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Tinder is changing its verification process. To receive the blue checkmark on your profile, you’ll need to upload a picture of any government-issued photo ID, such as your driver’s license or passport, in addition to a video of yourself, the dating app giant announced Tuesday.

Verification is an important online dating feature that lets you know that a match is who they say they are. Tinder introduced photo verification in 2020, and currently all you need for verification is a video of your face. Tinder hopes the expanded verification process will give users more peace of mind while swiping. There are some factors you should consider before participating.

Here’s what you need to know about Tinder’s new enhanced verification process.

Read More: How to Stay Safe While Swiping Right

What is Tinder’s new verification process?

The new enhanced verification process will prompt you to submit a video selfie and a photo of a form of government-issued ID, like your driver’s license or passport. Currently, all you need for verification is a video of your face, which Tinder calls a video selfie.

With the new ID verification option, Tinder will match your photo on the ID to the pictures on your profile. It will also look at the birthday on your ID to verify you’re at least 18 years old, per Tinder policy, and that your listed age is accurate. Tinder uses facial recognition software on your video selfie for a similar purpose: to confirm that you’re human and the person in your profile photos.

If you want to verify your account but don’t want to upload your ID, you can still upload a video selfie for verification. Instead of getting a checkmark, Tinder will give you a new, blue camera icon. If you only upload your ID, you’ll get an ID verification badge on your profile. The only way to get a checkmark will be to submit a video and ID. You can also opt out of verification altogether.

How to update your Tinder profile verification

A spokesperson from Match Group, Tinder’s parent company, said to CNET via email that they didn’t have an exact date for when the US rollout would begin, but it would be soon. Tinder expects to fully roll out its revamped profile verification for US users by summer. Users in Brazil and the UK might get it sooner — by spring, according to the press release.

For now, you can still submit for verification using a video of your face. Go to your Profile, tap the gray/grayed-out checkmark next to your name, tap Get Verified, tap Continue and follow the prompts to take your video.

Tinder’s data privacy policies for ID verification

The Match Group spokesperson also confirmed via email that Tinder will only keep a redacted image of your ID on file for 30 days after using it to verify your age and liveness (AKA that you’re human, not using something like AI-generated photos). They noted that Tinder retains the data collected in the ID verification process, not its third-party vendor providing the identity verification technology.

Tinder will also delete your video selfie after 30 days, but it will keep two screenshots from it on file indefinitely for auditing purposes, the policy states. It also says that Tinder does not “store or extract” other data from your ID, like your address or ID number. You can request Tinder delete the screenshots by writing to the community team, but closing your account is the only way to delete the rest of your information.

Should you upload your photo ID to a dating app?

Uploading your government-issued IDs online isn’t typically recommended, as cybercriminals can hack cloud databases and potentially steal your identity, according to security company Aura. There are instances when it’s necessary for banks, government agencies, employers, insurers, etcetera. Dating apps are a different ball game. It’s always best to evaluate the risk when sharing your personal information when it’s not absolutely necessary.

Uploading your ID on dating apps has pros and cons. On the one hand, when users take advantage of verification tools, it makes it easier for others on the app to spot fake accounts, scammers and bad actors. It can help give you some peace of mind while swiping — you know the person you’re messaging is who their profile says they are — which is part of Tinder’s argument with these changes.

On the other hand, digital privacy advocates have cautioned against sharing this kind of personal information to sites and platforms that might be unable to keep it safe. Dating apps are already targets for cybercriminals because they store massive amounts of personal information. While companies can do their best, it’s never a guarantee that the information you share won’t be compromised.

Other apps like Bumble and Match Group’s Hinge and OKCupid only require selfies and video uploads, not proof of government-issued photo IDs. With the new Tinder update, you can verify your identity without needing to share your IDs — you’ll just get a camera icon instead of a checkmark.

Why should I verify my dating app profile?

For many dating apps, verification of any kind is optional. One reason people choose to opt in — and why the apps urge users to do so — is because it’s a way to signal to other users on the platform that they’re real, authentic people. The hope is that this makes it easier to spot potential bad actors and scammers.

Match Group also thinks it can lead to better romantic luck. In a pilot program for the new verification process in Australia and New Zealand, Tinder reports that verified users with a blue checkmark saw a 67% increase in matches compared to unverified users. At Tinder’s sister site, Hinge, Selfie Verified users go on more than 200% more dates globally, according to a press release from Match Group.

