Category: Technologies

Xiaomi begun large-scale layoffs this week, with plans to reduce its workforce by up to 10 percent.

The Chinese company said it had “recently implemented routine personnel optimization and organizational streamlining, with affected parties totalling less than 10% of total workforce,” in an official statement on Tuesday.

Xiaomi’s total headcount stood at 35,314 workers as of September 30, according to its third-quarter financial results for this year, with a large majority of those workers (32,609) based in mainland China followed by India and Indonesia.

News of the layoffs was was first reported by the South China Morning Post, citing social media posts by affected workers as well as local Chinese media. The layoffs at Xiaomi come as mainland China grapples with the economic aftermath of years-long COVID-19 restrictions as well as slowing global smartphone demand. In November, Xiaomi reported a near 10% drop in third quarter revenue with smartphone sales falling 11% year-on-year. Revenue from smartphones make up approximately 60% of the company’s total sales.

Xiaomi is one of the world’s largest smartphone makers. The Beijing-based company is estimated to have shipped more than 190 million smartphone units in 2021, which represents an increase of 45 million units compared to the year before, according to Statista.

The layoffs at Xiaomi follow a spate of layoffs across a number of Big Tech firms, which saw companies including Meta, Twitter, and Amazon undergo large-scale layoffs.

Did you buy a MacBook that had keyboard issues? If so, you might be eligible for part of a $50 million settlement Apple has agreed to in response to allegations it hid a known keyboard design flaw from customers.

Apple agreed to the multimillion-dollar payout in July, and a California court granted preliminary approval on Nov. 28.

MacBook Pro owners have started to receive emails and postcards notifying them they are eligible for payment, and the settlement website began accepting claims on Dec. 12.

Below, find out more about the MacBook settlement, including who qualifies for money, how much you could get from Apple and how to submit a claim.

For more class action suits, learn why Keurig is shelling out $10 million to users of its K-Cups and see if you’re eligible for money from T-Mobile’s $350 million data-breach settlement.

What is Apple accused of in the class action suit?

Apple introduced its “butterfly” keyboard design in 2015 in its 12-inch MacBook. The keys were attached with a wing-like hinge, as opposed to traditional keyboards, which use two pieces of plastic that, when pressed, cross each other and close like a pair of scissors.

At the time, the tech giant said the butterfly design was 40% slimmer, meaning its laptops could be too. But customers complained about the propensity for the keys to be sticky and miss or repeat typed characters.

Apple launched a repair program that covered MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops in 2018. But it only replaced old butterfly keyboards with new ones.

Finally, in 2019, Apple phased out the butterfly design and introduced a redesigned Magic Keyboard that once more relied on a scissor-switch mechanism.

The butterfly design “had some things it did really well,” then-Apple marketing director Phil Schiller told CNET that year. “It felt more firm and flat under your finger — some people really like that, but other people weren’t really happy with that.”

Schiller also acknowledged there were “quality issues we had to work on.”

In a class action lawsuit filed in California in 2018, a group of plaintiffs claimed Apple knew about the quality issues and “fraudulently concealed” them from customers.

As a result, they claimed, laptops were knowingly equipped with keyboards that could result in “characters repeating unexpectedly; letters or characters not appearing; and/or the keys feeling ‘sticky’ or not responding in a consistent manner,” according to the settlement website.

Apple didn’t respond to a request for comment, but in filings, it denied any wrongdoing.

Who is eligible for a payment from Apple?

If you bought a MacBook between 2015 and 2019 and had to replace the keyboard or individual keys, you are eligible for compensation.

If you’re not sure if your model is covered, you can check here.

How much money could I get from the MacBook keyboard settlement?

The amount of the individual payout depends on how many repairs you had to have on your MacBook.

Consumers who had to swap out multiple keyboards within four years of purchase are considered Group 1 Settlement Class Members. They are eligible for an estimated payment of between $300 and $395 and should be receiving an email this month.

You can still qualify for Group 1 so long as you require two or more topcase replacements before Nov. 28, 2024. (The topcase houses the keyboard and other components.)

If you believe you’re part of Group 1 but didn’t receive a notification, you can call the claims administrator at 855-579-1311. (You can also fill out a change of address form, if needed.)

If you had to replace the keyboard once, you’re considered part of the Group 2 Settlement Class and could receive as much as $125. You’ll need to submit a claim form, though.

And if you only had to replace individual keycaps, you’re eligible for up to $50. (You’ll also have to submit a claim form.)

How do I file a claim in the Apple butterfly-keyboard settlement?

You can submit a claim on the settlement website or mail a completed form to:

re: MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91341
Seattle, WA 98111

For all class members, if Apple doesn’t have a record of your repair or purchase, you’ll have to provide proof of purchase or repair.

