Cricut machines are fantastic crafting machines, but they can’t do it alone. There are many different types of Cricut accessories out there to help make your crafting more efficient. If you’re not sure which Cricut accessories are the best, we’re here to help. I’ve put together this handy list of all the great little tools I use every day with my Cricut to make my crafting easier.
If you’re on the hunt for the right things to add to your craft table, these Cricut accessories are where I recommend you start.
Cricut makes great big rolls of Transfer Sheets to help you get vinyl from the adhesive sheet to wherever you want to put your creation, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best tool for the job. Whether it’s because of convenience or price or just the right amount of adhesive, if I’m working on multiple projects at once I prefer to use lint roller sheets instead. The convenient little roll on a nice handle makes it easy to get adhesive over the project and lift it off the paper, and the tearaway nature of the lint roller sheet makes it super easy to separate from the roll and get onto whatever the destination is for your creation.
It couldn’t be easier for small projects, and it’s way cheaper than using the official Transfer Sheets most of the time.
There are a lot of starter tool kits for Cricut users out there, and Cricut makes some of the best for the price. There’s a weeding pick to help you lift up things you’ve already cut, a spatula to get bigger projects off the mat without tearing, tweezers for cleanup and precise placement and scissors for helping you get to the right part of the cut easily. And when you have the right piece off the cutter, you can use the scraper to either clean your cutting mat or more easily apply the thing you’ve cut.
There are certainly more tools available to advanced users, but this kit is everything you need to get started — and genuinely what every Cricut user should have starting off.
The HTVront heat press is an automatic system that takes the guesswork out of pressing vinyl onto materials. When using a handheld heat press you can run into problems where you press too long or unevenly, causing your design to not be as good as you might want. The auto press is consistent every time across the material so your prints look great.
I prefer a precision cut whenever I can get it, especially when it comes to rescuing something I’ve cut on my Cricut from the rest of the sheet. I’m not the most accurate with a pair of scissors, which is why I always recommend a good trimmer. The Weenkler trimmer is the correct width for all sheets of vinyl, and the extender allows you to cut larger pieces with the same level of accuracy.
It doesn’t get much easier than this as tools go, and it makes all of your leftover scraps more uniform for the next project.
Your Cricut machine came with the same StandardGrip Mat everyone has, but that is not always the best mat for the job. Cricut actually makes three other kinds of mat for different materials and situations. The LightGrip Mat is great for paper projects where you need to be more careful, while the StrongGrip Mat is ideal for thicker vinyl and other more rigid materials. There’s even a FabricGrip Mat, just in case you need to cut some fabric. It’s not always easy to find each of these at your local craft store, which is why I recommend starting out with one of each, just in case. And this set of four straight from Cricut is the best way to do it.
It’s fairly common for Cricut users to cut a whole bunch of things all at once and then spend an evening weeding those things so you have a nice pile of projects to work with. And the one thing every Cricut project has in common is that more light always makes it easier. When you’re at home you have a lot of control over how much light you have to work with, and the BrightPad Go is a big way to help with light when you’re anywhere else. This rechargeable tablet lets you control how bright the backlight is, and it’s thin enough to take with you anywhere. It’s perfect for working on a project for a few hours when you aren’t at home, so you’re always able to keep being creative.
Having a place for your small scraps of weeding is essential. I have ruined several projects by accidentally fusing a scrap of Infusible Ink onto a t-shirt, so I find this little cup extremely helpful. The top flaps help keep your scraps from falling out and it helps pull them off of the weeding hook.
One of the more common things Cricut users tend to make if they decide to do things with clothing is a set of family T-shirts. Whether it’s for a family vacation or someone’s great idea for standing out at a big outdoor event, making an iron-on design for a T-shirt can be pretty quick. Applying that design to a shirt so it looks just right is not always so easy, especially if you’re applying a design to multiple shirt sizes. That’s why it’s a good idea to have an alignment ruler guide tool, so you can make sure you’re getting the right placement with each shirt size.
This four-pack of shirt guides will help you place graphics on just about every kind of shirt without complications, and they can be used over and over again.
While this exact brand is temporarily sold out, you can find similar styles at Amazon.
Smartphones used to be the butt of jokes among photographers, but now, they can take some seriously good photos that compete with the best cameras.
