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Try This Scroll Wheel Browsing Hack
Your computer’s mouse and keyboard are packed full of hidden features that make it faster and easier to perform tasks. Even if you’ve been using these devices for years, there may still be functions you weren’t aware of. Whether it’s reopening a closed tab or permanently deleting a file without ever hitting the recycle bin, there are plenty of tricks to help you be a little more efficient on your computer.

But in my personal experience, the one computer trick people are most consistently surprised about is an action you can do with your scroll wheel.

Scroll wheel’s hidden function

The internet is a great place to collect random tidbits of information, but sometimes you see something you want to investigate later. You don’t want to click on the link and have to go back to the previous page, because it would interrupt your current read. But you want to keep the trail open for later.

What do you do? You have a variety of options here, but this is the slickest and most efficient: If you’re using a mouse, just use your scroll wheel to click on the link. It’s not the most intuitive motion, but if you push your scroll wheel down while hovering over the link, you’ll automatically open that link in a new tab.

This little trick is great for when you’re reading something that links out to other interesting stories — just scroll-wheel click to open new tabs and check them out after you finish reading the current story.

If you want other ways of opening new tabs, we’ll walk you through it. We also have tips on keyboard shortcuts, like Ctrl + Shift + T, and taking Windows screenshots (which you can open in new tabs with a scroll-wheel click).

How to open links in new tabs

Opening pages in new tabs is a convenient browsing technique, and there are a few different ways of doing it.
- Click with your scroll wheel to automatically open the link in a new tab.
- Or right-click a link and choose “open in new tab.”
- You can also hold down Ctrl (or command on Mac) when you click the link and it will open in a new tab.
Opening things in a new tab means you don’t have to interrupt your current read, and you don’t have to wait for pages to load as you bounce back and forth. I use it all the time for comparison shopping — just pull up the things I’m considering in a few different tabs and quickly compare by tabbing through my browser. It’s also good for when you’re reading a story that references another story that you want to check out without interrupting your current read. Just click the link with your scroll wheel and check it out when you’re done with this story.

Bonus tip: You can use Ctrl + Tab to move forward and Ctrl + Shift + Tab to move backward through your open tabs.

For more computer tips, check out how to factory reset a laptop before gifting it, and essential settings for your MacBook.
13.01.2023
The Best VR Games for Escaping to Other Worlds

Having a VR headset is hardly a necessity in life. But it can be a useful luxury and a comforting way to escape the feeling of being trapped at home during the winter months.

I’ve found myself escaping into VR a little more often, but it’s not easy. Family responsibilities and real-world obligations make it hard to find time to put on a headset. It’s not a social activity I can share with anyone else in the house. It’s total me time, but sometimes I need that.

If you’re lucky enough to have a VR headset (and these are some of the best ones), there are some great games worth your time right now. Here are some of my favorites. Also, be sure to check out some other great VR game suggestions.

Valve

Half-Life: Alyx

Valve’s long-awaited epic is a spectacularly produced Half-Life game made entirely for VR. It works with a large number of PC-connected VR headsets, too. It’s single-player only, and its dystopian horror might not be a great fit for everyone right now, but it’s the must-play VR game this year and a sign of where VR could be heading next.

Read the review.

See at Steam

Fireproof Games

The Room VR: A Dark Matter

It’s an escape room brought into VR, with a ton of mysterious puzzles to solve and a creepy Lovecraft vibe. This VR-only entry in the long-running “The Room” series of games is a special gift right now. It’s available for multiple platforms, including the stand-alone Oculus Quest.

Read the review.

See at Oculus

Tender Claws

The Under Presents

The immersive theater-meets-game universe of The Under Presents mixes live actors, who are performing through the end of May, with recorded cabaret and storytelling elements. Time bends, stories loop. It’s a place to get lost in with others, and it’s worth a dive right now. There’s even a Discord group where communities are discussing the game’s deepest secrets. It’s now available on Steam, too.