Checking for profile verification badges of any kind is one of many ways you can keep yourself safe on dating apps. This is especially helpful for spotting potential scammers who won’t want to upload or show you a photo of their face. According to the most recent Federal Trade Commission data, romance scams cost consumers $1.3 billion in 2022. Profile verification is just one way you can protect yourself from online romance scams, along with maintaining a healthy cybersecurity routine, never sending money to someone you meet online and being wary of “too good to be true” financial schemes.

Other online dating safety tips that CNET recommends include limiting what you share on your profile, keeping your conversations on the app and looping your friends into your plans when you meet an online date in real life.

For the last few years, we’ve repeatedly praised the Anker Nebula Mars II Pro as one of the best portable projectors. In the same breath, we also explained that this was despite some issues: The streaming interface wasn’t great, its color was a bit off and it wasn’t particularly bright (although similar to its competition). We were let down when the Mars 3 appeared and it was a radically different projector.

Turns out Anker forked the Mars line and the true replacement to the II Pro is the 3 Air. It has the same overall design, a higher resolution and uses Google TV for its streaming interface; all potentially solid improvements. The battery life is down a little, as are the claimed lumens. How much of an upgrade it was remained to be seen (pun intended).

After running it through our normal testing, the Mars 3 Air is a pretty solid upgrade overall. The image is improved and the streaming interface is significantly better. The only major downgrade is the price, which is a full 20% more than its predecessor. If you’re looking for a portable projector this is likely the best all-around option.

Some specs and such

• Native resolution: 1080p
• HDR-compatible: No
• 4K-compatible: No
• 3D-compatible: No
• Lumens spec: 400
• Zoom: No
• Lens shift: No
• Lamp life: LED, so the life of the projector

One of the biggest changes between the Mars 3 Air and its predecessor, the Mars II Pro, is the increase in resolution to 1080p from 720p. More pixels is pretty much always a good thing with projectors since said pixels are going to be huge.

Anker lists the 3 Air as having 400 ANSI lumens. In the most accurate mode, I measured approximately 252 lumens. In the less accurate, and visibly green, Bright mode, I got 354 lumens. Given the variances and errors in any measurement method, I’d say that’s pretty close. It’s also fairly average for portable projectors, although far lower than traditional, battery-free home theater projectors — even at around the same price. For instance, the brightest projector we’ve ever tested was just $30 more than the 3 Air but 8x brighter (although in all fairness, the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-FH02 had other shortcomings).

As is typical with portable projectors, there’s no lens shift or zoom. If you want a bigger or smaller image, you just need to move the projector farther or closer to the screen. There is electronic focus which activates automatically, or you can activate it from the remote. You can adjust focus in the menu as well. There’s also automatic keystone correction, but I recommend you turn that off and just do your best to line up the projector perpendicular to the screen or wall.

Battery life is a claimed 2.5 hours, 1 hour less than the Mars II Pro. This is in the Eco brightness mode, which is roughly 30% as bright as the normal mode (approximately 97 lumens in the accurate mode). There’s no rating for the lamp life, but it’s LEDs so I’d expect them to last the lifetime of the projector.

Inputs and streaming

• HDMI inputs: 1
• USB port: 1
• Audio output: Headphone output
• Internet: 2.4/5GHz
• Remote: Not backlit

A single HDMI lets you connect an external source like a game console or additional streaming media device. If said device is small enough, you can power it from the USB connection. The internal speakers are decent and you can use the 3 Air as a Bluetooth speaker. If you want to connect something else like headphones, there’s an analog output for that as well.

The streaming interface is standard Google TV, which is a good thing. Older, and many cheaper, portable projectors have either a version of Android or an abnormal streaming setup. If you allow Google to do so, they’ll do a rather frighteningly accurate job of showing you content you’re interested in across multiple streaming services. The only downside to the Google TV interface is it hides and scatters fairly standard projector adjustments across multiple menus. It can be a bit of a hassle to set up. Worse, there’s a minimum of adjustments to be had in general. So even basic picture adjustments like “brightness” aren’t available. Fortunately, I found it was already set up fairly well from the factory, though more adjustments would likely improve the image a little.