Over the years, smartphones have improved, with cameras being the focal point for most of those upgrades. All you need is some additional gear, and you can be shooting photos that border on professional-grade.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro offer excellent features that creative professionals will enjoy, like multiple rear cameras — including a superwide-angle lens — that can capture incredible photos and videos.
Perhaps the most notable, however, is the addition of ProRes, which started in the previous generation and is available on iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. It enables you to produce a far more professional-looking post-production look. This means that, now, creative professionals can incorporate these phones into their productions.
And sure, you can simply walk outside with your phone and snag some beautiful footage, but there’s a wealth of iPhone 14 accessories you can use that’ll help elevate both your videos and photos to new levels to wow your followers.
Here’s our list of the best gear to pair with your iPhone to give your shots a boost. Every iPhone 14 accessory listed here has been tested by us to make sure it works as well as it’s supposed to. If it didn’t impress, it didn’t make the list. So look no further if you’re after the best iPhone filming accessories to take your skills to the next level. These excellent accessories will make shooting a breeze.
Camera cages are common tools that let you attach a wide variety of accessories to a DSLR, including lights, microphones, handles and external monitors. SmallRig’s new mobile cage offers much the same functionality, but for your iPhone, and with multiple mounting points around the edge to attach whatever accessories you need like microphones.
I’ve been using the cage with an attached Aperture LED light, PolarPro tripod and Rode microphone (all seen below), which makes for an incredible mobile vlogging rig. SmallRig also offers various attachments of its own, including top and side handles, which help provide stability when you’re hand-holding while filming. The cage is solidly built from aluminum, has bayonet lens mounts (see below), and has a convenient clasp for easily slotting your phone in and out.
Anamorphic lenses are normally something you’d find in a professional cinematographer’s kit bag. These lenses provide a wider aspect ratio that you get in a wide angle lens, along with distinctive blue-line lens flares that give footage a much more filmic quality. Moment’s mobile anamorphic lens does exactly that for your iPhone.
Clip it on and it’ll squeeze your footage into the shorter, wide shots format that completely transforms the look of the video you can take from your phone. I’ve absolutely loved the look of my phone footage using the lens and it’s a must-have for any budding film producers wanting to up their game with their phone.
You’ll need to shoot with apps like Filmic Pro that let you “unsqueeze” the footage so it doesn’t look all distortedon most cameras. The lens uses a bayonet mount that attaches to compatible cases, including Moment’s own ones or a variety of third-party options, including the SmallRig cage mentioned above.
iPhone cameras don’t have the greatest lighting, so having a backup light is always a good idea. This USB-C rechargeable video light is packed with LED lights andis small enough to fit into the palm of your hand but puts out a huge amount of light when you’re short of proper lighting.
It’s great for lighting up your subjects, whether that’s for portraits, product photography or macro or to light up yourself if you’re vlogging at night. The power output is easily adjustable, as is the color temperature of the light.
It also has a variety of creative light effects to spice up your production, including simulations of fireworks, lightning, a flickering fireplace or the flashing red and blue of police car lights.
The iPhone 14’s built-in image stabilization is already superb, but for an even smoother ride, consider using a dedicated gimbal like DJI’s OM 5. It evens out all but the most aggressive movements, allowing you to get smooth tracking footage of you running behind your subject as you film a chase scene.
It also has a built-in extendable selfie stick, which not only makes it great for YouTube vloggers, but also allows for more creative angles by holding it up higher, or even flipping it over and having the camera run close to the ground or through grasses.
Recording good audio for your vlogs or your next iPhone-based short film is crucial, and while the iPhone does a decent job of capturing audio, a dedicated microphone will take things to the next level. Rode’s VideoMicro shotgun mic can plug into your phone’s Lightning port (via an adapter) and provides crystal-clear audio when recording with the standard iPhone camera app or any third-party video app, making it one of the best iPhone camera accessories on the market.
I love using it on top of my phone for vlogging and the included wind shield is superb for cutting out wind noise when working on location. Alternatively, get a 3.5mm extension cable and you can try using the mic on the end of a boom pole for recording audio in a conversation you’re filming.
It’s a great investment if you’re looking for a directional microphone.
