It isn’t necessary to relocate to a new country to learn a new language, especially these days — there are plenty of options that can help you master new languages from anywhere. Babbel is one of our favorite language-learning apps available in 2023, and StackSocial is currently slashing the price on lifetime access to Babbel with this $150 membership deal. That saves you $449 compared with the usual price. This offer is set to expire Oct. 23, so be sure to get signed up soon if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
Being able to speak more than one language has some huge benefits, whether it’s just a basic understanding of a language that can help you get around when you travel abroad or total fluency that will help you land a new job. In our globally connected world, people are communicating across borders for all sorts of reasons, and mastering a foreign language can be a valuable skill for anyone to have — and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian and Portuguese. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and more. There are also a variety of skill levels available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.
The speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation, so you don’t just learn to read and write, but how to listen and speak, as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices. And though the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.
Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferrable skills you gain can open a lot of doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is only available for new users.
Babbel is a great value when compared with other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globetrotting adventures, this is a solid deal.
Read more:11 Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist for a Smooth Trip
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James BricknellSenior Editor
James has been writing about technology for years but has loved it since the early 90s. While his main areas of expertise are maker tools — 3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters — he also loves to play board games and tabletop RPGs.
Expertise3D printers, maker tools such as Cricut style vinyl cutters and laser cutters, traditional paper printersCredentials
6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for large websites.
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.Read how we test products and services.
Unlike a standard wallet, minimalist wallets are engineered to carry only the essentials. They have a thin design meant to fit in your pocket without ruining your stylish look, making them a great pick for weddings or any other event where you’re wearing dress pants.
These days, you don’t need to carry cash, or at least not a lot of it. Contactless payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Wallet are everywhere, and most stores accept debit and credit cards. But even in our cash-free world, while out on the town, you’ll want something to hold your cards. That’s where the best minimalist wallets come into play.
Minimalist wallets are lightweight, svelte containers designed to accommodate your most essential everyday carry items: some money, an ID card, and a few credit or debit cards. The best minimalist wallets combine a stylish appearance, durable construction and — most importantly — a design that forces you to be economical in your choices about what to carry around. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list to help you find the best minimalist wallet.
What’s the best minimalist wallet?
For our money, the Airo Collective Stealth Wallet Razor is, despite that word salad of a name, the best minimalist wallet you can buy. It’s minimal in all the right ways: minimal weight, minimal design and minimal intrusion into your pocket. The firm elastic cord and toughness of the material mean you won’t lose your money accidentally either, so it’s a win from every angle.
Though there are plenty of bifold and trifold thin wallet options, we’re mostly focused on one-panel design wallets here. These usually hold between four and 10 credit and debit cards, though some do it more artfully than others, and there is a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. Some are hybrids, which combine a wallet and money clip or elastic band. Most offer some RFID-blocking technology, which is advertised as a protective measure against electronic pickpocketing, like scammers skimming data stored on your contactless credit cards. (That may be an overblown concern, however.)
After carrying a wide variety of minimalist wallets over the past several years, I have finally found one that I can recommend without reservation. The Airo Collective’s Stealth is tasteful, thoughtfully designed and extraordinarily, singularly minimal, weighing a feathery 0.14 ounce. The billfold design features two pocket card slots, each holding up to four credit cards, and a thin elastic band — Airo calls it a “ballistic bungee loop” — that securely holds your cash in place.
The company says its material is 15 times stronger than steel, and the website features videos of musclebound dudes trying and failing to rip it apart. Also appealing: It’s made in the US, comes with a two-year warranty and offers RFID protection, for whatever that’s worth. After several months of use, I can report that it’s broken in — but still holding up well.
Five of the 12 wallets we tested had essentially the same basic design, and there are dozens — if not hundreds — of nearly identical models, all made in China, listed on Amazon. Prices start at just $7, for the Chelmon model, and other models generally cost between $13 and $20, though some colors, patterns and fabrics are more expensive than others. They’re all about the size of a deck of playing cards, though they measure about 0.25 inch thick. The five we tested all have their brand names embossed on them:
Each of these slimmer wallets had the same basic elements: two or three card holder pockets on each side; a transparent window that lets you flash your ID without removing it; an inner space that can be used as a cash pocket or to stow a few more cards; RFID blocking on its card sleeve to block electronic pickpocketing of your credit and debit cards; and, in the case of the slightly pricier Zitahli, a magnetically attached money clip. (That company claims this money clip wallet can safely hold up to 25 bills, but when I put in just 10 folded bills, the magnets failed to connect.) But my top choice overall is the shorter, wider Hammer Anvil; I don’t mind that it lacks the ID window, which, for all of its practicality, I find tacky and not befitting of our top wallets list.
