Category: Technologies

Learning a new language can be useful for many reasons, but can be challenging to teach yourself. If you’re the sort of person who needs a guided approach to learning, then grabbing yourself a language-learning app is the way to go. Babbel is a pretty excellent app for that, offering an online school type of experience. And for a final few hours you can take advantage of a superb deal at StackSocial that will cut the cost of Babbel significantly.

Act quick, and you can grab yourself a lifetime subscription to Babbel for just $140 instead of the usual eye-watering $599. That means that you’ll have unlimited access and can learn at your own pace without feeling pressured to finish goals within a specific period and get demotivated. And with 14 languages to pick from, you’ll get full use out of the lifetime subscription.

Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian, Portuguese and more. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and others. A variety of skill levels are available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.

The speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation, so you don’t just learn to read and write but how to listen and speak, as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices. And though the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.

Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferable skills you gain can open a lot of doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is available only for new users.

Babbel is a great value when compared with other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globetrotting adventures, this is a solid deal.

Read more: 11 Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist for a Smooth Trip

Google’s Pixel line of phones comprises some of the best Android phones around today — they’re great options if you want something close to the Apple experience without the Apple walled garden that comes with it. Right now, Amazon’s offering a number of discounts across the entire Pixel lineup, with savings of up to 29% off regular prices. Models on sale include the budget Pixel 7A, the midrange Pixel 8 and the high-end flagship model, the Pixel 8 Pro — something for everyone’s needs and budgets. But as is so often the case, we don’t know how long these limited-time deals are going to stick around, so keep that in mind when planning your purchase.

The best phone for a lot of people will be the midrange option. The Pixel 8 is discounted right now, with a massive $200 off. That means you’ll pay just $499 rather than $699. The deal is now its best ever discount, making it one not to be ignored. And at the top of the range, we have the biggest of the bunch, the Pixel 8 Pro, with its own $200 discount. There are multiple storage configurations on offer, but the cheapest is now just $749 instead of the normal $999. That’s an impressive model, sharing the same Tensor G3 chip as the Pixel 8 but adding a new, larger display that runs to 6.7 inches. Other big features include the screen’s 120Hz variable refresh rate for ultra smooth motion, and no fewer than four pro-level cameras.

Read more: New Google Pixel Fold All-Time Low Saves You $500 Instantly

However, if you’re searching for the cheapest of the phones on offer, you may want to grab the Pixel 7A, which costs just $374 (a $125 savings) if you order today. That’s a great price, and matches the lowest price we’ve seen for a phone that has many of the Pixel mainstay features without any of the high prices you’d pay for the Pixel 8 lineup.

Not into Google’s own hardware? Be sure to check out our roundup of the best phone deals for more options.

The deadline to file taxes is fast approaching, but if you’re looking to grab tax software to help you do-it-yourself, it’s hard to beat H&R Block. The service offers the best free online tax filing experience. But even if you don’t qualify for free filing, right now you can score 20% off select online tax preparation products from H&R Block now through April 15 — which is also the last day to file for most taxpayers.

Check the link above to see which H&R Block product may be the right fit for you this tax season. And if you’re making the switch from TurboTax, the process will be easy thanks to Direct Import, which lets you use just your cellphone number. With plenty of help screens and comprehensive FAQs, you should be able to navigate through the software fairly easily, which is why it’s one of our top picks for tax software. Note that this offer is for H&R Block Online for an original 2023 personal federal income tax return and the discount cannot be combined with any other offer of promotion.

You can also check out our roundup of tax software deals to see what other options are currently available.

Warning: If you keep reading, you’ll see the Wordle answer for Monday, April 1. That could be a devastating spoiler for some players. But if you just need the answer — maybe you’re on your last guess and just don’t want to see an 800-game streak go poof — keep reading.

We’ll start you off with some general tips and then hints in case you feel just getting the answer itself is cheating. If you just want the answer, scroll down to the final subhead. We’ll update every day with the newest answer.

Tips, strategies and more

I’ve written a lot about Wordle — from covering its 1000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to controversial word changes. I’ve even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. So, if you are rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.

Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they’ve spotted to use as their starter word — such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I’ve read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.

Is Wordle running out of words?

Tracy Bennett, the Wordle editor, made a TikTok on March 28 where she addressed the possibility that the game will eventually run out of five-letter words. “Yes, there are only about 2,300+ words left in the database,” she acknowledged. But she notes that she’s added about 30 words and could add more. Bennett also says she might recycle words later on, or possibly allow plurals or past tenses, which haven’t been a part of the game. (A TikTok commenter suggests the game move up to six words when the database runs out.)

By the way, Bennett herself plays the game every day because she wants to get a sense for what players are experiencing, she told the Times. Even though she knows the answer, she chose it weeks before it was published, and she often forgets.

Wordle siblings, Connections and Strands

There are other fun games in the Times Games stable. My latest addiction is Connections, which I think is tricker than Wordle. This is the game where you look at a grid of 16 words and try and put them into four groups of related words. Sometimes the relationships between the words are pretty out there — like the time when it was four words that all began with rock bands, such as RUSHMORE and JOURNEYMAN.

