Category: Technologies

While modern built-in TV speakers are generally OK, investing in a good soundbarcan make a huge difference in sound quality, especially if you don’t have a standalone set of speakers. Not only can a soundbar offer you louder and higher-quality audio, but you can also get things like surround sound and the ability to listen to music when the TV is off. And right now, on Amazon you can snag the Fire TV soundbar for just $100 rather than the usual $120 it goes for. That’s a solid 17% discount, so you better snap it up quickly before the deal expires.

The Fire TV Soundbar is compact at just 24 inches wide, and as you’d expect, it’s designed to work best with Fire TV streaming devices and smart TVs, though you can use it with other smart TVs and media players as well. Connectivity includes Bluetooth, HDMI eARC and digital optical. There’s support for DTS Virtual:X built in — and all of that for just $100 if you act now.

Like all the best soundbars, this one doesn’t take up too much space below your TV and is nice and simple. It only comes in one understated color, but it can be wall-mounted if that’s something you want to do to match your room’s aesthetic. That said, if this model doesn’t quite do it for you, be sure to check out some of these other soundbar deals instead.

We’re all much busier than we’d like to admit, which makes it hard to find time to work on personal growth. The Headway app is one way to do just that. thanks to its easy-to-digest, bite-size learnings that can be enjoyed anytime and wherever you want. And right now you can grab yourself a lifetime subscription to the Headway Premium plan for just $48 (instead of the usual $300) when you enter the discount code ENJOY20. This offer isn’t likely to stick around, so be sure to snap it up soon if you’re interested, and don’t forget to use that discount code.

Headway serves up 15-minute summaries of nonfiction books, with recommendations based on your needs and goals. It’s designed to help people with packed schedules pick up noteworthy lessons from top-selling titles. A one-year subscription to Headway runs $90, which means this deal saves you a bundle on the first year alone. And if you opt for the lifetime subscription to the app from StackSocial, you’ll never have to worry about recurring fees.

Headway offers a wide variety of the best nonfiction books, which have been boiled down into summaries with key insights and tips. You can dive into multiple topics, including productivity, self-growth and happiness, and you can customize the app based on your recommendations. There are also audio summaries for folks who want to learn on the go or prefer to digest information in audio form. If you want to share the app with a partner or friends, there’s a plan for two users available for $88, or you can get a family plan with four users for $120.

If you do go for a Headway subscription, pair it with one of these headphone and earbuds deals so you can use the app even when you’re out and about.

Read more: Best Language Learning Apps for 2024

We’re pretty confident in saying that the Apple TV 4K is one of the best streaming devices we’ve tested, and it offers many features that you can’t get from competing products. But as great as it is, there is one area where it absolutely lets itself down — the remote control that comes with it. Sure, the latest model is better than the one that came before it, but it’s still too small and easily lost, plus it relies on swipe gestures that not everyone gets on with. Now, you can replace it with a much better product and save some money at the same time.

That better option is the Function101 Apple TV remote, a product that would normally sell for $30 but is yours today for just $24 as part of StackSocial’s latest discount. That’s a reasonable saving, and it’s one that you can pick up today by entering the discount code ENJOY20.

The remote is much more chunky than Apple’s, which means it’s easier to find and less likely to slide between the cushions on your couch. It also has all the buttons you’re going to want, including a menu button, navigation arrows and a whole slate of buttons for media playback control.

The Function101 remote works with all Apple TV and Apple TV 4K boxes and will also work with most modern TV sets. The only thing worth being aware of is the lack of a Siri button, but if we’re being honest, that isn’t all that big of a deal. Sorry, Siri.

If the bad remote has been the one thing holding you back from investing in an Apple TV, be sure to check out our collection of the best Apple TV deals before you rush out and get one.

MacBooks are among the best laptops on the market, consistently impressing us year over year. Apple announced on Monday that it’s adding the M3 processor to its popular MacBook Air lineup. With the addition of the M3 chip, as well as support for Wi-Fi 6E and dual monitors, the latest MacBook Air models offer some solid reasons to upgrade right now.

