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TikTok sounds a little different this week. On Feb. 1, many users woke up to discover the music from videos they made or watched had been removed due to a dispute between TikTok and Universal Music Group. Those videos were muted, even if only a few seconds of the song by the UMG artist was included, and UMG music was no longer available for use in new videos.

Huge stars are involved in the dispute with the video-sharing social media app — UMG artists include Taylor Swift, the Beatles, Billie Eilish, Drake, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny and many more. You can see the full list of artists on UMG’s site. TikTok is a massive social platform and music app, with more than a billion users worldwide, and more than 100 million in the US. And the site is no stranger to controversy, thanks in part to the fact that its parent company, Bytedance, is Chinese. US lawmakers say Chinese laws allow China’s government to demand data from companies based there, though TikTok says such fears are unfounded. Still, the federal government, and some states, have banned its use on government or state devices.

TikTok creators can make videos using music accessed via the site’s library. Millions of TikTok videos use those sounds. According to Forbes, Taylor Swift’s song Cruel Summer alone had been used in almost 2.5 million videos. Here’s what you should know about the dispute, and how to swap in other music if your videos have been affected.

What happened to the videos?

Videos that TikTok creators had previously made using then-allowed artists were still on the site Thursday. But they were marked with a note indicating that the music was no longer available. Sound for the entire video was muted, even if the affected artist’s music was used only briefly. The videos could still be watched, but on a site where dancing and lip-syncing are a huge part of the content, those videos are essentially useless without any sound.

The change is worldwide, not just affecting TikTok videos made in certain countries.

How to swap in other music

If the music was removed from one or more of your videos — and some TikTok creators had hundreds or thousands of videos affected — you’ll see a message on the thumbnail for those videos. TikTok should provide you with an option to select a new sound from music that isn’t from UMG. That list includes Paul Russell’s TikTok-popular song Lil Boo Thang, Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun and music by Coolio, Green Day, Weezer and others.

Some video creators have tried the stopgap of using a sped-up or otherwise tweaked version of the UMG song they used originally, but audio-detection software will likely ban those clips as well. Video creators may want to start looking for independent music that’s available on TikTok, or provide their own background soundtrack. In fact, the ban could end up being a boon for savvy independent musical artists, if they’re able to see their music go viral due to many creators suddenly seeking out new music.

UMG’s complaints

The yanking of the music didn’t come as a surprise. Two days before the contract between the two businesses was set to expire, UMG published a letter on its site declaring its intent to “call time out” on TikTok. UMG said in the letter that the company had been pressing TikTok on three issues: “appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok’s users.”

UMG also said that “TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay.”

TikTok’s response, and UMG’s reply

UMG’s letter was lengthy. TikTok fired back with a short, three-paragraph response. Without giving details about the three issues mentioned in the UMG letter, TikTok called the dispute “sad and disappointing” and accused UMG of putting “their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.”

“TikTok has been able to reach ‘artist-first’ agreements with every other label and publisher,” the statement said. “Clearly, Universal’s self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans.”

In July, TikTok had reached a new agreement to license music from Warner Music Group, so songs from those artists are still available. They include Lizzo, Panic! at the Disco, Blake Shelton and the Doors.

In a statement sent to CNET after TikTok’s response, a representative for UMG expanded further.

“TikTok still argues that artists should be grateful for the ‘free promotion’ and that music companies are ‘greedy’ for expecting them to simply compensate artists and songwriters appropriately, and on similar levels as other social media platforms currently do,” the emailed statement said. “TikTok didn’t even attempt to address the other issues we raised regarding harmful AI and platform safety.”

TikTok didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Apple Vision Pro hit Apple stores around the US on Friday, so grab that extra $3,499 you’ve got just sitting around and head on over. Or maybe not. That price — the starting price — isn’t realistic for most of us, but there is a way you can try the pricey device for free.