Read the review.

See at Oculus

Oculus

Eleven Table Tennis VR

Ping-pong, in VR. It’s my favorite way to transform my room into a way to play surprisingly real table tennis, and it works with AI or against online opponents. It’s close enough to the real thing to border on practice.

See at Oculus

Enhance, Inc/PlayStation

Tetris Effect

The hypnotic VR-optional puzzle game has been around for a while, but it’s a great way to focus, meditate on blocks and feel yourself surrounded by landscapes and lush soundtracks. It’s like taking a musical bath. Available on PSVR and PC.

See at GameStop

Sony

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission

If you haven’t played Sony’s stellar VR take on Mario-style platforming, now’s the time to find out what it’s all about. Each level has tons of secrets to uncover, which makes for some replay value too.

See at Amazon

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Beat Games/PlayStation

Beat Saber

This has been VR’s killer app for years, but now it’s also a great stay-at-home exercise game. The music-rhythm-dance-with-lightsabers levels are a helpful way to blow off steam, and it’s infinitely replayable.

See at Steam

Steam

Down the Rabbit Hole

One of the best little VR games, Moss, lets you explore little worlds as a mouse. The new Alice in Wonderland-themed Down the Rabbit Hole has a similar feeling of visiting tiny worlds, but laid out as you’re moving down a hole in the ground. Leaning into each room is magic. (Available on Quest, Oculus Rift, Steam, PSVR)

See at Steam

PlayStation

Paper Beast

I was late to discover this recent, beautiful game, and it’s hard to describe: It’s an alien odyssey in a minimalist world where you have to figure out what things do. It feels like art, and almost like a VR version of the classic game Journey. It’s a PlayStation exclusive for VR.

See at PlayStation

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The 51 Best VR Games

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13.01.2023
You Should Probably Blur Your House on Google Maps. Here’s Why
When I was a kid, my parents used those Thomas Guides street maps to navigate us around Los Angeles and Orange County. My dad would drive, while my mom would flip through the spiral-bound book and yell out exactly where to turn to get us to our destination.

Now, we all have Google Maps on our smartphones. It’s so much more convenient to get directions from the palm of our hands, but as is the case with technology sometimes, there are certain aspects of it that can be a bit invasive of our privacy.

If you’ve ever used Street View, you know that you can enter almost any address into Google Maps and look at a recent image of that location, whether it’s a business, government land or a residence. And it’s useful for knowing what building or landmark to look for when you arrive, but this same feature also makes it easier for stalkers or criminals to plan their way inside your home.

Street View gives anyone a free ticket to examine your home on the internet — maybe they want to look for any cameras or even find a side window to pry open. And sure, anyone can walk or drive by your home and do this in person, but Google Maps makes this process much simpler. Anyone with a phone or computer can do it.

Fortunately, there is an easy way to blur your home on Google Maps and help prevent others from seeing too many details of where you live. Here’s how to do it.

For more, here are seven essential Google Maps tips for the holidays and how Google Maps can help you figure out dinner.

How to blur your home on Google Maps

You’ll need to do this on your computer, as the blurring feature isn’t available in the Google Maps application on iOS or Android, and while it is accessible through the web browser on your mobile device, it’s rather difficult to use, so use a trusted web browser on your Mac or PC instead.

At maps.google.com, enter your home address in the search bar at the top-right, hit return, then click the photo of your home that appears.

Click on the photo of your home, right above your address, on the top-left part of the page.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Next, you’ll see the Street View of your location. Click Report a Problem at the bottom-right. The text is super tiny, but it’s there.

This is the Street View of your location.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Now, it’s up to you to choose what you want Google to blur. Using your mouse, adjust the view of the image so that your home and anything else you want to blur is all contained within the red and black box. Use your cursor to move around and the plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out, respectively.