Picture quality comparisons

Anker Mars II Pro

Xgimi Halo Plus

Logically I compared the Mars 3 Air to its predecessor, the Mars II Pro. I also compared it to the Xgimi Halo Plus, which is roughly the same size, and has similar specs, but is a little more expensive. I connected them to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and viewed them side-by-side on a 102-inch 1.0-gain screen.

First up, Anker vs Anker. The raw numbers imply these should look fairly similar. I measured approximately 337 lumens on the II Pro with a contrast ratio of 354:1. The 3 Air was a little dimmer at 252 with a slightly higher contrast ratio at 405:1. The 3 Air did look a little dimmer, but the contrast ratio seemed higher than that small difference implied. This is likely due to the 3 Air’s ability to adjust the gamma and perhaps better overall image tuning. Neither projector has a full suite of image adjustments. The color temperature was far more accurate and natural on the 3 Air, far warmer than the cool-toned II Pro. Color was a bit of a mixed bag overall, neither was particularly accurate and an argument could be made for “differently bad,” but overall I preferred the look of the 3 Air.

The additional resolution of the newer model is probably the biggest difference. While I always point out that resolution is just one aspect of an image, and not a particularly important one, stepping up from 720p to 1080p for a projector is a sizeable jump. From a normal viewing distance, keen-eyed viewers will be able to see the pixels of a 100-inch 720p image. With 1080p you’d need to be sitting closer or have to create an image that’s much larger.

Next up: the Xgimi Halo Plus. Specs-wise, the Mars 3 Air and the Halo Plus are very similar. Xgimi claimed its projector capable of 900 lumens, but that proved to be a particular gift for fiction. I measured 284, which is basically what the 3 Air produces. Contrast too was basically the same, at 368:1. Unlike the Mars 2 Pro pairing, these two projectors looked more similar visually, with a slight edge to the 3 Air. The most notable difference was the Xgimi’s slight pink tint, making the 3 Air look more natural overall.

Even if they were the same price, the Mars 3 Air looks fractionally better than the Xgimi. They don’t cost the same, with the Halo Plus costing an additional $150, or about 20%, as of this writing. That is to say, the Mars 3 Air wins this comparison, even if it doesn’t do so with a massive performance improvement.

Portable for a price

Despite a loss of a few lumens, the Mars 3 Air is a solid upgrade over the Mars II Pro. It’s easier to use, and it looks a little better while keeping the great size of its predecessor. My only issue is that it’s creeping up in price. $600 is encroaching on the prices of some actual home theater projectors which all vastly outperform the 3 Air.

If you don’t need a battery, those are better options. If binging some shows or watching a movie nowhere near an outlet is your thing, the Mars 3 Air is the best option overall. Is it worth the $100 premium over the II Pro? Yes, but barely.

As well as covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.

He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, and also Budget Travel for Dummies. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube.

Much like the zombies that inhabit the franchise, The Walking Dead series refuses to die. Its latest spinoff show, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, is hitting screens with another helping of apocalyptic undead drama.

This latest installment of the hugely popular franchise sees the return of two of its most-loved characters, with the reunion of Rick and Michonne Grimes following their dramatic separation in season 9 of TWD.

Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira both make their long-awaited returns to the lead roles in what had originally been envisioned as a big-screen movie but instead has materialized as a six-episode TV series.

Rick had been presumed dead following his exit from the show, but this new spinoff is set to explain what the former sheriff’s deputy has been up to, while also seeing him hitch back up with Michonne. With the pair thrust into a different environment, the couple will deal with more than just walkers as threats. The show will also answer the question as to whether the reunited pair return as lovers, friends, zombie-slaying partners or enemies.

How to watch ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ from anywhere using a VPN

If you can’t watch The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live in your region, a VPN can come in handy. With a VPN, you can virtually change the location of your phone, tablet or laptop to a US server and gain access to Sling Freestream from anywhere in the world. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Watch ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ in the US

Viewers in the US and Canada can watch The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live on the AMC cable channel or the AMC Plus streaming app, which is also available via Apple TV, Prime Video, DirecTV and more.

The series will premiere on the AMC cable network in the US and Canada on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET), but if you have the AMC Plus app, you can access new episodes a little earlier, from 12 a.m. PT (3 a.m. ET) every Sunday morning.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is an AMC original that’s available via most cable providers as well as several cord-cutter-friendly streaming services, including Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Prices start from $40 a month for either service.

