and celebrity endorsement, Google needs to make Pixel feel premium and exclusive, almost anathema to Android’s core vision as a free and open-source operating system. Because, if Apple’s success is any indication, people like feeling as if they’re in the “in crowd.”

Considering that some recent laptops are just as powerful as a desktop computer, it’s not surprising that plenty of people use them as their primary computer for work or school. Laptops offer plenty of benefits, but one major drawback is the touchpad found on most models, which can make more precise work like editing pictures and videos challenging. Fortunately, that’s easy to remedy with a huge market for wireless mice out there at the moment. They’re ideal for detail-oriented jobs and absolutely critical if you want to do any gaming. Plus, they’re are tons of compact travel-friendly models available, so you can take one with you on the road as well.

And these days, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great mouse with the features you need for work, play or travel. Check out the best wireless mouse deals currently available below. We have found options for all needs and budgets, with prices starting as low as $15. We’ll update this article periodically as deals expire and new price drops occur at various retailers.

Looking for other gear? Check out deals on headphones, monitors and laptops to get everything you need for your workstation.

Best wireless mouse deals for everyday computing

Microsoft

Microsoft Mobile wireless mouse: $20

Save $20

This mouse is light and portable, plus it connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and works on a variety of surfaces thanks to BlueTrack technology. The wheel is optimized for smooth scrolling and the low-profile design helps it sit comfortably in most hands. Just note that this discount is only available on the sapphire blue color variant.

$20 at Microsoft

Sarah Tew/CNET

Logitech MX Master 3 wireless mouse: $70

Save $40

The MX Master 3 made its way onto our list of the best wireless mice for 2022 as our favorite one-hand command center on the market right now. It boasts 4,000 dpi for ultra-precise tracking on almost any surface, and it’s equipped with an electromagnetic scroll wheel with different modes for an optimized experience. It’s compatible with Mac, Windows and Chrome operating systems, and it can connect to your computer using Bluetooth or the included USB receiver. And it has a battery life of up to 70 hours on a single charge so it’s ready to go when you need it. Just note that you’ll have to use the coupon code FALLSAVINGS at checkout to get the discount.

$70 at Lenovo

Logitech

Logitech MX Master 2S wireless mouse: $70

Save $30

This highly rated mouse was recently discontinued by the manufacturer, but that means you can get a really great deal on it while supplies last. You can use the mouse seamlessly on up to three computers. In fact, you can copy and paste text, images and files from one to the other using Logitech Flow, which makes this ideal for people with a robust at-home setup — perhaps for remote work or school. It works with both Windows and Mac computers and lasts up to 70 days on a single charge.

$70 at Dell

Microsoft

Microsoft Bluetooth ergonomic mouse: $30

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This ergonomically designed mouse will help you work in comfort all day long. It navigates with precision and has three programmable buttons so that you can easily access your most-used apps. Plus, since it connects via Bluetooth, you won’t have to take up a valuable USB port. Note, however, that this device does not work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces.

$30 at Best Buy

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Logitech M510 wireless optical mouse: $23

Save $17

With laser technology for precision tracking and a smart sleep mode, this mouse is a good one for everyday use. It also has an on/off switch so that you can further conserve power, which in turn results in a battery life lasting up to two years. It’s designed for comfortable use whether you’re right- or left-handed and is compatible with Mac, Windows and Chrome OS.

$23 at Lenovo

Best wireless mouse deals for travel

Verbatim

Verbatim wireless mini travel optical mouse: $15

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This plug-and-play USB wireless mouse works with PC and Mac and features a 2.4GHz wireless connection for lag-free performance. The design is small and sleek, making it ultraportable, and it has a nano wireless receiver that can be stored in the mouse when not in use so it doesn’t get lost while traveling. This mouse needs a AAA battery, but the first one comes with your purchase.