If you want to blur more than what’s in the black/red box, use the + button to zoom in.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Once you’re finished adjusting the image, choose what you’re requesting to blur underneath:
- A face
- Your home
- Your car/license plate
- A different object
You’ll be asked to give a bit more detail as to what exactly you want blurred, in case the image is busy with several cars, people and other objects.

Also, be completely sure that what you select is exactly what you want blurred. Google mentions that once you blur something on Street View, it’s blurred permanently.

Finally, enter your email (this is required), verify the captcha (if needed) and click Submit.

You’re required to provide additional information about what you want to blur, so be thorough.

Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET

You should then receive an email from Google that says it’ll review your report and get back to you once the request is either denied or approved. You may receive more emails from Google asking for more information regarding your request. Google doesn’t offer any information on how long your request will take to process, so just keep an eye out for any further emails.

For more, here’s how Google Maps can help you avoid crowded public transit.
13.01.2023
MoviePass Secures Seed Funding to Support Beta Relaunch

MoviePass, which once dominated the movie ticket subscription industry, announced Thursday it had secured seed funding to help its beta relaunch. The funding will also help MoviePass develop and implement new technology, like virtual reality cinema experiences.

Animoca Brands, a game software, blockchain and venture capital company, led the financing efforts, but MoviePass didn’t say how much funding it secured.

This story is being updated.

12.01.2023
Best Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Deals: Where to Save on Google’s Latest Phones
If you already use Google as your primary email, calendar and cloud storage service, it just makes sense to get a Google phone. And if you want the latest and greatest it has to offer, you’ll want to pick a Pixel 7 series. There are two models in the lineup — the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — which feature a new second-gen Tensor Chip, Google’s in-house silicon and improved cameras compared to the previous-gen Pixel 6. You’ll find these new Pixel phones in stock and available at most major retailers and carriers, and thanks to wide range of incredible offers, you can even get one of these sleek new Google devices in your hand for less. So whether you’re an Android user looking to upgrade to the latest model, or a lifelong Apple fan looking to make the switch, read on for the very best Pixel 7 deals you can shop right now.

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The smaller Pixel 7 has a more compact 6.3-inch display, down from the 6.4 inches of its predecessor, though still a touch larger than the budget Pixel 6A. The resolution has remained the same, though, meaning slightly more pixels per inch (416 ppi versus 411 ppi). The Pixel 7 Pro retains a 6.7-inch display.

Particular attention has been paid to the cameras in the Pixel 7 series devices, especially when it comes to zooming and low-light performance. The Pixel 7 Pro is getting a new macro photography mode not found on the regular Pixel 7. The Pixel 7 has, however, seen its camera upgraded to an 11-megapixel sensor, up from the 8 megapixels of the Pixel 6, bringing it in line with its larger counterpart.

What colors do the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come in?

The Pixel 7 comes in three color variants: snow (white), obsidian (black) and lemongrass (yellow). The larger Pixel 7 Pro is available in snow, obsidian, and hazel (green).

How much do the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro cost?

The Pixel 7 series retains the same retail price points that the departing Pixel 6 series held with a $599 starting price. Here’s how US pricing breaks down in full:
- Pixel 7 (128 GB): $599
- Pixel 7 (256GB): $699
- Pixel 7 Pro (128GB): $899
- Pixel 7 Pro (256GB): $999
- Pixel 7 Pro (512GB): $1,099
Best Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro deals

Google

Pixel 7 and 7 Pro at Google

Up to $150 off, more with trade-in

There are a few benefits that come with buying your Pixel 7 from Google directly. For one, all models and colors are in stock, so you don’t have to worry about getting your ideal configuration, and Google allows you to buy your phone outright, as opposed to an installment plan required by some retailers and carriers.

And right now, Google is even offering a no-strings-attached discount on both models, saving you $100 on the Pixel 7 and $150 on the Pixel 7 Pro. Google also has its own trade-in program, so you can save even more by trading in your old device from Apple, Samsung, Google and even smaller brands like Motorola and OnePlus.

