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Apple’s sleek second-gen AirPods Pro are one of the overall best pairs of earbuds on the market right now. And while they may be a little pricey at $249, with Black Friday just around the corner, you’ll have a chance to get your hands on a pair for less. Walmart will be offering a whopping $80 off the original model with the Lightning charging case when its official Black Friday sale kicks off next Wednesday, Nov. 22, which knocks them down to a new all-time low price of just $169. This deal will be open to everyone starting at 3 p.m. ET, while Walmart Plus members will get early access starting at noon ET.

CNET’s resident audio expert David Carnoy called the AirPods Pro 2 the “best lightweight earbuds you can buy” in his original review. They offer some of the best noise-canceling capabilities you’ll find on a pair of earbuds and have a built-in transparency mode for when you need to be more aware of your surroundings. Plus, they will automatically optimize volume based on your environment. iPhone users will also get access to exclusive features like personalized spatial audio and hands-free Siri access. And the AirPods Pro 2 boast Qi wireless charging and have an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge (with the charging case).

It’s worth noting that Apple recently released an updated version of the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C charging, as well as slightly improved dust resistance and lossless audio support for its Vision Pro VR headset. But this offer is only available on the original model that charges via Lightning cable. And there are plenty of other upcoming Walmart Black Friday deals that you’ll be able to shop, including discounts on top-rated headphones, laptops, tablets and much more.

When Qi2 was first announced at CES earlier this year it brought a fair amount of promise, notably with the addition of Apple to the Wireless Power Consortium and its inclusion of magnets into the wireless charging standard. On Wednesday, the next step in this transition — which should bring faster magnetic wireless charging to both iPhone and Android phones — got a more solid time frame as the WPC announced that “Qi v2.0” certified devices will “be available in time for the holiday season.”

Apple’s recently announced iPhone 15 lineup already has support for Qi2 and Belkin, Mophie, Anker and Aircharge have already announced Qi2 accessories. The WPC says that “over 100 devices are currently in testing or in the certification testing queue.”

With Qi2 (pronounced “chee two”), manufacturers will be able to incorporate magnets into their devices to make it easier for phones to snap onto wireless chargers and other magnetic accessories. While Apple incorporated magnets for its MagSafe accessory line since the iPhone 12’s release in 2020, Android phone users interested in a similar feature have relied on phone cases to use similar accessories. Using magnets should help wireless chargers better line up with devices for faster recharging, especially compared to current Qi chargers that might not charge a device if a phone isn’t lined up exactly as instructed.

“These certified Qi2 chargers provide smoother, faster charging that is more energy efficient, and offers wide interoperability,” said Paul Struhsaker, executive director for the WPC in a press release announcing that the first devices have completed certification testing.

There are two main parts of Qi2, the magnetic portion known as the Magnetic Power Profile, which is based on Apple’s MagSafe and utilizes magnets, as well as an “enhancement to the existing wireless charging Extended Power Profile.” The latter portion does not include magnets but still “complies” with the new standard.

Only devices with the magnetic profile will feature the Qi2 branding, with other devices using the existing Qi logo even if they support EPP.

The WPC confirmed to CNET that the maximum wattage for devices with the magnetic profile is 15W — which matches the speed of Apple’s MagSafe chargers. It also confirmed that Qi2 wireless chargers will be able to charge older devices and that older devices will be able to wireless charge on Qi2 pads and accessories.

Because the incorporation of magnets is no longer proprietary to Apple, Android device makers can now adopt Qi2 into their upcoming devices and allow them to tap into the technology and potentially the surrounding ecosystem of non-charging magnetic accessories.

The WPC’s board includes members from Apple, Samsung and Google with The Verge noting that Google’s representative, Liyu Yang, has worked on bringing wireless charging to Pixel devices. A release announcing his appointment to the WPC board this month noted that he is “currently leading the investigation and design of next-generation wireless charging platforms for future Pixel products.”

Whether other manufacturers embrace the technology to add software features, like Apple’s introduction of StandBy mode on iOS 17, however, remains to be seen.

If you’re in the market for a high-end TV this Black Friday and holiday season, there’s a new option to consider. Sharp is now selling the first TV to include two of my favorite technologies: an OLED screen and Roku’s smart TV system.

The new Sharp TVs are available now and compete directly against some of the best TVs I’ve reviewed, including the LG C3 OLED TV. Their current prices are similar as well. The lowest online price I found for the 55-inch Sharp (model 4T-C55FS1UR) is $1,200 while the 65-inch (model 4T-C65FS1UR) is selling for $1,500. That’s about $100 less than the C3 in both sizes.