The deadline to file a claim is 11:59 p.m. PT on March 6, 2023. If you want to object to the settlement — or exclude yourself and retain the right to separate litigation — the deadline to notify the court is Feb. 10, 2023.

When will I get my money?

A final approval hearing is scheduled for March 16, 2023. Any payments would go out after that, but the process could be delayed by appeals.

In a year packed with numerous phone releases, Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup is curious. There is the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, which represent the pinnacle of the company’s design, software and hardware. The iPhone 14 Pro is notably defined by an oval-shaped screen cut-out for the True Depth camera, which replaces the notch, called the Dynamic Island. But then, there’s the iPhone 14 which seems like a repackaged iPhone 13 Pro without the stainless steel body or the third rear camera for telephoto pictures.

Apple discontinued the iPhone 13 Mini and replaced it with a bigger version of the 14 called the iPhone 14 Plus. Starting at $929, it’s meant to be a slightly “more affordable” way to get a large screen iPhone without crossing that $1,000 line. Taken in total, you have two high-end Pro iPhone models, a big-screen regular iPhone and the standard iPhone 14, which on the surface doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade from the iPhone 13. Apple’s lineup offers exciting new features while also seeming like a curious repeat of what came out last year.

Over the past three months, I used the iPhone 14 as my daily driver and the 14 Pro as my work phone. During that time, I ran in-depth battery tests, took numerous photos, used them to film CNET videos and tried out the new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature. Several of my CNET colleagues have also tested the cameras and compared them to the likes of the Google Pixel 7 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Here are my thoughts on the iPhone 14 family since my initial reviews back in September.

The iPhone 14’s battery doesn’t last as long as the iPhone 13

I’ve never met a single person who said, “Wow, I get too much battery life on my phone.” But I have definitely met many who have wanted more. A phone’s battery life lands at an interesting crossroads. You have the physical and chemical limits of modern lithium batteries as well as the clever software and processing optimizations that aim to make those batteries more efficient.

Apple doesn’t disclose the size of the batteries in its phones, but I wish it did because they’re relatively small compared to the batteries in Android phones. This isn’t about shaming Apple, but highlighting how much longevity the company ekes out of that battery through software optimizations and the efficiency of its A-series chips. In fact, last year’s iPhone 13 Pro Max lasted longer on a single charge than any other phone we tested.

The same can’t be said for this year. The iPhone 14 series gets good battery life but is definitely a step down from the iPhone 13 family, which gets longer battery life. The difference wasn’t drastic, and I imagine most people aren’t upgrading their phone every year and would never be the wiser.

At CNET, we run a few battery life tests and note how long the phones last in real life. The first test I ran with each phone was an endurance test. For 45 minutes, I played video games (some were online) as well as watched videos, scrolled through social media apps like TikTok and Instagram and made a video call over FaceTime. During that time, the iPhone 14’s battery decreased 10%, the 14 Plus dropped 5%, the 14 Pro lost 8% and the 14 Pro Max went down 7%.

I also fully charged each phone, then played a downloaded video looped in Airplane mode with the screen at 50% brightness. We’ve been running this test at CNET for years, and are in the process of phasing it out since software and chips now optimize for video playback. And most people watch streaming videos.

So why run this test? It allows us to compare Apple’s claims for video playback as well as with the outcome we got with the iPhone 13 series. The results are below.

These times also come up short when compared to the iPhone 13 series. The regular 13 lasted 21 hours and 51 minutes, the 13 Pro went 22 hours and 4 minutes and the 13 Pro Max scored an outstanding 31 hours and 19 minutes. I should also note that the 13 Mini lasted 18 hours and 19 minutes which is almost as long as the regular iPhone 14.

There has been a lot of chatter around the always-on display on the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max and how it’s draining the battery. In our tests, the always-on display didn’t decrease the battery life in any significant way compared to having it off.

I charged both phones to 100% and left them on my desk with the always-on screen enabled. After 6 hours, the 14 Pro dropped 4% and the 14 Pro Max lost 2%. I ran the same scenario again, but this time turned off the always-on display. The results were essentially the same: the 14 Pro dropped 4% and the 14 Pro Max dropped 3%.

A lot of this will depend on your lock screen wallpaper, since the always-on display isn’t a black screen and instead shows a darkened version of your wallpaper photo. Luckily, iOS 16.2 has new always-on display settings that let you turn off the wallpaper and have just a black screen.

Emergency SOS via Satellite helped three people get rescued

Emergency SOS via Satellite and Car Crash Detection (or maybe it should be called “I’m on a roller coaster with an iPhone 14 detection”) might be two of the best features on the regular iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. But they are largely invisible tools that most people will hopefully never have to use.