More ways to watch AMC Plus:

• Apple TV Channels
• Amazon Prime Video Channels
• The Roku Channel
• Comcast Xfinity
• Dish
• DirecTV
• YouTube TV

Can I watch ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ in the UK?

It’s not great news for UK fans of the franchise, with no confirmed broadcaster so far announced for the region. If you’re a US or Canadian resident traveling in the U.K., a VPN will let you stream AMC Plus like you would back home.

Watch ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ in Australia

For those Down Under, streaming platform Stan is where it’s at for zombie apocalypse action. The opening episode of the show is set to be available on the service from Monday, Feb. 26, with new installments hitting Stan every Monday from then on.

Quick tips for streaming ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming episodes may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble watching after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log in to your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite the fact that you’re using a VPN, so be sure you choose a privacy-first browser to log in to your services. We normally recommend Brave.

If you want big sound at your next party, you won’t want to miss this deal on one of our favorite wireless Bluetooth boom boxes for 2024. B&H has slashed the price of the JBL Xtreme 3 portable Bluetooth speaker today, dropping the price to just $200. That’s a whopping $180 discount on its usual cost and it’s the lowest price we’ve seen. This deal is only available today while supplies last, so be sure to make your purchase soon if you want to get your hands on one at this price.

The Xtreme 3 offers big sound for its size, including a strong bass and decent clarity, delivering up to 100 watts of total power via two 2.75-inch woofers and two tweeters. The speaker has a detachable shoulder strap and weighs in at just 4.3 pounds, making it a portable option you can take to the pool, parties or anywhere else you want to play music, especially since it’s IPX67-rated waterproof and dustproof. Plus, it can stand vertically or lie horizontally, depending on the space you’re working with at the time.

It provides up to 15 hours of playback per charge, and charging it back up takes around 2.5 hours. This boom box is equipped with equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 and you can pair up to two Bluetooth devices at once or use PartyBoost pairing if you own another compatible JBL speaker.

If this speaker is overkill for your needs, check out some of our favorite mini Bluetooth speakers for smaller options. And if you’d rather invest in headphones or earbuds for a more personal experience, we have rounded up plenty of deals on those, too.

Whether you’re using a map service, streaming music and podcasts or staying connected while on the go, you’re likely stuck using a system your carmaker chose if you don’t have built-in access to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Regardless of which type of device you own, they’re both great ways to enjoy in-car entertainment, and they’re also much safer than trying to tap your phone screen while driving.

If you drive an older car that doesn’t come with support for CarPlay or Android Auto, you can add both to your vehicle for just $96. The deal at StackSocial saves you 40% off the original $160 asking price for this foldable add-on display. There are tons of CarPlay and Android Auto head units out there, but this approach is much cheaper and easier to install.

This unit comes with a large 6.8-inch touchscreen and supports both Android Auto and CarPlay so it doesn’t matter which phone you have. There are plenty of connectivity options as well, including Bluetooth and an aux jack, while a built-in FM transmitter is also offered.

Mounting the display is quick and easy, and support for Siri and Google Assistant for hands-free calling, navigation and music makes this a safer option than trying to stab away at your small phone screen while on the move. Keep in mind that this StackSocial deal could well end at any moment and without warning so factor that into your buying decision.

Looking for a new phone to go with this display? Be sure to check out our collection of the best iPhone deals, while our list of the best phone deals also includes some of the big-name Android models, too.

Don’t carry around a tangled nest of cables in your bag to charge all your devices while you’re out and about. Instead, grab the InCharge X Max six-in-one charging cable. It’s equipped with USB-A, USB-C and Micro-USB adapters at both ends, and you can pick up a 2-pack for just $35 right now at StackSocial, saving you 55% on the original $78 price. But this deal is only available until Feb. 26, while supplies last, so be sure to get your order in soon if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

One thing that sets the InCharge X Max apart from other cables is the high-capacity 100-watt USB-C to USB-C charging, which is enough to handle certain types of laptops and is a great replacement if you need a new or longer cable. The high capacity also means your iPhone charges at an impressive 18 watts. Data transfers are also speedy at up to 480Mbps. As for the overall build, the 5-foot cable is sturdy with an outer fiber shell to keep it protected, and TPU cable guards to protect against severe bending damage.

What makes the InCharge X Max so versatile, though, is the six-in-one key ring that lets you adapt the cable to most types of ports, including Micro-USB and Lightning. The latter makes it very useful, especially if you have a previous-gen iPhone in the house as well as a newer iPhone 15 model. The InCharge X Max’s key ring means you don’t have to buy a whole new cable.