$15 at Amazon

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Logitech

Logitech M187 USB wireless mouse: $13

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Cordless convenience is only the beginning with this 2.4GHz mini mouse. Ultra small, lightweight and portable, you can fit this tiny guy in your pocket or purse, taking it along anywhere you go. With up to 33 feet of range, you can easily sit back on your sofa and use this mouse with your television. Compatible with Linux, Windows and Mac operating systems, it’s a good choice for basic flexibility as you travel.

$13 at Logitech

Best wireless mouse deals for gaming

Razer

Razer Viper Ultimate lightweight wireless gaming mouse: $60

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This mouse is 25% faster than competing wireless mice thanks to Razer’s HyperSpeed wireless technology, so you won’t have to worry about low latency or interference. It features ambidextrous design to work for both left- and right-handed users; it has programmable buttons on both sides. This gaming mouse also includes a 20,000-dpi optical sensor. And with a 70-hour battery life, it won’t shut down on you midsession.

$60 at Amazon

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Razer

Razer Mamba wireless gaming mouse: $80

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This wireless gaming mouse features a 16,000-dpi optical sensor. Plus, rubberized side grips reduce fatigue over long gaming sessions, giving this mouse a more ergonomic design than previous models. It also has seven programmable buttons and lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge with the Chroma RGB lighting disabled to conserve power.

$80 at Amazon

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Razer

Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed wireless gaming mouse: $35

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This mouse also features a 16,000-dpi optical sensor for accuracy even with the slightest movements and six programmable buttons for customized use. Using Razer HyperSpeed, you can get wireless performance for up to 285 hours, or you can switch to Bluetooth mode for up to 450 hours of battery.

$35 at Amazon

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Logitech

Logitech G Pro lightweight wireless optical gaming mouse: $90

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This mouse was designed with input from professional esports players and it improves upon previous models with its Hero 25K sensor that exceeds 400 IPS and delivers 25,000 dpi. It features an ambidextrous design, customizable Lightsync RGB lighting, eight programmable buttons and 60 hours of continuous gaming on a single charge.

$90 at Amazon

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Razer

Razer Naga Pro wireless optical gaming mouse with interchangeable side plates: $85

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This is one of the most versatile gaming mice you can get. Adapt to every game with three swappable side plates. You can choose between two-, six- and 12-button layouts that are easy to snap in place. This mouse features extremely low latency, seamless frequency hopping, 20,000 dpi, 0.2ms actuation speed and up to 100 hours of battery life.

$85 at Best Buy

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About 100 years ago — or, that’s how long it feels — we were all together, playing Wordle. Well, we weren’t technically together. We were in sunny places, snowy places, other countries, commuting, staying at home. We were together, though. In a sense. And we weren’t screaming.

Little score grids popping up everywhere, instead of historical face filters or randomly generated AI art, or snippets of chatbot-generated text. These grids, these scores. Wordle swept through an Omicron winter where flights were canceled, trips postponed, returns to work delayed again. It was like bread-baking 2.0. Just another viral pandemic moment.

The game was acquired by The New York Times in early February, and I was ready to say goodbye to a moment I always suspected would end sometime. And it did: Scores stopped being shared. Players dwindled. I eventually stopped playing regularly sometime in the late spring, I don’t know when.

I want to go back to that moment. I remember what was going on: I was depressed. I felt disconnected from friends, from family, from anyone. I put random things on Facebook so I could feel like I did something, for just a few moments, to reach out. For a while, it was random food shots of me putting chili crisp in oatmeal. Then it was Wordle scores. I found a little community of old friends who wrote back and shared theirs. We nodded our virtual heads. We connected, just a bit.

These moments may seem frivolous. They’re not. At the end of 2022, where are we? Twitter has been acquired, gutted, and is slowly being transformed. Migrations away from Twitter (or Facebook) to constellations of new platforms, strange new worlds, places like Mastodon or Hive or Post. Social media, at the end of 2022, feels like it’s either on its last legs or struggling to be reborn as something strange, new and — yes, to me — alien.

