TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has agreed to testify before a House panel on March 23. The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Monday that it will discuss the app’s consumer privacy and data security, the app’s influence on children and the app’s relationship with the Chinese government through parent company ByteDance.
“ByteDance-owned TikTok has knowingly allowed the ability for the Chinese Communist Party to access American user data,” the committee wrote. “Americans deserve to know how these actions impact their privacy and data security…”
However, TikTok pushed back against these accusations.
“There is no truth to [the] claim that TikTok has made U.S. user data available to the Chinese Communist Party,” a TikTok spokesperson told CNET in an email. “We welcome the opportunity to set the record straight about TikTok, ByteDance, and the commitments we are making to address concerns about U.S. national security…”
The meeting comes as more government offices have scrutinized TikTok.
Earlier in January, Ohio and New Jersey became the latest states to ban TikTok from being downloaded onto government owned devices. Other states to take similar action against the social media app include Virginia, Georgia and Texas.
In December, the Senate passed a bill that would ban TikTok from all government owned devices, and that same month the Biden administration pushed for ByteDance to sell its US operations.
Officials from both the FBI and FCC have voiced concerns about the app, too.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in November the app poses a potential threat to national security, according to Bloomberg. That same month, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told Axios that he supports a government ban on TikTok.
If the US did ban TikTok, it would join India as one of the only countries to have an outright ban on the app. Other countries have restricted or censored the app.
Honor is all set to flex two different flagship phones next month. The Chinese company, a former unit of Huawei, is gearing up to debut the Honor Magic 5 series on Feb. 27 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Based on an image shared with the media, it appears as though a Magic 5 phone will bear a triple camera module on a circle-shaped camera bump. Not much else was revealed, but rumors point to the Magic 5 series consisting of three phones and featuring 100x zoom thanks to a periscope-style telephoto lens.
Honor sent out Save the Dates to media announcing the launch of two flagship phones.
Sareena Dayaram/CNET
The Magic Vs, the company’s first foldable bound for an international release, is set to launch alongside the Magic 5 series. But it isn’t exactly new or a surprise. Last year, Honor took the wraps off the Magic Vs for the first time. It takes the form of a book-style foldable phone similar in look and feel to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold 4.
In addition to the folding screen, the Honor Magic Vs boasts a Snapdragon 8 Gen Plus 1 processor, a 5,000-mAh battery and 66-watt fast charging. It also has a triple rear camera setup with 3x optical zoom. What stands out compared to its predecessor, the Magic V, is the inclusion of a stylus that Honor calls the Magic Pen. CNET got some hands-on time with Honor’s foldable flagship phone, and has some thoughts about the device’s hardware and display.
In China, the Magic Vs starts for 7,499 yuan, which converts to roughly $1,050, 880 or AU$1,575. Honor is expected to reveal international prices at MWC 2023.
Unlike phones from Huawei, Honor phones carry the full power of Google mobile services, which includes the Google Play Store, the Google Map app and other critical parts of the Android ecosystem. In 2020, Huawei sold Honor to a consortium of buyers in order to ensure its survival amid US sanctions.
Apple’s previously rumored foldable iPad could arrive next year, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in a tweet on Sunday. It’ll include a carbon fiber kickstand from Chinese component maker Anjie Technology, he suggested.
“I’m positive about the foldable iPad in 2024 and expect this new model will boost shipments and improve the product mix,” Kuo, who works for investment management services company TF International Securities, wrote.
Kuo predicted that Apple won’t release any new iPads for the next year but suggested that the company will will also release a refreshed iPad Mini — echoing a sentiment he expressed last month — next year.
Last February, Display Supply Chain Consultant analyst Ross Young reported that Apple is developing a foldable iPad/MacBook hybrid with a 20-inch folding screen, but predicted that it wouldn’t be ready until 2026.
At the time, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was considering a dual-screen foldable, with the bottom half of the display serving as a virtual keyboard if you use the device as a MacBook-style clamshell.
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Now playing:Watch this:iPad vs. MacBook: Do You Still Need Both in 2022?
Apple’s iPad lineup continues to dominate the tablet market, with several of its latest devices topping our list of the best tablets in 2023. Whether you want an iPad for serious work or you just need something you can use for general scrolling and streaming when kicking back on the couch, the iPad Air 5 is a solid option. It offers a great balance of power and price with a midsize screen and modern design.