I also really like the Kinzd, which has a slightly broader design that separates it from the cookie-cutter field. It has a terrific inner pocket — which is closed on one side only, allowing you to open it up wide — that comes together firmly with a satisfying magnetic snap.
I always thought that having your wallet and phone together was risky. But honestly, I am far more likely to lose my wallet in a back pocket than I am to lose my phone in my hand. The Bluebonnet Magsafe wallet holds only one or two cards, but it sticks to the back of the iPhone 14 so well you would think it was part of the case. The leather is premium, and the blue band that acts as a money clip is tight enough to use as a phone grip too.
Of all of the rugged minimalist wallets I tested, I found the Ridge to be the most flexible — ironic for a wallet made of titanium. But the sandwich design of the Ridge wallet securely accommodates one card as easily as it can 12, and the durable but pliable money clip holds one bill as tightly as a bigger wad. The cutout provides quick access to all of your cards, and the tough elastic strap that holds everything together inspires confidence.
This wallet is almost comically overdesigned, and you can use the included screwdriver (!) to disassemble the pieces, remove the money clip and bring the money strap to the exterior. Ridge makes this wallet in China, but backs it with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, which seems about right for the price. This burnt titanium Ridge wallet is probably my favorite color, though it’s a little pricier than some of the other color variants, which start at $95. There are tons of different options to choose from over at the Ridge website if you want something a little subtler, or a lot more boisterous.
Employing “more than 200 people in Tennessee,” Groove Life has created a precision-made wallet with a balanced weight that feels great in your pocket. Designed for five cards to fan easily, I found it could fit four credit cards and two insurance cards nicely, with an ID in the front leather sleeve.
The mechanism for releasing the cards is really nice, too. The entire front of the wallet slides up to help fan the cards out with a spring-loaded action that is satisfyingly mechanical. Like all metal wallets, the Grove wallet is RFID-blocking, so you can have some peace of mind on that score. It’s rugged too, so dropping it doesn’t pop your cards out — at least it hasn’t yet.
There’s something odd about a minimalist RFID wallet that includes a paracord tensioner. And yet, we have the T01, which covers the basics and then some. It’s extremely durable, handcrafted with “aerospace-grade” aluminum — for those of you looking for a metal wallet — in the US, and can hold 12 cards (at least) plus a wad of bills in the included silicone band. And the T01 comes with not only a built-in bottle opener, but Dango’s stainless-steel multitool accessory, which can be stowed in the wallet. (I can’t recall even one moment during the past 25 years when I needed any of those tools while on the go.) The multitool pushes the wallet’s total weight above 6 ounces, reduces the number of cards it can hold and won’t be happily received when boarding an airplane. But still, it’s a cool wallet for those who need tools on them at all times.
Dango backs the T01 with a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects and one year for defects in materials and workmanship.
Vaultskin’s tasteful Notting Hill wallet manages to cram a lot into a small package. The defining feature here is the zipper. For some, it will be a deal-breaker — for its bulk, or whatever it connotes, style-wise — while others will find the security of a zipperedcompartment appealing for containing their credit and debit cards and money. If you’re pro-zipper, there’s much to like. The exterior features three slots that can accommodate cards or money. A fourth hidden slot can store two or three more cards, which you can eject out the top using the genuine leather pull tab. The inside has two pouches, one of which snaps down, and a strap that can stow several more cards. There’s also a small key hook. Though it says “London” on the packaging, this wallet is made in China.
Trayvax’s Armored Summit Wallet delivers an appealing combination of ruggedness and extra features at a reasonable price. It can hold up to seven cards and five bills, and like the Dango, it’s built from sturdy materials — steel and melonite, in this case — in the US. Also like the Dango, it has an integrated bottle opener. Still, Trayvax’s buckling strap is a deal killer for me. It’s nylon, not elastic, and I found it quite difficult to adjust when I needed to remove a few cards or make more room for additional money.
Thread Wallets’ Elastic resembles a fancy Ace bandage or compression sleeve. It’s made of a stretchy material, and can easily hold 10 cards and some money. It also has a small key ring. Though it’s billed as specifically “for women” — and it was my 10-year-old daughter’s favorite of the bunch — that seems a bit reductive. This would be an excellent wallet for anyone. The only drawback to this simple, stylish wallet is that the excess material on the interior bunches up into a lump, a minor but considerable design blemish.