Given the high charging speeds, transfer rate and overall rugged build, the InCharge X Max is a pretty good cable upgrade for most folks, especially if you have a lot of different devices. The 55% discount also adds a lot of value, and since you’ll have two cables, you can keep one at the office or even give one to a friend.

The world isn’t short of options when it comes to picking a great Bluetooth speaker, but some of these speakers do have a secret weapon: being waterproof. Such speakers are perfect for heading to the beach, lounging around the pool or just using outside when the weather isn’t great. And even if you don’t think you need your Bluetooth speaker to be waterproof, you never know when it might come in handy.

The Treblab HD77 is one such Bluetooth speaker, and while it would normally retail for around $90, you can save big if you place an order today. There’s already a deal running on Amazon that slashes the price, but if you enter discount code HOT15NOW you’ll save an additional 15% and pay just $59. That’s for the black model, while the blue and gray models are also available if you’re happy to pay a little more.

The IPX6 waterproof rating isn’t the only thing this Bluetooth speaker has to shout about, either. It features Bluetooth 5.0 for a nice and reliable connection and the built-in microphone means you can make and take calls in a pinch. The built-in battery is good for up to 20 hours between charges and there’s an ambient LED light to add a little flair to the proceedings as well. Worried about dropping your speaker while on the go? Don’t be — it’s shock and impact-resistant, so you won’t need to be too careful with it.

Built with 30-watt stereo speakers and a 360-degree surround sound system, the Treblab has everything you need to take the party with you, no matter where you might be going.

I spent 30 minutes in an intense boxing workout. My heart rate hit 150, and I could feel it. It was great. Coach Doc is serious. I followed through and did a cool-down exercise — and all of this happened inside the Meta Quest 3. Then I wiped down the headset and then got back to work… inside the Apple Vision Pro.

That describes my life in mixed-reality headsets lately. Meta’s $500 Quest 3 and Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro feel very different but also very much the same; it just depends on how you look at them.

I’ve had VR and AR devices in my life for years, but for many people, the decision to put an immersive device on your face is still pretty new. Apple is the latest company entering a space where Meta, aka Facebook, has been for nearly a decade. The Meta Quest 2 was my favorite VR headset ever made, and it was affordable. But the Quest 3 and Vision Pro, both introduce ideas that will influence the landscape for years.

The Vision Pro, which feels like an iOS device in mixed-reality headset form, seems like the beginning of an entirely new proposition. Its displays are fantastic, as is the way it multitasks apps. Its eye and hand tracking, while handling FaceTimes and more with virtual Persona avatars, can feel like a revelation.

But if you want something affordable you can use to play with mixed reality and games and fitness right now (with a few work-related benefits, too), the choice should be the Quest 3 for nearly everyone. Here’s why.

Mixed reality: Virtual blends with the real, to different degrees

The Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro are both standalone VR headsets with mixed-reality passthrough capabilities. These goggle-like headsets, which tighten over your face, have arrays of cameras on the outside that capture the real world and show it to you on displays inside. Virtual displays, games and even 3D objects can be layered over the real world. Each headset uses depth sensors to accurately mesh your real-world space with these virtual objects.

The Quest 3’s color camera quality is much better than the Quest 2’s black-and-white cameras, but the view is still fuzzy and somewhat distorted. The 3D video feed is good enough to see things around you, and to check messages on a phone or watch — but you may have to squint a bit. I found it hard to see my laptop screen, though.

The Vision Pro’s cameras are much sharper and are good enough to briefly use your phone through the headset. They’re still not as good as your own vision, though, and Apple’s micro-OLED displays have a bit of motion blur.

Meta and Apple allow apps to float over the real world, but the Quest 3 can only run one app at a time, unless you’re using the browser and a 2D app. The Vision Pro can multitask with many apps simultaneously, making it feel more like a real office tool.

But Apple’s headset doesn’t use the dimensions of your real-world much for immersive mixed reality experiences yet, even though it’s constantly pinging your space. It mostly floats 2D windows, although apps like Jigspace, DJay and 3D board games, show where things could go next. The Quest 3 has some mixed-reality games, fitness apps and creative tools that turn walls and floors into portals and playgrounds, but not a huge amount. Apple’s hardware is better, but no headset is making the most of mixed reality. Passthrough is mostly useful for helping you see the space around you without feeling as closed in.

