Category: Technologies

Whether your device has limited internal storage or you just have so many files to back up, you’re going to have to rely on a form of cloud storageat some point. Beyond freeing up space on your devices, having that extra layer of backup for your data is certainly a good idea in case your phone or laptop was damaged or stolen. That said, cloud storage can be quite expensive, especially if you need a larger amount, and who wants to add yet another subscription to their outgoings every month?

Thankfully, you can get a solid deal on a lifetime Koofr cloud storage subscription with 1TB of space discounted to just $160 when you use coupon code KOOFR at StackSocial. That’s a one-time fee for the storage space meaning it won’t recur or have further costs down the line. Considering Koofr’s 1TB plan costs €10 per month (roughly $11), it won’t take long for this lifetime deal to prove cost effective.

You can save a lot of files online when you have 1TB of storage to play with. Whether you’re saving photos, videos or something boring like your tax documentation, it’s all safe and sound. Koofr is private and secure and there’s no file-size limit to get in the way, either.

Still need convincing? How about the included tool that can help you find and remove duplicate files to help you save space? Or the advanced tools for batch file-renaming or built-in encryption? All of that, and more besides, for just $160. But only while this offer lasts and assuming you remember to enter the code KOOFR when checking out.

If you want to keep your files online for whatever reason, and you’ve less than 1TB of them, this lifetime Koofr cloud storage deal could well be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Amazon officially rolled out ads in its Prime Video streaming service on Monday after announcing the change in September last year. This launch begins with customers in the US, the UK, Canada and Germany for early 2024, with France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia to follow later this year.

Amazon said Prime Video will have limited commercials, noting that there will be “meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming TV providers.” However, viewers in the US who want an ad-free experience can choose to pay $3 per month, and a no-ads option will be offered for other countries at a later time. In its initial announcement, the company added that there are no plans to increase the current price of Prime memberships in 2024.

If you want to avoid watching ads, you can click the “Go Ad Free” tab on the app or web browser. For some mobile devices, you’ll notice a blue “Ad” icon with a line through it. Prime Video users may also see a pop-up window offering the option to sign up for the ad-free version.

Prime Video includes original TV shows and movies created by Amazon Studios as well as hundreds of other titles you can stream as part of your subscription. Prime Video subscribers can also add on subscriptions to Max, Paramount Plus, Starz and several other channels for an extra monthly cost. There are also movies and shows you can rent or buy on the platform.

Prime Video is included in an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $15 a month or $139 annually, or available as a standalone subscription for $9 a month. CNET’s review of Prime Video says it’s a “really great included perk” with a Prime membership, but that it’s a weaker standalone service compared with other options like Netflix and Hulu.

Netflix and Disney Plus both introduced ad-supported tiers to their services in 2022, joining most other major streaming services, like Max (previously HBO Max) and Hulu, which offer a plan with advertising. Paramount Plus and Peacock are on the lower end, with ad-supported plans starting at $6 a month, while Max is on the higher end, with its ad-supported plan costing $10 per month.

Amazon does have experience with ad-supported streaming, through Amazon Freevee. The streaming service, which was previously IMDb TV, doesn’t require a paid subscription and is supported by limited ads. It includes a mix of Amazon and Freevee originals as well as other movies and shows. There’s also a Freevee channel for Prime Video.

At first glance, Prime Video includes ads in all content — even for kids. But stay tuned for our review of the ad-based version in the coming weeks. Not sure which streaming service is best for you? CNET has ranked all the major streaming services and can help you find the best live TV streaming service or best free TV streaming service.

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl. The defending Super Bowl champions defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 to win the AFC title and advance to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in the last five years. They’ll face the San Francisco 49ers, who staged an epic comeback to edge the Detroit Lions 34-31 in the NFC championship.

Super Bowl 58 will be a rematch of the 2020 Super Bowl that the Chiefs won 31-20 after being down 20-10 at the start of the 4th quarter. It was the first Super Bowl title for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who led the team to another title last year. The Chiefs are looking to be the first repeat NFL champions since the New England Patriots won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005. The 49ers have not been to a Super Bowl since losing to the Chiefs in 2020 and haven’t won a title since 1995.

Stars will be on the display, including Taylor Swift potentially flying from a concert in Tokyo to Las Vegas in time to support the Chiefs and boyfriend Travis Kelce. The 49ers may not have the star power at quarterback and tight end of the Chiefs, but Niners QB Brock Purdy has been solid in leading the team to the Super Bowl. Purdy is directing Kyle Shanahan’s offense with precision and has weapons all over the field. Those weapons start with running back Christian McCaffrey alongside him in the backfield and also include receiving threats in tight end George Kittle and wideouts Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

If you have questions leading up to Super Bowl 58, we have answers.

Read more: Super Bowl TV Deals: Upgrade Your Screen for Hundreds Less Ahead of Game Day

When is the Super Bowl?

Super Bowl Sunday will take place on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home to the Raiders since 2020, when the team moved from Oakland.

What time is the Super Bowl?

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PT (6:30 p.m. ET; 5:30 CT, 4:30 p.m. MT).