Though technically a minimalist bifold wallet and not a sleeve, the Micro Wallet warrants inclusion here for its incredibly light weight. Made out of Tyvek — the synthetic material used to wrap buildings during construction, which is also water-resistant — this bifold wallet weighs a mere quarter of an ounce. You can park a few cards in each of its side pockets or slots, and the cash compartment will hold as many folded bills as you can cram in. Whether it’s one dollar or a stack of 20s, however, this wallet will not stay closed when outside of your pocket.
You can get these wallets on Amazon. But the company sells an array of quirky, distinctive designs on its own website. Paperwallet guarantees the Micro Wallet for 30 days — a shorter period than most other vendors. But I’ve been using mine for a couple of weeks and, so far, it’s held up surprisingly well. I’m curious to see how it does over the long haul, and will update this roundup in the future.
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How we test minimalist wallets
Testing wallets is, as you might imagine, a fairly subjective process. These wallets come in many sizes, shapes, and materials so it’s important to test them on those merits. Trying to jam 10 cards into a wallet designed to hold 3 is pointless, and not a true test.
All wallets are subjected to a vigorous shake test where are try to dislodge the cards from inside, and if they have a money clip/strap on the outside, I try to get that to fall out too. Then it’s time for my least favorite test; sitting on the wallet in my back pocket for an entire workday. Mostly, I am making sure the wallet doesn’t bend, or otherwise damage the cards inside, but I am also checking how uncomfortable it is to sit on for 8 hours a day.
Any of the wallets that claim to be RFID blockers are subjected to a test using an Android Pixel phone and an RFID card that has my Twitter link on it. If the card can be read through the wallet and my Twitter Bio opens on the phone, then the wallet fails the test. Finally I spend a week using the wallet as my main card holder in the real world. There are very few tests better than that to give you a clear idea whether it is worth your money or not.
OnePlus built its brand on the idea of “never settling” for compromises from your phone. Its first foldable, the $1,700 OnePlus Open, certainly delivers on that premise with impressive hardware (even with a few bizarre omissions). But its software and value, particularly in the US, make it a hard sell compared to established foldables like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5.
After testing the phone for a few weeks, I commend OnePlus for a strong first effort, particularly when it comes to the hardware. But even with OnePlus’ aggressive trade-in offer that knocks a minimum of $200 off the Open’s price with a trade-in of any phone (even an old or broken one), it’s hard to compete with carrier discounts that cut $800 or more off of rival devices with a trade-in and financing plan. That’s a solid deal, especially considering Samsung’s software is far more optimized for foldable displays.
Those considering the Open should be encouraged to see OnePlus adding some much-needed competition to the US foldable arena. But they also may want to look elsewhere or wait for the second-generation model before spending so much money.
Note: Oppo, OnePlus’ sister company, has released a similar version of this phone internationally under its Find N-series line of foldables. This review is of the OnePlus version that will be available in the US.
What’s good: The hardware
Design-wise, the OnePlus Open is more of a hybrid between Google’s Pixel Fold and the Z Fold 5. The 6.31-inch front screen isn’t as wide as the Pixel’s 5.8-inch display, but it is significantly more comfortable to hold and use than Samsung’s 6.2-inch screen on the Z Fold 5.
There’s a 7.82-inch display on the inside, which is slightly larger than Google and Samsung’s 7.6-inch options. Both the front and interior screens are vibrant OLED panels capable of 2K resolution, and they each support variable refresh rates up to 120Hz. The larger tablet-size display is capable of going all the way down to 1Hz, which can allow for smoother scrolling and gaming, or more efficient battery life (the front display can go down to 10Hz).
What impressed me the most about the hardware is how thin OnePlus has made the Open, and how the company seems to have almost completely minimized the larger display’s crease.
The phone is thinner than both Samsung’s and Google’s foldables. While I can still feel the crease and can see it at certain angles, I generally didn’t notice it while browsing around Chrome, messaging in WhatsApp or navigating with Google Maps during the day or watching YouTube or Loki on Disney Plus at night.
I did notice that some videos seemed less sharp on the OnePlus’ display than watching on other devices like an iPhone 14 Pro Max, though turning on some additional video settings (like “video color boost” and “bright HDR video mode”) did help.
The Dolby Atmos-capable speakers are fine and clear, though I do wish they got a bit louder. And despite being thinner than its rivals (my emerald dusk green version measures 11.7mm thick when folded and weighs 245 grams, a voyager black variant measures 11.9mm and weighs 239g), OnePlus staples like the alert slider remain, and there is a fingerprint sensor integrated in the sleep/wake button on the right side of the device.