See at Google Store

Google

Pixel 7 at Best Buy

Up to $900 off carrier models, $150 off unlocked

If you’re after an unlocked model, Best Buy is offering the same deal as Google right now — $100 off the Pixel 7 and $150 off the Pixel 7 Pro. Best Buy claims you’ll need to choose same-day activation to get the discount, but you get the same price when you select the activate later option.

Best Buy has also partnered with several mobile carriers, and is offering some carrier-exclusive discounts as well. Verizon customers can save up to $900 with an eligible trade-in, which even includes old and damaged phones. T-Mobile is offering its customers up to $800 off with an eligible trade-in, but you’ll need to sign up on a qualifying Magenta Max plan as well to get the discount. And at the moment, Best Buy isn’t even carrying any models for AT&T customers, so they’ll have to look elsewhere for discounts (see below).

See at Best Buy

CNET

Pixel 7 at AT&T

Up to $800 off with trade-in

AT&T’s offers vary a bit depending on which Pixel 7 model you’re looking at. If you want the base model Pixel 7, you can save up to $380 with a new line of service on an eligible plan with no trade-in required (though you still can trade in a device for a bigger discount). For the Pixel 7 Pro, AT&T is offering up to $800 in enhanced trade-in credit (meaning you’ll earn more credit for trading in the same devices), with no new line required. And both phones qualify you for 50% off a pair of Google Pixel Buds when you add them to your cart with the purchase.

See at AT&T

Screenshot by CNET

Pixel 7 at Verizon

Up to $900 off with new line, $800 off with trade-in

Like AT&T, Verizon’s offers vary a bit between the two different models. New customers who want the base model Pixel 7 can save $520 with a new line on a qualifying service plan, which drops the price down to just $5 per month. And existing customers can get it for free with a qualifying trade-in.

Though if you’re adding a new line of service, you’re better off with the Pixel 7 Pro, which you can get for free with a new line on a qualifying plan. Existing customers can pick it up for as much as $800 off when trading in an eligible device.

And no matter which phone you’re buying, you can get a free $200 Verizon gift card when you switch your existing number over from another carrier. Verizon is also offering some other bonuses, including a free Pixel Watch and $490 off a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE, but you’ll need a service plan for the new device as well.

See at Verizon

CNET

Pixel 7 at T-Mobile

Up to $600 off with trade-in

T-Mobile is offering up to $600 off the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro when you trade-in a qualifying device and have or switch to a Magenta Max Plan. If you don’t have a Magenta Max plan, you can still save up to $300 with a qualifying trade-in.

New customers can save $501 when adding a new line of service on an eligible plan. And if you’re on a Magenta Max plan you can get a free pair of Google Pixel Buds A-Series or up to $100 off Google Pixel Buds Pro with the purchase.

See at T-Mobile

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12.01.2023
Congress Halts Purchase of More Microsoft Combat Goggles, Report Says

Congress rejected the US Army’s request for funding to purchase more combat goggles from Microsoft, according to a report Thursday from Bloomberg.

The report says Congress rejected the Army’s request of $400 million to purchase about 6,900 goggles, which are based on Microsoft’s HoloLens Headset. Congress reportedly rejected the funding because field tests showed the headsets caused “mission-affecting physical impairments,” like headaches and nausea.

Lawmakers did approve $40 million in funding to develop a new goggles model, Army spokesman David Patterson said in an email, according to Bloomberg.

In December, the Army awarded a “task order” to Microsoft to develop a new variant of combat goggles, called version 1.2. The money for this order came from funding acquired in 2021.

The Army wrote that the new variant will address “physiological” issues identified during testing. Field testing for version 1.2 of the goggles is supposed to begin in September.

“Microsoft is committed to working with the Army to further develop [Integrated Visual Augmentation System] technology,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in an email to CNET. “The regular cadence of building and testing IVAS… will help us refine and improve the technology to ensure it brings unparalleled protection and capabilities to America’s Soldiers.”