Spelling Bee is a popular Times game, too. And there’s a new game that’s still in beta, Strands, which I’m trying to master.

Wordle hints and answer

OK, let’s talk about the answer for today. Last chance to bow out and stop reading if you don’t want spoilers. I’ll start with some clues that don’t give it away, in order to give you a chance to still win on your own.

Wordle hint #1: Vowels

There’s only one vowel, used only once, in today’s answer.

Wordle hint #2: Double up

Wordle loves double-consonants to start off the word, and this one has that. Not the same consonant. Tthat wwould bbe wweird. Just two consonants, then a vowel, then two more consonants.

Wordle hint #3: Pete and repeat

Repeated letters sometimes trip me up in Wordle, but there aren’t any in today’s word.

Wordle hint #4: Character clue

Do you watch Bob’s Burgers? You should. I’m a big fan. The Wordle answer is the last name of the school guidance counselor on that show. He has therapy dolls with names like Repressed Memory Emily and Portion Control Joel.

But Bob’s Burgers aside, most people know this word because it means the leaflike part of a plant, like a fern.

Wordle hint #5: Starting letter

Now, we’re giving it away. The answer starts with an F. Last chance to look away, the answer is below the photo.

Wordle answer revealed

The Wordle answer for April 1 is FROND. Not the most common word out there, but it does feature a few of the more popular letters — Reader’s Digest says R is #3, O is #5, and N is #7.

Hope that helped you keep your streak going! Come back tomorrow if you’re stumped again.

Samsung makes a lot of products, from appliances to phones and tablets, but one area where it does particularly well is TVs. In fact, Samsung makes some of the best TVs on the market, so it’s no surprise that they are highly sought after — and expensive. Luckily, there’s a massive sale at Woot on new models, so you can pick up one of Samsung’s high-end TVs for a relatively low price. There are also TVs from LG and Vizio, but the star of the sale is Samsung.

Many of the TVs are pretty high-end. If you want something new that’s an OLED, the cheapest option is a 65-inch S90C Series that has quantum HDR and Dolby Atmos Object Tracking Sound Lite, going for just $1,448 rather than $2,598. There are also some solid QLED models up for grabs, like a new Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN85A Series that’s on sale for $1,390 instead of $2,000. We’d be remiss not to mention Samsung’s QLED The Terrace Outdoor TV, which, as the name suggests, is perfect for using outdoors. This new 65-inch model is going for $2,748 instead of $3,998. Of course, we also have to mention Samsung’s The Frame TV, which is as much of a piece of art as it is a TV. You can grab a 43-inch version for just $728 or get the biggest option available, which is the 85-inch version, for $2,648

If none of the TVs in the complete Woot TV sale tickle your fancy, check out some other great TV deals we’ve rounded up.

There’s a lot to be said about the Xbox consoles, but if you’re the type of person who loves playing games regularly, then grabbing yourself an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription opens up a whole new world. Not only do you get access to a ton of games, but you get to do that on both Xbox and PC. Luckily, there’s a great deal from StackSocial right now that brings down the price of a one-month subscription to just $8. That’s 46% off on the original $15 price, so it’s well worth grabbing, which you should do quickly, because the deal expires in three days on April 2nd.

Ask any regular Xbox user and they’ll tell you that the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is where it’s at. Gain access to over 100 games on Xbox consoles — Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S — as well as Windows PCs. The Ultimate membership includes Xbox Live Gold, Games with Gold and console multiplayer, as well as access to EA Play, which offers several dozen additional games from the Electronic Arts catalog. Other free perks include in-game content and being able to play games on your phone or tablet from the cloud (on compatible titles and devices).

Before you grab the deal, it’s worth noting that for brand-new users, Xbox offers a $1, 14-day trial, which is arguably a better deal. However, the StackSocial deal works for former subscribers whose pass has expired, as well as new users. The deal is not stackable and your account must be new or already expired to redeem. The code must be redeemed within 30 days of use. It’s also important to note that after one month, the subscription will automatically renew at the full monthly price of $15 per month.

Also, while you’re here, be sure to check out these amazing Xbox deals.

Read more: Best Cloud Gaming Services: Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now and More

Whether you’re in the market for a new tablet or are just looking to pick up a cool new light strip to add a splash of color to your home, Best Buy is currently running a sale that you won’t want to miss out on. With huge savings available on some of the biggest brands in the game like Apple, Samsung, LG and others, this flash sale isn’t going to last for long. Right now there are savings of up to $600 available so make sure to take a good look at all the deals to make sure you aren’t missing out on the bargain you’ve been waiting for. The biggest deals right now include Apple’s M1 24-inch iMac, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

There are so many great deals available that we can’t possibly run through them all here, but don’t fret, we’re going to pick out some of the most notable offers and outline them all below. We’ll also be updating this list as new deals come and go as well, but keep in mind that these deals are only available until the end of March at the latest so factor that into your thinking.