Organic Light Emitting Diode screens deliver the best picture quality can buy today. I reviewed the C3 as well as a few other 2023 OLED TVs at CNET’s TV lab and they outperform any of the non-OLED models I’ve tested. I haven’t reviewed the Sharp, but judging from its specifications I would expect to have similar image quality to other OLED TV models, although I’d be surprised if it was better, or as bright, as the C3.

The Sharp’s Roku smart TV system is easier to use and has more apps than the built-in systems found on LG and Samsung TVs. I also like Roku’s simple voice remote. But if you’re buying a TV this expensive, the built-in smart TV system isn’t a big deal. That’s because you can always buy a separate, inexpensive streaming device, such as our Editors’ Choice Roku Express 4K Plus (currently $25).

The new Sharp TVs include most of the gaming extras I would expect from a high-end TV, including 120Hz refresh rate panels, 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate so you can get the best image quality from from PlayStation5 and Xbox Series X. They also support Dolby Vision high dynamic range. A Roku representative confirmed to CNET that the TVs use WOLED, not QD-OLED technology.

Should you buy one of these Sharp Roku TVs instead of something like the LG C3? I can’t say for sure until I test one. In the meantime here’s the list of the best TVs I can recommend.

The Analogue Pocket, an impressive third-party Game Boy handheld that came out in 2021, is set to release another line of limited edition colors, this time taking inspiration from past Nintendo colorways.

With preorders dropping on Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 a.m. PT, this limited line of colors pulls from past Game Boy models. For example, the red unit seems to take inspiration from the Game Boy Pocket whereas the spice orange color takes after the Game Boy Advance. The price sees a $30 jump to $250 over the standard black and white units. Analogue says units will ship three days later on Nov. 20.

The classic colors will be made available in blue, green, indigo, spice orange, pink, red, silver and yellow. Analogue says once these colors are sold out, there won’t be future restocks.

New colors are a common way for video game console manufacturers to reinvigorate sales of existing hardware. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft have rich histories of releasing limited edition colors as a way to excite consumer demand. It hit a fever pitch during the height of the pandemic when resellers, often referred to as scalpers, were using bots to buy up limited edition Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch consoles, selling them for more than double the price. Nintendo actually had to begin using a lottery system in Japan, and the company has started looking at strategies to deter scalping.

Analogue’s new array of colors isn’t the first time the company has experimented with limited editions, either. It launched a line of translucent colors earlier this year, all of which sold out quickly and are now selling for between $75 and 100 more than their retail asking price on eBay.

Beyond releasing new colorways, the folks at Analogue are currently working on next year’s Analogue 3D, a system that can take Nintendo 64 cartridges and output games at 4K resolution.

Get a head start on Black Friday deals and save money on an Xbox Series S with 512GB of storage plus an extra controller. Normally this bundle would cost you $370, but this Walmart Black Friday deal brings the bundle’s price down to $290, saving you $80.

I bought my Series S shortly after its release in 2020 after a lot of back and forth over whether I wanted this console or its larger, more expensive sibling, the Xbox Series X. Since then I’ve used the Series S for gaming and streaming content almost every day, and I don’t know why I ever debated buying the Series X.

The Series S has enough power to handle my streaming needs and play the latest games, including Starfield and Lies of P, without any hiccups or graphical issues. Sure, it has a lower resolution than the Series X, but even after seeing side-by-side videos and photos of both consoles working simultaneously, I can’t tell much of a difference.

One major downside to the Series S is it doesn’t have an optical disc drive. That means if you have a game disc for newer or older games, you can’t play them on the Series S. However, if you pair the Series S with the Xbox Game Pass subscription service — which starts at $10 a month and allows you to access a digital library of new and old games — you won’t notice the missing disc drive.

Whether you need to focus in a crowded home or you have a long commute, having a pair of earbuds with active noise cancellation is a good idea for anyone. Not only does it help to quiet background noise, but it also means you can listen to your music, podcasts, shows or whenever you like without disruption.

If you’re looking to invest in a pair, consider Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. These earbuds won an Editors’ Choice Award last year and according to CNET’s David Carnoy, offer “excellent sound and best-in-class noise canceling.” These have since been upstaged by the newer, improved Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds — but those sport a $299 price tag. The QC Earbuds 2 are still an excellent choice for most people and right now Amazon has slashed the price ahead of Black Friday, bringing a pair back down to just $199. That’s an $80 savings and back down to the lowest price we’ve seen.

All three color variants of the Bose QC Earbuds 2 are on sale including in triple black, soapstone and eclipse grey. These buds have a few similar features to their predecessors, but use them in a slightly more efficient way. For example, while they have similar drivers, Bose has used its CustomTune technology to improve audio fidelity. They also have much more depth and nuance than the previous version, and things generally sound clearer and more natural. There’s also a great warm sound to voices, which also helps when it comes to making phone calls, and the four mics, two of which are beamforming, help pick up your voice so that those at the other end can hear you perfectly.

