The luxury fashion house tweeted an image on Monday (seen below) of a bottle emblazoned with Gucci and Yuga Labs branding. The image was also seen in the trailer of Otherside, Yuga’s upcoming Bored Ape-themed metaverse game designed for PC and mobile browsers.
“Continuing to explore the metaverse, the House comes together with YugaLabs,” the tweet read. “Stay tuned as a new narrative takes shape, blurring the boundaries between the physical and digital.”
Details on the specifics of the partnership remain scarce, but a Business of Fashion report says the multifaceted deal is “meant to extend engagement between each company’s communities ‘by exploring the intersection between fashion and entertainment in the metaverse.’”
Yuga Labs is the biggest NFT company in the world. NFTs, or nonfungible tokens, are blockchain tokens that certify ownership of a digital good. Their proposed purpose is to grant digital goods the same property rights as physical items: An NFT allows you to sell an in-game costume, for instance, just as you’d be able to sell a real-life costume once you’re done with it.
In recent years, luxury fashion brands have strengthened their Web3 ties. Luxury fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci, have created NFT collections and immersive experiences in the metaverse. This underscores a willingness to experiment with the metaverse, which proponents tout for its business potential as an entirely new platform on which to sell digital goods and services.
Gucci’s participation in Otherside is set to begin this week.
Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime experience, an epic road trip across the United States, or just a quiet weekend getaway, you’ll want the best camera to document your adventure. The best camera can elevate your photos and videos from the vacation with higher quality. It can also help you capture amazing slow-motion footage and, most especially, rugged waterproofing so your phone stays safely in your pocket. You don’t need to spend a fortune on high-end cameras either. Often a GoPro can do the trick.
I travel a lot, and I’ll be the first to admit I bring more camera gear than I need to. However, there are only a few I use all the time, and those are what I recommend here. One of them will probably be all you need for your next road trip.
You can’t go wrong with a GoPro. They have excellent image quality, are quite rugged and their app is pretty solid in letting you edit your photos and footage to look its best. The main reason I’m recommending the Hero 10 over one of the less expensive options is because of the Max Lens Mod. This lens swaps in and records an even wider angle of view. Plus, it improves the already excellent stabilization.
I’ve been using it not only to capture scenic vistas, but also as a dash camera, as you can see in the video below.
The newer GoPro Hero 11 has a few improvements, but for most people the Hero 10 will look pretty much the same and will save you some money.
I’ve used 360 cameras for years. They’ve come a long way. This is the first I’d consider using without a backup action camera. 360 cameras capture everything in a sphere around the camera. Later, with the app, you can pick and choose what to show and how. So basically you record everything, and then crop to show just the interesting parts.
One of the coolest tricks a 360 camera can do is automatically remove the selfie stick, so it looks like you have a drone following you. For more, check out:
This is a unique and tiny action camera that I’ve been using a lot. It’s not really a main camera, but definitely an excellent secondary camera. It’s about the size of your thumb — and magnetic. You can hang it on your shirt while wearing an included magnetic pendant, or attach it to anything metal, or use one of the myriad clever mounts. The case that recharges and controls the camera even has a built-in tripod. The footage is wonderfully stabilized and looks far better than you’d expect for something so small.
Because of its size, it can record perspectives other cameras can’t, like the model train POV in the video below.
For most people the GoPro Hero 10 Black is all the action camera they’ll need. If you don’t mind spending a bit more, the newer Hero 11 improves on the 10 in a few minor ways. For one, there’s a new image sensor. The primary difference is it’s more square. So if you often post vertical content for, say, TikTok or Instagram, but still want to be able to post standard horizontal content to YouTube, this allows you to more easily do both without a significant loss in quality.
If you don’t want to invest in a new camera, or don’t want the bulk of one (fair), consider a gimbal. You can really improve the quality of your videos with a gimbal. They smooth out your hand’s movements while you’re walking around, and can do slick, professional-looking pans and tilts. They’re an absolute must-have if you’re primarily using your phone. I have the OM 3, but the 5 is the current model and is easier to connect to your phone.