The Vision Pro is Apple’s first mixed-reality headset. As CNET’s Scott Stein describes it, it’s a “full iOS-ready computer in the form of a VR headset, with an ability to blend the real world and virtual objects together in your vision.”

In his Vision Pro review this week, Stein also calls it one of the hardest products he’s ever had to evaluate. He praised it as the “best wearable display” he’s ever tried. But since it’s so expensive and there are so few VisionOS apps at launch, he’s not recommending it to any of his friends or family. Yet.

Here’s a look at what to know about the Apple Vision Pro.

Reviews so far

Expensive though it is, the device is intriguing. CNET’s Stein praises its amazing micro-OLED display, mostly fluid hand-eye control interface, and its blend of real and virtual worlds. “Playing back personal 3D memories feels transporting,” he says, calling it “the most advanced blend of mixed reality in a standalone device that I’ve ever experienced.”

CNET’s Bridget Carey notes that the release of the Vision Pro feels similar to the world-shaking release of the Macintosh computer in 1984.

“Consumers today may be asking themselves some of the same questions as four decades ago — a high price for a novel machine leaves folks wondering, “Is it worth it for what it can do? How different will it feel to operate? What programs can I run on it?” Carey writes.

Try a demo

You can get a free demonstration of the device at an Apple store, where you’ll notice the staff carrying the headset around on a platter, as if it’s a gourmet dinner.

The demonstrations are 25 minutes long, and guided by employees. If you’re hoping to get a demo Feb. 2-4, the device’s first available weekend, you need to sign up at your local Apple store, and expect long lines. Once you’re at the store, head to the Vision Pro display area, scan a QR code on a sign-up iPad and reserve your demo time.

If you can wait until next week, things get easier. Head to either Apple’s Vision Pro page or retail store page and find the “Book a demo” button. Right now, you can book one for Feb. 5-8.

Apps for the Vision Pro

Apps that are available at launch include Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Disney Plus, ESPN, Zoom and more.

There are two kinds of apps for it. Compatible apps aren’t optimized for the headset, but will work, though they’ll appear in a window. Native apps are built specifically for VisionOS, the device’s operating system. They’ll give you a more immersive experience.

You won’t find apps for Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and Meta, and it doesn’t look like those companies will be building dedicated apps. If you want to watch, say, Netflix on the Apple Vision Pro, you can, but you’ll need to use a web browser to do so.

Pricing and what’s included

The Vision Pro pricing begins at $3,499 for 256GB of storage. Pay $3,699 and you can get 512GB, while it’s $3,899 for 1TB.

The headset comes with two different head strap options, one called solo knit and one called dual loop, so the owner can choose the fit that works best. It also comes with a light seal, two light-seal cushions, a cover for the front of the device, polishing cloth, battery, USB-C charge cable and USB-C power adapter.

If you haven’t spent enough money, you can purchase additional options, such as a travel case and battery-pack holder.

Eyeglass wearers need prescription lens inserts

Other VR headsets can fit over your glasses, but the Vision Pro does not — a trend that’s been coming for years.

So if you do wear glasses, you’ll need to get outfitted for prescription lens inserts made by Zeiss. They cost $99 for reader inserts, and $149 for prescription lenses. The lenses snap in magnetically and are easy to change in and out.

CNET reviewer Scott Stein says he was able to get lenses for his severe nearsightedness, but notes that he’s heard of some people who don’t meet the prescription cutoffs.

If you’re a programmer looking for a coding tool that will simplify the development process, you should consider investing in Microsoft’s Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows. While purchasing a professional subscription from Microsoft directly will run you $45 per month, this StackSocial deal lets you pay a one-time fee of $45 and get access for life. That will save you $495 in the first year alone. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later.

When you’re writing and editing code on a large scale, basic rich text editors probably aren’t going to cut it. Having an IDE, or integrated development environment, will allow you to not only write and edit, but also run your code so you can debug it all in one platform. Microsoft Visual Studio is a 64-bit IDE with advanced tools and built-in integrations that can make it much easier to handle a sizeable workload or a particularly large project.