You can save $99 across a variety of fifth-gen iPad Air models at Best Buy right now, dropping entry-level configurations as low as $500. There’s no set expiry date for this sale, so we recommend you get your order in as soon as possible if you want one. Amazon is matching select discounts, too.
The fifth-gen iPad Air was released in 2022 and is our pick for the best iPad for those seeking an iPad Pro alternative without spending big bucks. It’s equipped with Apple’s M1 chip which is super powerful and efficient, so it can breeze through work tasks and still last all day on a single charge. The latest iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display which is just shy of the 11-inch iPad Pro but a little more roomy than a base-level ninth-gen iPad at 10.2 inches. It also has a 12-megapixel ultrawide auto-zooming front camera and USB-C connectivity.
The model on sale for $500 is the Wi-Fi-only variant with 64GB of storage in your choice of blue, purple, space gray or starlight. You can upgrade to a 5G-enabled model and still save $99 versus Apple’s price or go for a higher-capacity configuration with 256GB of storage.
Looking for deals on a different model? Check out our roundup of all the best iPad deals available now.
Which tablets have the best price?
Use our CNET Shopping extension to compare top products or find coupon codes before buying your next tablet.
Currently struggling at the foot of the Premier League, West Ham face a potential banana skin as they head to League One outfit Derby County for their FA Cup fourth round fixture on Monday.
Two divisions below the Hammers, in-form Derby are flying high at the top of League One. Currently unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions under coach Paul Warne, the Rams will come into this match likely feeling confident of pulling off a huge shock.
They welcome a West Ham side to Pride Park who find themselves just one point above the English Premier League relegation zone, with major doubts currently surrounding the future of coach David Moyes.
The Hammers are set to be without injured key defender Kurt Zouma, while new signing Danny Ings is ineligible to play. With Italian star Gianluca Scamacca sidelined with a knee injury, Moyes could opt to play winger Jarrod Bowen as a makeshift striker following his two goals last weekend against Everton.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.
West Ham could start with Jarrod Bowen as a lone striker as they look to avoid an FA Cup upset against Derby County on Monday.
Visionhaus/Getty Images
Derby County vs. West Ham: When and where?
Derby County host West Ham at Pride Park on Monday, Jan. 30. Kickoff is set for 7.45 p.m. local time in the UK (2.45 p.m. ET, 11.45 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 6.45 a.m. AEDT on Jan. 31 in Australia).
How to watch the Derby County vs. West Ham game online from anywhere using a VPN
If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.
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 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream the Derby County vs. West Ham game in the US
This cup match at Pride Park is streaming exclusively live in the US on ESPN Plus. Kick-off is at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on Monday afternoon for viewers in the States.
ESPN’s standalone streaming service costs $10 a month or $100 for an annual subscription. With it, you’ll be able to watch all of this season’s FA Cup fixtures, including this intriguing match-up at Old Trafford. Read our ESPN Plus review.
With the match being broadcast on ITV4, that also means you’ll also be able to watch the game online for free via the network’s on-demand streaming service, ITVX (formerly ITV Hub).
The service has an updated new app that’s available for Android and Apple mobile devices, as well as a vast array of smart TVs.
Livestream Derby County vs. West Ham game in Canada
Canadian soccer fans looking to watch this big FA Cup fixture can watch all the action live via Sportsnet, with kickoff set for 2.45 a.m. ET (11.45 a.m. PT) on Monday afternoon.
Sportsnet is available via most cable operators, but cord-cutters can subscribe to the network’s standalone streaming service SN Now instead, with prices starting at CA$15 per month or CA$150 per year.
Livestream Derby County vs. West Ham game in Australia
ViacomCBS now holds the broadcast rights for the FA Cup in Australia, which means you can now watch matches from the tournament live Down Under via streaming service Paramount Plus. Kickoff is at the somewhat inconvenient time of 6.45 a.m. AEDT on Tuesday morning.
An Australian Paramount Plus subscription currently costs AU$9 a month, which gives you access to Paramount’s coverage of this year’s tournament, as well as Hollywood movies such as Top Gun: Maverick and original shows like Picard and Tulsa King.
You’ll need to be subscribed to Switch Online’s $50-a-year Expansion Pack tier to access GoldenEye and other N64 games. Online multiplayer is exclusive to the Switch release, the official 007 website noted, but this version is otherwise the same as the N64 original.