At $1,795, industry goliath Profoto’s B10 studio flash will be little more than a pipe dream for most. But if you want to get truly professional lighting on location or in a studio using your iPhone, the B10 is second is one of the best iPhone camera accessories. . This pro flash is designed primarily for use with DSLRs but can also be used with iPhones and Android phones via the Profoto app. If you’re ready to take your smartphone photography to the next level, it allows you to get shots with your phone that would simply not be possible to achieve without it.
Sure, most pros probably wouldn’t consider shooting a major project on just their phone, but it’s a potentially great backup in case of camera failure, or simply a lightweight and convenient way to test ideas in the field without hauling bags of gear around.
It also comes with a carrying case that will protect it from other elements. Its rechargeable battery provides a battery life that can provide more than 400 full flashes.
Having a solid tripod can make all the difference in getting stable, wobble-free video, particularly if you want to put yourself in the frame. PolarPro’s Apex Minimalist tripod is a great option for mobile producers, as its compact size means it’s easy to chuck into a backpack, but it’s burly enough to support bigger cameras should you need to.
I love using it for static shots, and for holding my phone up to shoot vlogs while walking around. It comes either with an integrated twist-locking ball head, or as the tripod legs only. I prefer the latter as it allows me to use my own compact ball heads, which are more stable with heavier loads.
Rather than use screw clamps to secure your phone in place, Moment’s tripod mount uses Apple’s MagSafe system, which makes it incredibly quick to pop your phone in place and start shooting. When you’re done, just rip your phone away from the magnetic disk and pop it back in your pocket. Easy!
The minimalist approach to the mount’s design makes it extremely compact so it’s no hassle to always carry it with you for when inspiration strikes. The magnets are strong, too, so you don’t need to worry about your phone popping loose while you’re walking along. It’s available as a mount by itself, or with the cold-shoe bracket (pictured) to attach a microphone when vlogging.
Vrbo said it’s been pilot testing technology in Phoenix that identifies and prevents bookings that would be used for house parties. So far, the Expedia-owned company said it prevented 500 “unauthorized event bookings” from taking place, saving hosts $2.5 million in party-related damages.
“Even though disruptive party houses are rare on Vrbo, addressing them is still a priority,” said Philip Minardi, director of public affairs at Expedia Group, in a press release. “By deploying this new solution and working closely with local hosts, Vrbo is preventing problematic behavior before it starts.”
Vrbo didn’t immediately respond to a request for additional comment.
The technology works by generating a “risk score” for each booking based on length of stay, lead time before a stay begins and the number of guests. It also looks at hosts and the number of beds and other amenities they may be providing. If Vrbo sees the booking to be high-risk, it informs the host and suggests they cancel the booking, free of charge. Potential guests are then emailed Vrbo’s policies around disruptive gatherings.
Vrbo said that guest demographics aren’t considered and that it doesn’t share personally identifiable information.
Short-term homestay rentals are big business. When Airbnb went public, it reached a valuation of $100 billion, although that figure has since fallen.
Vrbo partnered with Airbnb in 2021 to develop a community integrity program that shares important information about problematic listings and prevents repeat party house offenders. The company also said it has a zero-tolerance policy for party houses and will ban both hosts and guests who knowingly turn a home into a party house.
Super Bowl LVII will see the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Most people subscribe directly to mobile providers, such as AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon. However, if you’re looking to save money on your mobile plan, there are a number of smaller cell phone services that can get you solid service at a cheaper rate. A lot of the bigger providers tout unlimited plans as the big attraction, but smaller carriers still offer a variety of plans with high-speed data or even a better price on unlimited plans. If you’re interested in switching over, these are the best prepaid phone plans in 2023.
There are a ton of providers, but for the purposes of this article, I’m going to focus on just a few: Boost Mobile, Cricket, Mint, Google Fi, Tracfone, Metro by T-Mobile, Total by Verizon, Verizon Prepaid and AT&T Prepaid. Since these carriers also have so many different plan options, I’m also going to focus on the best options for under 5GB of data, under 10GB of data and unlimited plans.
There are two main types of ways to pay for phone service: postpaid, where you pay at the end of the month, and prepaid, where you buy service before you use your phone. The advertisements you see for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are almost always for postpaid plans, while the plans and carriers we’re talking about here are all prepaid plans.