Last month, I got to test out Emergency SOS via Satellite in a demonstration at Apple Park. I was impressed how easy it was to use and connect to a satellite, even in the rain. In fact, since then, the feature helped save a stranded snowmobiler in Alaska and two people whose car went off the side of a mountain.

I Tried Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14

Features like these are important, and I do think they help the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus stand out. But I don’t know if most people would prioritize them as something they must have on a phone. After a few months, it’s crystal clear that the standard iPhone 14 is aimed at people upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older and not from last year’s iPhone 13.

More Dynamic Island, please

The Dynamic Island works well. but it’s not without quirks. For example, the Dynamic Island sticks out further into the screen than the notch did, which is noticeable when watching some videos. I also wish that more non-Apple apps took advantage of the Dynamic Island.

Also, we haven’t had the full experience with the Dynamic Island that Apple intended. It’s part of a trinity of features that also includes the always-on display and Live Activities, which tracks the progress of certain activities like showing you the live score of a basketball team on your lock screen. The Dynamic Island will truly shine once apps fully adopt Live Activities which should be sooner than later now that iOS 16.2 is out.

There are scratches on my Ceramic Shield

All four models in the iPhone 14 series have Apple’s Ceramic Shield that covers the display. And all four of the phones I tested have scuffs or minor scratches on the front glass. I haven’t coddled the phones, but I haven’t been reckless with them either. After nearly three months, I’m shocked that all of these phones have scratches.

The iPhone 14 Pro’s cameras are excellent

The cameras on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are good. But the cameras on the iPhone 14 Pro’s and 14 Pro Max’s are great. Does that mean you can’t get quality photos on the 14 and 14 Plus? Absolutely not. But the ones I captured on the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max and their 48-megapixel main camera are consistently great. Unfortunately, you have to shoot ProRaw photos to take full advantage of the iPhone 14 Pro’s full camera resolution, and these images have dramatically larger file sizes. I wish there was a built-in way to save and quickly convert the ProRaw photos into JPEGs.

One surprise for me has been Cinematic mode. It can record in 4K video at 24 frames per second or 30fps, and I’ve actually used it to film several CNET videos. The quality is good, and the overall experience with Cinematic mode is much better than it is on the iPhone 13. (Apple’s previous phone was limited to 1080p resolution at 30fps in that mode.) One trick I use to get more natural looking videos is to drop Cinematic mode’s aperture setting to f/8. I find this gives the background a more realistic out-of-focus look while keeping the subject in focus.

The iPhone 14 is more expensive even if the price didn’t go up

The baseline iPhone 14 is $829, which is the same as the iPhone 12 and 13 when they launched. But there is a difference. In 2020 and 2021, Apple also sold the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini at $729. That essentially means the barrier to entry for a new iPhone is now more expensive, since the Mini isn’t part of the iPhone 14 lineup. To alleviate the price, Apple and US carriers have a ton of trade-in deals. Apple also still sells the iPhone 13 for $729, which can save you some money.

Read: Apple’s Next iPhone Might Not Get a Price Increase. Here’s Why

Then there’s the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, which are Apple’s most expensive models. They have the same starting prices as the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max and as the 2018 iPhone XS and XS Max when they came out. Basically, the prices for Apple’s top-of-the-line models haven’t increased but they are hard to find. Apple scaled back production on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max because of COVID-19 lockdowns in China. Currently, the iPhone 14 Pro is showing shipping times of three-and-a-half weeks.

If you’re trying to get an iPhone 14 Pro as a gift for someone, your best bet is to try carriers and third-party retailers. However, Apple’s retail stores typically get more restock. And I wouldn’t dissuade you from ordering an iPhone 14 Pro. It’s an excellent phone and will still be one in three-and-a-half weeks.

Three months later, I am still impressed with the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro. The cameras are great, Emergency SOS provides more peace of mind, but the ceramic shield isn’t as durable as I expected. And the battery life isn’t as long as last year’s iPhone 13 lineup. But whether you’re upgrading from an older iPhone to an iPhone 14 or just want Apple’s absolute best, the iPhone 14 Pro, you should find something that fits your needs, budget and tastes.

Just about everyone has heard of or used Microsoft Office at some point in their life, but not everyone may own a copy of it on their own computer. There are some alternatives that work online and while that can help in a pinch, it’s not a great long-term solution. If you find yourself spending more time creating documents, sending emails and fixing up PowerPoints, you’re going to want to check this out.

You can ditch the subscription (with recurring charges) and snag a lifetime license of access to Microsoft’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher and Access for just $30 instead. That’s back at the lowest price we’ve ever seen, and a whopping 91% off the usual price of $349. However, this deal expires in just a few days, so be sure to get your order in soon.