These new MacBook Air models are available in two sizes: 13 and 15 inches. If you prefer a larger screen for your workstation, the 15-inch version will serve you well, without being too cumbersome when you’re traveling. However, if you want something a little smaller, the 13-inch may be a better fit. Each laptop provides up to 18 hours of battery life per charge. It’s worth noting, however, that you will need to have your lid closed to support two displays with the M3 models, so be sure you consider that as you shop.

Preorders for the new MacBook Air are open now with deliveries beginning March 8. As of right now, only Apple, Amazon, Best Buy and B&H are offering preorders on one of these sleek, upgraded devices, but we’ll keep you updated if that changes.

If you don’t necessarily need the power that comes with the new upgrade, considering other models may be a good idea. With preorders for the M3 models underway, now’s the time for bargain hunters to spend even less by taking advantage of discounts that may be available on MacBook Air M2 devices. However, if you want the latest version, you can preorder the M3 models right now at the links below.

Preorder the M3 MacBook Air

Samsung is one of the biggest tech brands out there, and for good reason. Samsung makes everything from smartphones and tablets to televisions and washing machines. If you’ve been looking to upgrade your Samsung tech gear or if you’ve been wanting to switch ecosystems, you can save big during Samsung’s spring sale. During this event, you can save hundreds off phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets and more.

To help you make the most of Samsung’s spring savings, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals you’ll find at this sale below. Just note these deals won’t last forever, so you’ll want to get your order in soon to secure your savings.

Looking for more discounts? CNET has the best deals from Samsung and many others, along with promo code offers — all updated and verified daily.

Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.

We all have plenty of devices to keep powered up every day, so a good charging station is an essential purchase these days. And right now, you can pick one up from one of the biggest names in power-related accessories with the Anker MagGo Qi2 magnetic charging station discounted by 20% at Amazon. This device was only recently released, unveiled in January at CES, and today’s price is the lowest we’ve seen it go. Just be sure to clip the on-page coupon for the 20% discount and grab this eight-in-one device for $80 when you do.

Wireless chargers are ideal if you want to avoid the hassle of having to constantly plug your phone into charge, especially if you tend to lose cables a lot. Anker’s magnetic charging station offers you auto-aligning magnetic charging, plus it also provides you with seven other ports and plugs for you to power up devices with. Those seven other charging options include three AC outlets, two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, and you can use all eight at once.

That means you can plop it on your desk and charge everything, from your phone to your laptop. In fact, with up to 67-watt charging available, you can get a MacBook Air up to 50% in around 25 minutes using the high-powered USB-C slot, so it’s quite handy. Note that the charging speeds per port vary depending on how many other ports are in use, so you’ll experience slower charging speeds per device the more you plug in at once.

As for the wireless charger, it’s Qi2-certified, meaning you get speedy 15-watt charging, and it works with the latest iPhones as well, so you have no worries there. The whole thing is run by Anker’s internal chip, which optimizes charging and makes sure it’s safe and efficient and with heat dissipation considerations prevent overheating.

Overall, it’s a solid pick if you’re looking for something that can handle multiple devices and charge at a high capacity. So if you’ve recently nabbed a new phone deal and want a modern charging station to go with it, this Anker device is a great option.

Getting through an airport from baggage check to your gate can sometimes be a lengthy process, and it can be especially frustrating when you’re strapped for time. A new feature available at some airports and through a couple of airlines may be of significant help if you’re a TSA PreCheck traveler.

A small set of airlines and airports are letting TSA PreCheck passengers use a touchless ID program when checking bags and walking through the PreCheck lines. Instead of showing ID, travelers’ faces will be scanned using the Transportation Security Administration’s facial recognition technology.

We’ll tell you below which airports and airlines are offering the touchless ID option. Interested in other technologies the TSA is working on? Check out these security pods the administration showed off at CES this year.

Which airports are participating?

Right now, there’s a small number of airports participating in the touchless ID program for TSA PreCheck passengers. Here’s what they are.

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

In the future, American Airlines will have its own touchless ID program.

Which airlines are offering the touchless ID option?

Only two airlines are currently offering a touchless ID option when going through airport security. Here’s what they are.