For more, check out the US Army’s $21.88 billion deal to produce the combat goggles and CNET’s hands-on review of Microsoft’s HoloLens 2.

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12.01.2023
Pokemon Celebrates 1,000 Pokedex Milestone in Epic Video

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet brought the number of Pokemon beyond 1,000 when the games hit Nintendo Switch last November, and the Pokemon Company released a video celebrating the milestone on Thursday.

To answer the question that’s likely popped into your head, Pokemon No. 1,000 is Gholdengo. This Steel/Ghost type is the evolved form of Gimmighoul, which transforms if leveled up after you collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins.

The video runs through all nine generations of the core video game series, stretching back to the 1996 originals on Nintendo Game Boy. It highlights how much the visuals have evolved, and highlights some of the languages the series has been translated into.

Now they should do an updated version of the Pokerap.

Gotta eat ’em all at the Pokemon Cafe

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12.01.2023
Best Streaming Services for K-Dramas

Global appeal for Korean content has gone up in the past five years. While K-pop acts like BTS and Blackpink helped bring South Korean music to the forefront, K-dramas now have a huge international presence. Series like Squid Game and Heirs boosted the genre’s popularity, and streaming services are releasing TV shows and films to satisfy audience demand for new and vintage titles. K-dramas first started gaining momentum in South Korea in the ’70s, but the genre’s reach is as close as Netflix and other platforms.

Grounded in Korean culture, these stories pack in high-qualitystorytelling across the board — from zombie thrillers to emotional family sagas
. But prepare for a ride. Predictable plots are not a hallmark in this genre, as romance, action, magic and social commentary are often woven into the storylines. And so is music.

Hands down, you can be entertained while watching a Korean series. Here’s a list of the best places to stream K-dramas.

Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Viki

Best overall with the most K-drama titles for cheap

Streaming K-dramas on Rakuten Viki — better known as Viki — is like hitting the mother lode. The streaming service specializes in content from Asia with a dedicated section for Korean offerings. Viki has over 1,000 Korean TV series and more than 200 movie titles that you can watch on demand, including originals. And the platform also airs some shows live. Everything on the service is subtitled, often in multiple languages.

One of the standout features of Viki is its special collections section of curated content. Examples include shows to check out if you like Squid Game, K-drama for beginners, or best Korean dramas of the year.

Rakuten Viki offers a free streaming option with ads and limitations for some content. Paid subscriptions are ad-free: Viki Standard Pass is $6 a month and the Viki Plus Pass is $10 monthly. The Standard Pass includes HD, Viki originals and access to exclusive Standard titles.

The Viki Plus Pass includes everything from the Standard version, plus offline downloads and access to hundreds of hours of additional content. Each paid plan comes with a seven-day free trial. Additionally, there’s an option to rent some movies for $2 to $3 each.

At this time, Viki does not offer multiple streams, so you can only stream one thing at a time per account. However, you can follow shows, actors, or collections and set up a watch list if you register a free account. Viki is available on a web browser or via Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast and mobile devices.

See at Rakuten Viki

Netflix/Youngkyu Park

Netflix

Home of The Glory, Extraordinary Attorney Woo and more

Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead, Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Alchemy of Souls made waves at Netflix, with more originals in the pipeline. Currently, Netflix has more than 130 Korean shows and movies on the platform, featuring licensed picks like Stranger and a string of originals, includingMoney Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area.

Netflix has several ways for you to find K-dramas on the service and simplifies the process of drilling down to niche categories. There’s its “K-Dramas for Beginners” list and an even more specific “K-Dramas about Roommates” section. If you love romance, bromance, fantasies or historical epics, you’re in luck. The service offers a mixture of subtitled and dubbed fare.