The default control scheme will likely feel a little weird, but Reddit user Cuesport77 suggested changes that’ll bring it in line with modern shooters. I tested this, and it works beautifully (though I opted to use the left analog stick to move around, right for aiming).
1. Go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Change Button Assignments.
2. Create a control profile for GoldenEye.
3. Remap the left analog stick to function as right analog.
4. Remap the right analog stick to function as left analog.
5. Remap ZR button to function as ZL, so you can fire with ZR.
6. Remap ZL to function as L, so you can manual aim with ZL.
7. (Optional) Remap L to function as B, so you can activate things with L.
8. (Optional) Remap R to function as A, so you can switch weapons with R.
(You will now have to navigate using the right analog stick and either A/B or L/R, depending on whether you followed steps 6 and 7.)
9. Launch GoldenEye and begin a mission, navigating menus with the right analog stick.
10. Pause, and go over to Controls.
11. Switch from 1.1 Honey to 1.2 Solitaire.
12. Go over to Settings, and turn the Look Up/Down setting to Upright.
Playing GoldenEye 007 on Xbox
The Game Pass version is playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X and S. A subscription costs $10 a month, though people who own a digital copy of Rare Replay, the 30-game compilation of classics that came out in 2015, can also get access to GoldenEye for free. That doesn’t apply to physical copies of Rare Replay, and the game isn’t available to purchase separately.
“The game now offers modern control options (including support for dual analog sticks) and a consistent refresh rate, running at a native 16:9 resolution up to 4K Ultra HD (where supported),” Craig Duncan, head of Microsoft-owned developer Rare, said in a blog post marking the game’s release. “There’s also a full roster of Xbox achievements to strive for, some of which are sure to test the mettle of proficient 00 Agents.”
So it offers more modern bells and whistles than the Switch release, but lacks online multiplayer (you’ll still have local splitscreen).
As a licensed tie-in to the 1995 movie that introduced actor Pierce Brosnan as the legendary British secret agent, the game won critical acclaim for its fun single-player campaign and epic split-screen competitive multiplayer. It became the N64’s third bestselling title, with 8.09 million units sold — it was only topped by Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64, which sold 11.91 million and 9.87 million copies, respectively.
Rare also developed GoldenEye followup Perfect Dark for the N64 in 2000, before Microsoft acquired the company in 2002.
Prepare to revisit some ’90s splitscreen multiplayer chaos.
Rare
Fans have been expecting a remaster for Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and S to be revealed for months, since achievements for it have leaked multiple times. It was reportedly planned for release on Xbox 360 in the late 2010s, and an apparent extended gameplay video appeared in 2016. At the time, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said the game’s licensing rights complicated efforts to get it on the console. The versions that came to Switch and Xbox aren’t remasters, but upscaled versions of the original game.
“It is heartwarming and very special to see the outpouring of love and nostalgia for the game, it is amazing to have been part of the team that created something that has touched so many people in a positive way,” he wrote. “Disappointing that none of the parties involved in this re-release have made any attempt to involve that original team in any way. Feels shabby and disingenuous.”
Doak regularly tweets about the game and engages with fans. Last September, he posted a shot of himselef dressed like his in-game counterpart, and joked that players shouldn’t “come crying” to him if they have trouble unlocking the infamous Invincibility cheat. That’s one of the game’s most difficult challenges — you have to beat the Facility level in under 2 minutes, 5 seconds to get it. He’s spoken at length about the game’s development over the years, and tweeted a 1997 shot of the original development team on Wednesday.
This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.
Microsoft 365, the most recent version of the Microsoft Office set of tools includes programs that you already use at home, school or work. Buying a Microsoft 365 membership is still the most popular way to access them.
On Jan. 11, Microsoft announced the release of Microsoft 365 Basic which costs $2 a month, or $20 for a yearly subscription. However, you can snag Microsoft 365 at no cost under some circumstances.
Microsoft’s suite of productivity software consists of classics like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as newer apps like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint.
The suite typically costs $20 to $100 every year for subscription access across devices and family members. Microsoft also has a standalone version of Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac, called Office Home and Student 2021, for a flat $150 — no subscription required.
Here are the versions of Office 365, Microsoft 365 and their apps that you can find online for free.