You’re buying the data and access in advance of using it. Prepaid plan providers let you purchase in various increments — 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months or even a full year — with prices often varying depending on how long you’re willing to commit to.
In this story, I’m comparing single-year prepaid cell phone plans.
Will your area get good cell coverage?
As I noted when covering the best unlimited plans, to get the most out of your deal you need to make sure you have the coverage you need. This makes it hard to give a blanket recommendation of any one carrier: T-Mobile’s service in New York may be excellent, but if you’re in, say, rural Iowa, Verizon is more reliable.
Prepaid providers almost always use someone else’s service. Before you sign up for one, it’s worth checking what the underlying network is. Each offers some version of 5G and I’ve broken this all down here, but to recap:
Boost Mobile uses AT&T and T-Mobile for now (it’s switching to a combination of AT&T, T-Mobile and parent Dish’s own network in the future)
Mint uses T-Mobile
Cricket uses AT&T
Google Fi uses T-Mobile and US Cellular
Metro uses T-Mobile
Tracfone uses Verizon
Verizon Prepaid is on Verizon
Total uses Verizon
AT&T Prepaid is on AT&T
If you have any friends or family in your area who already use the prepaid carrier you’re considering, ask about their experience. You could also go to a major carrier’s store and see if it offers any free ways to try out the service before switching over, such as T-Mobile’s Network Pass.
Boost Mobile will use a combination of AT&T, T-Mobile and its own network.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Know the prepaid phone plan promos and deals
As with the main carriers, there are periods of time when the prepaid players offer deals. Boost Mobile used to run a promo for new customers that let you get three lines with unlimited talk, text and data for $90 per month ($30 per line) after “your first payment of $100.” It has since added a new unlimited plan that is $25 per month for new users, though each line has to be separate and cannot be grouped together on a family plan.
Some prepaid providers will even give discounts on buying a new device, though unlike the main carriers don’t expect the same big promotions offering a free new iPhone 14 or Galaxy S22. Those deals are often tied to 24- or 36-month installment plans, which prepaid by its nature does not really offer.
Boost Mobile has added an unlimited plan for new users that offers unlimited talk, text and data for $25 per month with taxes and fees included. Unlike Mint Mobile’s 12-month plan, our previous pick in this slot, Boost’s plan isn’t tied to 12-month increments. You do, however, need to be a new Boost customer to get the offer.
The plan includes 5G access and 30GB per month of high-speed data (if you blow through that your data will slow until your next billing month starts). Hotspot is included as well, with that data pulling from your high-speed allotment. One thing worth noting: You do need to set up automatic payments to get the $25-per-month rate.
Ryan Reynolds’ phone company has made a name for itself with its quirky advertising, but it also has one of the better offers for unlimited data that we’ve seen. For 12 months, you can get unlimited talk, text and data for $30 per month per line. Running on T-Mobile’s networks, you get 35GB of high-speed data on 5G and 4G LTE per month, though if you do blow through that before your 30-day period resets, your speeds will slow to “3G speeds.”
There’s also 5GB of high-speed hotspot data and free international calls to Mexico and Canada.
As with all plans, the value will change depending on your specific needs and if that particular network works well in your area. Google has updated the unlimited plans on its Fi cell phone service that not only lowers the monthly price, but also adds in a few useful features. While its $50 pricing for one line is way higher than Mint’s, if you have three lines or more you can save a bit.
Called Simply Unlimited, the plan runs $25 per line per month with three lines and drops to $20 per month if you have four or more lines. It now includes 35GB of high-speed data plus talk, text and data in Canada and Mexico. The plan also now offers 5GB of hotspot data, though that is a “hard” cap where the hotspot feature stops after 5GB is used, as opposed to the data slowing.
One thing to note: Google Fi still does not offer 5G connectivity for iPhones.
Other options: Metro and Cricket each offer a similar option that’s $30 per line if you have three lines, but if you have four or five lines the price per line would drop to $25 per line per month ($100 a month for four lines, $125 for five lines). Both are still pricier than Fi’s updated offering and neither offer mobile hotspot data with these plans.