With everything that 2022 ended up becoming, something like Wordle feels like a ridiculous little footnote, utterly unimportant, perhaps completely pointless. I still think of it as a little spark of connection. A hope for making people feel like they can reach out to each other without hating or escalating or destroying. The whole original idea of social media that seemed so appealing, maybe, a long time ago, was that it could bring familiar faces together and, for just a few moments, create a sensation of connection. My games of Wordle, along with a few special trips into VR with friends, and a few lingering Zooms, were some of the few moments that did that. For all we’re rushing out to see people and connect again in the real world, we forget the moments when connecting virtually actually worked.

I read an article in The Atlantic the other day that spoke deeply to me, about how we’re haunted by the ghosts of 2019. I am. Life in 2022, trying to go back to “normal,” has felt uncanny. I commute now. I’ve gone on flights. I’ve gone to the UK again. None of it felt normal. Some of it felt familiar. Echoes of the old, overlaps of the new.

Slowly but surely, we’re returning to a strange version of the world we once knew — or trying to. How do I move forward here?

I hope, in our rush to return to “normal,” we stay connected to the strange rituals that brought us together in our lowest moments. It doesn’t have to be Wordle — that’s just a word game gone viral. But as we reinvent how we communicate online — via social media or metaverses — I’ll take any help I can get. Show me how we could reconnect and not feel alienated. Wordle was lightning in a bottle, and even though I’ve said goodbye to what it was in that moment, I’ll always be searching for that feeling again.

Better ho, ho hold up before jumping on that seemingly great deal on that must-have holiday gift. Scammers are looking to take advantage of procrastinators still trying to finish their Christmas shopping.

With Christmas just days away, experts say last-minute shoppers need to be especially wary of deals that look too good to be true, because they most likely are. Cybercriminal attempts to steal the money and personal information of consumers have spiked in recent weeks and aren’t going to stop anytime soon.

What’s more, as gift giving draws closer, increasingly desperate shoppers will be more apt to click on links they shouldn’t and shop at sites that they otherwise might think are a little questionable.

Shoppers need to be aware that they’re being targeted with an epic amount of phishing and other kinds of online scams right now, said Kurt Baumgartner, a principal security researcher for the cybersecurity company Kaspersky.

“For the crooks that are behind this stuff, It’s a numbers game and they’re willing to put a lot more behind these efforts,” Baumgartner said.

The volume of Christmas-themed spam has increased consistently since Nov. 27, with big spikes in the emails spotted between Dec. 6 and Dec 9, according to researchers at the cybersecurity company Bitdefender.

The emails covered the usual holiday topics, including product giveaways, fake surveys and discounts on designer goods, along with non-shopping related offers geared toward the lonely including online-dating pitches and access to premium adult content.

Scammers impersonated brands such as Dollar General, Netflix and Lowes, hoping to entice consumers to hand over their personal or financial information in exchange for bogus gift cards, Bitdefender said.

In addition to seemingly never-ending streams of phishing emails, scammers are also reaching consumers through text messages, a practice known as “smishing,” as well as ads posted on social media. Those kinds of attacks have a better chance of getting past typical consumer antivirus software, which screens emails for phishing and spam.

The attacks themselves aren’t a new invention. Phishing in all of its forms is a year-round plague. What’s different during the holidays is that people are in a rush and less apt to think before they click, Baumgartner said.

About 12% of Americans polled for a Kaspersky study done before the start of the holiday season said they planned to do the bulk of their shopping during the last nine days before Christmas.

Of those expected last-minute shoppers, 40% admitted they’d be willing to shop on a site that struck them as sketchy, if the offer was enticing enough.

Baumgartner said that given the potential risks, those numbers are “alarming.” That said, there are some easy ways for last-minute shoppers to protect themselves.

Here are some tips from Baumgartner and others for warding off the cyber Crampus as you finish your holiday shopping.

