A total of 31 new emoji designs have arrived on iOS with the release of the first iOS 16.4 developer beta Thursday, according to Emojipedia.
The new emoji includes one new smiley, the shaking head, new animals, like a moose and a goose, and new heart colors, like light blue and pink. The plain pink heart has been a long sought after heart emoji, according to Emojipedia, who named it one of the site’s top emoji requests in 2015.
A moose, donkey and goose are some of the new emoji iPhone users might see soon.
Emojipedia
Emojipedia said the new emoji all come from Unicode’s September 2022 recommendation list, Emoji 15.0.
There is no word yet on when the new emoji will be available across iOS devices, and the designs of the new emoji might change between now and their final release on iOS.
Apple released a handful of bug fixes and patches with the release of iOS 16.3.1 on Monday, a few weeks after the release of new features in iOS 16.3.
T-Mobile already bundles in a free subscription to the Apple TV Plus subscription service with its Magenta Max plan, and now the carrier is expanding its Apple partnership with a new bundle of the iPhone-maker’s latest streaming offering: MLS Season Pass.
Announced on Thursday, the wireless carrier will be giving away a free season of Apple’s MLS subscription service to all T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile users.
The deal will be available from Feb. 21 through Mar. 14 inside the T-Mobile Tuesdays app. The carrier says that users simply need to download or open the app and “sign in with their phone number” to claim the offer on Tuesday. Unlike the bundling of Apple TV Plus subscriptions, T-Mobile does not appear to require a special plan to be able to get a free subscription to MLS Season Pass.
Normally $99 for the season (if you aren’t an Apple TV Plus subscriber), MLS Season Pass will include all MLS regular season and playoff matches, additional leagues like MLS Next, as well as tournaments such as the Leagues Cup. After acquiring the rights last year, Apple began its exclusive deal with the American soccer league earlier this month and will stream all games on Apple TV Plus without any local blackout restrictions.
The MLS regular season kicks off next Saturday, Feb. 25.
In bringing soccer to its users, T-Mobile isn’t just expanding its Apple tie-ins, but also the bundling of sports with its wireless plans. The carrier has long given away free MLB.TV subscriptions to its users as part of its ties to baseball, though T-Mobile has not yet announced if it will do so again for the upcoming MLB season.
Razer’s customizing-comes-first mechanical gaming keyboard line, BlackWidow, hits its fourth generation with the BlackWidow V4 Pro, a $230 ( 230, AU$400) full-size model with some notable improvements over its predecessor. These improvements include expanded lighting, more programmable controls, USB passthrough and an improved wrist rest design. These are all notable updates, but while I welcome all the changes in spirit, I’m not thrilled with the execution in a few cases.
Nothing has changed in its fundamental keyboard aspects, with the exception of a boost of the maximum polling rate to 8,000Hz, something I’m not sure you really need here. The switches and keycaps remain the same: You have a choice of the latest generation of Razer’s tactile Green or linear Yellow switches and Razer’s durable DoubleShot ABS keycaps.
Buttons on left side are really easy to hit accidentally
Multicontroller roller is too low relative to the height of the keys
There are a lot more lighting zones thanks to the addition of underglow strips on the left and right, plus a front strip on the wrist rest, five new backlit macro keys down the left side and a new programmable control dial in the upper left corner.
Razer says it’s added lenses to the individual backlight LEDs, which does seem to improve the focus in particular directions. I also think it’s made a difference in the number of perceptible brightness levels — if you need that level of granularity. I wish you could take advantage of that by controlling the brightness levels for individual or groups of keys the way you can control colors: That way the keys you need most frequently could be brighter as well as a different color, but not completely dark.
The new control dial lets you map operations to it, which can be profile-dependent. The mappings default to zoom, keyboard brightness, task switching and track jogging.
Lori Grunin/CNET
The new control dial allows you to map zooming, scrolling and other customization to your profiles. For example, the mappings default to zoom, keyboard brightness, task switching and track jogging. That’s becoming a more common feature these days, and it’s a useful one that extends beyond gaming. The physical control is fine, if a bit hemmed in. The downside is there are no presets beyond the basics — usually these controls come with sets — which means it requires a lot of time-intensive setup for a control you may end up not using.
The three new thin programmable switches.