The impressive thing about the QC Earbuds 2 is the active noise cancellation (ANC), with a particular emphasis on the previously hard-to-silence mid and high frequencies. In fact, you’ll find that it blocks out well over half the amount of noise you’d find in your average busy city street. Even transparency mode has gotten an upgrade, with things sounding much more natural, so it doesn’t even feel as if you’re wearing them.

As for battery life, you can expect around six hours with ANC activated and another 18 hours or so from the case, for a total of 24 hours of coverage. The only downside is that the QC Earbuds 2 case doesn’t have wireless charging, so you’ll have to connect it to a USB-C cable. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later to score a pair at this price. Be sure to check out other Amazon Black Friday deals happening now for even more savings.

If you enjoy a new crossword puzzle with your morning coffee or on your lunch break, then you might like one of iOS 17‘s new features. When Apple released iOS 17 on Sept. 18, the company gave iPhone users many new and fun features, like StandBy mode and Live Stickers. And crossword puzzles in the News app are among those new features.

To access these puzzles, you need an Apple News Plus subscription, which costs $13 a month. However, you can try Apple News Plus for one month for free, or you can get the service for free for three months when you buy an iPhone, iPad or Mac. An Apple News Plus subscription is also part of the Apple One Premier bundle, which costs $38 a month and includes other services like Apple TV Plus and Apple Arcade.

Here’s how you can access daily crossword puzzles as an Apple News Plus subscriber.

Play crossword puzzles in Apple News

1. Open the Apple News app.
2. Tap Following in the menu across the bottom of your screen.
3. Tap Puzzles.

You can also access crossword puzzles by going to Apple News > Today > Latest Puzzles — this option was pretty far down my Today page.

From the puzzles page, you can find the latest crosswords from the week. Across the top of the page, you’ll also see options for Crossword and Crossword Mini, which are smaller crossword puzzles arranged in a 5×5 grid. Tap either of these options, and the app takes you to the latest puzzles for either choice.

How to play the puzzles

Once you’ve decided on which puzzle to play, there are two ways you can solve them: grid view and list view. By default you’ll enter grid view which is a traditional crossword puzzle layout. You see the whole grid, and if you tap a square you’ll see a clue below the puzzle. You can also switch between vertical and horizontal clues by tapping a square a second time or tapping the clue.

List view, on the other hand, eschews the traditional grid of a crossword puzzle and shows you all the clues and how many letters are in each answer in a list format. To access list view, tap the bulleted list icon in the top left corner of your screen when you are in a puzzle. As you enter letters in list view, letters in other clues begin populating where the clues intersect on the grid. I still think list view sounds tough, but I’m also not very good at crossword puzzles to start with.

How many puzzles are there?

There are two new puzzles every day, a crossword and a crossword mini. It appears the puzzles are accessible for about a month after they are published, so you have access to a small archive of crosswords you can play. This is also a new feature, so the number of available puzzles could change.

For more on iOS 17, check out my review of iOS 17 and our iOS 17 cheat sheet.

MoviePass just brought back its signature physical credit card when it relaunched its movie theater subscription service in May, but it’s now ready to go virtual. The movie subscription service on Wednesday announced a new virtual card that will support online ticketing, along with other updates that include access to premium movie formats like Imax screenings.

MoviePass CEO Stacy Spikes told CNET that the virtual cards will soon start showing up within its app, and customers can either choose to buy a ticket in person, as MoviePass has traditionally worked, or can copy the card information into any movie ticketing website to buy a ticket in advance.

The process to buy a movie ticket using MoviePass is otherwise largely the same as before. You select a showtime in the MoviePass app, and then use the MoviePass card to purchase that ticket whether in person or using the website. The card is used in conjunction with a credits system that MoviePass now uses, in which each showtime is worth a varying number of credits — less popular showtimes like weekdays and matinees cost less than popular times like weekend evening showtimes. When buying an online ticket you’ll see a slightly higher point cost to accommodate online convenience fees.

Spikes said that MoviePass subscribers with physical cards will still be able to use them, and new customers will still get the option to receive a physical card if they would like. MoviePass plans to eventually sunset physical cards entirely, but will be using a hybrid approach for theaters that do not yet support contactless payments over a phone.

“Part of it has to do with when you put the card into the app. A lot of the kiosks don’t have the capability to use Apple Pay, so you still have to use the magnetic strip if you want to do it on location,” Spikes said. “So we just don’t know the timing [on when theaters are] going to update their kiosks, so we’re flexible on what I would call a complete phase-out.”

MoviePass is also adding the ability to buy tickets to shows in premium formats like Imax and Dolby Cinema, which will start appearing in the app in December. These showtimes will also have slightly higher credit values to accommodate the increased ticket prices. For further flexibility towards these more expensive offerings, MoviePass customers will be able to buy packs of additional points.