Get Microsoft Office 365 Education free if you’re a student or a teacher
If you’re a student, teacher or faculty member with an active school email address, you’re likely eligible to get access to Office 365 for free through Microsoft, with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Teams, plus other classroom tools.
All you have to do is enter your school email address on this page on Microsoft’s website: Office 365 Education. In many cases, you’ll be instantly granted access thanks to an automated verification process. If you attend an institution that needs to be verified, it might take up to a month to confirm your eligibility.
How to get Microsoft Office suite free if you’re anyone else
Anyone can get a one-month free trial of Microsoft 365. However, it does require you to enter a credit card number. And if you don’t cancel before the month is up, you’ll be charged $100 for a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Family (formerly called Office 365 Home).
The good news is if you don’t need the full suite of Microsoft 365 tools, you can access a number of its apps online for free, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Calendar, My Content, Skype, Designer and Clipchamp. Here’s how to get them:
2. Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the “Sign in” button.
3. Log in to your Microsoft account or create one for free. If you already have a Windows, Skype or Xbox Live login, you have an active Microsoft account.
4. Select the app you want to use and save your work in the cloud with OneDrive.
Use the browser-based version of the Microsoft Word app for free.
Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET
So what’s the catch for the free version?
You may be saying, “Wait a minute, if I can get all of those apps for free, why pay for Microsoft 365 in the first place?” Well, the functionality of the free apps is limited: They only run in your web browser and you can only use them while you’re actively connected to the internet. They also have fewer features than the full Microsoft 365 versions.
There are still a number of benefits, however, including the ability to share links to your work and collaborate in real time, similar to what the Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) productivity tools allow. If you’re looking for basic versions of each of these apps, the free version should work well for you.
If you could get the same performance as an iPhone 14 for roughly half the price, wouldn’t you think it was worth getting? According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may scrap the next version of its wallet-friendly iPhone SE, which was expected to arrive next year.
“The supply chain has received instructions from Apple indicating that the production and shipment plans for the 2024 iPhone SE 4 have been canceled rather than delayed,” Kuo wrote in a Medium post on Jan. 6.
If Kuo’s predictions are correct, only Apple knows the reasoning behind the cancellation. But research and media reports suggest there may be a very simple answer. More expensive iPhone models tend to be more popular, possibly leaving little incentive for Apple to continue pursuing cheaper phones like the iPhone SE.
Apple didn’t respond to CNET’s request for comment.
The third-gen iPhone SE, which debuted in March, starts at $429 and is essentially an iPhone 8 stuffed with the guts of an iPhone 13. CNET’s Patrick Holland called it a “mind-blowing value” in his iPhone SE (2022) review, but he also highlighted missing elements that make it feel dated, like its lack of a full-screen design or night mode for the camera.
Previous generations of the iPhone SE took a similar approach; the 2020 version essentially had the same design but had the iPhone 11’s chip. The 2016 model had the body of an iPhone 5S with the processor of an iPhone 6S. A rumored fourth-gen iPhone SE was expected to adopt a new design similar to the iPhone XR, according to YouTube personality and gadget leaker Jon Prosser.
To understand why Apple may have canceled its next iPhone SE, consider the changes Apple recently made in its iPhone 14 lineup. In a departure from the prior two years, Apple did not release a cheaper “Mini” version of its new flagship iPhone in 2022. Instead, it released a larger version of the regular iPhone 14 called the iPhone 14 Plus, which is $100 more expensive than the regular $799 iPhone 14, raising the barrier to entry for shoppers.
This change followed reports from Nikkei Asian Review and Kuo (via MacRumors) that Apple would scrap the iPhone Mini in 2022, with the former adding that the Mini model didn’t resonate with consumers. Taken together, the elimination of the Mini and reports that next year’s rumored iPhone SE may have been axed could indicate that Apple is pivoting away from releasing smaller, cheaper iPhones.
But Gene Munster, managing partner for tech investment firm Loup and a longtime Apple analyst, doesn’t see it that way. He believes the iPhone SE still plays an important role in Apple’s lineup because of its low price.
“It’s still, I think, the best bang for your buck when it comes to an iPhone,” he said.