If you’re recording a lot of video, your camera and phone’s storage are going to fill up fast. Cloud storage is one option, but if you’re bringing a laptop, consider a tiny portable hard drive. I have one of these and they seem impossibly small for how much they can store. They’re also reasonably rugged.
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Selfie stick
I don’t have a strong recommendation for this one, other than to say selfie sticks are great (when you’re not in crowds, that is) and you should find one you like. Even I, who has what one friend describes as “freakishly long arms,” find great use in a selfie stick. They let me capture photos and videos that would be impossible any other way, especially with a 360 camera that automatically deletes the stick from the final image or video.
Precariously perched over the Badlands, thanks to a 360 camera and a selfie stick.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
I recommend getting one with tripod-mount screws on both ends, which gives you more options on what you can mount and how you can mount the stick itself. Similarly, make sure you get one that can hold all your cameras and phones.
I find these to be super handy, though depending how you’re recording, it might not be. It’s a simple Bluetooth remote that lets you control when the camera starts and stops recording along with changing modes, settings, and so on. True, you can use the camera’s app on your phone instead, but I feel like I spend half my life trying to get cameras to connect to their apps, so sometimes a remote is easier. Sometimes the remote won’t connect either. It’s a hassle either way. Oh well.
One last thing. Tripods and mounts. You probably don’t need a full-size tripod, few people do. A small bendable model can be super handy though, letting you mount the camera to just about anything and get a great shot with you in it. I’ve had good luck with Joby GorillaPods. I have an older version of this one.
Also check out suction-cup and dash mounts. I have a tiny dashboard and tiny windshield, so it was a lot harder to find something that worked. So what I’m using probably won’t work for you. Generally I’d recommend mounting the camera as high as possible, if you can, for a better view.
I’ll end with my favorite, an antenna mount. Unscrew your antenna and install this mount. When paired with a 360 camera, it lets you get an exciting and unique view of your adventure. I got one of these and put a selfie stick on top of it, plus a 360 camera, to get the drone-like footage of me and my car in Grand Teton National Park. How well this works is going to depend on your particular vehicle, however.
This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2023, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Apple’s most popular product.
Apple has just released iOS 16.4. The latest software update for the iPhone brings several new features to iOS 16, including 21 new emoji, including the pea pod, light blue heart and jellyfish, and voice isolation for cellular phone calls, which blocks out ambient noises to make your voice clearer.
iOS 16.4 also adds Safari-based push notifications, duplicates album support for the iCloud Shared Photo Library, crash detection optimizations for the iPhone 14 series, VoiceOver support for maps in the Weather app, bug fixes, security updates and more.
Now playing:Watch this:Testing iOS 16 (Edit/Delete Sent Messages, New Lock Screen…
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Before you start, is your iPhone even compatible?
Not every iPhone will receive the iOS 16.4 update. You need at least an iPhone 8, which was released back in 2017, to run iOS 16. That also includes the iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone SE (second generation and up) and the new iPhone 14.
The iPhone 14 comes preinstalled with iOS 16.
James Martin/CNET
Next, back up your iPhone
Getting your hands on new software can be exciting, but there are precautions you should take before updating. You may not be happy with some of the features that iOS 16.4 has to offer (although you can fix some of the most annoying ones), so you need to be able to downgrade back to an earlier version of iOS 16 for whatever reason — and that requires you to back up your iPhone before you update.
By default, your iPhone should back itself up every time it’s connected to power and Wi-Fi during your regular sleep hours. However, if this backup feature is disabled, you can go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and then hit Back Up Now to back up your device.
You can (and should) also back up your iPhone on your Mac.
Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET
Additionally, you can back up your iPhone via Finder on your Mac. Simply connect your device to your computer, open Finder, choose your device and then create a backup. Apple also recommends archiving your backup, so that it’s not overwritten by other backups.