Lori Grunin/CNET
There are also three new switches on the left side. I love the idea, but not so much the execution. I constantly make microadjustments to the location of keyboards — a nervous tic when I’m not actively typing — and so I end up hitting them a lot. It doesn’t help that I’m also adjusting to avoiding the left-side macro keys when reaching for alt-tab, where my compensation means my ring and pinky fingers naturally fall on those switches. And they’re too easy to activate, which may probably be a more broadly applicable issue.
These aren’t really complaints, since it’s certainly not the first keyboard to put the macro keys down the left side, but if you’re used to other layouts your muscle memory might need some retraining.
Then there’s the redesigned multicontroller, the roller bar with a bank of five, tall, round buttons above the number pad. It’s similar to the design on other keyboards, but the location and elevation don’t work, at least for my hands. The keys are so tall, relative to it, that it’s awkward to use. And remapping the control dial to do the same things, like adjust audio volume, isn’t quite as convenient, since you have to press it to cycle through the different mappings.
The multicontroller roller is set too deep below the rest of the keys.
Lori Grunin/CNET
Like a lot of the programmability, you have to be running Razer’s Synapse utility for your customizations to work; you can’t save a lot of them to the internal keyboard memory. On the other hand, when you cycle through the mappings for the control dial there’s a popup telling you what the setting is and what the rotation does. There’s also a backlight color attached to each mapping but it’s not persistent, so you don’t know which setting the dial is currently mapped to with a glance.
The USB passthrough is a nice-to-have, and the new wrist rest is a lot more comfortable than the old one, plus it now attaches — pretty strongly — to the keyboard. If you’re sensitive to textures in a “I wear my shirts inside out because the seams make me crazy” kind of way, the bumpy faux leather may bother you, though.
USB passthrough. Yay!
Lori Grunin/CNET
It’s still big and heavy, but solidity in a keyboard isn’t something to complain about. Razer has upped the switch rating to 100 million keypresses, but they’re the same switches as before — they’ve just been tested more. I don’t put a lot of stock in durability ratings, but it’s nice to know that pounding on the keys won’t kill them any faster than it used to.
I’ve been using optomechanical switches for so long — and, more recently, linear ones — that going back to the feel of the tactile mechanicals has required some adjustment. But it’s nice to know that my fingers won’t accidentally trigger strokes if I rest them on the keys. That’s one of the perks that I miss with other types of switches.
For games where fast keyboard combos you can program are more important than single-key quick responsiveness, the BlackWidow V4 Pro makes a lot of sense. But unless you’re on board with how all the controls work, $230 might feel too expensive for your needs.
Wild Hearts, developed by Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force and published by EA, tries its best to take the monster-hunting genre crown from Capcom’s long-running franchise, Monster Hunter. The problem is it copies Capcom’s homework a bit too much.
Despite fast action and a stacked variety of enemies, Wild Hearts is a carbon copy so blatant that fans of the Capcom series may find it hard to ignore. Those new to the genre, however, should find battling giant monsters to be a fun, if somewhat shallow, experience.
In Wild Hearts, you play the role of a nameless hunter in Azuma, a world that closely resembles feudal Japan. You’ll seek out giant monsters, known as Kemonos, upgrade equipment and complete quests for characters. At your disposal is a stockpile of weapons with unique moves, such as the outlandish Bladed Wagasa, an umbrella-looking weapon that makes the hunter into a deadly Mary Poppins as they float while slicing away at monsters.
Weapon options are similar to Monster Hunter, but the toolsets feel slightly different. Called Karakuri, players can create different objects that aid in traversal but can also be used in battle. The first Karakuri available to players is a box that can be used to reach higher ledges or as a platform to deal extra damage when doing plunging attacks. Later, players will learn to combine six of these boxes together to create a bulwark, a fortified wall that will stop a charging monster, causing them to fall on their back leaving them open to attacks. The Karakuri is essentially a Swiss Army knife-like tool that unlocks more options as players progress.
The Karakuri can create some whacky tools like this contraption.
EA
Combat in Wild Hearts feels more frantic than in Monster Hunter, but there’s a sluggishness to the controls. Attacks, healing, dodging, using Karakuri and other actions come with a hint of input lag, leading to some frustration while playing.