Click on the TV Shows menu and choose the “K-dramas” genre to pull up more than a dozen rows of content. New releases, classic series and movies are among the choices. While Netflix’s Korean movie selection isn’t as deep as other streaming services, there are enough on the platform to keep your watch list stacked.

See at Netflix

Sarah Tew/CNET

Kocowa

A blend of free and paid content that’s 100% Korean

Based in Los Angeles, Kocowa launched in 2017 and all of its content comes directly from South Korea. The service boasts more than 17,000 hours of Korean TV, including Running Man and The Penthouse. In addition to K-drama television series and movies, there are reality shows, docuseries, K-pop events and competitions on the service. Its K-drama titles are organized into niche categories like romance, sports, crime or action. Like Netflix, the service has rows that denote whether titles are trending, new or genre-specific. And viewers appreciate Kocowa’s quick turnaround time when it comes to subtitling new arrivals on the platform.

You can view some content for free on the app or Kocowa’s website without signing up. You can also sign up for Taste24HR, which provides free access to Korean shows and dramas right after they air on South Korea networks MBC, KBS and SBS. The new content streams with and without subtitles and is up for 24 hours. Both options include ads.

The $7 monthly/$70 per year subscription offers ad-free viewing of everything on the streaming service, and there’s a 14-day free trial. You can also pay $0.99 for a single day of access, which is handy if there’s one show you want to watch on a particular day or simply want to try things out.

While Kocowa is also available through Viki, the content on there does not include the service’s whole library. Users in the U.S., Canada, and certain regions in South America can watch Kocowa directly on its website, or on Roku, Chromecast, Android and iOS devices. The app is not available on Amazon’s Fire TV devices.

See at Kocowa

Sarah Tew/CNET

AsianCrush

Lots of live and on-demand K-dramas for free

As soon as you open the AsianCrush app on your TV, you’ll notice live programming is running right alongside the standard thumbnails. The streaming service has content from South Korea, Japan, China and beyond, and you can watch most of it for free on the ad-supported version.

Its lineup of K-dramas and films can be streamed on-demand or, if you keep up with the schedule, as live feeds. Browse AsianCrush’s library according to country, title, genre, on-demand listings, or through one of its special collections such as Korean movies. Popular titles include Boys Over Flowers and Sweet Revenge. And here, subtitles are king.

To watch without ads you’ll need the premium subscription for $5 per month or $50 a year. Ratings are listed next to each title, and AsianCrush’s on-demand menu breaks content down into categories like “Independent,” “Staff Favorites” or “Popular Korean Dramas.”

AsianCrush can be streamed via iOS devices, Google Play, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV or on your computer. The service is only available in the U.S. and Canada.

See at Asian Crush

Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Tubi

All the K-drama you want for free

Tubi has roughly 200 Korean titles in its library that range from the late ’90s to 2021 — and it’s all free. Rather than scouring the app using creative search terms, movies and TV series can be found under Tubi’s “K-Drama Plus” category, and you can search by title if you know exactly what you want to watch. While the majority of its selections are subtitled, there are a handful of English-dubbed titles.

Though the streaming service is free, you will have to register for an account if you want to create a personal watch list. Tubi is available on all major streaming devices, including game consoles and smart TVs.

See at Tubi

Angela Lang/CNET

Amazon Prime Video

Decent K-drama catalog, but it’s hard to find

If you haven’t ventured into Prime Video’s catalog lately, it’s worth a peek at their Korean entertainment selection. Unfortunately they’re not easy to find. While the service has a designated section for foreign content, it’s not organized by country. Your best bet is to use specific titles or search terms such as “Korean dramas” or “Korean horror movies” to comb through Prime’s titles. Alexa won’t necessarily be much help either.

Amazon’s streaming service offers a sampling of originals, including The Handmaiden. You can also catch popular titles such as Train to Busan, Café Midnight, and Goblin, which are available to watch at no extra cost with a Prime membership. Its K-dramas are spread across genres where you’ll find crime-themed shows like Voice housed alongside romantic fantasies such as Secret Garden. The platform carries both subtitled and dubbed programming.