Also, make sure to do these three things
You want the download and installation process to go as smoothly as possible, and the best way to do that is to do the following:
Make sure your iPhone is connected to power. You won’t be able to download iOS 16.4 if you’re under 50% battery, so it’s best to just plug in your phone while you update. And even when you’re plugged in, the battery needs to be over 20%.
Connect to Wi-Fi. You also won’t be able to download iOS 16.4 with cellular data, so connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
Clear up enough storage space. If you’re running out of storage, you’ll need to clear some up before you can download and install iOS 16.4. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to delete large files and apps.
Now once you have all that set, open your iPhone and go to Settings > General > Software Update,wait a few seconds (or minutes) for the update to appear and thenhit Download and Install for iOS 16.4.
You can also use Finder on your Mac to download iOS 16.4 on your iPhone.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET
You should then see a loading bar, along with a rough estimate of how long the download process will take. Once the download is complete, reboot your device and wait for iOS 16.4 to install. When your iPhone boots up, follow any prompts and you should then see iOS 16.4 downloaded on your device.
YouTube TV and Frontier are getting even cozier. The streaming service and the internet company will now offer customers the ability to pay for both services under one bill. Now, existing Frontier internet users are eligible for $10 per month off a YouTube TV subscription for a year, while Frontier TV customers get $15 per month off for 12 months of service.
The partnership between Frontier and YouTube TV began in 2021 and allowed Frontier customers to add YouTube TV as part of their other cable services — though they still had to pay both providers separately.
“Our partnership with YouTube TV makes it easier for customers to ditch cable,” John Harrobin, Frontier’s executive vice president of consumer, said in a blog post on Monday.
Frontier Cable is currently available in 25 states across the US, though the majority of its coverage is in the midwest. Frontier’s fiber internet coverage is only available in 15 states and is mostly restricted to major metropolitan areas.
YouTube TV partners with other cable companies, including Verizon, to offer similar services. The partnership with Verizon began in 2019 and was offered to its wireless, 5G home and Fios customers.
Some of Apple’s top executives gathered in Cupertino, California, recently for a special demonstration of the company’s unreleased AR/VR headset, according to a report from Bloomberg.
“The demonstrations were polished, glitzy and exciting,” Mark Gurman, Bloomberg’s Apple reporter, wrote.
Gurman noted that the demonstration took place in the Steve Jobs Theater, Apple’s largest venue. According to Gurman, this might suggest the headset is close to a public unveiling.
The headset will have a starting price around $3,000, and it will have an external battery that’ll need to be replaced after a few hours of use, Gurman wrote. The headset is also reportedly uncomfortable and would lack a standout app upon release.
According to the report, some Apple executives are aware of the challenges the headset and company might face, and they are trying to set realistic expectations. But executives expect interest in the headset to grow over time.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gurman also reported in his Power On newsletter that Apple’s iOS 17 will likely be a larger release than expected. Initially, iOS 17 was thought to focus on bug fixes and performance improvements. But Gurman wrote that the goal of iOS 17 now will be to bring some of users’ most requested features to iPhones.
Nintendo Switch deals usually consist of accessory bundles or free gift cards, but today’s deal offers a rare chance to make a direct saving on the hardware itself. You’ll have to be quick if you want in on the deal, though, as similar sales in the past have sold out within hours.
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the best Switch console on the market right now and our top pick when it comes to handheld game consoles. It has a larger screen than both the original Switch and Lite models, with a 7-inch OLED display offering more vivid colors and greater contrast. The device also has a redesigned kickstand and TV dock, along with 64GB of internal storage.
Whether you’re investing in a Nintendo Switch for the first time, want to upgrade your current device or are buying a console as a gift, this deal makes it more affordable. And unlike a lot of Woot deals, the console is offered brand new with a full Nintendo warranty.