Work: Both can do it, but Apple is better

Apple’s fancier Vision Pro has the edge when it comes to feeling like a crisp monitor on your face. Those bright micro-OLED displays make a projected MacBook screen, any 2D app or photos or videos look stellar. But the Vision Pro limits you to one virtual Mac monitor at a time — no matter how powerful your Mac is. The Quest 3, surprisingly, can do multiple monitors from a Mac (or Windows PC) with apps like Immersed, and Meta’s Horizons Workrooms can meet those needs, too. Both headsets support connecting Bluetooth keyboards and trackpads as well.

That’s just using your headset as a display for your computer, though. Where the Vision Pro has a longer-term edge is its access to thousands of iOS apps. These can be opened and multitasked all around you. Then there’s Siri and Apple’s other services, which run mostly like they do on iPads or iPhones. FaceTime call? Zoom? Slack? Microsoft Office? Apple Music? Yes to all of them.

Meta also has a collection of 2D apps, including Microsoft Office apps, but the Quest’s OS isn’t part of Google’s ecosystem. You need to sign into apps one by one or find Facebook apps to hook in with. The process isn’t nearly as seamless. But Apple’s headset has tons of first-gen bugs, too.

The multitasking capabilities of the Vision Pro are a huge advantage. Apps can be opened simultaneously all over, making the OS feel much more flexible than Quest’s.

Games: Quest is a VR game console, Vision Pro is not yet

My kids use the Quest 2 for Gorilla Tag, Beat Saber and lots of other games. It’s a game console. Meta has invested in developing hundreds of games, and plenty of great ones exist. The Quest headsets can also connect to a Windows PC and play Steam VR games like Half-Life Alyx, too. The Quest 3 is better designed for this than its predecessor, with its improved displays and wireless connections. The Quest headsets are priced like game consoles, running $250 to $500 (with additional cost for more onboard storage).

The Vision Pro has a handful of games so far, but none I’d call amazing. Some, like the active game Synth Riders (also on Quest) and the clever puzzle game BlackBox, show what games could be on the Vision Pro. But the headset only has eye and hand tracking as inputs. These work well for browsing and OS interaction, but less so for immersive games at the moment. Meta’s Quest 3 has both hand tracking and included controllers, which helps a ton when gaming. The controllers are excellent for high-speed action like Beat Saber, and have helpful vibration feedback. Hand tracking is the flip side of Vision Pro: It’s not great for browsing, but better in 3D games that use the inputs.

The Vision Pro and Quest 3 can play 2D games on virtual big screens with paired controllers: the Quest 3 has Steam Link and Xbox cloud gaming, but Vision Pro is limited to Apple Arcade, iOS and whatever you might run from a MacBook.

Don’t get a Vision Pro for games. Get a Quest 3.

Fitness: My favorite VR activity is mostly Quest-only

I’ve become a big VR fitness fan lately. Supernatural, a subscription-based dance and boxing program that uses holograms of real trainers and pairs with an Apple Watch for heart-rate readings, is a part of my daily routine. Many people use the Quest is a fitness device, mainly because these active exercise apps are widespread. The Quest can do some basic activity tracking, which hooks into iOS and Android.

The Quest 3 has almost entirely become a fitness device for me. That’s a role the Vision Pro can’t fill right now because the apps and the fitness ecosystem support simply aren’t there.

There are a few active apps for the Vision Pro: Synth Riders, for instance, is a dance and music game, but it’s also available on the Quest. Using only my hands means there’s no vibrating haptic feedback, which I get with Meta’s controllers and is key for letting me know when I hit targets. The Vision Pro’s weight and battery pack also make it feel less fitness-ready. There are a few meditation apps in the Vision Pro’s app store, so mindfulness is an area for growth. Still, the Quest 3 is much more fitness-forward.

Video: Apple’s headset can’t be beat, except with immersive web VR video

For playing movies, personal videos, or basically any video, Apple’s Vision Pro is a revelation. If you can find a comfortable fit for the headset, its displays create a cinema-like experience. The Quest 3 can also play videos, but the experience is night and day. The Quest 3 display is acceptable for video, but worse than my phone or iPad. The Vision Pro, meanwhile, is better than my TV. Movies feel special. My own videos look good. Apple also has many more streaming partners out of the gate: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Max, Disney Plus as well as apps like Criterion and Mubi. Others, like Netflix or YouTube, can be viewed in the Safari browser.