Cricket says it “may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy,” whereas Google says it will slow data if you exceed 35GB in a month. Metro speeds will similarly slow if you use over 35GB in a month, and T-Mobile will prioritize its own users over those on Metro plans.
Tracfone does not offer a traditional unlimited data plan. Verizon and AT&T’s prepaid options start at $50 a month with automatic payments ($65 without).
Cricket and Metro also offer perks with their top unlimited plans — in the case of Cricket you get a subscription to HBO Max with ads, while Metro offers a subscription to Amazon Prime, one year of ViX Plus and 100GB of Google One storage. But those prices are higher per line if you were only looking for one, two or three lines.
If you’re looking for four or more lines, the top Metro unlimited plan could be worth considering. A promotion has that down to $30 a month per line, so if that’s your budget you may want to look at that deal, as for the same price per line you may as well get the perks like Amazon Prime and Google One alongside the service.
Verizon’s new Total by Verizon service includes Disney Plus with its top plan, but at $60 per month for a single line and $165 per month for four lines it’s probably not worth it.
If price is the biggest factor for you, look at Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited plan we mentioned above.
Anything less than four lines, however, and Metro is a lot pricier than Mint. One phone line with this top unlimited plan runs $60 a month, two lines are $90 a month and three lines are $120.
It is worth mentioning that Metro — like AT&T, Verizon and Boost — works with the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program. If you qualify for that program, Metro’s $40 per month unlimited plan could be had for $10 per month (and the one with perks could be $30 per month instead of its regular $60 monthly).
When it comes to data under 10GB, Mint once again has the best value if T-Mobile’s network is solid in your area. Whereas Metro and Cricket charge $40 per month for one line and Boost has a $35 plan for 10GB of data, Mint beats them all on price.
Getting 10GB of 4G LTE/5G monthly data is $20 per month at Mint when purchased in 12-month increments for new users. After that, you can buy three more months at $35 per month ($105 total), six months at $25 per month ($150 total) or another year at $20 per month ($240 total).
Other options:Google Fi has a “bill protection” feature designed to refund you for data you don’t use, but with a maximum monthly charge of $80 per month for one line and 6GB of data and unlimited talk/text, I think you’re better off looking elsewhere instead of having to calculate how much data you’re using.
AT&T has an online offer of 16GB per month plan if you prepay the $300 for a full year (equating to $25 per month).
Tracfone doesn’t have a 10GB plan but has two other options directly above and below it. The first is an 8GB-per-month plan that runs $35 per month if you enable auto-refill, or $40 per month regularly. The provider does have a 24GB plan for one year that runs $199, though that 24GB is all the data you get for the year.
The perk with the AT&T and Tracfone plans is that any unused data carries over to the next month. For the latter, if you’re looking for a prepaid provider on Verizon it’s hard to top what amounts to a monthly rate of $16.58.
Boost Mobile has a few enticing plans at 5GB or less, particularly if you’re a new customer. The carrier offers a $14 per month plan that offers 5GB of high-speed data per month with the ability to use that allotment for mobile hotspot. You’ll need to prepay for 12 months of service to get this offer ($168), but it’s better bang for your buck than the $15 per month for 4GB of data Mint Mobile offers new customers who prepay for a year.
Metro, Total by Verizon and Cricket each charge $30 per month for 5GB of data and Tracfone has a 4GB data plan but that runs $25 when on auto-refill ($30 without).
Boost, however, has a $100 deal that offers 1GB of data per month for a full year for new customers. That breaks down to $8.33 per month. If you don’t have Boost, find yourself largely on Wi-Fi and price is the biggest driver for you, this is the go-to pick if looking for a new service.
T-Mobile has a few T-Mobile Connect deals including a $25 per month option with unlimited talk/text and 6GB of data (with an extra 500MB of data added to your plan every year). The carrier also has a $10 per month Connect option that includes 1,000 domestic minutes for talk, 1,000 domestic and 1GB of data.
As we said at the top, the best deal is the one that works best for you.
Hogwarts Legacy is among of the most highly anticipated games of 2023, and it’s less than two weeks from launch. The open-world RPG is set in the Harry Potter universe, and it seems like the game many fans of the books have been hoping for.
