Category: Technologies

With just one win from their last five games, Aston Villa will be hoping to get their top-four challenge back on track on Tuesday as they host Newcastle at Villa Park.

The reverse fixture between these two sides back in August saw the Magpies thrash the Villans 5-1, but much has changed in the intervening months.

Unai Emery’s men have since gone on to mount a credible challenge for the title while Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are enduring a midseason slump. They’re on course to end the campaign in midtable, which would be a disappointing finish for such an expensively assembled squad.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United: When and where?

Aston Villa host Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. GMT (2:45 p.m. ET, 11:45 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 6:45 a.m. AEDT in Australia on Wednesday Jan. 31).

How to watch the Aston Villa vs. Newcastle game online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s 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.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. 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, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have 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.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Aston Villa vs. Newcastle in the US

Tuesday’s Aston Villa-Newcastle match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

Livestream the Aston Villa vs. Newcastle game in the UK

Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports (previously known as BT Sport). The Aston Villa-Newcastle game is exclusive to TNT Sports — showing on its TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 1 HD.

Livestream the Aston Villa vs. Newcastle game in Canada

If you want to stream Aston Villa vs. Newcastle live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.

Livestream the Aston Villa vs. Newcastle game in Australia

Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches 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.

The current M1 iPad Air is the latest model in the lineup, and while there are rumors of an updated M2 iPad Air in the offing, this is still a great tablet. And right now, it can be yours at an even greater price.

The M1 iPad Air is one of the best tablets around, but its value proposition gets even better when you consider you can now buy one for just $450. What’s more, Best Buy will also give you three months of Apple TV Plus, three months of Apple Fitness Plus, and three months of Apple Music absolutely free. There are multiple different colors available as well.

In terms of specifications, the iPad Air has plenty going for it. That all starts with the almost 11-inch Liquid Retina display and continues with support for Touch ID via the power button. The edge-to-edge display gives the iPad Air a thoroughly modern look and feel, as does the all-day battery life that ensures you won’t be reaching for this tablet’s USB-C charging cable all that often.

We have to talk about that M1 chip, too. It’s superfast and will chew through games, apps and anything else you can throw at it, while support for the Apple Pencil makes this a go-to tablet for note-takers and artists alike.

We don’t know for how long this deal is going to last, but it isn’t every day you get to save $149 off an Apple tablet. Looking for a slightly different iPad? Be sure to check out our list of the best iPad deals if you’re looking for something smaller or bigger, like the iPad Mini and iPad Pro.

Once you’ve spent your hard-earned cash on Apple product like a new iPhone, you may not have much left over to get the accessories you really want. Right now, Woot — one of the few reliable third-party dealers for Apple accessories — is having a sale on select Apple products and prices start as low as $8. The sale ends Jan. 31, so act fast.

One standout deal in this sale is the Apple Watch Series 7 which starts at just $320 for cellular configurations. You can also score cellular-enabled Apple Watch SE models for just $180. While these are both older models — the Series 9 being the current-gen — the Apple Watch didn’t change dramatically from Series 6 through 8, meaning that this is still a solid smartwatch right now and cellular connectivity usually comes at a premium. If you’re new to the platform, want a cheap fitness tracker or a first smartwatch for a youngster, you can do much worse than either of these Apple Watches.

On the iPhone side, you can use this sale to stock up on cables, speedy wall chargers, and MagSafe wireless chargers. There are also plenty of cases for iPhones, with prices starting at just $10. And if this sale looks good to you don’t miss Woot’s other Apple accessory blowout, which includes keyboards, Apple pencil cases and more, starting at just $8.

We’re getting ready for Super Bowl 2024 and with the big day just around the corner it’s time to start getting all of your tech ready. A big-screen TV is just part of the equation, however, and picking a great soundbar is one surefire way of upgrading your audio system with the minimum of fuss. And it’s even better when you can do it while saving some money as well.

This sleek Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar would normally sell for just shy of $900 but Amazon will send you one today for just $799. That’s a deal that will save you $100 without any of those codes or coupons that we all forget to use, and you even get to choose between the black and white finishes, too.

This soundbar is packed full of advanced features to help take your home entertainment setup to the next level. It’s equipped with six full-range transducers, including two upfiring speakers, as well as Dolby Atmos for truly immersive, room-filling sound. It also uses AI to enhance dialogue so it’s not a struggle to hear what characters are saying over the music or sound effects in your favorite shows.

You can connect it directly to your TV using HDMI eARC or optical audio cable, and you can stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect or Google Chromecast. Plus, it has Amazon Alexa built-in for convenient hands-free control.

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is definitely a premium option so there are cheaper alternatives out there. Whether you’re looking to spend a little less or need different features, be sure to check out our list of the best soundbar deals before you place any orders.

Read more: How to Get Your TV Ready for the Super Bowl

The high prices of Apple’s latest smartwatches like the Ultra 2 and the Series 9 can be enough to put off a lot of first-time buyers. But if you’re wanting a to nab a smartwatch and stay in the Apple ecosystem, there is a budget-friendly option for you in the form of the Apple Watch SE. And right now you can strap one on for even less with Walmart offering $70 off the entry-level 40mm model, dropping it down to just $179. That’s a match for the lowest we’ve seen it go, equalling its Black Friday 2023 discount, and undercutting Amazon’s current $50 off promo.

This deal is available on the Apple Watch SE in midnight or silver finishes, and the 44mm size is also seeing the same $70 in savings, making it just $209 for the larger model. Beyond the size they’re identical, so just make sure to pick the one that’s right for you.

No matter which one you pick you’ll get a great wearable with support for crash detection, heart-rate monitoring and activity tracking. Apple also says that this model is carbon neutral when you choose the Sport Loop. If you’re looking to bag a cheap Apple Watch for a kid, or just want a decent starter smartwatch to help maintain your 2024 fitness regime, this is the time to place an order.

There are plenty more Apple Watches in the lineup, and we’ve got you covered if the SE isn’t your speed. Our collection of all the best Apple Watch deals will get you up and running no matter your budget.

The batteries on even the best smartphones can’t last forever, and they’re all going to need charging eventually. Your iPhone might run out at the most inopportune moments, but the Anker MagGo 622 magnetic battery can help you top it up while you’re on the go. It’s a battery pack that would normally sell for around $70, but right now you can save a full 50% on one at Amazon.

The discount means you can now pay just $35 and pick up a new Anker MagGo 622 in one of five different colors; black, green, white, purple and blue. We don’t know for how long that will be the price, but we do know that you won’t have to enter any discount codes or clip any on-screen coupons to get it.

The MagGo battery pack is a magnetic and wireless solution, which means that it can magnetically connect to the back of your iPhone 12 or newer and charge it without cables. It’s got a 5,000-mAh capacity, which is roughly enough to charge your phone once over, and there’s a USB-C port on the side that can be used to top up the battery pack while offering passthrough charging if your phone’s magnetically attached.

The addition of a kickstand means you can also use this to stand your iPhone up while you catch up on the latest must-watch TV show. And all without a single cable in sight.

Have an older iPhone that doesn’t support magnetic charging? Our list of the best iPhone deals can help you upgrade for less.

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.