Tips for safe last-minute online shopping

If a deal looks too good to be true … Yep, it probably is. Stop and think. Ask yourself if the deal you’re considering would look realistic in January, after the Christmas rush has passed.

Use good AV and a password manager. Security software will screen out a lot of unsolicited email and help protect you from known malware if you accidentally download it. A password manager won’t autofill your critical usernames and passwords if it thinks you’re on a site that they’re not intended for.

Always use a credit rather than debit card. If you get scammed, credit card companies are usually great about making you whole,ASAP. And it’s a lot less traumatizing to deal with that rather than an empty bank account.

Don’t buy gift cards online. When it gets down to crunch time, gift cards are better than nothing, but resist the temptation to buy one online from a third-party site. Instead, head to a brick and mortar retailer like a drug store. When you pick out your card, make sure it hasn’t been tampered with.

The Pixel 7 series may be the latest and greatest phones in Google’s flagship lineup. However, if you don’t want to drop a huge amount of money on a phone right now, there’s a fantastic deal on the Pixel 6A. Right now at Amazon, you can snag an unlocked model of this budget-friendly Pixel phone for just $299, which saves you $150 compared to the usual price.

This deal matches the all-time best discount we’ve seen on this model that doesn’t require a trade-in or lock you into an installment plan. There’s no set expiration, but chances are a deal this good won’t last for long. Get your order in soon if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

Sporting a 6.1-inch OLED display, Titan M2 chip, Google Tensor processor, Google’s Android operating system, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, this budget phone certainly delivers a lot of bang for the buck. That’s why we’ve named it the best Android phone under $500 on the market right now.

The 12.2-megapixel camera may be a step down from the camera on the Pixel 6. But it’s still a great camera for the price, and it comes equipped with tools including the Magic Eraser, Motion Mode and Portrait Mode.

This phone can last over 24 hours on a single charge, depending on how you use it. The battery is adaptive and learns which apps you use the most, which can save you power by not wasting your battery life on the ones you rarely use. This phone is IP67-rated water- and dust-resistant, so your phone should be safe in most environments and conditions.

Another great feature this phone offers is Live Translate, which will help you translate signs, live video captions and private chats and messages in up to 55 languages. At $299, this is a solid phone worth checking out.

If you’re in college or will be going in the future, the most important tool you could have is a reliable laptop. It can be incredibly difficult to get by without one. Taking notes and writing essays is so much easier with a laptop as opposed to pen and paper. So when you start looking for a laptop, what are some of the things you should consider? You’ll need a laptop with strong battery life as well as something that’s light enough to carry around all day, from your commute to class and back. You don’t have to break the bank, either. A basic, entry-level laptop will cover you for general classwork, but the more you’re able to spend, the longer it will likely last you — important if it needs to last you four years or more.

With the supply chain issues and chip shortages we’ve seen over the last few years, you might think it’s hard to get your hands on a decent budget-friendly laptop for school. However, it’s still possible to find laptops and two-in-ones with the latest processors from AMD and Intel, which help performance and battery life over previous generations. It’s a great time to shop, too, with Black Friday and other holiday sales happening right now.

What’s the best laptop for college?

Right now, Apple’s MacBook Air M1 is the best laptop for most students. (The M1 Air happens to be $200 off right now for Black Friday, too.) But if that doesn’t meet your needs, we’ve rounded up several college laptop picks that will serve most students well in school and beyond. The majority of our picks for the best college laptops run between $500 and $1,000. If you’re looking for a more affordable laptop — or if you’re open to an alternative to Apple’s MacOS and Microsoft Windows
— we recommend checking out the best Chromebooks for students
(just make sure any software you need for classes is supported). On the flip side, if you’re searching for a more powerful laptop, or a gaming laptopthat doubles as one for college, we have some suggestions for those, too. So if you’re ready to upgrade your tech, keep reading our list of the best laptops for college.