The offer, from StackSocial, applies to both the Windows and Mac version of the software.

Microsoft

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 lifetime license: $30

Save 91%

This wildly popular offer for a Microsoft Office lifetime license is still available for $30. It’s available for both Mac and Windows, so be sure to grab the right one for the computer that you use regularly.

• Microsoft Office for Windows: $30
• Microsoft Office for Mac: $30

$30 at StackSocial (Windows)

$30 at StackSocial (Mac)

Now, you can always opt to use the free online version of Microsoft Office (which has far fewer features). But compared to the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite that costs $10 per month or $100 per year, this downloadable version is a phenomenal bargain.

While the price almost seems too good to be true, we tried it ourselves, and it worked like a charm. (The two big caveats: You get a single key — which only works on a single computer — and there’s no Microsoft OneDrive Cloud Storage included.) In fact, Stack has been offering a version of this deal since the beginning of 2022. But this lowest-ever price won’t last, so take the plunge while you can.

With Sony not launching its PlayStation VR2 until Feb. 23, 2023, there currently aren’t many better VR headsets than the Meta Quest 2, which offers a completely wireless experience for untethered VR gaming. Right now, it’s $399 for the 128GB model. That gets you everything you need to start playing, but there are a lot of different accessories that can enhance your experience.

Here’s a look at some of the top Oculus Quest 2 accessories out there. Most I’ve tried myself, including the Quest 2 Elite Strap, various carrying cases, a VR mat, prescription lenses, sweat mask, weighted gloves, external battery packs and a generic version of the Oculus Link VR cable. But a few selections are highly rated by buyers online. I’ll be adding more accessories for your Quest 2 VR headset and will update this list as I try them out.

Read more: Best VR Games and Experiences on Quest and Quest 2

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Kiwi Design Shell Protective cover

If you’re looking for a little protection for the Quest 2 head unit (yes, people have been known to drop them), a face cover will help. The Kiwi comes in translucent or black colors for less than $15.

$14 at Amazon

Amazon

Esimen K3 Accessories Set

When I was looking to upgrade to an “elite” head strap for my virtual reality experience, I didn’t necessarily want to spend $50 for the official Elite Head Strap. I was looking for a Quest accessory bundle that combined accessories and found this one from Esimen, which includes a nice carrying case. So far, after a year of use, everything is holding up well. That said, both the Elite Head Strap and official Quest 2 Carrying Case have a more premium look and feel to them (whether they’re worth the extra dough is debatable, of course).

$56 at Amazon

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Best Buy

Quest 2 Elite Strap

If you’re looking for a more comfortable gaming experience, upgrading to an “elite” strap is the way to go. I initially bought that knockoff Esimen accessories bundle. That’s all been fine, but I will say the official elite strap version is superior (it’s not twice as good, but it’s a bit of an upgrade over the elite strap knockoff). You just have to pay a premium for it.

$59 at Walmart

$60 at Best Buy

$60 at Target

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Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Bobovr M2 Plus Head Strap Twin Battery Combo

If you’re hardcore about your VR gaming, you know that it’s a bummer to have to stop gaming because your battery is dying. That’s where a setup like the Bobovr M2 Plus Head Strap Twin Battery Combo comes in. You get a head strap plus two batteries and a docking station, so you can charge one battery while using the other. It’s one of the best and most ergonomic Quest 2 external battery setups we’ve seen, and it’s a good deal if you’re looking to upgrade your the stock Quest 2 head strap and also add some extra battery life.

The batteries dock and adhere magnetically to the back of the head strap and essentially double the battery life of the Quest 2. If you don’t want the dock and second battery, you can buy the base Bobovr M2 rig for a little more than $50 (the batteries also charge via USB-C).

$89 at Amazon

Amazon

VeeR Oculus Quest 2 Accessories Bundle

Plenty of VR games are designed to make you sweat. That’s why it’s a good idea to get a silicone or faux-leather face cover that you can easily wipe off after each gaming session, along with a set of controller grips. There are lots of options on Amazon, but what makes the Kiwi Design bundle slightly better is that its controller grips have a door for the battery so you don’t have to pull off the grips when you change batteries.

The bundle also includes a lens cover, which protects your lenses from getting hit with direct sunlight, which can do damage to your system. This set only comes in one color but you can also get Kiwi Design’s controller grips in white or translucent for around $30 (the bundle is a better valueoverall if you can live with black).

$40 at Amazon

FramesDirect

VirtuClear Prescription Lenses

You can certainly play with the Quest 2 while wearing glasses, but it is more comfortable without. That’s where a set of prescription lens inserts comes in.