The new game from developer Avalanche Software lets playersexperience the famed school of witchcraft and wizardry as a student in the 1800s, before the events of the Harry Potter books. Here are some basic things to know about Hogwarts Legacy, including when you can snag a copy depending on your platform.
What’s the story?
Hogwarts Legacy players will “embark on a dangerous journey to uncover a hidden truth of the wizarding world,” according to the game’s official website. You’ll explore Hogwarts Castle, where you’ll be able to attend classes. You’ll also go beyond it to new and familiar locations, per the site.
You’ll be able to customize your character, choose a Hogwarts house and grow your magical abilities by brewing potions, mastering spells and taming beasts. Hogwarts Legacy sticks to the lore but doesn’t adapt the Harry Potter books and films.
What systems can I play Hogwarts Legacy on?
PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions of the game launch on Feb. 10. Those looking to play the PS4 and Xbox One versions will, unfortunately, need to wait until April 4.
Nintendo Switch users will have to hang on even longer, until July 25, to play Hogwarts Legacy.
The game was first announced in 2020 and its release dates have changed three times. It’s published by Warner Bros. Games under its Portkey Games label.
How do I preorder Hogwarts Legacy?
You can preorder the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions from stores including GameStop, Amazon and Best Buy for $70 (about 57, AU$99). Same goes for the PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions, but it costs $10 less to preorder. The PC version is available to preorder for $60 (roughly 49, $AU85) at Steam and the Epic Games store.
You can view more ways to purchase Hogwarts Legacy (including how to buy the Deluxe Edition) on the game’s website. The Collector’s Edition has already sold out, but you may be able to find it online for a markup. The official site breaks down what comes with each edition.
J.K. Rowling and Hogwarts Legacy
The game’s connection to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling — who’s made past comments that have been labeled as transphobic — has led Rowling critics to call for a boycott, according to The Week.
The Hogwarts Legacy website notes that Rowling isn’t involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy, but her writing is the foundation for the project.
Looking to elevate your photography in 2023? Getting up to speed with photo-editing software can be a huge help in creating the pictures that you want. While Adobe’s fully fledged Photoshop software is the best out there, it’s probably overkill for most amateur shooters and has a much steeper learning curve than something like Photoshop Elements. And today only, B&H is giving you the chance to upgrade to the latest iteration of Adobe’s Photoshop Elements for just $65, saving you $35 off its regular price for both the digitally delivered and boxed versions.
Photoshop Elements 2023 is described by Adobe as an easy-to-use solution for quick photo editing and sharing. Where full Photoshop is the go-to photo editing software for professional photographers and graphic designers who want to manually tinker with every detail, Elements is designed for those that want to improve their photos by using automatic adjustments and guided edits.
That’s not to say you can’t produce some striking results with Photoshop Elements, there’s just a little more hand-holding which makes it ideal for those new to editing or wanting quick results. You can use it to make instant edits, such as opening closed eyes or turning frowns into smiles, or use the built-in Adobe Sensei AI to add 3D effects, animations, filters, overlays and more.
The 2023 version of Photoshop Elements has also been reengineered to take up 30% less space on your computer and launch up to 50% faster. It’s the first version with official support for Apple silicon-powered Macs, too.
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The Samsung S23 is set to be unveiled during Samsung’s Unpacked event on Wednesday, Feb. 1, but an AT&T store in Atlanta didn’t get the memo. On Monday, the Brookhaven store’s website posted images of the phone, as well as a description of its features and colors ahead of its official launch.
The Samsung S23 appears to come in green, cream, lavender and a grayish/black Phantom color. It features an “automatic adaptive 6.6-inch display” and a 50-megapixel camera with “Advance Nightography.” It’s also water-resistant, with a battery that “powers your day,” wireless fast charging and noise cancellation.
The new S23 is reportedly 5.76 by 2.79 by 0.30 inches and weighs 5.93 ounces. The AT&T page also listed a “shop now” button that didn’t work. The page was taken down around 11:20 a.m. ET.
Samsung should be announcing the entire S23 lineup during its event on Wednesday. Along with the Galaxy S23, the company is expected to unveil the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra. The event will be held in person in San Francisco and streamed online.
AT&T didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Samsung declined to comment.
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.
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