Enemies range from smaller monsters that are only a few sizes larger than the hunter to giant behemoths that tower over the player. Fights come in phases. When an enemy’s health is taken down enough, the monster will roar and escape to another part of the map. Players will have to find them again and start the second phase, which has the monsters unleashing new and more powerful attacks making them far more dangerous.
This heart is too familiar
I can’t stress this enough: Wild Hearts plays so much like Monster Hunter. It’s almost distracting. And unfortunately, Wild Hearts copies some of the most monotonous parts of Monster Hunter wholesale.
Like in Monster Hunter, enemies have roars that indicate the start and end of a battle, which is a lame mechanic that shouldn’t have been copied. Then there’s the tedious and pointless action of the monster running away after losing a certain amount of health. There’s even the incorporation of a 30-second timer after hunting down quest-related monsters to take you back to camp instead of letting you continue to hunt other monsters or immediately start another quest.
The world of Azuma is split into islands where there is a variety of terrain, but only so many locations are actually intended for fighting. The rest allows you to gather items for crafting or healing, as well as provide a safe space to set up camp. This also feels exactly like Monster Hunter.
Even the tone of the game is similar. Wild Hearts’ feudal Japan setting isn’t that much different from Monster Hunter, although the latter is a bit more playful with its characters and setting.
Wild Hearts isn’t going to take the monster-hunting crown. Fans of the Capcom series won’t find much new to explore in the game, while those new to the genre will see the same notes repeated again and again. Who may enjoy Wild Hearts the most are those new to the genre and never had the experience of beating up on giant beasts with ridiculous weapons.
This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.
There’s so much you can do with Siri. You already know how to place a phone call and send a text message with just your voice, but there are also more complicated tasks that your iPhone’s assistant can do. Did you know it can give you reminders based on your location, for example?
Apple is always adding new commands to Siri, and with the somewhat recent release of iOS 16, there’s one particular addition I’m most excited about.
You can finally use your voice to restart your iPhone.
Anytime I notice a software issue with my iPhone, like applications automatically force-closing, a laggy operating system or unresponsive features, I reboot my device to hopefully fix these bugs. And many times it does.
However, the only way to restart my iPhone is by either turning the phone off and on or force-restarting it. Both of these options require the use of my hands, and take several steps, but now it’s so much easier thanks to iOS 16. If you’re having any issues and need to reboot your device, here’s how to do it with just your voice.
Restart your iPhone using this simple voice command
As long as you have the “Hey Siri” feature enabled, which constantly listens for the two-letter command, you can say the following to restart your iPhone:
First, say “Hey Siri” to activate Siri.
Next, say “Restart iPhone.”
And last, say “Yes” when Siri prompts you to confirm.
Your iPhone will then restart. You’ll need to enter your passcode to unlock your screen.
You can also tap on Restart to confirm.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET
You can also use this new feature on the iPad, but you’ll need to be running at least iPadOS 16.1.
If you don’t have “Hey Siri” enabled, you can to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle on Listen for “Hey Siri.” If you don’t want your iPhone listening for this command all the time, you can always just activate Siri by holding down on the side button for a second, although this does defeat the whole hands-free aspect of restarting your iPhone.
This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.
Your Android phone is like a car — it requires regular maintenance so that you can identify any major issues, address them and help prevent future problems. That’s how you keep your phone running at its best.
To start, you should give the exterior of your phone a good clean, since you’re likely putting it close to your face every day. Dust, dirt and gunk can quickly collect in the charging ports and speakers, and it’s not only bad for your hygiene — it can also shorten your phone’s lifespan.
But the most important upkeep work is under the hood, and it includes changing phone settings you may never have touched before.
An investment of just a few minutes can turn your Android phone into something that looks and feels new — at least until you’re able to upgrade. Read on to find five simple tips for decluttering, reorganizing and customizing your Android phone to keep it in tip-top shape.
As we mentioned above, part of making your Android phone feel new again is to also clean up the hardware. This $10 Amazon cleaning kit comes with the tools you need to clean your screen and all the stubborn dirt stuck in all the ports. And the best part is the kit can be used for any phone, as well as your headphones, laptop, tablet and more.