Oculus has partnered with FramesDirect to provide such Rx inserts, with prices starting at $80 for the VirtuClear inserts. There are other Oculus VR Rx lens inserts out there, including ones from VR Lens Lab and WidmoVR, but I’ve only tried the VirtuClear lenses. They work well and are easy enough to remove so someone who doesn’t require glasses can play.

$80 at Frames Direct

Meta

Official Meta Quest 2 Carrying Case

There are plenty of carrying cases for the Quest 2 that cost around $25 and are quite decent. But the Oculus-branded version is arguably the best. It’s protective, relatively lightweight and sleek-looking. The only drawback is its cost, which is $60.

$55 at Walmart

$59 at Amazon

$60 at Best Buy

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Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Syntech Hard Carrying Case

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the official Meta Quest 2 Carrying Case, the Syntech Hard Carrying Case is a good alternative for just over half the price.

$33 at Amazon

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Soundcore by Anker VR P10 Wireless Gaming Earbuds

We’re finally starting to see some true-wireless earbuds for the Meta Quest 2, and the Soundcore by Anker VR P10 is officially compatible with the console. The way it works is that it comes with a USB-C dongle that you plug into the the Meta Quest 2’s USB-C port and which streams audio to the buds. They can also be used as Bluetooth earbuds, and there’s a companion app that allows you to put the buds into Meta Quest 2 mode (work with the dongle). It can be a little tricky to set up, but I got it working after a couple of attempts.

Once connected, the buds work well though, I wouldn’t say the sound quality is great, which may have more to do with the Quest 2’s hardware (and how it outputs audio) than the buds. But these are a way to get private sound (when you raise the volume of the Quest 2’s external speakers, people in the room can hear the audio) and avoid having all the wires. And they are cheaper than some of the wired solutions out there from Logitech, for example.

$69 at Walmart

$69 at Amazon

$70 at Best Buy

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David Carnoy/CNET

VR mat

Owning a “VR” mat is good because it provides some padding for your feet during VR workouts and also sets a boundary that you can feel (the mat is raised a bit off the floor so you can sense when you’re stepping off it and know to recenter yourself). This provides as much padding as a thick yoga mat.

I’ve used one from Supernatural that sells for $42. It seems to be very similar to the popular Proxi-Mat Space Station Theo mat that you can find at Amazon for around $50 (its price seems to fluctuate a bit). Both are 35 inches in diameter.

$50 at Amazon

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Amazon

AMVR Table Tennis Paddle Grip Handle

The Quest 2 has a couple of excellent table tennis games that are already shockingly realistic (I play Eleven Table Tennis). But if you want to add even more, turn your Quest controller into what feels like a real ping-pong paddle with a paddle grip. The weight balance is a little different, but it’s close enough to give you the sensation you’re truly holding a ping-pong paddle. It’s a little hardcore, but it’s a must-have if you play a lot of virtual table tennis.

$26 at Amazon

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Amazon

Crossmeta VR Sweat Masks (3-Pack)

Amazon has several VR sweat masks available for those who play active VR games and end up with a little too much perspiration buildup. After a session of Thrill of the Fight (boxing), I often end up with sweat dripping into my eyes inside the headset, which is irritating. That’s where one of these sweat masks can help. They look a little ridiculous but they can make the VR playing experience more comfortable.

The Crossmeta version here is a little more expensive than some other options on Amazon, but it comes with three masks instead of two.

$16 at Amazon

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David Carnoy/CNET

Logitech G333 VR Gaming Earphones for Quest 2

If you don’t want to wear full-size headphones while playing, the Logitech G333 VR gaming earphones are a good alternative. They come with a custom-length short cord (and Velcro strap) designed for Quest 2 headsets.

The cord leading to the right bud is longer so you wear that cord behind your neck, which allows you to leave them hanging when you don’t have the buds in your ears. While they’re nothing too fancy as far as earbuds go, they do have a sturdy cord and feel sturdy overall, and they’re well-designed for Oculus Quest 2 use. They deliver solid sound if you get a tight seal (a few different sized tips are included).

There are plenty of cheaper earbuds options for Oculus Quest 2 — you can find them here. However, I haven’t tried them. Some don’t seem as durable as the Logitech G333.

$50 at Amazon

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Amazon

Anker Charging Dock for Meta Quest 2

The Anker Charging Dock for Quest 2 is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a resting place for your Quest 2 head unit and controllers when you’re not using them, and includes rechargeable batteries for your controllers as well as a USB-C cable and power adapter (you plug the cable into the dock).

The dock also comes with a little magnetic USB-C adapter that you plug into the USB-C port on the Oculus headset. You then dock the head unit and the integrated magnetic charger connects to the adapter.