The OnePlus Open closes completely without any wedges, a feat that took five iterations for Samsung to accomplish.
Opening up the Open is easy and effortless. The hinge doesn’t require the same amount of force I’ve had to use on other foldables, like the Pixel Fold or Z Fold 5. I’ve only had the phone for a few weeks and obviously can’t predict how this will last over months or years, but my early impressions are encouraging.
If your phone does have issues, OnePlus says you’ll need to reach out to them directly as opposed to using any specific repair shops in the US.
The company tells CNET that in addition to its normal warranty, “we will bring in insurance services like OnePlus Care and will introduce a new service of exchanging a device instead of repairing the original.” OnePlus adds that the new service will run $99 and that “if customers need any repairment under the standard warranty policy, OnePlus will replace it to a new or refurbished device.”
OnePlus will also be offering a “60% discount on this price when buying a device at launch on Oct. 26.”
Benchmarks, battery and interesting hardware choices
Like the Z Fold 5, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor runs the show, though OnePlus ups the RAM to 16GB compared to Samsung’s 12GB on the Z Fold 5 (there is only one storage option for the Open, 512GB). Performance is zippy, with apps opening quickly.
The phone supports 5G on AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile’s respective networks, and I had no issues when popping an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card into the device. No US carrier will be selling the Open directly, however, though OnePlus will be selling the phone unlocked from its website as well as Amazon and Best Buy.
For benchmark fans, here is how it stacks up in our tests:
Benchmark testing results
Phone
Geekbench 6 single-core
Geekbench 6 multicore
3D Mark Wild Life Extreme
OnePlus Open
1,571
4,556
3,641; 21.80 fps
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
2,014
5,419
3,708; 22.20 fps
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1,892
5,009
3,802; 22.8 fps
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
1,842
4,508
2,777; 16.60 fps
Google Pixel Fold
1,458
3,540
1,733; 10.4 fps
Finally, OnePlus made a few interesting choices on the hardware side. First, there’s the battery.
The 4,805-mAh cell provided impressive battery life and regularly lasted throughout the day even when watching plenty of videos, snapping photos and WhatsApp-ing. I often relied on the larger internal screen for most of these tasks.
In a bit of a break from the norm, OnePlus includes a 67-watt charger in the box (albeit one that is USB-A to USB-C). That wired charging took me from empty to 25% in under 8 minutes, around 43% after 15 minutes, and up to 50% in around 18 minutes. A 30-minute charge got me from empty to 76% and getting to 100% took less than 44 minutes.
Running CNET’s 45-minute endurance test — where I streamed YouTube TV, browsed TikTok, played a few races of Asphalt 9, did a WhatsApp video call, and browsed the web using the larger internal display and while connected to Wi-Fi — the Open fell from 100% to around 88%. This is on par with a similar test on the Z Fold 5, but worse than the Pixel Fold, which only had a 5% drop in battery.
45-minute battery endurance test
Phone
Battery loss over 45 minutes
Google Pixel Fold
5%
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6%
OnePlus Open
12%
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
12%
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
18%
Lower percentages are better.
Now the odd parts. OnePlus does not support wireless charging on the Open, which is surprising given how commonplace that feature is on modern smartphones, particularly considering this phone costs well over $1,000. The Open’s lack of wireless charging feels like we’re back to the 2019 OnePlus days.
With an IPX4 rating, the Open is also less durable than Samsung’s Z Fold 5 when it comes to water, but it still can handle splashes. Samsung’s foldable is IPX8-rated, which means it can handle a drop in water (though as neither foldable is suitable for dust, you shouldn’t rush to take them to the beach).
While OnePlus didn’t give the Open wireless charging or more advanced water and dust protection, it did throw in one other odd feature: An IR blaster for using your phone as a remote control. OnePlus includes a handy IR Remote app on the phone that allows for easy setup of devices ranging from cable boxes and TVs to electric heaters and air purifiers.
I tried it out on a few different TVs and it worked surprisingly well, even if IR blasters feel like a 2013 feature, not a 2023 one.
Cameras: What you’d expect from OnePlus
The OnePlus Open has five cameras, including a 32-megapixel fixed-focus main camera on the front screen and a 20-megapixel fixed-focus camera on the inside screen. The main rear camera system once again bears the Hasselblad name and consists of a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 64-megapixel telephoto lens and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. The company claims the telephoto camera can achieve a 6x zoom (doing an in-sensor zoom on a 3x optical telephoto lens) and a 120x digital zoom, while the ultrawide can shoot at 0.6x.