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The best phones under $300 offer a taste of premium features, but in a device that still very much feels like a budget phone. That’s not a bad thing: These phones can make calls, send texts and run most apps and games for hundreds of dollars less than the iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23. They also provide access to 5G, which is important if you want to hold onto your device for a while, and some even come with a built-in stylus.
But I’m going to level with you: We have yet to use a phone in the $200 to $300 price range that feels like an excellent value. The absolute best picks in this category tend to be more expensive devices that are frequently discounted to $299 when on sale. For instance, Google’s $449 Pixel 6A is our current best phone for under $500, and it’s often discounted to $299.
That’s not to say phones in the $200 to $300 price range should be avoided. Some include decent cameras, a headphone jack, expandable storage and NFC support for mobile payments.
Now playing:Watch this:Could I Ditch My Smartphone for the Light Phone 2? Almost.
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What are the tradeoffs with phones that cost $300 or less?
These cheaper devices tend to scale back significantly in one area or another in order to achieve those low prices. Most commonly, these drawbacks include limited software support, carrier support or bloatware (preloaded apps that you never asked for). These tradeoffs often mean that these devices should not be used after two to three years, especially after security update support ends.
It’s also notable that while these phones retail for $200 to $300, many of them are often available at a deep discount — or even for free — as part of a carrier subsidy deal. If you are planning to stick with the same wireless carrier for two years, these phones could just become part of the cost of your service.
The $299 OnePlus N20 5G isn’t an exciting phone, but it more than gets the job done for most situations. Unlike several phones on this list, you can buy it unlocked from OnePlus. It also provides high-end features we don’t always see at this price, like an in-screen fingerprint reader, faster 33W charging, 6GB of RAM and NFC for mobile payments. Despite being available directly from OnePlus, the N20 works with AT&T and T-Mobile but does not work with Verizon. The phone’s 5G support also only works through T-Mobile.
In his OnePlus N20 review, CNET Senior Editor Eli Blumenthal found the phone’s 64-megapixel main camera, 2-megapixel macro camera and 2-megapixel monochrome lens to take decent photos during the daytime. But its cameras struggle in the evening, which is a common issue on cheaper phones. The N20 also includes a 16-megapixel front-facing camera located in the top left of the phone’s display.
The phone is also only getting one major software update from Android 11 to Android 12, but will receive three years of security updates. As a result, despite the phone’s decent specs and slightly wider availability, it only makes sense to hang onto this phone for two to three years.
Reviewing the $258 TCL Stylus 5G was a journey for me last year. Specs-wise, it has a lot that I enjoyed. The phone’s TCL NxtVision HDR setting provided enhanced colors when I played games, TCL made minimal changes to Android 12 and I especially enjoyed the magnetic stylus that fits securely into its own slot on the phone.
However, the big reason why my review took four months is because of repetitive software bugs that make the phone otherwise tough to recommend. I experienced frequent restarts while using the phone and Bluetooth connectivity issues, the latter of which was eventually fixed through a software update. This phone is also locked to T-Mobile completely, so it can’t be used on other carriers and is filled with T-Mobile apps that are challenging to remove.
Yet if you absolutely must have a stylus and your budget is under $300, this is one of the better overall picks. But be wary of software issues, and remember the phone is only getting one major software update along with two years of security updates.
The $228 OnePlus Nord N300 5G is my favorite phone under $300. The only reason why I cannot recommend it above the N20 is because this phone is locked to T-Mobile. Despite being around $80 cheaper than the other OnePlus phone, it still has 33-watt fast charging, a 90Hz refresh rate display and a 48-megapixel main camera that does a decent job with photos and video. Its matte black look that highlights its two camera lenses also makes it one of the nicer-looking budget phones I’ve tested. The N300 improves on the N20 with its dual stereo speakers, over the single speaker on the N20, and I personally prefer the side fingerprint sensor over in-screen options like on the N20.
But apart from the availability issue, the N300 also suffers from a short software support timeline. The N300 will only get one major software update from Android 12 to Android 13 and two years of security updates. Even though that’s somewhat normal for the category, I still consider it a major drawback. There’s also a dose of T-Mobile bloatware, but at this price it’s easier to swallow.