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Delete all of your forgotten apps
Take a few minutes to go through your home screen or app drawer and delete any and all apps you no longer use. Not only do those apps take up precious storage, but they potentially have access the personal information or permissions you approved when the app was first launched.
How you go about deleting an app can vary based on who makes your device, but I covered all the bases in this post. Give it a read if you don’t see an uninstall option after long-pressing on the app’s icon.
You can also uninstall apps using the Play Store.
Jason Cipriani/CNET
Eliminate old files to free up storage
After removing any old apps, free up more storage by going through the files saved on your Android phone. It’s far too easy to forget about all of the files you’ve randomly downloaded — like the takeout menu of the new place down the road or a GIF a friend sent. And those files add up. The quickest and easiest way to manage your phone’s storage is to use the Files app that comes preinstalled.
Actually, some phones use a variation of that same app. On Samsung, for example, it’s called My Files. On the Pixel lineup, it’s just Files. On the OnePlus 10 Pro, it’s File Manager — you get the point.
I recommend opening the app drawer on your phone and reaching for “files.” Odds are that will reveal whatever your phone-maker calls the app.
Start with checking the Downloads folder, where you can either delete the files you no longer want or move them somewhere like Google Drive.
Most file apps will also reveal any large files that are saved on your device. For instance, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s File Manager app has a dedicated section in the app for files that are taking up a lot of space.
Left: Files app on a Pixel 3. Right: My Files on a Galaxy S10 Plus.
One of the best parts of Android is how much you can customize the entire look of your phone. From installing app icon packs to completely replacing the launcher your phone uses, there are plenty of options to personalize your phone.
While you can definitely jump into tweaking launchers and installing app icons, start by digging into the home screen settings your phone already provides. I do this once in a while and it’s surprising how subtle tweaks to aspects like app layout can make it feel like an entirely new phone.
Long-press on a blank area of your home screen, then select Home settings (or some variation of that). That will open the options for your home screen, where you can customize various settings.
Settings like the size of the app grid. It may seem like a small change to go from a grid of 4×5 apps to 5×5, but that extra column can make a big difference (the same can be said about shrinking the grid).
This is also where you’ll find settings for things like swiping down on the home screen to view notifications instead of having to swipe from the top of the screen.
Go through the respective settings your phone has and experiment with your home screen setup.
Your options for designing your home screen are endless.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
Optimize your device settings
Speaking of settings, now is a good time to go through and change any settings that have been annoying you. I have a roundup of settings you’ll want to change and customize on any Android phone to get the most out of it.
For example, turning on dark mode not only makes the app look better, but it saves battery life. And yes, I even show you how to stop app icons from automatically appearing on your home screen.
Device settings are easily ignored, but they’re important to get your device just right.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Customize your privacy options
Before you take a break, do yourself and your Android phone one last favor — double-check your privacy settings.
Open the Settings app then tap Privacy > Permissions Manager. Go through each category to see which apps currently have access to which treasure trove of your personal data. Find an app you don’t want to have access to your location? Turn it off. The same goes for contacts, calendar or camera.
It doesn’t take long to go through each section, and even if it did, it’s well worth the effort.
Use the Permissions Manager to control which apps have access to your data.
Razer’s customizing-comes-first mechanical gaming keyboard line, BlackWidow, hits its fourth generation with the BlackWidow V4 Pro, a $230 ( 230, AU$400) full-size model with some notable improvements over its predecessor. These improvements include expanded lighting, more programmable controls, USB passthrough and an improved wrist rest design. These are all notable updates; but while I welcome all the changes in spirit, I’m not thrilled with the execution in a few cases.
Nothing has changed in its fundamental keyboard aspects, with the exception of a boost of the maximum polling rate to 8,000Hz, something I’m not sure you really need here. The switches and keycaps remain the same: You have a choice of the latest generation of Razer’s tactile Green or linear Yellow switches and Razer’s durable DoubleShot ABS keycaps.
Buttons on left side are really easy to hit accidentally
Multicontroller roller is too low relative to the height of the keys
There are a lot more lighting zones thanks to the addition of underglow strips on the left and right, plus a front strip on the wrist rest, five new backlit macro keys down the left side and a new programmable control dial in the upper left corner.