If you want to watch live from elsewhere in the world, it’ll likely be at an inconvenient time. The Super Bowl start time is 11:30 p.m. in the UK, 3:30 a.m. in the United Arab Emirates and 10:30 a.m. AEDT on Monday in Australia. Click here to see what time kickoff is in your time zone.

What channel is the Super Bowl on?

Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast live in the US on CBS and streamed on Paramount Plus. The CBS channel is available on cable TV, as well as via live TV streaming services.

If you live in the US in an area with good reception, you can watch the broadcast on CBS for free over the air just by attaching an affordable (under $30) indoor antenna to nearly any TV.

You can also watch a Spanish-language broadcast on Univision and a kid-friendly version on Nickelodeon.

Can I stream the Super Bowl for free?

Yes, you can. As Paramount Plus is one of the few remaining streaming services with a one-week free trial, you likely will be able to try out the service to stream the game and then, should you not want to keep it after the Super Bowl, cancel the trial with no harm done.

Can I watch the Super Bowl in 4K?

Yes: CBS will broadcast the Super Bowl in 4K HDR, assuming you have the proper setup. To get the game in its best resolution, you’ll need service from a company that offers 4K broadcasts (DirecTV, Dish, Comcast, Optimum and Verizon Fios are some traditional cable/satellite companies that offer 4K) or a 4K-capable plan on a streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo.

The best you’ll get from Paramount Plus, however, is the 1080p feed, according to the TV Answer Man.

Who’s performing in the Super Bowl halftime show?

Usher will headline the Super Bowl halftime show. The 45-year-old R&B superstar is no stranger to Las Vegas, having just completed a 100-show residency at the Park MGM casino.

There are also pregame festivities. Before kickoff, Reba McEntire will sing the national anthem, and Post Malone will perform America the Beautiful.

Who’s calling the game?

CBS’s lead team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be in the broadcast booth, with Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn reporting from the sidelines.

Which teams are playing in the Super Bowl?

The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are playing in Super Bowl 58. The Chiefs are the AFC champions, and the 49ers are the champs of the NFC.

Who is the home team in the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is held at a neutral site, and the NFL alternates who is designated as the home team between the AFC and NFC each year. The AFC is the home team this year, which means you’ll likely see the Chiefs wearing their home red uniforms and the 49ers in their away whites.

Will Taylor Swift be at the Super Bowl?

Global icon Taylor Swift, whose boyfriend is Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, will need to hustle if she plans to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

Swift kicks off the international dates of The Eras Tour in Tokyo on Wednesday, Feb. 7 and plays four straight nights with the last show happening on the Saturday before the Super Bowl. That might make it seem impossible for her to get to the Super Bowl in time, but the time zones work in her favor.

Tokyo is 17 hours ahead of Las Vegas. That means her concert on Saturday night in Tokyo will end in the early morning hours on Saturday in Las Vegas. It takes roughly 12 hours to fly from Tokyo to Las Vegas, which could put Swift in Las Vegas on Sunday morning of the game.

Her next tour date isn’t until Friday, Feb. 16 in Melbourne, Australia.

Best options for streaming the Super Bowl

Below are our recommendations for the best ways to watch the Super Bowl without cable. Four of the five US-based live TV streaming services carry CBS — all but Sling TV. Keep in mind, however, that not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries CBS in your area.

As mentioned, Paramount Plus also works for getting the game without requiring a pricier service; the base Essential package is just $6 per month — not to mention that free trial for those who only care about football.

Is there a streaming lag when watching the Super Bowl?

Yes. When streaming the Super Bowl you should expect to lag behind the action on cable, Twitter and sports betting apps. Based on previous years, streaming services lag around 40 seconds behind what’s on the field. Compare that to cable, satellite or antenna TV, where the time gap from on-the-field action is significantly less. It’s usually a transmission delay of about 5 seconds, which allows for broadcasters to prevent unsavory content from appearing on TV.

Streaming services like Paramount Plus, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and others may have additional latency delays on top of that. For the fastest feed, your best bet is likely a traditional cable or satellite service, or an antenna.

What are my Super Bowl viewing options outside the US?

International viewers should check their local listings to determine the best local option to watch or stream the Super Bowl. In the UK, for example, the game will be broadcast on ITV and Sky Sports. In Canada, you’ll be able to watch the broadcast on CTV or TSN, depending on your location, or the French-language broadcast on RDS. Canadians can also watch the game on the DAZN streaming service.

On Monday morning in Australia, the Super Bowl will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7mate as well as the 7plus VOD service.

How to use a VPN to watch the Super Bowl from anywhere

What if you’re traveling outside your home country and want to enjoy the big game, or just want an added layer of privacy for streaming? There is an option that doesn’t require searching the internet for a sketchy website: You can use a VPN, or virtual private network.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game, which comes in handy if you find yourself unable to view the game locally. A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

If you can’t find a convenient opportunity to watch the game where you live, using a VPN with a US-based server should provide access to some or all of the streaming options listed below. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, as long as you’ve got a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. See our list of best VPNs for more and check out other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Quick tips for streaming Super Bowl 2024 using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — experience and success may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Who won last year’s Super Bowl?