Shots from all three rear cameras are, well, fine. With the right lighting, you can get some solid images. But closer inspection reveals an experience that seems to be on a par with what my colleague Andrew Lanxon found when he reviewed the OnePlus 11 earlier this year. When compared to Samsung’s foldable, I personally preferred the greater detail and sharpness in photos taken with the Z Fold 5, even if Samsung still oversaturates colors.
I did like the 6x zoom, and it took some surprisingly solid shots. The 120x digital zoom, however, reminded me of Samsung’s 100x “space zoom” when it was first introduced back on the Galaxy S20, both in terms of the quality of images it produced and the incredible difficulties it takes to find your shot, steady your hands and capture it.
It’s a cool number to tout on the Open’s marketing, but something I imagine will largely be pointless to everyone using the device in everyday situations.
There also was an odd occurrence when zooming in turned the entire Open screen purple, but that issue only happened once and corrected itself.
It is also worth noting that OnePlus issued a software update earlier this week that promised to “optimize the overexposure in certain scenes” and “enhance the clarity of tele night scenes.”
As for the other cameras, video calls over WhatsApp on Wi-Fi looked fine when using both the internal camera and the one on the front screen. However, I did appreciate the extra light the larger unfolded display provides when using the internal screen. Unlike Samsung’s Fold line, the Open’s camera is not hidden underneath pixels on the screen. While the Open’s screen isn’t as futuristic-looking when the camera isn’t in use, this design does provide a bit more camera clarity and sharpness.
Like other foldables, OnePlus allows you to use the more powerful rear cameras together with the outer screen for selfies. While it’s a bit more cumbersome to hold, it is a nice touch and a good use of the more capable lenses.
Software: Lacking foldable polish
OnePlus has long offered a close-to-clean Android experience, and with its OxygenOS it largely continues that trend. The phone ships with OnePlus’ OxygenOS 13.2 software, which itself is built upon Android 13. OnePlus promises four years of major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates.
The company says that Android 14 will arrive “around” the end of the year.
As has been the case with its other devices, the Open has a handful of OnePlus apps like “Zen Space” (for disconnecting from your phone) and “O Relax” for unwinding, but neither is particularly noteworthy. They aren’t especially useful, and I found myself ignoring them.
There is also an interestingly named “Clone Phone” app for transferring data from an older device to the Open (or from the Open to a newer device).
My biggest issue with the Open is its multitasking software. I’ve made plenty of comparisons to Samsung already in this review, and for good reason. Right now, Samsung has set the bar for foldables in the US. The Galaxy Z Fold is already five generations old, and that shows in its significantly more refined software.
Both devices allow for multitasking complete with taskbars for easily summoning new apps. But Samsung’s implementation made it easier to get multiple apps running side-by-side, though I did like OnePlus’ two-finger slide-down gesture from the top of the screen for quickly enabling multitasking.
But when running Google Sheets alongside WhatsApp, I have a lot more flexibility to resize windows on the Z Fold 5 than I do with the Open. OnePlus often will treat these apps like windows and push them to the side just outside of view, as opposed to resizing them as split-screen apps so that both apps can run at once on the screen.
I could also open a third app much more easily on the Z Fold 5 than I could on the Open. Running Chrome alongside WhatsApp and Sheets and resizing them as I deemed fit was easy on the Z Fold 5. On the Open, I really only could do two at a time with the third available in a window below.
With time and effort, I expect OnePlus to improve in this area. I’d also like to see OnePlus offer its own take on Samsung’s PC-like DeX mode, which turns the powerful Open into a more full-fledged computer when plugged into a monitor.
Is the Open worth it?
There is certainly plenty to love about OnePlus’ first foldable. Although its cameras leave room for growth, its hardware is stellar with a thin design, vibrant screens and fast wired charging. I love that OnePlus includes a fast charger and a case in the box, too.
The software shows promise, even though it needs more refinement to truly take advantage of the larger foldable display. Perhaps some of this will come as Google improves the foldable Android experience as a whole. But you should never buy a product with the hope that a company might fix something later – even if OnePlus is promising four years of major OS upgrades.
At the end of the day, the Open’s biggest issue is one that has plagued OnePlus for years: value. It’s hard to justify spending $1,700 for the Open when you consider trade-in offers and carrier deals that knock hundreds off a Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Pixel Fold. Throw in Samsung’s regular sales and its folding alternative isn’t only more refined on the software front, but very likely is more affordable, too.
If you are looking for a foldable this holiday season, consider the OnePlus Open. But you probably will be better off buying Samsung’s model instead.