Razer says it’s added lenses to the individual backlight LEDs, which does seem to improve the focus in particular directions. I also think it’s made a difference in the number of perceptible brightness levels — if you need that level of granularity. I wish you could take advantage of that by controlling the brightness levels for individual or groups of keys the way you can control colors: That way the keys you need most frequently could be brighter as well as a different color, but not completely dark.
The new control dial lets you map operations to it, which can be profile-dependent. The mappings default to zoom, keyboard brightness, task switching and track jogging.
Lori Grunin/CNET
The new control dial allows you to map zooming, scrolling and other customization to your profiles. For example, the mappings default to zoom, keyboard brightness, task switching and track jogging. That’s becoming a more common feature these days, and it’s a useful one that extends beyond gaming. The physical control is fine, if a bit hemmed in. The downside is there are no presets beyond the basics — usually these controls come with sets — which means it requires a lot of time-intensive setup for a control you may end up not using.
The three new thin programmable switches.
Lori Grunin/CNET
There are also three new switches on the left side. I love the idea, but not so much the execution. I constantly make microadjustments to the location of keyboards — a nervous tic when I’m not actively typing — and so I end up hitting them a lot. It doesn’t help that I’m also adjusting to avoiding the left-side macro keys when reaching for alt-tab, where my compensation means my ring and pinky fingers naturally fall on those switches. And they’re too easy to activate, which may probably be a more broadly applicable issue.
These aren’t really complaints, since it’s certainly not the first keyboard to put the macro keys down the left side, but if you’re used to other layouts your muscle memory might need some retraining.
Then there’s the redesigned multicontroller, the roller bar with a bank of five, tall, round buttons above the number pad. It’s similar to the design on other keyboards, but the location and elevation don’t work, at least for my hands. The keys are so tall, relative to it, that it’s awkward to use. And remapping the control dial to do the same things, like adjust audio volume, isn’t quite as convenient, since you have to press it to cycle through the different mappings.
The multicontroller roller is set too deep below the rest of the keys.
Lori Grunin/CNET
Like a lot of the programmability, you have to be running Razer’s Synapse utility for your customizations to work; you can’t save a lot of them to the internal keyboard memory. On the other hand, when you cycle through the mappings for the control dial there’s a popup telling you what the setting is and what the rotation does. There’s also a backlight color attached to each mapping but it’s not persistent, so you don’t know which setting the dial is currently mapped to with a glance.
The USB passthrough is a nice-to-have, and the new wrist rest is a lot more comfortable than the old one, plus it now attaches — pretty strongly — to the keyboard. If you’re sensitive to textures in a “I wear my shirts inside out because the seams make me crazy” kind of way, the bumpy faux leather may bother you, though.
USB passthrough. Yay!
Lori Grunin/CNET
It’s still big and heavy, but solidity in a keyboard isn’t something to complain about. Razer has upped the switch rating to 100 million keypresses, but they’re the same switches as before — they’ve just been tested more. I don’t put a lot of stock in durability ratings, but it’s nice to know that pounding on the keys won’t kill them any faster than it used to.
I’ve been using optomechanical switches for so long — and, more recently, linear ones — that going back to the feel of the tactile mechanicals has required some adjustment. But it’s nice to know that my fingers won’t accidentally trigger strokes if I rest them on the keys. That’s one of the perks that I miss with other types of switches.
For games where fast keyboard combos you can program are more important than single-key quick responsiveness, the BlackWidow V4 Pro makes a lot of sense. But unless you’re on board with how all the controls work, $230 might feel too expensive for your needs.
If you’ve been holding our for a price drop on the Nintendo Switch OLED model, your patience is being rewarded today with Woot discounting the console by $20. Usually, Nintendo Switch deals 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, with similar discounts on Pokemon and Animal Crossing-themed consoles having already sold out this morning.
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.
Get the best price with CNET Shopping.
Love shopping online but don’t have time to compare prices or search for promo codes? Our CNET Shopping extension does that for you, so you always get the best price.
It’s been a busy February in the NBA, with LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer followed by a dizzying number of deals made at the league’s trade deadline. Now, the NBA will take a well-deserved break for its All-Star Weekend. Basketball’s brightest stars will assemble in Salt Lake City for the Slam Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest on Saturday night, followed by the All-Star Game on Sunday. All the events will be televised on TNT, and you don’t need cable to watch the action.
