Category: Technologies

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

The Detroit Lions ended the NFL’s longest playoff drought with their win over their Rams in the Wild Card round. This past weekend saw the good times continue rolling in Detroit as the Lions took down the Buccaneers to move one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl.

Standing in Detroit’s way is the NFC’s top-seeded San Francisco 49ers. While the top team in the conference, San Francisco had its hands full this weekend against the Green Bay Packers who almost pulled off the upset until a late game-winning touchdown drive led by quarterback Brock Purdy and capped off by a run by star running back Christian McCaffrey gave the Niners the lead for good.

Kickoff for Sunday’s NFC Championship in Santa Clara is called for 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Fox. Here is how you can watch, stream and follow along.

Lions vs. 49ers game today: When and where?

This NFC Championship matchup sees the 49ers host the Lions at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Sunday. The game will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — home of the 49ers.

How to watch Lions vs. 49ers in the US

Sunday’s Lions vs. 49ers game is on Fox nationally. The good news for football fans is that Fox is available on most of the major live TV streaming services. The least expensive such service is Sling TV Blue.

Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost far more than Sling, but they also carry a full complement of live channels, including football broadcasting channels like CBS and ESPN. Check out our live TV streaming services guide for details.

All the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

An over-the-air antenna connected to your TV provides another option for Fox. The best part about antennas is that there are no streaming or monthly fees required, although you will need to make sure you have good reception.

Newport Town will be hoping the magic of the cup plays its part as the League Two side look to pull off a major shock against Premier League heavyweights Manchester United.

Having beaten National League side Eastleigh in a replay to line up this clash, Newport will be hoping the compact surroundings of Rodney Parade will prove a hostile environment for their esteemed opponents.

Man United have had a challenging season so far, and will be keen to successfully negotiate this potential banana skin, with Erik ten Hag set to name a strong side having had a fortnight’s break.

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

Newport County vs. Manchester United: When and where?

Newport County host Manchester United in this FA Cup fourth-round tie at Rodney Parade on Sunday, Jan. 28. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. GMT local time in the UK (11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 2:30 a.m. AEDT on Monday, Jan. 29 in Australia).

How to watch the Newport County vs. Man United 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. 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 the Newport County vs. Man United game in the US

This cup match at Rodney Parade is streaming exclusively live in the US on ESPN Plus. Kickoff is at 11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT on Sunday for viewers in the States.

Can I livestream the Newport County vs. Man United game in the UK?

The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for this season’s FA Cup.

This fixture is being shown exclusively on BBC1, with coverage starting at 4 p.m. GMT ahead of the 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

Livestream Newport County vs. Man United in Canada

Canadian soccer fans looking to watch this FA Cup fixture can watch all the action live via Sportsnet.

Livestream the Newport County vs. Man United game in Australia

ViacomCBS holds the broadcast rights for the FA Cup in Australia, which means you can watch matches from the tournament live Down Under via streaming service Paramount Plus. You’ll just have to set an alarm for the early hours of Monday morning: kickoff is at 2:30 a.m. AEDT.

Quick tips for streaming the FA Cup using a VPN

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

Microsoft Office is probably one of the most popular software suites in the world. But, unfortunately, it is very expensive, with a Microsoft Office Pro 2021 license running you a massive $440 if you buy it from Microsoft directly. Luckily, StackSocial is running a great offer on a lifetime license that knocks h off both the Mac and Windows versions, which brings the price down to just $70. Of course, if that’s still a bit too pricey for you, then you could go for Office Pro Plus 2019, which is significantly cheaper.

Just note that Mac users will get only the basic Home and Business suite, while Windows users will get the Professional suite, which includes Office Publisher and Office Access as well.

StackSocial’s deal is a great bargain when compared with the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which starts at $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals. There’s a free online version of Microsoft Office that you can use as well, but it isn’t nearly as feature complete. (Separately — and notably — Apple users should be aware that Outlook is now a free app for the Mac.)

Now, a deal this good comes with some caveats. First, the code provided can be used one time for a single computer, so you won’t be able to install it on multiple machines in your home, and if your current computer happens to die, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. Likewise, you’re passing up on other benefits you’d get as a 365 subscriber. You won’t get any OneDrive Cloud Storage, nor will you get the fancy new cloud-based AI features like Microsoft Copilot. And while the apps should continue to work as long as your computer does, Microsoft’s support for this version of Office ends on Oct. 13, 2026.

To that last point: Though this is listed as a “lifetime license” — that is, the lifetime of the computer you installed it on — it’s worth noting there’s always a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license. But versions of StackSocial’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine.

After winning a frigid game against the Dolphins at home to open the playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs went up Buffalo this past weekend and took down the Bills yet again in the playoffs to advance to the AFC’s Conference Championship game. Awaiting Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and co. are the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens who, after an even first half, beat down the Houston Texans 34-10 at home behind four total touchdowns by star quarterback and MVP-favorite Lamar Jackson.

As the AFC’s number one seed, the Ravens continue their home-field advantage for this AFC championship game. The victor heads to Las Vegas to take on the winner of Sunday’s NFC championship contest between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

Kick-off for today’s game is called for 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on CBS and Paramount Plus. Here is how you can watch, stream and follow along.

Chiefs vs. Ravensgame today: When and where?

This Conference Championship matchup sees the Ravens host the Chiefs at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on Sunday. The game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, home of the Ravens.

How to watch Chiefs vs. Ravens in the US

Sunday’s Chiefs-Ravens game is on CBS nationally. The good news for football fans is that CBS is available on most of the major live TV streaming services. The least expensive option is Paramount Plus.

Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local CBS stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost far more than Paramount Plus, but they also carry many live channels, including football broadcasting channels like Fox and ESPN. Check out our live TV streaming services guide for details.

All the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

An over-the-air antenna connected to your TV provides another option for CBS. The best part about antennas is that there are no streaming or monthly fees required, although you will need to make sure you have good reception.