How we test phones
Every phone tested by CNET’s reviews team was actually used in the real world. We test a phone’s features, play games and take photos. We examine the display to see if it’s bright, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and build to see how it is to hold and whether it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s performance to the extremes using both standardized benchmark tools like GeekBench and 3DMark, along with our own anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution videos and playing graphically intense games at high refresh rates.
All the cameras are tested in a variety of conditions from bright sunlight to dark indoor scenes. We try out special features like night mode and portrait mode and compare our findings against similarly priced competing phones. We also check out the battery life by using the phone daily as well as running a series of battery drain tests.
We take into account additional features that can be useful, like support for 5G, satellite connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus support, fast charging speeds and foldable displays, among others. And we balance all this against the price to give you the verdict on whether that phone, whatever price it is, actually represents good value.
Chelsea and Arsenal return to action after the international break in a London derby on Saturday that neither side will want to lose.
After an abject start to the English Premier League campaign under new boss Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues come into this Gameweek 9 clash with a renewed sense of optimism, following back-to-back wins over Fulham and Burnley.
The Gunners once again look like genuine title contenders this term, having underlined their credentials with a statement win over Man City at the Emirates Stadium last time out.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch all of the action live wherever you are in the world.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal: When and where?
Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in west London on Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. BST local time. That’s 12:30 p.m. ET or 9:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 3:30 a.m. AEDT early Sunday morning in Australia.
How to watch the Chelsea vs. Arsenal 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 — 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 the Chelsea vs. Arsenal game in the US
Saturday’s Chelsea-Arsenal match is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.
Livestream the Chelsea vs. Arsenal 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 Chelsea-Arsenal game is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game 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 game.
Livestream the Chelsea vs. Arsenal game in Canada
If you want to stream Chelsea vs. Arsenal live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.
Livestream the Chelsea vs. Arsenal 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.
Anfield plays host to the 243rd Merseyside derby on Saturday as in-form Liverpool take on struggling neighbors Everton.
A win for Jürgen Klopp’s men will see the home side head to the summit of the English Premier League for the first time this season.
Everton, meanwhile, come into the clash off the back of a 3-0 win over Bournemouth in their last game. That result saw them rise to 16th in the table. Today’s game offers a much stiffer test, with the Toffees having only won once against their local rivals at Anfield since 1999 — although Everton’s women’s team did win the corresponding fixture 1-0 last Sunday.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.
Liverpool vs. Everton: When and where?
Liverpool host Everton at Anfield on Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. BST (7:30 a.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 10:30 p.m. AEDT in Australia).
How to watch the Liverpool vs. Everton 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 Liverpool vs. Everton in the US
Saturday’s Liverpool-Evertonmatch is on USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at the NBC Sports website with a valid login, and can be streamed via Sling TV and other more expensive streaming TV services.
Livestream the Liverpool vs. Evertongame 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 Liverpool-Everton game is exclusive to TNT Sports — showing on its TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 1 HD and TNT Sport Ultimate channels.
Livestream the Liverpool vs. Everton game in Canada
If you want to stream Liverpool vs. Everton live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to FuboTV Canada. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.
Livestream the Liverpool vs. Everton 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.
iOS 17 has been available to download and the brand-new iPhone 15 has been in stores for a few weeks now. This means that Apple fans can have been able to play around with the all of the exciting new features that the company has been teasing for months. These new upgrades have brought some exciting additions, including StandBy mode and the Journal app. Among the new-to-iPhone features is NameDrop, a contact-sharing feature that allows you to share your number with just a tap of your phone.
The release of iOS 17, and NameDrop, follows the announcement of the iPhone 15 series, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Apple’s Wonderlust event in September.
Superfans likely know that NameDrop will be hitting Apple Watches later this year (although Watch OS 10.1 Beta gives users access to the feature now), but as of right now iPhone users are the only people who can broadly access the feature.
If you’ve got an iPhone running iOS 17, you’re in luck, NameDrop is simple to use. Read on for everything you need to know about this feature.
What is NameDrop?
NameDrop is the newest way iPhone users can share contact information with each other. You no longer have to fork over your phone to strangers if you want to swap contact info. All you need to do is simply tap your phones together to swap information.
When can I use NameDrop?
If you’re an iPhone user, you’re in luck. NameDrop is available to you right now, or as soon as you update to iOS 17 — that is, as long as you have a supported iPhone.
Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
In a Newsroom post, Apple called NameDrop a “new AirDrop experience.” People with iPhones can “hold their iPhone near another to share their contact information with only their intended recipients.”
Apple clarified that you’ll be able to select what information you share with other people, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally sending super personal information to strangers.