Meta has Prime Video and Netflix apps, and a Meta TV app for video discovery, plus apps like BigScreen VR that hook into streaming platforms. The Quest also has a browser. But for me, using Apple’s ecosystem, it’s far easier to log into apps on the browser on the Vision Pro using saved passwords and account settings.

The Quest headsets can do one thing Vision Pro can’t, though: Play 360-degree and VR180 video content on YouTube and elsewhere on the web. There’s a lot out there (some of it on, ahem, apps you might use in your private time), and Apple for now is sitting out on compatibility with these older formats.

Apple does have its own Immersive Video format it uses in a handful of shows on Apple TV Plus, and it looks markedly better than older VR180 videos. Apple seems set to roll out more in this format, but it’s unclear when.

Spatial videos: They can both do it

Apple’s headset plays self-shot 3D videos recorded on either the Vision Pro or on the iPhone 15 Pro, and does a great job at it. They feel like snippets of relived memories. Not to be left out, the Quest 3 added spatial video playback recently, and it syncs Apple’s iPhone videos. They don’t play as high-res or as smoothly as on Vision Pro, based on initial tests, but they do play. Expect Meta to make its own 3D cameras (likely updated versions of its Ray-Ban glasses) to compete and offer a more affordable way to share memories with family.

Sharing: Quest is far, far easier

Simply put, the Vision Pro is not meant to be shared with friends, family or anyone else… yet. The Vision Pro is customized to fit, with differently sized headbands, light seals and light seal cushions that are personalized with a head scan. It doesn’t work with glasses, either, so prescription lens inserts are necessary.

There’s a Vision Pro guest mode that can share apps with others, but the guest needs to go through eye-tracking setups before use, and if they take the headset off, they have to do it all over again. Apple doesn’t have an app you can use to monitor and manage someone else’s headset experience; all there is is AirPlay, which can sometimes lose connection. And it has bizarre quirks. For example, if you’re sharing a movie for someone to see (a likely thing, on Vision Pro), the content will be blacked out for them, and you, if you’re using AirPlay to help guide and observe the person in the headset.

The Quest 3 supports multiple user accounts and works with glasses. The headbands and face mask pieces are universal, so there’s no worry about fit (but the headset won’t always feel comfortable for everyone). Meta also has an iOS and Android app that allows you to remotely start and stop casting a view of what’s happening in the headset for the person trying it out. The app can launch experiences, and re-center the display for them. Apple needs an app like this for the Vision Pro.

The future will look more like the Vision Pro

Apple’s headset is stunning for videos and films, and it’s the best VR/AR headset I’ve used for laptop-style 2D work. However, the headset’s potential lies in the future. Apple’s room-tracking sensors should blend the real and virtual more, and Apple’s iOS framework should enable sharing and collaboration in virtual spaces better than any other device. But those things haven’t fully evolved yet. Also, why doesn’t the Vision Pro work with AR-capable iPhones and iPads yet? Why doesn’t the wearable, haptics-equipped Apple Watch offer feedback in virtual experiences? I don’t know, but they should be part of the picture.

The Vision Pro is only a few weeks old, whereas the Quest platform is five years old. Meta had VR hardware for years before that, too. If you’re curious about VR and AR, the Quest 3 is still the best affordable headset to play with and try mixed reality. The Vision Pro has parts that totally outshine it, but it’s also something I’d very much wait on for its extremely high price. And don’t forget: Meta, in addition to Samsung and Google, have next-gen hardware in the works also. The Quest 3 is the easiest recommendation for now, but Apple’s hardware is going to be the shape of the where the landscape is heading in the years to come.

From smartwatches to wireless earbuds, Samsung is no stranger to the world of wearables. But this year, it’s expanding into an entirely new category: smart rings. The smartphone giant teased its new Galaxy Ring at an event in January, signaling a major expansion of its health tracking efforts.

The problem, however, is that Samsung hasn’t revealed much about what to expect from the Galaxy Ring. The company showed the device in a vague video clip at the end of its presentation, but left out key details like how much it will cost, when it will arrive and most importantly, what exactly it will do.