MoviePass is also launching gift subscriptions, which are helped by the introduction of the virtual card, and early next year plans to launch a “Bring a Friend” feature for buying multiple tickets to a single showtime.

Spikes said that MoviePass has continued to beef up its customer support teams since its relaunch, which was a sore spot during the service’s initial months. He said that many of the issues customers experienced were to do with timing issues with in-person ticket purchases, and expects the online ticketing support will help alleviate that issue.

MoviePass is also in development on an optional advertising program called PreShow, in which facial recognition is used to determine if a subscriber has watched an ad in exchange for additional credits. Spikes said the program may arrive as soon as summer next year.

“We do have the basics of it built out, but we want to push it and start testing it probably after we get past Oscar season,” Spikes said. “So somewhere between there and the summer, [we’ll] begin testing it, and we’re starting to have conversations with potential advertisers and brands.”

MoviePass is available in the US, and pricing varies by region, as does the value of the credits you get. I found during my hands-on with MoviePass that pricing in the New York area starts at $20 per month for 68 credits (estimated at one to three films) up to a $60 per month plan for 1,240 credits (effectively unlimited). Outside of New York and southern California, a $10 plan is available. MoviePass now largely competes against subscription offerings offered by the theater companies themselves, including AMC’s A-List, Regal Unlimited and Alamo Drafthouse’s Season Pass.

Savings on Apple gear tend to be rare, but Black Friday is the time to be shopping if you want discounts on Apple-branded tech. Though the main event is still over a week away, you don’t have to wait to start stocking up on official Apple accessories with a huge Woot sale on first-party Apple products. The sale features everything from iPhone cases and chargers to discounts on the Apple Watch itself. It’s a must-shop for those seeking Apple Black Friday deals this fall.

One standout deal in this sale is the Apple Watch Series 6 for just $200. While this is an older model — the Series 9 is the current-gen — the Apple Watch didn’t change in dramatic was from Series 6 through 8 meaning that this is still a solid smartwatch in 2023. 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 the Apple Watch Series 6 at this sort of price point.

If you already own an Apple Watch, there is a plethora of discounted bands in this sale including premium options like the Milanese Loop from $37, Leather Link from $50 and the stainless steel Link Bracelet for $180. These are all around half off the usual Apple price and they are all offered brand new with support for various Apple Watch generations.

On the iPhone side, you can use this sale to stock up on cables, speedy wall chargers or MagSafe-equipped travel chargers. There are MagSafe wallets too as well as leather and silicone cases for iPhone XS through iPhone 14 with prices from $10. Add discounted iPad cases and $120 off Beats Powerbeats Pro earbuds to that list and you got a sale that caters for pretty much every Apple user.

The sale is slated to run through Nov. 30, though supplies are limited and it’s likely that many items will sell out before that date.

New Zealand will have to pull off a shock result to reach a third successive final as they take on hosts and tournament favorites India in this first semifinal of the Cricket World Cup.

Kane Williamson’s Black Caps claimed their place in the last four after defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets, a result that saw them edge out Pakistan for a semifinal spot.

India’s superb form, which has seen them win all nine matches in the group stage, combined with their home advantage, sees them marked out as the clear favorite with the bookies to win the tournament outright. However, they now come up against the side they lost to at this stage of the tournament four years ago.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch every match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, no matter where you are in the world.

India vs. New Zealand: When and where?

India take on New Zealand at Wankhede Stadiumin Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Play is set to start at 2 p.m. IST local time in India. (That’s 8:30 a.m. GMT in the UK, 7:30 p.m. AEDT in Australia, and 3:30 a.m. ET or 12:30 a.m. PT in the US.)

How to watch the 2023 Cricket World Cup online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the tournament locally, you may need a different way to watch this match — 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 Australia, 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 India vs. New Zealand in the US

World Cup 2023 matches are available to watch live on both ESPN Plus and dedicated cricket streaming service Willow TV.

Stream India vs. New Zealand in India for free

Free live coverage of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in the host nation will be available to watch on mobile devices via the Hotstar app.

Those looking to catch all the action on a device with a larger display will need to sign up for pay TV service Star Sports or Disney Plus Hotstar.

Watch India vs. New Zealand in the UK

All matches of the Cricket World Cup are being shown live in the UK by Sky and its dedicated Sky Sports Cricket channel. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the first Test via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the match.

Stream India vs. New Zealand in Australia

Pay-TV network Foxtel and its streaming platform Kayo is showing every match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, including India vs. New Zealand.

Stream India vs. New Zealand for free in New Zealand

Pay TV broadcaster Sky Sport has broadcast rights to show every 2023 Cricket World Cup game live in New Zealand.

Quick tips for streaming the 2023 Cricket World Cup using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the Cricket World Cup action live 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.