Apple is rumored to scrap next year’s iPhone SE as it experiences high demand for more expensive phones like the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max (pictured)
James Martin/CNET
Evidence suggests that more expensive iPhones tend to be top sellers, which might help explain the shift. The average selling price of an iPhone rose 7% year over year in the third quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. The market research firm also reported in June that Apple dominated the global market for premium phones with a 62% share in the first quarter of 2022. It’s important to note that Counterpoint defines premium phones as devices that cost $400 and higher, meaning the third-gen iPhone SE would fall into that category since it starts at $429. The report, however, did say that Apple’s growth in the premium category largely came from the iPhone 13 lineup.
The pricier iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max also appear to be the stars of Apple’s new smartphone lineup so far. The Information reported that Apple cut production of the iPhone 14 Plus within two weeks of its launch, while research firm Trendforce says Apple boosted production of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Kuo also said on Twitter in September that the iPhone 14 Pro Max was responsible for about 60% of Apple’s order increase for the Pro lineup, hinting that Apple’s most expensive new iPhone is also its most popular. A November 2022 report from Wave7 Research also said 38 out of 39 surveyed carrier service representatives said they didn’t have in-store inventory of the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max.
The iPhone SE, meanwhile, has only accounted for roughly 5% to 8% of quarterly US iPhone sales over the past two years, said Josh Lowitz of Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. When looking at total volumes for the newest iPhone models in a given year, the Pro versions typically account for 35% to 40% of sales, while the iPhone SE makes up about 20%, according to Munster.
Carrier discounts have also made it easier to snag high-end phones at cheaper prices, especially when trading in an old device, as my colleague Eli Blumenthal pointed out following the iPhone 13’s launch. Many US shoppers also pay for their phones in monthly installment plans through carriers, which can make higher prices easier to swallow. Both of those factors can make the case for buying a less expensive iPhone with fewer features all the more challenging.
“Because you’re paying over such a long period of time … the $100 price difference, or even a $200 price difference, isn’t that much per month,” said Lowitz.
At the same time, Samsung has seen success in the market for lower-priced phones. Its Galaxy A phones, which typically cost hundreds of dollars less than its flagship Galaxy S phones, accounted for 58% of Samsung’s smartphone unit sales in 2021, according to Counterpoint Research data previously provided to CNET. Samsung’s Galaxy A phones have modern features not found on the iPhone SE, such as a camera with multiple lenses and larger screens, although they often run on less powerful processors than Samsung’s pricier phones.
The notion that Apple may have canceled the 2024 iPhone SE raises questions about the future of the SE line in general. Apple extended the SE branding to the Apple Watch in 2020 for the first time and launched a sequel to that product in September.
iPhone SE (2022): Apple’s Cheaper Phone Brings 5G to a Classic Design
The fact that Apple had brought the SE line to another product had made it seem like a more permanent fixture in Apple’s lineup. But if Kuo’s insight turns out to be accurate, the iPhone SE’s days may be numbered. And once you take a closer look at how Apple’s smartphone lineup has changed and the data around phone shipments, it’s easy to understand why.
But Munster isn’t convinced that cheaper iPhones like the SE are going away for good. Having a more affordable option makes it easier for Apple to achieve its broader goal of bringing more customers into its web of products and services.
“I think that plays an important role,” he said. “I don’t think Apple’s giving up on that price point.”
Whether you have a high-end PC gaming rig, the trusty desktop in your home office or a laptop on your dorm room desk, you’ll want to use a pair of the best PC speakers to make the most of your setup. Though a set of desktop speakers won’t be quite as immersive as a pair of noise-canceling headphones, they’re still a great way to improve the audio quality when you’re chatting on video calls, streaming movies or catching up on some online lectures. Plus, they allow you to stay aware of your surroundings and hear the doorbell, kids, pets or any other kind of chaos that may be happening in your home.
If you’re looking to bypass your laptop speaker and take audio experience to the next level, you should consider investing in external speakers. I’m not talking about a major stereo system: A small or portable desktop speaker can pick up the slack. Even budget or small speakers can boost sound quality enough that you’ll be shocked by your laptop speaker’s comparative quality.
You can also pair your PC with a Bluetooth speaker to augment the sound, but this list highlights the best in powered external speakers. That means they’ll need to be plugged in to power their built-in amplifiers.
Some of the desktop speakers on this list have analog connectivity, but most offer some kind of digital connection so you can plug them right into a computer with a USB cable. Others have Bluetooth, which lets you easily pair them with all your devices, including tablets and smartphones. As you might expect, better connectivity options add some cost to the speakers, but a few moderately priced offerings have excellent connectivity options too, in addition to more-than-decent sound quality with a surprisingly deep bass. Some of these computer speakers can even be positioned for surround sound.