Note that a stand-alone Prime Video subscription is $9. If you don’t have a membership, no worries: Some K-dramas on the platform are part of IMDb TV, Amazon’s free ad-supported video streaming arm. Other content has a rent or buy option, and that’s indicated in the title banner.

See at Prime Video

K-Drama Streaming Services FAQs

What is a K-drama?

New to the world of Korean entertainment? K-drama — short for Korean drama — is a type of television series produced by and starring South Koreans. Some consider it a genre on its own, but within the Korean drama landscape, there are love stories, adventures, fantasies, historical dramas, comedies, horror tales, medical procedurals and school-centric sagas.

Writers will often work in themes centered on family, gender roles, mental health or other things affecting everyday society. Some streaming services include movies in their K-drama listings, whether they’re in-house original productions or licensed from studios.

Are any K-dramas dubbed in English?

K-dramas are typically streamed with subtitles in various languages, including English and Spanish. On your search to find voice-dubbed content, you may be hard-pressed to come across titles that are dubbed in English. While some streaming services have a small sampling of dubbed versions, Netflix is the best place to find them.

Which K-drama streaming sites are legal?

Pirated content is nothing new. With that in mind, those hunting for Korean series may encounter some illegal sites that offer free streaming. Though free, these often pose security risks. Legit streaming services either make their own content or have licensing agreements in place with creators to ensure copyright laws are respected. How can you spot the difference between legal and illegal providers?

First, verify whether the service has an app. If you can find it on Google Play, Apple’s App Store, FireTV, Roku and the like, chances are it’s legal. If you’re urged to use a VPN for a site, be wary. That’s usually an indicator that it’s not operating above board. And beware of those with dubious user interfaces.

Check the service’s history or “About Us” section to find out how long it’s been in business and where it’s headquartered. If you see disclaimers about sharing links, run. Look for streamers like Netflix or Viki who offer monthly paid subscriptions. Though platforms like Tubi dole out free content, they have ad partnerships with credible businesses. When all else fails, Google legal streaming services.

12.01.2023
Apple Could Ship $99 AirPods by 2024
A tech analyst predicted cheaper AirPods and a new generation of AirPods Max could ship as early as late 2024 or early 2025. Apple is aiming for a price of $99 for its budget earbuds, Ming-Chi Kuo said on Twitter Wednesday.

That price would beat Apple’s suggested price for its most affordable AirPods (2nd generation) by $30. The 2nd generation AirPods have regularly retailed for $99 from other sellers, like Amazon, in recent months. The current generation of AirPod Max headphones have a suggested retail price of $549.

Apple sells its 3rd generation AirPods for $169 and its 2nd generation AirPods Pro for $249.

Apple did not respond to request for comment.
Read more
12.01.2023
Best OLED Laptop Deals Available Now

It wasn’t too long ago that you had to be a creative professional to justify a pricey laptop with an OLED display. Plenty of mainstream and affordable laptops now come equipped with an OLED display, so more people can enjoy stellar contrast and accurate, vibrant colors.

How does an OLED panel achieve this goodness? A quick primer: The pixels in an OLED display can be completely turned off, which means the panel can produce absolute blacks and contrast ratios superior to an LCD screen (where the liquid crystal can only block some of the light). Even an LCD with local dimming can’t match an OLED’s ability to turn individual pixels on and off. OLED displays also offer a wide color range because primary colors can hit higher saturations that let the display produce more colors. Higher saturation levels lead to more vibrant colors, and with more colors on its palette, an OLED panel can create colors that are more accurate.

Another advantage? OLED displays feature thinner layers than LCD displays and don’t require a backlight, which allows for thinner and lighter laptop designs.