Visual Studio Pro will allow you to build across languages and platforms, and with IntelliCode to help you complete lines or blocks of code, you should be able to increase your speed and accuracy on the whole. CodeLens is another great feature that allows you to see recent changes, tests, authors and more. And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll be able to collaborate in real-time and make sure your team’s code stays consistent.

There are some caveats that make this deal cheaper than the full subscription version. First, the code provided can only be used once, meaning you’ll have access to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 on only one device and will not be able to install it on multiple machines or transfer it in the event that your current device crashes. You also won’t get the Azure access and credit that the Microsoft subscription includes. The good news is that updates are included with your purchase, so this should serve you well for as long as you have your current device. Just be sure to check the system requirements to ensure your device is compatible with this program before you checkout.

Netflix, a CNET Editors’ Choice Award pick, released two new games to its growing library in January. While Netflix is virtually synonymous with streaming movies and TV shows, like Black Mirror and Stranger Things, your subscription gives you access to mobile games you can play on your iOS or Android device. If you subscribe to Netflix, you can play these games and many more without ads or in-app purchases at no additional charge.

Here are the new titles Netflix Games added in January.

Money Heist

The streaming service’s popular crime drama Money Heist is now a Netflix exclusive interactive game. You join the crew in the original heist from the show. If you’re new to the series, your mission is to infiltrate the world of underground art auctions in Spain. Your choices will determine what happens next. So will you go through with the heist or choose your own path?

FashionVerse

If you’ve ever wanted to show off your stylish side, you should give FashionVerse a try. In this game, you can design your own outfits and looks to complete daily challenges. You can also show your style to others in the game’s community with the hopes of being voted one of the top virtual fashionistas. So don’t be afraid to get creative and put a new twist on a classic outfit. It could be the next top design.

Here’s how you can access games in Netflix’s library

1. Download the Netflix app onto your iPhone, iPad or Android device.
2. Open the Netflix app and sign in to your account.
3. Scroll down your homepage until you see the Mobile Games carousel.
4. Tap into a game to learn more about it.
5. Tap Get Game to download a game you’re interested in.

An additional pop-up from either Apple’s App Store or the Google Play store will open, asking if you want to download the game. After you’ve confirmed that action, the game will start downloading on your device, like other apps.

For more on Netflix Games, you can check out all the titles announced at the company’s Geeked Week 2023. You can also check out the movies, shows and games Netflix plans to release this year.

If you’re looking for a dedicated music streaming player for your system, then the new Cambridge Audio CXN100 offers nearly all of the features you could think of, including Spotify Connect and Roon Ready compatibility.

The CXN100 is a “grown up” version of the competitive, entry-level WiiM Pro — a streamer I like a lot — and this is because the Cambridge instead uses a full-size metal housing, a bright, readable screen and a fuller range of outputs.

The CXN100’s predecessor, the CXN V2, has been my favorite streamer for many years, and the new version looks to improve on it in a number of ways. Firstly, the internals have been completely redesigned and now include the StreamMagic Gen4 module with
“MQA compatibility.” The onboard DAC has been upgraded too, from the Wolfson DAC to the ESS ES9028Q2M Sabre32 Reference chip, and the company says it has improved the post-DAC analogue stage with better signal-to-noise ratio and reduced distortion.

The screen, which is the best feature of the CXN V2, has been enhanced for the CXN100. It boasts an increase from 4.3 inches to 4.8 inches and is now surrounded by fewer, though more-dedicated physical buttons.

The CXN100 offers compatibility with music streaming standards including Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal, Qobuz, Chromecast built-in and Apple AirPlay. The system also includes Bluetooth, USB, digital coax and digital optical connections. Analogue output is available through balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA sockets. As a stereo streamer it sadly doesn’t include spatial music support.

While the WiiM Pro and Pro Plus are unbeatable for the money, they’re not the last word in usability. For instance, these models lack a screen, and the unlit, capacitive buttons are not really much fun to operate.