Note that CNET hasn’t fully reviewed many of the items on this list, but I have listened to all the selected models. If you’re on the hunt for great sound from quality speakers, keep reading — the right speaker for your computer is sure to be here. Also, we’ll update this list of the best computer speakers periodically as new laptop and desktop computer speaker options hit the market.
Creative’s Pebble speakers have been around for a while and now come in a V2 version with a USB-C plug (a USB-A adapter is included) that powers the speaker, no extra power adapter required. They’re available for $25, while the earlier V1 version (with USB-A) can be had for around $20. Note that this V2 model does play a little louder and sounds better than the V1.
They don’t deliver huge sound and they’re light on the bass, but they’re surprisingly decent for their low price.
Edifier makes a ton of PC speakers, and they’re generally very good. We like the R1280DB Bluetooth Bookshelf speaker because it has all the features you want, including an optical input and Bluetooth capabilities in a fairly compact package that delivers very good sound for a decent price.
In terms of sound for the money, it’s hard to beat Creative’s Pebble Plus 2.1, which includes a sub for around $60 and sometimes as low as $40. The 4-inch sub isn’t exactly great looking, but it’s a black box that you can hide in a corner of your desk or underneath it.
This model is also powered by USB (there’s no power adapter), but you do have to connect it to your device with a standard 3.5mm aux-in cable (included). Don’t expect huge volume (it is powered by USB after all), but it delivers better sound than you might think for the money.
The Logitech Z407 is a compact system with a small subwoofer that doesn’t exactly have a premium feel (it’s an all-plastic affair and the satellite speakers are quite light), but it’s attractive and has some nice features. For starters, it’s simple to set up. You can use it in wired mode with an auxiliary 3.5mm cable or connect it to your computer via USB. But the majority of people will connect their devices to it via Bluetooth.
It comes with a hockey puck-sized controller (it’s powered by two AAA batteries) that doubles as a Bluetooth transceiver between any Bluetooth-enabled audio device and the speaker system. You can skip tracks forward and back by tapping on the top of the puck and turning the dial to control volume. It’s also worth noting that the speakers can be stood up vertically or horizontally. It’s a nifty design.
The sound is good at close range but the bass isn’t exactly tight (you can only expect so much for the price). This would work fine as an audio system in a small room, but just doesn’t have the juice to sound good in a larger room (it’s touted as having 80W of power but power ratings don’t mean all that much).
The most recent addition to the Audioengine family, the A1 speakers sound good for their compact size, particularly in terms of their clarity. Like the more expensive A2 Plus (see below), they’re a little bass shy, but if you’re using these at close range (as one tends to do if you’re looking at a computer screen), the bass will seem ample. You can connect a subwoofer to them, but that would substantially raise the price for the package. In a small room, they could work as your main speaker system, but they just don’t have enough power for a larger room.
The nice thing about them is that they’re nice looking. They’re also simple to set up and wireless, so you can connect your computer — or another device — via Bluetooth. You just have to hit the pair button on the back to engage pairing mode. A set of speaker wires connects the two speakers (the left speaker has the amplifier and all the connectivity options). You can also use the auxiliary-in port to connect your computer with an included cable.
If you can’t afford Audioengine’s $500 A5 Plus Wireless (see below) — or don’t like its somewhat large footprint — the A2 Plus is a good alternative, albeit one that produces less bass and just isn’t as loud or full sounding. Still, it sounds really good for a mini bookshelf-size speaker and has a glossy piano finish that gives it a premium look.
I reviewed an earlier version of the A2 Plus back in 2013. It now has Bluetooth connectivity with support for AptX streaming (forAptX-compatible devices), but it still uses a standard 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable that you plug into your device’s headphone jack or auxiliary output.
For $269, it delivers excellent sound in a compact, attractively minimalist design, which is why it appears to be so popular at the moment. Some sites have it back-ordered or not available in certain color options (I personally like the white).
Canadian speaker company Fluance is known for delivering speakers with a lot of bang for your buck and its attractively designed Ai41 powered bookshelf speakers do just that for $250. While they don’t weigh as much or have quite the build quality of Audioengine speakers, they do offer strong sound and good connectivity options, including an optical digital input and Bluetooth options. I tried the white and bamboo version but the speakers are also available in black.