I was able to charge the Quest 2 headset even with an elite head strap on it, but you have to take off any grips you might have on the controllers to charge those.

$79 at Best Buy

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Moolechi Battery Pack for Quest 2

External battery packs are a popular accessory for the Quest 2 and there’s no shortage of them out there. This model from Moolechi costs a little more than some but has a higher percentage of positive reviews than some of the cheaper batteries that clip on to the side of your Quest 2’s head strap (this has a mounting rail system that allows you to slide it on and off easily enough).

It’s a 5,000-mAh battery and basically doubles the battery life of your Quest 2. The LED is just for show, but it does add a little flair to your console and lets you know the battery is working.

$33 at Amazon

Amazon

BMTick Comfort Strap and Magnetic Battery Dock

I haven’t tried this Quest accessories combo out yet, but it gets high marks on Amazon and seems like a good way to attach an external battery (not included) for extended gameplay sessions.

There’s a magnetic docking area on the back of the comfort strap. You simply stick the adhesive metal plate onto any external battery and the battery then sticks to the comfort strap. While there are now plenty of battery options for the Quest 2, this is more of a DIY solution for those who already have a battery pack they want to bring to the charging party.

$20 at Amazon

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Pale Blue Earth Rechargeable Batteries

Quest 2 controllers use AA batteries, which can last a reasonable amount of time, but if you play a lot, they do require replacement more regularly. That’s why it’s a good idea to get a set of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which charge faster and last longer than the NiCad and NiMH rechargeable batteries of yesteryear. And who needs to put more dead disposable batteries out in the world?

Pale Blue rechargeables come in packs with as few as four batteries or as many as 12 (various battery types are available). The batteries charge via Micro-USB and the included cable charges up to four batteries simultaneously. It takes about two hours to get a full charge. Some competing models have moved to USB-C charging, and Pale Blue may do that in the future. Currently, only its rechargeable D batteries charge via USB-C.

$30 at Amazon

Amazon

Orzero VR Lens Protect Cover

If all you’re looking for is a lens cover, this Orzero VR Lens Protect Cover is one of the more popular options for just less than $10. Personally, I look for accessory bundles that include a lens cover, but some people only want this lens protector accessory.

$8 at Amazon

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KRX 16-foot USB-C Link Cable

You can play PC VR games on your Quest 2 but you need a Link cable, (although Meta has been refining its Air Link wireless option to be more reliableover Wi-Fi). The official Oculus Link Cable costs $78, but lots of less-expensive versions are available, including this 16-foot KRX data transmission and charging cable (the 20-foot version is out of stock).

$16 at Amazon

Amazon

Nayoya Weighted Gloves

I wanted a little bit more of a challenge when doing virtual reality workout games like Thrill of the Fight, Fitness VR, The Climb and The Climb 2, Beat Saber and many others, so I looked into getting some wearable weights. From my experience, I found that weighted gloves were the way to go. Just be warned that you should proceed at your own risk with these (you could injure yourself), but it certainly does increase the intensity of your workouts.

Each glove only adds a pound of weight, but that’s more than you think. They fit inside the controllers fine.

$20 at Amazon

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If storage is tight on your iPhone, you have very few options. You can of course delete large files, like downloaded TV shows, movies and albums, but maybe you don’t really want to give these up. There are also various cloud options, but that requires shifting files around and deleting things. Or maybe you could buy a new phone with more internal storage, but that can be expensive.

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 without having to delete anything or spend money.

That’s right. 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 update, 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 significant more space on your device storage.

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.

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.

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.

The most recent iPad Pro is a beast of a tablet thanks to its M2 processor, gorgeous display and optional 5G. If you want to take full advantage of its powerful hardware and use it for more than just scrolling through social media, you should invest in a proper case with a built-in keyboard. Adding a keyboard to your iPad Pro helps it feel more like a real laptop, and makes it a great tool for typing up emails, essays and more while you’re on the go. So read on if you’re on the hunt for the best iPad Pro keyboard cases on the market right now.

Keyboard cases for the iPad Pro add a lot to the picture, especially with a trackpad. Cases that have both a keyboard and a trackpad really feel like they help the iPad transform into a laptop. Granted, the OS is different. But Apple’s support for keyboard shortcuts and multitouch trackpad gestures work really well on iPadOS. In 2020, I compared options. Now, I’m doing the same.

Apple has its own fancy and expensive Magic Keyboard case. Two other manufacturers are also worth noting: Logitech makes a keyboard-detachable case with a kickstand that’s perfect for Zoom/FaceTime calls using that new zoom-in Center Stage camera, while Brydge has a new case with an extremely large trackpad and a design that feels closest to laptop-like.