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
When is the NBA Slam Dunk Contest?
The Slam Dunk Contest is part of the All-Star Saturday Night festivities starting at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET) on TNT on Saturday. It’s the third and final event of the night, following the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest.
Who’s in the Slam Dunk Contest?
Four players will participate in the dunk contest:
Kenyon Martin Jr. of the Houston Rockets
Mac McClung of the Philadelphia 76ers
Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans
Jericho Sims of the New York Knicks
Who’s in the 3-Point Contest?
Eight of the league’s best shooters will compete in the 3-Point Contest:
Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers
Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat
Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers
Kevin Huerter of the Sacramento Kings
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers
Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz
Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics
When is the NBA All-Star Game?
The All-Star Game tips off at 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET) on TNT.
Who’s playing in the All-Star Game?
It’ll be Team LeBron versus Team Giannis for the All-Star Game with LeBron James acting as the captain of the Western Conference All Stars and Giannis Antetokounmpo heading up the team from the East. The All-Star draft will take place right before the game.
How can I watch the Slam Dunk Contest and All-Start Game?
Four of the five major live TV streaming services (all but FuboTV) offer TNT.
All of 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.
Let the guessing begin once more! America’s most off-the-wall musical game show is back as The Masked Singer returns for season 9.
The last season of the Nick Cannon-hosted show saw Amber Riley crowned the winner as the Harp, while ’80s all-girl trio Wilson Phillips finished as runners-up, the Lambs.
This latest installment is likely to bring surprise sopranos, wild costumes and unfortunate flat notes from a host of celebrities in disguise. It also promises a new twist, with the “Ding Dong Keep It On” bell.
The intriguingly titled new feature is set to give judges Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger and Ken Jeong the ability to save one mystery star per bracket from exiting the show. And last season’s tense double eliminations will also be in play for the coming season.
New contestants include Axolotl, the Gnome, the Gargoyle, French Hen, California Roll, Medusa, Jackalope and the Rock Lobster.
Don’t miss a moment by following our guide to watching The Masked Singer season 9 from anywhere in the world.
Nick Cannon is once again on hosting duties for TV’s wackiest gameshow.
Fox
When does The Masked Singer Season 9 start?
This latest run of secret singing celebrities kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox in the US, and on CTV in Canada. (8 p.m. ET is 1 a.m. on Feb. 16 in the UK.) New episodes will be broadcast at the same time from then on every Wednesday evening.
How to watch The Masked Singer season 9 from anywhere on VPN
So what if you’re traveling outside your home country and want to enjoy the show or want an added layer of privacy for streaming? There is an option that doesn’t require searching the internet for a sketchy website: You can use a VPN, or virtual private network.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the show. If you find yourself unable to watch locally, a VPN can come in handy. Plus it’s a great idea for when you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
Most VPNs, like CNET’s Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it easy to virtually change your location. Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals.
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month. But you can save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 a month — if you get an annual subscription.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Masked Singer season 9 premieres in the US on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.
Cord-cutters will be able to watch the show on streaming service Hulu one day later, on Feb. 16.
New Hulu subscribers can take advantage of a Hulu free trial for 30 days on its With-Ads or No-Ads plan. After the trial ends, the service will set you back $8 a month. There’s also the option of the Disney Plus bundle with Hulu thrown in from $10 a month.
If you don’t have cable, there’s also the option of watching The Masked Singer live via YouTube TV.
At $65 a month, YouTube TV offers one of the best live TV streaming experience overall, with a healthy selection of channels and a superb cloud DVR feature.
The great news for Canadian gameshow fans is that they can watch The Masked Singer season 9 live at the same time as Americans and for free. The broadcast will be available on CTV as well on the CTV website and the CTV mobile app.
Can I watch The Masked Singer Season 9 in the UK?
Now that the latest UK version of The Masked Singer is at an end, you may be hoping to watch the latest episodes from America. Sadly, it looks like there could be a bit of a wait in store, with no confirmed transmission date for Season 9. In the meantime you can stream seasons 3 through to 6 for free on ITV’s new streaming service ITVX.
Tips for streaming The Masked Singer Season 9 using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — experience and success may vary.
If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
If you’re having trouble viewing 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 in to 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 network’s 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.