Essentially, all you have to do is place your iPhone close to the intended recipient of your NameDrop, and you’re done. Once you’ve placed the phones together, a Contact Poster will pop up (this is the image that pops up when you call someone). After that, you’ll have the option to just receive the contact or send your own back.
So… how do I turn NameDrop off?
Not everyone is going to be a fan of this new feature, and if you fall into that category, Apple’s got you covered.
All you have to do is open the Settings app, and then tap on General. After that, navigate to the AirDrop tab. Once you open the tab, simply toggle the Bring Devices Together option off. And just like that, no more NameDrop.
For more iOS 17 details, check out everything you should do before updating to iOS 17 and five hidden iOS 17 features we think you should know about.
Formula 1 is heading to Austin, Texas, this weekend for the fan-favorite United States Grand Prix. This race promises lots of action and drama, especially since this upcoming Grand Prix weekend will follow the sprint race format, which means that 8 additional championship points are up for grabs.
Even though Max Verstappen wrapped up the Driver’s Championship in Qatar and Red Bull brought home the Constructor’s Championship in Japan, the rest of the 2023 season still has some big questions that could be answered in Austin. Will Lando Norris bring home his first race victory? Will Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton keep closing in on Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in second place? The United States GP will also see the return of fan-favorite driver Daniel Ricciardo, who has been absent due to a wrist injury sustained earlier in the season. No matter what happens, fans can expect some exciting race action from F1 this weekend.
The preliminary events take place Saturday, Oct. 21, starting with the United States GP Sprint Shootout at 1:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. PT), followed by the Sprint itself at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). Both will be shown on ESPNews and ESPN Plus.
The main race, the United States Grand Prix proper, takes place on Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Circuit of the Americas at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on ABC and ESPN Plus.
The entire race weekend, including practice sessions and qualifying, will be shown in the US on ESPN’s family of TV and streaming networks. Those looking to follow all the drama will need access to the ABC and ESPN News channels on cable or live TV streaming services, or the ESPN Plus streaming service. We’ve broken down everything you need to know to stream today’s race, and all the other F1 races this season.
When, where and what time are the races?
Races are held on Sunday and are usually spaced two weeks apart. Here’s the entire schedule, all times ET.
F1 2023 schedule
Date
Race
Time
March 5
Bahrain GP
10 a.m. ET
March 19
Saudi Arabian GP
1 p.m. ET
April 2
Australian GP
1 a.m. ET
April 30
Azerbaijan GP
7 a.m. ET
May 7
Miami GP
3:30 p.m. ET
May 21
Romagna GP
9 a.m. ET
May 28
Monaco GP
9 a.m. ET
June 4
Spanish GP
9 a.m. ET
June 18
Canadian GP
2 p.m. ET
July 2
Austrian GP
9 a.m. ET
July 9
British GP
10 a.m. ET
July 23
Hungarian GP
9 a.m. ET
July 30
Belgian GP
9 a.m. ET
Aug. 27
Dutch GP
9 a.m. ET
Sept. 3
Italian GP
9 a.m. ET
Sept. 17
Singapore GP
8 a.m. ET
Sept. 24
Japanese GP
1 a.m. ET
Oct. 8
Qatar GP
1 p.m. ET
Oct. 22
United States GP
3 p.m. ET
Oct. 29
Mexican GP
4 p.m. ET
Nov. 5
Brazil GP
12 p.m. ET
Nov. 19
Las Vegas GP
1 a.m. ET
Nov. 26
Abu Dhabi GP
8 a.m ET
Best option for streaming in the US without cable
How to watch F1 online from anywhere using a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view the race locally, you may need a different way to watch — 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 race 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 F1 racing in the UK
F1 in the UK is shown on Sky Sports and Channel 4 — Sky Sports airs the races, practice rounds and qualifying, while free-to-air Channel 4 offers highlights broadcast after the day’s action takes place. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its app, but cord-cutters will need to get the Sky Entertainment and Netflix package starting at 26 per month, plus an additional 20 per month to include Sky Sports.
Other options for streaming in the US without cable
Beyond ESPN Plus, numerous live TV streaming services carry channels with F1. Race weekends normally start on Friday with multiple practice runs and continue on Saturday with qualifying. The races themselves take place Sunday. ESPN typically airs practices and qualifying on a mix of ESPN 2 and ESPNews, while the races tend to air on ESPN. F1 events in North America often land on ABC.
Here are some of the best ways to catch the entire race weekend without cable.