They all have their advantages, and all work well, but I still prefer Apple’s Magic Keyboard for its size/performance over the others. I tested all of these on the 12.9-inch 2021 iPad Pro, which isn’t compatible with many older accessories because of its slightly thicker size. The smaller 11-inch Pro works with any 11-inch iPad Pro accessories going back to the 2018 model, and also cases for the 2020 iPad Air. Prices below are for the 12.9-inch keyboard version.

Scott Stein/CNET

Apple Magic Keyboard

Best compact option

Pros: Compact design. Easy to attach and detach. Bonus passthrough USB-C charge port. Somewhat lap-friendly.

Cons: Expensive. Limited viewing angles. Lacks dedicated function keys.

Apple’s keyboard, originally released last year, offers a comfortable typing experience. The keys, especially on the 12.9-inch, are well-spaced and feel just like typing on a MacBook. It hasn’t changed much since last year, but new 12.9-inch cases are sized up a tiny bit to fit the new Pro’s slightly thicker dimensions.

I’ve gotten really used to the design of this Magic Keyboard, and it’s well-sized to fit on smaller desks or on a lap in a pinch. But there are drawbacks. The adjustable-angle magnetic top cover doesn’t bend back as much as a normal laptop. The case’s rigid design also makes it nearly useless as a tablet case for sketching with a Pencil. The case doesn’t offer much protection, exposing the tablet sides and detaching easily on falls. There aren’t any dedicated function keys like the MacBook Air (and other iPad cases) have. The lack of volume/play/pause/screen brightness adjustments keys is a letdown.

The side USB-C passthrough is helpful because it adds an extra charge port while using the side Thunderbolt port for other dongles. The case runs off the iPad Pro’s power. It’s made of a soft material that can get scuffed up, and occasionally can get torn or dented depending on how you use it.

$349 at Apple

Scott Stein/CNET

Brydge 12.9 Max Plus

Most like a laptop

Pros: Tremendous-size trackpad. Dedicated function keys. Improved design has a magnetic back to easily attach to the iPad Pro. Very lap-friendly. Bends back for wide viewing angles.

Cons: Needs to connect via Bluetooth.

Brydge’s latest premium keyboard case for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, coming in mid-June, makes a big leap over previous Brydge keyboards. The redesigned bluetooth keyboard has more travel in its keys than Logitech’s or Apple’s keyboards (more like the 2015 MacBook Pro used to have way back). There’s also a tremendous multitouch trackpad that’s bigger than the one on the MacBook Air, which works very smoothly with multitouch gestures on iPadOS. But this iPad keyboard is also more expensive than existing Brydge accessories. Still, it costs $100 less than the Magic Keyboard.

A snap-on magnetic back cover gives a little more protection than older Brydge keyboards, and it’s also a lot easier to attach/remove the iPad, but that also means that the iPad can’t bend back at quite as wide an angle as before. Still, this is easily the most laptop-friendly iPad Pro keyboard case around, and really makes the whole thing feel shockingly like a MacBook Air.

The Bluetooth connectivity is easier and more instantaneous than before, but it’s not perfect. Sometimes I found the connection dropped out (as happens with Bluetooth), and sometimes, rarely, the trackpad gestures seemed a little skittish.

$220 at Amazon

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Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Pro

Best keyboard that also doubles as a normal iPad case

Pros: iPad case can be removed from the keyboard and used on its own with a kickstand. Comes with an extra row of function-based keys that the Magic Keyboard lacks. This iPad keyboard is more affordable than Apple or Brydge’s top-end new cases. Case offers solid protection.

Cons: Needs a lot of table space for the rear stand and keyboard base. Needs a stable flat surface to use (isn’t good for laps). Keyboard needs to be connected to a case to use (runs off Smart Connector power).

Logitech’s latest iPad Pro keyboard case is a Pro-sized version of the company’s Combo Touch case available on smaller iPads. It works just as well: The detachable keyboard and trackpad are generous enough, although the trackpad is a lot smaller than the giant Brydge one. The extra row of function keys for volume, screen brightness, play/pause and other helpful shortcuts is really useful, much like it is on the Brydge keyboard. Apple’s Magic Keyboard lacks them.

I found the responsiveness of Logitech’s keyboard to be really good, but the design also means you’ll need to sit at a desk. Much like Microsoft’s Surface tablet keyboards, the bottom-connecting design won’t really work in a lap. The standalone case offers the best protection of any of these three: The rubberized sheath should help protect against bumps. The adjustable rear kickstand is helpful as a viewing stand for family Zooms, too. The more versatile design of the case means you can flip back (or remove) the keyboard for non-typing needs, like drawing with a Pencil or reading, without needing to pop it out of the case.