If you are shopping specifically for a phone that works with T-Mobile or its Metro brand, the $228 OnePlus Nord N300 is definitely a solid choice. Just recognize you cannot take the phone to other carriers, and it won’t be a great option after two years of use.
The Light Phone 2 is a very different kind of phone. It’s meant for people seeking freedom from the constant stream of notifications, but still want a phone that looks nice. But despite its somewhat limited functionality, this phone still costs $299.
The Light Phone 2 supports texts, phone calls, music playback, podcasts, mobile hotspot functionality and limited GPS support for directions on its E Ink screen. It does not have a camera, web browser, email access or other common apps like news or messaging apps.
My colleague Jessica Fierro gave life with the Light Phone 2 a try, and she enjoyed how the phone helped her stay more focused on the world around her. However she found the slower texting speed on the E Ink display to be challenging to adjust to, and could not fully make the switch because for work she needs some degree of social media access in order to stay up on trends.
The absence of many modern features is the entire point of the Light Phone 2. It’s a device for people who intentionally just want essential communications on a screen that’s more like a Kindle’s display than the one you’d find on a Samsung Galaxy device.
The Light Phone 2 is certainly not for everybody, but it could be worth considering for someone who wants their phone to do less. Fans of conventional phones should consider the wealth of feature phones and flip phones that still exist first — which are often free with a carrier deal or available for under $100.
Admittedly I’m cheating by getting this phone into the list, but Google’s Pixel 6A has been discounted to $299 a lot lately and is an easy recommendation when it’s been discounted into a budget phone range.
Regularly $449, the Pixel 6A won our Editors’ Choice Award last year. In her review, CNET Senior Editor Lisa Eadicicco praised the phone for its great camera, Pixel-exclusive features like Magic Eraser, its colorful design and being among the first to get new Android updates.
While it’s likely that Google announces a sequel 7A phone as soon as the next Google I/O development conference, scheduled for May 10, the current Pixel 6A is still an excellent pick for the price if you can get it at its $299 price. But if you see the phone go back to its original $449 price between now and May 10, and you aren’t in dire need of a new device, I would then say wait for the rumored Pixel 7A.
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How we test phones
CNET tests phones by using them daily and comparing them with competing phones to assess their value. We consider a variety of factors, such as the phone’s screen, cameras, battery life, software, performance, features and ease of use.
For low-priced phones, we make sure these devices consistently work well when used in a number of situations. This includes many day-to-day activities like reading the news, listening to music, watching videos, texting, playing games and multitasking.
We test phone cameras in a range of environments, taking test photos outdoors in the daytime and nighttime, and indoors in darker settings. We use cameras in active environments, like a concert or a sports game, and with a variety of subjects including people, objects and pets. We also test available camera settings, especially those that are rarer in these price ranges such as Night mode and Portrait mode.
These anecdotal phone experiences are also combined with benchmark tests such as Geekbench performance testing and battery testing. We monitor battery life in two ways: By seeing how much power is typically left after a day of normal usage and by seeing how much battery is depleted during a more intensive hour with the phone. For the latter test, we’ll check how the phone’s battery holds up to a series of video calls, gaming, video streaming and web browsing.
Phones under $300 FAQs
What about Apple’s iPhone?
Apple does not currently sell any iPhone options between $200 and $300. The cheapest new iPhone you can get is the iPhone SE at $429. That iPhone is a great value for its fast processor and great camera, but held back by its dated design that harkens back to the iPhone 6, 7 and 8.
You can also get the 2020 version of the iPhone SE as a refurbished model between $200 and $300 on websites like Amazon and Best Buy, but beware of each store’s policies for refurbished devices. Especially make sure the refurbished device includes a warranty for repairs, since without one you may have to pay Apple or another retailer a high price for a screen repair or other accidental damage.