Here are some more of our top picks from the current Best Buy Flash Sale:

• LG UltraGear 45-inch Curved OLED 240Hz Gaming Monitor: $1,200 (save $500)
• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) 41mm Silver Aluminum Case with Winter Blue Sport Loop: $269 (save $130)

• Dell G15 15.6-inch AMD Ryzen 7 Gaming Laptop: $800 (save $350)
• Toshiba 43-inch C350 series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV: $200 (save $80)
• Just Dance 2024 Edition (Xbox Series S|X): $20 (save $40)
• Just Dance 2024 Edition (PS5): $20 (save $40)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones: $280 (save $120)
• Philips Hue 60W A19 Smart LED Starter Kit White and Color Ambiance: $120 (save $50)

If you’ve been craving some great weekend bargains, then you’ll be happy to know that Amazon has a lot of great sales that take place over the weekend. You can find deals on everything from coffee makers to smart scales and pretty much everything in between. We’ve gone ahead and collected some of our favorite deals below, but be sure to also check out CNET’s gift guides for some more great bargains.

Best Amazon deals to shop right now

AT&T on Saturday said the data of 73 million current and former customers is on the dark web. The data, including Social Security numbers, appears to be from 2019 or earlier, AT&T said in a statement, and includes personal information for approximately 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former customers.

The leak first came to light in 2021, when hackers claimed they’d stolen customer data from AT&T and would put the information up for sale. Fast forward to March 2024, the stolen customer data — which may include customer names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers and dates of birth — was discovered on the dark web, according to Troy Hunt, creator of Have I Been Pwned.

In response, AT&T said it has contacted the 7.6 million current customers and reset their passcodes. Whether you’re in the smaller set of current customers or the larger group of former account holders who think you’re data been stolen in the breach, you can take steps to potentially lessen the damage. Read on for what you can do. AT&T didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

For more, here’s our picks for the best identity theft protection and monitoring services and how Consumer Report’s permission slip can help you take control of your online data.

What to know about the AT&T data breach

AT&T on March 30 said that personal information of 73 million current and former customers — including Social Security numbers — was leaked in the middle of the month to the dark web. Bleeping Computer’s 2021 report of the leak said the stolen information also includes names, addresses, phone numbers and birth dates. AT&T said the information doesn’t appear to contain personal financial information or call history.

AT&T said the stolen information appears to from 2019 or earlier and does not know if the information came from AT&T or one of its vendors.

How to see if your information was part of the AT&T leak

AT&T said it is contacting the 7.6 million current customers whose data was stolen and has reset their passcodes. The company said it is also communicating with the 65.4 million former account holders whose data was stolen.

You don’t have to wait for AT&T to contact you, however. Using Have I Been Pwned, you can see check if your data has been leaked. If you use store your password information in a Google account, its Password Checkup tool can alert you if your account information has been exposed. And the premium version of our favorite password manager, Bitwarden, can check for leaked passwords.

How to monitor your credit report for fraud

If you think your personal information was part of the AT&T breach you can also watch your credit reports for signs of potential fraud.

Monitor your credit reports. You get one free credit report a year from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. On your report, look for unusual or unfamiliar activity, such as the appearance of new accounts you didn’t open. And watch your credit card accounts and bank statements for unexpected charges and payments.

Sign up for a credit monitoring service. Pick a credit monitoring service that constantly monitors your credit report on major credit bureaus and alerts when it detects unusual activity. To help with the monitoring, you can set fraud alerts that notify you if someone is trying to use your identity to create credit. A credit-reporting service like LifeLock can start at $7.50 a month — or you could use a free service like the one from Credit Karma.

What to do if you suspect you’re a victim of fraud or identity theft

As soon as you suspect your personal information has been stolen you can take action to stop unauthorized charges and start to recover your identity.

Place a fraud alert. If you suspect fraud, place a fraud alert with each of the credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The alert notifies creditors that you have been a victim of fraud and lets them know to verify that you’re making new credit requests in your name. You can place an initial fraud alert, which stays on your credit report for 90 days, or an extended fraud alert, which stays on your credit report for sevenyears. Placing a fraud alert won’t affect your credit score.

Contact fraud departments. For each business and credit card company where you think an account was opened or charged without your knowledge, contact its fraud department. While you’re not responsible for fraudulent charges to an account, you need to report the suspicious activity promptly.

Freeze your credit. If you want to stop anyone from opening credit and requesting loans and services in your name without your permission, you can freeze your credit. You will need to request a freeze with each of the three credit reporting companies, which again are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. To apply for new credit, you need to unfreeeze your credit, again, through each of the credit reporting companies. You can either request a temporary lift of the freeze or unfreeze it permanently.

Create a recovery plan. The Federal Trade Commission has a valuable tool that helps you report identity theft and recover your identity through a personal recovery plan and Identity Theft Report, which may help you dispute charges.

Document everything. Keep copies of all documents and expenses and records of your conversations about the theft.

For more, here are our favorite password managers and the best VPN services.