At the end of the day, it is the screen and controls that set the CXN streamers apart from almost every other competitor, including WiiM, the Bluesound Node and Sonos Port. If you like the flexibility of having a host of streaming options, and want to own something that looks spiffy sitting on your AV unit, then the CXN100 appears to be a great option.

The Cambridge Audio CXN100 is available now for $1099 or 899.

If you like to get things done away from your desk, whether that’s for work or pleasure, you’ll need a great laptop. The LG Gram 16 has a huge 16-inch display so you have plenty of room to work. It also has plenty of other features that make it a great option if you’re considering an upgrade. And it doesn’t hurt that it can now be had with a huge $450 saving, too.

That saving is available today via a Woot deal that brings the price all the way down to just $750 without the need for those pesky codes and coupons. The catch? This deal won’t hang around for long — Woot says that it’ll run for the next few hours or sooner should stock run dry. That means that we would heartily suggest that placing an order soon is the best way to lock this price in before it’s gone for good.

When you take a look at the LG Gram 16’s specs that huge 16-inch display dominates proceedings with a non-reflective coating and DCI-P3 99% color gamut. It’s sharp and bright, and a great way to get things done whether you’re playing a game or working with spreadsheets.

The spec list contniues with the 12th Gen Intel Quad Core i7 CPU and Iris Xe Graphics while 16GB of RAm and a 256GB SSD round out the main specifications. A webcam is built in with support for Windows Hello while ports include USB-A, USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI. There’s even a headphone jack as well.

Laptop deals that save you $450 off a popular model don’t come along every day so make sure to consider this one while the going is good.

Samsung phones are among the best phones on the market, and the new flagship lineup offers some solid upgrades over its predecessor, including upgraded batteries, brighter screens and on-device generative AI capabilities, thanks to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which means you won’t need to connect to the web to take advantage of the service.

Best Buy has unlocked versions of the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra available for $800, $1,000 and $1,300, respectively. However, even without direct discounts, if you have an older phone you’re willing to part with, as the company is offering up to $750 in trade-in credit, so you’ll be able to lower the cost overall. Additionally, Best Buy is sweetening the deal by offering gift card bonuses with your purchase. When you order the base model Galaxy S24, you’ll get a free $50 Best Buy gift card. Or score a $100 gift card when you grab the S24 Plus. And if you opt for the S24 Ultra, you’ll get a $150 gift card bonus.

Keep in mind that newer phones will earn a higher trade-in credit than older models, with the largest savings available on Samsung’s previous-gen Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, you can check your phone’s estimated trade-in value on Best Buy’s website before you purchase.

And if you’re ready to upgrade, but you’re not completely sold on the Galaxy S24, you can check out our roundup of all the best phone deals currently available from a variety of brands including Apple, Google and even other Samsung models.

Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset is available to the general public starting Friday, Feb 2. But its retail starting price is $3,499, and not everyone will be willing to spend that much money on a computer you wear on your face.

Read more: Apple Vision Pro Review: A Mind-Blowing Look at an Unfinished Future

That said, you still might be interested in taking the Vision Pro for a spin, and for good reason. The headset is compelling. It’s a technical marvel, with impressive visuals — you don’t necessarily need to be an Apple fanboy (or fanperson) to be curious about it.

If you check out the review of the Vision Pro by CNET’s Scott Stein, you’ll understand why.

If the price does give you pause but you want to test out the Apple Vision Pro right now, there’s some good news: v-pre You don’t have to drop thousands of dollars. You can just go to an Apple store. Scroll on for details about that.

Want to learn more about the Vision Pro? Here’s what you need to know before buying the Vision Pro, and here’s all the apps that will and won’t appear on the Vision Pro.

Check Out Apple’s Vision Pro Headset and Everything in the Box

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Sign up today for a Vision Pro demo at your local Apple Store

Starting Friday, Feb. 2, you can sign up for a demo of the Apple Vision Pro at your local Apple Store. During the 25-minute demonstration, an Apple Store employee will go through the process of using the headset.