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. It was the second title and second Super Bowl MVP for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Hopefully this year’s game will follow a similarly dramatic script.

Modern life can be loud, especially if you live in the city or commute in, and it can really get taxing (not to mention unhealthy). That’s where a good set of active noise-canceling headphonescome in, allowing you to get some peace and quiet even in pretty noisy environments. One of our favorite sets of ANC headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5s, are going for $328 right now, a savings of $72.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s are not only Sony’s flagship headphones, they’re a winner of a CNET Editors’ Choice award. They usually go for $400 and don’t usually drop this low, making now a great time to pick up a set if you’ve been waiting for a discount.

While you can argue that the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are slightly superior, the WH-1000XM5s are significantly cheaper at this price and clearly a better value. Not only are they comfortable, but they have excellent sound and noise canceling, along with top-notch voice-calling performance. Read my full review of the WH-1000XM5 headphones here and check out these other excellent headphone deals as well.

Read more: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2024

Buying a great smartphone can be an expensive business, but the Google Pixel 8 is an affordable way to pick up a highly modern phone. It has some wonderful Google AI features and runs the latest Android software, and right now you can pick one up for even less than usual.

The Google Pixel 8 would normally sell for around $700 in the 128GB configuration, but if you place an order via Woot today you’ll pay just $540 and save 23% instantly. There are just a few days left on this deal and it could end sooner than that if supplies are exhausted. Given this deal beats the previous all-time low of $549 for this phone, it’s well worth grabbing while you can.

This Google Pixel 8 comes in the lovely obsidian black finish, with 128GB of storage. The phone offers support for 5G connectivity as you’d expect from a modern phone and, being unlocked, it will work on all major carriers without issue.

With a large 6.2-inch Actua display, you can expect vivid colors and a fast, responsive screen while still getting a strong battery life. Google says that the phone can run for more than 24 hours on a single charge with the Extreme Battery Saver mode bumping that all the way to 72 hours when required. In our tests, it had no problem making it through a full day on a single charge.

The Pixel 8 is a great phone for a whole lot of people and at this price, it’s difficult to ignore. There are tons of options though, so make sure to check out our collection of the best phone deals before you settle on a model and hit the buy button.

Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are pretty great ways to enjoy in-car entertainment without being limited to the system your carmaker chose. They’re also much safer than trying to tap away at a phone screen as well. Not all cars come with support for CarPlay or Android Auto, especially older ones, but you can add both to those that don’t already have it for just $96. The deal at StackSocial saves you 40% off the original $160 asking price for this add-on display. and while there are tons of CarPlay and Android Auto head units around, this approach is much cheaper and easier to install.

This unit comes with a large 6.8-inch touchscreen and supports both Android Auto and CarPlay so it doesn’t matter which phone you have. There are plenty of connectivity options as well, including Bluetooth and an aux jack, while a built-in FM transmitter is also offered.

Mounting the display is quick and easy, and support for Siri and Google Assistant for hands-free calling, navigation and music makes this a safer option than trying to stab away at your small phone screen while on the move. Keep in mind that this StackSocial deal could well end at any moment and without warning so factor that into your buying decision.

Looking for a new phone to go with this display? Be sure to check out our collection of the best iPhone deals, while our list of the best phone deals also includes some of the big-name Android models, too.

If you’re looking for a new way to express yourself graphically on your iPhone, you’re in luck. The iOS 17.4 beta released on Thursday, Jan. 25 introduced 118 new emojis. The colorful new icons are only available to iPhone developers right now, but the rest of us will get them soon. The public release of iOS 17.4 is expected in March.

Some of the emoji — like the phoenix, brown mushroom, lime and a broken chain — are new. Others are variations of emoji that already exist, with different skin tones or simply turned in a different direction. Those adjusted emoji include people walking, running, kneeling, using wheelchairs and using white canes. There are also four new gender-neutral family group emoji.

You won’t be able to find these new emoji on your keyboard just yet, though. While version 15.1.0 of the Unicode was approved on Sept. 12 (you can read all of it here), there’s always a lag between the approval and its release. Emojipedia had estimated that the new emoji would be available in early 2024.

It’s also likely that each emoji’s appearance will be slightly different depending on whether you use an Apple or Android smartphone.

The emoji update before this one included a long-awaited pink heart, a shaking-head smiley and a donkey, moose and goose.

Honestly, though, according to emoji reference site Emojipedia, it’s the simple emoji that really resonate with users. The top three most-used emoji in 2023 were the crying with laughter face, the rolling on the floor laughing face and the simple red heart, Emojipedia Editor in Chief Keith Broni said, according to the New York Post. Of the new emojis released in 2023, three hearts with different colors — pink, blue and gray — were among the most popular, along with the shaking face.

Here are tips on how to decipher certain emoji, plus five emoji keyboards that make texting more fun. And those emoji won’t be worth much without a phone, so here’s CNET’s guide to the best Apple phone for 2024, plus the best Samsung Galaxy phone, and the best overall Android phone. If option paralysis has set in, here’s how to pick the best smartphone for your needs.

Read also: Apple Will Allow Installation of Rival App Stores on iPhones… but Only in Europe