United Airlines: TSA PreCheck passengers can choose the airline’s Touchless ID program when flying through the above airports. This means they won’t have to show a boarding pass or a driver’s license. Instead, customers can use their faces as identification to go through TSA PreCheck lines and when checking their bags at the entrance.

When checking a bag, TSA PreCheck customers should look for a shortcut kiosk where they can drop off their bags. Their photo will be taken at this kiosk and a tag for their luggage will be printed. Their photo will also be taken at the TSA PreCheck security checkpoint.

The Points Guy says before May 2024, you may still be required to show a physical form of ID, so be prepared.

Delta Airlines: TSA PreCheck passengers can use Delta’s Digital ID option to fly without showing their ID. This option uses the customer’s saved passport information to match the photo taken at the security checkpoint.

Delta also offers touchless ID while dropping off bags, and the option is available at multiple airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), as well as the airports mentioned above.

How to get TSA PreCheck and use the touchless ID option

You’ll first need to apply to join the TSA PreCheck program. Approval for that could take up to 60 days, but the TSA says it generally only takes three to five days.

For United, you’ll need to upload your passport and your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to the United app. When checking in for the flight, you can select facial scan as your form of ID and give United permission to scan your face.

For Delta, you’ll opt in using the Fly Delta app by uploading your passport and KTN. During check-in when you look at your boarding pass, you should see a green button that says Digital ID.

For more, here’s the deadline for when you’ll need a Real ID to fly.

If you want something a bit on the higher end when it comes to earbuds, these Status Between 3ANC are an impressive option worth considering. In fact, they’ve shown up several times on our lists, such as our favorite best-sounding wireless earbuds and best noise-canceling earbuds. You can even score significant savings if you use CNET’s exclusive promo code. Just enter CNETDISCOUNT at checkout to bring them down by $100 from their launch price, meaning you’ll pay just $149.

One thing that sets the Status Between 3ANC apart from other earbuds is that they have three drivers, giving you a much wider range of audio than you might expect. Granted, they may not compete with higher-end headphones and only support the AAC audio codec, but they’re really good for the price. Also, they have multipoint Bluetooth, so you can connect to two devices at the same time.

They also have active noise canceling, and they do a pretty good job of cutting out ambient sounds, which is great if you want to go exercise or use them in the office. The Between 3ANC also offers PX5 water resistance, so they can withstand some of the elements when using them outside. And their fit is surprisingly comfortable, according to CNET’s audio expert David Carnoy, even though they may look a little bit wonky and bulky.

Overall, they’re an interesting pair of headphones, and with the discount code CNETDISCOUNT knocking an extra $30 off the current discounted rate, you can get them for a very good price. Even so, if you’d still like to see a few different options, check out these earbud deals as well.

Apple released iOS 17.4 on Tuesday, more than a month after the tech giant released iOS 17.3. While the latest update brings new emoji to all users and new app store capabilities to people in the European Union, it also patches a few issues that Apple said might be actively exploited.

To download the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update, tap Install Now and follow the onscreen prompts.

According to Apple, iOS 17.4 patches two security issues, which affect your iPhone’s kernel and RTKit. The kernel is the software at the core of your operating system, while RTKit is Apple’s real-time operating system. A real-time operating system is used when a large number of events must be accepted or processed in a certain amount of time, according to the computer science resource site Geeks for Geeks.

Apple writes that in both instances, “An attacker with arbitrary kernel read and write capability may be able to bypass kernel memory protections.”

Memory protections control how much memory a process has access to. According to Geeks for Geeks, these protections can stop software from taking over an excessive amount of memory, which could harm other software on your device or cause you to lose some of your data. Your system could be severely damaged if a malicious actor were to bypass these protections.

The patches in iOS 17.4 also address a few other issues, like a private browsing bug in Safari, which could cause your private locked tabs to be momentarily visible while switching tab groups. However, Apple didn’t say that these other issues could be actively exploited.

For more on iOS, here are all the new features in iOS 17.4, what was included in iOS 17.3 and our iOS 17 cheat sheet.