Best laptops for college

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MacBook Air M1

Best MacBook for students

Despite the availability of the bigger and better M2 MacBook Air, the M1 MacBook Air (one of the first to switch from Intel to Apple silicon) is sticking around and that’s a good thing. Apple’s entry-level laptop is still our go-to recommendation for a MacOS laptop for basic everyday use. It has great performance and long battery life — up to 18 hours — and is a solid choice for school and entertainment anywhere.

Like the previous Mac laptop models, the M1 Air has Apple’s Magic Keyboard,Touch ID, a Force Touch trackpad anda 13.3-inch Retina display. If you’re a college student, it’s hard to go wrong with the new MacBook Air.

Read our MacBook Air M1 review.

$999 at Apple

$800 at Best Buy

$900 at eBay

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Josh Goldman/CNET

HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best lightweight laptop for students under $800

HP packed a lot of value into the Aero 13: Eye-pleasing magnesium-aluminum chassis, strong processing performance, long battery life, a bright, colorful display and a weight of just 2 pounds (0.94 kilograms). Amazingly, considering all that it offers, it has a regular starting price of less than $800 but it’s regularly on sale for less than $700. Read our HP Pavilion Aero 13 review.

$550 at HP

Josh Goldman/CNET

Gateway GWTN141

Best laptop for college around $500

Gateway was known for low-cost desktops and laptops in the 1990s. The brand was revived in 2020 for a new lineup of laptops and tablets sold exclusively through Walmart. We tested the 15- and 14-inch models and the latter is our pick. The Intel Core i5 processor provides reliable performance despite being paired with cheaper components. The keyboard is comfortable but not backlit and the touchpad isn’t the most precise. Also, the built-in fingerprint reader is hit-or-miss. Still, it has lots of ports so connecting a mouse or an external display isn’t an issue and the full-HD display is decent, too, all things considered. Plus, the battery lasted a couple of minutes shy of 10 hours on our streaming video test. The 2021 model is still available at a significant discount compared to the 2022 model released in July with a 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor. New or old, both are good deals.

$448 at Amazon

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Josh Goldman/CNET

Acer Chromebook Spin 513

Best Chromebook for students

Acer’s Spin 513 is an update of sorts to one of the best Chromebooks from 2021, the Spin 713. It’s a two-in-one convertible Chromebook with a 13.5-inch display that has a 3:2 aspect ratio. The extra vertical space means less scrolling when you’re working. The screen size is also close to that of letter-size paper, making it comfortable for notetaking in tablet mode with a USI pen. Compared to the 713, it drops a couple of noncritical features like an HDMI output in favor of a more affordable price. It has amazing battery life, though, and a sturdy fanless design, making it silent — perfect for quiet classrooms, lectures or video calls.

$550 at Amazon

$600 at Best Buy

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Lenovo Yoga 7i

Best Windows 2-in-1 laptop for students

This thin, 3-pound convertible is a solid choice for anyone who needs a laptop for office or schoolwork. The all-metal chassis gives it a premium look and feel, and it has a comfortable keyboard and a responsive, smooth precision touchpad. As a two-in-one, you can use it as a laptop or tablet and it supports pen input with Lenovo’s optional Active Pen. It also has a physical shutter for its webcam that gives you privacy when you want it. And it has a long battery life to boot at 12 hours, 45 minutes in our tests. The latest version with 12th-gen Intel processors starts at $999 (although you can find it on sale for less). However, 2021 models with 11th-gen Intel processors are great performers, too, and can be found at a discount.

$800 at Best Buy

$650 at Amazon

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More back-to-school recommendations

• 8 Back-to-School College Essentials to Keep in Your Backpack
• Our Favorite Back-to-School Picks for 2022
• Great Back-to-School Gifts for Your Teacher
• Great Lunch Boxes and Backpacks to Take Back to School
• Free Apps You Need to Download Before Starting College
• Best Back-to-School Gear for $100 or Less