Read more: Best Laptop Deals at Amazon, Best Buy and Newegg

You might reasonably think that an OLED is more energy-efficient than an LCD because it doesn’t need to power a backlight and can turn individual pixels completely off. We have found, however, that OLED displays tend to have a negative impact on battery life. They do offer decent battery life; you just can’t expect to get a longer runtime from an OLED laptop in addition to the higher image quality.

With a basic understanding of the advantages of an OLED laptop, let’s take a look at the best deals I see right now. I’ve included mainstream laptops that have approachable prices along with high-powered laptops that are currently selling at a discount — and a Chromebook. Yes, you can get an inexpensive Chromebook with an OLED display. The prices and discounts are valid at the time of this writing, and I’ll update this story as sales expire and new deals emerge.

Asus

Asus VivoBook 15 OLED K513: $640

Save $160

This mainstream model from Asus is one of the most affordable OLED laptops selling right now. It boasts a 15.6-inch OLED display with a full HD (1,920×1,080-pixel) resolution. Based on an 11th-gen Core i5 CPU and featuring 12GB of RAM and a 512GB solid-state drive, it has more memory and double the storage capacity that you’ll find in many laptops that cost less than $1,000. It also has both Type-A and Type-C USB ports, saving you from having to carry around an adapter. It’s a good deal at its $800 list price and an even better buy at its current sale price.

$640 at Amazon

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Asus

Asus VivoBook S 14X: $700

Save $400

This Asus VivoBook is slightly smaller than the above unit but has a higher-resolution display and a newer, more powerful processor. The 14.5-inch OLED display has 2,880×1,800-pixel resolution. The laptop is powered by a Core i7-12700H CPU, 12GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The display is a 16:10 panel for more vertical space and has a 120Hz refresh rate — double that of the standard 60Hz for smoother visuals. It’s also rated for a substantial 550 nits of brightness.

$700 at Newegg

Acer

Acer Swift 3 OLED: $1,100

Save $100

Acer’s Swift 3 features a 14-inch OLED display with a crisp 2,880×1,800-pixel resolution powered by a Core i7-12700H, 16GB of RAM and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. In addition to the incredible contrast and color of the OLED panel, the display also features a 16:10 aspect ratio that provides more room vertically than a traditional widescreen 16:9 laptop display for more room to work and less scrolling through long web pages and documents. The laptop also supplies a roomy 1TB SSD and an all-aluminum chassis that weighs only a hair more than three pounds.

$1,100 at Amazon

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HP Spectre x360 14: $1,250

Save $500

The 13.5-inch Spectre x360 is one of CNET’s favorite two-in-one convertibles for its premium styling, light weight and long battery life. This model features a 12th-gen Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM and a spacious 1TB SSD. In addition to Intel Evo goodness, the 13.5-inch display is the standout here. It’s an OLED touch panel with what HP calls a 3K2K resolution — that is, 3,000×2,000 pixels. The display also has a boxy 3:2 aspect ratio, providing more vertical space than wider screens for less scrolling through web pages and documents.

Read our HP Spectre x360 14 review.

$1,250 at Best Buy

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Dell XPS 15 9520: $1,950

Save $500

Dell’s 15-inch XPS OLED laptop isn’t necessarily geared toward gamers, but this configuration certainly can handle AAA titles with its 12th-gen Core i7-12700H CPU and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics, if you keep the quality settings and resolution in check. You also get 16GB of RAM and a roomy 1TB SSD. The OLED touchscreen has a fine 3,456×2,160-pixel resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical space and less scrolling. It’s $500 off right now at Best Buy.

$1,950 at Best Buy

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Lenovo

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5: $385

Save: $45

Did you know you could have an OLED display on a Chromebook? Lenovo’s two-in-one Chromebook Duet 5 is proof that such a thing is possible. It features a detachable, 13.5-inch OLED display with a full-HD resolution powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and boasts 4GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage. It’s a good value even at its full price, and right now you can pick it up for even less.

$385 at Amazon

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12.01.2023