Best phones under $300: OnePlus Nord N20 5G vs. TCL Stylus 5G vs. OnePlus Nord N300 5G vs. Google Pixel 6A
If you picked a top seed to win it all, consider your March Madness brackets busted. For the first time in NCAA men’s basketball tournament history, not one of four No. 1 seeds has advanced to the Elite Eight. Purdue and Kansas lost earlier, and on Friday the final two top-seeded teams, Alabama and Houston, were upset by a pair of No. 5 seeds, San Diego State and Miami.
After FAU held off Kansas State and UConn beat down Gonzaga, two of the four tickets to next weekend’s Final Four have been punched. Sunday brings the last two games of the Elite Eight round, with both contests set to air this afternoon on CBS.
Here’s everything you need to watch and livestream March Madness, from the Elite Eight to the Final Four and the national championship game.
What is the March Madness TV schedule?
The schedule and channels for this weekend’s remaining Elite Eight games are listed below (all times ET).
Sunday, March 26
No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 6 Creighton, 2:20 p.m. on CBS
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 5 Miami (Florida), 5:05 p.m. on CBS
Here’s the remaining schedule afterward (all games are on CBS):
Final Four: Saturday, April 1
NCAA championship game: Monday, April 3
Christian Bishop scored 18 points in Texas’ win over Xavier, helping propel the Longhorns into the Elite Eight.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
What does the March Madness bracket look like now?
One No. 2 seed (Texas) is still alive, along with one No. 4 seed (UConn).
No. 9 Florida Atlantic and No. 6 Creighton, along with No. 5 Miami and No. 5 San Diego State, round out the remaining teams.
The Final Four and national championship game will air on CBS and stream on Paramount Plus.
Can I stream March Madness for free?
Go to the NCAA’s March Madness Live site or use its March Madness Live app and you’ll be able to watch games for free. You can watch March Madness Live on iOS and Android devices along with Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Xbox One. The app also supports AirPlay and Chromecast.
As with most things that are free, there’s a catch. Without proving you’re a pay-TV subscriber, you get only a three-hour preview, after which point you’ll need to log in to continue watching.
What are my other streaming options?
You can use a live TV streaming service to watch March Madness. Three of the five live TV streaming services offer the two channels needed to watch every tournament game, but keep in mind that not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries CBS in your area.
You can also use Paramount Plus to watch all the games shown on CBS.
Paramount Plus costs $10 a month for its Premium plan and will show March Madness games broadcast on CBS, including the Final Four. Read our Paramount Plus review.
Hulu with Live TV costs $70 a month and includes CBS. Click the “View channels in your area” link on its welcome page to see which local channels are offered in your ZIP code. Read our Hulu with Live TV review.
YouTube TV costs $73 a month and includes CBS. Plug in your ZIP code on its welcome page to see which local networks are available in your area. Read our YouTube TV review.
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.
Microsoft Excel is one of the most powerful business tools out there, but most people don’t know how to use it to its full potential. And if you want to set yourself apart from the crowd, then we’ve got a deal you won’t want to miss. This comprehensive course taught by author and professor Chris Haroun covers everything from the basics to more advanced functions like programming in Excel, and right now you can get signed up for just $10. That saves you a whopping $289 compared to the usual price. This deal is only available through March 28, so be sure to sign up before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
With this deal, you get unlimited lifetime access to the Complete Microsoft Excel Course, which means you can work at your own pace, and don’t have to worry about keeping up with monthly subscription payments. The course totals 13 hours of content and over 200 different lectures that break down all the most useful tips, tricks, features and functions of Microsoft Excel. You’ll learn everything from creating charts to generating datasets, and even how to program in Excel using Visual Basic for Applications & Macros. However, it should be noted that this online course deal does not include the software, so you’ll need to have or sign up for a Microsoft 365 subscription separately. This course also recommends you have a basic understanding of Excel, so if you’ve never used the program before, you should spend some time familiarizing yourself before you jump in.
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