If you have a supported iPhone, like the iPhone 15, you can download Apple’s latest iOS 17 software update. The new iPhone OS brings several new features to iPhones, like StandBy mode, interactive widgets, full-screen contact posters for phone calls, an improved and more personalized autocorrect and more.
Read more: iOS 17 Cheat Sheet: Everything to Know About the New iPhone Update
Though most of these features are welcome, if you’re like me, you might not love every single new offering from iOS 17. Sometimes I don’t want change, especially when it’s super drastic, because I get used to a way of doing certain things.
I wasn’t a fan of the new search button at the bottom of each home page when I upgraded to iOS 16, because I’d accidentally trigger it all the time. It isn’t necessarily a bad feature, I just personally didn’t like it.
And with iOS 17, there are also a few features I’m not a huge fan of. If you want to find out about some of the iOS 17 settings I sometimes find annoying, keep reading. And best of all, there’s a “fix” for all of them, so you can either get rid of them or at least never have to deal with them again.
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
While you’re here, check out the iOS 17 settings you need to change ASAP and the best hidden features in iOS 17.
Stop NameDrop from automatically sharing your contact info
The new NameDrop feature on iOS 17 allows you to quickly swap contact information via AirDrop simply by bringing your iPhone near another iPhone or Apple Watch. Your name and Contact Poster (also new with iOS 17) are shared with NameDrop, along with your phone number, email address and other information.
However, some people have had issues with NameDrop sharing info when they don’t want to. For example, if you place your iPhone near another iPhone in general, NameDrop may attempt to transfer your contact information. If you carry two iPhones in your bag — one personal and the other for work — NameDrop could attempt to share contact info between the two, which can be annoying when you’re not trying to use the feature on purpose.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to disable NameDrop completely. In the Settings application, go to General > AirDrop and toggle off Bringing Devices Together. Once the feature is off, you won’t be able to swap numbers and information via NameDrop.
Hide notifications in StandBy
The StandBy feature is arguably one of the biggest new iOS 17 features to the iPhone, turning your phone into a smart display when it’s charging horizontally and showcasing information, like the time, your calendar, photos and notifications, in large blocks that are easy to see. StandBy is a great way to quickly absorb information by glancing at your phone, but if there are people around and you want to keep some of your information private, you may not want StandBy to show notifications.
In Settings > StandBy, toggle off Show Notifications. Now when you’re in StandBy mode, you won’t see all of your notifications displayed. Critical notifications, like weather emergencies, will still be shown in StandBy mode.
Alternatively, you can hide notification previews instead of the entire notification. That way, you can still see what notifications you’re getting, you just can’t check out exact details unless you tap on the notification. For this to work, you’ll need to enable Show Notifications, as well as the Show Preview on Top Only setting underneath.
Stop Siri from activating so easily
Siri received a few major changes in iOS 17, including the ability to activate the voice assistant by only saying “Siri” — no more “hey” needed. It’s an easier way to quickly open an application or run a shortcut with just your voice, but at the same time, you might accidentally trigger Siri more often, since the new trigger is just a single word now.
If you want to go back to only having Siri activated when you say “Hey Siri” and not just “Siri,” go into Settings > Siri & Search > Listen for and choose the solo “Hey Siri” option. Your iPhone will no longer activate Siri simply when you say “Siri.”
For more on iOS 17, learn how to automatically delete multifactor authentication messages in texts and email and how to create Live Stickers.
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Microsoft software has always been costly, no matter whether that’s Windows or Office. If it’s the latter that you need, we can help thanks to a great bundle that’s currently being offered over at StackSocial. Sure, you can use the free version of Office but that doesn’t always have all the features you need and buying a copy normally comes with a hefty one-time fee or a monthly subscription. But with StackSocial’s latest deal, you can nab a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2021 for just $30 And somehow that isn’t all — order now and you’ll also get a training course bundled in at no extra cost. No more trying to work out how to make those pivot tables from poor-quality YouTube videos.
We’ve seen a few deals for Office crop up at StackSocial in the past, sometimes offered alone for Windows or Mac, or bundled with Windows 11 Pro. But at $30 this is just about as low as we tend to see it go. And then you have to factor in the free training course as well, making this double-good value. Just remember that this deal is only for Office on Windows, so no Mac versions here.
Like those previous deals, the same caveats apply here. The Office license provided is valid for one computer, so you can’t install the apps across various machines in your home. And if that computer stops working or you upgrade to something else, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. For that reason, it’s best to see the “lifetime” part of the license as referring to the lifetime of your PC. But versions of Stack’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine.
This Office package also doesn’t include any OneDrive cloud storage, or include any of the newest features like the fancy new Microsoft Copilot AI.