Be warned — with the frenzy surrounding the Apple headset, you can expect long lines this weekend, and the demos are first-come, first-served, so get there early if you want a good chance of trying out the Vision Pro this week.

To get a demo on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you’ll need to head to your local Apple Store and sign up in person. Once you’re at the store, the process is easy: Head to the store’s Vision Pro display area, scan a scan a QR code on a sign-up iPad and reserve a demo time.

The process to book a demo next week is easier: Head to either Apple’s Vision Pro page or retail store page and tap the Book a demo button. After you sign in with your Apple ID (you’ll need two-factor authentication enabled), book your appointment. Right now, you can book an demo for Feb. 5 through 8.

And while you’re here, check out what iPhone spatial videos look like on the Vision Pro.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games that you can play on your Xbox Series X or Series S, Xbox One and PC for $17 a month. With a subscription, you get new games every month — like the gaming world’s latest obsession, Palworld — and other benefits, like online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles.

Here are the titles Game Pass Ultimate has recently released and the titles it’s adding soon.

Palworld

Available now.

If you’ve ever played any of the Pokemon games and thought, “Yeah, these creatures are adorable and cute, but I wish they had guns,” Palworld is for you. In this open-world adventure, you can use weapons to collect over 100 creatures, called Pals. Then you can use your Pals to fight bosses or accomplish tasks for you.

Persona 3 Reload

Available now.

This game is a much-anticipated remake of the award-winning 2006 roleplaying game Persona 3, but its director, Takuya Yamaguchi, hopes players feel the remake is something new.

“I wanted users to think that when they played this game, ‘I’m playing not a remake of something old, but I’m playing something that is the newest entry to the Persona series,’” Yamaguchi told Xbox.com. “I wanted to leave all of the parts that made Persona 3 what it was … but then try to address the things that have changed in the interim.”

New to the Persona franchise? Here’s some info. Your character can summon a physical manifestation of their inner spirit, called a Persona. As you explore areas, you and your Persona will fight different enemies, like Demons, Shadows and other Personas. And there’s also a social aspect to the Persona games, where you can perform activities like cooking, gardening and chatting with other characters. Besides being pleasant and relaxing, these activities also have in-game benefits, like improving relationships and raising some stats. So if you’re having trouble with a certain fight, try reading a book. You might learn a thing or two.

Turnip Boy Robs a Bank

Available now.

This quirky adventure game is filled with roguelite elements, heists and your daily recommended amount of vegetables. You play as the titular Turnip Boy as he teams up with the Pickled Gang as they shake down hostages, steal valuables and plan what is likely the strangest heist you’ve ever seen.

F1 23

Available now.

The official video game of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship is coming to Game Pass Ultimate. You can create your own dream team of some of the best Formula 1 drivers in the world, and test out your own skills in this exhilarating racing game. And maybe stop Red Bull winning it this time.

Go Mecha Ball

Available now.

This game puts a new spin on roguelike gameplay. In it, you blast through arcade-style levels using a combination of pinball-style physics and an arsenal of weapons. You’ll also have to upgrade your mech along the way to take on waves of enemies and huge boss battles.

Brotato

Available now.

In this top-down roguelite arena shooter, you fight off hordes of aliens until help arrives. And if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, you play as a rootin’, tootin’, gun-totin’ potato. What else needs to be said, bro?

Anuchard

Release date: Feb. 6

A kingdom has fallen, and you’ve been selected to bring it back to its former glory. In this action RPG, you explore dungeons, solve puzzles and battle monsters. Then, it’s up to you to decide whether bringing back the kingdom is worth it.

Titles leaving Game Pass

While you’ll be able to play these games on Game Pass Ultimate in the coming weeks, there are two titles that left the service. So if you have any side-quests left to finish, you’ll have to buy these games separately.

• Hitman: World of Assassination
• F1 2021

For more on Xbox, here are other titles available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now and what to know about the gaming service.