They’re about the same size as Audioengine’s A5 Plus speakers (see below) but cost half the price. I can’t say they sound quite as good as the A5 Plus speakers, but they do sound clear and well-balanced and have just enough bass to make you think they aren’t bass shy (there is a subwoofer connection if you want to add a sub). You can get a little more bass by placing them near a wall.
A remote is included for not only raising and lowering volume but tweaking the treble and bass settings. These will fill a small room with sound. Note that if you want a wired connection to your computer via the headphone port, you’ll need an RCA to 3.5mm cable (less than $10 on Amazon) — it’s not included.
The Ai41 have 5-inch drivers while the step-up Ai61 have 6.5-inch drivers. The Ai61 does offer more little bass and power for $50 more. However, the Ai41 is already fairly large for a set of computer speakers. They could also be connected to your TV via the optical connection.
Audioengine’s powered A5 speakers have been around for several years and have received some technology upgrades over time. The wired-only version is $399, but if you want to add a Bluetooth option, the price goes up to $499. You can connect to your PC either with a cable or via Bluetooth, but having Bluetooth is nice if you want these speakers to double as standard bookshelf speakers.
As you might expect, they have significantly more bass than Audioengine’s smaller A2 Plus, and they resemble traditional monitor speakers. With a built-in 150W amp, they deliver clean, dynamic sound with lots of volume, and will rock a medium-size room without a problem.
Harman Kardon’s SoundSticks have been around for 20 years and have always been a favorite of Mac users because, well, they — and their transparent aesthetics — were marketed from the get-go to owners of the early iMacs.
The SoundSticks 4 offers some design changes over earlier iterations, particularly to the subwoofer, which has a cleaner, sleeker look without the plastic funnel inside. The SoundSticks 4 are rated for 140 watts of power — theSoundSticks 3 were rated for 40 watts. Also, Bluetooth connectivity now comes standard (with the SoundSticks 3, there was a step-up model you had to buy to get Bluetooth). The speaker comes in two color options — one with white trim and one with black.
The system is a little more compact than you’d think seeing some of the pictures, and it does deliver strong sound with bass that will rattle a table at higher volumes if you leave the sub on your desk (the sub is actually slightly smaller at 5.25 inches compared to 6 inches for the SoundSticks 3). From what I remember of the SoundSticks 3, this new model does sound fuller.
The only fault I found with it was the lack of a wired digital connection. Like the previous version, there’s an analog cable that you plug into the headphone jack or auxiliary output on your computer or another device. As a result, I tended to just use the Bluetooth, which gives you more flexibility with the placement of the sub (the power cord is a little short). That said, you do have to connect the elegant mini tower satellite speakers to the sub with cables that are color-labeled for easy hookup, so the sub has to stay pretty close to the satellites.
It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to be a Mac user to buy these speakers. They’re compatible with any audio device that has Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio-out port.
Razer’s second generation of its Leviathan gaming soundbar, aptly named the Leviathan V2, gets prettier — and at $250 as opposed to $200, pricier. And while it gains Bluetooth wireless support, it loses some other useful connections; say bye-bye to analog and optical, for example. Still, it’s a compact and solid alternative to headphones or a beefier surround setup that might be overkill or require too much space.
Best Buy often has great deals on electronics that are designed to make your life easier and just plain better. That’s especially true for daily deals, which feature just one product on sale for the day, usually at incredibly low prices.
Today’s daily deal is perfect for all PC gaming enthusiasts. This 24-inch LG LED monitor, originally $200, is now down to just $100 (save $100). You can have this for just half its retail price. But the deal only lasts for the next few hours, so hurry while it’s still available.
Upgrade your gaming station with this monitor that’s coated with antiglare for minimizing reflections. It’s powered by AMD Radeon FreeSync technology that eliminates tearing and stuttering on the screen, allowing you to play AAA titles smoothly.
The IPS display has a wide viewing angle that delivers bright, vivid visuals from almost any direction. It comes with full HD 1920×1080 resolution, which delivers a solid gaming or video experience without undue strain on your graphics card.
It also has a 5-millisecond response time and a 75Hz response rate that delivers solid performance for precise gaming and video work. There are two HDMI ports and VGA inputs on this monitor.
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.