$180 at Amazon

$180 at Best Buy

$180 at Target

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Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, has reached an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission to change some default settings and to pay $520 million over allegations that it violated children’s privacy and used “design tricks” that caused players to make unwanted purchase, the FTC said Monday.

“Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan in the statement about the agreement.

Epic Games will pay a $275 million penalty for child privacy violations, the largest ever fine paid by a company for breaking FTC rules. The FTC said that Epic Games collected personal information from children under the age of 13 without the consent of their parents in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and that, by setting voice and text communications on by default, the game opened children and teens to bullying and harassment from strangers. Epic Games has also agreed to set voice and text communications off by default.

Sen. Edward Markey, a Democrat of Massachusetts and author of COPPA, applauded the FTC’s agreement in an emailed press release and called on Congress to take further action to protect kids and teens online.

“Without immediate action to thwart the pernicious threats facing young people, we will fail to safeguard them in the face of a generation-defining mental health and privacy crisis,” he said. In May 2022, the FTC adopted a new policy prioritizing enforcement of the COPPA.

The other portion, $245 million, will be used by the FTC to refund consumers who were unfairly charged for in-game purchases. It’s the largest refund amount in an FTC gaming case. The FTC called out how Epic enticed players to make unwanted purchases and its failure to require confirmation of purchases, which allowed children and teens to purchase hundreds of dollars worth of in-game merchandise before parents knew their cards had been charged.

In a statement posted to Epic Games’ website, the company accepted the decision and called on the gaming industry to adopt practices that better reflect today’s gaming environment, saying, “No developer creates a game with the intention of ending up here.”

“Statutes written decades ago don’t specify how gaming ecosystems should operate. The laws have not changed, but their application has evolved and long-standing industry practices are no longer enough. We accepted this agreement because we want Epic to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players,” the post read.

The agreement is subject to a 30-day comment period. The FTC will disburse the $245 million for eligible customers.

Just about everyone has heard of or used Microsoft Office at some point in their life, but not everyone may own a copy of it on their own computer. There are some alternatives that work online and while that can help in a pinch, it’s not a great long-term solution. If you find yourself spending more time creating documents, sending emails and fixing up PowerPoints, you’re going to want to check this out.

You can ditch the subscription (with recurring charges) and snag a lifetime license of access to Microsoft’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher and Access for just $30 instead. That’s back at the lowest price we’ve ever seen, and a whopping 91% off the usual price of $349. However, this deal expires in just a few days, so be sure to get your order in soon.

The offer, from StackSocial, applies to both the Windows and Mac version of the software.

Microsoft

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 lifetime license: $30

Save 91%

This wildly popular offer for a Microsoft Office lifetime license is still available for $30. It’s available for both Mac and Windows, so be sure to grab the right one for the computer that you use regularly.

• Microsoft Office for Windows: $30
• Microsoft Office for Mac: $30

$30 at StackSocial (Windows)

$30 at StackSocial (Mac)

Now, you can always opt to use the free online version of Microsoft Office (which has far fewer features). But compared to the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite that costs $10 per month or $100 per year, this downloadable version is a phenomenal bargain.

While the price almost seems too good to be true, we tried it ourselves, and it worked like a charm. (The two big caveats: You get a single key — which only works on a single computer — and there’s no Microsoft OneDrive Cloud Storage included.) In fact, Stack has been offering a version of this deal since the beginning of 2022. But this lowest-ever price won’t last, so take the plunge while you can.

Between your laptop, phone, tablet, smartwatch, earbuds and other devices you use regularly, your desk or nightstand can quickly turn into a chaotic nest of charging cables. And if you’re tired of untangling cords every time you need to recharge, it may be time to upgrade your setup. Lamicall makes tons of stylish device stands to help you stay organized, and right now you can pick some up at a discount. Amazon is offering up to 63% off select Lamicall stands for phones, tablets and laptops, with prices starting at just $5 right now. There’s no set expiration for this sale, so get your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

Whether you just need a phone holder for your nightstand, or you’re looking to reorganize your entire desk, you’ll find everything you need for less at this sale. For just $5, $8 off the usual price, you can pick up this adjustable phone holder that has two height settings and folds up so you can take it on the go. There’s a version for tablets as well, which is on sale for $8. Or you can snag this handy gooseneck phone holder, which clamps on to your desk or countertop and has a 33.4-inch bendable arm that can hold your phone at any angle. It’s on sale for $20, saving you $10 compared to the usual price. And if you’re tired of straining your neck to look down at your laptop, you can pick up this laptop riser stand for $23, saving you $17. It’s designed for laptops between 10 and 17.3 inches, can swivel a full 360 degrees and holds your laptop at eye level, which reduces the strain on your neck and back.