But Samsung’s comments suggest health tracking will be the ring’s main purpose, following the lead of the Oura, Evie and other tiny wellness devices designed to be worn around the finger.

Here’s what we know about the Galaxy Ring so far. This story will be updated as we learn more details.

Read more: Samsung’s Surprise Galaxy Ring: Who’s This Actually For?

The Galaxy Ring’s features will be all about health

The Galaxy Ring will undoubtedly be a health tracking device. Though Samsung didn’t say much about the product itself, Samsung Research America’s Matthew Wiggins introduced the ring during Samsung’s Unpacked keynote presentation by saying the company was “taking the possibilities of Samsung Health to the next level.” He also described the ring as a “powerful and accessible health and wellness device.”

Samsung’s general approach to health tracking comes down to four areas of focus: activity, nutrition, sleep and stress. That’s according to Hon Pak, vice president and head of the digital health team for the mobile experience business at Samsung Electronics, who sat down with CNET following Samsung Unpacked last month.

Those core categories could provide a clue about the health features we can expect on the Galaxy Ring. Samsung’s direction will also be reflected in some new features coming to the Samsung Health app that were announced at Unpacked, such as My Vitality Score and Booster Card. The former is similar to Oura’s Readiness Score and Garmin’s Body Battery, and it’s meant to gauge your physical and mental readiness by assessing things like sleep, activity, resting heart rate and heart rate variability. Booster Card, meanwhile, surfaces insights and tips throughout the day, such as providing observations that might explain why your sleep score was low last night.

Since the Galaxy Ring will support My Vitality Score, it seems plausible the ring will measure these types of metrics. Samsung’s new feature will also include an interactive cognitive alertness test that can help wearers understand if their score is accurate, which will be available on both the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch, Pak said in our previous interview.

Pak didn’t share additional details, but the Galaxy Ring wouldn’t be the first wearable device to offer cognitive tests. The Pison Ready wristband, which I tried at CES 2024, has an agility test that required me to quickly respond to flashing lights coming from the wristband by opening my hand.

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Sleep in particular will also likely be a big area of focus for the Galaxy Ring, given that it’s smaller and less obtrusive to wear overnight compared to a smartwatch. Smart rings also typically offer longer battery life than smartwatches and fitness bands, thanks to their minimalist, screen-free designs.

“Some people want a more simple form factor, and [the] ring represents that,” Pak said following Unpacked. “And then it’s got to be stylish, it’s got to be comfortable, it’s got to have long battery life. And those are the characteristics that we’re working on.”

Even though Samsung hasn’t said much about which health features the ring will include, a report from Korean news outlet ETNews suggests it could have ECG monitoring and tools for measuring blood flow. And while health tracking is expected to be the ring’s main focus, ETNews also says it could include support for wireless payments and the ability to control other devices.

Read more: The Biggest Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Smartwatch

Galaxy Ring colors: Likely 3 options to choose from

If the final version of the Galaxy Ring is the same as the prototype I saw after Unpacked, it will come in three colors: silver, dark gray and gold. ETNews also reports that the ring could come in eight sizes.

The design is simplistic and sleek, almost resembling a traditional groom’s wedding band. It looks similar to the Oura ring. And like the Oura ring, most people are likely to mistake it for a regular piece of jewelry. (Samsung wouldn’t allow me to take photos.)

The Galaxy Ring will be Android only

Samsung’s smart ring will be compatible with Android devices, similar to the Galaxy Watch. But it’s unclear if that will always be the case. When asked if the Galaxy Ring would be Android only, Pak responded, “Right now, yes.” It’s too soon to know more about Samsung’s future plans for the Galaxy Ring, but opening it up to the iPhone would certainly allow it to be more competitive with Oura.

The Galaxy Ring’s price and release date are unknown

Samsung hasn’t said a word about how much the Galaxy Ring will cost or when it will launch. But other smart rings, like the Oura Ring, Evie Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Air typically cost between $269 and $350 depending on the model. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Galaxy Ring fall somewhere within that range.

Samsung typically releases new Galaxy Watch models in the August time frame alongside its new Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones. That would be an ideal time to formally introduce the Galaxy Ring, since it shares similarities with the Galaxy Watch. According to ETNews, Samsung will introduce the device at an Unpacked event in July.

We’ll have to wait to hear more details from Samsung. But if one thing seems certain, it’s that Samsung is doubling down on its health tracking ambitions with the Galaxy Ring.